Tuesday Morning Coffee

• The Copper and Blue blog takes a look at how Fighting Sioux defenseman Dillon Simpson is exceeding expectations on the North Dakota blue line. The Edmonton Oilers selected Simpson in the fourth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
• Former Sioux All-American Brandon Bochenski has signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him with Barys Astana of the KHL through the 2014-15 season. Bochenski was a KHL All-Star last season while leading the Russian elite league with 27 goals and finishing third with 59 points in 49 games.
• The men's IIHF World Championships kick off this week in Finland and Sweden, and the only former Sioux currently slated to take part is Slovakia's Rastislav Spirko. Slovakia is in the same pool as Team USA, so you will be able to catch the former Sioux standout when the two teams meet Monday, May 7 at 12:15 CDT. That game will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network.

NHL Playoff Update:

• Matt Greene and the Los Angeles Kings have taken a 2-0 series lead on TJ Oshie and the St. Louis Blues. Greene picked up an assist in last night's 5-2 King victory, while Oshie had the biggest hit of the night when he laid into Dustin Penner. The Blues will try to make a series out of it when the two teams resume play Thursday night in Los Angeles.
• The New Jersey Devils will try to draw even with Philadelphia tonight, and Travis Zajac says the Devils are confident in their ability to leave Philly with a split despite dropping game one. In the game one loss Zajac contributed a goal while Zach Parise had a goal and an assist.
• Dave Tippett and the Phoenix Coyotes took a 2-0 series lead on Nashville Sunday night with an impressive 5-3 victory. That series picks up again tomorrow night in Nashville.