Hello gossip fiends! The end of the season is upon us (or&#8230;almost, for the Canadian division), and with it we have playoff matchups and locker clean out interviews and all sorts of goodies to look at. Plus, of course, those random Canadian division games that are virtually meaningless. So let&#8217;s take a look, shall we?
Leafs Land
The Leafs have their &#8220;Battle of Ontario season finale&#8221; tonight because apparently that&#8217;s a thing!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Battle of Ontario: Season Finale
🏒 <a href="https://twitter.com/scotiahockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scotiahockey</a> Game Day ⏰ 8:00 PM 📺 <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> 📻 <a href="https://twitter.com/680NEWS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@680NEWS</a> 📍 Ottawa, ON #️⃣ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeafsForever</a> <a href="https://t.co/yJkIooSPUi">pic.twitter.com/yJkIooSPUi</a>
&mdash; Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1392458284540563459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So if you happen to be desperate to know how the series between the first place team and likely last place team in the division ends up, tonight&#8217;s the night!
But you know what is exciting about tonight&#8217;s game? The one and only @Frederik Andersen is back in net!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Sheldon Keefe said the plan is for Frederik Andersen to start tomorrow vs. OTT
&mdash; Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1392179241614200833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As a reminder, Freddie has been sidelined with an injury since March. He recently did a conditioning stint with the Marlies where his results were&#8230;uhhh&#8230;.less than stellar. It definitely feels like a certainty that @Jack Campbell will get the start for the playoffs, but obviously the team needs to see where things stand with Fred.
Speaking of Jack, he is the Leafs nominee for the Masterton Trophy!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The PHWA has announced 2020-21 Masterton Trophy Nominees. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/de8IXCgK2y">pic.twitter.com/de8IXCgK2y</a>
&mdash; NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1391786229616857091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And finally &#8211; they did it. As most predicted, the Leafs will finish this season with the top seed in the Canadian Division. It feels gooooood to be on top.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
North Division: Clinched
Relive all the action and excitement in tonight’s <a href="https://twitter.com/scotiahockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scotiahockey</a> Game in Six | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LeafsForever?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LeafsForever</a><a href="https://t.co/wljG4UxRB5">https://t.co/wljG4UxRB5</a>
&mdash; Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1391244073143574528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Playoffs, Baby
It&#8217;s (almost) tiiiiiime. (Yes, we&#8217;re aware that the Canadian Division has to finish games but we&#8217;re ignoring that for now.)
While some divisions are still solidifying their first round match ups, we do know who the Leafs will be playing.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Brings on Leafs-Habs in Round 1&#8230;
&mdash; James Mirtle (@mirtle) <a href="https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1392307672611971077?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Oh my goddddd it&#8217;s HAPPENING!!!!!!!! The timeless rivalry is ALIVE. This is gonna be bloody, and terrifying, and AWESOME.
Also:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Fun fact: Every time in NHL history that the Leafs and Habs have met in the playoffs, the winner has gone on to win the Stanley Cup. <a href="https://t.co/4beVrK9iqq">https://t.co/4beVrK9iqq</a>
&mdash; Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) <a href="https://twitter.com/DownGoesBrown/status/1392309896041881603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
But NO PRESSURE.
And also also:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I realize this is way too premature. But there are several plausible scenarios through which the Leafs and Bruins end up playing for the Stanley Cup. And that, friends, would be incredible.
&mdash; Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) <a href="https://twitter.com/wyshynski/status/1392109364534824965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ummmmmmm. I don&#8217;t know if I want this, or if I want to kill it with fire.
Exit Interviews
Well this seems fine for the Sabres:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I asked Jack Eichel how confident he was that the <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BuffaloSabres</a> would actually grant his trade request, should he make one, given that he&#39;s singed through 2026. <a href="https://t.co/fS87742Q4g">pic.twitter.com/fS87742Q4g</a>
&mdash; Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) <a href="https://twitter.com/wyshynski/status/1391797229481046017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And this seems, not so fine:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Jack Eichel essentially says the Sabres wouldn&#39;t let him have surgery on his herniated disk in his neck.
His body, his choice?
&quot;It doesn&#39;t work like that. I wish. &#8230; I&#39;m under contract with this team and they definitely hold a lot of cards on what I can and can&#39;t do.&quot;
&mdash; John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuffaloVogl/status/1391792883653652482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
@Jack Eichel may or may not be in Buffalo next season. But someone definitely won&#8217;t be in Columbus:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBJ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBJ</a> and John Tortorella have mutually agreed to part ways. <a href="https://t.co/UvW5sDo407">https://t.co/UvW5sDo407</a>
&mdash; Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1391422816352878597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Just a lot of unhappy hockey players ending their seasons, unfortunately:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Patrik Laine: “It was a pretty scary experience for the team and myself. It’s just a good feeling that the season is over. Everything that could go wrong went wrong.”
Isn’t going to World Championships in Latvia. “Such a below season that I can&#39;t stand a game of hockey anymore.” <a href="https://t.co/x359Do1o5J">https://t.co/x359Do1o5J</a>
&mdash; NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PuckReportNHL/status/1392288208243855361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
However, there is one player who&#8217;s probably pretty happy right now:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
We’ll take <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeaKraken?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaKraken</a> history for $1000, <a href="https://twitter.com/RonFrancis10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RonFrancis10</a>.
Question: What is the name of the first-ever player to join the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SeaKraken?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SeaKraken</a>?
Answer: Who is <a href="https://twitter.com/lukehenman16?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lukehenman16</a> → <a href="https://t.co/fQQ4VQk8Xa">https://t.co/fQQ4VQk8Xa</a> <a href="https://t.co/vM8UQVbCD5">pic.twitter.com/vM8UQVbCD5</a>
&mdash; Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeattleKraken/status/1392540853370081280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That&#8217;s all she wrote, folks! See you next week, when the real fun begins. Because as my friend Ian likes to say &#8211; the regular season is meaningless.

Hello gossip fiends! The end of the season is upon us (or...almost, for the Canadian division), and with it we have playoff matchups and locker clean out interviews and all sorts of goodies to look at. Plus, of course, those random Canadian division games that are virtually meaningless. So let's take a look, shall we?

Leafs Land

The Leafs have their "Battle of Ontario season finale" tonight because apparently that's a thing!

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1392458284540563459?s=20

So if you happen to be desperate to know how the series between the first place team and likely last place team in the division ends up, tonight's the night!

But you know what is exciting about tonight's game? The one and only @Frederik Andersen is back in net!

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1392179241614200833?s=20

As a reminder, Freddie has been sidelined with an injury since March. He recently did a conditioning stint with the Marlies where his results were...uhhh....less than stellar. It definitely feels like a certainty that @Jack Campbell will get the start for the playoffs, but obviously the team needs to see where things stand with Fred.

Speaking of Jack, he is the Leafs nominee for the Masterton Trophy!

https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1391786229616857091?s=20

And finally - they did it. As most predicted, the Leafs will finish this season with the top seed in the Canadian Division. It feels gooooood to be on top.

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1391244073143574528?s=20

Playoffs, Baby

It's (almost) tiiiiiime. (Yes, we're aware that the Canadian Division has to finish games but we're ignoring that for now.)

While some divisions are still solidifying their first round match ups, we do know who the Leafs will be playing.

https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1392307672611971077?s=20

Oh my goddddd it's HAPPENING!!!!!!!! The timeless rivalry is ALIVE. This is gonna be bloody, and terrifying, and AWESOME.

Also:

https://twitter.com/DownGoesBrown/status/1392309896041881603?s=20

But NO PRESSURE.

And also also:

https://twitter.com/wyshynski/status/1392109364534824965?s=20

Ummmmmmm. I don't know if I want this, or if I want to kill it with fire.

Exit Interviews

Well this seems fine for the Sabres:

https://twitter.com/wyshynski/status/1391797229481046017?s=20

And this seems, not so fine:

https://twitter.com/BuffaloVogl/status/1391792883653652482?s=20

@Jack Eichel may or may not be in Buffalo next season. But someone definitely won't be in Columbus:

https://twitter.com/BlueJacketsNHL/status/1391422816352878597?s=20

Just a lot of unhappy hockey players ending their seasons, unfortunately:

https://twitter.com/PuckReportNHL/status/1392288208243855361?s=20

However, there is one player who's probably pretty happy right now:

https://twitter.com/SeattleKraken/status/1392540853370081280?s=20

That's all she wrote, folks! See you next week, when the real fun begins. Because as my friend Ian likes to say - the regular season is meaningless.

Page 6ix Wednesday, May 12th: Post-season is (almost) upon us

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