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Lace 'em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
Are you in trouble?
Are you a general manager of an under-performing NHL team fighting on the fringes of the playoff race at midseason?
Are you worried about your job security?
Do you need to shift the blame and focus somewhere else to buy just a little more time?
Well, we've got a solution for you! Fire your head coach. Name an interim. Profit.
That seems to be the trend, huh? The Blues, Panthers, Bruins, Islanders, and Canadiens all fired their head coaches by March as the playoffs started slipping away. All of them improved under interim coaches, to varying degrees. The Bruins and Canadiens even survived to make the playoffs.
Now Doug Weight is the official head coach in New York, and the Boston Bruins removed the interim tag from Bruce Cassidy.
Good for them, honestly. Both did terrific jobs in tough situations. But if you thought NHL coaches already had short leashes and shelf lives, the success of interims and in-season staff changes will shrink that even more.
EVERYONE LOVES RANKINGS
We ranked the best second-round series, according to science.
Again, we are right in our analysis.
STARTING OUT WEST
Our two Western Conference semifinals get underway this evening. And you might as well read up on the defining matchup between the Ducks and Oilers: how Ryan Kesler can shut down Connor McDavid.
The other key might be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who became a shutdown center against the Sharks. Can he do it again with the Ducks?
Meanwhile, Nashville will have its hands full containing the Blues forwards.
Catch up on all of the second-round schedules here!
GNARLY INJURY UPDATES
Remember how we gawked at Erik Karlsson playing with two fractures in his foot? Well. Hah.
Joe Thornton basically played on one leg. He is 37 years old. You and I are inferior humans.
READ MORE FROM SB NATION
It might feel like Connor McDavid is the runaway Hart Trophy contender, but you'd be wrong. The field is as flooded as ever this season.
Meanwhile, Craig Anderson leads the Masterton Trophy nominations this year. Jack Adams finalists will be announced today!
Elsewhere in hockeyland ...
- The Ice Garden has a wonderful profile on one of high school hockey's biggest stars.
- Mike Babcock is flip-flopping on the future of Wiliam Nylander. Center or wing?
- Steve Yzerman wants his defensemen to produce more offense. Hello, Kevin Shattenkirk.
- Though our Devils blog makes a compelling argument for New Jersey signing him.
- Die By The Blade has some thoughts on the bizarre week that was in Buffalo.
- So. Who should the Avalanche take first overall? Here's an argument for Nolan Patrick and one for Nico Hischier.
- Is Dylan Strome's future a problem for the Coyotes?
- Signing two legends is a huge question for the Sharks.
- The Flames are done, but their future is bright.
- Sure sounds like the Canucks are close to hiring a new coach.
- Chicago is cleaning house.