hockey
We talk pucks and objects of that kind. We yell, complain, and analyze in the language of hockey fandom. Gretzky can do no wrong.
California Dreaming
For the Colorado Avalanche, the last few games saw one clear mission: get ready for the playoffs. The foregone conclusion that we'd be facing the Dallas Stars was there for weeks. Now it's official. We entered our home finale with nothing else to play for, and we entered the last two games of the regular season with that same motivation. After hosting the Vancouver Canucks, the Avalanche's regular season ended in Southern California with back-to-back games against both clubs.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Playoff Push 2025: The Remaining Pieces
Well, fellow puckheads, we are down to just four days left in the 2024-25 NHL regular season. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are less than a week away. I figured that all of the spots would be locked up by this point, but surprisingly, it's been a challenge. With very, very little time remaining, there's still quite a bit to decide. Let's talk about what we know for sure.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
Preparing for the Playoffs
There's always something special about the last home of the regular season in any sport; though in baseball, it would be the last home series. In the case of hockey, similar to basketball, it's 82 total games, 41 at home, 41 away. The Avalanche played our 41st and final home game of this regular season with really nothing much to play for other than thanking the fans for another great regular season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
How, oh How Will the Edmonton Oilers Blow it This Time?
Well, folks, the Edmonton Oilers are back in the playoffs. What, do they want a parade? Let's make one thing perfectly clear. This is the tenth year of the "Connor and Leon" Era in Edmonton. Hard to believe, isn't it? Yes, it's now been a full decade since the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been leading the Oilers together. Let's look at how that's fared for them, shall we? Playoffs don't come to them until 2016-17, which is Year Two of the duo playing together. Not bad. Beat out the defending West champs in San Jose, and made it to Game Seven of Round 2. More's to come, right? Not so fast.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
Jack Nicklaus’ Legendary Masters Legacy.
The Masters Tournament at Augusta National is more than just a golf championship—it’s a tradition steeped in history, drama, and unforgettable moments. As the 2025 Masters teed off on Thursday, April 10, fans around the world tuned in to watch stars like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau battle for the iconic green jacket. But even as new heroes emerge, the shadow of Jack Nicklaus, the greatest Masters champion of all time, looms large over Augusta’s pristine fairways. Let’s dive into the action from Round 1, explore how today’s players measure up to the “Golden Bear,” and celebrate why Nicklaus’ legacy remains unmatched.
By AB C9 months ago in Unbalanced
Devils Horn Their Way Into the Stanley Cup Playoffs
I am very excited that we are so very close to the end of the regular season, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs that come with it. Entering the final nine days of the regular season, five overall playoff spots remain open: two in the East, three in the West. Three teams entered this day with a chance to clinch spots, but two of them faced each other. The other team, well, they were off on this day. That team was the New Jersey Devils.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
The Century Mark
The Colorado Avalanche's three game swing ended with the team winning two of the three games, and it was during that stretch that the Avs locked in a playoff spot. Now it was time to play the last two home games in the regular season, and the first of those two games was a meeting with the Vegas Golden Knights. Scott Wedgewood was in net against Akira Schmid, and it only took nearly three minutes for the Knights to get a free power play. Honestly, that's longer than usual.
By Clyde E. Dawkins9 months ago in Unbalanced
Finally, Good Things Come to the Canadian Capital
You know, every sport has that one playoff clinch that you see and it hits some fans in the feels. Not just fans of the team involve, but fans of the central sport. When a team makes good, and especially when it's a team that's had a lot of hardship, bad luck, and black clouds hovering over them, it's among the best stories of that season. Regarding this NHL season, we expected the Buffalo Sabres to be said team, but they blew it. Again. 14 years without a postseason.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
A Moral Defeat?
Two days had passed since the Colorado Avalanche won big in Columbus, and we locked up a playoff spot for the eighth straight year. This past Saturday, the Avs were off to St. Louis for the last regular season meeting with the Blues. A week prior to this, the Avs were defeated by the Blues at Ball Arena, and this was our chance to get 'em back for that.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Playoff Push 2025: Doomsday
Eleven days. That's how much time remains in the NHL's regular season. Eleven short days. A lot happened in the past week, as the calendar turned to the month of April. While March is that final full month of the season, April is the end--the very last chance for a lot of teams. The final numbers get thinned out in April, as the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw closer and closer to occurring. As I said: Eleven days remain. That's two Wednesday doubleheaders on TNT. That's two more loaded Tuesdays and Thursdays. That's one more big Saturday, and also, one more Sunday featuring matinee doubleheaders on TNT.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Kings Look to Finally Topple Oilers, and Go From There
On an evening that saw both franchises from the Sunshine State join the playoff party, one team from the Golden State looked to become part of the NHL's Sweet 16 as well. On the penultimate Saturday of the regular season, the Los Angeles Kings entered that day standing at three points away from their fourth straight playoff appearance. That combination could come in the form of a win and a Calgary Flames loss, or only one point and Calgary losing in regulation. The Kings were in what many see as a playoff preview--a home game against the Edmonton Oilers. A 3-0 blanking of the Oilers reduced that magic number from three points to just one.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Defending Champs Looking Mighty Sus Right Now
A Saturday that featured 13 games on the docket also saw three teams with a chance to get into the playoffs. One said team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, punched their ticket when the Rangers were shutout by the Devils. That game also helped one scenario belonging to Tampa's in-state rivals, the Florida Panthers. Even so, the Panthers had the "win and in" scenario, but the Rangers' loss allowed the Panthers the privilege of getting in by simply reaching overtime. However, the Panthers were blanked by the Ottawa Senators. They still had one way in, but they would need help. That help came in the form of the Toronto Maple Leafs blanking the Columbus Blue Jackets.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
