NHL (National Hockey League) Discussion

[TCK]

I think that sports is a great metaphor for business. But especially the NHL. With the best of 7 format in the post-season it is a game of speed, endurance, skill, and mental fitness. The best teams improve as the post-season progresses and prove they want the Cup the most.

In the 2018/2019 season the Tampa Bay Lightning were the team with the record-tying most wins in a season. They were very impressive, said to have "no weaknesses and a lot of star power". Yet they were beaten in 4 straight games in the first round of the post-season by a wildcard team that barely qualified. Ouch.

Who do you think will be in the Stanley Cup final in 2019?

From what I've seen so far, my prediction is it will be Dallas Stars v Carolina Hurricanes.

 

[TCK]

Boston 6, Carolina 2.

Carolina just lost their edge. Allowed Boston to get to them. Boston is really good at getting into the heads of their opponents, pushing their buttons, to get them to take stupid penalties and make other mistakes.

I think that's what happened in this game. Carolina couldn't connect with the puck. Lots of missed chances, too many penalties and giveaways.

It was 4:0 after the second period. Don't understand why McElhinney didn't start in goal in the 3rd. He is an excellent goalie. Mzarek was clearly shaken. He should've been pulled and prepare mentally for game 3. Now he let 2 more goals early in the 3rd. So his confidence is shaken even more. McElhinney likely would've kept the score at 4 against. Carolina got 2 goals. They could've pulled the goalie for a chance at the win if the score would have been 4:2. But at 6:2, there's no chance for that. Raask also didn't have his best game either but his team bailed him out.

 

[briguy]

Nice sports commentary @TCK

Now the question is..can Carolina win 4 out of the next five games against Boston to move onto the next level?

Same goes for St. Louis against San Jose?

 

[briguy]

St Louis gets the first goal...

 

[TCK]

On now:

St. Louis Blues v San Jose Sharks

Western Conference Final Game 2.

Let's see if St. Louis can eve the series. But will need to play much better.

 

[TCK]

St Louis gets the first goal...

A very important goal.

 

[briguy]

As of this posting..St Louis had two powerplays but no goals..something they must improve and winning face offs..

 

[TCK]

As of this posting..St Louis had two powerplays but no goals..something they must improve and winning face offs..

Blues 4 - Sharks 2

Powerplays is one of their biggest weaknesses. 4 powerplays, no goals, one short-handed goal. They played better than in game 1 and won game 2. Not as in a dominant way as San Jose did in game 1, but a win is a win. And they tied the series.

 

[briguy]

Interesting stat

Charo is playing at 42 years of age..

 

[briguy]

Game 3 of the San Jose and St Louis games is about to start

Predicting a St Louis win..

 

[TCK]

This series has the chance to be a lot more tight than the Eastern Conference final.

 

[TCK]

So far after 2 periods, both teams are on top of their game and the play is very tight. Looks like St. Louis broke the ice and look a lot more confident.

 

[TCK]

What an unfortunate loss for the Blues. Sharks win 5:4 in overtime. But there clearly was a hand pass that led to the winning goal which should have been called off. Looks like the refs were tired and just wanted to go home. St. Louis is rightly very upset about this.

 

[TCK]

Playoffs have exposed NHL video review rules as a farce and the league faces a major crossroads
Game 3 of the Western Conference final was determined by an Erik Karlsson goal set up by a clear-as-day hand pass. This isn't the first gaffe officials have made this post-season, leading many to believe it's time for change in the NHL's video review process.

Read in The Hockey News: https://apple.news/A2RmOBVN9RY-ghGgvkDjOcg

 

[TCK]

On now:

Boston Bruins v Carolina Hurricanes

Boston leads 3 games to 0. Hurricanes facing elimination.

McElhinney starting in net for the 2nd game in a row for Carolina this series.

Love the song they put on before start:

 

[TCK]

Curtis McElhinney

The most underrated goalie in the NHL.

If he were to be the starting goalie from the start of the Bruins/Hurricanes series, it would have been a very different series.

I was impressed with this goalie since he was the backup for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Curtis deserves to be the starting goalie!

 

[TCK]

Who do you think will be the more formidable opponent for the Boston Bruins:

San Jose Sharks or St. Louis Blues

??

 

[briguy]

San Jose playings St Louis Blues as of this posting..game should be good not one sided like last night game.

Predicting St Louis win

 

[TCK]

On now:

St. Louis Blues v San Jose Sharks

Western Conference Final Game 4. Sharks lead 2 games to 1.

The Blues’ loss due to an illegal hand pass should cause them to play fiercely tonight.

 

[TCK]

St. Louis has really come alive. Often times illegal or missed calls are turning points. Let's see if this is the case in this series. Great game so far.

 

[TCK]

On now:

St. Louis Blues v San Jose Sharks

Western Conference Final. Game 5. Series tied at 2 games each. Winner will take the stranglehold on the series.

 

[TCK]

San Jose just fell apart. I wouldn't have been able to predict that. Amazing how things can take a sharp turn.

St. Louis is 1 win away from the Stanley Cup final.

 

[briguy]

San Jose just fell apart. I wouldn't have been able to predict that. Amazing how things can take a sharp turn.

St. Louis is 1 win away from the Stanley Cup final.

Big game tonight...predict a St. Louis win..

 

[Chris Hydrick]

Big game tonight...predict a St. Louis win..

Sharks down 0-2 at the end of the first period. Not looking good...

... though given the sharks playoffs performance this year, a comeback win in game 6, followed by a game 7 victory to send them to the Cup seems fitting.

C'mon sharks!

Also...

For all you delinquents having trouble finding quality free streams, JokerLiveStream(.com) has just about every sporting event.

 

[Chris Hydrick]

how do think the Sharks would do against the Bruins?

As dumb as this answer may be...

I think it comes down to whichever team has the most magic left.

Boston has won 7 straight. I wonder if any of Boston's players have daydreamt about going on a 11-game win streak to win the Cup. Ha. Magic.

On the other hand,

The sharks are out.

They were out multiple times in this playoffs.

To include,

...

But magic saved them.

So if the sharks have any magic whatsoever left in the tank. We'll probably find out in the 3rd.

And if they make it past the Blues tonight, will they have enough magic left to complete the storybook championship run?

Either way, I'm rooting for a historic ending: Sharks win 4-straight game 7 series OR Bruins will 11-straight games to win the cup.

 

[TCK]

Stanley Cup Final 2019

St. Louis Blues v Boston Bruins​

At this point I predict Bruins will take the Cup home once again. Although I'd like the Blues to win.

Boston is far more physical, most of the team has been here before, and they also have the skill, and they are the most consistent team so far. Not a fan of Marchand. But he's been good for the Bruins.