Thursday Morning Fly By: Never can make things easy here, can we?

*So that sucked a whole lot didn't it? Here's a recap I guess.

*Right back at it again tonight with the Maple Leafs in town. Just win, okay? Thanks.

*It's almost time for the Flyers to hand out their annual team awards, so your friends at Broad Street Hockey decided to share a few thoughts on which players have earned themselves some hardware this season. First up: who should win the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy for most improved player? [BSH]

*Next up: The Barry Ashbee Trophy for best defenseman. Easy choice, this one. [BSH]

*Claude Giroux came ready to play last night and it showed. [Inquirer]

*Ivan Provorov and the Brandon Wheat Kings are moving on in the WHL playoffs. [Sons of Penn]

*Speaking of prospects, Ron Hextall has added another quality young person, signing Yale goalie Alex Lyon. [In Goal Mag]

*Steve Mason is enjoying the heavy workload he's been forced to take since Michal Neuvirth was injured. [NHL.com]

*Aww Travis Sanheim loves his brother this is cute. [Sons of Penn]

*Oddly enough, it would appear that Mike Babcock does not understand the point of a salary cap. [Sportsnet]

*The Oilers bid farewell to Rexall Place last night; old arenas don't get enough respect if you ask me. [Copper & Blue]

*Unbelievably, the entire Russian U18 team is being replaced before Worlds because of failed drug tests. [Deadspin]

*The Flyers social media team executed an absolute savage response to a television star rooting for the Red Wings last night. [BSH]

*And finally, presented without comment: tiny dogs in hockey uniforms. [SB Nation]