The strange goings on in the Carolina net have impacted the AHL final, which starts tonight in Chicago.

With Frederik Andersen out of sight (but apparently still skating?) the Hurricanes recalled Amir Miftakhov from the Wolves last night to be their third goalie. Hockey is a small town, and Miftakhov is a former teammate of the Marlies' Artur Akhtyamov at Ak Bars Kazan.

Miftakhov hasn't been the Wolves main playoff goalie, though, that's Cayden Primeau. You remember him, the goalie the Leafs claimed on waivers when they didn't want to force Dennis Hildeby into the NHL early in the season. Primeau was then, and is now, a very good AHL goalie. He's appeared in 14 of the Wolves playoff games, and is going to be Akhtyamov's main opponent.

Some information on the goalie usage here:

Scout’s Analysis: Looking at Artur Akhtyamov ahead of Calder Cup Finals
As the Toronto Marlies get set for the AHL’s Calder Cup Finals, goalie Artur Akhtyamov has had a great playoff run that puts him on the NHL team’s radar. Jason Bukala writes about Akhtyamov’s game and how crowded the Leafs’ goalie picture now is.
Sportsnet.caJason Bukala

Marlies @ Wolves tonight at 8 pm. AHL playoffs are on Flo Hockey.

See if you can find the Vegas or Carolina players here:

Pavelski confirms he’s interviewing for Leafs job
Retired NHL hockey star Joe Pavelski confirmed to reporters on Thursday that he is interviewing for the Toronto Maple Leafs head coaching job.
TSNTSN.ca Staff
Sources: Darnell Nurse asks for trade, agrees it’s time to move from Oilers
According to multiple sources, Darnell Nurse has requested a trade out of Edmonton and agrees it’s time for a fresh start.
Sportsnet.caElliotte Friedman

Okay, now some Darnell Nurse talk.

  • The Oilers are not going to retain salary.
  • They aren't going to have to pay someone to take Nurse.
  • The Oilers won't actually be unable to trade him because no one will want him.
  • There is no one on offer on defence right now that comes close to Nurse's value.
  • Darnell Nurse would be the best defenceman on the Maple Leafs if they traded for him. (Unless Chris Tanev is suddenly himself that is.)
  • He's likely not the greatest fit for a team who would then trade their PP1 guy because his power play value is minimal.
  • Yes he's "overpaid" but he didn't force Edmonton to give him that contract. He doesn't need to be punished for it. And he's not solely responsible for their results.
  • They don't give out the cup for cap space efficiency. Someone is going to realize that, just like the Panthers did with Seth Jones.
  • Waiting for the perfect player and the perfect price gets you the last 10 years of Leafs results.
  • Any one of these draft prospect defenders that are touted so highly would be considered a great success if they had a career like Nurse's.
  • The remaining term on his deal is as risky as Seth Jones' is and Florida didn't balk.

In NHL news, the Hurricanes blew away Vegas like a pile of feathers. I'm not sure it mattered who they had in net, well, not until the final few minutes anyway.

Carolina leads three games to two, and Game six is on Sunday.

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