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 the NBC Sports Stanley Cup playoff update for April 25
• Format not to blame for wild Round 1 upsets. (Sportsnet)
• The cascade of issues that not having a Canadian team in the playoffs creates. (Angus Reid Institute)
• Perhaps your favorite team is out and you’re looking to cheat on them with a new team. Here’s a bandwagon guide. (CBC)
• The regular season means nothing. (FiveThirtyEight)
• Torn ACL likely to mean Zach Hyman will miss the beginning of next season. (NHL.com)
• Mike Modano getting himself into eSports. (TSN)
• A timeline of the recently-ended Calgary Flames season. (Calgary Sun)
• The tragic consequences of the NHL’s science denial. (The Atlantic)
• The seve.... eight deadly sins of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Deadspin)
• The Washington Capitals’ Russian contingent heading to the World’s after their shocking playoff exit. (TSN)
• Craig Smith is none too pleased with the Nashville Predators season ending in Round 1. (Tennessean)
• Game 7 controversy could have a ripple effect in the college game. (Jamestown Sun)
• Dubas not playing games after Maple Leafs tossed. (The Score)
• Nazem Kadri regrets his silly cross-check. (TSN)
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