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Canucks Lock Up Playoff Spot With Help From Division Foes
On Monday, March 25, the Vancouver Canucks had the NHL's first clinching scenario of the season, but they came up short in becoming the first team to clinch. They had another chance three days later, but they were defeated by the Dallas Stars. On the penultimate day of March, the Canucks were idle, but could still get in. They needed losses from the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild to get in. Minnesota's loss didn't have to be in regulation. St. Louis' loss, however, had to be in regulation.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 18 days ago in UnbalancedHow Sweep It Is!: Reviewing the New York Yankees' Big Series Win
A tide is turning, folks! I looked forward to the 2024 Major League Baseball season, because there's always something special about Opening Day, well, the Opening Week overall. One reason, of course, involved the New York Yankees. I entered this season optimistic about the Yankees' 2024 season, because, well, we have nowhere else to go but up. The Yankees are coming off a 2023 campaign that saw us miss the postseason for the first time since 2016, as well as the first time overall with Aaron Boone as skipper. Also, the Yankees had a new superstar to show off: in the form of Juan Soto.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 18 days ago in UnbalancedAvalanche Game 74 Recap: Ticket Punched
Phase One: complete. The Colorado Avalanche's first attempt to lock in a playoff spot came up short, but the main story of that game was the controversial end of Nathan MacKinnon's home point streak, which remained official after a long review. So MacKinnon had a proverbial axe to grind, and who better to grind it against than the Nashville Predators in the last leg of Colorado's homestand.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 19 days ago in UnbalancedStars Look to Avenge West Final Loss
Three East teams had chances to clinch playoff spots, and they all did. Three West teams had that same chance: the Dallas Stars, the Vancouver Canucks, and the Colorado Avalanche. All three scenarios involved the St. Louis Blues losing in some fashion, but the Blues won, 5-3, over the Calgary Flames. With that, the Avalanche's scenario was kiboshed, but the Stars and Canucks could still get in with a win. Here's the thing: the two teams faced each other, and it was 1-1 late in the third period.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 21 days ago in UnbalancedPanthers Clinch Playoffs With Hopes to Return to Cup Final
The wild 14-game Thursday evening included so many clinching scenarios, with one of them including the Florida Panthers. The Panthers looked to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a victory, but the New York Islanders had other plans. The Isles looked to move up in the Wild Card ladder, and they did so with a win over the Panthers, a 3-2 win at that. However, the Panthers did have other ways in, and one of them was a Detroit Red Wings loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. As a result of this, not only did the Canes get in, the Panthers did as well.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 21 days ago in UnbalancedAvalanche Game 73 Recap: What Just Happened?!
As a Colorado Avalanche fan, I was entering Game 73 feeling quite confident. Yes, we were facing off against the high-powered New York Rangers. However, the Dallas Stars were facing the Vancouver Canucks...on the road. So I had a good feeling that first place could happen for the Avs again. The first part had to be taken care of: taking down the Rangers. The Avs were coming off the end of a nine-game winning streak, but at least Nathan MacKinnon's points streaks were still a thing.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 21 days ago in UnbalancedLast Chance for Hurricanes?
A loaded day in the NHL saw six teams with a chance to clinch a playoff spot, and the Carolina Hurricanes were one of the teams with that opportunity. This was their second chance to do so, but their first attempt saw the Hurricanes defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in what was a homecoming for Carolina's biggest deadline acquisition of the season, Jake Guentzel. Take Two came against the Detroit Red Wings, and all they needed was just two simple points. They would get them behind a Frederik Andersen shutout; a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 21 days ago in UnbalancedBruins Clinch (Now, Don't Blow It)
Well, Boston Bruins, you made it. Somehow, you made it. Now what the hell are you going to do with it? The Bruins actually had a chance to clinch a spot on the previous night, needing only one more point in the standings to do so, but they couldn't get it done. Even so, despite the Bruins not being in action on this night, they could still get a spot, needing either a Detroit Red Wings loss or a Philadelphia regulation loss to get it done. Both outcomes came true, but the Philly loss happened first. The Flyers were defeated, 4-1, by the Montréal Canadiens. Yes, that's right. The Montréal Canadiens actually helped the Boston Bruins make the playoffs. What a world.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 21 days ago in UnbalancedAvalanche Game 72 Recap: If It Wasn't for Bad Luck...
As the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end." But this was not the time. The Colorado Avalanche continued to ride high as winners of nine straight, the latest win being against a Pittsburgh Penguins team who led 4-0! With the Vancouver Canucks' home loss on the previous night, the Avs had the chance to move into the #1 spot in the entire Western Conference. The homestand continued, and it was against the Montréal Canadiens. Notice I didn't say the "lowly" Canadiens. I don't consider the Canadiens lowly. Are they going to be in the playoffs? No. But the potential's there. Even so, it did look like the Avs should win.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 23 days ago in UnbalancedRangers Become 1st Team to Clinch Spot in the 2024 Playoffs
One down, 15 to go. I always love seeing that first playoff spot clinched in any league, but it's always the most special in the National Hockey League. The first official clinching scenario belonged to the Vancouver Canucks on the previous night, but they couldn't get it done. On this day, four Eastern Conference teams had chances to clinch: the New York Rangers, the Boston Bruins, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Florida Panthers. The Panthers and Bruins faced each other, with Boston winning, 4-3, in regulation. As a result, Florida couldn't clinch yet. The Red Wings/Capitals game was connected to all of the scenarios, but because that game went to OT, Boston couldn't clinch yet. The Canes lost, so they would have to wait, too.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 23 days ago in UnbalancedNavigating Controversy
In the realm of journalism, opinion pieces serve as a platform for writers to express their viewpoints on current events and controversial topics. These articles, often imbued with personal perspectives and insights, provoke thought, spark debate, and contribute to the rich tapestry of public discourse. In this exploration, we delve into the significance of opinion pieces in shaping our understanding of the world around us and examine the responsibilities that come with wielding the power of opinion in a media landscape saturated with diverse perspectives.
Paschal MmesomaPublished 25 days ago in UnbalancedAvalanche Game 71 Recap: No Surrender
I...love...this...team!!! We did it again, folks! Actually, I should say, we did it yet again! The Colorado Avalanche entered this Sunday matinee game on TNT on an eight game winning streak, and on top of the Central Division. The homestand entered Game #2 and it was against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It's always interesting when Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon get together, and regarding this game, as Cody Rhodes would say, they have a lot to talk about.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished 25 days ago in Unbalanced