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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

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Artem Anisimov #51 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 15, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Senators defeated the Maple Leafs 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Artem Anisimov

Ottawa Senators v Toronto Maple Leafs

There Is Now Only One Thing I Want From This Weird NHL Season, And I Want It More Than Anything

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Lauren Theisen

Elvis Merzlikins

The Blue Jackets Have Broken Poor Elvis Merzlikins

Calgary Flames v Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens Made A Big Bet On Josh Anderson, And It’s Winning Them Games

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You Can Only Contain Connor McDavid For So Long

Philadelphia Flyers v Washington Capitals

I’ve Seen Anthony Mantha Do This Before, And You Won’t Like What Comes Next

Ottawa Senators v Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks Aren’t Ready For Their Comeback

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Albert Burneko

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Ryan O'Reilly #90 of the St. Louis Blues warms up before their game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on February 27, 2021 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

St Louis Blues v San Jose Sharks

Media Meltdowns

Everyone Reading This Beat Writer’s Insanely Worded Tweet Understands It Completely. Or At Least Is Capable Of Understanding Written Language.

Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi celebrate after a goal

Tampa Bay Lightning v Nashville Predators

The Predators Are Winning Like Crazy Just To Tread Water

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: David Rittich #33 of the Toronto Maple Leafs protects the corner against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Rittich

Calgary Flames v Toronto Maple Leafs

David Rittich Forgot He Blue Himself

Buffalo Sabres v Washington Capitals

Oh God, Oh No, I’m Actually Feeling Optimistic About The Detroit Red Wings

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MARCH 16: Taylor Hall #4 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 16, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Buffalo Sabres v New Jersey Devils

The Bruins Got Taylor Hall For A Song

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 7: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is congratulated by teammate Auston Matthews #34 for breaking the consecutive win record for a Leaf against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 7, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jack Campbell; Auston Matthews

Montreal Canadiens v Toronto Maple Leafs

Jack Campbell Can’t Lose

Edmonton Oilers v Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens Aren’t Thinking About Next Year

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Justin Ellis

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The NHL Has Made It Clear The COVID Outbreak On The Canucks Is Nothing To Worry About

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How’s Your Lipreading?

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Samer Kalaf

Nathan MacKinnon tosses Conor Garland's helmet back at his chest.

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Nathan MacKinnon Got Ejected For Bonking A Guy With His Own Helmet

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 26: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Buffalo Sabres congratulates Linus Ullmark #35 after beating the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center on January 26 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

New York Rangers v Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres Are Winners

BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 18: Buffalo Sabres interim head coach Don Granato (left) and assistant coach Matt Ellis behind the bench during the game against the Boston Bruins at KeyBank Center on March 18, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)

Boston Bruins v Buffalo Sabres

Give The Sabres The Stanley Cup Of Finding A Way To Lose

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood #29 of the New Jersey Devils tends the net against the Washington Capitals during the second period at Capital One Arena on March 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

New Jersey Devils v Washington Capitals

Ooooh, Jack Edwards Is Mad

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Ray Ratto

The New York Rangers celebrate an empty net goal by Kaapo Kakko #24 against the Buffalo Sabres as Colin Miller #33 skates past the net at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2021 in New York City.

Buffalo Sabres v New York Rangers

As Terrible As They Are, The Buffalo Sabres Are Not The Worst Team In NHL History

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NHL Quickly Distances Itself From Referee Shenanigans

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 22: The New York Rangers celebrate a second period goal by Kaapo Kakko #24 against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on March 22, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Oh, THERE’S Kaapo Kakko

Mika Zibanejad #93 and Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers

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The Rangers, Without Their Coaches, Whooped The Flyers’ Asses

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Maitreyi Anantharaman

Drake Batherson #19 of the Ottawa Senators skates to the bench after scoring a second period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre on March 14, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Toronto Maple Leafs v Ottawa Senators

The Senators Are Now Proud Allies Of The Sicko Community

The Islanders Are Very Good, But They Don’t Have Alex Ovechkin