2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[NikoDuke]

The second round of the playoffs have began and they have been infinitely more exciting than the 1st round.

Great matchups which highlight the 3 best defenseman in the league: Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, and Cale Makar. All super skilled and very mobile.

NYR v CAR
FL v BOS
EDM v VAN
DAL v COL

 

[Don Wassall]

The Panthers really took it to the Bruins in Game 2 tonight at home after losing the first game. They won 6-1 and it was even more lopsided than the score. Boston may have tired legs after going right back to playing after winning Game 7 against the Leafs, but they'll need to collect themselves quickly. This game had lots of bad blood, including a gloves off fight at center ice between David Pastrnak and Matthew Tkachuk, two of the superstars in the league. Game 3 in Boston should be can't miss hockey.

 

[SneakyQuick]

The Panthers really took it to the Bruins in Game 2 tonight at home after losing the first game. They won 6-1 and it was even more lopsided than the score. Boston may have tired legs after going right back to playing after winning Game 7 against the Leafs, but they'll need to collect themselves quickly. This game had lots of bad blood, including a gloves off fight at center ice between David Pastrnak and Matthew Tkachuk, two of the superstars in the league. Game 3 in Boston should be can't miss hockey.

The panthers had double the shot attempts and double the shots on goal. They also won the physical battle and got in Boston’s head a bit at the end.

I like our chances in this series a lot. Boston is a tough team, but I think we can take em out. And Tkachuk is the rat king!

 

[SneakyQuick]

cats come from behind to take a 3-1 series lead against Boston. Barkov’s goal to win it was a thing of beauty.

No doubt Boston fans will whine but they were outshot 2-1 and outhit as well. You aren’t going to beat the Panthers in a series if they outshoot you and outhit you like they have.

The idea that so many Boston fans are going home angry tonight fills me with joy

 

[sprintstar]

I have a buddy who is making every excuse under the sun for Bostons loss lol Love it!!!

 

[SneakyQuick]

And the Carolina hurricanes stunned the Madison Square garden crowd with a stunning 4 goal third period to come from behind and win 4-1 on the rangers.

Rangers still lead the series 3-2 but it switches back to Carolina now.

These playoffs have been amazing

 

[Don Wassall]

The Rangers have to be worried given the way Carolina came at them in the third period. And now the Panthers have reason to be concerned as the Bruins win Game 5 in Florida.

The Oilers are currently trying not to fall behind 3 games to 1 to Vancouver. I didn't realize how weak their bottom six are, and their defense is prone to making costly mistakes. I could be wrong as I didn't see a lot of the Oilers during the season, but it seems like just about every time I see a costly Edmonton defensive gaffe, Darnell Nurse is the main perp or co-perp.

 

[SneakyQuick]

The Rangers have to be worried given the way Carolina came at them in the third period. And now the Panthers have reason to be concerned as the Bruins win Game 5 in Florida.

The Oilers are currently trying not to fall behind 3 games to 1 to Vancouver. I didn't realize how weak their bottom six are, and their defense is prone to making costly mistakes. I could be wrong as I didn't see a lot of the Oilers during the season, but it seems like just about every time I see a costly Edmonton defensive gaffe, Darnell Nurse is the main perp or co-perp.

Darnell nurse is way overpaid, no idea why…..

 

[NikoDuke]

Nurse is grossly overpaid but, it's not because he's Black. It's because he's big and fights. Hockey GM's who usually have an IQ of 90 love that stuff and is a key reason why there are so many bad contracts in the NHL which lead to buyouts.. Ironically, Nurse and his D partner Ceci have been one of the worst pairings all playoffs and their underlying analytics stink.

Interestingly, both Darnell Nurse and Codi Cece father's were football players ( CFL ).

 

[Don Wassall]

Carolina entered the third period up 3-1 in Game 6 but Chris Kreider scored a natural hat trick and the Rangers scored an empty netter to clinch it and put away the Hurricanes. Kreider has always been an under the radar player despite being a prolific and clutch goal scorer, and the Rangers had an advantage in goalies as Igor Shesterkin is world class, otherwise it was two very talented and closely matched teams. I had hoped Carolina would tie up the series at home tonight, but after losing the first three games it was too much to ask for.

 

[NikoDuke]

Well the semi finals are almost set

NYR vs FLA
DAL vs EDM or VAN

Last night, Edmonton won in decisive fashion to force a game 7 which takes place tomorrow night. I'm rooting for Van to take it. I think Hughes is a remarkable Defenseman and like Adam Fox on my Rangers controls the game with his skating and intelligence.

 

[Don Wassall]

Edmonton has been the team I've been wanting to see win the Cup. McDavid is hurt though, which doesn't help the Oilers' chances in Game 7. He sat out Game 5 and then last night was great as always setting up goals but wasn't shooting the puck himself even when he had clear chances to. He's been that way all playoffs but not to this degree. Likely a wrist injury of some kind.

Vancouver is pretty much Pittsburgh West what with GM Jim Rutherford, assistant GM Patrik Allvin, head coach Rick Tocchet, coach Sergei
Gonchar, and players like Ian Cole, Sam Lafferty, Teddy Blueger and Mark Friedman, and J. T. Miller who grew up in Pittsburgh, so that's the team I'll root for if they eliminate the Oilers. Plus they've never won the Cup so would be cool to see them end the very long drought of Canadian teams.

 

[SneakyQuick]

If it’s not going to be the cats, I say let’s go canucks. Tocchet is great, and has done an amazing job there this year

 

[NikoDuke]

Well Vancouver is out. Didn't show up in the final game until the last period and by then it was too little, too late. So much for my desire to watch a final of the NYR vs Vancouver.

Admittedly, I have found these playoffs to be rather boring too watch. Much of the blame falls on the league as the NHL needs to take a page out of the NFLs book and protect their players more. I have little desire to watch dump and chase low skill hockey.

 

[wokewhite232]

can't believe the Rangers are underdogs +130 to the Panthers with home ice advantage, Rangers should take this series in 6 as they have the superior goaltending and just seem to be this years team of destiny. Kreider pulled a Messier and is on a mission

 

[jphoss]

can't believe the Rangers are underdogs +130 to the Panthers with home ice advantage, Rangers should take this series in 6 as they have the superior goaltending and just seem to be this years team of destiny. Kreider pulled a Messier and is on a mission

Vegas must know something, reminds me of game 6 btw nuggets and twolves when twolves were -150. Seemed odd considering they just lost 3 straight and having the rangers +130 is even stranger

 

[SneakyQuick]

The panthers imposed their will on New York in game one. 3-0 shutout and frankly it could have been 5-0.
It may not be the prettiest, but hard hitting and taking a lot of shots is a good recipe for success.

 

[NikoDuke]

The panthers imposed their will on New York in game one. 3-0 shutout and frankly it could have been 5-0.
It may not be the prettiest, but hard hitting and taking a lot of shots is a good recipe for success.

Agreed. Ugly hockey wins in the playoffs. Not sure it's good for long term success for the league though..

 

[Don Wassall]

The Rangers still have life after winning Game 2 in OT by a 2-1 score. Only one team has lost the first two games at home in a conference final and gone on to take the series, so it was really close to a must-win game for NY.

It was also a superbly played game, intense, lots of hitting and at times non-stop up and down the ice action, entertaining as all heck.

 

[wokewhite232]

The Rangers still have life after winning Game 2 in OT by a 2-1 score. Only one team has lost the first two games at home in a conference final and gone on to take the series, so it was really close to a must-win game for NY.

It was also a superbly played game, intense, lots of hitting and at times non-stop up and down the ice action, entertaining as all heck.

certainly was do or die for the blue shirts, be plenty of Ranger fans down in Miami which should negate the Panthers home ice advantage. Rangers are 4-1 on the road thus far in the playoffs so games 3 and 4 have the makings of some classics.

 

[NikoDuke]

Big game tonight for NYR. The need to get off to go a strong start and specifically their key players, many who have been very quiet this series need to step up. They can't rely on the tender again.

Also, I fully recognize that Rangers have one of the dirtiest players in the league in Trouba but, FLA is a team of a bygone era where skills came second.

 

[SneakyQuick]

Big game tonight for NYR. The need to get off to go a strong start and specifically their key players, many who have been very quiet this series need to step up. They can't rely on the tender again.

Also, I fully recognize that Rangers have one of the dirtiest players in the league in Trouba but, FLA is a team of a bygone era where skills came second.

Florida has outshot and outhit the rangers this whole series. If not for the absolute brilliance of goaltender Igor shesterkin, the Rangers would already be eliminated.

Here’s hoping that happens tonight

 

[SneakyQuick]

Congratulations to the eastern conference champion Florida Panthers!!!!!

Gritty play won the day!

 

[Don Wassall]

Congratulations to the eastern conference champion Florida Panthers!!!!!

Gritty play won the day!

"Gritty" is often used to describe White NFL players. I'd say the Panthers are a big, physical, very talented team that plays relentlessly with a great defense and skilled forwards who score timely goals. Their defense is stifling and they use it to bend teams to their will. The Rangers noticeably wore down in the second half of games.

Winning the Eastern Conference two years in a row is quite an accomplishment the way the NHL and the playoffs are set up. I'll root for them to win their first Cup if they play the Stars, but I'll be pulling for the Oilers if they eliminate Dallas tomorrow night. Either way Florida should be the betting favorite.

 

[SneakyQuick]

"Gritty" is often used to describe White NFL players. I'd say the Panthers are a big, physical, very talented team that plays relentlessly with a great defense and skilled forwards who score timely goals. Their defense is stifling and they use it to bend teams to their will. The Rangers noticeably wore down in the second half of games.

Winning the Eastern Conference two years in a row is quite an accomplishment the way the NHL and the playoffs are set up. I'll root for them to win their first Cup if they play the Stars, but I'll be pulling for the Oilers if they eliminate Dallas tomorrow night. Either way Florida should be the betting favorite.

Totally agreed. I was just too tired to write more at the time.

The panthers outhit and outshot an extremely skilled rangers time and if not for the brilliance of Igor shesterkin in net this series would not have go a six games.

The Cats are more skillful than they get credit for, and importantly they have four lines that all contribute.

If it was any other team in the east id be pulling the the oilers to snap the Canadian schneid, but since it is the Panthers….

Let’s go Cats!!! Time to hunt!!!!