Kings crowned Western Conference champs: Wednesday's notes

Late last night the Los Angeles Kings finished off the Phoenix Coyotes to take the Western Conference Final in 5 games, and send L.A. back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993. So brace yourselves for a lot more of Barry Melrose, folks, and highlight clips of Ye Olden Days when the Mullet paced behind the bench and Wayne Gretzky led the way...

Nashville Predators News

Top five Nashville Predators quotes from 2011-12 - Nashville Predators Examiner
Who says hockey players don't say anything interesting? (OK, almost never)

Gaustad and Gill are Fond of Nashville | ladypreds
I wonder if the article here gets a little ahead of things with how much these two would like to stay with the Preds.

Preds in review: Craig Smith - Predators Insider
For a few months at least, Smith lived up to the considerable hype.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

Los Angeles Kings at Phoenix Coyotes Game Recap - NHL.com
After a series of controversial calls that were (or weren't made) against both teams, Dustin Penner scored the overtime goal which put L.A. over the top.

Coyotes howling with rage after Dustin Brown’s unpenalized knee-on-knee hit on Michal Rozsival | Edmonton Journal
This was a tough pill to swallow for Phoenix, as it came just seconds before Penner's winner.

The LA Kings have released a fantastic infographic | Awful Announcing
The Kings are killing it, not only on Twitter, but with a perfect send-up of moronic TV reporters who confuse them with the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

Edmonton and Seattle both to get new downtown arenas – but Seattle is getting a much, much better deal | Edmonton Journal
This one starts with an eye-popping comparison.

Penn State hockey releases inaugural Div. 1 schedule; Nittany Lions to play in Philly - Broad Street Hockey
Consider this season a tune-up for 2013-14, when the team will move into their new permanent arena, and join the new Big Ten Hockey Conference.

Radko Gudas has a better playoff beard than you | Backhand Shelf
Holy crap, this guy looks like a Norse god.

These Are Not Your Older Brother's Devils | Overtime
This isn't the same old bunch o' trappers.

Brodeur is a Fraud: Mike Smith: Good Season or Good Goalie?
We'll have to see if the Coyotes' goalie can maintain the pace next season.

How Gregory House, Scott Bowman, and Steve Jobs taught us to win - Grantland
An outstanding article here by Ken Dryden, drawing a line between three otherwise disparate figures.

SB Nation's NHL Awards 2012: OTF's Norris Trophy Ballot

SB Nation is conducting its own set of NHL awards this season. Yesterday, we showed you the results of the Vezina Trophy, and today it's time to reveal who won the Norris Trophy.

While it should come as no surprise, the result will make Preds fans very happy. The SB Nation gang selected Shea Weber as the winner of the Norris trophy with Zdeno Chara coming in second and Erik Karlsson coming in third.

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Shea Weber

#6 / Defenseman / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-4

Weight: 232

Born: Aug 14, 1985

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	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2011 - Shea Weber	78	19	30	49	21	46	10	2	1		230

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Here's a look at how the OTF staff voted:

Chris: (1) Shea Weber, (2) Alex Pietrangelo, (3) Zdeno Chara

Marc: (1) Shea Weber, (2) Zdeno Chara, (3) Erik Karlsson

Dirk: (1) Shea Weber, (2) Zdeno Chara, (3) Erik Karlsson

Coming tomorrow, we announce our pick for the Lady Byng.

Western Conference Finals Game 5 Thread

Can the Coyotes stave off elimination once again?

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Next Game

Los Angeles Kings
@ Phoenix Coyotes

Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 8:00 PM Central (NBC Sports)
Jobing.com Arena

Complete Coverage >

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We have to keep in mind that the deal's not done yet to keep the team in Phoenix, so it's entirely possible that this could be the Coyotes last game in Arizona.

WCF: Los Angeles Kings @ Phoenix Coyotes Game 5: Time To Do It Again - Five For Howling
Can Ray Whitney get rolling? That's one key to a potential Phoenix victory.

Eastern Conference Game 4 Thread

The Devils need to make a stand on home ice, as they face a 2-1 series deficit to the Rangers...

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Next Game

New York Rangers
@ New Jersey Devils

Monday, May 21, 2012, 7:00 PM Central (NBC Sports)
Prudential Center

Complete Coverage >

2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4 Preview: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils - In Lou We Trust
Take a pre-game look from the New Jersey side.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Stu Bickel Replaces Brandon Prust In Tonight's Lineup - Blueshirt Banter
Prust is out with a suspension, so Stu Bickel gets his chance.

Devils & Rangers settle in for a long series: Tuesday's notes

Thanks to a 4-1 New Jersey victory in Game Four, the Devils & Rangers are now in for another long series, and as you can imagine in a matchup featuring New York & New Jersey, it's all about congeniality, gentlemanly play, and decorum...

Nashville Predators News

Nashville Predators Offseason Grades – Offense | The Predatorial
Kris likes what he saw from some of the young'uns.

Distractions, Dramas, and Dressing Rooms | Backhand Shelf
A very good question is raised here about how the Preds shot themselves in the foot.

Preds in review: Colin Wilson - Predators Insider
Where do you think the frustration level is on Willy, given the way he watched most of the playoffs as a healthy scratch again?

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

New Jersey Devils Dominate Early & Tie Up Series in 4-1 Win Over the New York Rangers - In Lou We Trust
We've got a real battle on our hands in the East, as the Devils and Rangers head back to Madison Square Garden tied 2-2.

Mike Rupp shoves Brodeur, sparks Game 4 chaos as Devils, Rangers coaches squabble (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
Watch as the Rangers come unglued.

Down Goes Brown: Martin Brodeur vs. Henrik Lundqvist: An in-depth comparison
Now this is the breakdown we've been waiting for.

Islanders Bits: Brooklyn Arena Inside View - Lighthouse Hockey
Take a peek at the Barclays Center, which will host an Islanders pre-season game this fall.

2012 NHL Free Agency: Dallas Stars Willing & Able To Spend To Address Team Needs - Defending Big D
With new ownership in place, the Stars are ready to get to work.

Red Wings closer to new arena with pair of architects - SportsBusiness Journal
Joe Louis Arena is finally on the way out, apparently. I remember when it first opened, and I went to see the Harlem Globetrotters play there.

From coach throwing to fan celebrations, Russia seems fairly pleased with gold at IIHF Worlds (VIDEO) | Puck Daddy
Check it out as those Russkies party like _________.

The NHL's Most Interesting Name: And the Winner Is... - Arctic Ice Hockey
The tension is killing me!

Zach Parise: Excellent player, free agency contract risk | NHLNumbers.com
Buyer beware, argues Eric.

Coyotes Escape From L.A., Russia Conquers the World: Monday's notes

Yesterday saw two big games on opposite ends of the hockey world. In the Western Conference Finals, the Phoenix Coyotes slowed down the L.A. Kings' rampage for a day, while at the World Championships, Russia captured the gold medal as they look to build momentum ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which will be held on their turf frozen tundra.

We've got updates from those games, as well the junior hockey spectacle which is the Memorial Cup...

Nashville Predators News

The nature of Erat’s injury - Predators Insider
Martin Erat's agent says it wasn't really a concussion that the winger suffered over the weekend, just a "stiff neck". Of course, for veteran NHL players, a concussion listed on their injury history is like a car with an accident on its CarFax report, so who knows.

Hockey Season Officially Ends for the Predators | ladypreds
Summing up the various Preds' experience over at the World Championships.

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

WCF: Phoenix Coyotes @ Los Angeles Kings Game 4 Recap: Captain Coyote To The Rescue - Five For Howling
Shane Doan led the way for the Coyotes to return to Phoenix for a Game Five.

Russia dominates Slovakia to win 2012 IIHF gold; 2014 Sochi groups announced | Puck Daddy
Team USA will get lumped in with both Russia and Slovakia in the upcoming Winter Olympics. The Czech Republic took the bronze medal, making Erat the only Preds medalist this time around.

2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup: Shawinigan Cataractes pull away late, beat London Knights; post-game questions - Buzzing The Net
The round-robin portion of the Memorial Cup continues, as Austin Watson's gang takes a beating.

Roy should weigh pros and cons of becoming Habs coach - The Globe and Mail
After having kicked the tires on NHL head coaching, Dale Hunter offers some advice for Patrick Roy.

NHL Adjusted Plus-Minus Part 4, Even Strength Overall - Arctic Ice Hockey
Advanced wonkery which bodes well for Ryan Suter.

IIHF president content to wait for NHL to make a decision on Sochi - The Globe and Mail
Heck, we're just hoping for NHL games this fall, let alone seeing NHL players in 2014 in Russia.

Western Conference Finals Game 4 Thread

Can the Kings close the deal, and claim the Clarence Campbell Bowl for the first time in 19 years?

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Next Game

Phoenix Coyotes
@ Los Angeles Kings

Sunday, May 20, 2012, 2:00 PM Central (NBC)
STAPLES Center

Complete Coverage >