NHL Update

While the East top seed, Carolina Hurricanes (nee Hartford Whalers with an excellent broadcaster named Chuck Kaiton who I enjoyed via WTIC radio, were (0-5) as the Whalers vs Montreal in ‘offs series but (2-0) vs them as the Hurricanes) have won two straight (3-2) OT games, in which they led (1-0) and (2-1) to lead Montreal (not since Montreal won it 33 years ago has a team from Canada won the crown) (2-1) –the Las Vegas Golden Knights swept the President’s Trophy (how little that has meant in ‘offs play over the years) winning, Colorado Avalanche to advance to a somewhat incredible third final round in the franchise’s first nine seasons (2018 when, more incredible, they went to the final in their first season, losing games (2-5) as ‘they’ allowed Ovechkin and “Wash” to win a lone crown -2026, having 5’d Florida in the 2023 final, those Panthers won the last two titles before not even qualifying for these 2026 ‘offs).

Last night, as was the case in the rout Cup clinching home win vs Florida, Marc Stone, the team captain opened (I “vibed” but as always dogged it), Cole Smith added with 5 minutes left and with Hart in net, (2-1) L.V. as now they await the “Caro”/Montreal winner with game 4 in Montreal tonight. (Habs sans a title since leaving the hallowed Montreal Forum, at least the so disappointing Celtics, who once had 40percent of the NBA’s 40 titles and now have 18 of the 80, have 2 post Boston Garden crowns while the Yankees who won in their first 167th Street Yankee Stadium season, have gone (0-1) in World series play in the 16 seasons since. All the glory teams not quite- but the Habs, though a nice season under L.V. coach Tortorella’s friend and #6 final OT key goal in Tampa title winning ’04, St. Louis– are (2-5) at home in these ‘offs,-failing to “ring the bell” at the Belle Center).

After, as cited here in a previous post, Eichel (not ID’d by Kenny Albert as he skated in though there was time to do so) scored the #2 OT winner for Carolina, while Andrei Svechnikov, whose shot was a clear goal and Albert as usual was late, won #3.

L.V. netminder, Carter Hart is pictured above. Hockey as is the situation with baseball is a sport more conducive to upset results than say basketball or football.

However, the fact 21 of the last 23 President’s Trophy winning/NHL best record teams have failed to “title,” is astounding.