lordstanley

Very surprised they got the team back. Think they’ve done fine since their return. No margin for error though. Not a lot of corporate money in Winnipeg. Not a big population base. However, average Winnipegger has more disposable income than average Vancouverite or average Canadian. Still, they’re maybe a 5 cent Canadian currency drop away from being in deep doo doo.

Tigers win. Road record 8-3. Home record 4-7.

Tork misses his first homer of the season by a few hit with a double off the wall. 5-0 Tigers. Mize gives it over to Holton after a 6-inning, 90 pitch, 0 runs outing.

Winnipeg, Edmonton, Quebec City and Hartford only got NHL teams because of the fluke of the WHA merger. None would have been considered otherwise. Calgary is probably the most viable of the Canadian cities outside of Montreal-Toronto-Vancouver. Quebec City, even with its new modern arena, could not support an NHL team, IMO, and is well down the list of likely expansion targets.

Game 1 final: Boston 5 Toronto 1

Meadows makes the final out with a fly ball to the warning track. 4-3 final.

Javy comes through! Tying run in scoring position. 4-2.

If they had really wanted to be creative with the alternates, they could have gone with all-gold. Closer to the color of lions in the wild. Anzalone with his mane almost could have passed as a real lion.

Tigers win! 3 games behind the Indians, 4 games ahead of the Twins.

And ..we’re tied.

I jest. I meant a chance to end the inning with a pop out to the pitcher and a double play.

4-2 Tigers. With a rare chance (2 on, 0 out) chance to bust one open for a change

Does a 3rd inning single in April really warrant pointing both arms to the heavens? Unless it was Carpenter’s 3000th career hit, in which case I apologize.

Official scoring is so meaningless now. 20 years ago that would have been a single and an error. How many of Tork’s 8 RBIs have come via hits to the infield.

Yeah, this half-season was his post-surgery audition, with the audience being not only the Wings but also the entire league. The Wings and Kane were a good fit for each other in that case and I think both understood that going in. Both sides now have to make a business decision that's best for themselves, I don't expect either to give the other any favors, and if they part neither will have any hard feelings, IMO.

I’ll tolerate the black if it means never having to see the greys again.

Javy is clutch!

If the Wings had grabbed the 2nd wildcard, it would have set up the first Wings-Rangers playoff series in 74 years, since Pete Babando won Game 7 of the 1950 Stanley Cup in double overtime. Jack Edwards, who yesterday announced he will retire after this season, has a chance to call one more Leafs-Bruins playoff series, as the Panthers leapfrogged the Bruins for the division title last night and will play Tampa.

I'd fire him. I don't think Yzerman will.

Causes for 2024-25 playoff concern: - 91 pts is a lower than normal cut off for a playoff spot - Wings got key contributions from players like Kane and Gostisbehere who may not be back - Other than a full season of Edvinsson, I'm not sure who we can expect from GR to make a meaningful positive contribution to the Wings as soon as next year Causes for 2024-25 playoff optimism - I don't think the depth in the Eastern Conference is that great. Among playoff teams, Boston (finally) and Tampa could drop next year. Bubble teams Washington and Pittsburgh will likely drop some more. Jersey probably will be better, Philly may not be, Islanders will be similar to this year. In other words, Wings are not locked out of the playoffs by any means - The Wings were 11th in the league through the end of February. They were doing something right for 3/4 of the season. I think a better coach would have somehow got them through March better. Although maybe this shouldn't be listed as an optimism point, since I think Lalonde will be back. - I think the Wings can get better goaltending next year. Maybe that's a Lyon-Cossa platoon. Lyon dropped off this year, but maybe it was because he was overworked for a couple of months due to Reimer and Husso injuries. I never really thought he played "out of his mind", as in not repeatable. - I actually think the Wings will sign Ghost but move on from Kane. Not a lot of money to play with, so no room for a star, but should be able to add a contributor.

The playoffs are not a lock for the Wings next season.