Welcome to the PHT Morning Skate, a collection of links from around the hockey world. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at phtblog@nbcsports.com.
• Some interesting tidbits coming into the playoffs. (TSN)
• Why Canada may never get another NHL franchise. (Financial Post)
• The Canadiens could unearth quite the prospect in the 2019 NHL Draft. (Sportsnet)
• Slava Voynov is appealing his one-season suspension. (Sportsnet)
• The Tampa Bay Lightning won the NHL’s NHL 19 simulated Stanley Cup Playoffs. (NHL.com)
• A ranking of the best playoff series based on visual appeal. (Vancouver Courier)
• The coaching merry-go-round is chugging along nicely. (The Hockey Writers)
• NHL referee took the path less taken to get to the show. (BayToday.ca)
• The NHL needs to change its draft lottery system. (Puck Prose)
• Here’s one stat per NHL playoff team that could sink them this postseason. (ESPN)
• Few think the Washington Capitals can repeat as Cup champs. (Washington Post)
• Pens’ Matt Murray opening his wallet for hometown cause. (CBC.ca)
• The NHL is attracting some of the hottest names in music for events. (Billboard)
• Maybe winning the NHL draft lottery wasn’t as big of a win for Devils. (Yahoo Sports)
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck