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Barry Petchesky

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 13: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks acknowledges fans after his final game as a Blackhawk at United Center, against the Philadelphia Flyers, on April 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)

Jonathan Toews’s Silence Wasn’t Always A Virtue

Lauren Theisen

Jason Zucker sprays ice as he stops in front of Petr Mrazek

The Penguins And Islanders Are Having A Mid-Off

Sabres Complete Phase One Of “Operation: Stay Alive”

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)

The Islanders Came Up Small

Tage Thompson pounds gloves with his teammates on the bench

The Sabres Still Have Their Dream

Mark Scheifele and Mikael Backlund fight as their teams scrum

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

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

Matt Boldy smiles and hugs Filip Gustavsson

The Wild Are Getting Lucky At The Perfect Time

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.

Tage Thompson Missed His True Calling

Tyler Bertuzzi leaps to avoid a shot on Juuse Saros

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)

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>


Charles P. Pierce

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

Marty Walsh Has His Work Cut Out For Him

Kelsey McKinney

Ryan Reaves takes a sniff of smelling salts

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

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.

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

Laura Wagner

Carson Briere Charged For Pushing Wheelchair Down A Flight Of Stairs

Ray Ratto

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

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.

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

I Liked The Cartoon Hockey Game

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

Nobody Scores In Minnesota

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

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

The Caps Have Ovi Left To Play For