The Bolts

Nikita Kucherov gave a very candid interview about the Tampa Bay Lightning's season. "There were other guys who just sat in the team. They got their money and stopped working. They knew that they had no competition, that Tampa would not take anyone. They did not play so well this year - this is evident from both statistics and movement." Speaking of statistics, take a look at the numbers for players who "got their money" heading into this season - namely Alex Killorn and Victor Hedman. [Raw Charge]

Regardless of his sentiments about this season, Kucherov remains committed to playing in Tampa. His agent Dan Milstein reaffirmed that commitment. "Milstein said it's still the Russian's hope to stay in Tampa Bay long-term. Kucherov bought a house in the area. 'He hopes to play for one team,' Milstein said. 'Like his GM.'" [Tampa Bay Times]

Bob McKenzie reiterated his belief that Steve Yzerman may trade Jonathan Drouin this summer. "At the end of the day, he’s still missing a huge component on the blueline. And how’s he going to get that. Who’s going to get it for him. Would Ondrej Palat or Tyler Johnson get him an elite defenseman? I don’t think so. Would Jonathan Drouin get him one? I think so." [FanRag Sports]

The Prospects

The Syracuse Crunch defeated the St. John’s IceCaps 3-2 with goals from Joel Vermin, Erik Condra, and Byron Froese. The Crunch lead the series 2-1. [Raw Charge]

Anthony Cirelli (#22 in white) earned first star honors with a goal and an assist, Taylor Raddysh (#17) picked up an assist, and Erik Cernak (#14) was held off the score sheet as the Erie Otters defeated the Owen Sound Attack 4-3. The series is tied 2-2.

Christopher Paquette, Matt Spencer, and the rest of the Peterborough Petes were eliminated from the playoffs with a 7-0 loss to the Mississauga Steelheads.

Mathieu Joseph (#21 in white) scored two goals and Bokondji Imama (#51) scored a goal as the Saint John Sea Dogs lost 4-3 to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. The series is tied 2-2.

The Game

The NHL unveiled its Jack Adams Trophy finalists. "Given the years Mike Babcock, John Tortorella, and Todd McLellan had at the helm of their respective teams, it’s no surprise they were named as nominees for the NHL’s coach of the year award." [SB Nation]

"In Game 1 of the Central Division Final against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night, PK Subban was anything but quiet. He became the first defenseman in Predators’ history to have three points in a playoff game, as Nashville defeated the Blues, 4-3, to take a 1-0 series lead in Round 2 and remain unbeaten in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs." [Puck Daddy]