2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

So that's what a road playoff win looks like. Almost forgot.

 

And now, flipped over to the regional provider, did Tripp Tracy serve people in the press box during the game? Good grief ...

 

Islanders-Canes is done. Maybe the Islanders steal G5 on muscle memory but the series was over as soon as the Canes scored on 5-on-3 today. Islanders just have no juice and the two guys they have who aren't aging rapidly, Barzal & Horvat, have been borderline terrible this series.

 

The problem is that, ever since there was a very high profile botch of a puck in the end netting that turned into a game-winning goal, the NHL's replay rules account for "missed stoppages." By the letter of the law, if the replay conclusively finds that the puck was played with a high stick and possession never changed hands, everything after that point (thus, including the goal) is nullified to correct the officials' 'original sin.' Sean McIndoe (Down Goes Brown) summed it up well when he said the Oilers were looking for a "get out of jail free card" from replay. I do not feel at all bad that they didn't get it as the high stick had nothing to do with the play other than it was allowed to continue.

 

Meanwhile, no Bergeron, no Krejci no problem
Ullmark threw off the mask and gloves to go after Tkachuk at the end
Bruins might sit them again in Game 5 and wait for Tampa or Toronto

 

I posted this before McIndoe filed his story, which I read the next day. I wouldn't have posted if I read his first.
More NHL silly rules. It's a violation, not a penalty. Like offside. Call is missed, so what, continue on. I'd say the same thing if the Oilers benefited.
Hilarious that Woodcroft said the best hockey player in the world saw it and he believes him. If the second-best hockey player in the world (whoever that is) didn't see it, would he not believe him? Or a fourth-line winger??
He said McDavid saw it and raised his hand. He wouldn't have raised his hand if the puck wasn't touched. A bullshit lie. How did Woodcroft say that with a straight face?? Vilardi said he didn't touch it. McDavid and Vilardi -- two impartial observers.

 

Another big lead blown and another OT in LA-Edmonton series. Kings score three in the first, Oilers score three in the second and they each score in the third.

Third overtime in four games and the other was a one-goal game, plus an empty netter.

That’s how playoffs should be. Hopefully the Kings can follow form and win again.

 

It’s a gut punch with the loss. Give up a three goal lead and blow a second lead late. Now they have to go to Edmonton.

Hope Oilers hold serve at home and send Kings packing but this will probably need seven.

 

Whining about refs is old and tiresome and the Wild have only themselves to blame as they had plenty of chances and couldn't get it past Oettinger enough times . . . but the two penalty calls on Foligno, both of which led to goals by a Dallas power play the Wild simply can't stop, were just astoundingly bad.

 

Tampa gives up three goals in 6:20 of the third period and Leafs send it to OT
Devils beat Rangers to tie series
Kerfoot gets the OT winner
Leafs can clinch at home

 

It's probably a sin for a Sabres fan to cheer for the Leafs, but the Wednesday version of HNIC and Howie Meeker coming to me "from high in the gondola overlooking Maple Leaf Gardens" on Channel 9 from Toronto turned me into a Leafs' fan long before the Sabres even existed.

Go Leafs Go!

 

Kraken nearly doubled up Colorado in shots on goal, but Mikko Rantanen keeps his team in the game with two goals. Then a blatant Avalanche penalty gives the Kraken an opportunity and they get the must-have win in OT.

Great series so far and now it’s best of three.