The defending Stanley Cup champion (also decent sized, plurality “faves” to repeat as such), Florida Panthers, again eased on the road (4 straight dominant road wins) handing the Carolina Hurricanes an incredible 14th straight semi-final round game loss, winning (5-0) in game 2 last night.
A week ago tonight, the Panthers lost game 6 at home to Toronto (Maple Leafs) but since won easily in the decisive 7th game of the “quarters,” at Toronto and by (5-2) and (5-0) scores in the first two tilts at Carolina in the “semis.”
Florida is now a big favorite to advance to a third straight NHL final, which would make it 6 straight final round appearances for the two Florida NHL teams, the other being the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Once it was hockey in Florida?!! — however thanks to people like the great player, Phil Esposito and his constant promoting the sport, with Tampa Bay, (look at the success and for the record the incredibly subjective Lightning commentator “Espo,” ended the Lightning’s past season broadcasts, wishing Florida well, saying he hopes the Cup/NHL Title stays in Florida.
While hockey in Carolina, Raleigh specifically, has been a success, highlighted by a title in ’06 and continued good play (once the Hurricanes nee Hartford Whalers were (1-10) in ‘offs series and they entered this semi (19-18)– but their record in semi-final round play is alarmingly bad.
They have lost an above referenced 14 straight such tilts, 6 to Florida. In ’23 when Florida swept “Caro,” before being 5’d by Las Vegas (Golden Knights) in the final round, Carolina played well, losing 4 straight but each one by one goal (I believe 2 in overtime and another in the last minute of regulation time play).
That is not the situation so far this season, however, I predict unlike ’09 when the Pittsburgh Penguins swept Carolina in the “semis,” before 7 ing defending champion Detroit (Red Wings) to title and ’19 when Boston (Bruins) (4-0’d) them before St. Louis (Blues) 7’d them for their lone crown, that Carolina will not be swept, as they will win at least, probably only one game at Florida, likely if it happens, the next one.
However, it is very likely the Panthers will again be NHL finalists and do not look now, but it could very well be great friends, coaches Paul Maurice of Florida and Peter DeBoer of Dallas (they, the Stars doubled Edmonton (Oilers) (6-3) in a home semis opener) meeting in the final round.
Phil Esposito, pictured above.
“Everybody” loses at home and I believe there was that reminder here before the 31st and last NHL or NBA team did so as that manifested after the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers eased (5-2) at Carolina vs the Hurricanes in their “semis” opener. (The St. Louis Blues lost an all home first round series to the Winnipeg Jets, the latter scoring in the last second to tie #7 before winning, otherwise almost surely the Blues also would have lost at home in these ‘offs.)
A Florida NHL team has reached that league’s final round in each of the last 5 seasons and now “Fla,” the series opening slight “fave” is now an over 2 and a fraction such to make it 6. (The Tampa Bay Lightning made the final and won it in ’20 and ’21 before losing in 6 to the ‘Lanche (Colorado Avalanche) in ’22 while Fla 7’d Edmonton (Oilers) last year to win their first crown after being 5’d by the Las Vegas Golden Knights in ’23).
However, this series is far from over, though I strongly suggest “Caro,” in this series far from any bright, bright lights, however, being contested between 2 fine teams, win game 2 at home and end a 5 game semis loss streak (0-5 all-time as well) vs Florida.
Paul Maurice, the excellent coach of the current champion Florida Panthers, is pictured above.
The N.H.L. semi-final round is set after the defending champion, Florida Panthers advanced to that round for the third straight season, scoring thrice within 6 and change of the 2nd period, in an eventual (6-1) road rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 7 last night.
“Fla” will meet Carolina (Hurricanes), (that area has an NFL team named the Panthers), in a semi in just the team’s second ever ‘offs clash, with the other recent, just 2 years ago when the Panthers won 3 1 goal games, 2 in overtime, one in a 4 OT such, and swept the Hurricanes.
Carolina has home advantage and is a slight game 1 “fave” with Florida a slight series such. The Hurricanes are (5-0) at home in these ‘offs and only they played into at least the second round without losing at home (only prediction in this too close to call series is that “Caro” will lose a home tilt within it).
In the other “semi,” set after the Dallas Stars “motored” to a second straight semi vs the Edmonton Oilers on Harley’s OT goal (first name Thomas and pictured below) in #6, begins Wednesday night with Edmonton, a la Florida (Florida 7’d Edmonton in last year’s final) a sans home advantage, slight series “fave” and #1 underdog.
Thomas Harley, who scored the #6 overtime winner for Dallas, is pictured above.
This will be the 8th ‘offs clash contested between the Stars and Oilers with Dallas having won 5 of the previous 7, 5 of the 6 played between the teams all from (’97-’03), as noted but not directly above, Edmonton “semi’d” Dallas in last season’s semis clash.
The NBA semi-final round is set after the (68-14) Oklahoma City Thunder restored form to some degree, routing the more than series respectable Denver Nuggets in #7 this afternoon.
They (“City”) will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in one semi while the New York Knicks, in their first semi-final in 25 years, meet the Indiana Pacers for the 9th time in the ‘offs and fourth time in the semi-final round in the other series.
Both Minnesota and Indiana, series underdogs without home advantage at least at the start, lost in their semis last year.
Oklahoma City is in just their 5th semi as the Thunder and first since 2016.
Last night was not a good one for the defending champions, (much worse for the Celtics as the Knicks advanced to the semis for the first time in 25 years, ripping the Tatum-less Celts (119-81) as the Leafs of Toronto, routed in a home 5th, forced a 7th in Toronto tomorrow night with a (2-0) win at Florida vs the defending champion Panthers in #6).
The winner of tomorrow night’s #7 will face the Carolina Hurricanes in one NHL semi-final round while the Edmonton Oilers await the winner of the Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets “Qtr,” which Dallas leads 3 games to 2, with #6 in Dallas tonight.
In the NBA, the Knicks and Indiana Pacers will be meeting in the “semis” for the fourth time while Minnesota (Timberwolves) will journey either to Oklahoma City or Denver for the NBA Western Conference Final opener Tuesday, depending on the outcome of tomorrow afternoon’s deciding game between the homestanding (68-14) Oklahoma Thunder (that record did not help the ’73 Celts) and the 2023 NBA champion, Denver Nuggets.
Dikembe Mutombo, gone too young at age 57, was a vital member of the ’94 Denver Nuggets, who pulled a shocking best of 5 prelims upset over the then Seattle SuperSonics, who became the Thunder of “Ok” in ’01.
Then ’twas (42-40) Denver winning the last 3 to oust the top ranked (63-19) SuperSonics. this time there is almost as big a discrepancy and already in these quarters, two by far lower ranked teams, the Pacers and Knicks pulled upsets, the former vs (64-18) Cleveland (Cavaliers), with Oklahoma City an aforementioned (68-14) and West 4 seed Denver at (50-32).
By the way the Knicks were (51-31) while “Indy” was (50-32).
Among the “else” who would have home advantage in an unlikely, but possible all ex ABA teams final between Indy and Denver? Maybe I will “Dick Tracy” it and get on it, however, not right away.
I could post regarding that, at least yesterday, the new Pope ( a Chi-sox rooter) could not overcome the slump (I am being kind and not sure why, regarding both quantity and quality even /morality in this assessment) of someone named, “Arthur Ralph” on his “free picks” or some incredible “down (3-2) Celtics history,” however, choose to recall a better time, that of Earvin’s 42 and Silk’s 37, when the Lakers sans the great Kareem, went to Philadelphia and won at the time, just their second L.A. title. That occurred 45 years ago tonight.
Earvin is the certainly well known Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who scored 42 points that night and his overall performance remains minimum one of, arguably the greatest big game, certainly title clinching upset win of all-time, in any sports situation.
“Silk” is the great player, Jamaal Wilkes, whose 37 (points) that night is often forgotten.
Not by me, as to see it live (remember the first two years of Earvin “Magic” and Larry (Bird) with each of their teams winning crowns, but not vs the other–that would manifest down the road — the title clinching games were TV’d on delayed tape save in the finalist’s cities) I was alone in room 302 of an L.A. Howard Johnson’s and fondly remember, legendary L.A. broadcaster “Chick” Hearn calling Jamaal’s 20 foot shots, “the layup,” as they were launched in his unique shooting style and that night more profoundly than others for “Silk,” they went in.
Included in the above video, the fine broadcaster Buddy Blattner interviews the great player Bob Pettit after his, a la above cited Magic 22 years later, all-time type performance in an NBA title clinching game, that in ’58 #6/final round vs the Celtics.
Boston has won some road 6th games down (3-2) and lost some. Tonight they are slight underdogs in another, 52 years after another at New York vs the Knicks.
Then Boston won #6 but lost #7 at home to the Knicks, who went on to win their last crown to date. Boston “reg’d” (68-14), the Knicks (51-31) this season were (57-25).
(68-14) “Ok” City now faces a 7th, albeit at home, vs Denver Sunday afternoon as I add to the nostalgia with updates from the “3” ridden modern NBA.
Remembering what “Mom” and at least one other imparted, regarding if you do not have something nice to say about someone, …… I will not assuage Manfred’s character or personally or even the other commissioners who encourage wagering on their sports with such beyond intrusive methods as sponsored in game (“sucker bets,” by the way), “live” wagering.
Simply put, Pete, (Rose, who was baseball’s greatest promoter and the good side of the coin that is the work hard and you will reap, largely falsehood, that churns it, most places) is dead, having predicted ‘they’ would put him in what is a far from glorious “Hall,” after his death.
As with much, Pete was correct. Below, Marty Brennaman gives his opinion, with which I strongly agree.
Per Marty—Pete’s family ought to say “Thanks, but NO thanks.”
After as cited above, all four in the “attrition full,” ‘offs had results manifesting in (3-1) series standings, 5 of the 7 entities that are through 4 games, stand that way while now heavy series “fave,” Dallas leads NHL President’s Trophy winning Winnipeg, but series underdog even at the start, (2-1) with #4 in “Big D,” tonight. (Ode to Don Drysdale who won 25 games “the year before”).
The New York Knicks, now up (3-1) in a bid to make their first “semis” appearance in 25 years are now (3-0) in games 4 vs the Celts when holding a (2-1) series lead. Jalen Brunson had 39 points for the Knicks while attrition befell Boston, as it has Cleveland and Golden State, who also trail (3-1) in their “qtrs,” when Ja Tatum was carried off the court and based on Celts only “5” in #5, is unlikely to play in that tilt, which might be the season’s last for the 18 time and defending NBA champion, Boston Celtics. (Alas more serious, even tragic injuries involving Tatums past, as a legal but brutal play by Jack Tatum on Darryl Stingley led to the latter’s inability to walk, while reliever Ken Tatum’s no fault hitting Paul Blair in the face certainly was bad and hurt the superb fielding Blair’s career).
Elsewhere, “Minne” (Timberwolves) bidding for a second consecutive “semis app,” and just the third in their 36 seasons existence, lead (3-1) after they won by “enough” in an all “wease,” vs the Curry-less Warriors. (The Warriors made 5 straight NBA final rounds, winning 3 from 2015-2019 and then after big fan Brad Weiner had died, they took a 4th (by rights they ought to have “taken a fifth,” but James had “silver” in his pocket) in 2021.
Both highly regarded Carolina (Hurricanes) and last year’s finalist and Carolina’s in ’06 when “Caro” won their lone crown, Edmonton (Oilers), won easily last night and lead the ’18 champion Washington Capitals and 2023 title winning Las Vegas Golden Knights respectively, (3-1).
The Oilers, who won 5 straight final rounds (the last of which in ’90 sans Gretzky), after being denied by another great team, the New York Islanders, who swept them in ’83, have lost in their last 2 final round appearances.
Last season Florida (Panthers) went up (3-0) vs them and held on to win (2-1) in a home 7th and as cited Carolina beat them in ’06, that also in 7 and by a (3-1) score (e net goal late), in the game for “all the marbles.” (Peter Falk was in “All The Marbles”).
Florida won both at home and are (2-2) with Toronto. As cited, Dallas, “semi’d out” by Edmonton last season leads Winnipeg (2-1).
Mark Messier, also an integral if not most important component of the lone New York Rangers title team since 1940, is pictured as an Edmonton Oilers player.
He was on 5 title teams with Edmonton. (’84,’85,’87 ’88 and ’90).
Only one ‘offs “qtr” stands (3-1), that Indiana (Pacers), bidding for a second straight “qtrs” win, sans home advantage, leading Cleveland after the teams exchanged rout wins in #’s 3 and 4 in Indy, the latter saw Indy with an incredible (80-39) lead at the half in an eventual 20 points “ease.”
Last year’s Indiana quarters win was vs the Knicks in an all home through 6 games, won in a #7 rout by the Pacers. After the Celts followed through and routed the Knicks in #3, the Knicks still lead (2-1) and now 7 of the 10 (2-0), ’67 on Knicks/Celts series went to (2-1). Of those, 5 became (3-1) with the ’67 best of 5 “quarter” ending that way.
Out West, “City” that is Oklahoma City (Thunder) about whom and sports in general “localer,” Robin cares not, won #4 to split in Denver and are “top heavy” to advance, but surely that is not certain.
That series winner faces the Minnesota (Timberwolves)/G.S. Warriors series winner, an entity, Minne leads (2-1) vs the “Curry-less” Warriors.
For the record in the NHL, while defending champion Florida (Panthers) won both at home to get even (2-2) vs “Tor,” Dallas (Stars), Carolina (Hurricanes) and Edmonton (Oilers) all sans home “adv,” lead their series (2-1).
The beautiful 1920’s performer/actress Norma Talmadge is pictured above. Those were the so called “Roaring Twenties.”
A century later (no roar, Bill Rohr hurled 8 one third hitless innings vs the Yankees on opening day ’67, a season 100 to 1 Red Sox “impossible dreamed” to a 7 game W.S. albeit falling short to the great Gibson (Bob), in #7) will the Panthers make it 6 of 6 2020’s seasons with a Florida team, either they (them?) or the T.B. Lightning as an NHL finalist?
Told you, every team loses at home and now still at least relatively early in each major sports league’s “quarters,” only the Carolina Hurricanes among 31 teams (the Blues did not lose a home tilt but were ousted in excruciating fashion, in an all home team, prelims series vs the Winnipeg Jets), have not lost at home.
Last night all 4 resulted in what those seeking extensions coveted as the Jets got even with a home #2 win vs Dallas (Stars) while defending NHL champion Florida (Panthers) vs “Tor” (Leafs) and East top seed Cleveland (Cavaliers) vs “Indy” (the Pacers are now (3-1) at home in these ‘offs), won but still trail (2-1).
In the other tilt, 6 point(s) or so underdog Denver (Nuggets) won (113-104) in overtime, no less, to take a (2-1) series lead vs top ranked/(68-14) Oklahoma City (Thunder).
Certainly “on paper,” that was a good result for the “extenders.” Denver is (4-1) at home in these ‘offs and look out (below?) if they go to (5-1) in #4 tomorrow, which I with only a bit of confidence, say they will not.
Once, certainly under the great coach, Bud Wilkinson, “Ok” teams (only the Thunder, nee SuperSonics of “Sea,” “exist” among major pro teams) were “allowed.”
This (68-14) team, as a potential last line of defense, would get the right odds but as with almost all, can not be trusted.
Andy B Sports 