2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

If you have a little $$$ riding on the Maple Leafs …

 

Wouldn’t surprise me to see Dallas and Winnipeg advance. Both similar teams in that they aren’t exactly mercurial but have guys that are hard to play against up and down the lineup, reasonable defence corps and forwards who can score when needed. Benn can win a game by his self. On top of it, they have goaltending edges at least through round 1. They can play shut down and, especially, Jets played the last few games of the season with the same intensity they played the first half. Against the Stars a team might think they are in the game but then Robertson and Pavelski score and the game is over.
I don’t see Colorado repeating as Western Conference Champs.

 

As @Sam Mills 51 foresaw, Sebastian Aho is the difference in G1 of Isles-Hurricanes. Carolina wins it 2-1. That was a textbook Islanders game and they lost it. They just don't have the firepower for one round, never mind more than that.

 

Kings at Oilers on the opening night of the playoffs scratches an itch I didn’t know existed in my 80s kid sports brain. This series and Devils-Rangers may be the only ones I care about. Maybe the Leafs just for the comedy.

 

I dont know how you can launch at a guy, upend him and not have it be a major penalty like Dumba just did on Pavelski

 

The point of contact was with his shoulder. He didn’t hit him in the head. Might have been a split second late but the it wasn’t a head shot.

 

I don't disagree with that -- but he leaned up and in off one skate to deliver it; that's where I have an issue.

 

Even if JP drops a little back pass there he’s getting blasted. Dumba was lining him up and not bothering to care if Pavelski had possession. There’s a form of intent there but I guess the refs didn’t think it was injury focused. Logically, I don’t see how you could see otherwise. It’s a violent game but in the new age NHL I would have expected a major penalty.

 

Edmonton blows 2-0 and 3-1 leads, sees LA tie it on a power play and pulled goalie in the closing seconds, has an overtime goal called back because of a high stick then loses after giving the Kings another power play.

Kings fanboy in me thought they’d be swept as they were being outplayed, but they found a way to steal one on the road.

 

Kopitar with 4 points and helps hold McDavid to a bagel. What a unit, still.

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: A random NBA playoff game holds zero interest for me, but random NHL playoff games — especially in overtime — always draw me in.

Last night’s Minnesota-Dallas game was the latest example. I tuned in at the end of the third period (after the big hit) and the Stars were dominating play — just couldn’t beat Minnesota’s goalie. Sure enough, after playing nearly the entire second overtime on their end of the ice, the Wild take advantage of a puck bouncing their way and steal a win.