There was only one meaningful game last night in terms of the bottom of the standings, and the Leafs' quest for a second round pick from LA. It's so esoterically barely related: Calgary was in action vs the Mammoth and could have gained some points which they were on their way to doing late in the evening. They'd have to keep gaining points for that to matter though.

I've decided, though, that LA just making the playoffs isn't enough. I want them to knock the Ducks right out of the Pacific top three. And hopefully right out on their cloacae.

The Ducks only got one point last night in an OT loss to the Canucks. The Canucks! So they haven't clinched yet. What's standing in LA's way is their very low RW number. They would have to beat the Ducks outright, as they'd lose a tiebreaker.

The Islanders are now eliminated, so that new coach bounce didn't quite do the trick. But the Blue Jackets and the Capitals could knock out the Flyers.

Tonight's meaningful games, therefore, we have the Flyers vs the Hurricanes (the Flyers need a win to clinch), the Blues at the Wild (the Blues need to win), the Sharks vs the Predators (go for the Sharks here) and most importantly the Kings vs the Kraken.

In other news, there isn't much. We've reached the lull in the action where Sundays become almost days off again and no one does much.

Avalanche coach Bednar taken to hospital after being hit in his face with a puck
Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar was taken to a hospital after being hit with a puck on his right cheek during a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.
TSNThe Canadian Press

Sometimes we set aside our emotions and cheer the Boston fans.

Remember the Leafs have no prospects because everything the Leafs do is so Leafy and "this team" is just so bad.

That's all for now. A Preview of some description will be out later so we can all cheer for the Leafs to lose, because that's so much fun.

From The Branches