As I write this, a deluge of rain is pouring down outside my apartment. Thunder, lightning  — the whole deal. Finally winter is done.

You know what else is done? The Blues break. The Note are back in action tonight against the Islanders. Let's get to the links.

Blues news

• Blues vs. Islanders tonight. It's on Long Island, so don't forget the early start. [Sporting News]
• Paul Kariya is closing strong on the 2009-10 season. He's playing with a purpose ... or a guy who is trying to weasel his way into one more contract. [Belleville News-Democrat]
• The road could be great for the Blues. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

• Do you know this couple? I don't know if I'd admit it. [Joe Sports Fan]

Hockey news

• Wednesday's results. Games we want: Buffalo over Dallas. Check. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Thursday games. Games we want: Thrasher over Columbus, Minnesota over Detroit (again on principal), Ottawa over Cal and Gary, San Jose over Nashville, and ... St. Louis over New York. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Oh to be an Avs fan — Colorado fans are already talking about who they're going to face in the playoffs, not if they will make the playoffs. [Mile High Hockey]
• Like all old people, Mike Modano is afraid of change. [Defending Big D]
• Marc Savard doesn't know where he is, but Matt Cooke won't be suspended for causing that damage. Cam Janssen gets five games ... Matt Cooke gets zero. [ESPN]
• The GM's were discussing heads to the hit, but does it really matter? No. [ESPN]
• Matt Cooke is not popular in Tampa Bay.  [TSN]
• Chris Chelios is back in the NHL. He is twice my age. He is old enough to be my father. He remembers playing in the NHL when ads weren't on the boards. Are you trying to tell me that no one else is good enough to suit up for Atlanta? [TSN]
• Stealing logos of pro sports teams is never a good idea. Unless you're a high school sports team. [Puck Daddy]
• Sidney Crosby's stick and glove from the gold-medal game have been found. I knew you couldn't trust Patrice Bergeron. [Yahoo! Sports]

Other links

• I don't know the point of this site, but I figure you fine folks can have some fun with it. [Big-Ass Message]
• Childhood Trauma enjoys this memo. Matt Stone and I do as well. [Letters of Note]
• Photoshop is 20 years old. I'm really only linking to this because it includes my favorite album cover of all time. [Complex]

Video

There is so much to like in this old commercial brought to us by Childhood Trauma.

More goodness to come later ... like a GTD. gametimelinks(at)gmail.com