Lightning Round: Wayne Gretzky reportedly signs with TNT

After the Edmonton Oilers bowed out of the first round following their sweep at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets, Wayne Gretzky announced he was leaving his executive position with the Oilers. Gretzky is one of many former players in that front office

While Gretzky wasn’t willing to share where he would be going after severing ties with the NHL franchise, the New York Post was able to report that he has signed a deal with TNT (Turner) to the tune of $3 million per season to be part of their future NHL broadcast. Is Gretzky any good at commentating? He wasn’t a very good coach, and he hasn’t done a lot of that TV stuff in his post-playing career. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

In Tampa Bay Lightning news, NHL Player Safety announced that Ryan McDonagh had been given a $5,000 fine (maximum allowable under the CBA, something something something) for cross checking Florida Panthers forward Mason Marchment. Meanwhile, Pat Maroon was given a $3,879.31 fine (somehow also the maximum allowable under the CBA?) for unsportsmanlike conduct. How they calculated that I have no idea, but I guess former goons only know how to count up to five because that’s how many minutes they could be trusted with before doing something stupid.

The Tampa Bay Lightning did themselves no favors in Monday’s Game 5 loss to Spencer Knight. Those lessons and more in yesterday’s Morning After Thoughts. [Raw Charge]

“Desperation is what makes teams on the brink of elimination dangerous. It’s what can lead to series changing moments, something the Tampa Bay Lightning is well-versed in—both positively and negatively. Monday night’s 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers showed how desperate Tampa Bay’s intrastate rival was to keep their season alive, and the Lightning failed to meet that desperation.”

Yesterday’s Games

Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Montreal Canadiens 0 — TOR lead series 3-1

The Maple Leafs took a commanding lead over the Canadiens in their first round series following a 4-0 win in Montreal. Jack Campbell earned his first career postseason shutout. William Nylander scored his fourth goal of the series, he leads everyone in scoring, while his linemates and former Habs third overall pick Alex Galchenyuk stuck it to his old team with a three-point night (1g, 2a) that featured this amazing pass. [Pension Plan Puppets]

Carolina Hurricanes 3, Nashville Predators 2 (OT) — CAR lead series 3-2

Jordan Staal was the hero, scoring a greasy game-winning goal in overtime to gives the Canes a 3-2 series lead heading back to Nashville for Game 6. The Canes were down 2-1 early in the second period and people were starting to wonder if the Preds would actually be able to go up in the series. Carolina thought they had tied the game up in the second, but their goal was called back on an iffy goalie interference call. Nevertheless it was Martin Necas who tied the game in the third before Captain Staal won the game in overtime. [Canes Country]

“The Hurricanes looked to have tied the game again with six minutes remaining in the second, but the Predators’ first successful goal challenge of the season brought Jordan Staal’s deflection off the board. The league replay room ruled that Warren Foegele had interfered with Saros, which...I mean, see for yourself:”