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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.

Defector

Lauren Theisen

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

David Roth

Eugene Melnyk, cast here as Thurston Howell III in a remake of Gilligan's Island.

Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk Sues Yacht Captain After Nightmare Christmas Vomit Cruise

Start The Damn Playoffs Already!

<p><a href="http://www.ddavisla.com"><span style="font-weight: 400">David Davis </span></a>is the author of <i>Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans From World War II Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation</i> and <i>Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku</i>. He lives in Los Angeles.</p>
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David Davis

Hockey’s Cold War Was The Summit Of Two Photographers’ Careers

Senators Week

Shane Pinto’s First Career Goal Highlights Sens’ Beatdown Of Habs

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Who Was Lady Byng, And What Was Her Deal?

TORONTO - OCTOBER 5: Goalie Dominik Hasek #39 of the Ottawa Senators readies for the play against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre October 5, 2005 in Toronto, Ontario.The Senators beat the Leafs 3-2 in the first ever official shootout in the history of the NHL.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dominik Hasek

When Dominik Hasek Was A Senator, Everything Went Wrong

Tom Wilson Lightly Disciplined For Breaching Decorum, Much Like When The U.S. Senate Censured Francophobic Massachusetts Federalist Timothy Pickering

filip gustavsson celebrates with artem zub

Sens Prolong Jets’ Woes With Thrilling, Tenacious 2-1 Win

Drake Batherson #19 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre on January 15, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

How Could You Not Like The Drake?

Ray Ratto

Mike Reilly #5 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Canadian Tire Centre on April 7, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

The Ottawa Senators Have Even Failed At Truly Sucking

Josh Norris #9 of the Ottawa Senators tries to break free from the check of Tanner Pearson #70 of the Vancouver Canucks during NHL action at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada.

Sens Rookie Josh Norris Tries To Bring “Competitiveness Every Game”

Here’s Chris Chelios Fighting A Bunch Of Legends, Because Why Not

Old Man Zdeno Chara Keeps Trying To Beat Up Matt Martin

The Blue Jackets Have Broken Poor Elvis Merzlikins

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

You Can Only Contain Connor McDavid For So Long

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

The Canucks Aren’t Ready For Their Comeback

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)

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

The Predators Are Winning Like Crazy Just To Tread Water

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

The Canadiens Aren’t Thinking About Next Year

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.

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

NHL Quickly Distances Itself From Referee Shenanigans

Hockey