NHL 2026 Playoffs

[Pigskin]

So far, I have been happy with most of the games. Refs letting a lot of interference go on the dump and chase.

[blue_gold_84]

Penguins already on the ropes; wouldn't be shocking to see them get swept. Two big road wins for the Stars and Ducks last night, too.

[Pigskin]

Flyer are looking very good. Lot's good young players.

[Pigskin]

I really like the look of the Ducks, Flyer, and Habs. All three teams have a bunch of very talented players. But, I don't know if Montreal has the goaltending.

[blue_gold_84]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Sens get swept. Ullmark getting hung out to dry.

[Pigskin]

Ottawa is done. Slick Nic out with a lower body injury.

[blue_gold_84]

Senators' F Greig to have phone hearing for roughing Canes' F Walker in Game 4

[Pigskin]

Looks like LA is done.

[Pigskin]

Bruins down 3-1 go back to Buffalo. Sabers are looking rock solid. 

[blue_gold_84]

Looks like LA is done.

Never had a chance vs. the Avs.

[Pigskin]

As much as I believe the OT goal in Ducks/Oilers game was a goal. Just don't know how the ref calls it a goal on the ice.

[JockitchwithRich]

Embarrassing how the ref in that end doesn't make a hand signal, yet at center ice gestures a goal

Yes the cameras show that it was across but hey ..... NHL better pow wow with this bad example 

[blue_gold_84]

Pens force game 6. Knights tie up the series.

Pretty good first round so far.

[Pigskin]

Yes, some very entertaining hockey.

[blue_gold_84]

Bruins and Oiler stay alive.

Big win for the Wild who can clinch at home tomorrow.

[Pigskin]

That was a big upset win for Boston.

[Pigskin]

1-0, OT win for the Flyers. That's some old school hockey.

Montreal win a hard fought road win to go up 3-2.

[Pigskin]

Stars and Oilers are done.

[Pigskin]

Knights and Sabers advance to the 2nd. round.

[JockitchwithRich]

Well done Sabres. Their terrific regular season has not made them blink but rather charge on. This should be an another confidence builder.
The Utes gave a decent try but alas could not get the surprise results that the Ducks achieved

[DCM]

Tampa forcing game seven as expected.

Undefeated in games six and seven in round one. Here's hoping the streak lives tomorrow.

[Pigskin]

Carolina totally dominated game #1.

[DCM]

Wholesale changes need to come to Tampa... get a good return for Kucherov would be a start... and never bringing Perry back to Tampa... smh. Such a stupid trade by JBB. Curse Perry. Smh.

[Pigskin]

Tampa forcing game seven as expected.

Undefeated in games six and seven in round one. Here's hoping the streak lives tomorrow.

First time for everything. Bolts are done.

[blue_gold_84]

A fluky goal is sometimes all it takes. BUF/MTL should be a fun series.

Crazy opening game between the Avs and Wild.

[theaardvark]

A fluky goal is sometimes all it takes. BUF/MTL should be a fun series.

Crazy opening game between the Avs and Wild.

MTL - 9 shots, Win

AVS - 9 goals, Win

[JockitchwithRich]

WOW ——- tremendous entertainment in both games

The Bolts get robbed by Dobes and 2 flukey goals but that's the beauty of sports.  Happy for the Habs and fans

Do the Wild go to Gustafson and do the Avs turn to Blackwood

[blue_gold_84]

Flyers blow a 2-0 lead and lose in OT. Ducks looked pretty meh in game 1.

[Pigskin]

Greig gets 2 games for his sucker punch.

[JockitchwithRich]

Wild change their goalie, Gustafson in, for tonight
Gus is very good so this shouldn't create issues

[Pigskin]

Flyer could go in 4 straight.

[Pigskin]

Montreal with a big road win. Vegas put the boots to the Ducks. MM93 was on fire last night. Needed that in the Olympics.

[blue_gold_84]

Ducks hang on to the tie the series, Habs get a huge win at home.

Flyer could go in 4 straight.

Crazy how bad they were in that series. Canes get to sit and wait for a while now, which begs the question: what is with the playoff schedule?

[dd]

The Flyers were as I thought they'd be, flying on cloud 9 because they're in the 2nd round of the playoffs after upsetting Pittsburg, but really, do you expect them to make the playoffs next year?? I don't think they're a lock by any stretch

[blue_gold_84]

Avs with a big road win. I think the Mild are done in 5.

[Pigskin]

I really don't like the Wild. They have a number of players that are greasy. However, Manson's butt end was stupid and dirty. He needs to be suspended.

[blue_gold_84]

Avs D Manson fined $5K for butt-end

[Pigskin]

Avs D Manson fined $5K for butt-end

Not enough.

[blue_gold_84]

Not enough.

Agreed. I was expecting he'd get at least a game. Can't say I'm surprised with how DOPS operates, though.

[blue_gold_84]

Bruins D McAvoy suspended six games for slashing

He'll serve the suspension to start the 2026-27 season.

[Pigskin]

That's it for the Wild. Talk about choking late in the game.

[blue_gold_84]

That's it for the Wild. Talk about choking late in the game.

Ya love to see it.

[blue_gold_84]

Golden Knights D McNabb suspended one game

[Pigskin]

Bruins D McAvoy suspended six games for slashing

He'll serve the suspension to start the 2026-27 season.

I am okay with 6 games, but Benson should have been suspended at least a game or two for the slew foot. Especially on a icing. Very dangerous. 

[Pigskin]

say goodbye to the Ducks. Knights are playing good hockey right now.

[dd]

I am okay with 6 games, but Benson should have been suspended at least a game or two for the slew foot. Especially on a icing. Very dangerous. 

Totally agree...its the play that lead to him swinging his stick and the league turns a blind eye to the grease ball, pathetic

[Pigskin]

Montreal may have given Buffalo the break they needed. Game 7 in Buffalo.

[theaardvark]

Stanley and Schenn in the pressbox, Buff puts up an Ocho.

[Pigskin]

Nice road win by the Habs. I think to have a chance against Carolina, the Caufield line has to get going. 

[JockitchwithRich]

Buffalo really put out a very strong effort but Dobes and some timely good fortune has the Habs advancing
Both coaches got a lot out of their young squads and it certainly resulted in some terrific entertainment

[bluengold204]

Nothing worse than a deep Montreal post season run.  I pray the canes beat them.

[dd]

I hear what you're saying, I've hated the Habs since the late 60's when that guy used to blow that trumpet and get the fans going, but heck, I hate to say it, but they're growing on me, they're a bunch of young guns who play for eachother and are a bonafide 'team', and the only Canadian team left, so go Habs!! I thought never in my 66 years I would ever say that, but I am!!

[Pigskin]

Knight start off with a big win.

[dd]

Habs handing it to the rusty Canes, 4-1 after 1st period, Canes better wake up!!

[Pigskin]

Montreal dominated the Canes. Did Canes get a shot in the third period?

[blue_gold_84]

Montreal dominated the Canes. Did Canes get a shot in the third period?

The Canes went 18:38 in the third period without registering a SOG.

They are a godawful team when it comes to the ECF. And they got dusted again last night.

[blue_gold_84]

Looks like no Makar for the Avs again tonight.

[Pigskin]

Makar returned tonight, and it didn't help much. Colorado down 3-0, and the Mac29 injury will not help.

[bluengold204]

Colorado probably done now.  A 50% MacKinnon and Makar aren't gonna get them anywhere.

[blue_gold_84]

Avs are cooked. It's bad enough to let a 1-0 lead slip away in game 2 but to then blow a 3-0 lead in a crucial game 3... Ugly.

[JockitchwithRich]

This come from behind victory for Vegas was truly a stunner, IMO.

Healthier Makar was inspirational in the first 10 minutes but Vegas just took over in the second. They bottled the Avs forwards, limiting the good chances and certainly had a plan to slow down McKinnon

Gigantic mountain to climb now

[dd]

Avs are done. As good as they are, there's no way they're coming back to win 4 straight against the Golden Knights

[Pigskin]

Golden Knights heading to the cup final again.

[blue_gold_84]

Golden Knights heading to the cup final again.

Gross.

[Pigskin]

Gross.

3 times in 9 years. Jets need to hire some of there front office staff, and dip into there secret sauce. 

[Pigskin]

Must win for the habs tonight. Can't go back to Carolina down 3-1.

[blue_gold_84]

Habs are done.

The only silver lining in a Canes/Knights SCF would be Ehlers hoisting. That's it, though.

[JockitchwithRich]

Dobes was and has been very impressive. Problem for Hab's fans,
he isn't paid to shoot and score.

Am going to expect the Canes to move on vs Vegas

[Pigskin]

Dobes was and has been very impressive. Problem for Hab's fans,
he isn't paid to shoot and score.

Am going to expect the Canes to move on vs Vegas

Yes, Montreal's first line has be terrible in this series, and there PP sucks.

[JockitchwithRich]

The Canes absolutely humbled the Habs and will be great battlers against the Knights
Cheering for Ehlers, Jarvis and the Canes

[dd]

Kinda hoping Marner gets his cup and can shove it in the Leafs fans faces and say 'see, I wasn't the problem afterall!!!' He's had a heck of a run and may win Conn Smythe trophy if he continues his pace.

[Pigskin]

Well, it's the 39-26-17 Knights up against the 55-22-7 Hurricanes. 

[Pigskin]

Vegas takes game 1.

[JockitchwithRich]

Not surprised with the win by Vegas, just disappointed

Impressed with the involvement, offensively, by the dmen for Vegas
Great speed and finish by Ehlers
Jarvis, who would look great in a Jet uni, had a good chance, late in the third, but alas no smiles

[blue_gold_84]

That dreaded 2-0 lead. Crazy to think that's only the Canes' second loss of these playoffs so far.

Game 2 should be a gooder.

[blue_gold_84]

Big OT win for the Canes.

[JockitchwithRich]

It was a great and much needed victory for the Canes and oh so terrific seeing that a Winnipeg lad, Jarvis, pots the winner

[blue_gold_84]

I just love when Tortorella screws up (even more so now that he's coaching that insufferable team). That challenge last night was a hilariously bad move.

[Pigskin]

Crazy game. Vegas up 4 zip after 2, and need OT to win it.

[JockitchwithRich]

Beyond shocking how quickly those 3 Cane goals in less than a minute occurred. Getting the 4th to tie was crazy great

[blue_gold_84]

Sure hope the Canes can tie up the series tonight. That comeback on Saturday was wild but all for naught.

[JockitchwithRich]

CANES win the Canes win —- entertainment galore

[JockitchwithRich]

GREAT victory by the Hurricanes.
Their offence got important goals from Svechnikov and Aho
Ehlers got 3 nice assists and also 2 delay of game penalties

Clear any plans cuz Sunday may be the final BIG win

[JockitchwithRich]

FANTASTIC —- the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup

Really deserved.
Happy for SpeedyE and Mr Winnipeg, Seth Jarvis

[blue_gold_84]

Getting blanked at home to lose the SCF... Ya love to see it.

Enjoy that mug, Ehlers!

[Pigskin]

Ehlers Playoff Stats. 

Jets: 45 games, 9G, 12A

Canes: 18 games, 8G, 10A.

[dd]

The loss of Ehlers really hurt us this year, we lost his speed and 27 some odd goals and replaced it with nothing and our offense became very much one dimensional.

Congrats to him, he deserves it, contributed very well for the Canes, now go out and get a guy who performs like that and we'll be back on the right track!!