Is this it for the Pens?Image† Getty Images This is yet another distasteful side effect of the NHL’s salary cap. Fans and observers of a certain team, especially a successful one, have to start judging just how much sand is left in the hourglass. They have to weigh the age of the best players, salaries … Read more
Connor McDavid (l.) and Matthew Tkachukphoto† Getty Images The second round of the playoffs worked, in part, the way that the NHL dreamed up when it went to this postseason format of divisional brackets. You can question the wisdom of it happening in the second round, but we’re getting the Battle of Alberta and the … Read more
Come on, you know you want to see it.Image† Getty Images much like the Canadiens-Leafs series last year, this is why the NHL rejiggered its playoff system nearly a decade ago. To get things like the Edmonton Oilers vs. the Calgary Flames in the playoffs. OK, Gary Bettman’s NHL was only really concerned with getting … Read more
A Leafs fan is like “😮” as the team gets eliminated in seven.Photo† AP They knew. As we said on Thursday night, as soon as Brayden Point stuffed home the overtime winner in Game 6, Leafs fans knew what was coming. It would be another Game 7 loss, at home, but this time in front … Read more
Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals went out early once again.Image† Getty Images The Washington Capitals just pissed away their first round Eastern Conference series against the Florida Panthers. The President’s Trophy winners were on the ropes in three straight games. And the Panthers won all three of those postseason contests in succession, two in … Read more
Austin Matthews and the Leafs face another Game 7.Image† Getty Images Nobody ever tweeted about a Florida Panthers playoff series victory before last night, when Carter Verhaeghe, off a pass from Claude Giroux – trade deadline acquisition and bringer of tons of vicarious Panthers fans from Philadelphia – lifted Florida to a 4-3 overtime win … Read more
photo† Getty Images There’s a common phrase percolating through each NHL playoff broadcast about how this is the most “evenly-matched” postseason of all time. It’s like these commentators get a bonus every time they talk about it. It’s nauseating and more importantly, it’s not correct. This year’s NHL postseason is the most tightly contested in … Read more
Darnell Nursephoto† Getty Images Why athletes decide it’s a good idea while wearing helmets to throw a headbutt, I’ll never understand. It only risks concussions for both temples involved. Darnell Nurse’s plunge at Los Angeles Kings’ defender Phillip Danault was dirty and downright idiotic. It should cost the Edmonton Oilers’ assistant captain multiple playoff games, … Read more
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists against the Kings Tuesday night.Image† Getty Images Hockey followers love to taut that not only is hockey the ultimate team game — everyone gets a shift after all — but that the playoffs highlight this. It’s somewhat true, though it’s usually a top-end player or goalie … Read more
Image† Getty Images In a playoff series, especially one between two very good teams which the Lightning and Maple Leafs are, you expect some swings. No one expected a short series, which means twists and turns as teams exchange wins. Momentum generally swings on the performance level of your goalie the next night, but hockey … Read more