CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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.

Defector

Barry Petchesky

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 06: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets looks at Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens as he celebrates his goal during the third period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on June 6, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

The Jets Almost Scored A Big Goal! But Didn’t.

Lauren Theisen

Brad Marchand’s OT Goal Was His Most Vile Act Yet

The Avalanche Power Play Is Completely Unfair

Jake Evans is checked hard by Mark Scheifele

Mark Scheifele’s Hit On Jake Evans Ruined A Great Canadiens Game

There Are No Second Chances Against Andrei Vasilevskiy

Sometimes The Puck Picks The Hero

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to play against the Montreal Canadiens in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Auston Matthews

So What The Hell Do The Leafs Do Now?

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 29: Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal during overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 29, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens are the first NHL Canadian team to host 2,500 fans since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Leafs Fans, You Have Permission To Panic

Abolish The Penalty For Losing A Replay Challenge

JARRRR-EEEEEE. JARRRRRR-EEEEEE. JARRRR-EEEEEE.

Marty Necas’s Beautiful Wraparound Saved The Hurricanes

MONTREAL, QC - MAY 24: Alex Galchenyuk #12 of the Toronto Maple Leafs checks Joel Armia #40 of the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 24, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

This Was The Alex Galchenyuk That Was Hoped For

Tristan Jarry’s Boner Was One For The Ages

Ray Ratto

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - MAY 23: Connor McDavid #97 and Jesse Puljujarvi #13 of the Edmonton Oilers react after the Jets tied up Game Three of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets on May 23, 2021 at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead/Getty Images)

New Disappointments, Same Old Oilers

TORONTO, ON - MAY 20: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to suffer a significant injury against the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 20, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Tavares

That Was About As Sour A Start To A Cup Run As You Could Envision

The Colorado Avalanche celebrate a goal by Nathan MacKinnon

Can Anybody Handle The Almighty Avalanche?

Maitreyi Anantharaman

‘The Hockey Sweater’ Is All You Need To Know About Leafs-Habs

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his game winning goal in overtime against the Washington Capitals in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 17, 2021 in Washington, DC.The Boston Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Give Me Multiple Overtimes Or Don’t Even Bother

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates during warm ups before the game against the Boston Bruins in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on May 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

This Isn’t Quite The Alex Ovechkin I Remember

Imagine What The Islanders Are Capable Of

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - MAY 16: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning scores on the powerplay at 14:51 of the second period against Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Florida Panthers in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the BB&amp;T Center on May 16, 2021 in Sunrise, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Panthers 5-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)