The Official National Hockey League Appreciation Thread

[KarateKen]

16 hours ago, sensei8 said:

Mistakes cost my Knights in game 3 on Wild ice…5-2. Knights better wake up soon.  Things looked promising early after the puck dropped, but the dogs of havoc returned and what was once promising, quickly turned into a nightmare.

Wild, I hate to say, have figured out my Knights across the board…and I hate that. But I got to respect Wild because they’re here this playoff for a reason.

Wild leads the series 2-1, game 4 tomorrow at 1pm pacific. Game 5 on April 29th on Knights ice…game 6 and game 7, if necessary, Minnesota, then back to Las Vegas, respectfully.

GO KNIGHTS!!

Minnesota has gotten healthy at the right time; they are getting excellent goaltending and are clicking on the power play.  They have done a good job of making the most of their chances.  Vegas needs Stone and/or Eichel to start making some plays.  They have been shut down so far in this series.  I think one of them gets a goal in game four.  Big game on Saturday at 4pm eastern.  Minnesota can go up 3-1 and take a big lead, or Vegas can win, tie it at 2-2, and have the momentum going back home for game 5 on Tuesday. Lots to play for. 

 

Three games on Friday and three teams had a chance to go up 3-0 in their series.  None of them did.  Canadians, Oilers, and Devils all win.  Series are starting to tighten up.  The deeper the series goes the more intense the games become.  It's getting interesting. 

Mood: 

Edited April 26 by KarateKen

[KarateKen]

There will be no first round sweeps this year.  Senators beat the Leafs to stay alive, trail the series 3-1.  Avalanche and Golden Knights both win and those series are tied 2-2. I thought that Minnesota was going to win when they got that overtime power play.  Good job by Vegas bouncing back and getting a big win on the road.

Lighting beat the Panthers and Florida leads the series 2-1, but Matthew Tkachuck was up to his old tricks of playing dirty.  He got ejected for a late hit and could face suspension.  This comes one game after the Panthers were complaining about late hits by the Lightning.  Brandon Hagel was suspended for his late hit in game two, many arguing that Matty T getting suspended a game is fair play. 

Tom Wilson was up to his old tricks again too, but he was able to avoid a suspension for his behavior in game three against Montreal.  He will have to pay a 5k dollar fine. 

Four more games on Sunday, all of them are game four in their respective series.  Jets/Blues. Kings/Oilers, Capitals/Canadians, Hurricanes/Devils 

Mood: The gloves are off! 

[KarateKen]

Three of the four games in the books for today.  Washington and Carolina both went up 3-1 in their series by getting victories, meanwhile the Blues have stormed back against the Jets and tied the series 2-2, another blowout win today, 5-1.  The Kings and Oilers are in the first period right now, LA trying to go up 3-1 and currently has a lead in the game. I will edit later and put in the winner.  

To the anger of Lightning fans, Matthew Tkachuck will not be suspended for his late hit on Saturday.  Argument for the decision was that it was not a head shot, thus the ejection was enough punishment.  The ejection had no impact on the result, since there were only 5 minutes left in the game, and it was clear the Lightning were going to win.  Tampa put in an empty net goal on the delayed penalty to go up 5-1. Anyway, Chucky will be in the lineup for game four on Monday. The other game on Monday is Colorado/Dallas, the series is back in Texas tied at two. @sensei8 and I have to wait until Tuesday before our teams are back at it.  They got the travel day, and game 5 is scheduled for 9:30 eastern on ESPN Tuesday night.  

 

Edit: The Oilers beat LA Kings 4-3 in overtime and have tied the series 2-2. 

Edited April 28 by KarateKen
Score Update

[KarateKen]

After 10 years together the Pittsburgh Penguins and head coach Mike Sullivan have broken up.  The Penguins won two Stanley Cups under Sullivan, going back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, but the team had struggled recently, missing the playoffs the last three seasons.  In late March the Penguins were in last place, I can't remember ever seeing that before, them being in last place so late in the season. 

There will be a lot of interest in Sullivan who will likely get a job offer sooner than later.  Penguins said their search for a new head coach is top priority and will start immediately. 

[KarateKen]

Panthers win and take a 3-1 lead in their series against the Lighting, Stars win and lead 3-2 over the Avalanche.  

Four games on Tuesday, Leafs and Hurricans can both advance with a win, Wild/Golden Knights and Oilers/Kings will have game five also.  Big games for all the teams. 

 

[sensei8]

Wild and my Knights are battling on Knights ice tonight. I’m nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs because the Wild are no push over; they’re extremely strong across the board!!

GO KNIGHTS!!

[KarateKen]

Brutal loss for the Wild.  In a crazy game the Knights win 3-2 in overtime, back-to-back overtime wins for Vegas, but what made it worse was Minnesota scored with 1:15 left to take a 3-2 lead.  The goal was reviewed and called a good goal, then Vegas challenged saying it was offsides, and it was overturned.  Back to 2-2.  Vegas would score and win 3-2, taking a 3-2 lead in the series going back to St. Paul for game six on Thursday.  Tough break and typical of Minnesota sports.  Fleury came into the game in the third period in what is likely his final NHL appearance. 

Overall, a great day of hockey.  The Hurricanes become the first team to advance, beating the Devils 5-4 in double overtime, winning the series in five games.  The Senators win and cut the Leafs series lead to 3-2, and the Oilers beat the Kings to go up 3-2 in that series with a chance to win it at home in game six. 

Possibly the most exciting night of hockey so far this season. 

Mood: A rollercoaster.  

[sensei8]

Yeah…

Tough break for the Wild. Good for my Knights but not so good for the Wild. Game 6 will be on Wild ice tomorrow and the Wild will be their most dangerous. For my Knights to win game 6 they’ll not make mistakes because Wild will capitalize on them handily.

GO KNIGHTS!!

Edited April 30 by sensei8

[KarateKen]

Three games on the schedule today.  Both the Capitals and the Panthers have a chance to advance, meanwhile the Jets and Blues are going to break the tie. 

Another coaching job has opened up as Rick Tocchet is has now left his job as head coach in Vancouver.  The Canucks had a disappointing season, finishing six points out of the playoffs.  

 

[KarateKen]

Suddenly three teams have advanced to the second round, all from the east.  The Capitals will face the Hurricanes, and the Panthers will face either the Leafs or Senators, Leafs up 3-2. The Jets have taken a 3-2 lead in the series, a series where the home team has won all five games.  

Four closeout games on Thursday. The Knights, Leafs, Stars, and Oilers can all advance with a win. 

Mood: worn out