Your savory breakfast links:

• Michal Neuvirth is well on his way to being a household name. [WaPo (Wise), Homer McFanboy]
  
• Nice to get a relatively easy one early, eh? [WashTimes (Whyno), Loose Pucks (Keim)]
• In Game 5, the Caps best players were their best players. [AP (White), CW (Whyno)]
• Ten reasons this year's different. [Toronto Sun (Zeisberger)]
• Closeout done right. [KOL]
• Ranking the top goalie performances from the regular season and in this year's playoffs so far (Spoiler alert: Neuvy makes a few appearances on the lists, but not for his Game 2 shutout). [Puck Daddy]
• On Bruce Boudreau, the player. [Lowetide]
• John Carlson and Karl Alzner have been and are a super pairing. [CRtC]
• Checking in on the beards after one round. [Capitals News Network]
• Alex Ovechkin bikes in flip-flops, enjoys over-priced baked goods. [D.C. Sports Bog]
• Thanks, Sens? (And no, not just for Brooks Laich.) [SenShot]
• Sean Avery: bitten or biter? Either way... golfer. [D.C. Sports Bog]
• Welcome newbies - the bandwagon's big enough for all. [Blonde Girl's Guide]
• This year's incarnation of the Hershey Bears was one-and-done come Calder Cup playoff time. Kudos on the great four-year run that was for the AHL's premiere franchise... [Patriot-News (Leone), SHoE]
• ... and for the first time in recent memory, the Caps' season will last longer than its AHL affiliate's, and thus "Black Aces." [CW (Whyno)]
• Prospect updates (courtesy Emily):
  • The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors now lead their OHL Eastern Conference Championship series 2 games to 1 over the Niagara Ice Dogs. In three games, Brett Flemming is 0-2-2, even, and has been on ice for 3 goals-for and two against (both goals against in a 5-3 loss). Game Four is tonight in Niagara.
  • Stan Galiev and Samuel Carrier continue their head-to-head battle on Tuesday, when the QMJHL semifinal moves to Lewiston. Game One was a 5-4 overtime Saint John win. Galiev had 2 assists, a minus-1 rating, and was named first star of the game. Carrier had the primary assist on a shorthanded goal that tied the score and sent the game to OT, but was on ice for the Sea Dogs' game-winner. Game Two was also won by the Sea Dogs 4-1, as they capitalized on a major penalty assessed to Lewiston. Three Dogs scored on the ensuing power play, with Galiev getting the first goal and second star honors. Carrier had the primary assist on the MAINEiacs' only goal, which was scored with Galiev on-ice.
  • Cody Eakin has been awarded the alternate captain's A and may be in consideration for some League honors for his play in the WHL Eastern Conference Championship series. The Kootenay Ice have taken a surprising 2-0 lead over playoff scoring leader Linden Vey and the Medicine Hat Tigers. The first game was a firewagon affair, going to OT at 5-5. Though Cody was held off the scoresheet and went minus-3 (against the Tigers' top line), any frustration dissipated when he potted the OT gamewinner (video here). The next game was more subdued, as Cody scored a goal in the first few minutes of the game and added two more assists in a 3-0 Ice victory. Vey went minus-3 in that game. The Ice have now won nine straight, and they will play next in Cranbrook on Tuesday.
• Finally, on an administrative note, here's a friendly reminder that our "What We're Reading" widget (in the left sidebar on the front page) is updated throughout the day with all of the latest Caps news, so check back often.