Missing Hedman was huge. He probably shouldn't have played Game 1 as well. Imagine Leafs without Rielly.
2019 NHL Playoff Predictions
- Thread starter glamphotographer
- Start date
Islanders and Blue Jackets sweep their series. Good games. If I were an owner I would tell my club to NEVER win the President's Cup. It only fucks you up.Yes... YES.. Jets win in OT. Series is tied now
Perfect night for games.
Barry Trotz has done an amazing job with the Islanders.
Jets and Blues: Don't often see a 1-1 tie that's that exciting. End-to-end action.
Good to see the Jets continuing to rotate all 4 lines in overtime; no shortening of the bench. That's the kind of depth you need to survive in the playoffs.
I know it was discussed on the other thread that the league is planning to listen to complaints about the playoff format, but as the first series wind down a couple of things are evident:
- the league really wants to stoke divisional rivalries and that's working to a large extent.
- the first round series this year have all been outstanding. Like, all of them.
- it's only halfway through the first round and nobody has a clue who's going to win the Stanley Cup. Nobody.
So the league may or may not want to mess with a format that seems to be working the way they want it to. I have no strong opinion on this. There are pros and cons both ways.
One notable thing about that fight was that both players are Russian.
I can't think if I've ever seen two Russians duke it out in the NHL before, 1 on 1. They're supposed to be the skill guys.
Ain't that the truth. I'd say it's wide open!
I wonder if anyone bet on CBJ sweeping the series. The odds must've been huge!
I think this is the fourth or fifth time in NHL history that a President's Trophy winner was swept in the first round, and in all previous cases the team who swept them went on to win the Cup. Not saying the Blue Jackets will win, but it's an interesting fact.
From the articles I read using a Google search this is the first time ever that a President's Trophy winning team has been swept in the first round. The next worst defeat was the 2012 Canucks who won the President's Cup trophy then lost in the first round in 5 games to LA (who went on to win the Cup that year).
The President's Cup was introduced in 1986 so maybe before that the first place regular season team had been swept in the first round.
Incorrect, Tampa is the first President's Trophy winner to be swept ( zero wins) in the first match-up.
The previous GOAT President's Trophy choke holder was the 2012 Vancouver Canucks. They lost to LA in five games.
The "President's Trophy" is just a fancy way of saying first overall in the regular season. Not necessarily a curse. But in the case of the Tampa Bay, they just peaked way too soon, and they peaked in a way that allowed them to lose respect for the difficulty of putting wins together. However when a team's level and mentality dips a little at the wrong time, that lofty point total turns into a source of toxic pressure.
Maybe you answered your own question there. It could have been a spontaneous thing but maybe Svechnikov was trying to fire up his team a little bit and if it took Ovechkin off the ice or distracted him that wouldn't be a bad thing either. A hand or shoulder injury would be a bonus.
Obviously it didn't work out well for Svechnikov personally, but who's to say it didn't motivate the team? If they tie the series now ti could look like a rallying point.
Personally I think it was worse judgment on Ovechkin's part to get baited. Despite his physical advantage & experience he doesn't need to risk injury engaging in a non-critical play at his age. What if he fractured a hand bone or jammed his wrist or shoulder and was compromised for the rest of the series or even the entire post season?
Wow I have to admit that I have been way wrong on my first round predictions. But glad to see my Avalanche have punched their ticket for 2nd round. MacKinnon and Rantanen are exceptional talents. Now if the Leafs can dispose of the B's it would give me a hell of a lot to cheer for in round 2.
In other news, the Flyers have covered the Kate Smith statue.
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/.../flyers-cover-statue-kate-smith-racism-allegations-1.51052...
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/.../flyers-cover-statue-kate-smith-racism-allegations-1.51052...
So - most of my picks to win their first round have been eliminated (Tampa, Pittsburgh, Calgary, Winnipeg) and one is now facing elimination (Nashville) but I will be very happy if the Leafs prove my prediction of Bruins in 7 wrong tomorrow.
As a life long Habs fan it is not easy for me to cheer for the Leafs - but I am - Go Leafs Go!!!
As a life long Habs fan it is not easy for me to cheer for the Leafs - but I am - Go Leafs Go!!!
