Month: April 2023

The Carolina Hurricanes are the only team with a 2-0 series lead and are worried because, in their first game, the power play bailed them out, in the second game New York scores on themselves or the game never goes to overtime, struggling to score 5v5 Carolina is looking shaky. CAR 4 – NYI 3 OT

Minnesota went with Mr. Fleury in net instead of their game-one winning goaltender and it cost them as Stars Mr. Hintz scored a Hat Trick one goal short-handed, one unassisted, and one on the power-play as the Wild struggled offensively averaging just over eight SOG per period. DAL 7 – MIN 3

Edmonton played a physical game hitting the Kings 60 times, in perspective Boston and Florida combined for 60 hits, Los Angeles no slouch hit back with 52 hits of their own, Mr. McDavid earned a primary assist, took six SOG, and even blocked a shot contributing to the victory. EDM 4 – LAK 2

After a tight first period and equally played the second period, Florida unleashed 10 SOG in the third period and four of them went in with the last one a happy net goal to seal the deal before Mr. Hall whiffs one in to score Boston’s last goal. FLA 6 – BOS 3

Will the second half of the opening round, game two for the next four series be as close?

High expectations in New Jersey were quickly brought back down to ice level as New York put forth an experienced workman-like effort and by the time Big Daddy Kane earned his secondary assist on the Rangers’ fourth goal and the 4-0 lead, the Devils were toast. Rangers 5 – Devils 1

The Seattle Kraken’s first Stanley Cup playoff game is a victory on the road versus the defending Cup Champions behind Grubauer’s Revenge, Colorado won a Cup with him and discarded him and in just two seasons he has come back to haunt them. Kraken 3 – Avalanche 1

Anticipation and hype previewed Jackie Vegas in his first Stanley Cup playoff game but disappointment and horror prevailed as sin city gets demolished at home by the Jets with Mr. Eichel blanking offensively as well as being on the ice for three of the Jets’ first four goals. Jets 5 – Knights 1

In a herculean effort Toronto withstood an onslaught of eight penalties, brought the game within one goal, top players began to produce, were better during face-offs, and out-hit Tampa Bay, but rarely can a team overcome penalty after penalty seemingly all night long. Lightning 7 – Leafs 3

Game two tonight for the initial four first-round matchups, can Florida, New York, Dallas, and Edmonton recover to split their series?

The battle for the ultimate trophy begins

The NHL 2023 Playoffs began with some low-scoring closely fought battles half of which went to overtime and only one team was able to score more than three times as the average team scoring was 2.375 goals.

Boston begins with one push of the broom of Florida as both team goaltenders post sub .890 save percentages.

Carolina’s two power-play tallies saved their goalies’ horrible .859 save percentage that New York was not able to capitalize on with four power plays of their own and scoring their lone goal on 25 shots.

It took 102 combined SOG and two overtimes as Dallas drops a heartbreaker at home to Minnesota as the Central Division rivals begin what appears to be a long series.

In the highest-scoring game of the evening Edmonton with home-ice advantage and scored twice in the first period with the second goal coming courtesy of a lengthy two-man advantage, winning nearly 60% of their face-offs still managed to lose to Los Angeles in overtime.

Tonight’s scheduled four opening series games could produce the offensive production most fans grew accustomed to during the regular season.

20 Season NHL Veteran

When the Sabres made the NHL Conference Finals for the second consecutive season in 2006-2007 Mr. Anderson was having a stellar career in Rochester winning 23 out of 34 games for the Americans in the AHL.

A decade and a half later Mr. Anderson is minding the nets in Buffalo for his final two seasons where his Experience, Leadership, Mentorship, and Positive Locker Room Influence assisted HC Granato in not only winning games but the development of our young corps into a team.

Playing for six NHL teams over 20 seasons would qualify one as a “journeyman” but Mr. Anderson will be remembered mostly as an Ottawa Senators player who was their goaltender for 40 playoff games earning their fan’s hope and eventual heartbreak.

When Hockey History records the final games of this edition of Buffalo Sabres and their successes they will read about the initial teams that were the youngest team with the oldest active player in the NHL and how they grew into “a real team”.

Here along the Lake Mr. Anderson’s contributions to our future success are greatly appreciated and he will always be remembered positively.

In the end, the best team won as Downton Flyers a 27-point winner over their FHL Finals opponent to take the Buffalo Pro H2H Points League title for 2023 while only losing three weekly matchups all season.

A terrific effort on the part of not only the playoff-seeded teams but the consolation ladder teams as well, an entertaining and competitive season put forth making next season even more anticipated.

The second half of the ESPN FHL 2023 Buffalo Pro H2H Points League Finals begins this afternoon at 12:30 EST and as expected League leader Downton Flyers is in the lead and has gone ahead of Buffalo Winter by nearly a baker’s dozen worth of points.

Not surprisingly the Winner’s Consolation Ladder combatants Team Beaulieu and Team Alex have practically mirrored the Winner’s bracket scores and admirably team Doughty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap after barely missing earning a playoff seeding has taken the overall lead in points while mired in the Consolation Ladder.

Presently the eight consolation-seeded teams have the opportunity to use the ladder games as a “mini-training” camp for team managers, exploring the tools (waiver wire, watch list, injured reserve, begin next season’s roster) available using them to gain insight to improve next season’s entry.

My first attempt at managing an ESPN FHL team did not result in a playoff seeding but it is when I learned and gained valuable experience utilizing the waiver wire to be able to increase my overall point total by switching out players not generating points.

The NHL has scheduled all 32 teams to play today creating the opportunity for team managers to have the ability to ice a full roster including the unpleasant task of selecting which players sit on the bench this Saturday.

This afternoon is the second last home game of the regular season here along the Lake for our Buffalo Sabres and we face off against the Hurricanes as Carolina comes to town for a 12:30 luncheon game.

Mr. Levi wins debut

What we all wanted to see came to fruition last night as Mr. Levi posted a .939 save percentage allowing two goals at even strength and stopping all four shots during the Rangers’ lone power play for his NHL debut victory.

It took New York nearly six minutes before registering their first SOG and with an obvious non-call on a cross-check to the back of the neck that prompted Mr. Ray to comment, “I guess we know how they are calling the game… they’re not.”

The Rangers’ only other shot of the period came off an attempt from Mr. Vesey that Mr. Levi took care of with his quick glove, a minute later Mr. Peterka scores finishing off a tic-tac-toe play with Mr. Quinn and Mr. Cozens for the one nothing lead.

During a delayed penalty Mr. Power was attempting a shot when an astute official whistled the play dead posing the question of when the Rangers had possession, all for naught as both the Sabres and Rangers come up short on the game’s three power plays.

Buffalo’s second goal was a thing of beauty as Mr. Greenway accepted a nice up-and-over the defender flip pass from Mr. Mittelstadt then one-handed beat two New York defenders and puts the shot right above the glove and arm of the Rangers netminder.

Mr. Skinner’s Overtime winning goal was no less spectacular as he nets his 32^nd goal of the season after splitting Mr. Zibanejad and Mr. Tarasenko who were attempting to defend him, past defenseman Mr. Miller with a greasy wrister to win the game.