If they ain’t panicking already, then maybe now would be a good time to start. The Jackets have their first ever chance at a series clinching game on Tuesday, and at home to boot. I may not sleep between now and then.
It’s over.
Columbus is just in control in every facet of the game so far.
This is why I feel hockey has the most unpredictable and thus most exciting playoffs of all the major sports. Tampa Bay had a whopping 62 win - 128 point season and was a totally dominant team throughout the season. Yet, somehow, the 8th seeded Blue Jackets “control every facet of the game”. Amazing!
By the way, this happened to the Blackhawks three seasons ago. They won the President’s Cup and were swept in the first round by, I believe, Nashville. They haven’t even made the playoffs since.
I am not counting Tampa out. Third period last night showed some life. I don’t think they have four games in them, but as long suffering CBJ fan I can’t count my chickens yet.
Kadri’s out for the rest of the Boston series. Sounds fair.
Nineteen whole seasons? The horror.
And the Leafs go up 2-1 in a complete nail-biter.
Yeah, part of me wants to say, “Who do you think you are? St. Louis?” OTOH, if they sweep the president’s cup holder in the first round, that’s a pretty legendary way to exit the first round for the first time.
Chicago won the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2012-2013 season and won the Stanley Cup the same year. The year you’re thinking of, 2016-2017, they had the third best record behind the Capitals and the Pens, but did get swept by the Predators in the first round, as you remember.
Yeah, I always think of a hockey player as like someone being paid on commission, but paid in lottery tickets. Hard work does get rewarded with more chances, but you still need to scratch the right ticket.
[For instance, the Bruins played like dogsh*t for 5/6ths of last night and still could have tied it up with one lucky bounce]
Two words… trade deadline.
Ridiculous… especially after last year! puts his team in a hole again. Makes you wonder what goes on in his head.
No one talking about the Ovechkin fight?
Nice punches but I’m not sure why Ovie would put himself at risk of injury. Where are his teammates?
WTF is up with both of them throwing punches with helmets and visors on anyway? That’s just stupid. …cue the Don Cherry anti-European rant! 
Caps really shit the sheets last night, but it was not unexpected.
He was fighting a 19-year-old rookie, and he went full-on Gordie Howe on him. Knocked him out on his feet; did you see the kid go limp and collapse? Ovi’s boys know he can handle himself, especially against that. Kid seems like a good player, but a fighter he ain’t.
Ah, yes, I forgot about the eastern conference teams.
FTR, the kid challenged Ovi to fight but stupid of Ovi to bite. Of course, why wouldn’t you want to goad, arguably the league’s best player, into a fighting major. That’s like trading a pawn for a queen! I don’t think he expected to pay that price though.
…according to Ovi.
Except that such trades don’t seem to have much effect most of the time. And they played mediocre (at best) hockey after the trades, up until (most of) the final games of the regular season. Did they suddenly figure it out?
I wish I was more optimistic about the Blue Jackets closing it out tonight…or on another night. If any team can blow a 3-0 series lead, it’s the CBJ.
Will it be Great Bob or Bad Bob in goal?
Sure. It takes time for players to gel, not to mention getting used to coaching styles.
Impressive shot-blocking from Marner in last game’s dying seconds against Bruins.
That’s how captains are born.
Marner is a special player. He may be captain one day, but not now. As a Leaf fan I compare him to Doug Gilmour, as far as seeing the ice and playing every damned shift with heart. Doug got the captaincy eventually.
Heh - that’s TWICE, now, that McAvoy has knocked a forward (last night - Tavares) into Rask this season. The earlier hit resulted in a concussion for the goalie, and I’m sure last night didn’t feel a whole lot better.