Play Off News & Notes

- 16 things you should know for the play offs, very helpful before the games start.

- The Anaheim Ducks will more than likely be starting Dan Ellis in Game One. Smart move, Randy.

- Tortorella says that the Rangers are ready for the play offs because they've been in that mindset since like January.

- The Blackhawks are relishing the underdog role and think that they can continue their post-season dominance of the Canucks.

- Boucher is having the Lightning prepare for the games as if Sidney Crosby is playing for the Penguins.

- Penguins fans don't think that the Pens can make it all the way or even out of the first round. It's called cautious optimism, jerk-face.

- Justin Williams is aiming to be back for the Kings in the play offs. The Kings can only hold their breath and hope.

- The Flyers and Chris Pronger believe that he will be back this series against Buffalo. The Sabres are hoping that isn't true.

- Alex Burrows is the missing link for the Sedins, or something like that.

- Carey Price. Underdog Canadiens. Still going to lose.

- All of the teams in the play offs were warned about the extra-curriculars between the whistles and in warm-ups and that they will be punished.


Now for the news about teams/players not in the play offs:

- Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi are the bright spots in Edmonton and are key to their resurgence.

And Tom Renney believes that patience is key with the Baby Oilers. We like him as their coach.

- The Islanders made Jack Capuano their permanent coach. This sounds a little too familiar.

- Marc Crawford was fired as the Stars Head Coach. Hmm, really?

- Brian Burke has to find a top center for the Leafs so they can be a contender. Finally, we're going to be grey-beards before that happens.

- The Draft Lottery happened yesterday and the Devils won but the Oilers got first again. Say hello to unanimous number one Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton. You know they like guys with hyphenated names.


- More World Championship Canada players:

Three Leafs are going: Phaneuf, Schenn and Reimer.

Evander Kane and Cal Clutterbuck are going to Slovakia.

John Tavares, Jordan Eberle, Jeff Skinner, Devan Dubnyk, Antoine Vermette, Marc Methot and Travis Zajac are also committed to playing for Canada.