MOOSE JAW, CANADA – Round II of the NHL Playoffs is finished and we’ve moved onto the Conference Finals.
The Carolina Hurricanes made quick work of the Islanders, sweeping them in four games. Cheesy’s Bruins beat John Tortorella and the Columbus Blue Jackets in six games.
Out West, the Dallas Stars tried to help out the Rangers by going seven games with the St Louis Blues. If the Stars advanced, they would have handed the Rangers a first round pick in this years draft from the Mats Zuccarello trade. But the Stars couldn’t find one more goal as Game 7 with the Blues went into overtime and then double overtime. Five minutes into double overtime Pat Maroon of the Blues scored to send the Blues into the Western Conference Final.
In the last-second round match-up, the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche also went the distance. The Sharks prevailed on home ice in game seven of that series to push the Sharks one step closer to the Stanley Cup Final. The Sharks and Blues are both chasing a first Stanley Cup victory for their franchises. The Blues haven’t won hockey’s highest honor in their 52-years in the NHL. The Sharks have come close, losing to Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in the 2016 Final, but have never won in their 28-year history. I’d like to see the Sharks win it all this year. But the moment i start rooting for a team, they lose immediately so I’ll stay out of it. This series starts tomorrow night in San Jose.
The Carolina Hurricanes hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2006 for their only win. It was a surprise season then, as it would be now if the Canes can get past the Bruins to make the Final. The Hurricanes beat the defending champion Washington Capitals in seven games in the first round and then swept a defensively stout New York Islanders team. The Bruins won Game 1 of the Conference Final last night 5-2. The Hurricanes had led 2-1 and the B’s scored four unanswered to take the early series lead. Game 2 is Sunday afternoon.
OFF THE ICE… It’s been a tough playoffs for the Rangers, as the President’s Trophy winners were swept out of the first round by the Blue Jackets. The Rangers would have gotten Tampa’s first round draft pick if the Lightning won the Stanley Cup. Now the Blueshirts will settle for Tampa’s second round pick. New York would have received Dallas’ first round pick if the Stars could find a way past the Blues. Instead they will get Dallas’ second round pick in this year’s draft. The Broadway Blues have two first round picks and and two second round picks. They’ll likely take Kaapo Kakko with the second overall pick, assuming the Devils take American phenom Jack Hughes with the first pick in the draft. Kakko is touted as a strong, smart winger who will be NHL ready pretty soon. Hopefully he’ll work out for the Rangers as they continue their rebuild.
That’s it for me today. Come back tomorrow for a guy that likes the smell of old pucks, Junoir Blaber.
