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.
What Went Wrong: Oilers Swept Out of Playoffs by Jets
On Monday, three teams faced elimination from this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the proverbial axe only fell on the Edmonton Oilers, as they lost a triple overtime thriller by a score of 4-3 to the Winnipeg Jets. Kyle Connor's goal in the seventh minute of the sixth period completed a four-game sweep for the Jets--the first in franchise history--while bring an end to the Oilers' season. So to recap, Kyle Connor advanced, Connor Hellebuyck advance, but the biggest Connor in this series--McDavid--didn't.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Blues Swept Out of Stanley Cup Playoffs
On Sunday, the St. Louis Blues lost Game Four of their West Division Semifinal series against the Colorado Avalanche, becoming the first team to be eliminated from the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This first round exit continues a downward spiral for the Blues, which began with last year's disappointing playoff performance in the Edmonton bubble. That year, the Blues lost every game in the Round Robin, finishing with the #4 seed, and later losing in six games to the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Capitals Eliminated in Five Games by Bruins
On Sunday, the Washington Capitals lost Game Five of their East Division Semifinal series against the Boston Bruins, doing so by a score of 3-1. The loss gave the Capitals their third straight first round exit since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018, following a seven-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019, and a five-game loss to the New York Islanders in 2020.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
The Vast Decline of the Golden Knights' Fanbase
On Thursday, the Vegas Golden Knights lost the West Division and the Presidents' Trophy when the Colorado Avalanche won 5-1 over the Los Angeles Kings. As an Avalanche fan since the team's final two years as the Quebec Nordiques, I was in an immensely celebratory mood over the Avalanche finishing the season with the league's best record, and I went on YouTube to watch the highlights. As I scrolled through the comments, I found a couple from fans of the Golden Knights saying that the Avalanche "didn't deserve" to win the Presidents' Trophy, and mocking the Avalanche for "letting 15 skaters dominate them," a reference to Monday's head-to-head game, which the Avalanche won, 2-1. Another comment actually blamed Robin Lehner, the backup to Marc-Andre Fleury, for Monday's loss, stating that he "let in a pair of softies." Oh boy.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
North Division Semifinal Series Are Officially Set
The North Division will be the last of the four divisions to have all of its teams play the full 56 games, but they join the East and Central in officially locking in their Division Semifinal series. The Winnipeg Jets needed one point to clinch 3rd place in the North, and their 5-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks did just that, locking in third place and cementing the Montréal Canadiens in fourth. The Jets will face off against the Edmonton Oilers in the North Division Semifinals, while the other semifinal series will feature the Toronto Maple Leafs against the aforementioned Canadiens. With this divisional format back for the first time since the 1992-93 season (for this season only), it will assure us that a Canadian team will advance to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
West Division & Presidents' Trophy Race Down to the Wire
Wow! I knew when this season started and the format was announced that this would be immensely thrilling. I knew this not just as a hockey fan, but as a Colorado Avalanche fan as well. The Avalanche were placed in the West Division along with the three California teams (Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks), the Arizona Coyotes, the St. Louis Blues, the Minnesota Wild, and most importantly, the Vegas Golden Knights. This is the first and only time that the Avalanche and Golden Knights serve as division rivals, and the rivalry has been very intense and entertaining. It really is a shame that come next season, these two teams will be placed back in their respective divisions; the Golden Knights will be back in the Pacific Division, while the Avalanche will return to the Central Division.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Battle of Florida in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Dallas Stars by a score of 5-2, which gave the Central Division title to the Carolina Hurricanes. Why is that important? Because Carolina clinching first place officially locks in the first Stanley Cup Playoff series of this season, and for the first time ever, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Florida Panthers in a best-of-seven playoff series. These two teams have co-existed together for 28 years; the Lightning debuted in 1992, while the Panthers joined the league a year later in 1993. Though even then, the Lightning had a leg up on their in-state rivals, as their debut was the big story of the 1992-93 season, while the Panthers were pretty much overshadowed in the 1993-94 season, by the relocation of the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, and the debut of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
30 Years: A Look at the San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have always fascinated me as a hockey fan. They debuted in the NHL in 1991, becoming Northern California's second and most successful attempt at an NHL franchise, after the failure of the Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals. This season, the Sharks are currently celebrating 30 years as a franchise, but this is actually their 29th season of play--their 30th playing season will occur next year. This team has been good for their entire existence, but can't seem to go far. Here's a look at their complete history.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
East Division Playoff Field Complete With Bruins Playoff Clinch
On Monday, the Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils, 3-0, to lock up the last remaining playoff spot in the NHL's makeshift East Division. For the Bruins, this is their fifth straight postseason, and they are two years removed from falling one win short of winning the Stanley Cup, while also coming off capturing the Presidents' Trophy last season. The playoff clinch comes mainly due to the efforts of the famed "Perfection Line," consisting of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Patrice Bergeron; however, they have finally managed to get production from other lines, mainly thanks to acquiring Taylor Hall at the trade deadline this season. Vezina winning goalie Tuukka Rask has also played a role, though with his long injury hiatus, backups Jaroslav Halak and Jeremy Swayman have picked up the slack and racked up the key saves needed to keep Boston in the thick of things.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Is the Presidents' Trophy Cursed?
In any of North America's four major pro sports leagues, having the best record has its benefits. In the NFL, it means home-field advantage up to that team's Conference Championship (as the Super Bowl is usually played on neutral sites), while in MLB, the NBA, and the NHL, it often means home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. In the NFL, the NBA, and MLB, having the best record usually equates a championship. In the NHL? Not so much. The National Hockey League is the only one of these leagues that awards an actual trophy for finishing with the league's best record: the Presidents' Trophy. The Presidents' Trophy was first awarded in the 1985-86 season, with the Edmonton Oilers being the very first winners, as they racked up 119 points. However, the Presidents' Trophy has hardly ever led to a Stanley Cup for the teams that won it, and the overall history of Trophy winners failing to win the Cup (including in the last decade) have led fans and analysts to wonder if the Trophy is actually cursed.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
What Happened to the Philadelphia Flyers?
The Philadelphia Flyers lost back-to-back games to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday and Thursday, with Thursday's 5-3 loss eliminating them from playoff contention. The Flyers' inconsistency has been a huge story this season, as they tend to look good in some games, but play so terribly in others. Though this season has been problematic for the Flyers, their woes actually date back to last year's playoffs.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
15 Years: The Penguins' Playoff Streak Continues
Death, taxes, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Pittsburgh. Those seem to be the only certainties that exist. The Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday evening officially placed them in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 15th straight season. That streak is not only the longest current streak in the NHL, but it is the longest one in sports, with the Penguins earning the distinction after the NBA's San Antonio Spurs missed the playoffs after 22 straight appearances. The last time the Penguins missed the playoffs was the 2005-06 season, which was not only the first season back from the lockout, but it was also Sidney Crosby's rookie year, meaning that his debut season his only one without playoffs.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
