Bearded Ice – April 25

Should I keep the beard going throughout the whole playoffs, or shave it now that the Wings are out? Decisions, decisions.

Quick hits

I’m not going to retype everything I posted in here yesterday about the Red Wings’ locker clean-out. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out our coverage from the last time some of the players will be available to the media until training camp.

The Whalers and the Spirit might be done for the season, but some of Michigan’s own are still competing in the OHL playoffs. Ann Arbor native Austin Watson has helped the London Knights to a 3-0 series lead over Kitchener in the OHL finals, which makes him our Michi-gamer of the night. Battle Creek native Jared Knight is also on the London roster. Meanwhile, defensemen Max Iafrate (Livonia) and Jesse Young (Walled Lake) will be trying to help the Kitchener Rangers avoid a sweep.

And in other Red Wings news, nine of the players are going to play in the World Championship. More can be read about that right here.

Highlight reel

Nicklas Lidstrom talks to the press during yesterday’s locker clean-out day.

Outside the Mitten

The Devils were able to force a Game 7 in their series with the Panthers, thanks to an overtime goal by Travis Zajac.

Tonight the Capitals and Bruins battle in a winner-take-all Game 7. We’ve got our money on Davison native Tim Thomas.

NBC announced today that they will air every Team USA game in the World Championship on the NBC Sports Network.

Check it out

The Vancouver Sun discusses the possibility of Ryan Kesler being traded from the Canucks.

Next up

We’ll see how the Bruins do, and whatever other news comes out of the hockey world tonight.