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Let me just preface this Quick Strikes with this comment: a lot of stuff went down in the NHL last night. A lot. Of. Stuff. So, while there is plenty of great feature writing, analysis, and editorials I could link in this space, I am saving most of those links for another day. What follows is the best I can do to recap everything that happened on Thursday night, as several teams were eliminated from playoff contention and a few others got some help they probably weren't counting on.
- The Los Angeles Kings -- defending Stanley Cup champions -- will not be in the playoffs this season. [Jewels from the Crown]
- That's because the Calgary Flames beat them 3-1 in Calgary. Where there is agony, there is also ecstasy. Suffice to say Flames folks are pleased. [Matchsticks and Gasoline]
- The Ottawa Senators shut out the President's Trophy-winning New York Rangers to keep their playoff hopes alive. [Silver Seven]
- In fact, in a twist (more on that later), they might actually be the first round opponent for the Tampa Bay Lightning:
#tblightning can still play one of: Detroit, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, NY Islanders Can not face Montreal, NY Rangers or Washington (or Boston)
— Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) April 10, 2015 - Carey Price, who is likely to end this season with a fair bit of hardware, is now the record-holder for wins with the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs edged out the Detroit Red Wings in overtime after an awful goal to allow by Jimmy Howard, so Tampa needs to win and have Toronto win vs. Montreal in the finale in order to earn 1st place in the Atlantic. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]
- The loser point put the Wings in the playoffs, though. For the 24th consecutive season. [Winging it in Motown]
- For those hoping that the Boston Bruins will miss the playoffs entirely, the Florida Panthers held up their end of the bargain, winning 4-2 in Sunrise. Tampa Bay has an opportunity to end Boston's season prematurely with a win on Saturday. Boston will need a win and help. [Stanley Cup of Chowder]
- The Winnipeg Jets lost in a shootout, but they're in the playoffs too. [Arctic Ice Hockey]
- Jets fans were happy about it:
Fans of the #NHLJets are currently singing "O Canada" and crowd surfing at Portage and Main in Winnipeg.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 10, 2015 - Sean Gentille wraps things up with 6 big losers from the night's action. [The Sporting News]