Wilderness Walk: Karmic Justice

The first  two games of the second round are over and the St. Louis Blues must be stunned, as their game against the Nashville Predators had a very different feel to it than any of the games in the series against the Minnesota Wild. Not only were a total of seven goals scored, but Allen was beaten four times in a single game on “only” 32 shots. WHERE WAS THIS ALLEN A WEEK AGO!?

One thing that was similar to the previous series that might encourage Blues fans is that two of those four goals came during power plays, meaning Allen is still playing particularly well at 5v5.

Personally, I hope that changes. Some people subscribe to the feeling that it is better to lose to the team that ends up doing really well. After all, that means you have good company in that you lost to a team that went ahead and beat other teams as well. It wasn’t just your team that couldn’t measure up.

I am not one of them, not when it comes to the team I cheer for. I want to see the victorious opponents get beaten badly in the next series. I want them punished for beating my team. Of course, being a fan of Minnesota sports, this has resulted in me wishing a lot of evil into the world. Karmic justice will surely come for me one day, but until then, here’s some news.

Wild News

Wild ponder long-term contracts for Granlund, Niederreiter
Questions were raised regarding Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter, the MN Wild's two most important pending free agents, after neither scored in the playoffs.

Off the Trail

Why Pekka Rinne is hockey’s most polarizing goalie | The Hockey News
The stats crowd is tough on him. Those who played the game say he’s elite. Who is the real Pekka Rinne, and why is he on fire?

Your Daily Sauce: Awkward Offseasons
I wish these teams no ill will. But, like any organisation, if you’re not performing – or no longer performing, you have to answer for it.

Why we should be wary of what Cassidy’s hire means for Bruins | The Hockey News
The Bruins removed the interim tag from coach Bruce Cassidy, but was his end-of-season success really a sign of what's to come?

Because it’s the Cup

Round 2 Predictions by the Numbers
Will the Capitals get past the second round for the first time since 1998?

Subban leads Predators to series-opening win against Blues - Sportsnet.ca
P.K. Subban had a goal and two assists as the Nashville Predators opened their second-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the St. Louis Blues with a 4-3 win Wednesday night.

Oilers steal home ice from Ducks to open second-round series - Sportsnet.ca
Adam Larsson scored his second goal with 4:40 remaining, Mark Letestu had two power-play goals and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 in Game 1 of the second round on Wednesday night.