NHL 2021

[marshal]

Rough starts getting shut out for the Wild, and for the Lightning trying to three-peat. 

But a best of 7 series isn't won or lost in Game 1, so there is quite a bit of hockey yet to be played.

4 more games tonight! 

LET'S GO PENS!! 

If the Wild bounce back tonight, I'll give them a damn good chance.  They are thee better 5 on 5 team, so they need to keep it that way.  Stay out of the box, quit taking stupid penalties.

Starting MAF was a 50/50 shot, and probably the right move, but I don't think his new pads are as broke in as he wants, the rebounds were coming off them like crazy and it really cost him.

[Jim at Gentex]

If the Wild bounce back tonight, I'll give them a damn good chance.  They are thee better 5 on 5 team, so they need to keep it that way.  Stay out of the box, quit taking stupid penalties.

Starting MAF was a 50/50 shot, and probably the right move, but I don't think his new pads are as broke in as he wants, the rebounds were coming off them like crazy and it really cost him.

Oh definitely.
Stupid penalties are always a killer, and even worse in the playoffs.
The Pens only took one penalty in that whole 3OT game against the Rangers, and the Rangers PP scored in like 15 seconds.

Yeah, Fleury has struggled with his rebound control at different times in his career.
But he's still a veteran goaltender who has shown that he can win when his team needs him most.   

[Jim at Gentex]

WOW!!

Me and the Mrs. went to the Pens vs. Rangers game on Saturday night.
This was our first NHL Playoff game, and I have never felt so much positive energy in a building!
There were even a few Ranger fans sitting near us, but everyone was cool. 

Pens won to take a 2-1 series lead, but there is still a long way to go before this one is decided.

Game 4 tonight, but we'll have to settle for watching it on tv.   

[Jim at Gentex]

Good on Colorado for closing out Nashville in 4.
I thought the Avs were the team to beat from the beginning, and they are looking strong.
Nashville never had a chance.

Pens dominated the Rangers again to take a 3-1 series lead, and our 3rd string goalie is holding his own.   

Our AHL Pens knocked out their arch rival Hershey in the first round last night as well, so me and the Mrs. had lots to celebrate!!     

[Jim at Gentex]

Oh well...a terrible weekend for Pens fans.

Both our AHL and NHL teams were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday.   

Interesting that all 3 Southern teams (2 in Florida and 1 in Carolina) are still alive going into the Conference semi-finals, but at this point I could care less who wins the Cup.

I still think the Avs are the team to beat, so we'll see what happens.

The only mildly interesting factors left for me are seeing if Tampa Bay can finish the three-peat, or seeing if Calgary or Edmonton can actually bring the Cup back home to Canada for the first time since 1993.

[Jim at Gentex]

I never thought the Lightning would sweep the Panthers, but here we are.
I thought if there would be a sweep in the Conference Semi-Finals it would be the Avs sweeping the Blues.

Lightning still alive for the three-peat, but other than that I'm not too interested.
Seeing Calgary or Edmonton bring the Cup home to Canada would be nice too, but either one will have a steep hill to climb.

Penguins signed Bryan Rust to a long-term deal, which was good for us.   

Still lots of unanswered questions about Letang and Malkin.
They might both be moving on unless they are willing to take far less money in order to finish their careers in Pittsburgh.

We'll just have to wait and see...

[Jim at Gentex]

Another dirty hit by Trouba, and the Rangers move on.
I hope Tampa Bay beats them.

The Avs vs. Oilers may be the best series of the playoffs with the MacKinnon vs. McDavid matchup.
Both are legit young superstars, and both teams are evenly matched from top to bottom, so it should be interesting.  

[Jim at Gentex]

Well Tampa Bay got hosed in game 4 of the Finals for sure.

Refs missed a too-many-men penalty that should have been called against Colorado when they scored the game winning goal in OT.

Yeah, the refs are only human, but Lightning fans have a legitimate gripe on this one.

The current rule is that a too-many-men situation is not reviewable, but maybe it should be.
The Avs scored on a free 6-on-5 that may prove to be the turning point of the entire series. 

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but now kinda pulling for the Lightning since they got hosed by the refs.

[Jim at Gentex]

Congrats to the Colorado Avalanche, 2022 Stanley Cup Champs! 

They were the team to beat all year and everyone knew it.

I still think Tampa Bay got hosed on that OT game winning goal in Game 4, but that's all water under the bridge at this point, and the Avs are now the defending champs.

I can't wait until October to do it all again!! 

[ghuns]

OMG. Hookey season is FINALLY over?

When they start back up? Next Tuesday?

[Jim at Gentex]

When they start back up? Next Tuesday?

I wish!!! 

Nah the boys take 3 months off to play some golf and spend time with their families, then it's back to business.