Tag: Boston Bruins

Playoffs’ Prediction: How to Look Foolish Twice

Published on by JD Lagrange1 Comment

By JD Lagrange – Admittedly, I am horrible at predictions. Back in October, it didn’t stop me from making a fool of myself by trying to predict the standings in each of the four Divisions in the NHL. Now, it’s time for part-two of this humiliating and humbling prediction trap, by announcing my Stanley Cup playoffs’ predictions. No need to say that some of the teams that I had in the playoffs, like the Canadiens, won’t be part of this round!

But first, let’s look at how I did with my October predictions. On a side note, wouldn’t it be fun if everyone did that instead of claiming, months later, that had predicted something without proof? I’m a strong believer in accountability. That and I also believe that you must learn to laugh at yourself before doing that to others. But I regress.

PredictionStandings
ATLANTIC
1.1.
2.√2.
3.3.
4.√4.
5.5.
6.6.
7.7.
8.8.
METRO
1.1.
2.2.
3.3.
4.4.
5.5.
6.6.
7.√7.
8.8.
CENTRAL
1.√1.
2.2.
3.3.
4.4.
5.5.
6.6.
7.√7.
8.√8.
PACIFIC
1.1.
2.2.
3.3.
4.4.
5.5.
6.6.
7.7.
8.√8.

For the most part, I’m pretty happy although the Metropolitan Division made me look like a fool… and God knows I don’t need help for that, particularly not when it comes to predictions!

I wasn’t expecting the Capitals, the Islanders, the Flyers, the Golden Knights and obviously the Canadiens from falling that low. Two seasons ago, I had predicted the Flames to win their division but they performed very poorly. I certainly wasn’t expecting them to bounce back like they did. Nor was I expecting that big of a leap by the Rangers.

Playoffs’ predictions

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston Bruins vs Carolina Hurricanes

As much as it pains me to say (I hate the Bruins), Tom Dundon doesn’t deserve to win a playoffs’ series. I take the Bruins in 7.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs

The Lightning will keep the tradition alive and will eliminate the Leafs, preventing them from winning a playoffs’ round for the 18th consecutive season. I take Tampa in 6. Wouldn’t it be funny if the Leafs were up 3-1 to lose… again?

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers

The Pens have a lot of experience in their line-up but I like the Rangers’ defense and goaltending better. For that reason, I take the Rags in 6.

Washington Capitals vs Florida Panthers

Goaltending has been an issue in Washington this season and it won’t be any better against a deep and powerful team like Florida. Pulling for you, big Ben Chiarot!

WESTERN CONFERENCE

St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild

Minny will continue its Cinderella season with one of the best goaltending tandem in the NHL. The Wild has a big, physical team, built for playoffs’ hockey. I take them in 6.

Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have added quality grit with Evander Kane but their goaltending is still very questionable. It should be a very series to watch, particularly Danault against McDavid and Draisaitl. The Kings will prevail in 6.

Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche

This won’t even be close. The Avalanche will sweep that series and rest for round two. So yes, Colorado in 4. Go Lehky!

Dallas Stars vs Calgary Flames

This one shouldn’t be close either. The Flames are too deep and if Markstrom stays healthy, he’s hard to beat. I’ll give one win to Dallas so Calgary in 5.

There you have it folks. If you wish, write your prediction in the comments section and we can compare notes after round one. Oh and don’t forget that the NHL Draft Lottery is happening on May 10th!

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About Last Night – Referees Ruin Lafleur Tribute Night

Published on by JD Lagrange2 Comments

By JD Lagrange – The Montreal Canadiens outdid themselves last night once again, with their tribute to late Guy Lafleur. 21,000 plus at the Bell Centre, and millions on television, watched a beautiful and well presented video of Lafleur, summing his illustrious career. The crowd gave the Canadiens’ legend a 10 minute standing ovation, which PA announcer Michel Lacroix tried to interrupt in a couple of occasions, only to be interrupted himself by the fans who cheered even louder.

Unfortunately, that special evening was completely ruined by some of the worst officiating we were given to see this season. Penalties called that shouldn’t have been, infractions gone unnoticed at key times in the game, fans took on social media to talk about that aspect of the game as much as they did about the tribute to Lafleur or the game itself.

Gary Bettman can put his head in the sand and claim that the NHL has the best referees in the world, no one following the NHL believes him. We all know it’s a lie. In fact, many of us think that it is the most inconsistent and mind boggling group of referees or umpires in North-American pro sports.

And it all started getting worse when the league decided, in their wisdom, to double the number of referees. Prior to that, the NHL relied on a single official wearing the red armbands. Did they miss a few calls? Yes, they did. But players and fans knew what to expect for the entire night just by seeing who was officiating the game. You had some kind of consistency. Plus, those were the best officials available.

As if league over-expansion wasn’t enough to dilute the talent on the ice, it created more demand for referees as more games were being played. Right there, you had to promote guys who would have normally been in the AHL. Going to two referees is beyond stupid… it’s Bettman stupid.

For one, it basically means that you took all AHL referees and brought them to the NHL. For one, none of them were ready for that pace of hockey and those who had the potential, simply weren’t ready for it. Like players, referees need time to develop, to practice their craft at lower levels. Throwing them at the NHL only serves their wallets with bigger pay, and their immense egos.

Then, it added a second judgement to the ice. How many times have we seen a referee, with the play a few feet in front of him, judge that a play wasn’t an infraction, only to see the bozo at 100 feet away raise his arm to call a penalty on the same play?

Fans, players and coaches are frustrated. And you know it’s not going to get any better as the man at the top is so delusional and out of touch with reality, he even thinks the on-ice officials are good! So we will keep seeing men in stripes ruining the game for fans and players alike. The Board of Governors is not going to step on their pride and return to the one-referee system. They will keep ruining amazing nights like the one last night, as a big f-you to the face of those forking the bill: the fans.

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