Dan’s Daily Links: Babs is Back, Pens Keep WBS, Trash Man Forces Game 7

Monday was a great night of hockey. The Boston Bruins are in the Eastern Conference Final, a great story emerged in Colorado as their series with San Jose will go to Game 7, and Toronto made a decision on their head coach, and Don Cherry complimented the Carolina Hurricanes. The Pittsburgh Penguins also decided to keep Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as their AHL affiliate.

The Penguins have been well tied to the WBS Penguins and it’s good to see the relationship continue. The Penguins signed a 10-year lease (WNEP)

Toronto ended any offseason speculation about Mike Babcock. GM Kyle Dubas confirmed Babcock would return. But what does that mean and how will things change? (Sportsnet)

The Boston Bruins will face the Carolina Whalercanes in the Eastern Conference Final. Hat tip to Hurricanes beat writer Sara Civian for the term, even though the advised not to use it, it’s too good. Boston beat Columbus 3-0 in Game 6. Columbus took the paint off the posts but couldn’t get one past Tuukka Rask.

Sorry–I can’t find much analysis of the series (someone should add more to the Bruins coverage. hint hint hint). However, there was plenty of amusing media drama, including Rask responding to John Tortorella’s belief that Columbus “dented” Rask in Game 5, and Brad Marchand used only 10 words in his national postgame interview (CBS)

There was plenty of “head shot” controversy as Charlie McAvoy teed up Josh Anderson with a shoulder to the head but only received two minutes. Then came the shock as multiple media and even former referee Kerry Fraser pointed out on Twitter: There isn’t a major penalty provision for a hit to the head in the rule book. Here’s the run (CBS)

Yeah, NHL fix that immediately.

Standing ovation for Columbus Blue Jackets fans. The barn was packed through the handshake line as the crowd erupted with CBJ chants. Pretty cool (1st Ohio Battery)

After Game 5 in San Jose, J.T. Compher destroyed a metal trash can. In Game 6, he scored two goals and one assist as Colorado avoided elimination and beat San Jose in OT. Compher is now “The Trash Man.” Best story of the day (Denver Post)

Hockey is the only sport in which you show love by totally riding your friends until they snap.

And if you missed it, Jaromir Jagr told the story of the first time he saw Mario Lemieux play and how it changed his life (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

Dan’s Daily Links sponsored by Redbeard’s Bar and Grill on Mt. Washington and Sixth Ave Downtown. There’s no hockey tonight but the Pirates game will be on TV. Have a beer and $2 Tacos!