Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.
This is the last known photo of Hartnell Swallows Guy. If you know of his whereabouts please contact your local authorities.
• Ottawa Senators forward Zenon Konopka has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, and his club fined $10,000 for Konopka's conduct prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal at New York on Saturday, April 14, the National Hockey League announced Monday. The reason? Konopka was chirping Brian Boyle while he was speaking to NBC cameras before Game 2, during warmups. [NHL]
• For all the talk about what the NHL needs to do or not do for supplemental discipline, why doesn't the NHLPA take any heat? [Canes Country]
• Senshot believes the NHL is losing control of the playoffs. [Senshot]
• Why hatred and violence are at the heart of hockey. [On Frozen Pond]
• Six reasons why the Phoenix Coyotes remaining in Glendale could fail. [Phoenix Business Journal]
• Chris Kreider could make his debut for the New York Rangers in Game 3. [Slap Shot]
• John Tortorella has a 73-word press conference before Game 3, including "I'm not going to answer questions about the other team." [Globe & Mail]
• The Norfolk Admirals closed out their regular season with a three-game weekend sweep and 28 straight victories. Incredible. [Virginian Pilot]
• Great ratings news for NBC, as playoff numbers are up a whopping 50 percent and Flyers/Penguins is giving them massive pre-Finals ratings. [Puck the Media]
• The Active Stick brings it: "If you're a woman, and you call him Cindy Crosby, or you call them the Sedin Sisters, or you think 'Two Girls No Cup' is funny, do you know what you're doing? You are calling someone female to insult them. You are using yourself as an insult. Have a little more respect for yourself." [Active Stick]
• Darren Helm, on the skate slash injury that derailed his season: "I haven't really gotten over what happened. I'm still pretty angry with the situation; it still hurts quite a bit," he said. "Pain-wise, it still hurts a lot. I have to watch again. That's probably the worst thing of all. The way I tried to battle back after my knee and to come back and have this happen in the first period, it's pretty tough." [Red Wings]
• The St. Louis Blues discuss the nasty finish to Game 2, what it means for Game 3 vs. the San Jose Sharks. [FS Midwest]
• Bourne's not a fan of Sidney Crosby's antics: "It was easy to forget the score at times, even when it was close. When Crosby grabbed Hartnell by the back of his jersey and started a scrum from nothing for no reason, the Pens still had a chance to win. Where were his priorities? I like when players are passionate, and love to see it boil over from stars once in awhile. But you pick your spots in hockey, and yesterday was an opportunity for Sidney Crosby to choose to lead. He failed to." [Backhand Shelf]
• The New Jersey Devils are happy with their split in Sunrise. [NJ.com]
• David Krejci was surprised by the Washington Capitals defense. Not "OMG a pane of glass just fell on my head!" surprised, but surprised nonetheless: "We all knew that they were a great team offensively. But they showed us the last two games that they can play really good hockey defensively. …We'll work on some things. Hopefully it will work today." [Capitals Insider]
• Oh, so that was the problem, Part 1: "The Columbus Blue Jackets announced April 16 that the American Hockey League coaching contract of Springfield Falcons Head Coach Rob Riley will not be renewed for the 2012-13 season. The Blue Jackets will begin the process of evaluating candidates and selecting a new head coach for the club's AHL affiliate immediately." [Blue Jackets]
• Oh, so that was the problem, Part 2: "The New York Islanders say assistant coaches Scott Allen and Dean Chynoweth won't return to coach Jack Capuano's staff next season." [CBS]
• Interesting piece on the overseas hockey fan experience. [Not Another Hockey Blog]
• Finally, Henry The Hockey Hound has selected the Ottawa Senators to win Game 3. Which, sadly, doesn't bode well for the Ottawa Senators.