Dan’s Daily Links: Cherry Rips Carolina Fans, Torts Guarantee

Teams which win Game 5 in a series tied 2-2 win the series about 78% of the time. The San Jose Sharks and Boston Bruins won dramatic Game 5s at home and will go for the clincher this week. Don Cherry gave the Carolina fans a little spanking, the New York Islanders may not be able to afford Robin Lehner and John Tortorella made a guarantee. And PHN’s report card for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang became hotly debated.

The Columbus-Boston series has been pure gold. Last night was no different–Charlie McAvoy sacrificed his body–and may not play in Game 6 because of it–to save the game and block a shot (Stanley Cup of Chowder)

David Pastrnak’s resurgence is giving Boston life (MassLive)

I love Pasta’s Dunkin Donuts commercial, too.

John Tortorella guaranteed Columbus will return to Boston for Game 7. Love it! (Boston Globe)

The San Jose Sharks are a win away from the Western Conference Final. Little Joe took to the scoreboard to wave the Sharks playoff towel in the third period and that was all San Jose needed… (NBC Sports)

Is Robin Lehner done in New York? He earned himself a hefty contract on July 1 but he also had a great season with New York (TSN)

More on the Islanders offseason plans–boy, would a couple of those Isles fit well with the Penguins (New York Post)

I make no secret. I like Don Cherry. American fans love to rip him or mock his silly suits (I like those, too). But he speaks the old-school truth and I find that invaluable. He called Carolina fans out and simultaneously defended his criticism of their regular season postgame celebration (Sportsnet)

Isn’t that the great challenge of every US market, though? Even Pittsburgh, which 20 years into the Penguins existence didn’t show up until playoff time. And when we did show up, we waited for a Mario breakaway. Cherry isn’t wrong here. Carolina has had a team for 20 years, and I worry that they aren’t building a fanbase which cares about hockey–only the late spring parties or postgame celly which accompanies winning–but we’ll know a lot next season if the fans disappear again, or pack the barn. This is their moment.

I hope they rock the place again in October, too. Make Raleigh a hockey town, it’s teetered on extinction for far too long.

It wasn’t meant as a controversial article. It seemed to become such. Pittsburgh Hockey Now examined Kris Letang’s season and dished his final grade. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

A great Sunday fun-day spot: Redbeard’s on Mt. Washington! Or hang out after the marathon at Redbeard’s on 6th Ave. The best spot in Pittsburgh to watch sports all day! Click the banner ad above for the Sunday special.