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.
Have the Rumors of Tampa Bay's Demise Been Greatly Exaggerated?
The penultimate Saturday of the NHL regular season began with three teams with a chance to join the NHL's Sweet 16. In the West, the Jets, Golden Knights, Stars, and Avalanche are in. In the East, the Capitals, Hurricanes, and Maple Leafs are in. Three others could increase that total from seven to ten, and one of those three was the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts needed just one point, but they had two ways to get in before they took the ice. One of them involved the first game of the 13-game Saturday: the Rangers and Devils facing off.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Eight is a Magic Number for the Avalanche
As the song says, "I had a feeling that tonight was gonna be a good night." The reason why I was elated over the Colorado Avalanche's comeback win in Chicago wasn't just because it meant we could clinch the next day, it was because we made our scenario easier. The Avs entered this day, April 3, 2025, with a win and in scenario. Otherwise, we would have to look to the Anaheim Ducks' game against the Calgary Flames. The Avs were in Ohio facing the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were also playing for their playoff hopes, but they were decreasing. Not as bad as other teams, but Columbus was running out of time.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
On the Horizon
We are now in the month of April. Well... the Colorado Avalanche are. The second day of April marked the beginning of the last scraps of the regular season for the Avs. The month of March was very good to us, but on a down note, we ended March losing two straight. Granted one of them was post-regulation, but still, it's two straight losses. The Avs had seven games left, and five of them were on the road. The first of those games was a visit to Chicago, our last in the regular season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Ninth Time the Charm for Leafs?
Just a few moments after the Carolina Hurricanes locked in a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs did just that as well. Similar to the Canes, the Leafs had a simple scenario: just get one point. The Leafs were in a vital game against the Florida Panthers; vital because of where both teams are in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers scored first, but John Tavares tied it up, and Mitch Marner gave Toronto the lead in the 3rd. Seriously, they better pay Marner. Matthew Knies made it 3-1, and it looked good until Florida cut Toronto's lead in half. Even so, one point would put them in, but the Leafs wanted two on the spot, and while it wasn't easy, the Leafs got the job done in regulation.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Hurricanes Return to Playoffs with a Vengeance
The second day of April 2025 saw two teams with a chance to join this year's Stanley Cup Playoff party. Four teams already locked in spots, with the most recent team being the Vegas Golden Knights. The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the two teams; they had been making some amazing moves during the year, but they still remained a strong force this season. The Canes had a number of chances earlier in the year, but were unable to punch a ticket in.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
WrestleMania and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are Heading to Vegas
It really seems like yesterday that the Vegas Golden Knights debuted in the NHL, but it was actually eight years ago that Sin City received this franchise. This was quite a wild night in the NHL. Five teams--five teams---had a chance to clinch spots in this year's playoffs. Had all of them clinched, the playoff field would have been half full: eight teams in, eight spots remaining. However, the Montreal Canadiens winning against the Florida Panthers ended up killing four of the five teams' clinching scenarios, but there was still Vegas.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
So Many Shenanigans
The Colorado Avalanche, even with the loss to the red hot St. Louis Blues, were still having an amazing March. No matter what happens, the Avs will end the month of March in a prime position to reach the playoffs for the eighth straight season. The Avs were looking to end the month on that winning note, and in the last game of this homestand and of the month of March, we played host to the Calgary Flames. The Flames needed something badly. They were in the West's WC2 position weeks ago, but their woes, mixed with the Blues being a buzzsaw, have put them way behind.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Playoff Push 2025: April Showers
Happy April Fool's Eve! We are finally at the final day in March, which is a special day for wrestling fans, as today marks the 40th anniversary of the very first WrestleMania. In a way, it's also a special day for us puckheads, too, as after this day, the season enters the month of April--the danger zone. The last chance for many teams. So far, three teams are officially in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two more teams had chances to get in on Sunday, but didn't, but only because their scenarios didn't fall through--the teams did win their games.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Missed it by THAT Much
The Colorado Avalanche are one of the hottest teams in the league, having quite an amazing and impressive month of March. We entered Saturday afternoon coming off a huge shutout win over the Los Angeles Kings. The homestand continued on against the St. Louis Blues, who entered this meeting winning eight straight games and not knowing how to have a cool down. I am dead serious. Nobody expected the Blues to do, well, this. They tore it down about two years ago, yet here they are, above the playoff line, capitalizing from the faltering of the Canucks and Flames.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
Stars Return to Playoffs with a New Look, but the Same Goal
The final weekend of March had arrived, and that meant the playoff picture would really start to come together. Two teams punched tickets so far, leaving 14 total spots left in the NHL's Sweet 16, very fitting considering this weekend featured the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in college basketball. The team looking to get in: the Dallas Stars, who were part of the last game to start in a typical loaded hockey Saturday.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
"Alabama vs. Duke: The Epic March Madness Battle That Shook College Basketball"
Introduction Every year, the NCAA March Madness tournament brings unforgettable moments to college basketball, and the 2025 Elite Eight clash between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Duke Blue Devils was no exception. This highly anticipated showdown captured the attention of millions, as two powerhouse programs battled for a spot in the prestigious Final Four. With Cooper Flagg leading Duke and Alabama setting new records in three-point shooting, the game delivered an intense display of skill, strategy, and resilience.
By amgad10 months ago in Unbalanced
Closing In and Closing Fast
Hard to believe that we are approaching the very end of the month of March. On the evening of March 27, baseball had officially returned, but while baseball had the Opening Day spotlight, there were still things to decide in hockey. Playoff spots needed to be filled--fourteen of them remaining, and two of the teams looking to join the NHL's Sweet 16 were the Colorado Avalanche and the Los Angeles Kings. I say both teams are looking to join, but honestly, it's a foregone conclusion that we'll see both teams in the playoffs, as they are two of the hottest teams in the Western Conference.
By Clyde E. Dawkins10 months ago in Unbalanced
