Agreed, Tampa won’t lose this series but they certainly showed they’re gonna have issues going deep into these playoffs. You can’t lose a game like that at home
Tonight's Canes-Caps Game 1 went just like the other ones this season. Pretty close. The Canes dominated the first 10 minutes. Then Backstrom scored, shocking them a little, and it was 3-0 pretty quick with another Backstrom and Ovechkin goal tacked on. Then the 3rd period the Canes dominated again and nearly tied it, but couldn't quite get the 3rd goal in a 4-2 loss. Hopefully the Caps play better on Saturday.
After the 54 years Leafs fans have had, i can understand how winning the first game of the playoffs could feel like winning the Cup. Congrats!
I might have to change my thoughts on the CBJ vs Bolts. All of a sudden Tampa looks like they don’t have any answers for the Jackets.
This series reminds me a lot of the 2 series the Capitals played against both teams last year. Round 1 Columbus took a 2-0 lead on the Caps, only to lose the next 4. Round 3 the Caps took a 2-0 lead on the Bolts, eventually winning the series in 7. The difference is Columbus really feels like they are in control of the series right now. The pressure is all on Tampa Bay. The Blue Jackets are a good team too. Winning 4 out of 5 against them won't be easy.
Nothing would please me more than to see the Leafs and Bruins beat the hell out of each other for 7 games. Double points to the guy who leaves Tavares’ ACL on the ice.
I detect a sense of bitterness, lol. But you just might get what you want, JB. Nasty game last night. Plenty of cheap shots and after the whistle scrums. Refs lost control and it got ugly at times. I expect Kadri to get at least one game for his cross-check on Debrusk, even though that asshat had it coming. Monday night in Toronto should be interesting. On a sidetone, your Isles are playing very well. 13
Kadri cross check was a cheap shot but he was pissed about the kneeing he got from Debrusk who should have gotten a match penalty for intent to injure, he knew it was Kadri and he knew what he was doing
It was like a game of Blades of Steel; check, check, shoot. I’m interested to see if it continues to escalate or if they’ve gotten it out of their system. I’d assume the refs will control the games much tighter going forward.
I believe we will see a lot of 4 on 4 the next game. It always happens in the first round of the playoffs. Things settle down in the second round.
If the Jackets finish this off, and I suspect they will, I can’t see how Cooper survives another playoff disappointment. Going back to the Cup finals against the Blackhawks, which I thought they should have won, it’s been one playoff choke job after another for the Bolts. The question is what players go with him.
I knew Columbus would put up a good fight and surprise people, but this is crazy. Tampa Bay just looks shell-shocked. Unacceptable. I will say this: Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. And that crown is The President's Trophy. Something about it just makes it tougher to win the Cup. Anyone remember the last time the President's Trophy winner also won the Cup? I am not sure.
Looked it up. 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. The 2007-08 Red Wings too as you said. So 2 times in the last 16 years. That is crazy. I know the last 5 being the Rangers, Capitals twice, Predators last year, and now the Bolts will not even make it to the Stanley Cup Final. Unbelievable.
Impressive game from the Canes tonight. Showed some resilience after coming up empty in DC Building is rocking. Thursday night is a huge game.
