Coconuts

Swayman doing Swayman things, he's the difference thus far.

Yup, a lot of folks get too hung up on who the figurehead is when ultimately he's one guy. A guy in a significant position, but still one guy. Every prime minister has their cabinet and an entire government machine full of staff behind them. Party policy, history, party platforms, these are much more significant than an individual figurehead, and they're what folks should be looking at when considering who to vote for. This isn't to say the figureheads don't matter, of course they matter, we should be paying attention to what they are and aren't saying, what they're broadcasting, but a lot of folks seem to give them more influence in their minds than they actually have. Lot of folks won't vote liberal because of Trudeau, I wish the Libs would run someone else to counteract that. A lot of folks will vote against their best interests because they don't like the puppet, as you've said. The Cons aren't interested in the average Canadian, they're interested in factions with money, and those with wealth. The Libs will never be perfect but at least they probably won't slash Canada's social safety net the way the Cons like to.

Demko's the x factor imo, if he shows signs of rust it could really hurt the Canucks chances. If he's on they probably win, if he's still getting back into the swing of things it's anyone's guess, a seven game series can fly by. He's played two games since getting back, practicing and rehab ain't the same as playing games.

Dunno. I don't like the Leafs either but let's at least be real about things, he's generally pretty durable. 81, 82, and 82 regular season games the past three seasons. Don't see why he'd miss the playoffs for nothing. Nylander's generally one of the few Leafs who does consistently show up come playoff time.

https://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20232024/TV030121.HTM Also

Nylander isn't even playing.

As a Canucks fan, you think she'd be used to the Leafs disappointing by now

It's PTSD at this point

Isles probs deserved better but Andersen was rock solid and that was the difference

Likely not nearly as much as they should. There's likely more of a pharmaceutical operation behind closed doors for most NHL franchises than we realize. Lot of pressure to perform, to stay healthy, to not lose your spot, to not lose your job. It doesn't even have to relate to performance, it can relate to maintenance and recovery as well. It's a few years old but this touches on some of it, features Kesler. This one came a year later.

He still shouldn't be playing any time soon, seriously. I get the athletes have access to experts and care most people don't, but you just don't recover from something super quickly without making questionable health decisions (steroids and so on).

I don't think it'll matter, Dallas probably makes short work of em

They were close, they were very close, but so painfully, painfully off

Who doesn't like jiggling pears? Or would you prefer coconuts?

It's what I always hear tbh

Makes his rookie season all the more impressive, he played every single game and averaged nearly 25 minutes a game

I haven't seen a counselor in a while, maybe I should book one in advance I've seen how EA's predictions go https://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=564128

MacKinnon has the "it" factor, if he's rolling he's incredibly hard for any team to stop. I'd rather play Winnipeg or Vegas than Colorado or Dallas. Demko's probably my biggest question mark against the Preds, precisely because he's been out for quite a while. It might take some time to shake off the rust, he looked good against Calgary but yesterday's game gives me a bit more pause. Practicing and rehabbing aren't the same as playing games, and if he's rusty that could be the difference maker in a seven game series.

I'd probably agree about Dallas, them or Carolina, who also look incredibly potent at both ends of the ice since acquiring Guentzel. I'm calling Dallas to beat Vegas in 5, so they'll have time to rest before getting one of Winnipeg or Colorado. Both Winnipeg and Colorado have question marks Dallas doesn't have imo. Colorado's is goaltending whereas Winnipeg's offense can go to sleep at times, Hellebuyck's bailed them out quite a bit this season, but even he'd have a tough go against 8 20+ goal scorers; six of which scored 25+. If I had to guess I'd say we go out in the second round and whichever of Edmonton or LA get through end up being stomped. But I'm also predicting LA to beat Edmonton and we've had a tougher time with them than the Oil. I wouldn't be surprised if Demko needs more games to shake off some rust, he was out for quite a while. But honestly, regardless of how the chips fall I'm content with how the Canucks season has gone. Just getting back into the dance and getting the core some more playoff experience is a huge win.

I think they'll get past Nashville, I'm less confident about Edmonton or LA though. If Dallas reaches the conference final I don't see anyone beating them outside of maybe Carolina, who's my pick to come out of the east.

Yup, if Petey ain't producing as needed they'd be booted sooner or later. It's a lot easier to focus on the guys who are offensive threats when a top guy is slumping. If Petey's cold it frees up teams to focus more on Miller, Boeser, and Hughes. He'll likely be ready to go though, this is only his second crack at the playoffs.

If we lost to Boston in the final again that might honestly break my hockey fandom