Buffalo Sabres Daily Dasherboard April 23, 2014

It’s only been a week and a half, but I’m already having the post-season blues as a Buffalo Sabres fan.  Thankfully, there’s still plenty of news in the hockey world to keep us going, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue and we look to things like the NHL awards, the draft and more.

Apr 22, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie

(31) and Tampa Bay Lightning goalie

(37) congratulate each other after the third period in game four of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Sabres Links

The Buffalo Sabres will look to build a much stronger season when October rolls around, and defenseman Christian Ehrhoff plans to stick around to help the team through the upcoming rebuild — as long as they still want him, too. [Buffalo Hockey Beat]

Even without a Buffalo Sabres playoff run, the city of Buffalo continues to be in the top percentage for hockey market watching several of the postseason series, including the Blues vs. Blackhawks series, which includes former Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller as well as Buffalo native Patrick Kane. [TBN]

Buffalo Sabres prospect Brady Austin, along with teammate Nikita Zadorov, are preparing for the Memorial Cup which begins in less than a month. Austin and Zadorov’s team, the OHL’s London Knights, were eliminated from the playoffs but are hosting the tournament next month. It hasn’t been an easy couple weeks for Austin, but he says he’s ready to go. [MetroNews]

Rochester Americans Links

According to the Democrat & Chronicle, the Amerks endured 130 player transactions between the period of October 5 through April 17. Although the constant rotation of the roster wasn’t easy…. it’s important to keep in mind the very purpose of AHL clubs: development. [D&C]

Although the Amerks don’t begin their playoff series against Chicago until Friday, the American Hockey League playoffs kick off tonight with two series. Here’s the full playoff schedule for round one of the Calder Cup Playoffs. [The AHL]

NHL Links

The Montreal Canadiens swept the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, so they’ll have to wait to find out who their second-round opponent will be (Boston or Detroit). The last time the Habs swept a playoff series was (oddly enough) against the Buffalo Sabres in 1993 — the year Montreal last won the Stanley Cup. [Toronto Star]

Matt Cooke faces a hearing for his knee-on-knee collision with Colorado’s Tyson Barrie, leading many to question the validity of the NHL’s standards for “repeat offender status.” Cooke is not considered a repeat offender since his last suspension occurred more than 18 months ago. Barrie is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a knee injury resulting from the hit. [Star-Tribune]

With another loss last night, the Los Angeles Kings are now down 3 games to none in their series against the San Jose Sharks. According to one columnist’s opinion, this could mean the end of an era in the Kings franchise. [LA Times]

FanSided Links

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand is under some heat this morning. Marchand was part of a collision during last night’s game against Detroit — but when he got up off the ice and hobbled to the bench, he was clutching the OTHER knee… the one that wasn’t hit, leading many to call him “the boy who cried wolf.” [Causeway Crowd]

Ryan O’Reilly was one of three players named a Lady Byng Finalist on Thursday, along with Martin St. Louis and Patrick Marleau. The winner will be announced at the upcoming NHL Awards in Las Vegas in June. [Mile High Sticking]

Stanley Cup Playoffs Tracker

Montreal Canadiens (4) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (o)

Boston Bruins (2) vs. Detroit Red Wings (1)

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (1)

New York Rangers (2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (1)

Colorado Avalanche (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (1)

St. Louis Blues (2) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (1)

Dallas Stars (2) vs.  Anaheim Ducks (1)

San Jose Sharks (3) vs. Los Angeles Kings (o)