2023 NHL Playoffs

[mellongraig]

Vegas and Florida are up 3 games to 0 in their respective series in the conference finals and I will say with regards to the Vegas-Dallas game last night - Jamie Benn for the Dallas Stars got a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct (it was upheld after review as all major penalties are reviewed just to be sure).

That wasn't very smart of him to do that and as the captain of the team, it looks like he will be suspended for Game 4 and possibly games 5, 6, 7, Stanley Cup Finals if they come all the way back from a 3-0 deficit, next season, or if games 5, 6, 7, and the Stanley Cup Finals don't occur for Dallas, also carry to next season as well if it's more than a one-game suspension.

[FieldsFan336]

The dragon slayers of the East have done it again!  Florida sweeps the Hurricanes out of town with a 4-3 victory in game 4 to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup final

[Hag]

I'm rooting for Vegas (assuming they make the finals) but I feel like Florida is going to win the Cup.

I also want to give the Panthers kudos for not believing in silly superstition and taking the Conference Trophy with them back to the dressing room.

[mellongraig]

Wow - for a moment it looked like it was going to overtime but the Panthers getting on the power-play at the last minute and scoring with 4.9 seconds left after there was no goalie interference upon video review sealed the deal for them.

Also, Jamie Benn (the Dallas Stars captain) is suspended for two games as a result of the cross-checking major penalty. Should Game 4 go to the Vegas Golden Knights, that suspension will carry over to next season.

I guess we can call the Florida Panthers the Cinderella team of the NHL this postseason...

[PatrickRox80]

Knights can't sweep as Dallas lives to see Saturday at least.

[mellongraig]

And the Dallas Stars finally break the overtime woes in a game they needed to win, and did it without their captain.

The NHL has sent out a memo for when the Stanley Cup Finals will begin, and there are two scenarios:

-If the Vegas Golden Knights win Game 5 on Saturday night, it will start on May 31st
-If the series goes longer than five games, the Stanley Cup Finals will start on June 3rd

[SeaBreeze341]

That's great news re: the Stanley Cup finals start date.  I think it's something they've done in the past.  Nothing wrong with having a backup plan in case both series end early as opposed to standing pat on one date regardless.  I've always admired the NHL for in-season changes such as rules & scheduling unlike the other leagues that hardly-to-never adjust

[FieldsFan336]

Dallas has forced game 6 with a 4-2 win over Vegas

[mellongraig]

So that means the Stanley Cup Finals will start on June 3rd, giving the Florida Panthers more time to wait to play another game let alone who their opponent will be, and more time to practice if necessary. Whether if the extended rest helps the Panthers or not remains to be seen.

[PatrickRox80]

The Stars have fallen. It'll be the Golden Knights and the Panthers on Wednesday.

[Hag]

Let's go Knights...although I think the teams are pretty evenly matched.

[mellongraig]

History will be made as one of these two teams will win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. And actually the Panthers and Golden Knights will start the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday, June 3rd since the Golden Knights-Stars series went to six games.

[TPIR_rules]

Stanley Cup Final prediction:


Vegas over Florida in 6

[SeaBreeze341]

Yeah, despite Florida's awesome run, I agree here; I think it ends at the hands of Vegas in 6.  Pretty much the same exact prediction from another Sunshine State professional team in another sport.  Again, a great series would be nice with yours truly being okay with the eventual winner of the Stanley Cup

[FieldsFan336]

Game 1 goes to Vegas, 5-2 final