Playoffs & Islanders Prospect News: OHL clash

TL;DR

The NHL playoffs are underway, while the OHL finals highlight key prospects for the Islanders' future. Canadian hockey cities reflect on their teams' post-season performances.

Key points

NHL playoffs are in the second round
OHL finals feature Islanders prospects
Canadian cities reflect on playoff performances

Call it a comeback. | Getty Images

As the NHL’s second round gets off and running, don’t overlook the OHL finals, which will feature a couple of prospects who could be parts of the Islanders’ future.

Meanwhile, post-season post-mortems continue in Canada’s top self-loathing hockey capitals.

Islanders News

In a reflective Islanders Anxiety episode, Dan and Mike ponder missed opportunities and see the Oilers with Connor McDavid as a cautionary tale. [LHH]
Prospect Report: We’ve got an OHL finals clash with Luca Romano and Kashawn Aitcheson after Aitcheson’s Barrie Colts completed a comeback from a 3-1 series deficit. [Isles | OHL]
R.I.P. John Sterling, a broadcasting legend and the ‘70s voice of the Isles. [Isles]
Ryan Bowness has been heavy in the running for the Canucks GM gig. [THN]

NHL Playoffs

Monday night in the playoffs, Vegas took Game 1 over the Ducks (where Anaheim was pissed about a no-icing call), while the Hurricanes needed OT to stay undefeated, taking a 2-0 series lead on the Flyers.

Elsewhere

Reminder that the NHL Draft Lottery is Tuesday night. [NHL]
The Oilers’ stars say the whole franchise needs to be better. [Sportsnet] Spector…interprets. [Sportsnet]
Not instilling any confidence, GM Stan Bowman said “we have to evaluate that” about the goaltending. “Looking for improvement for sure.” [Sportsnet]
Justin Bourne takes a “maybe it won’t be so bad” look at the Leafs hiring John Chayka as GM. [Sportsnet]
But they are putting Mats Sundin front and center as a face of the franchise. [NHL]
There’s gotta be some bad blood out there about Chayka, as the league already had to check into (and clear him of) complaints of tampering with other teams’ front-office personnel. [Sportsnet]
Unconvincing former Senators GM Pierre Dorion has interviewed for the opening in Vancouver. (Also on the list, as noted above: Ryan Bowness of the Isles.) [Sportsnet]
Playoff injuries: Connor McDavid played through a broken bone in his foot, and Roope Hintz never appeared for Dallas due to a in his hamstring. [Sportsnet]