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Morning Skate: The Blackhawks and Kings are about to ride into the sunset
We could have a brand new Stanley Cup champion this year.
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
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PREPARE YOUR GOODBYES, CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES
Imagine a world where the Kings and Blackhawks don't make it past the first round of the playoffs.
Oh, right. We’re almost there.
Los Angeles' loss in Game 4 on Wednesday in San Jose (coupled with Chicago's 3-1 series deficit to the Blues) means that the two winners of four out of the last five Stanley Cups are on the brink of playoff elimination.
Should this come as a surprise? The Blackhawks have been trending the wrong way for months now, no matter how many prospects they dealt for help at the trade deadline. And while the Kings felt capable of making another run deep into the playoffs, the Sharks are exposing defensive flaws the Kings haven't had in years.
A changing of the guard in the Western Conference had to come at some point. It could begin tonight in St. Louis.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT
- Improbably, the Flyers recovered from a disastrous loss to win Game 4 and keep their playoff lives afloat.
- Dallas regained some of its mojo, taking a 3-1 series lead with a win in Game 4.
- The Islanders fell to 0-12 since 2002 when trying to win consecutive playoff games.
- And, as mentioned above, the Sharks used a hot power play to push the Kings to the brink.
TONIGHT'S PLAYOFF FUN:
- The Rangers try to even the series on home ice before it heads back to Pittsburgh. The Rangers need to control their emotions (that Penguins power play is clicking), while Pittsburgh will try to stay the course.
- Tampa Bay can become the first team to advance to the second round.
- Big game for the Ducks tonight; a win means they head back to Anaheim with a tied series.
- We'll see if the defending champions are still around tomorrow with a deciding Game 5 tonight in St. Louis.
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Scary scene in Philadelphia last night, as Scott Laughton was stretchered off for a night in the hospital after he fell awkwardly into the boards.
- The Penguins are winning the series despite putting Evgeni Malkin at a disadvantage.
- Philadelphia made the right adjustments to save their season.
- Guess what happens when you don't play with your food? You win. Or something.
- That analogy kind of got away from me.
- San Jose's special teams showed up in a huge way in Game 4.
- Andrew Shaw's comments didn't stay on the ice.
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