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.
West Division & Presidents' Trophy Race Down to the Wire
Wow! I knew when this season started and the format was announced that this would be immensely thrilling. I knew this not just as a hockey fan, but as a Colorado Avalanche fan as well. The Avalanche were placed in the West Division along with the three California teams (Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks), the Arizona Coyotes, the St. Louis Blues, the Minnesota Wild, and most importantly, the Vegas Golden Knights. This is the first and only time that the Avalanche and Golden Knights serve as division rivals, and the rivalry has been very intense and entertaining. It really is a shame that come next season, these two teams will be placed back in their respective divisions; the Golden Knights will be back in the Pacific Division, while the Avalanche will return to the Central Division.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Battle of Florida in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Dallas Stars by a score of 5-2, which gave the Central Division title to the Carolina Hurricanes. Why is that important? Because Carolina clinching first place officially locks in the first Stanley Cup Playoff series of this season, and for the first time ever, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Florida Panthers in a best-of-seven playoff series. These two teams have co-existed together for 28 years; the Lightning debuted in 1992, while the Panthers joined the league a year later in 1993. Though even then, the Lightning had a leg up on their in-state rivals, as their debut was the big story of the 1992-93 season, while the Panthers were pretty much overshadowed in the 1993-94 season, by the relocation of the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, and the debut of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
30 Years: A Look at the San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks have always fascinated me as a hockey fan. They debuted in the NHL in 1991, becoming Northern California's second and most successful attempt at an NHL franchise, after the failure of the Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals. This season, the Sharks are currently celebrating 30 years as a franchise, but this is actually their 29th season of play--their 30th playing season will occur next year. This team has been good for their entire existence, but can't seem to go far. Here's a look at their complete history.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
East Division Playoff Field Complete With Bruins Playoff Clinch
On Monday, the Boston Bruins defeated the New Jersey Devils, 3-0, to lock up the last remaining playoff spot in the NHL's makeshift East Division. For the Bruins, this is their fifth straight postseason, and they are two years removed from falling one win short of winning the Stanley Cup, while also coming off capturing the Presidents' Trophy last season. The playoff clinch comes mainly due to the efforts of the famed "Perfection Line," consisting of Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Patrice Bergeron; however, they have finally managed to get production from other lines, mainly thanks to acquiring Taylor Hall at the trade deadline this season. Vezina winning goalie Tuukka Rask has also played a role, though with his long injury hiatus, backups Jaroslav Halak and Jeremy Swayman have picked up the slack and racked up the key saves needed to keep Boston in the thick of things.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Is the Presidents' Trophy Cursed?
In any of North America's four major pro sports leagues, having the best record has its benefits. In the NFL, it means home-field advantage up to that team's Conference Championship (as the Super Bowl is usually played on neutral sites), while in MLB, the NBA, and the NHL, it often means home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. In the NFL, the NBA, and MLB, having the best record usually equates a championship. In the NHL? Not so much. The National Hockey League is the only one of these leagues that awards an actual trophy for finishing with the league's best record: the Presidents' Trophy. The Presidents' Trophy was first awarded in the 1985-86 season, with the Edmonton Oilers being the very first winners, as they racked up 119 points. However, the Presidents' Trophy has hardly ever led to a Stanley Cup for the teams that won it, and the overall history of Trophy winners failing to win the Cup (including in the last decade) have led fans and analysts to wonder if the Trophy is actually cursed.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
What Happened to the Philadelphia Flyers?
The Philadelphia Flyers lost back-to-back games to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday and Thursday, with Thursday's 5-3 loss eliminating them from playoff contention. The Flyers' inconsistency has been a huge story this season, as they tend to look good in some games, but play so terribly in others. Though this season has been problematic for the Flyers, their woes actually date back to last year's playoffs.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
15 Years: The Penguins' Playoff Streak Continues
Death, taxes, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Pittsburgh. Those seem to be the only certainties that exist. The Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-4 overtime victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday evening officially placed them in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 15th straight season. That streak is not only the longest current streak in the NHL, but it is the longest one in sports, with the Penguins earning the distinction after the NBA's San Antonio Spurs missed the playoffs after 22 straight appearances. The last time the Penguins missed the playoffs was the 2005-06 season, which was not only the first season back from the lockout, but it was also Sidney Crosby's rookie year, meaning that his debut season his only one without playoffs.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
A Look at the Criticism Towards the NHL's North Division
I have been a diehard hockey fan since I was seven years old. I love the sport; I love how it operates, I love the chaos and unpredictability I see in every game, I love how literally anything is possible. This NHL season has been unconventional to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a number of changes all over the sports world, and the NHL was no different; having to pause before starting a modified Stanley Cup Playoffs in August, which resulted in the Stanley Cup being awarded in the end of September. In addition, a 56-game all divisional season started on January 13, 2021, and for this year only, conferences were eliminated, and the league featured four immensely regional divisions--North, Central, East, and West.
By Clyde E. Dawkins12 months ago in Unbalanced
Teed Off
Entering this Saturday matinee game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars, I had all of the confidence in the world that we'd totally dominate Dallas. The reason is simple: when a team is embarrassed in any way, shape, or form, that team bites back big time. In the Avs' case, it was losing to the Edmonton Oilers after leading 3-0. So yeah, we're revved up and pretty angry.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Soooo... That Happened
Game One of the Colorado Avalanche's homestand saw us win in overtime against the New York Rangers in comeback fashion; a clutch with almost 1 1/4 minutes left in regulation, and then, a Devon Toews overtime goal. Next up, a home meeting with the Edmonton Oilers; a battle between superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid. The meetings have been quite interesting ever since that 2022 Western Conference Final; we all know how that ended.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
No Quit in Colorado
The Colorado Avalanche's three game Central Division road trip was a rough one. A close loss in Chicago, a blowout win in Minnesota, but shut out in Winnipeg again. With very little room for error in that tight Central Division, every point and win is important. Thankfully, we have a five game homestand coming right up. First on the Ball Arena docket: the New York Rangers.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Buyck'ed Again
The latter two-thirds of the Colorado Avalanche's three-game Central Division road trip included very important "four-point games." For those who don't know the concept of a four-point game, I'll explain. Of course, in the NHL standings, two points are awarded for a win, one point is awarded for losing in overtime or a shootout, and of course, regulation losses are worth nothing. If a team wins in regulation, the winning team picks up two points, while the losing team's maximum possible point total decreases by two, making it a four point turnaround. Pretty much every game is a four-point game, but the most important ones are the divisional games. It is really best to gain as much ground on divisional foes.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
