I think we were all getting settled in for another overtime marathon last night, popcorn and beer refills all around, when BOOM! And yet another of the Cup favorites found themselves on the wrong end of the handshake line, with another season of what could've been. I look at the Hurricanes today a bit like the New York Islanders of two years ago – they've had three consecutive years of playoff opportunities, and management has to be looking at what's missing.  

The entire Metropolitan Division is undergoing a seismic change, it seems. The Rangers and Devils on the way up, the Penguins and Capitals trying to rekindle (but maybe too late), the Flyers and Blue Jackets not quite ready. So, Carolina and Ilya Sorokin – oops, I mean the Islanders – can't be written off, but on May 25th you shouldn't bet against five Atlantic teams making next year's playoffs. The roster shuffles, those are worthy wagers.  

Tonight. The Dallas Stars watched those handshakes too, and they don't want their fans to see that on home ice. Thus far not having an answer to the balanced attack of Vegas, I'll still predict this series goes five, and maybe even six or seven games. (That might be the only way to slow down the Florida Panthers, anyway – what do they DO with seven days' rest?) This time of year, the individual statistics coming in seem less important, so I'll go with experience and pride.   Captain Tyler Seguin (150%, so $11,100) and Joe Pavelski ($9000) lead, along with playoff-scoring leader Roope Hintz ($10,600). Add in a rebound performance from Jake Oettinger ($10,400), and a value – spelled C H E A P – defenseman Thomas Harley ($3600) for the Stars.  Harley, still just 21, had points in six of the seven games against Seattle and has registered 17 shots and 13 blocks through the playoffs. He's a +6, also. On the depth chart, he's overtaken Nils Lundkvist for next season and might move up from the third pairing in the fall.

William Karlsson ($5200) completes my entry. Karlsson defends, may be good for a couple blocks, and his line has been chipping in offensively as well. Karlsson has seven playoff goals and three assists this year, and has 31 shots in the Knights' 14 games, and is a career +30 in 85 playoff contests. Not too shabby. 

Friday night has become "date night" again – no hockey even if you catch the IIHF during the day. Cheers!