2020 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Single-handedly killing this team. I have no idea why he's out there this game. He was brutal against Tampa (on ice for all five goals), brutal in game one (on ice for both NYI goals), and brutal again today. I get that this team doesn't have good D depth, but Keeper is out there today and playing well. Instead of swapping Keeper and Stillman, let both those kids play and send Matheson as far away from the team as you possibly can.

Really shaking my confidence in Q, here. I'm down with every other decision he's made this year, but dressing Matheson today just makes no sense.

 

And that contract.
He’s always played like this too. I hated having him at BC. Just so risky on the backend.

 

Albatross contract. Because Tallon, after seeing very little of him, decided a 7 year deal worthy of a solid second pair player would be a steal... Instead, he's an anchor around this franchise's neck.

I've always hated that people get enamored by offensive ability from defensemen. Defense first. Give me a guy who can actually play defense, make sound decisions, and not put his team at risk, versus a guy who can pretend he's a forward a few times a game.

 

WOW............Rags go out 3 straight.

 

And Canucks tie up the Wild 1-1..........Yahoo this should go 5.........Go Canucks Go.

 

2 quick goals to start the 3rd period and the Panthers have a 3-1 lead... hope they can hang on.

 

Panthers hang on... stayin alive.

 

Panthers with the win......guess who didnt play. and they dressed 7 D!

 

I really like Vancouver in this series.
In fact I lost $50 on the first game of this series, had Vancouver and the under. F'in Spurgeon!

 

Marincin to replace Muzzin for Maple Leafs in Game 3 of Cup Qualifiers
Will play against Blue Jackets with defenseman out after injury

 

Yeah, go figure I missed all but the first period because of a work meeting. The game they win.

Seeing Matheson scratched was the most excited I've been all year. He was off the dressed list before start of Game 2, but was back on just minutes beforehand. So I didn't trust it today until I confirmed he wasn't sitting on the bench. Then I threw a party.

They've actually been dressing 7 D for most of the year - Mark Pysyk has been playing 4th line W much of the year, with some success. For a team lacking puck possession, defensive positioning, toughness, etc, he can compensate for all of those when he's on the ice. It's really helped stop the bleeding. Nearly every Panthers fan I know is clamoring to get him off the ice and get someone like Tippett out there, but... they're morons. Absolute morons.

I don't know if they can win one more, let alone two more in a row. I thought they'd get swept. But with Matheson off the ice, they may just eliminate enough of those stupid mistakes to get by. Bobrovsky has looked good all series.

 

Haven't gotten to watch any other hockey, as of yet. My schedule has been packed, and so has the NHL's. I'll probably clear some time to watch next round, once we're technically in the playoffs. I've missed some terrific games / performances, apparently.

 

I honestly don't think anyone outside NY thought that series was going to be remotely competitive. For NYR fans, they've gotta be stoked that they made it this far. That's a team that has a ton of young talent coming up, and has a bright future. If you had asked at the start of the year, I would've picked them as most improved at year's end. That said, I didn't think they'd be within a game of a wildcard spot when the season was called off. That alone is a great finish. I hate that they're probably going to be back on top of things in short order, barring any terrible decisions / let downs.

Carolina is in a similar position, just a couple years ahead. Young team with lots of talent, now getting beyond the rebuilding phase and genuinely in the contending phase. Beyond the usual favorites, this was the scariest team coming in, to me. Very much looking forward to their next round. I can't stand their fan base (just interactions I've had), and I hate that our GM was stupid enough to trade them Trocheck and Reimer for peanuts and a buyout contract, but... I gotta recognize.