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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

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Barry Petchesky

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders leaves the ice after obtaining an injury during a game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 10, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images)

New York Islanders v Washington Capitals

The Islanders Came Up Small

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Lauren Theisen

Tage Thompson pounds gloves with his teammates on the bench

Buffalo Sabres v Detroit Red Wings

The Sabres Still Have Their Dream

Mark Scheifele and Mikael Backlund fight as their teams scrum

Calgary Flames v Winnipeg Jets

The Flames Might Actually Want To Keep Playing

EDMONTON, CANADA - APRIL 01: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after scoring his third goal of the game against the Anaheim Ducks and 50th goal of the season on April 1, 2023 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Leon Draisaitl;Lukas Dostal;Jakob Silfverberg

Anaheim Ducks v Edmonton Oilers

I Need Someone To Talk Me Out Of Believing In The Oilers

Matt Boldy smiles and hugs Filip Gustavsson

Minnesota Wild v Colorado Avalanche

The Wild Are Getting Lucky At The Perfect Time

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Tom Ley

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres attempts a wrap around goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Buffalo Sabres v Washington Capitals

Tage Thompson Missed His True Calling

Tyler Bertuzzi leaps to avoid a shot on Juuse Saros

NHL: MAR 28 Predators at Bruins

Juuse Saros Holds The Keys To The Last Playoff Spot Out West

TEMPE, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up before he NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on March 27, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers v Arizona Coyotes

Witness Connor McDavid

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


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Charles P. Pierce

Bryan Park Charlestown Ma. Refurbishment Project 12-17-15 Media event unvailing finished project.

2016 Bridgestone NHL Legacy Initiative powered by Constellation

Marty Walsh Has His Work Cut Out For Him

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Kelsey McKinney

Ryan Reaves takes a sniff of smelling salts

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Hockey Man In Need Of Third, Just-Smelliest Enough Salt

Pittsburgh Penguins v Colorado Avalanche

Sidney Crosby Calms The Waters

EDMONTON, CANADA - MARCH 22: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers scores a goal in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Place on March 22, 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The goal is his 60th of the season.

Arizona Coyotes v Edmonton Oilers

This Is A Pretty Cool Way To Score Your 60th Goal

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Laura Wagner

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Carson Briere Charged For Pushing Wheelchair Down A Flight Of Stairs

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Ray Ratto

Ottawa Senators goalie Dylan Ferguson celebrates after a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ottawa Senators v Pittsburgh Penguins

Dylan Ferguson Took The Long Way

James Reimer #47 of the San Jose Sharks skates to the goal after a time out afl at SAP Center on November 03, 2022 in San Jose, California.

James Reimer

Pride Night Homophobe Tracker: San Jose Sharks Goalie James Reimer

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 15: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild attempts to get physical with Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues but is stopped by linesman Dan Kelly #98 at the Enterprise Center on March 15, 2023 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Minnesota Wild v St Louis Blues

They Should Have Let Marc-Andre Fleury Beat Up Jordan Binnington

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I Liked The Cartoon Hockey Game

Carolina Hurricanes v New Jersey Devils

The Devils Are Stealing Every Puck That Isn’t Nailed Down

Minnesota Wild v Winnipeg Jets

Nobody Scores In Minnesota

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Lightning Live The Dream, Pummel Tony DeAngelo

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 6: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates for the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on March 6, 2023 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. Edmonton won, 3-2. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Connor McDavid

Edmonton Oilers v Buffalo Sabres

Is An Exhausting MVP Debate Any Worse Than A Boring One?

Washington Capitals v Los Angeles Kings

The Caps Have Ovi Left To Play For

Columbus Blue Jackets v Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings Say “Maybe Next Year”

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 10: Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) looks on during an NHL game against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 10, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL