Kadri, the Calgary Flames centre whose Pacific Division team was eliminated early, spent some time catching up with his former Leafs teammate over the weekend.
“It’s not really so much about hockey when we talk,” said Kadri. “Mitch is like a little brother to me. I’ve known him for a long time. I just respect his maturity. But when he’s hanging out with the boys, he always lets his immaturity show a little bit because he’s a sparkplug. He’s so much fun to be around. I always love catching up on Mitch.”
The players on the winning Atlantic team shared $1 million . Red Wings centre Larkin scored a hat trick, but local favourite Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers was named MVP. He had five points, including three goals in the first game, plus a goal and an assist in the final while playing with brother Brady of the Ottawa Senators and Panthers teammate Aleksander Barkov.
“We had a couple more chances but didn’t execute. It’s on us. Obviously, goalie could play better, but — goalies,” said Ovechkin, teasing fellow Russian Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers. “I didn’t expect to get it back a couple of those times,” said Crosby. “I was thinking I just did my job, gave it to him. I thought he was going to finish it, but he was kind enough to send me a couple back.”Marner couldn’t pack his gear fast enough to go wherever he’s going for what is left of the Leafs’s bye week. They don’t have an official practice until Thursday. Marner will be in an undisclosed location until then: “You can see maybe on Instagram. I’m not telling anyone.