The Official National Hockey League Appreciation Thread

[KarateKen]

 is the feeling that sums up these conference finals. 

Another blowout today, Oilers 6-1 over the Stars.  Take a 2-1 series lead.  All blowouts in the east, Panthers up 3-0 in the series, won 6-2 and have outscored the Canes 16-4 in three games.  Feels like a rematch between the Oilers and Panthers.  I am with you @sensei8 if it is the same two teams again, I might sit it out this year. 

[KarateKen]

At least Carolina avoids the sweep.  They win 3-0 on Monday night and now are down 3-1 in the series. This ends a 15-game losing streak for the Canes in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

[KarateKen]

Another strong game by Skinner, only allowing one goal and the Oilers win.  Oilers have dominated most of this series, Stars can't find any offense, they have been outscored 13-2 in the last three games.  Two goals in three games isn't going to beat anyone in the NHL playoffs, much less a team as skilled offensively as the Oilers.  Stars better find some offense and fast or things will end for them in game five. 

Both series are 3-1, and in both series the team that was in the finals last year is ahead. 

[sensei8]

Seems to me that the Stars will face the same fate as my Knights against the Oilers when the ice melts.

Oilers just might end up winning the whole shebang when all has been said and done.

[KarateKen]

Panthers win and advance to the finals.

This is the most lopsided conference finals I can remember maybe ever.  Boring too.  

 

Mood:  Who cares? 

[KarateKen]

The rematch for the Cup is set, Oilers KOed the Stars tonight and Dallas ends the season on a four-game losing streak.  

[KarateKen]

Here is the schedule for the Stanley Cup rematch between Oilers and Panthers.  We don't have game one until Wednesday.  All start times are 8pm eastern. All games can be seen on TNT, TruTV, and HBO MAX.  Other networks such as SportsNet (SN) are listed as carrying some of the games. 

Game 1: Panthers at Oilers, Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
Game 2: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 6, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max
Game 3: Oilers at Panthers, Monday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 4: Oilers at Panthers, Thursday, June 12, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS
Game 5: Panthers at Oilers, Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max 
Game 6: Oilers at Panthers, Tuesday, June 17, 8 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS 
Game 7: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 20, 8 p.m. ET; SN, CBC, TVAS, TNT, truTV, Max 

 

[KarateKen]

Latest odds are close but have the Oilers as a slight favorite to win the Cup.  If they do it will be the first time and Canadian team has won it since 1993, and the first time the Oilers have won since 1990.  Strangely enough, as good as the Oilers were at times, winning the Cup in 90 and now in the finals two years in a row, they have not won a division title since 1987. 

If the Panthers win the Cup it would be their second in a row.  They went 29 years as a franchise without winning, won it last year in year 30, and can repeat.  If they win it would be the fourth time in six years a team from Florida won the Cup.  Tampa in 2020 and 21, and Florida in 2024 and 25.  The other two were Colorado 2022 (over Tampa) and Vegas 2023 (over Florida) making it six years in a row one of the teams from Florida has been in the finals.  

Twice during the previous five years a team from Canada lost to a team from Florida.  Panthers beat the Oilers last year and Lightning beat the Canadians in 2021. That series ended on July 7, 2021, the latest a SCF game was ever played.  Due to the COVID pandemic, the season started late.