The Official National Hockey League Appreciation Thread

[aurik]

I had the pleasure of watching the Blues beat the Avs in Denver last Saturday -- it was a tight game with a playoff feel.  We were 4 rows back behind the goal where the Blues shoot twice.  The game was full of energy, and there were quite a few Blues fans in attendance (I got more than one compliment on my Chris Pronger jersey).

This year, like 2019, the Blues started out on the struggle bus, but had a mid-season coaching change.

This year, like 2019, the Blues caught their second wind and went on a tear through the NHL with 10+ game winning streaks.

In 2019, the Blues rallied behind the Laura Branigan song, "Gloria" -- this year, they have their locker room mascot, a Jobu bobblehead.

And this year, like 2019, the players truly believe in themselves.

[KarateKen]

Another game another OT loss for the Wild.  Picking up the standings point is nice, getting up to 89 ties them with the Blues and gives them a seven-point lead over the chasing Calgary Flames. 

Ovechkin scores again, the only goal for the Capitals in a 5-1 loss in Carolina.  As well as the Capitals have played this year, and as well as Logan Thompson has played this season, they have struggled with giving up goals in recent games.  A slumping goaltender and defense are not a great sign going into the playoffs.  Could be a concern.  The win clinches a spot for the Hurricanes.  Maples Leafs have also locked up a playoff berth. Six teams now officially in the playoffs, three in each conference. 

Two more games tonight, Canuks vs Kraken and Blackhawks vs Avalanche.  

 

[KarateKen]

Blues extend their win streak to 11 and it has overshadowed how well the Dallas Stars are playing, they have won now seven in a row and their 104 points is third best in the league.  The Kings have also been hot, winning three in a row, and only three points back of Vegas for the Pacific division.  LA has the best home record in the league and they have a home friendly schedule the rest of the way.  They could make a run at the Pacific title.  Three hot teams in the west as the playoffs are only two weeks away.  Also, Colorado has clinched a playoff spot, making seven of the 16 and four of the eight in the west. 

[KarateKen]

Florida Panthers and LA Kings both in the playoffs, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks are all eliminated. 

[aurik]

The Blues got up to an early 4-0 lead on the Avs, and were able to hold off a strong push late in the 3rd to win 5-4, for their twelfth win in a row.  Even when these guys aren't playing at their best, they're still putting up the W's.  These last 2 wins were also without their top defenseman, Colton Parayko (who has been out for a couple weeks) and one or their hot forwards signed last summer, Dylan Holloway.  The good news is, the Blues have added two new young players to the mix.  Jimmy Snuggerud was their 1st round draft pick in 2022 and just finished playing his Junior year at University of Minnesota; in his first 3 games in the NHL he already has 2 assists, and the first one was a thing of absolute beauty.  They've also brought their 2023 first round draft pick into the mix - Dalibar Dvorsky, who has been tearing things up in the AHL.  

And then on Sunday, Alex Ovechkin broke a record many thought would be unbreakable -- Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record.  With goal #895, Ovi forever enshrined his name in the NHL record books -- or at least until the next NEXT great one comes along.  I thought it was extremely cool that the NHL stopped the game to celebrate that moment.  I thought it also extremely classy that Wayne Gretzky was right there to shake Ovi's hand after such a milestone achievement, just like Gordie Howe was there to shake Wayne Gretzky's hand back in 1994.  And even though this monumental event happened in the Islander's home rink, everyone present was cheering for Ovi.