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In: Central Division, Pacific Division, Playoffs
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The Winnipeg Jets had the Nashville Predators on the ropes, but last year’s runner up was able to dig deep and force a Game 7. While a Game 7 win is energizing on its own, Game 1 on Saturday could be a rude awakening for the Jets as the Vegas Golden Knights have been kicking back since last Sunday. The question is, will the advantage be to the fresh team or the one riding a wave of adrenaline to kick off the series. The Ride So Far These two teams both came into the season with something in common, no one was really sure they’dRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, Metropolitan Division, Playoffs
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With the Tampa Bay Lightning’s game five win over the Boston Bruins, the Bolts stamped their ticket to the Eastern Conference final, where they will meet the Washington Capitals, avoiding a repeat of the 2015/16 Conference finals. The Bolts were knocked out of that tilt by Pittsburgh, so the team will definitely aiming to do better against Ovi & Friends. How did we get here? The Tampa Bay/Boston match-up in the second round was a bizarre affair, with the news being unfairly dominated by Brad Marchand‘s unsporting actions. Despite a 6-2 thumping in the opening game of the series, the Lightning were able pick apartRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, Playoffs
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Well, Boston Bruins fans, your 2018 season is over, at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. And sadly, that means it’s time to rehash what went wrong, which is going to feel like throwing salt in fresh wounds. But, fear not because Brad Marchand is here for you! He will be returning to Beantown to focus on his summer gig, licking the wounds of every salty Bruins fan that watched their favorite teams season get turned into a thousand memes. Seriously Boston, he’s your rat. Little Ball of Ewww Maybe if the Little Ball of Hate had spent a little more time focusing onRead More →

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In: Central Division, Playoffs
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The Nashville Predators came into the NHL playoffs expected to be a real contender for the Stanley Cup, and many believed that they were poised to make a return to the Stanley Cup Final.  They won the President’s Trophy; they had a historic season where they dominated on their home sheet of ice, and on the road. The Preds were the big tough schoolyard bully, and they came into the 2018 NHL Playoffs ready to shakedown some opponents and take their allowance. That is not what’s happened. Shakedown Street? The Preds rolled into the first round looking to annihilate the wounded Colorado Avalanche. A teamRead More →

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Leading 3-2 midway through the third period Friday night, the Bruins looked set to tie up this series. Unfortunately, Tampa Bay rallied to win 4-3 in OT. Against the deafening boo’s at TD, they now face a 3-1 series deficit. While this series has been close, Bruce Cassidy and his merry men will need to put on their comeback hats. Boston has some sheer class on the ice, but they also went all in at the trade deadline. February 20 to 26 was a productive time, but has it all paid off? Trade Deadline Recap Rick Nash was the big name on everyone’s lips. TheRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, NHL, Playoffs
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In a league where contact to the head continues, who would have thought a tongue to the face would require attention. The NHL obviously believed that Boston Bruins’ forward, Brad Marchand, would not repeat himself. HA! Wrong again! Gross!! Friday night during Game 4 of Round 2, the Bean Town pest licked Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan‘s,face. The sad part is that this was not a first. Marchand performed the same atrocity against Toronto forward, Leo Komarov. As usual, Marchand was drawing the opposition to commit and infraction as pests do. He may run his mouth, poke players, and contact the head but lickingRead More →

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In: Atlantic Division, Playoffs
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It took seven games for one of Boston, but the final Second Round match-up in the Eastern Conference has been decided. The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Boston Bruins, with the winner heading to the Conference finals to face either Pittsburgh or Washington. How did we get here? When the Lightning drew the New Jersey Devils in the first round, many considered this to be the most one-sided match-up in the conference, if not the whole playoffs. The Bolts had just won the East, while the Devils, making their first appearance in the playoffs since the 2011/12 season, barely scraped into a wildcardRead More →

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In: Metropolitan Division, Playoffs
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Round two of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs will soon be here, we’ve already previewed both match-ups in the Western Conference, now it’s time we turned our attention to the east! The first series to be decided in the east will be played between the perennially disappointing Washington Capitals, and the current Cup holders, Pittsburgh. How did we get here? Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, the Washington Capitals won the Metropolitan division, but only managed the same points as the Toronto Maple Leafs (105). History tells us that the Caps aren’t good in the playoffs, and the Columbus Blue Jackets took advantage of thatRead More →

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In: Central Division, Playoffs
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The scene is now set in the for the second round games in the Western Conference, with the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets vying for a place in the Conference final. We’ve already previewed the Golden Knights Vs Sharks series, now it’s time for the Central division match-up: How did we get here? Before Jacob Trouba‘s game winning goal in the first period sealed the deal on Friday, the last time an NHL team in Winnipeg made the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs was in 1987. That was with the original iteration of the Winnipeg Jets. The current franchise has never been ableRead More →

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In: Pacific Division, Playoffs
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While other NHL teams are still thrashing it out, the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks have already seen off their first round opposition and will meet in the second round of the playoffs. Vegas thumped the LA Kings, while the Sharks circled and devoured the Anaheim Ducks. How did we get here? Both teams swept the first series but by virtue of scheduling, Vegas were the first to progress. Despite winning all four games, the series wasn’t exactly a classic with just a total of 10 goals scored by both teams. The Golden Knights arrived at the playoffs on the heels of theRead More →