And then there were four. Only four teams are still in the hunt to claim the most prestigious trophy in all of team sports. The Eastern Conference Finals start tonight with the Boston Bruins hosting the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Western Conference Finals will pit the San Jose Sharks against the St. Louis Blues with Game 1 being played on Saturday.
LET'S GO!!!! pic.twitter.com/frhY5NsLhm
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 9, 2019
The San Jose Sharks are in the Western Conference Finals for the fifth time in the past 15 seasons, and they are hoping to wipe away their legacy as postseason choke artists in one fell swoop. San Jose will be playing the only team in the Western Conference with a more star-crossed past, the St. Louis Blues.
WELCOME BACK JOE PAVELSKI!! pic.twitter.com/R6HU4Ad84b
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) May 9, 2019
Joe Pavelski returned to the ice for the first time since Game 7 of the Sharks first round series with the Vegas Golden Knights and he was instrumental in San Jose returning to the conference finals. He notched a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
"It's not easy to be out of the lineup for longer periods of time, but he handled it very well. He’s always in a positive attitude and works hard."
📝 Thursday's Pregame Rundown: https://t.co/QWHjFGFBn2
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 9, 2019
Charlie McAvoy’s Game 1 suspension has opened up a roster spot prior to tonight’s tilt with the Carolina Hurricanes. Bruce Cassidy and the Boston Bruins were expected to slot Steven Kampfer into the lineup, and they made that decision official earlier today. This will be Kampfer’s second game of the playoffs.
Leafs centre John Tavares sustained an oblique injury in preparation for the World Championships. Tavares will return to Toronto for further evaluation by the Leafs medical staff and a further update will follow in the coming days.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) May 9, 2019
John Tavares was one of the NHL stars looking to lead Canada to its first IIHF Hockey World Championship in three years, but the Maple Leafs center suffered an oblique injury and will not participate in the tournament. The two-week competition starts May 10.
It was a memorable season.
You were with us as we reached new heights, and the climb is not done. We will be back.
Next season starts now. pic.twitter.com/PVbpTldKzn
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 7, 2019
The Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off one of the biggest postseason upsets of all-time when they swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs. However, it’s looking increasingly likely that the Blue Jackets will be blown up in the offseason. Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky are both probably going to leave in free agency, leaving this team’s future in doubt.
Top Stories
- Blues face Sharks again in Western Conference finals; Game 1 is Saturday in San Jose | St. Louis Post Dispatch
- Seventh heaven! Sharks hold off Avalanche in Game 7, advance to face Blues | The Mercury News
- Kampfer Gets Call for Game 1 | NHL
- Tavares sustains oblique injury with Team Canada, to return to Toronto | TSN
- Mailbag: Bobrovsky, Panarin futures with Blue Jackets | NHL
