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.
A Look at the 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers
As a Colorado Avalanche fan, I'm still amazed by how dominant of a Stanley Cup run that the team had. The Avalanche went 16-4 in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which is their best of their three championship runs; going 16-6 in 1996 and 16-7 in 2001. The record tied them with four other championship teams for the 2nd-best since 1987: the 1993 Montréal Canadiens, the 1995 New Jersey Devils, the 1997 Detroit Red Wings, and the 2012 Los Angeles Kings. 1987 was the year that the first round (the Division Semifinals) extended from a best-of-five format to the current best-of-seven format, and in that time, only one team had a better playoff record en route to the Stanley Cup, and that was the Edmonton Oilers in 1988.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
A Look at the Tampa Bay Lightning's Three-Year Run
As a diehard hockey fan, I really enjoyed this insane run from the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was something that hadn't been seen in the NHL in nearly four decades; going to three straight Stanley Cup Finals. It was an absolutely fun sight to see, and to think, in the first few years after losing the Cup Final in 2015, the Lightning actually had problems getting it done when it counted. The year after saw the Bolts in the Eastern Conference Final, but they lost a seven-game thriller to the Pittsburgh Penguins, while 2017 saw them out of the playoffs entirely. In 2018, the Lightning reached the Eastern Conference Final and led 3-2 after five games, but they suddenly forgot how to score--getting shutout in both Games Six and Seven by the Washington Capitals.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Final Game Six: After 21 Years.... Top Story - June 2022.
Where were you on June 9, 2001? You know where I was? I was in my living room watching Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final between the Colorado Avalanche and the New Jersey Devils. I watched as Alex Tanguay scored those two goals (one in the first, one in the second), and Joe Sakic put one in as well. I watched as the Avs won 3-1 and captured the Stanley Cup, and I remember that feeling so well. I wanted it again. Fast forward 21 years and 17 days, and that feeling returned.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Final Game Five: Opportunity Knocks
Ball Arena was rocking for Game Five of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, as the Colorado Avalanche were back on their home ice with a chance to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 21 years. The Tampa Bay Lightning were looking to make things difficult for the Avalanche, and force one final home game of their season.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Final Game Four: Hail to the Kuemperor
There was a bit of unrest in the Colorado Avalanche fanbase after Game Three. Let's get one thing straight: the Avalanche were not sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fans knew (or had to have known) that the Lightning would try to strike back big time in Game Three, especially after the shellacking they received in Game Two. The Bolts won 6-2 to get on the board in this year's Stanley Cup Final, and Game Four became pivotal for both teams. A Tampa Bay win means that the series would be deadlocked entering Game Five in Denver. A Colorado win means that they could go home with a chance to win the whole thing on home ice.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Final Game Three: Pound of Flesh
The Tampa Bay Lightning entered Amalie Arena knowing what was at stake in this year's Stanley Cup Final. They were down 2-0 against the Colorado Avalanche, with Game One being an OT loss while Game Two was an out and out rout. They needed to get back on track, and the scene shifting to their home ice is a good way to do it. However, they did receive some bad news: Brayden Point was out for Game Three. Point missed the last two series before returning in Game One, but his previous issue had resurfaced. As for the Avalanche, they were still without Nazem Kadri, and they received the news that Andre Burakovsky would be out as well.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Final Game Two: Bombardment!
Since around 5-10 minutes after Andre Burakovsky his OT goal in Game One, I had my thoughts and concerns about Game Two. As a Colorado Avalanche fan, I was wary. This is the Tampa Bay Lightning, the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champions. They are going to want to bounce back from that defeat, and Andrei Vasilevskiy will look to get some semblance of payback. I figured that the Avalanche would be in for a hell of a challenge in Game Two.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Stanley Cup Final Game One: Working Overtime
7,676 days. That's how long it had been since the Colorado Avalanche last played in the Stanley Cup Final. That's how long Avalanche fans had been waiting to see their beloved team play for the hardest prize to win in pro sports: the Stanley Cup. In this go-around, the Avalanche had to go toe-to-toe with the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. For the Avs, they're looking to win their third Stanley Cup overall. For the Lightning, they're looking to win their third straight Stanley Cup--something no team has done in four decades.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
2022 Stanley Cup Final Preview
Well, hockey fans, we finally made it. It's been a gritty, rough, and spectacular season of hockey, but after six months of regular season action, and three thrilling playoff rounds, we are down to the final two teams left standing in the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup Final is the ultimate ending to a thrilling sport; the culmination of a season of blood, sweat, and tears. Each of the teams involved enter the Summer Classic needing only four wins to capture the ultimate prize, the greatest in all of professional sports: the Stanley Cup. It's hard to win the Stanley Cup, and it's every bit as hard to get to the Final, but these two teams managed to battle their way to this pivotal point. They are as follows:
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Out of Gas and Out of Tricks
It is amazing how far the New York Rangers have come in just a short time. The 2020 bubble was very disappointing for the Rangers; they were part of the expanded playoffs that year, but not only were they defeated in the Qualifying Round, they were the only team to be swept in the best-of-five series. However, there was a silver lining. Losing the Qualifying Round allowed them to join the other seven eliminated teams in the lottery for the #1 pick, which the Rangers ended up winning to draft Alexis Lafreniere.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Oilers Swept in Chaotic West Final. Top Story - June 2022.
The Battle of Alberta series didn't just determine who would represent the Pacific Division in the Conference Finals, it was a battle to see who would be the last Canadian team standing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That honor ended up going to the Edmonton Oilers, after a five game series win, and it was their first Final Four appearance since 2006--the year that the Oilers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final and fell just one win short. The Oilers faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, and it was a marquee matchup: Connor McDavid vs Nathan MacKinnon. I was one of many fans who was salivating over this battle between two of the biggest stars in the NHL.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
What Went Wrong: Another Elite Eight Loss for Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes' 2022 Stanley Cup Playoff run was an interesting one, to say the least. After managing to finish first in the Metropolitan Division, the Hurricanes ended up in a dogfight against a Boston Bruins team that was sputtering. Seven games, but the Hurricanes won because of home-ice--the home team won all seven games. The Canes went on to face the New York Rangers in what went on to be a hotly contested series, and just like their first series against the Bruins, the home team kept winning games.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
