DitD & Open Post - 3/31/23: Playoff Preview? Edition

Mar 31, 2023 - 11:00 AM

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

In a possible playoff preview on Thursday night, Erik Haula and Timo Meier scored goals, and Vitek Vanecek slammed the door as the Devils claimed a tight, 2-1 win over the Rangers. It was glorious. [Devils NHL]

Well, well, well.

Douglas Jonathan Hamilton Jr.:

Hats off to an impressive season for Vitek:

​​Hockey Links

Congrats to the Bruins on clinching the Presidents’ Trophy:

Marty Walsh is in as the new head of the NHLPA. Some first impressions: [Sportsnet]

Travis Yost: “Goalies have had a rough go of it in the past few weeks – scoring rates are once again at blistering levels, and league-wide save percentages are plummeting. In the heightened scoring era we’re living in, goaltenders were barely holding onto a 90.0 per cent stop rate league wide.” [TSN]

“So for now, the reverse hit lives on unless it’s blatantly visible as a form of interference. If I had my way, however: it would be outlawed for its predatory nature.” [Daily Faceoff]

“How does a 5-foot-10 forward who doesn’t blow by defenders with McDavid- or Nathan MacKinnon-type speed become such a nightmare for players to defend against? And what does it say about how his skill set, aside from his excellent shot, might translate to the NHL? I pored into Bedard game tape to find answers.” [The Athletic ($)]

Hobey Baker finalists:

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.