NHL Playoffs: Earned in 185 Days. Lost in 2 1/2 Hours.
Published on April 11, 2019
- The Leafs go as Mitch Marner goes. And Mitch Marner goes good. Real good. Even if the playoff beard is peach fuzz.
- It takes 185 days to earn home-ice advantage and just two-and-a-half to lose it. Just saying.
- I picked the Bruins over the Leafs. It's only one game, but I think I was very, very wrong. The Leafs are one year older and very, very different than in 2017-18.
- John Carlson started last season's Cup run with a three-assist game. He did the same this year. Last season, Carlson delivered 20 points. This year? Maybe more, if the Caps advance.
- Rinse. Repeat. A .932 save percentage post All-Star break last season. And .948 this year in the same span. But is he better? I hope Philipp Grubauer learned from his postseason failure last year. Then again, it still won't be enough.
- Yes, I'm partial to blueliners. That Sharks trio is enough to make my heart flutter. Even Pickles.
- Patrice Bergeron's goal was a thing of beauty. But he should never have given the Leafs' bench that smug smirk as he skated by (on his way to pee-wee glove tap his bench -- what is that, anyway?). The Leafs made him eat that cockiness the rest of the night.
- Just like Wee Willie Nylander, P.K. Subban got a fresh start in the second season. But his started early -- he seven points, including three goals, in six games March 29. Maybe Lindsay Vonn's vacation is a good thing.
- Freddie Andersen. He's back. Dang.
- I hope the Canes take at least one of the games at home. I can't wait to see what they have planned for their first postgame win celebration.
- Was it just me or did anyone hear Auston Matthews' name during the broadcast? Those were the quietest three shots I've ever seen.
