2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Don Wassall

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If Tampa wasn't just rusty in Game 1 after not playing for nine days, they're in a lot of trouble against a very fast Rangers team. Rangers win 6-2.
 

Freethinker

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If Tampa wasn't just rusty in Game 1 after not playing for nine days, they're in a lot of trouble against a very fast Rangers team. Rangers win 6-2.
I think that result was a surprise to most.

It’s a bit odd seeing the Rangers at the home advantaged team since they’ve been looked at as clear underdogs. The Lightning had an underwhelming regular season, by their standards, but seemed to turn it on in the playoffs. I’ll be shocked if this doesn’t go 6 or likely 7 games.
 

Phall

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The Rangers looked sharp! I'm willing to make them my rooting interest despite their prominent Arab player and their mulatto thug with an apostrophe in his name. I was also surprised that they had home ice advantage, since I'd also been under the impression they would lose handily.

One time, in my very immature youth (mid-twenties), I committed a social faux pas and spent a night in the custody of 'NYC's Finest.' I shared a holding cell with a turnstyle-jumper and obviously did not sleep a wink. In the morning, they herded up all of us miscreants into the the courtyard and marched us single-file into the waiting room for the legal aide, who was never short on billable hours. I noted that I was the only white in that busy area save for a few fellows in NEW YORK RANGERS jerseys that had apparently also punched or pissed on something they weren't supposed to. In solidarity with those bros, I will share that I'm endorsing the NEW YORK RANGERS as my candidates for Stanley Cup Champions! I hope they run a solid campaign.
 

Don Wassall

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Tampa mounted a furious comeback at the end of the third period after being outplayed most of the game but the Rangers hang on and win Game Two, 3-2 and go up 2-0 in the series, which is a big surprise to most hockey fans. Tampa and Edmonton now both have their backs to the wall, going home for Game Three down two games to none.
 

SneakyQuick

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Honestly the third period of that game was so much more exciting than 90 percent of playoff football. There were probably three rushes at goal that could have equalized it and Tampa pulled their goalie w more than three minutes left so they could have an extra attacker. Y’all need to be more open minded toward hockey. It’s a tremendous game to watch!
 

white lightning

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With the Lightning going for the 3peat it's nice to see the Rangers pushing them to the limit. Who would have see the NY Rangers going up 2-0. Probably very few hockey fans and even the media. Gonna be a hard fought series
but don't count out the Lightning just yet. I do think it would be cool to see the Rangers win though.
 

SneakyQuick

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It’s true the lightning aren’t out yet, and probably it’s the case that being off for a few extra days hurt rather than helped them. The rangers are peaking at the right time. Ought to be a fantastic finish to the series. Two games at Amelie. Will see how well the Rags do there.
My beef w the Rangers is that their fans are obnoxious but because it’s New York there are just so many people that when they play well they are all over the place. The team itself is actually pretty likeable and they are the youngest team in the playoffs.

Shesterkin has been amazing not just in stopping shots but also actively coming out of net to break up plays in front proactively.
He is also as an excellent passer who like Marty Brodeur can get their break going.

also, zibanejad is half Persian Christian and half Finnish. Just pointing that out for clarity as I think it was alluded to that he was a Muslim Swede.
 

SneakyQuick

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Tampa finally regained a little form and had an incredible 3-2 victory at home to keep their hopes alive.

third period was memorable once again.

the amazing thing is that shesterkin turned away almost 50 shots and the rangers only lost by one goal.

Hate to give it to the Rangers, but I think Igor should win the Vezina.
 
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I have been a huge Ranger fan since 86'. This team has totally gone by my expectations. I really thought next year could be it with so much young talent developing. The problem with this team for next year is they have 5 or 6 real quality players that are just too overpaid. They are going to have serious cap issues if they can't trade Panarin or Trouba. I don't mind them having a couple of black guys on the team as defenseman , K'Andre Miller is going to be a star next year. They have some untapped guys coming up in the pipeline so if by some miracle they can trade some of this overpriced talent away they should be Cup contenders for the near future.
 

Don Wassall

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The Oilers gave it everything they had in Game 4, but Colorado overcame a 3-1 deficit beginning the third period and end up winning 6-5 in overtime and sweep Edmonton. It was a fantastically entertaining game to watch; I picked the Avalanche to win the Stanley Cup but certainly didn't expect them to sweep the Oilers, who are a bit short when it comes to defensemen and goalie.

The Finals should be very compelling, whether Colorado plays the Cinderella Rangers or the Lightning going for their their third straight championship, which hasn't been done in the NHL for 40 years. Can't wait!
 

Bucky

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Left my buddies house when Edmonton has the 3-1 lead. Figured they had done enough to live to play another day. Was thoroughly impressed when I later checked and Colorado had won! Goals a plenty in that one, as an average hockey fan what a series, even with a resulting sweep.
 

Phall

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Tampa Bay’s goalie seems to have recovered his moxie. I was glad that the Rangers got a late goal for their confidence. With Colorado through on a sweep, they must be hoping the Eastern series goes the distance.
 

SneakyQuick

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Sweeps don’t always help though. Look how rusty Tampa was at the start of the series?

I don’t really want to see it but I think Tampa in 6 and then Tampa in 5 for the cup final.

the avs won’t be the same team without Kadri and their goaltending is nowhere near Vasi

should be entertaining no matter what!
 

Don Wassall

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The Rangers are currently trying one more time to stave off elimination. It's scoreless near the end of the first period of Game Six. Gotta say the Black woman who sings the national anthem before every Lightning home game is terrible, but I guess no one dares point out the elephant in the room.

Jim Cornelison, who sings the anthem for the Blackhawks and Bears, is still the all-time best as far as I'm concerned:

 

SneakyQuick

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Igor Shesterkin once again keeping the Rangers in the game. The lightning have the better of the play so far- more possession and shots but it’s still scoreless.


If Tampa continues to play like this the whole game they should win.
 

Don Wassall

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1-0 Tampa after two periods. Ever since the Lightning went into suffocating defensive mode midway through Game 3, the Rangers haven't had an answer. Maybe they'll yet come back in the third period but they look like a team that's about to be eliminated.
 

Phall

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Rangers took a breath and lost the tie score immediately. Tampa Bay looked like the better team all night.
 

Don Wassall

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It couldn't be a better matchup for the Finals -- Tampa going for three straight, something that hasn't been accomplished in 40 years in the NHL and 20 years in any pro sport, vs. the Colorado the team that was the best in the league in the regular season and only got better as the playoffs went along. Can't wait for it!
 

white lightning

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You have to feel a little bad for the NY Rangers. To blow a 2-0 lead like that in the series and then just lose 4 straight games. Credit to the Lightning as their defense is as good as advertised!
 

SneakyQuick

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One thing about the Lightning is that their play always seemed very clean just very aggressive.

no cheap shots, no bs, just hard nosed hockey.

I don’t like the Rangers but they certainly have nothing to hang their heads about. As the youngest team in the playoffs they have a bright future as well.
 

SneakyQuick

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Forgetting the fact that it’s gonna be much than the nba finals, it’s also much more exciting to watch. Can’t wait
 

BeyondFedUp

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Surprised no one has added to the thread today. Game 1 goes to the Avalanche in OT. This series could go seven games.
 

Don Wassall

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It was mentioned during the game that the cheapest seats in the arena in Denver last night were a tidy $800, the most expensive $3,000. Not too shabby for a "niche" sport.

This is the first time I can remember the NBA Finals ending before the Stanley Cup Finals. Wonder if it's a one-time thing or if it's the "new normal" to use a phrase we've heard all too often the past couple years.
 
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BeyondFedUp

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I hope the order of ending sets a trend. Get the NBA out of the way so the real greatest athletes on the planet can show their skills on the ice.
 
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