# NHL April 2018 & post-season **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 2, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611 "2018-04-02T00:27:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/201 "2018-05-22T06:25:29Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > …it looks like a gang took over the valley. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/202 "2018-05-22T13:18:42Z")
Caps win game six, game seven Wednesday. Once again the question of which “version” of the teams shows up. Each team has seemed overwhelming in three of the games. I know that I’m in the minority but I don’t like the tendency to not call penalties in the playoffs. I respond to the “let the players decide the outcome” with “make sure they decide a hockey game not a street fight”. It seems like from period to period there is uncertainty as to what will be called which leads to the players testing the limits. It drifts out of control until a relatively minor infraction is called to settle things. It also means that non-judgement calls like delay of game start to have a disproportionate influence. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/203 "2018-05-22T17:15:32Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > At the draft, I was impressed with the picks: mostly young guys, fast guys, guys with talent who had struggled to find a place on other teams. And I knew that our team had picked those guys because they fit those-guys-sized holes in the framework that the coaching staff had for the team that they wanted to see play hockey. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper thinks I’m right: > [@Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper](#): > > It’s a success story is what it is. It’s not a Cinderella story. There’s been talk of ‘how could that happen’ or whatever. I’ll tell you how it happened: They got an owner that hired an unreal GM, and they got an unreal GM that hired an unreal coach. They were all left to do their jobs. They were given a framework to work with. They could’ve screwed it up, or they could’ve done really well, and they chose to do really well. They played within the rules that were given to them, and this is what you get. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/204 "2018-05-22T18:47:49Z")
Teams are already moving into the 2018/19 season; [the Islanders, for instance](https://apnews.com/99191dd2da77491eac2ae4c404eb98dd/Lou-Lamoriello-hired-to-run-hockey-operations-for-Islanders): > [@](#): > > The Islanders hired Lamoriello president of hockey operations Tuesday, saying the 75-year-old longtime executive will have “full authority over all hockey matters with the organization.” > > The move throws into uncertainty the future of current president and general manager Garth Snow and potentially coach Doug Weight and could give the team a fresh chance to re-sign face of the franchise John Tavares before he can become a free agent. > > Lamoriello comes to a team that has missed the playoffs eight of the last 12 seasons with Snow as GM. Recalling the team’s glory days from a generation ago, Lamoriello said he is “excited to join such a storied franchise.” > > Son Chris Lamoriello has been the team’s assistant general manager since 2016. Mr. Lamoriella has some good history: > [@](#): > > Lamoriello ran New Jersey’s hockey operations from 1987 to 2015, during which the team reached the Stanley Cup Final five times and won the title in 1995, 2000 and 2003. So let’s see how he does with his first, most important job: > [@](#): > > Lamoriello’s first task will be attempting to re-sign Tavares, who can be an unrestricted free agent July 1. The 27-year-old just wrapped up the final year of a six-year, $33 million contract. He had 37 goals and 47 assists this season, finishing a goal and an assist shy of the career highs he set in 2014-15. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/205 "2018-05-22T18:55:58Z")
If Tavares signs again with the Islanders, I’ll give Lamoriello all the credit in the world. The Islanders have been a train wreck for over a decade and their constant arena debacles only rival the Coyotes. The Islanders are the team that gave Rick DiPietro an insane contract. At least if the overpay Tavares, it would be worth it. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/206 "2018-05-22T19:49:01Z")
Game 1 of round four will be Monday. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/207 "2018-05-22T20:44:45Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > Game 1 of round four will be Monday. Yep. Knights get home ice against the Caps; Lightning get it against the Knights. I’ve said all along that the Lightning are the #1 top-rated opponent of the Knights. Very similar play styles, very high level of talent and several years experience working together for some of them, especially including the Tampa Bay Rangers contingent. I’d much rather face the Caps and home ice is just another reason. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/208 "2018-05-24T01:57:33Z")
Whatever they are paying Holtby, it isn’t enough. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/209 "2018-05-24T02:19:17Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Whatever they are paying Holtby, it isn’t enough. Whatever it is, he’s definitely earning it tonight. (According to [this site](http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/washington-capitals/braden-holtby-10605/), he’s earning $7 million this season) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/210 "2018-05-24T02:40:20Z")
3:43 left but lemme say it: 'grats Caps! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/211 "2018-05-24T02:46:27Z")
As a DC sports fan I don’t know what to do with these feelings. They confuse mr. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/212 "2018-05-24T02:48:46Z")
Greatest Stanley Cup final matchup in a long while. If the Knights win, it’ll be the American version of Leicester City. Well, not quite. ---
**Author:** ![Asylum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@Asylum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asylum)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/213 "2018-05-24T03:26:45Z")
As a Caps fan, it’s about damn time. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/214 "2018-05-24T05:10:13Z")
I grew up a Caps fan, but i was living in Las Vegas up until a few months ago and adopted the Golden Knights as my local team. I’m equal parts elated and confused. My heart is still with Washington, but I think I’m mostly going to root for fun hockey. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/215 "2018-05-24T06:51:59Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > I grew up a Caps fan… Like, '74-'75 Caps? Mr. Low would like to have a word with you. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/216 "2018-05-24T07:09:19Z")
Not that far back. I’m almost as old as the franchise, but I didn’t move to the area until '83, so I missed those earliest years. Never saw Ron Low on the team, but Craig Laughlin rented the house I grew up in for a couple of years. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/217 "2018-05-24T10:32:23Z")
Interesting stat: Tampa Bay scored 28 seconds into the second period of game 5 and never scored again. 159 minutes of shutout hockey. ---
**Author:** ![Trom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/218 "2018-05-24T17:28:18Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Greatest Stanley Cup final matchup in a long while. > > If the Knights win, it’ll be the American version of Leicester City. Well, not quite. Las Vegas sportsbooks are looking at pretty big [losses](http://fox2now.com/2018/05/23/las-vegas-sportsbooks-estimate-a-5m-loss-if-golden-knights-win-stanley-cup/) if Vegas wins. They started out at 500/1 and are now 11/10. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/219 "2018-05-24T19:09:07Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Greatest Stanley Cup final matchup in a long while. > > If the Knights win, it’ll be the American version of Leicester City. Well, not quite. I think the odds are stacked against Premier League teams outside of the big ones far more than they are in the NHL. And, of course, Vegas didn’t win the Presidents Trophy, which is the equivalent of what Leicester City did. Still, I’ll be enthusiastically cheering for Vegas in the Stanley Cup final. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611/220 "2018-05-24T21:15:58Z")
Practice was packed today; standing room only; people were standing at the windows to the rink 3 deep even. Saw Bill Foley (the owner) watching from one of the offices for quite a while. The crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Cody Eakin. Marc-Andre Furry made an appearance. The Knights were pretty revved up and in good spirits: lots of energy during drills & lots of smiles during stretches. A couple of the guys looked particularly good, but I’ll save any comments on that until after the season is over. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-april-2018-post-season/811611.md?page=12)