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.