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 today’s NBC Sports Stanley Cup playoff update for April 19
• The Team USA roster for the World Hockey Championship is loaded with superstars like Patrick Kane. (NBC Olympics)
• The Toronto Maple Leafs should consider using their best players on their struggling penalty kill. (The Hockey News)
• No one seemed to know what was wrong with the Bruins heading into Game 4 against Toronto. (Yahoo)
• The Flames have to figure out how to put this fire out or they’ll be going home early. (Sportsnet)
• The Stars aren’t known for their defensive prowess, but they’ve improved in that area. (The Point)
• Find out how the Hurricanes changed the hockey culture in Carolina. (ESPN)
• Columbus waited a while to see their team win a playoff round, but it was totally worth it. (1st Ohio Battery)
• Pens GM Jim Rutherford is going to try to find some added chemistry with his roster going into next season. (Pittsburgh Tribune)
• How will Todd McLellan’s experience behind the bench with San Jose impact what he can do with the Los Angeles Kings. (Jewels from the Crown)
• McLellan knows that the Kings’ immediate future isn’t necessarily bright. There’s a lot of work for him to do. (LA Times)
• The Flyers wanted Joel Quenneville, but they did just fine by hiring Alain Vigneault. (NBC Sports Philly)
• Isles defenseman Ryan Pulock’s journey to the NHL was fuelled by tragedy. (Sports Illustrated)
• Speaking of the Isles, their GM, Lou Lamoriello, finally admitted that his team isn’t better off without John Tavares. (TSN)
• What are the New Jersey Devils’ off-season needs? (All About the Jersey)
• The Oilers will have to get creative if they want to create salary cap space this summer. (Oilers Nation)
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Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri.