hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
Even With Kaprizov's Imminent Return, Can the Wild Actually Advance This Time?
The Dallas Stars weren't the only Central Division team who clinched a playoff spot on the third day of April. The abbreviated hockey Monday kicked off in Minnesota with the Wild hosting the Vegas Golden Knights, with the former looking to lock in a playoff spot. A win would get it done, but just when it looked like they would get the win, Vegas tied it and forced overtime. It went to a shootout, which Vegas ended up winning, so with only one point acquired, the Wild had to look to the Dallas Stars to get them in, as they needed Dallas to defeat the Nashville Predators. Dallas did just that, so not only did Dallas clinch with their win, Minnesota got in with Nashville's loss.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedStars Reach Playoffs for 4th Time in 5 Seasons
It took until the third day in April, but the Central Division, my Central Division, finally has official playoff teams. Only three games took place on a Monday evening centered around the first Raw after WrestleMania, as well as NCAA basketball's National Championship. Two of them featured teams who could clinch spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and both teams fulfilled their duties. The Dallas Stars' first chance to lock in a spot occurred on April 1, but their loss to the Colorado Avalanche forced them to wait a few days. Their next opportunity came on April 3, against a lowly Nashville Predators team that was suffering and riddled with injuries. Of course, the Stars pounced; a 5-1 victory over the Preds, and it placed Dallas in the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedKings Look to Go Further in Their Return to the Playoffs
The biggest surprise playoff team from the 2021-22 season has to be the Los Angeles Kings. Their appearance came just two years after they were one of the seven teams who missed out on the modified 2020 playoffs, which was the second of a three-year playoff drought that the team had suffered. I don't think anyone had the Kings being one of the NHL's Sweet 16 teams so quickly after being one of what I called the "Not-So-Magnificent Seven," but the 2021-22 season truly surprised a number of fans, myself included.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedOilers Clinch, but What Happens if They Fall Short Again?
The Edmonton Oilers had a chance to lock in a playoff spot on the last day of March; despite not playing that evening, a Winnipeg Jets loss would have put the Oilers in the playoffs. However, the Jets (who are struggling to stay alive) had other plans. Even after the Nashville Predators won in blowout fashion on the following day, all Edmonton needed to clinch was one solitary point. That's it. The Oilers decided to go for the throat against the lowly, lowly Anaheim Ducks; blasting them 6-0 to become the second team to qualify for the playoffs, as well as the eighth team overall--halfway filling the playoff field for 2023.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedLightning Look to Bounce Back from Thwarted Three-Peat
The Tampa Bay Lightning's recent run has been amazing and fun to watch, at least in the perspective of this hockey fan. We all know the story; after their 62-win season ended with them getting surprisingly mollywhopped by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Bolts bounced back in a big way. What did they do? Nothing much. Only won the Stanley Cup, that's all. They liked that feeling so much that they decided, "What the hell, let's do that again." This past season saw the Lightning with a great chance to do what hadn't been done in four decades: win three straight Cups. They managed to return to the Cup Final for the third straight year; the first team to achieve this feat since the Edmonton Oilers did so from 1983-85.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedVegas Returns to Playoffs, but Is Their Window Still Open?
We all laughed and had fun when the Vegas Golden Knights missed the playoffs last season, didn't we? For all of their bluster, for all of their pomp and circumstance in spite of not winning the Stanley Cup, for all of their arrogance and excuse-making, the Golden Knights completely missed the playoffs in the 2021-22 season--the first time that they missed the playoffs in their brief franchise history. Not a single tear was shed for them. I know I wasn't crying for them; I was too busy laughing. However, I also realized something right then and there: Vegas is going to strike back somehow.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in Unbalanced5 Major Questions for the Canadiens this Offseason
With just a couple of weeks left in the NHL season, the Canadiens are well on their way to a second consecutive last place finish in the Atlantic Division, with a record of 30 wins, 38 losses (and 6 OT losses) for 66 points in 75 games (a 72-point pace). However, all hope is not lost. Last season, the Habs finished with an abysmal 55 points. This is already a 17 point improvement compared to last season. It will be an interesting offseason to say the least. Will Kent Hughes continue the rebuild by trading veteran players for prospects and draft picks? Or will he make a splash in free agency or on the trade market to push for a playoff spot next season?
Peter WPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedCan the Rangers Go the Extra Mile in 2023?
The Toronto Maple Leafs weren't the only team who clinched a playoff spot without even playing. The Florida Panthers' regulation loss to the Ottawa Senators on Monday, March 27, 2022, brought the New York Rangers one step closer. They still needed the Buffalo Sabres to lose, and that could come in any fashion. Buffalo's game against the Montréal Canadiens needed extra time, and eventually needed a shootout despite a Habs power play in overtime. It was scoreless entering the Habs' half of the shootout. If Montréal scored, the Rangers are in. Montréal scored. New York celebrates (maybe for the first of two times this season)!
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in Unbalanced- Top Story - March 2023
Maple Leafs, You Have One Job!
On Sunday, March 26, 2022, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Nashville Predators, 3-2, behind two goals from their captain, John Tavares. On the following day, the Leafs were off, but they could clinch a playoff spot during their idle day with a loss from the Florida Panthers. Even better, because the Leafs picked up two points, Florida's loss didn't have to be in regulation. In a crazy scenario, the Panthers were in Ontario, but against the province's other franchise, the Ottawa Senators. This meant that the Leafs and their fans had to (for that night) pull for their provincial enemies to pull out the victory. The Sens did just that, winning 5-2 over the struggling Panthers, and that gave the Leafs another playoff appearance.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in Unbalanced Grading Kent Hughes' First Full Year as GM of the Montreal Canadiens
Kent Hughes acquired a really bad team. But at least he now has some draft picks. Hughes was hired as GM of the Montreal Canadiens on January 18, 2022 - just 2 months after Marc Bergevin was fired. Hughes was a bit of an unconventional hire, as he had never previously worked in an NHL front office. Instead, he was a player agent - for many Quebec NHL stars including Patrice Bergeron and Kris Letang.
Peter WPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedThe Devils are in the Details...and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
I still vividly remember when the New Jersey Devils were...well...the DEVILS! They won their first Stanley Cup back in 1995 and from that point on, they became this juggernaut who was always in the playoffs, reaching the Final three more times after that 1995 Cup, and adding two more Cups in 2000 and 2003. Those days are long gone; names like Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Bobby Holik, and of course, Martin Brodeur are enjoying retirement. Ken Daneyko has since gone from winning Cups with the Devils to calling their games as a color analyst (one of my current faves), and we have seen new stars shine for the Devils.
Clyde E. DawkinsPublished about a year ago in UnbalancedThe Connor Bedard Sweepstakes
Connor Bedard is far and wide the best prospect since Connor McDavid. He is dominating the opposition at every level. He just put up 23 points (in 7 games) during the 2023 World Juniors, as a 17-year-old, playing against mainly 18–19 year olds. He is dominating the WHL this season, with 142 points (in 55 gp), 37 points higher than second place (who has played 11 more games). This after posting 100 points in 62 games as a 16 year old last year. Like McDavid, I expect Bedard to break into the NHL next season at a point-per-game pace, before exploding in his sophomore season a becoming a regular 100-point scorer. Just about any NHL scout who agree with that statement. So the only question that remains is, which team will he be playing for?
Peter WPublished about a year ago in Unbalanced