Only just found this thread today. Not too happy that the Hawks are out, but the Blues were deserving winners.
Don’t know who I’ll follow, so good luck to all remaining.
I’m actually following my two soccer (fútbol) teams in the Champions League, hoping at least one makes it to the Final to go watch. They are also trying to win the domestic leave (Spain).
^ I’ve totally jumped on the Leicester City bandwagon. 
Interesting that there will be one Game 7 (Predators and Ducks) and one Game 1 (Islanders and Lightning) tonight.
Go Predators!
What the heck? The Sharks are in the second round, the second round is starting, and the Sharks don’t even know what time zone they play their first game in?
Actually I’m wrong. The Sharks would start away (in Southern California) if the Quacks win, and home (in northern California) if the Preds win. Still, why didn’t the NHL make the Preds and Ducks take care of business sooner instead of having the first round and the second round happen at the same time?
@“Cardinal Fang” I don’t recall this happening before. This series did start later than all the others, not sure why. The fact that it’s gone to seven games has, I suppose, just exacerbated the issue.
It is a strange situation, but I’m not complaining. My well-rested Sharks will face a team tired and bruised. We need every advantage possible given our history of playoff meltdowns.
True. Our Sharks can heal up.
Just hope that your rested Sharks don’t play like the rested Lightning did last night! That was a surprise.
Glad to wake up this morning and see that the Predators won and will move on against the Sharks.
Tonight is Game 1 of the Pens and Caps. Looking forward to this one!
S2 and I scored cheap (ish) tickets for Caps-Pens tonight. DH is out of the country. Let the fun commence!
Have fun, @CountingDown ! Wave to the cameras. 
They just announced the name of the new Red Wings Stadium. Wait for it… Little Ceasar’s Arena
… ew >.<
^ hahahaha / sorry
this is the biggest sports story in many years… they can in the league this weekend.
Good god, Romani! Are they kidding?! Some companies should be prohibited from ever getting their name on stadiums and other such buildings!
Anyway. Since the Wings are out… Go Sharks!
The nearest USA sports equivalent I can up with, is if the Philadelphia 76ers picked up a guy from some rec league, and somehow won the NBA championship the next year. It’s crazy.
BTW, if you are soccer fan, you should be watching Men in Blazers on NBCSN every week. That show is a riot.
Back to hockey talk…
Caps win in OT
wooohoooo!
Well, when the owner of the team is naming the arena, it’s not much of a surprise that he is going to name it after the business he also owns. This is a little different than the typical naming rights situation. I agree that it’s a terrible name, but that’s more a case of me thinking that Little Caesar’s pizza is terrible pizza. 
An exciting game last night! I really wish they would start the games at 7, though, as they do during the vast majority of regular season games. 8:00 is too late when the chances are better that the games are going to go into OT.
What a fabulous game! The Caps gave out red lighted foam sticks and it made for an amazing scene. And Oshie…wow. And his daughter is such a cutie (and a real hockey fan!).
It was the first time we’ve witnessed a hat trick, and the first time we’ve seen a Caps playoff win. S2 and I were on the visitor’s end behind the goalie (in the 400 level) and there was a fair contingent of Pens fans. We all played nicely together. The Gallery Place Metro and the streets around Verizon Center were filled with chanting fans after the game. We were on the last Red Line train to Shady Grove and got home at 1:15 am.
I am not crazy about the 8 pm start, but I will say it’s great for the restaurants and bars in the area. Lots more time between work and the game to get dinner and pregame at $4-6/beer vs. $10.
Ugh.
Little Caesar’s Arena?
I was hoping for “Gordie Howe Arena.” Broadcasters could then say “the Wings are playing at the Gordie tonight” (much like they now say “the Wings are playing at the Joe tonight.”)
Instead…
I understand the financials/marketing behind the name, but that name is atrocious.