Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread 2024

[PenguinHunter]

Random, not confirmed, oddity: Each four division winners have never made it to the conference finals before.

I was thinking about this as I was watching last nights game.

We got close..

[Invictus]

Random, not confirmed, oddity: Each four division winners have never made it to the conference finals before.

You saying all at the same time?

[loppantorkel]

Yes, at the same time. ..but there were 6 divisions under a period of time, and I haven't researched it... (:

[hockeyrobot]

Random, not confirmed, oddity: Each four division winners have never made it to the conference finals before.

Twas close. Real close.

[Pengwin7]

Been one of the best opening double rounds I can recall.
Pretty much all the playoff teams (except... Washington) put up really strong playoffs.
Very competitive series'.

For me, the four strongest teams - with the rosters they had in 2nd round - are moving on.
(Brutal luck for the eliminated teams - as each had key injuries/situations that could've really helped them.)

[PenguinHunter]

Is this the best Conference Finals we have had in recent history?

Both series tied at 2.

Back and forth series - back and forth games.

Four very strong teams in the finals - no team that squeaked out a couple upsets to get there.

[Pengwin7]

^I think so.
Every single game feels - very truly - that either team could get a *pep talk* and just jump to being the better team in THAT game.
We've seen it several times. So it has never felt like a game is "over" when one teams leads by 2+ goals at some point.

It's been great.
Really, truly - don't think there's ever been a "full NHL playoff" THIS GOOD... to THIS POINT.
Some superb hockey watching!

Each team also seems to have some "identity" (very Game-of-Thrones-esque)

EDM - the elites [Targaryens, a few uber-powerfuls... surrounded by their cast]
DAL - the apprenticeships (elders/youngsters) [the Starks - it'll really be the youth that pulls them through though]
FLA - the gritty southerners [Dorne/Martells - also, pretty much nobody outside this region is really rooting for THEM to be the kings! LOL.]
NYR - the well-offs [Lannisters - if you see them as bad guys, Baratheons - if you see them as good guys. Either way - these two are pretty well-linked.]


Of course, most people are pulling for the return of the Targaryens to the throne!

[pmorrow]

2024 Stanley Cup Final schedule:

Game 1 - June 8
Game 2 - June 10
Game 3 - June 13
Game 4 - June 15
Game 5* - June 18
Game 6* - June 21
Game 7* - June 24

[2014olympicgold]

Well, this 100% puts the final nail in PLD getting bought out if it goes to Game 7. He needed to get bought out prior to June 24th for a decent penalty on his deal (buyout window opens 48hrs after the last Stanley Cup game).

[Pengwin7]

2024 Stanley Cup Final schedule:

Game 1 - June 8
Game 2 - June 10
Game 3 - June 13
Game 4 - June 15
Game 5* - June 18
Game 6* - June 21
Game 7* - June 24

NHL SC starts have been all over the map in recent years...
NHL SC started June 3rd in 2023... (VGK-FLA)
NHL SC started June 15th in 2022... (COL-TB)
Even later previous years...


NBA is almost exactly ONE-DAY-OUT-FRONT of the NHL this year.
NBA is June 6/9/12/14... 17/20/23.

Both leagues like to do some 3-day with the East-West coast travel btw 2/3 and the 4/5/6/7.

NHL is probably pleased to get the gm1,gm4 on Saturday nights.
Potential Monday Night, June 24 game 7... that's a little "meh"... but I'm sure the clubs lobby hard for the 3-day spacing for SC travel.

[hockeyrobot]

Forsling is awesome.

[Pengwin7]

^Haha... feels like the party if finally filling up!
[Brandon Montour can bid farewell to South Florida.]

That goal last night was so pretty in the simplest of ways.
1. Forsling says "I'm just going to keep going" (on getting to the blueline, neutral zone, blueline)
2. Bennett says "OK... (waits)... This is any easy pass"
3. Forsling says "I can't beat this goalie, but backhands are hard to read"
4. Goal

Love it.
Loved watching Forsling just "go" through the neutral zone and high-speed, where everybody else was pacing at half.
So smooth.
I mean, when the NYR possession was stopped (11:47 2nd) Forsling was the furthest Cat back.
And when the goal is scored (11:39 2nd) Forsling is the deepest man in NYR zone.

It's fun to watch because he double-taps his stick just as he hits the neutral zone to let Bennett know he's joining.
Bennett doesn't sell it right away - no point - he waits.
Bennett, himself, has become a HELLUVA complete player.

Amazing how these once top3 / top5 guys *pop* sometimes, like Reinhart, now Bennett.
That 2014 NHL draft... the top 4 are all playing right now (3 with FLA, 1 with EDM).
Curse you, Michael Dal Colle! (shakes fist)

forsling 1145 2nd 2024-05-30.png

[Pengwin7]

Random thoughts...
Sam Bennett has gotten better with time...
But his beard was a bit better as a young pup.


Thoughts?



vs

[2014olympicgold]

Random thoughts...
Sam Bennett has gotten better with time...
But his beard was a bit better as a young pup.


Thoughts?



vs

I'm partial to his Lanny McDonald stache.

[Pengwin7]

I love the moustache curl...
I mean... I just love Stanley Cup playoff beards...
Probably THE best tradition in all of playoff sports...

Just researching - apparently the "playoff beard" goes back to the mid 80s Red Wings.
This is fun, for me, because it was the local hockey team when I was just getting into hockey.

Fun Trivia Question that Detroit fans know:
Q: Who was the Detroit Red Wings captain prior to Steve Yzerman?
A:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playof...%20wear%20them.