Tag: Stanley Cup Playoffs

Penguins Jake Guentzel scored an absurd goal after kicking the puck to himself, but it probably shouldn’t have counted

Should this incredible goal from Jake Guentzel have stood as called?

Jake Guentzel just put together one of the more incredible hockey goals you’ll ever see.

During Game 7 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, Guentzel put the away team on top 2-1 after this absolutely absurd goal. With the Penguins on the power play, Guentzel found space all alone right in front to receive a pass, which he then kicked from his skate up in the air before batting it down into the Rangers net past Igor Shesterkin.

It was a hell of an athletic feat, to juggle the puck with precise hand-eye coordination in the way Guentzel did here for a mind-blowing goal. And yet, the goal wasn’t without controversy as it went to review after Guentzel possibly batted the puck in with his stick above the crossbar.

After review, however, the officials stated that the goal was good for the 2-1 Penguins lead.

I get why the referees made the call they did, as it’s so hard to tell definitively with all the angles shown that Guentzel’s stick was above the crossbar. The NHL themselves issued a statement that video review even confirmed that his stick “was at or below the height of the crossbar” when he deflected the puck into the net.

And yet, it’s so hard not to look at this angle and wonder if the right call was made.

Still, the Rule of Cool won out and at the end of the day, Guentzel’s goal counted!

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Here’s one sad stat that perfectly showcases the Maple Leafs playoff misery

The Maple Leafs are a cursed franchise.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans live in a very specific sports hell no one else can even begin to comprehend.

Sure, the Detroit Lions lay claim to the title of the most miserable sports franchise of our modern era. But the difference between the Lions and the Maple Leafs is that Toronto wins, but never when it matters.

On Saturday, the Maple Leafs bowed out in Game 7 of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They did so against the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in the Tampa Bay Lightning in a hard-fought 2-1 loss. While the Maple Leafs didn’t utterly embarrass themselves in this series, it’s still a real heartbreaker of a loss to take because Toronto were in it until the bitter end.

The loss also marks a nearly unbelievable statistic that showcases just how miserable of a time the Maple Leafs have had in recent history. The Maple Leafs are the first team in the history of the NHL, MLB, and NBA to lose five-straight elimination games in the first round.

Let’s take a jump back in time, shall we?

  • 2017–18: Lost in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins in the first round.
  • 2018–19: Lost in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins in the first round.
  • 2019–20: Lost in Game 5 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the qualifying round.
  • 2020-21: Lost in Game 7 to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round.
  • 2021-22: Lost in Game 7 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

It doesn’t get more gut-wrenching than that, honestly. The last time the Maple Leafs got out of the first round? The 2003–04 season, nearly 20 years ago! So, if you can, spare a thought or two for any Maple Leafs fans in your life. They certainly need it right now.

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Notre Dame alumnus Andrew Peeke heading to world championships

Best of luck to the former Irish captain.

Former Notre Dame defenseman Andrew Peeke’s Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t close to qualifying for this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. However, all is not lost for him as far as acquiring hardware in 2022. That’s because he will head to Finland and play for the U.S. in this year’s world championships. He last represented the U.S. in the 2018 world junior championships, during which he won a bronze medal.

Peeke just completed his first full season and third overall with the Blue Jackets. He played in all 82 games, and 13 of his 15 points came from assists.

Peeke will be the 17th Notre Dame alumnus to take part in the event. Most recently, Cal Petersen and Matt Hellickson won a bronze with the U.S. in Latvia in 2021.

Peeke played for the Irish from 2016 to 2019 and was their captain during his final year in South Bend. Over three seasons and 119 games, he scored 52 points, 12 of them coming on goals.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Three Notre Dame alumni nominated for King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Hopefully, one of them wins!

With the Stanley Cup playoffs underway, it’s time to speculate who will win this year’s awards in the NHL. One award is the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership on his team at all times and has been a humanitarian in his community. Past winners include Pekka Rinne, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg, Patrice Bergeron, Vincent Lecavalier, Jarome Iginla, Ron Francis, Curtis Joseph and Ray Bourque.

Every team has a nominee, and this year, Notre Dame is well represented. That’s because three players who once suited up for the Irish are among the nominees. That means there’s a good chance Notre Dame will have one of its own be listed among some elite company, although the award only has been presented since 1988. Here are the three former Irish players to watch out for this awards season, two of which play for playoff teams:

At least three Notre Dame alumni will be on Stanley Cup playoff rosters

Here are some guys to root for in the postseason.

Once again, it’s time for the annual competition for the Stanley Cup, the most magnificent trophy in sports. Although the slight shift in the NHL calendar means the playoffs are beginning later than we’re used to, that doesn’t make the anticipation for the most intense hockey of the year any less. Even if your team didn’t make it in this year, the high blood pressure that comes with watching these games, especially those that go into overtime, will be present. Hockey fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’re a Notre Dame hockey fan, three players who have gone through the program are on the playoff rosters for their respective teams. More of them could join after their AHL teams’ seasons end or if any other needs arise. That gives Irish fans plenty of opportunities to be happy at who wins the Cup. For now, here are the three players to watch for:

Predicting the first round of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

It’s time to predict the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

This is it, hockey fans! The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin this evening on Monday, May 2!

The most wonderful time of the year for hockey fans is finally upon us after a long 82-game regular season. Whether you’re a casual hockey fan or a hardcore nerd, the NHL playoffs offer something for everyone. And especially this year, when the NHL’s playoff format is back to normal after two years of pandemic related changes.

Now that the field of 32 teams has been trimmed to 16, it’s time for the first round of the playoffs. And before the playoffs begin, let’s take a crack at predicting the winners of all eight first round series! Plus, I’ve added a bold prediction for each series, just for fun.

Here’s how we predict the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round will go!

2022 Stanley Cup Playoff power rankings: Panthers look poised as first round begins

The casual hockey fan’s guide to the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round

Here’s everything you need to know as a casual hockey fan for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It’s the most wonderful time of year for hockey fans. No, I’m not talking about Christmas, I’m talking about the start of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

After a long 82-game season, the NHL playoffs are set to begin this Monday, May 2 with the first round. It’s a time of excitement — and stress — for hardcore hockey fans and those with a team in the running for the Stanley Cup.

And yet, the Stanley Cup playoffs are also an incredible time to jump in on the action as a casual fan. If 82 games of regular season hockey weren’t to your liking, how about two action-packed months of some of the most intense and thrilling moments in sports? Where anything can happen, upsets are frequent, and overtime is the most stressful, heart-pounding affair in sports?

Do I have you hooked yet? If not, here’s everything you — a casual fan — need to know about the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Islanders Ryan Pulock makes incredible game-winning save in the dying seconds of Game 4

The save of the playoffs from Ryan Pulock!!!

Ryan Pulock has 100 percent made the save of the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, and he’s not even a goaltender. In the waining seconds of Game 4 between the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning, Pulock bailed out his goaltender Semyon Varlamov with a stunning save on Ryan McDonagh on what should have been a wide-open net for a goal.

With three seconds left in a 3-2 Islanders lead, McDonagh was able to get open for a pass at the top of the circle. Instead of taking the direct shot, McDonagh pulled the puck with a spin move, completely faking out Varlamov and leaving the Islanders net open. Pulock, however, was right there for the knee save to secure the win and steal overtime away from the Lightning’s clutches.

It’s a play you have to see, preferably more than once.

And here are some more angles of Pulock’s save.

Now that is something else from Pulock. The Islanders now head back to Tampa Bay with the series tied 2-2, and if New York pulls out the series win, look back upon this moment where everything changed.

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Spartans in Stanley Cup Playoffs: See who will be competing in 2021 postseason

The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs start on Saturday, and Michigan State will once again be represented by a handful of former players.

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One of the best thing in sports is playoffs hockey.

The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs start on Saturday, and Michigan State will once again be represented by a handful of former players.

Here’s a look at the few former Spartans that’ll either be playing or coaching in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs — along with the schedule for their upcoming first round match-up:

Notre Dame in NHL: Anders helps lead Islanders to Game 3 win

Former Notre Dame hockey captain Anders Lee helped the Islanders to a game three victory over Philadelphia on Saturday evening.

For the sixth time this NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, former Notre Dame captain Anders Lee found the back of the net for the New York Islanders.

Lee and the Islanders won Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Saturday night, putting the Islanders ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven game series.

Lee scored early in the third period to put the Islanders up 3-1 on the night which wound up being the final score.

Lee added an assist earlier in the contest.

The New York Islanders are two wins away from advancing to the NHL’s Eastern Conference Final for the first time since the 1992-93 season.

Game Four of their series with the Philadelphia Flyers takes place on Sunday night.