Dan’s Daily Links: Penguins Rattled Malkin, Carolina Ate ‘Poop Sandwich,’

Carolina Hurricanes forward and Mr. Game 7 Justin Williams may have dropped the quote of the playoffs. We’re sorry if we ruined your morning coffee with the headline. Soon to be permanent St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube called out Vlad Tarasenko for his Game 1 performance. Logan Couture is in the running for the Conn Smythe trophy and Boston Hockey Now also took us inside the Bruins locker room after Game 2. And has Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford rattled Evgeni Malkin enough to get his attention?

The Eastern Conference Final isn’t looking good, is it? That would be something if: A team swept the Penguins, got swept in Round Two by a team which was then swept in the Eastern Conference Final. By that turn, Boston would be in line to be swept in the Stanley Cup Final.

Williams and the Carolina Hurricanes will need to play a lot better if they hope to reach a Game 7. Sunday, Williams dropped an all-time quote when he referenced exactly what Boston served them–A poop sandwich (Boston Hockey Now)

Boston Hockey Now also gave us another look at Jake DeBrusk’s “Tuukka” hat. With his toothless smile, he cracks me up (BHN)

St. Louis is about to name Craig Berube their permanent head coach if he wants it. Sunday, Berube called out his star player Vlad Tarasenko (St. Louis Post Dispatch)

A drum beat is forming around Logan Couture for the Conn Smythe and for the Selke award (NBC Sports)

The Ottawa Senators don’t appear to be focusing on Pittsburgh Penguins assistant Jacques Martin who was thought to be an early candidate for the head coaching job. However, Ottawa has asked for permission to talk with Rick Bowness and others (TSN)

The Columbus Blue Jackets are forming an identity with their head coach John Tortorella and it starts with brutal honesty (1st Ohio Battery)

And lastly, in Elliotte Friedman’s new 31 Thoughts column, he drops what could be an interesting note that some executives believe Rutherford and company rattled Evgeni Malkin’s cage and the situation may turn toward keeping Malkin as a result. Spoiler for those who don’t click the link–the executives also confirmed the Malkin trade rumors were real (Sportsnet)

At 9 a.m., Pittsburgh Hockey Now will publish our breakdown of the Carl Hagelin to Tanner Pearson to Erik Gudbranson trade line and if Rutherford came out ahead or behind.