Max Pacioretty continues to make progress in his recovery from an “upper body” injury. The teams leading scorer was on the ice for the third straight day as he joined his teammates for practice on Monday. Although he hasn’t been cleared for contact yet, Pacioretty spoke to the media following practice and says he’s feeling good. [TSN]
Take a look at our very own Marc Dumont’s series preview for the Journal Métro [Métro Montréal]
The Ottawa Senators defied logic, going on an absolutely ridiculous 23-4-4 run to end the season and squeak into the playoffs. Ahead of their first round matchup with the Habs, Roy MacGregor says the ride is easier to enjoy than to explain. [Globe and Mail]
The Senators are doing their best to keep tickets to Ottawa’s home games away from Canadiens fans. However, it’s quite obvious their plan can only help scalpers even more. [The Gazette]
Carey Price met the media following practice yesterday and praised goalie Andrew Hammond and the Senators for their great play ahead of Wednesday night’s series opener. The star goalie also refused to look too far ahead, sticking with the mentality that has worked for him and the Habs all season long: “Shot by shot, game by game.” [TVA]
Speaking of Price, check out his fantastic one-on-one interview with Peter Mansbridge on The National last night. [YouTube]
Canadian tennis star and Montreal native Eugenie Bouchard gave her Canadiens predictions ahead of the playoffs. She believes that the Habs will beat the Senators, and that they will make the Stanley Cup finals. [TVA]
There’s no doubt P.K. Subban is one of the front-runners for the Norris Trophy. In fact, ESPN believes that he should win it. [ESPN]
Lastly, if this doesn’t get you stoked for Wednesday night’s game at the Bell Centre, I don’t know what will. Check out this amazing playoffs pump up video for the Canadiens. Solid work as per usual by Tim Thompson. [EOTP]
Around the League and Elsewhere
We have some very bad news for the Nashville Predators: Patrick Kane has officially been cleared for contact. Oh, and he’s primed to return to action on Wednesday. The Chicago Blackhawks star was leading the league in points when he went down with a broken clavicle seven weeks ago. [Second City Hockey]
Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan addressed the media yesterday after announcing massive changes on Sunday. Shanahan hopes to hire a new general manager before the draft in June. [Sportsnet]
Don Cherry was at the Rogers Centre in Toronto yesterday evening for the Blue Jays home opener. He spoke ahead of the game about the aforementioned Jays, the Leafs cleaning house and his belief that a Canadian team could go all the way in the playoffs. [Sportsnet]
The Edmonton Oilers have signed Nail Yakupov to a two-year contract extension worth $2.5 million per year, which is a sensible bridge deal for both sides. [Copper & Blue]
Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter trashed the report that his players locked him out of the dressing room following a loss a few weeks ago. It’s quite shocking to see what this team has become less than a year after winning the Stanley Cup. [Puck Daddy]
Lastly, we’ll leave you with these ridiculous photos of a Stanley Cup made out of bacon. [Puck Daddy]
