Off-Day Open Thread: April 21
Your thread to talk about the games that don't make us laugh and/or cry
Well, yesterday didn't get off to the start we wanted, but it's only one day, right? Beata had your sad Beata-cap from last night, for those who want to relive (or relitigate in the comments) last night.
This being a new feeling, being in the playoffs, we decided to introduce a new feature: off-day open threads. A place for those who want to discuss that day's games, scout the opposition, chirp the Habs, etc. Here's tonight's game and a burning question about each game.
Montreal Canadiens at Washington Capitals – Game 1
Series tied 0-0
7 pm on Sportsnet
The top of the East meets the last team to clinch their playoff spot. The Habs are getting a boost from Ivan Demidov wrapping up his KHL season and joining them. The Caps are getting a boost from being a much better, deeper team.
Burning Question: Whose goalie is ready to go? For the Capitals, Logan Thompson has had a great season but may potentially be hurt, and Charlie Lindgren has not been nearly as great this year. Meanwhile, for the Canadiens, Sam Montembeault was great down the stretch, but his season was .902, pretty much his career average of .899. Does Montembeault have a couple more weeks of greatness in him or will he regress?
St Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets – Game 2
WPG leads 1-0
7:30 pm on CBC
Winnipeg continued their Presidents Trophy-winning ways in Game 1, and we know Connor Hellebuyck is better than he showed in that game. The Blues are trying to show they aren't just happy to be here, but are fighting for a series win.
Burning Question: Will Robert Thomas rise to the occasion? There's no question Thomas is a great player, with 81 points in 70 games this season. And he scored a goal in Game 1. The problem is, he's definitely this Blues' team's best player. He basically needs to go beast mode and will this team to any win they get. The question is if he's "just" a great player, or if he's the kind of player that playoff legends are made of.
Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars – Game 2
COL leads 1-0
9:30 pm on Sportsnet360
Colorado made a statement in Game 1, crushing Dallas 5-1. Remember though that a year ago, the Jets beat the Avs 7-6 in Game 1, and then the Avs ran back four straight. Game 1s can be deceiving. (Repeat that last sentence a few times to yourselves, Sens fans.)
Burning Question: Can Dallas' depth hold? It's no secret the Stars' defence will struggle without their best player, Miro Heiskanen, who may be out for the whole series. They're also missing their best forward, Jason Robertson, for at least a couple more games. Not many teams can handle missing their best forward and defenceman at the same time. Dallas isn't most teams, but they're still in tough, especially against a relatively healthy Avalanche squad.
Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings – Game 1
Series tied 0-0
10 pm on Sportsnet
For the fourth year in a row, we have an Oilers/Kings first round. For the first time in that span, the Kings have home-ice advantage. We're waiting to see if McDrai can rekindle last season's magic, or if this retooled Kings team can finally slay the Edmontonian dragon.
Burning Question: Is Edmonton healthy? Edmonton has the best top-end talent in the league. But Connor McDavid sat out 3 weeks before the end of the season, playing his fewest non-Covid games since his rookie year – he did roar back with 10 points in the final 4 games of the season though. Draisaitl won the Rocket Richard, but also played the fewest non-Covid games since his rookie year. And he played just 10 minutes on April 3 and hasn't played since. Edmonton's got the best top-end talent here, but their depth is weak. If one (or both) of Connor and Leon is hurt, LA is the stronger team here.
