The NHL Second Round is officially set. The Lightning are sadly not in it this year, but somehow neither are the Bruins or Avalanche. We can at least take solace and humor in their series losses, especially since they both went up against wild card teams and Boston blew their series in historic proportions.
2023 Stanley Cup chances after the first round.https://t.co/XnZuazzk05 pic.twitter.com/ibxoM35eTM
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) May 2, 2023
NHL Playoffs
New Jersey Devils 4-0 over New York Rangers
NJD wins series 4-3
The Devils dispatched the Rangers with a 4-0 shutout victory in Game 7 thanks to Akira Schmid in net and goals from Erik Haula, who scored his team-leading fourth goal of the series, and three players with their first goals of the tournament (McLeod, Tatar, and Bratt).
The game wasn’t without controversy as Jacob Trouba laid this hit on Timo Meier, knocking him out of the game. Meier returned to the bench for the end of the game but didn’t play.
Another look at Jacob Trouba's huge hit on Timo Meier #NYR | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/feRXfNrvd8
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 2, 2023
No update on #NJDevils Timo Meier from Lindy Ruff. He did return to the bench but did not play after the hit.
Lindy says he thought there was contact on the hit and wants to take another look at it.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) May 2, 2023
The Second Round
Now we know the final series in each of the four divisions as the Conference Finals await in two weeks.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2A) vs Florida Panthers (4A)
Carolina Hurricanes (1M) vs New Jersey Devils (2M)
Dallas Stars (2C) vs Seattle Kraken (4P)
Vegas Golden Knights (1P) vs Edmonton Oilers (2P)
Some nice symmetry here as the top seed in both the Atlantic and Central are out, meaning two wild card teams have made it to the Icy Eight. I’m hoping that name catches on.
Tonight’s Games
Florida Panthers @ Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:00 pm
Seattle Kraken @ Dallas Stars – 9:30 pm
Who are you cheering for between the Leafs and Panthers? Perhaps the asteroid. Or better yet, skip that game and watch Yanni Gourde and the Kraken!
Lightning Links
Hi! Good to see our guys having success even when we can’t.
Syracuse says hi 😀. https://t.co/99uDc2PcBI
— Alexandra Ackerman (@FPHCrunch) May 2, 2023
Maxim Groshev is ready to make the jump to the NHL after a few years in the K.
Justin Godfrey
Cue “I need a hero”
Lee Wright
Darryl Sutter was fired. The Flames are now looking for a new GM and head coach. That seems like the right move after such a bad season.
The #Flames have relieved Darryl Sutter of his coaching duties.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) May 1, 2023
If you’re injured, SIT DOWN! Trust in your teammates and don’t be a bad teammate, for crying out loud.
@NHLBruins . Like all teams ; players grit it out to play through major injuries in the Playoffs. My sources tell me soon to be Vezina G Ullmark was playing through a debilitating & painful injury that limited his mobility and technique. @espn @NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 1, 2023
Welcome to the NHL, Snoop!
BREAKING: The Athletic has confirmed Snoop Dogg is part of Neko Sparks bid to purchase the Ottawa Senators.
The iconic artist is part of consortium planning on making aggressive bid to buy the NHL team.
It’s certainly a plot twist.
First details here: https://t.co/h1Q4Zh1kKy
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) May 1, 2023
I understand hockey is a business, but the sentiment behind this bid is incredible. I hope if they miss out on the Sens that there’s another opportunity for the Sparks/Snoop group to get involved in hockey ownership. Need these voices in the game badly. https://t.co/NxCGCta8TL pic.twitter.com/iyjb7y3HLi
— Ryan Hyndman (@RBHyndman) May 1, 2023
