Shaved Ice – April 11

It’s finally time…playoff hockey is here.

Quick hits

We held off on running Shaved Ice until just a few hours before game-time so that you would have some stuff to read while you’re impatiently waiting for puck drop.

Here’s Darren Eliot’s take on the Wings/Preds series. If you’re looking for a breakdown on the match-up, who better to get it from?

Plus, he and I give our predictions for all eight first-round pairings right here. Feel free to skim and only read the ‘DE’ parts, I won’t be too upset.

Our friend Bill Roose of the Red Wings’ official site reports that Darren Helm will play tonight in Game 1. Hopefully he’s healthy; having Helm in the line-up will be crucial for the Red Wings as they take on a physical, grinding Nashville squad.

Highlight reel

Here’s something to get you fired up for the game…a little old-school “Hey, Hey Hockeytown!”

Outside the Mitten

With no NHL games last night, that meant an opportunity for a junior player to be our Michi-gamer. Alex Aleardi, a Farmington Hills native and current Plymouth Whaler, scored a game-winner last night in the OHL playoffs. Find out more right here.

Edmonton got the 1st overall pick…again. Doesn’t seem fair, if you ask me.

The Canucks will be without Daniel Sedin for the start of their series with the Kings.

Jaromir Jagr expects to play again next season.

Check it out

Were you at our 20th annual Banquet of Champions on Monday? Wish you were? Either way, check out our photo gallery from the event.

Next up

We’ll be talking Red Wings throughout the night. Keep it tuned to MiHockeyNow.com, and our Twitter account, for more.