Tag: NHL Playoffs 2022

Watch Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov score sick goal on deke to help clinch Game 5 win vs. Rangers

It seems Svechnikov rocked the Rangers like a Hurricane.

For the past few years, the Hurricanes have been one of the NHL’s darlings. A young team with stars galore such as Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, Carolina has made a name for itself amongst the NHL elite.

But in their second-round series against the Rangers (+125), the Hurricanes have been pushed to their limit again. With the series tied 2-2 on Thursday, Carolina could’ve been put on the brink in their own home digs.

Their stars would have had to disappear and let New York take control for that to happen. Thankfully for the Hurricanes, they have Andrei Svechnikov on their side — who scored an incredible third-period insurance goal against Vezina finalist Igor Shesterkin:

Look at that last-second deke. Phew. And how about the crowd reaction in a clutch moment?

Svechnikov’s goal made it 3-1 and let Carolina carry on to the big Game 5 win. These darling Hurricanes are now one win away from their second Eastern Conference Finals appearance in four years.

If guys like Svechnikov continue scoring goals like this, we might start talking Stanley Cup in Carolina soon enough.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

[mm-video type=video id=01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q/01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q-d32ce83172c51687b91cffd2dbdd5973.jpg]

[listicle id=1901248]

Ref during Game 3 of Flames-Oilers hilariously doled out a penalty to everyone sitting in the box

Everyone in the box is on notice!

The Flames and Oilers’ second-round playoff series has been an absolute barnstormer. A great rivalry in the “Battle of Alberta.” Lots of goals. High stakes. What more could you ask for?

On Sunday evening, with the series shifting to Edmonton (-105), both of these squads were probably on edge. Again: They’re already rivals, and now there’s a spot in the Western Conference Finals on the line? All opposition get out of the way because all bets are indeed off.

With the Oilers holding a commanding 4-0 lead midway through the third period, frustration started to set in for Calgary. And a usual suspect — one Milan Lucic — happened to be at the forefront of a roughing penalty that would turn into an all-out brawl:

What chaos!

Aside from Lucic (who was given a five-minute major): How does an official even begin to sort that mess out and designate appropriate penalties? It’s actually pretty simple, as it turns out:

“Everybody else in the penalty box!”

Shoutout to this official for the funniest delivery of a penalty we’ve ever heard and for adding more fuel to the fire of a playoff series only getting more heated.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

[mm-video type=video id=01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q/01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q-d32ce83172c51687b91cffd2dbdd5973.jpg]

[listicle id=1898897]

Lipreaders think Rangers coach Gerard Gallant told Tony DeAngelo to ‘shut the [expletive] up’

You can’t say that on TV, Gerard.

They’re still in the early stages of their second-round series, but it already feels like there’s no love lost between the Hurricanes and Rangers.

Sunday afternoon — with New York looking to halve a 2-0 series deficit — understandably carried a lot of tension for the Rangers (-105 underdogs coming in). Thankfully for them, in a tight matchup, they’d eventually win 3-1, and pull within a game of a 2-2 tied series.

But Rangers coach Gerard Gallant didn’t appear to be in any mood to celebrate the big step forward. As the two teams walked off the ice, Gallant seemed to have some choice profane words for former Ranger/current Canes’ d-man Tony DeAngelo.

Warning: NSFW language in the tweet below

Oh, man. That sort of anger from Gallant can’t be related to any one-off incidents. DeAngelo had to have been pushing the line somewhere during Game 3. It’s the only answer that makes sense.

The coach confirmed as much in his post-game interview:

A simple case of a coach defending his guys. How honorable.

If you were wondering, the Hurricanes and Rangers will next take the ice on Tuesday night. We’ll see if there are any new episodes to this heated, on-ice situation then.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

[mm-video type=video id=01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q/01g3gqzm4aj2yfw0qh4q-d32ce83172c51687b91cffd2dbdd5973.jpg]

[listicle id=1899439]

Penguins fan hilariously turns his cap around after a TV camera mistakes him for a sad Maple Leafs fan

Good call, man. No one wants to be mistaken for a Leafs fan after what happened Saturday night.

While the rest of the NHL had their laughs, Saturday night had to be a familiar nightmare for the city of Toronto. After the Maple Leafs lost another first-round Game 7 to the Lightning (+105), Torontonians would be forgiven if they wanted to take a mental health day.

Heck, when the Leafs’ coach is taking positives from handshake lines — seriously, handshake lines — it’s enough to drive any rational person mad.

As you can imagine, the Leafs’ ongoing playoff misery is a problem no one else wants a part of. We got firsthand evidence of this phenomenon immediately after Toronto’s latest spring failure.

With TV cameras on the hunt for shots of sad Leafs fans Saturday evening, they panned to a young man chatting it up. Ever the telegenic lad, he flipped his backwards cap around to reveal he’s a Penguins fan.

Honestly, who can blame him? The Leafs have proved they’re only capable of giving you heartache. By contrast, with all their Stanley Cups and general playoff success, the Penguins can make you fall madly in love with hockey. It’s not even a contest.

Maybe one day, someone corrects a TV broadcast and reveals they’re a Leafs fan. But today is definitely not that day. Who knows when it’ll ever come.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

[mm-video type=video id=01g2zpn44w9s8xmdx9yt playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g2zpn44w9s8xmdx9yt/01g2zpn44w9s8xmdx9yt-2e376572c0ba769bcfd38744e9aa4e73.jpg]

[listicle id=1893460]

The Leafs lost another Game 7 in the first round and NHL fans couldn’t wait to roast them

We feel bad for the city of Toronto, but this is tremendous content.

Objectively speaking, the Leafs are one of the NHL’s best teams.

A 60-goal scorer in Auston Matthews. One of the best pure passers in the league in Mitch Marner. John Tavares as the second line center. Steady playmaking veterans like William Nylander and Mark Giordano on the third line and third defensive pair, respectively.

And yet, it never seems to matter come playoff time.

On Saturday night, the Leafs (-125) lost 3-2 to the two-time defending champion Lightning in another first round Game 7. A tough matchup aside, everything was, once again, in Toronto’s favor. That mentioned talented roster. A once 3-2 series lead. Home ice!

And yet, none of it mattered. The Leafs are cursed, right? They have to be cursed.

Oh. My. Goodness. Yeah, the Leafs are definitely cursed.

We’re watching historic failure in the clutch unfold right before our eyes. Until Toronto can win a single (emphasis: SINGLE) playoff series with all that talent and all those advantages on their side, it’s the only logical conclusion.

Of course, these are the playoffs, and spite reigns supreme. NHL fans couldn’t wait to revel in the latest Leafs’ playoff fiasco.

The Hurricanes eliminated the Bruins in Game 7, then hilariously trolled their fans with receipts

To the victor goes all the trolling rights.

For six games, the Hurricanes and Bruins battled in a first-round series of curious, repeated blowouts. One 5-2 and 5-1 result after another defined this strangely tensionless playoff battle. It was mind-boggling.

In Game 7 on Saturday, Carolina and Boston finally played a tight one. An epic battle for all the marbles. When it comes to the NHL playoffs, what could possibly be better? Well, if you lose Game 7, it’s not so great.

Unfortunately, despite the underdog Bruins’ (+1.5) best efforts, their season ended as the Hurricanes ousted them in a 3-2 nail-biter. Such is life in the NHL postseason. One squad gets the joy. Another regrets every missed opportunity.

That joy in Carolina was shared in manically fashion almost as soon as the handshake line ended.

The Hurricanes’ Twitter account kept all the receipts, showing they are, again, never to be trifled with. They put every Bruins fan who talked smack throughout the series on blast immediately after the W.

Yet another classic example of the spoils — and all trolling rights — going to the victors. Take your lumps, Bruins fans. You’ll only make it worse if you don’t.

[mm-video type=video id=01g2abyj80spg5b679sn playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g2abyj80spg5b679sn/01g2abyj80spg5b679sn-60694a09c8e5adab11a66ce757314fe1.jpg]

[listicle id=1892162]

Jacob Trouba’s dangerous hit up high on Sidney Crosby that took him out of Game 5 angered NHL fans

What an unnecessary, scary hit on Crosby.

During their first-round series, the Penguins have mostly had their way with the young Rangers.

After the two squads left New York, the Penguins molly whopped their Metro rivals 14-6 in Games 3 and 4, en route to a three games to one series lead. Pittsburgh did it largely thanks to the power of the one and only Sidney Crosby (nine points). What else is new?

With the Rangers (-135 favorites coming in) fighting for their season in Game 5 on Wednesday night, Crosby and the Pens were looking to put a bow on this series. Alas, they didn’t get their wish, as the Rangers ended up winning 5-3 to keep their season alive.

But it’s not the Rangers’ win everyone’s talking about. It’s New York d-man Jacob Trouba knocking out Sidney Crosby with an elbow while the two fought for the puck with about seven minutes left in the second period.

Whoa. Come on, man. I know hockey’s a physical game, but that doesn’t mean it calls for chicken wings to the head out of the blue. Use your stick, your feet, literally anything else!

Crosby, of course, would not return. And the Penguins themselves have not yet offered a concrete update on his status. All we have are observant anecdotes:

Considering Crosby’s extended history with head injuries, NHL fans did not take kindly to Trouba’s hit.

Bruins fans banged on the penalty box glass so hard, it broke and struck the attendant

Oh no. Hopefully, he’s OK!

Entering Friday’s home Game 3 against the Hurricanes, fans in Boston were hoping the Bruins would turn around a lopsided series. With Carolina taking each of the first two games by a combined 10-3 margin, hope was minimal but not lost.

After all, home cooking does matter in the NHL playoffs. And as the adage goes: It’s not a series (or it’s not over) until someone loses a home game. So you can bet Boston fans were a bit excited.

That excitement boiled over when the Bruins jumped out to a 3-1 lead on a David Pastrnak goal that sent TD Arena in Boston into absolute frenzy.

Though, it seems the situation got a little too crazy.

Fans celebrating Pastrnak’s goal near the glass were, naturally, banging on it quite hard. In particular, the glass around the penalty box didn’t seem to be strong enough to withstand the fans’ pressure.

The glass broke. And a large shard of it struck the attendant sitting in the booth.

 

Trainers immediately checked on the attendant, who had to be taken off on a stretcher while wearing a neck brace.

What a scary, unfortunate moment.

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

[mm-video type=video id=01g2864ntk4ykenv7dnh playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g2864ntk4ykenv7dnh/01g2864ntk4ykenv7dnh-0e44b28bd0174f496609b28a6bb93f47.jpg]

[listicle id=1878501]

Hurricanes EBUG Jack LaFontaine hilariously had to watch Game 2 alone from the equipment room

No one bother LaFontaine. He’s just chilling.

The Hurricanes (-120 favorites) entered Game 2 against the Bruins on Wednesday night, expecting that they’d take care of business again.

After a 5-1 drubbing of Boston in the first-round series opener — where Antti Raanta was dynamite with 35 saves on 36 shots — what could go wrong? This outcome was written in the stars.

One problem: Raanta had to stay healthy.

Around halfway through the opening period, Boston’s David Pastrnak chased after a loose puck and inadvertently ran into Raanta. It did not look great for the Finnish goalie.

The Hurricanes would officially designate Raanta with an “upper-body injury,” and he did not return.

That meant it was up to backup Pyotr Kochetkov to step in and for Jack LaFontaine to become Carolina’s EBUG (a.k.a. emergency backup goaltender). And while Kochetkov ended up putting in an admirable 30-save performance, it was LaFontaine who clearly had the time of his life sitting in the Hurricanes’ locker room:

Now that looks like a guy just vibing in the back room. Not a care in the world. But wait, why couldn’t LaFontaine join the rest of the Carolina roster on the bench?

Here’s a great explanation:

That adds up. LaFontaine can only come in during a complete goaltending disaster for his team. No notes.

Thankfully for the Hurricanes, and LaFontaine, they avoided said disaster as they eventually beat the Bruins 5-2 to take a 2-0 series lead. Hey, no one said the same goalie(s) had to be around for destiny to come true!

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).

[mm-video type=video id=01g2864ntk4ykenv7dnh playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g2864ntk4ykenv7dnh/01g2864ntk4ykenv7dnh-0e44b28bd0174f496609b28a6bb93f47.jpg]

[listicle id=1878501]