Morning Skate: Give credit to the little guys of the NHL playoffs

Minnesota and Philadelphia went down fighting.

Apr 25, 2016, 2:43 PM UTC

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.

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GIVE CREDIT TO THE LITTLE GUYS

The Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers finally bowed out of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Sunday. But damn, if they didn't go down swinging.

Both teams had the worst odds in their respective conferences of winning the Stanley Cup. Of course they did. The Flyers were facing the Washington Capitals, the clear best team in the league and one of the most balanced favorites in years. And the Wild completely backed into the playoffs by losing five straight games before taking on the Western Conference-best Dallas Stars.

They stood no chance. And both almost almost pulled off the impossible, finally falling in Game 6.

Full credit to both; most had left them for dead after early losses. But even the worst teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs become tough outs when forced into desperation mode. That’s a valuable lesson for the Capitals and Stars as they venture deep into the playoffs, uncharted territory for both franchises.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT

Michal Neuvirth was sensational again for Philadelphia, but his team failed to prop him up with goals. And down went the Flyers.
Dallas blew a four-goal lead, nearly sent their fans into a conniption fit and then barely advanced to the second round for the first time since 2008.
Hey, guess what! You'll never guess how long the Islanders and Panthers Game 6 lasted. Yep. It took double overtime again for the Islanders to win and advance for the first time in 23 years.