Month: May 2023

What about Bob? And the Knights are golden

FLA 3 – TOR 2 OT Toronto scored twice in each of their five games versus Florida which was not enough to move on as two-time Vezina Trophy winner Mr. Bobrovsky played the way the Panthers have expected him to since arriving from Columbus.

Toronto’s heart and effort were there as the Maple Leafs outshot, outhit, out-blocked, and won most of the faceoffs during this series, but a “hot” goaltender on a run in the playoffs can take their team far.

SC 4 EDM 3 The Oilers scored three times on the power play but it was the two scored against them that the Knights put in and built a two-goal lead with heading into the third period.

There was only one misconduct issued in this contest as there were 11 penalties on the board between these two belligerents and the Knights first goal highlighted how goaltender interference is negated if it is “outside” the blue paint.

Saturday Night Hockey

The Kraken must win at home tonight to force game seven in Texas as the Dallas Stars take a 3-2 series lead into climate facade arena to eliminate the Seattle Kraken in game six at 7pm EST.

Hurricanes PP scores in OT, Stars take series lead

CAR 3 – NJD 2 OT The delay of game penalty was created specifically to stop players from shooting the puck into the crowd to stop the clock, if it is incidental or just an honest mistake the official should be able to make the determination to not penalize the player without review.

To give the home team a power play advantage in overtime during an elimination game based on an accidental puck shot into the crowd is a bit much, overall the Carolina Hurricanes deserve to move on because they held off a very talented and skilled New Jersey team.

DAL 5 – SEA 2 Dallas forwards Mr. Hintz and Mr. Robertson contributed 3 goals and 4 assists while Mr. “Hot” Oettinger played superbly whereas Seattle’s goaltender Mr. Grubauer played an uncharacteristic .800 save percentage.

The Kraken’s two goals came from a defenseman and a forward notching his first tally, the Stars won 60% of faceoffs, both teams blanked on the power play, and were mostly even up on hits and blocks as game five and the series lead goes to Dallas.

Tonight downtown Toronto is going to be awash with fans of all ages as the Panthers come to town endeavoring to eliminate the Maple Leafs in game five of their series and the Knights at home in the late game look to take the series lead versus the Oilers.

Brooms disappear and odds are even in Nevada

TOR 2 FLA 1 A crucial road victory for the Leafs ensures a game five in Toronto as the Maple Leafs out-hit, out-blocked, won most faceoffs, and received timely scoring from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Marner.

The punching and mauling after the game highlights both teams heightened emotions with another elimination game this Friday night.

EDM 4 SC 1 The first period was filled with animosity, tripping, slashing, and roughing, but it did not compare to the seven misconducts handed out in the third period as Edmonton literally and figuratively fought their way through to an even series.

There were 10 power plays between both teams and the Oilers capitalized once in six attempts while the Knights blanked, the Knights Mr. Hill let one goal in short-handed and posted a poor .879 save percentage overall.

The belligerency and violence escalate during the NHL playoffs and for some, this can be exciting for others not so much, the Stanley Cup is so important that the ends justify the means, sadly.

Tonight the Hurricanes can eliminate the Devils in front of the home crowd and the Stars and Kraken are all even up for their game five.

East Coast weather and West Coast illumination

CAR 6 – NJD 1 Changing goalies again, the Hughes brothers alone cannot do it, not enough SOG, cannot score on the power play, and coaching has diminished New Jersey’s Stanley Cup aspirations and brought them to the brink of elimination.

Carolina pumped in four goals in a five-minute stretch during the second period and then tacked on one more with 24 seconds remaining for five goals total in the period as the Hurricanes routed the Devils in New Jersey.

DAL 6 – SEA 3 The officiating and rules can be infuriating as the announcers assured us that the Stars’ third goal was goaltender interference and would be called back, unfortunately for the Kraken Mr. Bettman and the NHL now see it differently.

Seattle took only five SOG for each of the first two periods, did not score on the power play, and could not stop the Dallas power play, by the time the Kraken began to get their skates under them in the third period it was too little too late.

Florida can advance tonight by winning in Toronto and the Oilers look to tie the series with the Knights in Edmonton’s second home game of the series.

A dry well for the Oilers

SC 5 – EDM 1 Edmonton scored on their first shot of the game from a player scoring his first goal, they killed four penalties, won most of the faceoffs, had one Knights goal called back, and poured on the SOG for the second and third periods but ultimately the Oilers could not score.

Three more SOG after giving up the initial score of the game the Knights lose their starting goaltender to injury with eight minutes left in the first period and in comes backup Mr. Hill who covers the net like syrup and stops all Oilers SOG to finish the game.

Tonight New Jersey hosts Carolina in an attempt to tie the series at two apiece and Dallas in Seattle needs to win or faces an elimination game at home for game five.