> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Ah, Playoff Hockey! - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-news-ah-playoff-hockey/ - Published: 2011-04-14T10:30:17.000Z - Updated: 2011-04-14T10:30:17.000Z - Author: J.P. Nikota - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:15 There are a lot of links today; three just from James Mirtle, four games recaps (for those who couldn't see any hockey last night), and a few Leafs articles from the usual suspects. A bit of league news emerged yesterday as Joe Niewendyk fired Mark Crawford, but most of the links today are playoff-centric. Jump for more. **Leafs Links:** [Hunting Down A Unicorn](http://puckineh.com/2011-articles/april/hunting-down-a-unicorn.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) John S at Puckin' Eh has a list of desirables. [Phil Kessel declines an invite: alarm bells or "keep moving, no story here"?](http://vintageleafmemories.blogspot.com/2011/04/kessel-alarm-bells-or-keep-moving-no.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Michael Langlois mulls it over. [Vintage Leafs: The Legendary Johnny Bower](http://vintageleafs.blogspot.com/2011/04/legendary-johnny-bower.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) This, and more, over at Vintage Leafs. [Thanks Leafs & Thanks Readers](http://leafshq.com/2011/04/13/thanks-leafs-thanks-readers/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Jeffler at Leafs HQ with a few (late) thoughts on the Leafs' season. **Game Recaps:** [Canucks again the best in Game 1](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/canucks-again-the-best-in-game-1/article1984919/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1984919) [Roberto Luongo](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54455/roberto-luongo?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) the star in 2-0 victory over [Blackhawks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/chicago-blackhawks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com). Story from Matthew Sekeres at the Globe. [Predators only visiting team to win on opening night of NHL playoffs](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/predators-only-visiting-team-to-win-on-opening-night-of-nhl-playoffs/article1984959/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1984959) [Ducks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/anaheim-ducks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) have a habit of collectively losing their cool and taking bad penalties when things don’t go their way. Recap from Eric Duhatschek. [Red Wings top Coyotes.](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/red-wings-top-coyotes/article1984780/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1984780) [Jimmy Howard](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/55738/jimmy-howard?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) makes 26 saves for the third-seeded [Red Wings](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/detroit-red-wings?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com). Recap from AP at the Globe. [Pittsburgh breaks through late](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/pittsburgh-breaks-through-late/article1984765/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1984765) Fleury tops goaltending duel with Roloson as Pens write up playoff-opening victory. Dave Shoalts with the recap. **Other Hockey Links:** [The NHL’s top defensive defencemen](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/the-nhls-top-defensive-defencemen/article1983801/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1983801) [Canucks](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/vancouver-canucks?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) blueliner [Dan Hamhuis](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54406/dan-hamhuis?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) comes up as the best blueliner in his own end, statistically, this season. James Mirtle uses Behind the Net to make the list. [The NHL’s top defensive forwards](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/the-nhls-top-defensive-forwards/article1984107/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1984107) The companion piece to Mritle's list of defencemen. [Revealing my ballot for the NHL awards](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/revealing-my-ballot-for-the-nhl-awards/article1984504/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1984504) James Mirtle puts his cards on the table. [American Hockey League reduces schedule](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/american-hockey-league-reduces-schedule/article1983705/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1983705) Teams will play 76 games - down from 80 - next season. Wonder if it's at the behest of the NHL as a trial run? [An NHL defence never rests](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/an-nhl-defence-never-rests/article1983036/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1983036) Philosophically, the days of picking up your man in the zone are over. Story from Eric Duhatschek. [Stars fire coach Marc Crawford](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/stars-fire-coach-marc-crawford/article1982353/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=1982353) "We have a lot of good things in place," Nieuwendyk said. "The hardest thing for Marc to probably accept (is) that I don't feel he's the guy going forward that takes us to the next level." [The Sample Size War: How long is a typical NHL career?](http://www.behindthenethockey.com/2011/4/13/2109304/the-sample-size-war-how-long-is-a-typical-nhl-career?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Behind the Net user SnarkSD has a look. 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