For a coach, playoff hockey is one big chess match.  You know the ins and outs of your opponent, as you will be playing the same damn team for 4-7 games in succession.  It does not take long to find out when things aren’t working.  The current standard is about three games.  Before you know it, you’re down 3-0 and praying for the support of some remnants of an octagenarian group of Maple Leafs for divine inspiration.

It appears that they’ve answered Dave Tippett’s call.

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A lot of comments have been made and plenty of ridicule has been heaped upon the Chosen One regarding his slow-developing accumulation of facial hair during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff run. In fact, I even mentioned it in the NHL Closer over on Deadspin on Wednesday which “started a discussion” or two in the comments section.

Despite the fact we were just having a little fun at Sidney’s expense, my inbox was inundated with e-mails regarding the subject, each one more hostile than the last. One of the most surprising came from Jonathan Davis, lead singer of the band KoЯn. He requested a forum in which he could address what he refers to as the “irresponsible hate-mongering and persecution of a true hero”. MYFO was more than happy to oblige.

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Providing yet more anecdotal evidence that your grandma really was right on just about everything, another bad penny has turned up. Craig Leipold, erstwhile owner of the Nashville Predators (and who couldn’t wait to get out of town while that franchise foundered, and nearly sank, on his watch) is as of a few weeks ago the new owner of the Minnesota Wild.

Thankfully, he’ll have coach Jacques Lemaire to lean on as he gets his feet frozen wet up in St. Paul. However, some teams, including the Leafs, have been sniffing around GM Doug Risebrough. Is the Cragister worried that the sharp and successful Risebrough might jump ship? Hardly. Read more…

As a delightful distraction to actual NHL hockey being played, the league office has used the last few weeks to sporadically announce the finalists for each of the many shiny and pointy awards they hand out after each NHL season.  And for every honor of an MVP, a Best Positional Player, or stellar rookie, there’s an ambiguously-awarded piece of hardware just waiting to collapse someone’s mantle.  Today, in a feature that shalt be recurring only if we’re out of column ideas, we present to you the nominees for the Masterton Trophy.

Who wants a giant gold cone of frozen custard?  I sure as hell do.

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We here at MYFO aren’t ones to shy away from making a joke at Commissioner Gary Bettman’s expense (or even giving him his own tag, or taking a gratuitous cheap shot). But when I saw the news that Martin Erat had signed a 7-year, $31.5 million deal with Nashville, I got to thinking. What if he’s not such a moronic douchenozzle after all? Read more…

Bob: Welcome back to Mike Modano’s bedroom. No score so far, but Modano’s looking to change that. How are you going to get on the board, Mike?

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MYFO Editors are gearing up as you read this for a rip-roaring good time as we live blog the Penguins-Flyers game tonight. We are all preparing ourselves in our own unique ways (don’t ask) so we suggest you get yourself ready as well. The live blog will begin promptly at 7:30 EST, so tune in to Versus or CBC, pour yourself one (or eight) of your favorite beverages and come hang out with MYFO for the evening!

All you have to do is click on over to Cover It Live using this link and you are good to go.

See you at 7:30!