Author: Buffalo Winter

The Stanley Cup Semi-Finals!

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes 8pm (SC SF Game 1)

TOMORROW NIGHT’S MATCHUP

Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars 8pm (SC SF Game 1)

Buffalo Winter’s ESPN Bracket Challenge prognostications correctly selected three out of the final four teams.

Since Winnipeg has bowed out of the playoffs I will go with my Northern Cousins over Texas, and if that should come to fruition, Edmonton could very well win another Cup.

The Buffalo Sabres hosted the first two games of the 1975 Stanley Cup Semi-Finals versus the Montreal Canadiens, note that the home team wore their white sweaters and there was no garbage advertising on the dasherboards, helmets, or sweaters.

Defending Cup Champions Advance to Semi-Finals

Panthers 6 – Maple Leafs 1 (en) (SC QTR Finals 4-2 Florida) Florida’s offense tagged Toronto twice with six goals, both teams shut each other out 2-0, but it was the Maple Leafs offense that could not keep up.

One might point a finger at goaltending, but it was Captain Matthews (11 points in 13 playoff games) who said, “I just thought we had too many passengers”, and RW Marner agreed, which is a bleak description of some of their teammates.

Last night’s Referee injury (two trainers had to help him off the ice) highlights why this author thinks that political activist Bettman should not be allowed to force the NHL to use women in officiating, no one wants to see their Mother, Aunt, Sister, Wife, or Daughter being bloodily injured, or worse yet, breaking up a fight or full-blown donnybrook.

STANLEY CUP SEMI-FINALS BEGIN TUESDAY

Panthers vs Hurricanes 8pm (SC SF Game 1)

Dallas Advances

Stars 2 – Jets 1 (OT) (SC QTR Finals 4-2 Dallas) In an elimination game there was only one penalty, (Dallas would have earned one penalty if the Jets had not scored) and it came with 15 seconds remaining in a closely contested 1-1 game against the Jets, which afforded the Stars to score which they did during a power play in overtime ending the series in Dallas’ favor.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Panthers vs Maple Leafs 7:30pm (SC QTR Finals tied 3-3)

Leafs Leave Victorious

Maple Leafs 2 – Florida 0 (SC QTR Finals tied 3-3) “The Boys Are Back in Town” and its Game Seven, the Maple Leafs showed up in a big way led by Captain Awesome and Woll the Wall between the pipes.

Toronto prevented the Cup champs from scoring on four power plays, won over 60% of faceoffs, and the Maple Leafs were completely committed to blocking shots (31) compared to the Panthers 10 blocks, additionally the Leafs also had to endure a stick to the eye to their Captain before he scored.

Head Coach Berube (coached game seven victory to win Cup in 2019) on game sevens, “They’re fun”, end quote!

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Jets vs Stars 8pm (SC QTR Finals 3-2 Dallas)

Hurricanes & Jets Overturn Opponents

Hurricanes 3 – Capitals 1 (en) (SC QTR Finals 4-1 Carolina) The Hurricanes outscored the Capitals 12-3 over the last three games and except for game two when Washington won, Carolina was never in any real danger of not advancing.

Jets 4 – Stars 0 (en) (SC QTR Finals 3-2 Dallas) Curiously the Jets have won both of their games by a 4-0 score and have pushed this series to game six and Winnipeg is confident that they can bring the series back home for game seven.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Maple Leafs vs Panthers 8pm (SC QTR Finals 3-2 Florida)