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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

2019-01-01 00:15:14.989

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) dumps Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) during Game 2 of an Eastern Conference First Round playoff contest between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 19, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

NHL: APR 19 Eastern Conference First Round – Panthers at Bruins

The Panthers Are No Fun For The Bruins

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David Roth

Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins and teammate Linus Ullmark #35 share a hug after Game One of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Florida Panthers v Boston Bruins – Game One

Podcasts

Please Like Her Sports, With Lauren Theisen

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Lauren Theisen

Shayne Gostisbehere leaps onto the back of an Islanders player

NHL: APR 19 Eastern Conference First Round – Islanders at Hurricanes

The Hurricanes Won Themselves Some Wiggle Room

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Barry Petchesky

DALLAS, TX APRIL 19: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild tends goal against the Dallas Stars in Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 19, 2023, in Dallas, Texas (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)

Minnesota Wild v Dallas Stars – Game One

The Wild’s Goalie Platoon Didn’t Pay Off

Tampa Bay Lightning v Toronto Maple Leafs – Game One

The Leafs Must Empty Their Minds Of Game 1

Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid have a discussion

Los Angeles Kings v Edmonton Oilers – Game One

Nobody Screws Themselves Faster Than The Oilers

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 17: Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) takes a high stick from Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour (62) during Game 1 of an Eastern Conference First Round playoff contest between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 17, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NHL: APR 17 Eastern Conference First Round – Panthers at Bruins

How Do You Beat The Bruins?

Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils and Jakub Zboril #67 of the Boston Bruins fight

New Jersey Devils v Boston Bruins

NHL Playoff Series, Ranked By Comedic Potential

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 13: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks acknowledges fans after his final game as a Blackhawk at United Center, against the Philadelphia Flyers, on April 13, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)

Philadelphia Flyers v Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews’s Silence Wasn’t Always A Virtue

Jason Zucker sprays ice as he stops in front of Petr Mrazek

NHL: APR 11 Blackhawks at Penguins

The Penguins And Islanders Are Having A Mid-Off

NHL: APR 10 Sabres at Rangers

Sabres Complete Phase One Of “Operation: Stay Alive”

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders leaves the ice after obtaining an injury during a game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 10, 2023 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images)

New York Islanders v Washington Capitals

The Islanders Came Up Small

Tage Thompson pounds gloves with his teammates on the bench

Buffalo Sabres v Detroit Red Wings

The Sabres Still Have Their Dream

Mark Scheifele and Mikael Backlund fight as their teams scrum

Calgary Flames v Winnipeg Jets

The Flames Might Actually Want To Keep Playing

EDMONTON, CANADA - APRIL 01: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after scoring his third goal of the game against the Anaheim Ducks and 50th goal of the season on April 1, 2023 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Leon Draisaitl;Lukas Dostal;Jakob Silfverberg

Anaheim Ducks v Edmonton Oilers

I Need Someone To Talk Me Out Of Believing In The Oilers

Matt Boldy smiles and hugs Filip Gustavsson

Minnesota Wild v Colorado Avalanche

The Wild Are Getting Lucky At The Perfect Time

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Tom Ley

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Tage Thompson #72 of the Buffalo Sabres attempts a wrap around goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Buffalo Sabres v Washington Capitals

Tage Thompson Missed His True Calling

Tyler Bertuzzi leaps to avoid a shot on Juuse Saros

NHL: MAR 28 Predators at Bruins

Juuse Saros Holds The Keys To The Last Playoff Spot Out West

TEMPE, ARIZONA - MARCH 27: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers warms up before he NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on March 27, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Edmonton Oilers v Arizona Coyotes

Witness Connor McDavid

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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Charles P. Pierce

Bryan Park Charlestown Ma. Refurbishment Project 12-17-15 Media event unvailing finished project.

2016 Bridgestone NHL Legacy Initiative powered by Constellation

Marty Walsh Has His Work Cut Out For Him

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Kelsey McKinney

Ryan Reaves takes a sniff of smelling salts

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Hockey Man In Need Of Third, Just-Smelliest Enough Salt

Pittsburgh Penguins v Colorado Avalanche

Sidney Crosby Calms The Waters

EDMONTON, CANADA - MARCH 22: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers scores a goal in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes at Rogers Place on March 22, 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The goal is his 60th of the season.

Arizona Coyotes v Edmonton Oilers

This Is A Pretty Cool Way To Score Your 60th Goal

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Laura Wagner

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Carson Briere Charged For Pushing Wheelchair Down A Flight Of Stairs

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Ray Ratto

Ottawa Senators goalie Dylan Ferguson celebrates after a win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ottawa Senators v Pittsburgh Penguins

Dylan Ferguson Took The Long Way