Off-Day Thread: April 27th
A look at all the playoff series not occuring at the center of the universe
The Ottawa Senators won the Stanley Cup last night and I really don't care what anyone has to say otherwise. Someone mentioned during the broadcast that the Sens had never won an elimination game in franchise history. I have no idea how I missed that stat (they must be confused with game sevens in franchise history) but for now it doesn't matter!
Yesterday's Games:
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers (FLA leads 2-1): On the one hand we can always wonder how differently things could have gone for Ottawa if they had played one of the Florida teams but at the same time Ottawa needs to conquer their demons one of these decades. A lot of folks see this series as automatic for the Panthers but Tampa has some pedigree of their own. This feels more like a second or third round matchup. I hate the new divisions and playoff format by the way. Look for Tampa to tie the series.
Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild (Series tied 2-2): I don't know that I can name a professional sports team that I've ever hates as incipiently as Vegas. Most teams need at least a year for me to find something to hate but I hated the Knights before they even existed. I want Filip Gustavsson to steal this series so badly. A lot of North American cities claim to have the worst luck in sports but Minnesota as a state has had some kind of run since the Twins last won a world series. No pressure, Kaprizov.
Dallas Stars at Colorado Avalanche (Series tied 2-2): Another series featuring two teams who probably should have met later in the playoffs but also if you let Winnipeg win the division then you need to ask yourself some questions. Cody Ceci's comically charmed career continues as he adds Mikko Rantanen to a list of teammates that already included Erik Karlsson, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid. I find it extremely easy to root from afar for Ceci and Matt Duchene on their hilarious journeys towards glory. I still think Dallas can do it in seven games.
Today's Games:
1PM - Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues (WPG leads 2-1): Unpopular opinion: Go Blues? I know their goalie eats garbage. Other than that though I want good things for Mathieu Joseph and I like that St. Louis made Boston look silly for firing a good coach. I also think that if Ottawa can't have nice things then no Canadian city can, obviously. St. Louis can absolutely get this series tied in Missouri.
3:30 - Carolina Hurricanes at New Jersey Devils (CAR leads 2-1): Just like the Florida series, people have already written off New Jersey but Stefan Noesen has managed to hang around the league this long and this must be the reason why. I think Carolina deserves a coward's fate for not gambling on Rantanen as a rental. Jakob Markstrom, do the thing.
6:30 - Washington Capitals at Montreal Canadiens (WSH leads 2-1): I don't think I need to explain this one. I want all the bad things to happen to Montreal (shared equally with Toronto). I don't consider Washington quite as good as their regular season record but come on, Caps, get it over with. Make it quiet ass metro ride home.
9:30 - Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers (LAK leads 2-1): Like I said with Winnipeg, only one Canadian team can enjoy success (assuming it's Ottawa). I don't care about national pride. Look for the Kings two wrap this up in five.
