2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[MU82]

Game 5, Seattle at Colorado:

Avs star Nathan MacKinnon thought he was tripped but nothing was called. He slammed his stick in protest and took his time getting to the bench as he jawed with the ref.

That resulted in a slow line change for the Avs ... which gave the Kraken an advantage as they raced into Colorado ice ... and the Kraken scored the go-ahead goal.

[PGsHeroes32]

Kraken have played the Aves incredibly well so far this series.

[Uncle Rico]

Bruins woof

[MuggsyB]

Kraken have played the Aves incredibly well so far this series.

Who in their right mind would root against The Kraken?

[MU82]

The Boston Bruins had what arguably was the best regular season in NHL history.

I'm guessing they'd have traded all the records they set for a longer playoff run.

[PGsHeroes32]

The Boston Bruins had what arguably was the best regular season in NHL history.

I'm guessing they'd have traded all the records they set for a longer playoff run.

Regular season hockey is meaningless mostly.

Just gotta get in the playoffs to have a chance.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

The Boston Bruins had what arguably was the best regular season in NHL history.

I'm guessing they'd have traded all the records they set for a longer playoff run.

I see what you did there

[The Sultan of Semantics]

Rooting for a Leafs / Oilers final so one of the most bizarre streaks in sports history can finally be broken - it's been 30 years since a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup. I know there are fundamental economic differences that make it difficult for Canadian teams, but even then it's a ridiculous streak. It included six Canadian teams making the finals, three of those series going seven games, and two times when the Canadian team had a 3-2 series lead and could have closed it out at home.

In the 30 years prior to the Habs win in 1993, Canadian teams won 20 of the 30 Stanley Cups.

[MU82]

I see what you did there

Oh ... it was actually unintentional. Didn't mean to reference the Marquette debate.

Meanwhile ...

In addition to the record-setting and prohibitive-favorite Bruins getting ousted, the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche are out after the Kraken beat them 2-1 in Game 7 last night.

It appeared that the Avs had tied the game early in the third period, but the Kraken won a challenge that the Avs had gone offside on the play and the goal was taken off the board. Seattle then withstood a late barrage to hold on, becoming the only team in NHL history to beat the defending champs in its first-ever playoff series.

Because of the bounces that pucks take -- there were 2 playoff goals scored off guys' faces, for example -- and because of the outsized role a goaltender can play, the Stanley Cup playoffs are as close as pro team sports come to being ... speaking of debates that go on too long ... a crapshoot.

[Uncle Rico]

Rooting for a Leafs / Oilers final so one of the most bizarre streaks in sports history can finally be broken - it's been 30 years since a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup. I know there are fundamental economic differences that make it difficult for Canadian teams, but even then it's a ridiculous streak. It included six Canadian teams making the finals, three of those series going seven games, and two times when the Canadian team had a 3-2 series lead and could have closed it out at home.

In the 30 years prior to the Habs win in 1993, Canadian teams won 20 of the 30 Stanley Cups.

Thanks, Biden

[Pakuni]

Snoop Dogg part of group bidding for the Ottawa Senators.

It appears Ryan Reynolds is not the only A-list celebrity with an eye towards purchasing the Ottawa Senators.
The Athletic has learned that Snoop Dogg has aligned himself with the bid fronted by Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Neko Sparks.
Sources with knowledge of the Sparks bid — but who are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter — confirmed the iconic hip-hop artist has joined forces with Sparks in an aggressive pursuit of the Ottawa Senators franchise.

https://theathletic.com/4476797/2023/05/01/snoop-dogg-ottawa-senators-sale/

[JWags85]

While not TECHNICALLY incorrect, the talking of this bid being Neko Sparks' is hilarious.  He's a no name wannabe actor who seems to be friendly with people in Hollywood like the Rock.  The vast majority of the money is coming from the Reuben Brothers, who are basically the richest dudes in the UK, and the Rock.

Spark's Twitter profile pic is him standing in front of the Senator's home ice wearing a messenger bag, while getting a tour of the arena.  Hilarious

[muwarrior69]

Regular season hockey is meaningless mostly.

Just gotta get in the playoffs to have a chance.

Like most pro sports these days.

[MU82]

Joe Pavelski scored all 4 Dallas goals Tuesday vs. Seattle ... and Leon Draisaitl got all 4 Edmonton goals Wednesday vs. Vegas ... and on each occasion, the 4-goal-scorer's team lost.

[DegenerateDish]

Wow, the tank worked for the Hawks.

[Pakuni]

This seems odd

@BetMGM
87.8% of the handle was on the Chicago Blackhawks to win the first overall pick (+650) 😳

[tower912]

Fix

[Pakuni]

Cover up sexual assault, shamelessly tank, get rewarded with a generational talent.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

This seems odd

@BetMGM
87.8% of the handle was on the Chicago Blackhawks to win the first overall pick (+650) 😳

Vegas got killed

[PointWarrior]

Oh ... it was actually unintentional. Didn't mean to reference the Marquette debate.

Meanwhile ...

In addition to the record-setting and prohibitive-favorite Bruins getting ousted, the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche are out after the Kraken beat them 2-1 in Game 7 last night.

It appeared that the Avs had tied the game early in the third period, but the Kraken won a challenge that the Avs had gone offside on the play and the goal was taken off the board. Seattle then withstood a late barrage to hold on, becoming the only team in NHL history to beat the defending champs in its first-ever playoff series.

Because of the bounces that pucks take -- there were 2 playoff goals scored off guys' faces, for example -- and because of the outsized role a goaltender can play, the Stanley Cup playoffs are as close as pro team sports come to being ... speaking of debates that go on too long ... a crapshoot.

7 games series now crapshoots?    This is the proof we just need to use regular season analytics to determine the post season champs.

[MU82]

Cover up sexual assault, shamelessly tank, get rewarded with a generational talent.

If it were the NBA and if the Knicks or Lakers got the #1 pick like this, conspiracy theories would be running amok.

[wadesworld]

What are the odds of the Bulls getting the #1 pick?  I might need to get in on that action.

[DegenerateDish]

What are the odds of the Bulls getting the #1 pick?  I might need to get in on that action.

I was thinking that too, it’d be wild if three Chicago teams ended up with the first overall pick in the same year.

White Sox doing their best to continue that in 2024.

[MU82]

What are the odds of the Bulls getting the #1 pick?

Poor. Michael Jordan's current team is gonna get Wembanyama!

[MU82]

Florida Panthers just beat Toronto in OT to advance.

Big night for South Florida pro sports. Like the Heat, the Panthers are the 8-seed in their conference.

[Uncle Rico]

Florida Panthers just beat Toronto in OT to advance.

Big night for South Florida pro sports. Like the Heat, the Panthers are the 8-seed in their conference.

Just need the Oilers to lose and we’ll have eliminated the Canadian menaces to hockey

[tower912]

One.more year of disappointment for the polite socialists.  Oh, well, there are always Tim-bits and poutine.

[The Sultan of Semantics]

Oilers aren’t done yet!

[tower912]

True.   I just couldn't get that image out of my head.

[MU82]

Tempe voters rejected a proposal for a new Coyotes arena, and the team is now considered likely to leave Arizona.

The proposal called for the arena to be privately funded but opponents of the deal said it would have given the owner more than $500 million in tax breaks. They also were still upset that the team has unpaid bills from when it played in suburban Glendale.

Cities talked about include Atlanta -- which already has failed twice to as an NHL city but is buildng a new suburban arena -- Houston and Salt Lake City.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Tempe voters rejected a proposal for a new Coyotes arena, and the team is now considered likely to leave Arizona.

The proposal called for the arena to be privately funded but opponents of the deal said it would have given the owner more than $500 million in tax breaks. They also were still upset that the team has unpaid bills from when it played in suburban Glendale.

Cities talked about include Atlanta -- which already has failed twice to as an NHL city but is buildng a new suburban arena -- Houston and Salt Lake City.

Move to Hartford where this team will be welcome almost unconditionally.
Hartford/New Haven market is regularly Top 10 in NHL viewership.
Whalers gear is still among the best selling for NHL items.
Connecticut has some of the best hockey talent outside Minnesota and Massachusetts.
And the college teams sell out and win championships and go to Frozen 4s.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Tempe voters rejected a proposal for a new Coyotes arena, and the team is now considered likely to leave Arizona.

The proposal called for the arena to be privately funded but opponents of the deal said it would have given the owner more than $500 million in tax breaks. They also were still upset that the team has unpaid bills from when it played in suburban Glendale.

Cities talked about include Atlanta -- which already has failed twice to as an NHL city but is buildng a new suburban arena -- Houston and Salt Lake City.

This is interesting.  The new arena (or at least "a" new arena) is part of a large mixed use development planned for about 3-4 miles from where I live  in northern suburban Atlanta, I just read the announcement about it within the past week.  Wonder if that's the one.  Do you have any other details?

[The Sultan of Semantics]

This is interesting.  The new arena (or at least "a" new arena) is part of a large mixed use development planned for about 3-4 miles from where I live  in northern suburban Atlanta, I just read the announcement about it within the past week.  Wonder if that's the one.  Do you have any other details?

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/forsyth-county-new-arena-nhl-team

[The Sultan of Semantics]

Move to Hartford where this team will be welcome almost unconditionally.
Hartford/New Haven market is regularly Top 10 in NHL viewership.
Whalers gear is still among the best selling for NHL items.
Connecticut has some of the best hockey talent outside Minnesota and Massachusetts.
And the college teams sell out and win championships and go to Frozen 4s.

They'd need a better arena than the XL Center.

This is where they should move.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videotron_Centre

[ATL MU Warrior]

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/forsyth-county-new-arena-nhl-team

Thank you.  That's the one. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

They'd need a better arena than the XL Center.

Definitely!

[MU82]

They'd need a better arena than the XL Center.

This is where they should move.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videotron_Centre

I love Quebec City, and it certainly would be the romantic choice. But it's a metro area of about a million and it brings nothing to the TV folks.

Move to Hartford where this team will be welcome almost unconditionally.
Hartford/New Haven market is regularly Top 10 in NHL viewership.
Whalers gear is still among the best selling for NHL items.
Connecticut has some of the best hockey talent outside Minnesota and Massachusetts.
And the college teams sell out and win championships and go to Frozen 4s.

I'd love to have the Whalers back and I think they'd be supported. I agree with Sultan about the XL Center, though, and I also wonder if Boston would have veto power. (I'm not sure how the latter works in the NHL.)

[JWags85]

I love Quebec City, and it certainly would be the romantic choice. But it's a metro area of about a million and it brings nothing to the TV folks.

I don't disagree, but SLC is talked about and you could say pretty much the exact same thing for them.  Size and all.

[MU82]

I don't disagree, but SLC is talked about and you could say pretty much the exact same thing for them.  Size and all.

True.

But ... 'Murica!

[Pakuni]

Toronto would be the best choice, but can't imagine the Leafs allowing that.
Houston has a ton of advantages.  Largest market without a team. Adequate arena. History of support for hockey (the AHL team there did well until it moved). Lots of corporate dollars. No need for conference realignment. Bittman gets to keep a team in the southern US.

[MU82]

Toronto would be the best choice, but can't imagine the Leafs allowing that.
Houston has a ton of advantages.  Largest market without a team. Adequate arena. History of support for hockey (the AHL team there did well until it moved). Lots of corporate dollars. No need for conference realignment. Bittman gets to keep a team in the southern US.

Houston is the leader. Totally agree about Toronto being able to support a second team but it's been floated many times before and the Leafs won't allow it.

[JWags85]

Toronto would be the best choice, but can't imagine the Leafs allowing that.
Houston has a ton of advantages.  Largest market without a team. Adequate arena. History of support for hockey (the AHL team there did well until it moved). Lots of corporate dollars. No need for conference realignment. Bittman gets to keep a team in the southern US.

Agreed, and I think there is not-insignificant amount of Canadian transplants in the greater Houston area from the O&G industry, which could help.