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Morning Skate: We just witnessed the perfect Game 7 in St. Louis
What more could you want?
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
* * *
DOWN GO THE CHAMPS
What a game. Game 7 between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks lived up to the hype in every way possible. The Blues got by the defending champions by the skin of their teeth, surviving missed shots on wide open nets and a tremendous game by Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford. You couldn't have asked more from a Game 7 between two heated rivals.
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
The Ducks are doing it again. Nashville returned home with their backs against the wall and stepped up to the plate, forcing a Game 7 with a much-improved performance on Monday night. It's the first time in franchise history the Predators have dug deep and forced a winner-take-all game in the playoffs.
TONIGHT’S PLAYOFF FUN:
Nothing. There are no games. For the first time in weeks you get to go to bed early or watch Game of Thrones on your DVR or eat some pizza or whatever you people do when playoff hockey isn’t on.
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Chicago still has a bright future after a disappointing end to a great season.
- The Blues advance to play the Dallas Stars in the second round, setting up a matchup between the two coaches of the Stars' Stanley Cup finals win in 1999.
- In a weird twist I'm not sure I like, the Islanders and Lightning will kick off Round 2 before the final game of Round 1 (Game 7 in Anaheim) even starts on Wednesday.
- Anton Stralman's absence could seriously affect the Lightning's chances in Round 2.
- The Panthers won't blame the referees for their elimination and neither should their fans.
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