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.

[KarateKen]

The Ottawa Senators have clinched a playoff berth and the Penguins are now eliminated.  Ten games on Tuesday, some with playoff implications and some not, such as Chicago and Pittsburgh, where the Pens won 5-0.  Bruins crushed the Devils 7-2, and with the Hurricanes' losing Washington has won the Metro division. Other winners were the Panthers, Canadians, Canucks, Blue Jackets, Sabers, and Predators. Right now, Vegas is up 2-0 against Colorado and Utah is pounding Seattle 7-0, both in the second period.  

[KarateKen]

Vancouver kept their slim playoff hopes alive by scoring an NHL record three goals in the final minute of regulation.  All of them were 6 on 5 goals, and they were able to win the game in overtime, 6-5.  Vancouver is currently at 85 points, eight behind Minnesota and St. Louis for the final playoff spot.  Minnesota wins tonight over the Sharks and the Blues are tied 1-1 with the Oilers in the second. Vancouver trails Calgary by two points for the 9th spot, and Calgary has a one game in hand advantage.  Flames are ahead of the Ducks 1-0 during this writing. Winnipeg is first overall with 110 points, four ahead of Dallas in the central and seven ahead of Vegas for the top seed in the west.  

Only one playoff opening in the east, where Montreal has an eight-point lead over Detroit, Columbus, and both New York teams.  

Other games...Tronto beat Tampa in OT and the Flyers beat the Rangers 8-5. A missed chance for the Rangers tonight in the chase for that final playoff spot. 

Keep your stick on the ice! 

 

[KarateKen]

Couple of key games on Thursday, Winnipeg beats Dallas 4-0 and increases their lead in the central division to six points, meaning the Jets only need one more standings point to lock up the top seed. Rangers and Blue Jackets both winners, both at 81 points now, six behind Montreal for the final spot in the east.  With the Rangers beating the Islanders, the NYI are going to need everything to land their way to make it in, still eight points out with only four games left.  Same with Detroit who took a loss on Thursday, while these teams are still alive based on the math, neither will get into the playoffs.  Vancouver and Utah are now officially eliminated, meaning that the final two wild card spots are between Minnesota, St. Louis, and Calgary, who is five points back.  It doesn't look good for the Flames. 

Playoffs begin April 19!  We are getting close. 

[KarateKen]

Just a terrible loss for the Wild tonight.  A chance to clinch a playoff spot and the completely laid an egg.  A 4-2 loss to the Flames, so now Calgary is still in it.  Three games left for the Flames, they are three points back of the Wild and Blues, but Minnesota and St. Louis have only two games left.  The Wild need to get healthy and fast.  Eriksson Ek and Kaprizov both returned from injury this week and they need to get back into their stride quick, same with the whole Wild team.  Even if the get in, they won't get out of the first round if this is the best they can muster up.  Ugh. Wild goes to Vancouver on Saturday for the second of a back-to-back, Blues are in Seattle.  Flames next play on Sunday, hosting San Jose.  

Not a great night for the Canadians either, they took the L 5-2 against the Senators, and Detroit wins so now the gap is a little closer.  Montreal with 88 points, Detroit. Columbus, and the NY Rangers with 81.  Canadians still in good shape, but a regulation win tonight would have got them a playoff spot. Habs play in Toronto on Saturday.

So who did have a good night? The Oilers.  Edmonton beats San Jose 4-2 and is now going to the playoffs.  

[KarateKen]

Wild, Blues, and Flames still fighting it out.  Wild at 95 points, Blues at 94, Flames at 92.  In the east the final spot is now between the Canadians and the Blue Jackets, with the Canadians lead down to only three points.  They are still in a strong position though, if they win one of the final two games they are in.  Toronto is trying to hold off Tampa to win the Atlantic division.  Vegas has won the Pacific and will be the two seed in the west, Winnipeg has locked up the #1 seed overall and wins the President's trophy.