Daily Bean: Maple Leafs Lottery Odds, Blackhawks Extend GM, Vegas Clinches Pacific

Fans pass a giant flag around TD Garden before Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series between the Boston Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The NHL playoffs start on Saturday, but the Bruins ‘ schedule still has not been released. The Bruins practice at 11:00 AM at Warrior Ice Arena.

Don Sweeney will meet with the media after practice. The Toronto Maple Leafs lost last night; they will have the fifth-best lottery odds in May. Elsewhere around the league, the Blackhawks announced an extension for GM Kyle Davidson after their President and CEO praised him before the game.

And in a meaningless game, the Red Wings collapsed, and they fell 8-1 to the Panthers, but it provided a solid postgame press conference from Todd McLellan. The Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division title last night, and three spots in the Western Conference remain open as we hit the last day of the regular season. Six games will put the season to bed before the playoffs start on Saturday.

Happy Thursday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean: Boston Bruins MARCO STURM : The man behind the bench has carried the Bruins to 100 points and a playoff spot, and it is his first year coaching in the NHL. He is not the guy to look for any credit, though; instead, directing it to the team. He also opened up on his working relationship with GM Don Sweeney.