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.
Here’s your daily NBC Sports Stanley Cup Playoffs update for April 16th
• Uh oh. Victor Hedman is “doubtful” for Game 4, according to Jon Cooper. [Tampa Bay Times]
• Matt Duchene is loving playoff life with the Columbus Blue Jackets. [Sportsnet]
• As expected, Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko top NHL Central Scouting’s final 2019 draft rankings. [NHL.com]
• One of Max Pacioretty’s sons told him to score in Game 3. Sure enough, dad fulfilled the request. [Sin Bin Vegas]
• A look at how the bad blood between Evander Kane and Ryan Reaves has evolved over the years. [NBC Bay Area]
• There’s one member of the Pittsburgh Penguins who knows about coming back from an 0-3 series deficit. [Pensburgh]
• A good look at how the New York Islanders have put the Penguins on the brink of being swept. [Lighthouse Hockey]
• “New campaign aims to bring women’s hockey league to Seattle” [MyNorthwest.com]
• Patrick Kane has been named captain of the U.S. roster set to take part in next month’s IIHF World Championship. [USA Hockey]
• Oilers forward Milan Lucic suffered a lower-body injury and is currently sporting a cast. The off-ice injury is not expected to force him to miss any time next season. [TSN]
• Now that Joel Quenneville has been hired, what else is on the Florida Panthers’ to-do list this off-season? [Panther Parkway]
• A good breakdown at just special a talent the Vancouver Canucks have in Elias Pettersson. [EP Rinkside]
• Finally, here’s episode 3 of “Puckland,” as the ECHL’s Maine Mariners hold an intense training camp and evaluate local players for their final roster: