For too long there has only been a couple of outlets for our readers to interact with the PHR staff. Live chats and mailbags offer a chance at some discussion, but also run the risk of being too crowded or even outdated by the time the answer arrives. With PHR Chatter, we’re hoping to get weekly talks going on a topic that normally would have to be brought into the spotlight by a reader before even being discussed.
The NHL has an unprecedented five game sevens this weekend, as only the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, and Florida Panthers were able to defeat their opponents in fewer. Today, things will kick off in the afternoon with the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes, before the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers–each with a finalist for the Hart Trophy–try to stave off elimination on home ice later tonight, against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings respectively.
Tomorrow, the Pittsburgh Penguins–with or without Sidney Crosby–will try to put away the pesky New York Rangers, while the Calgary Flames search for a way past Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars. It’s going to be a brilliant weekend of hockey, finishing up what has been an incredible first round.
So who do you think will win? Throw your answers in the poll, but then tell us why you think those teams will win. Even give a prediction of a game-winner, if you want. This will be a free-flowing discussion that doesn’t have a lot of guidelines, so make sure you chime in and check regularly to continue the conversation.
I’ll go with
PIT
TOR
CGY
BOS
LAK
Who do you have?
I don’t know about other games but for the TOR-TB game I am hoping for Toronto! TB played too many games winning the last two cups …. They should be really tired by now
Ah but that’s the common misconception. Because of the COVID shortened seasons, Tampa has only played 177 games over the past two years, equivalent to two normal NHL seasons and 13 playoff games -hardly an exorbitant workload. It’s why they had a relatively easy repeat last year and why they have better odds at the threepeat than say the 17-18 Penguins. If the Bolts lose Game 7, it won’t be because they ran out of steam and if they win Game 7 I wouldn’t hold my breath that they eventually hit a wall.
PIT
TB
CGY
FLA
EDM
I’ll take the rangers. Even though shesterkin has had some struggles, and the defensive play in front of him has been inconsistent, I still trust him more than Domingue. Also, Crosby has a history of concussion issues and I could be wrong, but I don’t see him playing game 7.
Toronto. Just because they have to Crack the second round eventually, right?
Calgary, I really believe they are the better team. Even if they are younger and less experienced. Seems to me like Dallas is a good matchup, but I think Calgary could have an easier matchup against either LAK or EDM in the second round.
Carolina. For basically the same reasons as Calgary, except I don’t know if raanta can stand tall or not in game 7.
And finally, give me LAK. This one is probably just because I think they are more complete (or maybe just balanced), although mcdavid and draisaitl are capable of taking over and dominating a game at any given point.
Should be a great weekend of hockey!
Already playing a team without it’s #1 goalie, it’s #2 goalie, a top pair defenseman and a top line or top six (depending on Sully’s mood) winger and they still had to brain the #1 center and get some lucky puck spin to force a Game 7 against a career AHL goalie.
Pretty, pretty weak.
But still, for all of those reasons, odds have to be in NYRs favor, no?
Im really hoping for Toronto, both calls that lead to the 5v3 where Tampa tied it in game 6, Cal Foote embellishment and Hedman lifting the Toronto stick into his own face, Tampa probably should’ve already been prepping their golf bags and reserving tee times at the links
Well, if your looking for embellishments look no further then Bunting! All those fives don’t help a team after awhile.
Calgary
LA
TB
Pitt
Carolina
Well, I’ll take Carolina, but only because I just saw them win (would’ve been my pick).
I’m taking Toronto over Tampa. I think they score early and often and it’s not much of a game. I think Tavares takes the game into his hands too, going to say 2 G, 1 A.
I’m taking Rangers over Penguins. Without Crosby (I just can’t see him playing concussed with his history) and with Domingue in net, I just think the Rangers are more poised to come out swinging and finish the job.
I’ll take Calgary. At home and I just think they’re the better team. If they want to go any deeper though, that first line (and everyone to be honest), has to get clicking.
I’m torn on LAK and EDM. EDM seems just better and at home, but LAK reminds me a lot of the 2018-19 Islanders: they don’t look that good, but they will eat you alive. I think I’ll take the same as I did with Toronto though, with Edmonton coming out firing, scoring early and often.