• From reader John S., a brilliant Vince Vaughn punchline we hate ourselves for not using last night.
• Roberto Luongo on the Game 4 loss to the Blackhawks: "Obviously, we'll forget about this one and the good news is I don't have to sit on this for five months before we have to play 'em (again)." [Blackhawks]
• Potentially huge news for the Game 4 battle between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers: Mike Knuble, who plays on the team's top line with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, is out "at least tonight" because of a hand injury, according to Katie Carrera. Jason Chimera moves up to the No. 1 winger spot. That's a big, physical leader Henrik Lundqvist won't have to worry about. [Capitals Insider]
• Bruce Boudreau shuts down reporters for asking "non-hockey" questions today. [Rangers Rants]
• Steve Yzerman was nominated for an award he had no idea existed. [Lightning Strikes]
• Dallas Stars broadcaster Ralph Strangis with an interesting take on the NHL's new $2 billion TV contract: What's the use unless the League protects the health of its assets? [Stars]
• Travis Hughes is loving the new NHL/NBC deal for the fans and the Philadelphia Flyers. [Broad Street Hockey]
• Counterpoint: Why the new NHL TV deal is a dud. [Hockey Independent]
• Is Jonas Hiller's NHL career, gulp, over? [Stop Da Puck]
• Predators assistant coach Brent Peterson on the claim from Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray that the Preds are diving to draw penalties: "We use one rink to practice five-on-five. We go to another rink to practice the power play. Then we go to the pool to practice diving." [Tennessean]
• The Nashville Predators respond to Murray's diving accusations. Predators forward Jerred Smithson, who was accused of diving to draw a high-sticking call in Game 2: "I got no thought on it. It doesn't matter to me. If a stick comes up and clips me, then so be it. I didn't lay on the ice. They can say what they want. We're worried about our play in here. We'll just keep it at that." [Ducks Blog]
• A look at the mystical power of the playoff mustache. [truTV]
• Fantasy hockey-based comparison between John Carlson and PK Subban. Good reading. [Dobber]
• The best thing about this story isn't that Peter Forsberg is joining the front office of MODO. It's the first line: "Anyone expecting Peter Forsberg to still be contemplating a new comeback can let leave those thoughts to rest now." Believe. It. When. We. See. It. [NHL.com]
• An attempt to make heads or tails of the NHL's rule on headshots. [Jewels From The Crown]
• Required reading on the sale of the Dallas Stars, and why bankruptcy may not be a bad word in this case: "I know people get scared of bankruptcy, especially considering the Phoenix Coyotes debacle, but this is much different. No public fighting over an arena, the NHL will never consider moving the team, there is not crazed fighting among the lenders, HSG and the bidders for the team and everyone involved wants to get this team sold as fast as possible." [Defending Big D]
• It's looking like Eric Tangradi will move up for Chris Kunitz in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup tonight. [Rossi]
• If you haven't heard, former NHL player Vincent Damphousse was charged with six counts of assault for incidents involving his now-estranged wife. Well, now she's been charged with assault with a weapon and theft. Your feel-good story of the day! [QMI]
• Die By The Blade previews Game 4 between the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers: "The biggest key to this game is to get the first goal. Thus far in the series, the team that has scored first has gone on to win the game. Usually in the playoffs, the team that scores first has the upper hand throughout the game and scoring first at home keeps the crowd in the game." [DBTB]
• The Chicago Blackhawks absolutely dominated the Vancouver Canucks last night. Feel better about life, Canucks fans, with the power of stats! [The Province]
• Life In Hockeywood licks wounds, offers an optimistic view of the Kings' loss to San Jose last night. [LIH]
• Down Goes Brown presents an official map of an NHL rink. [DGB]
• Mark Purdy, Staples Center Critic, on last night's atmosphere: "The Staples noise didn't equal the ear-stabbing sounds of playoff games in, say, Calgary or Chicago. It was more Anaheim-esque or Colorado-esque ... loud enough to give the first period some jump. Although as it turned out, the Sharks were quite capable of stumbling over themselves with or without the crowd's help." [Mercury News]
• Finally, this lasso celebration from Duncan Keith last night just isn't getting enough love: