Daily Cupcakes: May 1st, 2018

Colorado Avalanche 

If you want to read in French, Samuel Girard is getting some love. [Le Quotidient]

Avs fans paint the ice to mark end of the season. [CBS Denver]

Tyson Jost headed to world championship with Team Canada. [Penticton Western News]

Young talent fills Finland’s World Championship roster, including Mikko Rantanen. [Pro Hockey Rumors]

The Rest of the Game

Hurricanes fire Ron Francis. [NBC Sports]

Jets and Predators provide classic clash — 2 rounds too early. [CBC]

Home is where the ‘L’ is? Home teams struggling in playoffs. [USA Today]

NHL referees are the worst. The refereeing in the Washington Capitals-Pittsburgh Penguins series has been atrocious. [Vice Sports]

Courtroom decision punishes NHL victim, Henderson is a former NHL linesman who was cross-checked to the ice from behind during a game 27 months ago by Calgary Flames defenceman Dennis Wideman. [CJME]

NHL releases video to explain avoidable and unavoidable head contact. [Sportsnet]