Deen’s Daily: Do or Die For Avalanche; Capitals, Panthers Advance — Habs, Lightning Eliminated

Do or die for the Avs tonight at Ball Arena. Can they force Game 7? Also, three of the four series in the Eastern Conference are over in five games.

All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — May 1.

Colorado Hockey Now

The Avalanche are on the brink of elimination heading into Game 6 at Ball Arena for the second consecutive year. They’ll need to right several wrongs that ailed them in Game 5 in Dallas. And more importantly, they’ll need more production from some of the guys at the top of the lineup.

Read More: 10 Observations: No Excuses For Avs Game 5 Loss

Stanley Cup Playoffs Recap

Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens: The Habs fought valiantly until the end, but their season is over. The Capitals are advancing past the first round for the first time since they won the Stanley Cup in 2018. That surprises me.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers: The Lightning have also been eliminated. After blowing an opportunity to tie the series at 2-2 in Game 4, they lost 6-3 to the Panthers in Game 5 to bow out in the first round for the third straight year.

Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues: The Jets are back on top, winning again at home to take a 3-2 lead as the series shifts to St. Louis.

Tonight’s Schedule

• Game 6: Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators (5 pm MT on TBS)
• Game 6: Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild (5:30 pm MT on ESPN)
• Game 6: Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche (7:30 pm MT on TBS)
• Game 6: Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers (8 pm MT on ESPN)

Around The NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Five names to watch for the Pens’ next head coach. Also, who could be a sneaky good pickup for the job?

Philadelphia Hockey Now: The latest Flyers mailbag.

Vegas Hockey Now: What the Knights need to close out their series tonight against Minnesota on the road.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks are hoping for luck at the draft lottery, which will take place on May 5.

Boston Hockey Now: Remember Will Zellers? The prospect attached to Casey Mittelstadt and a second-round pick for the Avs to get Charlie Coyle? He was named the player of the year in the USHL.