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 May 8
• The Sharks’ power play and the Avalanche penalty kill have been in a heated battle during their second-round series. (Fear the Fin)
• History tells us that the Sharks will have an advantage on the Avs heading into Game 7. (The Hockey News)
• Joe Pavelski is still day-to-day for the Sharks heading into Game 7. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• J.T. Compher told Avs fans that he would be a difference maker for them, and he was in Game 6. (Mile High Sports)
• The Bruins and Hurricanes will kick off the Eastern Conference Final on Thursday night. (WEEI)
• Tuukka Rask is performing at an incredibly high level for the Bruins right now. (NBC Sports Boston)
• Scott Walker has a lot of memories when it comes to battles between the Hurricanes and Bruins. (News & Observer)
• The Hurricanes aren’t just jerks. They’re hard workers that have found a way to get the job done in the playoffs. (Wralsportsfan.com)
• Now that we know he’ll be back with the Leafs, Mike Babcock has to find a way to make some changes to his coaching philosophies. (Sportsnet)
• Just how bad was Evgeni Malkin’s “bad” season? (The Sports Daily)
• What can Oilers fans expect from a veteran GM like Ken Holland? (Oilers Nation)
• David Staples explains what Holland’s team-building philosophy is heading into his tenure with the Oilers. (Edmonton Journal)
• Holland admitted that a scouting trip with the Detroit Red Wings convinced him that he still had a desire to be a GM. (Detroit News)
• NHL players have a long love affair with iconic hair styles. Who can forget the Jagr mullet? (ESPN)
• Georges Laraque joined the Grand Stand Central Podcast to discuss veganism, politics and much more. (Grand Stand Central)
• Flyers fans are left wondering how Ian Laperiere still has a job with the organization. (Broadstreet Hockey)
• Rotoworld’s Corey Abbott breaks down what went wrong with the Los Angeles Kings this year. (Rotoworld)
• Does it make sense for the Canucks to present an offer sheet to a restricted free agent? (Vancourier)
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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.