Today is clean out day at Bridgestone Arena. Players will clean out their lockers, have final meetings with the coaches and have one final interview session with the media beginning right after David Poile and Peter Laviolette have their final presser of the season. Clean out day in April is unusual in Pred Nation these days, instead of prepping for a game seven tonight, the team is prepping for next season.
We will be breaking it all down tonight on SlapShot Radio at 7pm on 102.5 the Game. Moving on to look at last night’s insanity…
For those that want to change the playoff setup, I have one question…
Why?
This first round has been insane, crazy, unpredictable, compelling and any other descriptor you can find. It has been riveting hockey, and last night was the cherry on the cake, even though there is one more game seven tonight.
Toronto going down to Boston in seven… again. My lord, this Leafs team is turning into a tragedy worthy of Shakespeare and… Welcome to the NHL Vegas. After catching every possible break for almost two full season, the Golden Knights had one go against them, and it was a BIG one.
I think we can all agree that it may not have been the best penalty call on the play where Joe Pavelski was injured about halfway into the third period last night… Only folks that wear teal-shaded glasses could think that was a good call, but here is the rub…
You cannot give up four goals in 4:01… you simply can’t. The penalty is on the refs… the reaction is on Vegas. To be really honest, as fired up and pissed as the Sharks were after helping Pavelski off the ice… I’m not sure the penalty made a real difference, the Sharks turned Pavelski’s injury into a rallying cry and the Knights couldn’t handle the feeding frenzy. That series was an object lesson in closing out a team when you have the opportunity, not only did Vegas blow a 3 goal lead last night, they also blew a 3-1 lead in the series.
Tonight is game seven of the Capitals / Hurricanes series. My heart is pulling for the Hurricanes… but there is that twisted part of me that wants to see an Islanders / Capitals matchup… the storylines are just too juicy!
This first round has been simply awesome to watch, change it? Aww hell no.
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The
Playoff Status section
The Eastern Conference
(1) Tampa Bay vs (WC2) Columbus – CBJ Wins 4-0 – Next Up – Boston
(2) Boston vs. (3) Toronto – BOS wins 4-3 – Next up – Columbus
(1) Washington vs. (WC1) Carolina – Series tied 3-3 – Game 7, tonight
(2) NY Islanders vs (3) Pittsburgh – NYI Wins 4-0 – Next Up – Winner of WSH/CAR
The Western Conference
(1) Calgary vs (WC2) Colorado – COL wins 4-1 – Next Up – San Jose
(2) San Jose vs (3) Vegas – SJS wins 4-3 – Next Up - Colorado
(1) Nashville vs. (WC1) Dallas – DAL wins 4-2 – Next Up – St. Louis
(2) Winnipeg vs. (3) St. Louis – STL wins 4-2 – Next Up – Dallas
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals are down 0-2 in their best-of-5 playoff series with Iowa. They have been outscored 13-1 over their two games in Iowa, the series comes back to Milwaukee for the next three with the Ad’s on the brink of elimination. Game three is tomorrow night at UM-Panther Arena.
- Whining – The whining coming from Vegas is ridiculous… yes, it was a borderline call but no Mr. Marchessault, the referees didn’t steal the game from you… unless they were responsible to the penalty kill… and oh… by the way… if you won game five or six, you wouldn’t have even been in the position.
- Possessed – Joe Thorton cam eback to the bench after helping Joe Pavelski off the ice and was quoted as saying… 'You guys go out and you get f---ing three goals right now.' I think the Sharks listened…
- Round two – The second round begins tomorrow night, with Boston hosting Columbus at 6pm and St. Louis hosting Dallas at 8:30pm. Colorado and San Jose drop the puck on Friday.
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