Well, well, well, Leafs beat the Bruins convincingly in Game One in Boston. They’ll probably collapse (let’s face it, their Game 7 unravelling against those same Bruins several years back was one for the ages), but what a great way to ignite the playoff series.
Highlights:
Speaking of the East - Islanders are up 2-0 in the series v the Penguins.
With ex-Islander Tavares at the Leafs - a Islanders-Leafs series would be epic.
A long way of water to go under the bridge yet though.
Tampa Bay look like one of those star regular season teams that aren't suited to the playoffs. On the other hand Columbus were up 2-0 last year in a first round series and lost.
@KiwiMurph said in Lord Stanley’s Cup, 2019 edition:
With ex-Islander Tavares at the Leafs - a Islanders-Leafs series would be epic.
His first return there was epic.
The Leafs are underrated in the East I think. They match up favourably to the Pens teams that went back to back three years ago - very strong down the middle, really solid third line and piecemeal D. They can ride it as long as Anderson stays fit IMO.
Boston ate Toronto alive last year with their top line and still only just won. Now with Tavares Toronto can roll three lines and should win in 5 or 6.
The Winnipeg Jets and St Louis Blues are tied 3-3 right now. Not a bad game.
Winnipeg had a great run last playoffs but look a little injured this season (especially on their defence), might be a case of one step back to take a huge step forward next season.
St Louis are probably the hot team in the NHL right now but I picked Winnipeg to win the Cup in my bracket challenge and I'm sticking to it.
(but I think Calgary will probably win it all now - as long as they get average goaltending)
I would have thought Tampa Bay was top seed, but they’re now 2 games to nil in the hole to Blue Jackets, and going to Columbus for Games 3 & 4.
Leafs lost Game Two in Boston by identical 4-1 score, all tied one game apiece heading to Toronto.
Tampa Bay tied the 1995/1996 Detroit Redwings for most wins in a season (62) and they will be bundled out in the first round by a team which made a bunch of big trades and still barely made the playoffs. MAXIMUM CHAOS.
Biggest upset in all of sports this year. The 8th placed Columbus Blue Jackets have swept the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 to advance to the second round. Tampa Bay were the number one seed and had 62 wins in the regular season. They're shocked:
The New York Islanders, who lost franchise player John Taveres in the off-season to Toronto, have also swept the Pittsburgh Penguins who would have been a Stanley Cup favourite with the Lightning now out.
Looks like it's going to be a crazy playoffs.
The 8-seed Blue Jackets swept No. 1 seed Lightning in the East;
And now the No. 8 seed in the West Colorado Avalanche have dispatched No. 1 Calgary in 5 games.
That’s two first round series where No. 8 went 8-1 against the No. 1.
I don’t think I’ve seen anything like that ever, in any sport.
Great regular seasons guys, but you’re hitting the golf tees early.
Leafs are now up 3 games to 2 against the Bruins after beating them 2-1 in Boston last night. All the scoring came late.
Looking like one of those once in a generation post-seasons where all the teams which were meant to be cannon fodder for the title contenders end up winning. Could very well see a Columbus/Colorado Stanley Cup final!
Winnipeg Jets are eliminated by the St Louis Blues in the first round and now have an interesting off-season coming up with a bunch of young guys becoming RFAs and not much salary cap space left. Might be a blessing in disguise they were eliminated early in the playoffs because now the GM can ship out a bunch of veterans (Little, Perreault, Myers, Chariot) without much resistance.
The Leafs took a 3-2 lead home to Toronto, lost Game 6 and are now trailing in Game 7 by a score of 4-1 with a minute in the game remaining. I’m going to step up and make a call: Leafs have choked again. Boston owns them.
@Salacious-Crumb said in Lord Stanley’s Cup, 2019 edition:
The Leafs took a 3-2 lead home To Toronto, lost Game 6 and are now trailing in Game 7 by a score of 4-1 with a minute in the game remaining. I’m going to step up and make a call: Leafs have choked again. Boston owns them.
Jesus... as a Leafs fan after going through France vs ABs I didn't think I would support a team with a bigger hoodoo.
I think they dominated the first two and a half periods it as well. Frustrating.
I was hoping the Leafs would lose. Not because I hate the team, because I love the over-reaction especially on the Steve Dangle Podcast. Plus I'm a Jets fan and it takes heat off my team's disappointing exit.
@Salacious-Crumb said in Lord Stanley’s Cup, 2019 edition:
The Leafs might just be the saddest team in world sports. For half a century, anyway.
I'm a Warriors fan. Don't think you can just waltz on in here and take my crown.
What a crazy ending to the Sharks-Vegas Game 7.
Vegas seemingly cruising along at 3-0 up in the 3rd period and Sharks facing another playoff failure then all of a sudden a controversial 5 minute powerplay penalty and Sharks score 4 goals in 4 minutes! Vegas then somehow manage to tie it with 47 seconds left to send it to overtime.
Plenty of chances at both ends and then Sharks finally nab the series winning goal deep into thr first overtime.
Vegas season over. Wow.
