The hardest trophy in sports to win. Who do you like ?
It's hard to see anyone beating Boston. But upsets always happen. The first round can be quite exciting.

I know KrazyKanuck will be by my side cheering on the Maple Leafs.

Boston in a walk since the Flyers were excluded.

135 points and goal differential of +128. This is one of the best teams in NHL history.

But yeah, anything can happen!

I'll pick two dark horses. Edmonton and Dallas. Both were really good this year and could do some damage. And both finished the year on hot streaks.

Boston had a record breaking season. Who saw Ullmark having the season he did ? I hope Toronto plays Boston in round 2.
I think Edmonton and Dallas battle for the west. As for the east, my heart says Toronto, and I can see New Jersey being a Cinderella team.

I joined a Fantrax fantasy League. $20 usd, 30 people are in it. Those are the 4 teams I picked my 15 players from.

Only three things matter for this year's NHL playoffs:

1. The Rangers must make it to the Eastern Conference Finals so the Blackhawks get another 1st Round draft pick.

2. The Tampa Bay Lightning must get eliminated as quickly as possible to increase the Blackhawks 2023 draft pick that was traded to them for Tyler Johnson's contract. (I hate the Leafs, but I'll make an exception for this round).

3. Not really a playoff necessity, but it will occur during the playoffs, the NHL draft lottery on May 8th must award the 1st pick the Blackhawks who will then select Connor Bedard and make another dynasty run in 3-4 years.

That is all.

Oh man, imagine that. Chicago getting Bedard just as Kane and Toews have moved on. They will have massive cap space to build around him. I still don't understand why they gave up on Debrincat. Maybe because he will be looking at a huge RFA contract this summer.
The Ranger pick must have been part of the Panarin trade ?

I just don't want Bedard ending up in Montreal.

Lucky_1, you hate the Leafs from the old Chuck Norris Division days ?

Ottawa needs Bedard.

Yes WT I will be cheering for the Maple Griefs.

haha. you are welcome on the bandwagon.

If Bedard ends up in Ottawa, you are looking at a Dynasty level team.

The Leafs MUST win a series. If they don't, there might be some big changes coming for that team.

The Bruins look unbeatable, but let's not forget about the Presidents Trophy curse. I remember a year the Wings blew everyone away all season long, only to wither away in the playoffs.

My sleeper team this year who could make a dent. Minnesota. Only if they sit Fleury and put Gustavson in net every game.

Yes, if the Leafs don't win a round, Dubas is gone. His contract is up.
I was a doubter of his for a long time. I think he has learned, and adapted well, and has iced a very good hockey team. He realized it takes more than speed and skill to win in the playoffs. He picked up Luke Schenn, league leader in hits. He picked up Ryan O'Rielly, a Conn Smythe winner with St. Louis. We have Wayne Simmonds if needed. Our kids are not kids anymore, and they have to be sick of losing in the first round. Can Samsonov win in the playoffs ? I hope so. I love the kid.

Patrice Bergeron is missing game 1 due to an illness (curse )

Gustavsson is starting game 1. I like Oettinger in that goalie matchup. Minnesota is the lowest scoring team to make the playoffs. They were 22nd overall.

This Leafs team does look much better prepared to face Tampa then last years. Tampa looked pretty anemic this last month.

I didn't know Minnesota had the lowest scoring in the playoffs. Gustavson does have one the lowest goals against though.

Schenn and Simmons might keep Perry and Maroon under control.

The first round of the Cup is absolute heaven for me, I just wish they would go back to the old 1 vs 8 format.

I agree. 1 vs 8 is much better. The Leafs would not have to play Tampa
But even so, it was a better format. Bettman likes it though.

The first round is hockey heaven for me too. There is almost always upsets. And if you are in a pool or fantasy league, it's even more fun.

That was an exciting 3rd and OT period in the MN DAL game. Ugly 2nd period. Too many penalties, good goaltending and too many periods.
I work too early in the morning to catch the rest of this.

Yes, Minnesota and Dallas with the first double OT game. Always exciting.
Just saw Dumba's hit on Pavelski. That's playoff hockey. Hope Pavelski is ok. His head hit the ice, and he has a history of concussions.
Oiler lose first game to LA. They got a series on their hands.

Hopefully, he didn't look too good getting off the ice though. The crowd certainly wasn't happy about it only being a 2 minute minor. Home TV feed only showed one angle on the screen, I don't know what the other angles showed.
So far it doesn't sound like they'll be playing Pavelski in Game 2.

Yes we was definitely wobbly, and needed assistance getting to the bench. That's too bad, he is a competitor. He would be missed. But better to not play with a concussion.

The ESPN guys kept calling it a headshot. Even the always clueless Leah Hextall said "it was definitely a headshot". It clearly was not. It may have been a little late. To me it was a good playoff hit and an example of why you need to keep your head up. I like Pavelski and hope he is okay. I thought Edmonton had that game in the bag last night. Uh oh ! lol.

Clean hit. A veteran like Pavelski should anticipate that. His head hit the ice, that's what rung his bell. I hope he is back, he is a big part of that team.

On a side note, there are too many women "experts" on TV broadcasts. I prefer guys who actually played the game. I don't count women's hockey. A AAA team of 15 year olds could beat an Olympic women's team. If that makes me a horrible person, so be it. But most TV broadcasts are unwatchable during intermission, and pre post games. Sportsnet in Canada is awful.

Shoulder to shoulder. Not a head shot. Playoff hockey hit. Should not have been a penalty.

I still remember '67 ..we live in hope

Nice to have some support from the Rock.

#Leafsforever

I was born 3 months after they last won. I was a Leafs fan as a kid in the 70's. I took the 80's off, as I was a teen and had other activities I was interested in. Beside the 80's where horrible for the Leafs. We had to wait for Harold Ballard to leave.
92/93 brought me back. Been cheering ever since. Some tough years, but a few decent years. This is definitely the most skilled, balanced team the Leafs have had.
The big question is in net, but I think Samsonov can run with it. had.

The Leafs looking shaky. Gotta win the puck battles. Need to match the Bolts intensity. Perhaps a little levity for nervous Leafs fans.

3 - 0 Tampa at the end of the 1st.

Looks like Tampa was just playing possum at the end of the regular season once again this year. Come on Leafs!

Leafs are awful in their own end. Bench Bunting. He is the new Kadri.

Bunting should have been benched a long time ago. He and the coach have been feuding for a while now. The coach should have made it perfectly clear to him who is running that team a long time ago.

Imagine having your face slammed into a skate blade LINK

Goalie blades are usually not as sharp as regular skates. So maybe that spared even further injury. Even though, that looked horrible.

75 stitches, sounds like it was bad enough. Also, looks like he returned to the game. These hockey players are some tough #%&*$#.

Caught the first period of the Tampa bay and Toronto. Does Toronto know they're in the playoffs?

As for the Pavelski hit, looking at the other angles it was a clean hit. Just unfortunate he didn't have his head up and got hurt from it.

Curt Shilling had blood on his sock, and they made him out to be a warrior

Good thing goalie skates are more dull. I did not think of that. They can't be too sharp or they restrict lateral movement.
But having your face pushed into one, yikes. I am glad his vision was not affected.

Borje Salming took a skate blade to the face, years ago. he need over 250 stitches.
Taylor Hall had his face stepped on by a skate blade, in a freak warm up accident in 2012. He stepped on a puck, and fell, teammate tried to jump over him, but caught his face.

Duncan Keith took a puck to the mouth and lost 7 teeth, He stayed in the game. His nickname was Duncan Teeth after that. That is tough.

As for the Leafs, I don't care if Bunting is suspended the rest of the playoffs. He hurts the team. That was a stupid, selfish elbow to the face. That 5 minute major was the turning point of the game. We have seen this story before with Kadri. The refs already hate him, he never shuts up. All year. Bench him and bring that new kid Knies, or Wayne Simmonds to stir the pot.

Morgan Barron's injuries from last night. He was very fortunate.

Before my time, but my favorite story like that was Bob Baun returning on a broken ankle and getting the game winning goal.

Before my time too. Bobby Baun was a Leafs legend for that. They say he never had to pay for a drink after that.

Sure not like those wimpy wusses who play football (soccer).

Goalies before masks. Jacque Plant had all his facial cuts put on hi mask.

Rugby players are tough as hell. Fun to watch. American Football players bash their heads together. And tackles can obviously be punishing. Box Lacrosse is a very tough sport as well. Crosschecking is part of the game. Field lacrosse is not as punishing. (no boards, and on a big field).

Are you thinking of Gerry Cheavers ?

6 minutes into the MN DAL game. It's good to see MN returning to playoff form. I'll rest easy tonight knowing balance has returned to the universe.

I kinda want to be mad at Fleury, but some of those goals were pretty good.

IMHO Fleury has sucked bad tonight. That 6th goal was pathetic. He tried to do a hot dog poke check while the guy was 10 feet away. He should have been yanked a few goals earlier, but for sure after that 6th one. I can't believe he was even starting tonight. This loss is 100% on the coach for that decision.

I'm amazed he started too.They won the last one and Gustavsson did well, why pull him?
And to be fair, I made that comment about Fleury early in the 2nd. I hope he doesn't play the 3rd. Maybe just got with an extra attacker for 20 minutes.

Dallas is taking too many penalties. And weirdly MN is doing well on the PP.

Johansson had a nice goal
[img]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gIDbX04jTc[/img]

That was quite the night of hockey with 3 OT games and the visitors winning. The 4th game, the visitors also won.

The Leafs stole one last night. They were not the better team for most of the game. They had a couple reviews go their way, which does not normally happen. It's tuning into quite series, a lot of hate from both sides. Somebody needs to teach Matthews how to fight. I was glad to se NJ win.

Oh my. Leafs down 4-1 after 2. Win it in OT. Up 3 games to 1 against Tampa. The Leafs slept walked through most of the game. Played a hard 3rd and OT though.
kudos to NJ for winning 2 games in NY, after losing first 2 at home.

That Leafs win is one for the ages. Every year the Cup champions can look back on one game earlier in the playoffs were something just clicked the winner switch on. This could be it. They need to keep their foot on the gas and on the necks of the Bolts.

I've kind of liked this Ranger team the last four year. I don't think it was such a great idea to pick up two players that were at the end of their careers in Kane and Tarasenko. They need something different.

I hate the 2 day off break in the Leafs/Lightning series.
As they say, the 4th win is the hardest one to get.

NYR and NJ have 2 days off as well.

Gives the Lightning time to regroup which might not be good for the Leafs.

The Leafs never do anything the easy way.

Panthers are not rolling over for Boston. I can't see Florida winning 3 straight though. Series 3-2 Boston.
Seattle up 3 games to 2 against the defending Stanley Cup Champs. The Kraken were a wildcard team, but they did have a 100 point season. 46-28-8.

The Bruins are playing a dangerous game. Who would have thought Bobrosky would get hot now? I had him on my fantasy team, and he sucked all year. Bertuzzi making bad decisions in his own zone costing them dearly. As a Wings fan who always liked Bert, I can tell you it's nothing new. That last play the Bruins defense just dogged it back for the puck. Then he and Ullmark just played "I got it, you take it" with the puck. I blame the D man just as much as Ullmark for that debacle.

I hadn't watched Seattle all year, I had no idea how fast they are. I love a good run and gun game. Hope it goes 7.

I'm hoping Bostons luck is running out. Who would have though Ullmark would have 40 wins this year ? He was a .500 goalie before going to Baston. Who had Boston having a record breaking year, especially with Marchand missing the start of the season ?
Boston still moves on to the second. If they choke after being up 3-1, that would be an epic disaster (that I would love).

Yeah, those west coast teams, we don't see them much. I still think the east is tougher this year.

Toronto can't have nice things. No party tonight in TO.

I don't know the exact numbers, but it seems like the road teams are doing better than the home teams. The chances of Tampa losing 4 in a row were low. Let's hope the Leafs win game 6, because a game 7 back in Toronto will be torture for the fans.

Toronto won the first 2 in Tampa. I think it goes 7 games. That is just the Leafs style. Bunting will score in game 7, OT.

Oh dear, am going to have to call the Leafs the Griefs again? What a crazy game vs the Panthers. Game 7 in Boston should entertaining.

7-5 Florida ??? What happened to the mighty Bruins ?

When did you stop calling them the Griefs ?

Back a few posts I said Leafs.

That must have been difficult for you. Like the Fonz saying he was www wrong.

Yes, VERY difficult.

BTW, my mood reflects a Leafs game 6 day. I really should just watch something else. I can't help but feel there will be a game 7 on Monday.

#LeafsForever
Tampa was one tough opponent. They did go to the last 3 finals, and won the first 2.
Here's hoping Florida can knock out the Bruins.

It only rook 19 years but the Toronto Maple Griefs Leafs finally advance to the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Thank you for your support KK.

So far the Oilers are winning and the Rangers won.

This is why peeps can't have nice things

https://twitter.com/yegwave/status/1652498752912105472

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRw2a7QM/

Don't know the Oilers but their fans need to do better.

Sorry for Tik Tok and Tweeter links. I couldn't find YouTube links.

The Oilers may reconsider outdoor viewing parties.

The police were out in force in Toronto. Pretty impressive crowds considering the game was in Tampa. This is not even Maple Leafs Square where the viewing party is, This is a street over.


00:40 is Maple Leafs Square. Imagine paying $30 to watch a game outdoors ? For the young people I suppose.

LOL, Nylander kisses Tavares after he scores the GWG in OT. LINK

JT looks back, like WTF was that.

James Hetfield's intro for Hockey Night In Canada last night. If you watch closely, you will see a face painted Will Ferrell. He appears twice.

LINK

Florida and Boston go into OT with a Florida goal at 19:00 and their goalie pulled. Florida and Boston had the greatest points difference ever in the standings. (43 points)

Panthers win in OT. next round Panthers vs Leafs.

Unreal what Florida accomplished. That was quite a game 7, I almost felt bad for the Boston fans, almost. The Panthers barely made the playoffs, The Presidents trophy curse strikes again.

Game 7 tonight, Rangers vs New Jersey. Should be a good one.

Florida is trying to keep Leas fans from buying tickets. Ottawa tried this years ago, they wouldn't sell tickets to Toronto area codes.
This reminds me of Tampa Bay not allowing opposing teams sweaters, in the premium seats. Talk about fragile confidence.


Ultimately, ticket holders will sell their tickets to Leafs fans, and make a huge profit.
Besides, there are 3 million Canadians that call Florida home.

Wow, the Panthers pulled off an upset for the ages. Fantastic. Boston is going to need to get drunk after that.

Avs lost too.

Wide open tournament now.

The first round of the playoffs rarely disappoints.
Rangers vs Devils, game 7 tonight.
I forgot NJ has home ice advantage.
Then again, it has been proven over and over, it is not much of an advantage.

I just heard on the radio, the last 16 Stanley Cup winners, are all eliminated.
Also, it's been 10 years since a Presidents Trophy winner, won The Stanley Cup.

Great to see some new faces in the playoffs.

Seattle knocks off the Stanley Cup champs.

The Jets are gone and now my Rangers are gone. Only one team left to cheer for, that being the Oilers.

How many team do you have ? I thought you were a Senators fan.
New Jersey looks very good. Fast and skilled, and a 22 goalie named Akira Schmid, that nobody heard of until the end of the season.

New Jersey's speed is impressive, but Carolina has some speed and big boys that can hit. I'm going with Carolina in 7. Leafs over Panthers in 7. Vegas over the Oilers in 6. Dallas over Seattle in 6.

Sens aren't there. So ...

Growing up when there was only 6 teams, cheered for the Rangers.

The Jets haven't won the Cup.

The only way I will cheer for the Leafs or the Habs is if they are the only Canadian team left and even then might not.

I only cheer for the Leafs, and whoever is playing against Montreal and Ottawa. I don't care about the Canadian team thing. I was glad when Boston beat Vancouver in 2011. Why was I glad ? their fanbase.

Can the Leafs win tonite?

They can.
They have to get away from playing perimeter hockey though. Florida is a hard forechecking team, I can see how they beat Boston. Their goaltending has been fragile all season, Bob got hot, but how long can he stay hot ? They made the playoffs with their 3rd string goalie.
Also, Nylander has been terrible. He was Toronto's best player the last 2 playoffs.

Oh dear, am I going to have to relearn how to spell Leaf?

The Panthers are making a run. Who saw this coming? The Leafs have to find another gear or they'll be going home.

Still time to turn it around, but they must win game three.

Pathetic start to the 2nd period. Game 3 Sunday, game 4 Wednesday. Terrible schedule. 2 games in 6 days ?
They have to win game 3 or it's over. I can see how Florida beat Boston. Florida barely made the playoffs, but a hot goalie goes a long way.

The Maple Griefs live on. Pathetic. Blow up this experiment.

Does Leaf begin with a G?

Lots of goals in the Canes/Devils series, 25 so far.

Nice to see the Devils bounce back. Good young team. Canes are scary good too, and they are missing their top 3 scorers. Edmonton looks unstoppable.

The Leafs have it all to do. This is a surprise, down 3-0.

Auston Matthews comes clean on the Leafs struggles (NSFW) LINK
KraziKanuck, you especially will enjoy this.

In nearly 50 years of watching sports I don't think I've ever seen anything like that. I don't know whether to praise him for being candid or knock him for throwing in the towel. But since he will be traded now he'd look great in orange and black

It's fake. AI tech is already amongst us. I wish he cared that much.

So he isn't getting traded?

That fooled me.

Not yet. Toronto can't talk contract extension until July 1st. If he does not extend, they need to trade him before the season starts. He has a no trade clause in the final year.

...And the Hawks get Connor Bedard!!!!!! The circle is complete.

I'm just glad Montreal did not get him.

Does Toronto go back to being called the Maple Griefs after tonite?

Down by 3, using their backup goalie ? hmmm, I say they win 1 or 2 games to prolong the agony.

The goalies name is Woll though.

Leafs live for another 60 minutes. Panthers didn't play like they wanted to win tonite.

Leafs down 2-0 in the 2cd. Still half the game to play tho, so maybe a come back.

Overtime now. WT has no fingernails left.

Panthers win and on to the next round.

Leafs put up a great fight. Will go back to calling them the Griefs.

That non goal screwed them.
But you can't lose the first 3 games.
Go on, say it KK.....

They get their fans hopes up and then no joy. Yes they are the Toronto Maple GRIEFS.

Didn't Maurice coach the Leafs not so many years ago?

2006 to 2008. Dark days. Non play off years.

I don't get the non-goal thing the Leaf fans keep bringing it up. I've watched the replays over and over and I've never seen conclusive evidence that the puck completely, or partially, crossed the line. You gotta think the War Room in Toronto had even more looks at it and they didn't call it a goal either.

There was also a holding-the-stick penalty that was not called on Radko Gudas on the Panthers’ winning goal in overtime.
The NHL has been so inconsistent this year when it comes to officiating. Why cheer for a team, when the referees/NHL war room are the ones in true control ?
I can't help but feel all the new gambling sites (that the NHL is pushing hard now) have come into play.
They caught a ref on mic last year, admitting he wanted to give a team a penalty. He was fired, he had to be obviously. The NBA has been caught in the past. Gambling can taint the integrity of the games. I can't see me watching much NHL anymore. I can find something else to spent my $285 on.

The puck was over the line. The question was, was it over before the whistle blew. The puck wasn't.

Yes it was. LINK
They used the "I intended to blow the whistle" BS.
Nice loophole the NHL made for itself to save face.

The NHL Player Safety board, has been very inconsistent this year, when handing out punishment as well.
One guy gets 3 games, another gets a $5000 fine for the exact same infraction.
I have lost faith in the leagues integrity.

And this has nothing to do with Leafs being knocked out. I have not believed in them since 2021 when Montreal knocked them out. That's when they lost me. Up 3 games to one, and blew it.
I know what happens every spring. In the end, they lost because the core 4 did not score. A game should never be left for the officiating to decide.

For sure the officiating has to be questioned as we in Ottawa have known for years.

Someone said to me, the Toronto problem is too many stars who can't work together.

They work together fine, in the regular season. Playoffs they choke. They may not be together much longer.
4 guys taking half your salary is not working.

I would trade Matthews this summer.

I heard a crazy rumor about Matthews going back to his home state of Arizona to play for the Coyotes. I can't see how that club could afford him.

Lot's of talk about the Leafs losing, but I think you have to give credit to the Panthers for how great they played all series long. They were on top of Leafs in every zone. The last game the Leafs could barely get out of their own zone because the Panthers forechecking was so constant.

I know you feel frustrated right now WT, I've been like that with the Wings many times in my life. Maybe the team next season will have many new faces, with old ones gone.

Arizona has been rumored forever. Bottom line, he needs to be extended this summer, or traded before the season starts. A no trade clause kicks in at season start. Dubas should be fired for how he handled Mathews last contract alone (unless he extends him). He only signed him for 5, when he could have went to for the max 8.

Matthews is from Arizona, but that franchise has been troubled for years. They are playing their home games at a University. 5,025 max capacity. Pretty Mickey Mouse. I can see him wanting out of the Toronto spotlight. He's had 7 years of it. He's an American, let him play there. I don't care, as long as the Leafs maximize a return.

This off Google
The New Tempe Arena is a proposed sports facility to be constructed in Tempe, Arizona. If approved by City of Tempe voters on May 16, 2023, it would serve as home arena for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). This would be part of a conceptual $1.7 billion Tempe Entertainment District

Vegas knocks off the Oilers. D@mn.

Vegas was the better team and they capitalized on Oilers mistakes. Vegas had 4 lines rolling and got scoring and contribution throughout the lines. This is the recipe for success in the NHL playoffs. Oilers still have a good team and lots in the tank for McDavid and Dreisaitl, they'll be back.

Another recipe for success is hiding an injured star player on LTIR list until the playoffs start. Vegas did it with Stone. 2 years ago Tampa did it with Kucherov. No salary cap in the playoffs. But you can load up with support at the trade deadline, with the LTIR cap space. Kucherov and Stone rose like Lazarus for game 1.

Hawks did with Kane too, got Martin Handzous and then went above the salary cap in the playoffs. Can't blame the teams for doing this, blame the salary cap and the system.

What is with the Panthers? Two OT win against the Canes. If they go all the way and win the Cup, Toronto can have some consolation in that they were beaten by the Champs.

Florida was the last team to clinch a playoff spot. They are making the regular season look meaningless. They are winning a lot of 1 goal games. 4 of the last 5 games went to OT. The hockey Gods are on their side.



The last 2 years, Toronto lost to Stanley Cup finalists (Eastern Champs), the year before they lost to the Champs. It still sucks.

Rumours of Dubas and Spezza coming to your town KK.

Panthers are for real. They were arguably one of the best teams after the All-Star break and people are forgetting that it wasn't that long ago they had the best record in the league. They also got hot at the right time and have all four lines pulling in the right direction. Plus, Tkachuk has been a beast (loving his OT walk-off celebrations) and it doesn't hurt to have Bob playing a Conn Smyth worthy playoffs. I think they're the team to beat for the remainder of these playoffs. Regardless of what happens, all four teams are exciting to watch and it should be a great Stanley Cup Final.

Safe to say Las Vegas will be lifting the Cup tonight. 6 -1 after 2 periods. Absolute slaughter. Florida barely made the playoffs, this is the right outcome. Bobrovsky was very average all year. He wasn't even their starting goalie when the playoffs started. He got hot for a few rounds, then reality. Vegas deserves it.
There gonna be a bit of a party in Vegas tonight, well, bigger than normal I guess.

I'm just glad Matthew Tkachuk didn't lift the cup. He has become the new Marchant of the league. I wish he would have been out their with his teammates for that beat down tonight. If he wouldn't have played like such a selfish jerk in those first two games in Vegas this might have been a series.

Yes, I am very disappointed there will be no crying Tkachuk meme. Totally agree he has replaced Marchant as the rat of the league. Always hacking and slashing, while he chews on his mouth guard like an 8 yr old.
Very pleased that Gudas did not win either. The guy has no class at all. The guy screams into a 3rd string, rookie goalies face when eliminating them. Karma.

Amazing. Just a few years in the league and they've been to two finals and won one. Flyers haven't had a sniff in a generation and haven't hoisted the chalice in 50 years.

A poor finals for Florida, but what a run.

6 years in the league. They made the final in their first season. Their owner said they would win in 6. Crazy. Very good, hard working team. They deserve it. They were good all year too. Florida just barely made the playoffs. The right team won.

They were a good team from the get go, not like the old days when a new team came into the league. They were a good team due to the way they got their players from other teams.

Which was essentially a mob of unwanted, discarded and unprotected players. Makes it even more amazing. Expansion drafts are full of undesirables. Their culture and coaching must be excellent. Or maybe it's the Vegas effect. It's long been held that teams that come to Vegas, lose in Vegas. The distractions, as it were, tend to skew results for the home side.

Regardless, it's a fantastic achievement in today's sportsscape (is that a word? Looks odd when I type it out). I remember when they lost the first one. Their run had been amazing and expectations were instantly off the charts. There was much speculation about how the fan base had been spoiled by such express success, and that it would all be down hill from there. That the fans would desert the team, and that the team would struggle to replicate their initial success. So much for that.

They have made some bold trades too. Eichel and Stone are great players. They signed UFA Pietrangelo. Good team, they got a bit of luck with Aden Hill being able to step it up. He was their 4th goalie of the year, due to injuries.

Fun fact. Las Vegas Golden Knights were the team with the most Canadian players, on their roster. 24.

Two things I want to talk about. One is the Blackhawks have hit the generational jackpot. I think they have a 17 year old McDavid who is saying stuff like I need to make the team first. This kid is the business.

The other thing is I don't think the Flyers could operate without a former player running things. They've cleaned house again and appointed Jonesey and Danny Briere to run the front office. I like them both well enough as former players, but could it be possible for NHL teams to move away from the nepotism vibe? I suppose some have done, handing the reigns to analytics guys who never played. Are there some? Like in baseball the best GMs tend to be nerds who understand numbers and contractual issues, negotiating. But the Flyers always go for a homer. Clarke, Holmgren, Hextall and on and on. Whatever one thinks about this approach I can say unequivocally that it has not worked for the Flyers. Will this time be different? I have my doubts...

And they are completely cleaning house and starting over. I guess that means it won't take long to see the results and see if they know what they are doing. I mean Jonesey! Sheesh

Yeah, the Blackhawks got a beauty.
Keith Jones is a head scratcher. He's been a TV analyst since 2005.

Yeah, he's been a Flyers color man. I've listened to him hundreds of times by now. Never struck me as particularly bright, not that he isn't. But you don't listen to him and think this man is destined to run a franchise. Briere went straight corporate as soon as he retired. Slick suits, gladhanding at casinos and stuff. Maybe he's more cut out for it, or he looks like he is anyway. But you know, when a certain way of doing things is proven ineffective for decades you'd think they might try something different. They should have won the draft dammit

Keith Jones is on The NHL Network, on SiriusXM quite a bit. I like him, and respected him as a player. Going from an anylist to team Prisident is a big leap. Briere has at least some NHL executive experience.

Everyone got a timeout . I'm not a hockey expert but that wasn't much of a fight IMO

So you're a hockey fan now all of the sudden?

8 ejection after big fight 2 seconds into game start