Playoffs are coming up.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Bush league move by Chara. JT is a clean hard working player, totally uncalled for.

Aw, give him some slack. He is a grumpy old man.
I suspect that he saw something that he didn't like and was sticking up for his team mate. I really don't see why he did it but Chara doesn't usually abuse the opponent unless you have poked the bear. And yes, Tavares is a well respected and clean player.

[1990C4S]

I can support punching most players on most teams. But not JT, he's a clean skill player. Uncalled for.

[rfuerst911sc]

Well that didn't take long to get a score on the board !!!

[Por_sha911]

Not a single word was said on NBCSN in the pre-game. They will usually call out unsportsmanlike moves. I understand your feelings about JT but he isn't a saint.
I'm not saying it was right or wrong. I just don't see any of the announcers saying anything and that makes me wonder.

[beatnavy]

Well, Caps are done. Canes were really the better team all night after period 1. Now I can "enjoy" the playoffs just as an observer.

I'm sure I'll have more to ***** about the Caps' performance later.

[Hockey fan]

Originally Posted by beatnavy

Well, Caps are done. Canes were really the better team all night after period 1. Now I can "enjoy" the playoffs just as an observer.

I'm sure I'll have more to ***** about the Caps' performance later.

It really is a lot less stressful once your team is out isn't it? It seems like I can actually relax and enjoy the games when "my" team isn't playing.

[rfuerst911sc]

I made it halfway through the first OT then went to bed . I agree after the first period the Canes were the better team . Washington just didn't have any pop in their game , maybe they were tired . Two games tonight let's keep this party going .

[beatnavy]

Yes, it really is less stressful to just be a spectator of good hockey. It's amazing how hard it is to get to sleep after a game, either win or loss, if you're a die-hard fan.

Give credit to the Canes. They deserve it. I'll be rooting for Trotz and the Islanders, but the Canes (and Jackets) are playing on house money with nothing to lose right now, so both could be dangerous.

A couple of random observations (if anyone cares):

1. Caps really did miss Oshie the last couple of games. Tough loss, but that's hockey.

2. All season, including these 'loffs, the Caps really missed their faceoff specialist, Jay Beagle. Lost him to salary cap after last season, and they were horrible in the circle all year as a result. Casual observer of hockey doesn't realize importance of winning faceoffs.

3. Caps passing and skating were really off last night. The way to beat that forecheck is moving the puck with tape to tape passes, and they were just slinging the puck all over the ice. It also hurt them in the offense of zone, where they always seemed to be fumbling for the puck at their skates rather than setting up a high quality shot.

4. Not enough puck at net with bodies in front. Credit the 'Canes defense - after 1st period it kept the Caps out on the perimeter with no time or space in the offensive zone.

5. That short-handed goal was huge. Rather than getting a power play goal and sticking a dagger in the Canes going up 3-0, Holtby gives up a juicy rebound off a pass/shot. Inexcusable.

6. And speaking of Cap's power play - horribly inconsistent. No clean entries, couldn't set up their formation or Ovi's trademark shot. Bad coaching there, as they kept using that stupid "slingshot" approach that never seemed to work. Again, though, credit to 'Canes for mucking up the blue line so effectively.

Ok, there's plenty more, but rant over. Bring on the popcorn and the 2nd round.

[1990C4S]

Cue the OV pic...who's going to post it?

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Well - I pitched a shutout - not a single pick made it past the first round.
I'll bet I'm in some good company.
OK! So here it goes again: Jackets over Da Broons in 6;(it's over Joe)
Isles over the Canes in 7; the 'Lanche over the hosers in 6;
& St. Loo over Dallas in 7. This round is shaping up for some low-scoring defensive hockey,
but given my previous prognostications............

Cheers
JB

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Now that there so many top seeds knocked out, the B's have a real shot...

But they still have to play against the best teams in this year's NHL, being the remaining teams.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

Well - I pitched a shutout - not a single pick made it past the first round.
I'll bet I'm in some good company.
OK! So here it goes again: Jackets over Da Broons in 6;(it's over Joe)
Isles over the Canes in 7; the 'Lanche over the hosers in 6;
& St. Loo over Dallas in 7. This round is shaping up for some low-scoring defensive hockey,
but given my previous prognostications............

Cheers
JB

Bruins over BJ's
Canes over Isles
Dallas over St L
Colorado over SJ

[Hockey fan]

Bruins beat Blue Jackets
Islanders beat Carolina
St Louis beats Dallas (Blues are "my" team so biased there.)
San Jose over Colorado

All wild guesses though.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Cue the OV pic...who's going to post it?

I posted it every year but thought that he deserved a break since he actually hoisted the cup last year. Since you asked, for reference sake:

2018:


2019 (and prior to 2018):

[rfuerst911sc]

Bruins looked good last night I thought they might be tired . Columbus looked like they were skating in quick sand in the first period Blues one their game but I couldn't stay up for that one

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Hockey fan

It really is a lot less stressful once your team is out isn't it? It seems like I can actually relax and enjoy the games when "my" team isn't playing.

Yeah, I've been stress free for a long time now.

[Por_sha911]

I was shocked that the B's won last night. They looked out of gas by the end of the 2nd period.

Bruins over Jackets in 5
Isles over Canes in 5
Sharks over Avs in 6
um, maybe, Blues over Dallas in 7


East: Bruins beat the Isles in 6
West: Sharks beat Blues (in 5

Final:

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I can support punching most players on most teams. But not JT, he's a clean skill player. Uncalled for.

You probably don't approve of this either

[rfuerst911sc]

That's too funny great timing !

[Por_sha911]

Well, I just noticed that ONLY 2 teams in my bracket survived the first round.
I should take this as a sign and call for the Bruins and the Blues in the final.
It would be the "Black & Blue Series" (in more ways than one)