First playoffs casualty

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by brshap

The Queen being put out to pasture is a happy day.

Crosby is retiring? Oh wait, never mind.

Shesterkin is the number one goalie for the Rangers. They just have to figure out a way to gently break it to the fans and give Henry a graceful out (he deserves the honor - he has stuck with them through a lot of tough years when he was their only asset). Keep in mind, Bruins fans have no love for the Rangers but I am willing to honor an outstanding player on any team (dare I say it) even a Hab.

[beatnavy]

Again, Pens go rather quietly. Surprising to me.

Caps and Brunes at noon Sunday, Joe. Caps have owned them the last several years, but they are not playing well at all this year. I think the B's take it.

I agree on the Flyers rising. They were looking good in the spring, and I think they may be a team to beat.

[brshap]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Crosby is retiring? Oh wait, never mind.

Shesterkin is the number one goalie for the Rangers. They just have to figure out a way to gently break it to the fans and give Henry a graceful out (he deserves the honor - he has stuck with them through a lot of tough years when he was their only asset). Keep in mind, Bruins fans have no love for the Rangers but I am willing to honor an outstanding player on any team (dare I say it) even a Hab.

Funny enough a lot of Ranger fans have a strong love/hate relationship with him and have for a long time. There were some loud calls to trade him before he signed his last big dollar deal. In my view some never truly appreciated how good he made some very poor defensive Ranger teams look.

[beatnavy]

Sorry Leafs fans They can't catch a break.

If you're truly into pain you can wallow in it with Dangle:

[1990C4S]

Last Leaf playoff win, 2004. Yes 2004.

I did not want TO to win, but I would rather watch Toronto vs Tampa than Columbus vs Tampa.

The Leaf rebuild begins. Again. Unless they win the (bogus) lottery draft tonight. Actually either way thet trade some overpaid talent in the off-season.

[brshap]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Last Leaf playoff win, 2004. Yes 2004.

I did not want TO to win, but I would rather watch Toronto vs Tampa than Columbus vs Tampa.

The Leaf rebuild begins. Again. Unless they win the (bogus) lottery draft tonight. Actually either way thet trade some overpaid talent in the off-season.

I think after last years sweep the CBJ/TB rematch should be pretty good.

[Por_sha911]

And let the games begin.

This has been such a bizarro year I am not playing brackets this year. Here are my extremely inaccurate predictions

EAST COAST
Bruins / Canes go 6 or 7 games - I am praying the B's wake up
Caps / Isles go 5 - the Caps are looking as bad as the B's
Flyers / Habs - Flyers in 4 or 5
Tampa / B. Jackets - Tampa in 4 or 5

Flyers Isles in the eastern final

WEST COAST
only 2 real contenders: Vegas and Avs in the western final

[Hockey fan]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

And let the games begin.

This has been such a bizarro year I am not playing brackets this year. Here are my extremely inaccurate predictions

EAST COAST
Bruins / Canes go 6 or 7 games - I am praying the B's wake up
Caps / Isles go 5 - the Caps are looking as bad as the B's
Flyers / Habs - Flyers in 4 or 5
Tampa / B. Jackets - Tampa in 4 or 5

Flyers Isles in the eastern final

WEST COAST
only 2 real contenders: Vegas and Avs in the western final

I have no real predictions this year either. It still seems strange to not have the momentum gained or lost in the regular season. "My" Blues were playing quite well throughout the season and now after the long layoff come out playing like garbage.

[Por_sha911]

First Game:
Tampa / Blue Jackets
3-2
5 OT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4th longest game in history

They played as hard in the 5th OT as they did in the 1st Period

Gotta love playoff hockey

[1990C4S]

I can't believe Milbury said that they need to change to OT format....maybe they need to have a five minute contest where one player from each team beats on a fan with a shoe.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I can't believe Milbury said that they need to change to OT format....maybe they need to have a five minute contest where one player from each team beats on a fan with a shoe.

That's just because Milbury remember the good old days climbing into the stands at MSG and having a brawl with the fans.
For some reason this reminds me of these:



Bruins play 11 am. IMO this game will be a weather vane for the rest of the playoffs.

[beatnavy]

Good way to start, Joe. Beautiful OTGWG from Bergeron, but Pasta's assist was even nicer. Bruins 1 - 0.

[Por_sha911]

The B's finally showed up after the first period. By the 3rd they were looking like the team that played in March. Hopefully they will keep that going.
The Caps are in serious trouble. Backstrom out could be a killer.
The Flyers are looking strong. Price is the only reason the game wasn't a runaway.
The Avs and Vegas are looking as expected.

Its good to have some really strong games to watch. The games I've seen show a ton of intensity and heart.

[beatnavy]

One game but I believe the Caps are done. They were on fire way back before the All Star break, then cruised through the spring playing mediocre hockey at best. Holtby gave up some soft stuff yesterday, so nothing has changed over the COVID break. Issues, so many issues. And it starts with their coach.

Just as well. Sometimes playoffs are more fun when you can watch the action without the emotional attachment. My money is on the Flyers.

[Por_sha911]

Tampa may have won the first game but the Blue Jackets won #2. I think they are looking better than the bolts - especially with key Tampa players being out.

The Caps are in even more trouble if Backstom doesn't play. They say he will miss Game 2 which more than likely means even if he does come back, it will be at less than 100%

[Por_sha911]

The Caps are on life support down 2-0

The Habs got a major boost with a 5-0 win to tie it up 1 game a piece

The Bruins are needing Pastrnak to be healthy and Rask to get his game to the next level fast.

[1990C4S]

Rask was lost last game. Not himself.

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

The Caps are on life support down 2-0

Yup. When your team is playing well but you're getting bad puck bounces, or if the other team's goalie is just on fire, you can sort of "see" your way out of a 2-0 hole.
That's not the case with the Caps. They are getting owned by the Isles in all phases of the game, so I'm not sure how they could turn this around.

[1990C4S]

^^^ Looks like the Caps are happy with their Cup two years ago.

OV has a torn motivator cuff.

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

^^^ Looks like the Caps are happy with their Cup two years ago.

OV has a torn motivator cuff.

I don't think Ovie is the issue.

Whoa, Rask is bailing on the playoffs