I’m sitting in for George today as he remains in the hospital. Let’s send all our thoughts, prayers and positive vibes his way – k?
2018 Stanley Cup Final(s):
Caps hold off Knights 3-2 in Game 2, even Stanley Cup Final | The Washington Post
Wow, wow. Another fantastic hockey game. The Washington Capitals have taken home ice advantage – let’s see what they do with it. If they can play the way they did tonight and stop taking stupid retaliation penalties, they can win this thing.
Smashville News:
Rexrode: Don’t fester, Preds fans — Vegas has nothing on you | Tennessean
“Golden Knights might have a Stanley Cup in their first year, but Nashville’s long journey to hockey’s upper crust has forged deep ties.” I’ve been wondering about this. If some of our fan base/band wagoners became spoiled after one long run 20 years in, what expectations are being set for the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Should their performance fall off next year, it will be interesting to see the reaction of the fans.
Heads Up! Nick Bonino | NHL.com
“Things get a little crazy when Nick Bonino and Terry Crisp play the animals section of Heads Up!” Okay, the G.O.A.T. thing is amusing but the squirrel part when Crispy gets where Nick Bonino’s head went made me laugh out loud.
2017-18 Player Reviews: Filip Forsberg | On the Forecheck
ICYMI. Nick Frias reviews the season of Prince Filip Forsberg and awards the always controversial A+. See if you agree.
Okay, as the only photo of the pups is dated and I don’t want to be jumped on for posting a picture (or get a player jumped on), here is our dose of cuteness if the form of a slightly fussy Juni Jarnkrok. Enjoy!
Central Division News:
For Chicago Blackhawks, Rockford IceHogs Developing Strong Talent | Blackhawk Up
“The Rockford IceHogs’ ongoing deep AHL playoff run is developing solid talent that, hopefully, will benefit the Chicago Blackhawks soon enough.” But if not, Chicago missing the playoffs really helps the Icehogs’ playoff runs. Also, I wish we could have gotten Hartman for either the first or Ejdsell but not both. Oh well, anything for a shot at the Cup I guess.
Is Mike Yeo In Any Kind Of Trouble? | Bleedin’ Blue
I could only wish. No secret that Mike Yeo is not one of my favorite coaches. A look here at both sides of the “in trouble” question.
He said it: The best, most telling and craziest quotes from the Dallas Stars’ 2017-18 season | SportsDay
Sad? Funny? Crazy? You be the judge.
Other Hockey News:
Ice melting to slush in Vegas heat at Stanley Cup Final | Chicago Tribune
While true enough that the ice is the same for both teams, that doesn’t mean it’s ideal for a game. (See New York Islanders.) They didn’t really take the ice up in the middle of the playoff run though right? Surely he means just having stuff on top of it. Right? Right????
Mailbag: Turnovers could decide Stanley Cup Final | NHL.com
I agree. A number of interesting questions in this piece, including the last one about Paul Fenton’s first task.
Vegas Golden Knights Success Embarrasses Rest of NHL | The Hockey Writers
The title is misleading. A good overview of how Vegas came to be and an acknowledgement that Vegas has reset the bar. The GMs should be thinking about how they are valuing their “bottom six” talent and what opportunities they’ve had. Also compelling is creating a team identity that empowers and motivates your players.
Canadiens unlikely to trade No. 3 pick at NHL Draft : NHL.com
The most notable takeaways in this Marc Bergevin interview for me: Grit is passe after a year and no one dares ask him tough questions…Carey Price contract, Shea Weber fit in the speed game, etc.
Former Coyote Radim Vrbata begins post-NHL life in Czech Republic | arizonasports.com
I can still remember every year someone would say we should trade for him. Sounds though like he would have liked to stay in Phoenix and would have left with Shane Doan and the others if he had known they were going.