Oilers' stars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid both spoke about the differences between this year's team and last heading into the playoffs, while head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke about the luxury of having a nearly healthy lineup heading into Game 1.
Connor McDavid admits the regular season can be a bit 'monotonous' for the Oilers after they went to the Stanley Cup Final twice in a row, but that the excitement for the playoffs never goes away and has the team buzzing. The Oilers have learned from previous playoff experiences and are determined to get off to a good start.
Though he wouldn't commit to being ready for Game 1, Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl said he feels good and is inching towards a return. Draisaitl can't wait to take the ice in the playoffs again, calling it the best time of the year, but cautions that it will take him a few games to get back up to full speed.
Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Staal scuffle at the start of the playoff game between the Senators and Hurricanes.
Matt Boldy had two goals and an assist, Joel Ericksson Ek scored a pair of power-play goals and rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves in his postseason debut to help the Wild thump the Stars in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. MIN leads series 1-0.
Travis Sanheim scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period, and the Flyers announced their return to the playoffs with a win over the Penguins on Saturday night. Dan Vladar stopped 15 shots to pick up the first postseason win of his six-year career. PHI leads series 1-0.
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button joins SportsCentre to explain what he liked about the Flyers' game in their win over the Penguins on Saturday night, and break down how Philadelphia was able to shut down Sidney Crosby in Game 1.
Logan Stankoven and Taylor Hall scored, and Frederik Andersen came through with a big third-period performance in net to help the Hurricanes blank the Senators on Saturday to open their first-round playoff series. CAR leads series 1-0.
In an extremely tight matchup with not many chances either way, Game 1 saw Frederik Andersen with a clean sheet, and Linus Ullmark with a couple of not-so-hot goals against. The TSN Hockey panel gets extensive in breaking down Game 1 between the Senators and Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes were good against the Senators in Game 1, and Frederik Andersen was perfect, turning away all 22 shots he faced, earning Ultimate Performer Powered by Stihl honours for the opening day of the NHL playoffs.
Frederik Andersen was perfect against the Senators, but it was Carolina's ability to control the play that ultimately bested Ottawa in a tight contest. The TSN Hockey panel breaks down Game 1 between the Sens and Hurricanes.
The Canadiens had three practice days in a row ahead of Game 1 of their series against the Lightning, and head coach Martin St. Louis joked they didn't know what to do with all the extra time. The Habs are trying to find the right balance between rest and work, and know that stopping Tampa Bay's rush offence is a key to the series.
The Canadiens beat the Lightning just over a week ago in a fight-filled game that contained 126 penalty minutes. The Habs are expecting more of those type of battles in their first-round series against Tampa Bay and aren't afraid to match their rival's physicality.
The TSN Hockey panel breaks down what it will take for the Canadiens, Senators and Oilers to win their first round matchups in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
TSN Canucks reporter Farhan Lalji discusses how the team got to the point of firing General Manager Patrik Allvin, and the future of Adam Foote, who will remain with the club as it looks for a new GM.
After missing the playoffs for only the second time in the last nine years, the Winnipeg Jets cleaned out their lockers following what most of the core players were calling a 'misstep' of a season. Connor Hellebuyck took it a step further, in a brutally honest interview in which he made it clear to the Jets' front office that he expects changes to be made. TSN's Danielle Bain has more.
The Maple Leafs are meeting with team legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin on Friday about a potential role in their new management structure. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins James Duthie to discuss if it's a legitimate possibility that Toronto could hire Sundin and what his position could entail.
The Oilers have been without assistant captain Leon Draisaitl since the middle of March and his status remains up in the air for the start of Edmonton's series again the Ducks on Monday. TSN's Ryan Rishaug joins SportsCentre to discuss the latest on Draisaitl's condition and how he thinks this Oilers group compares to the one from a year ago.
Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch joins Claire Hanna to discuss what Linus Ullmark needs to prove in the playoffs after a strong finish to the regular season, and how different the Senators' mindset is entering their first-round series against the Hurricanes compared to last year.
After a magical regular season, the Canadiens open their playoffs on the road in Tampa Bay on Sunday. The two teams both finished with 106 points on the season but the Habs went 2-1-1 in the head-to-head. SportsCentre examines the key storylines for Montreal's matchup with the Lightning in the first round.
Connor Hellebuyck gets candid about the Jets' disappointing season and what he sees in Winnipeg's future. Hellebuyck says he doesn't play hockey for the money or the fame, he does it to win a Stanley Cup, and questions how the Jets return to contender status next season.
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