The Official National Hockey League Appreciation Thread

[KarateKen]

Might as well include this too, the West Finals between the Oilers and Stars beings Wednesday night.  Here is the full schedule for that series.

Game 1: Oilers at Stars, Wednesday, May 21, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 2: Oilers at Stars, Friday, May 23, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 3: Stars at Oilers, Sunday, May 25, 3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4: Stars at Oilers, Tuesday, May 27, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5: Oilers at Stars, Thursday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS *
Game 6: Stars at Oilers, Saturday, May 31, 8 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS *
Game 7: Oilers at Stars, Monday, June 2, 8 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS *

* If necessary

[aurik]

As a former Dallas resident, I gotta say "GO STARS!"

[KarateKen]

6 hours ago, aurik said:

As a former Dallas resident, I gotta say "GO STARS!"

I would like to see the Stars win this series as well.  I'd also like to see the Hurricanes win, but they lost 5-2 in game one.  

[aurik]

10 hours ago, KarateKen said:

I would like to see the Stars win this series as well.  I'd also like to see the Hurricanes win, but they lost 5-2 in game one.  

Sadly, the Hurricanes are 0-13 in Conference Finals games going all the way back to their last Stanley Cup in 2006.  They haven't won a single game in the conference finals since then.

[KarateKen]

NHL continues to discuss adding more teams.  Houston and Atlanta are the frontrunners for the next expansion markets.  Despite many critics pointing to Atlanta already having two prior teams, Flames and Thrashers, the league does not consider that a deal breaker.  The NHL wants to expand to larger markets, and Houston and Atlanta are both that.  They also want the American dollars, and the ability to expand their fan base.  By adding Houston and Atlanta they can get their high price tag for a franchise, approximately a billion dollars, tap into untapped hockey markets, and bring new fans to the sport.  This is why the league is not considering expanding to Quebec City anytime soon.  Too small a market and the city is already loaded with hockey fans. Bettman has also stated that adding new teams would not change the current playoff format. 

Edited 2 hours ago by KarateKen