2024-25 NHL Conference Finals (after 3 games)

East

Panthers 5-2 Hurricanes

Panthers 5-0 Hurricanes

Hurricanes 2-6 Panthers

Yawn. This series was over almost instantly, the Panthers are better at both ends and in every way than the Hurricanes, who are struggling to even look competitive. I'd be kinda shocked if this isn't over in 4. 

West

Oilers 3-6 Stars

Oilers 3-0 Stars

Stars 1-6 Oilers

In Game One, the Oilers were up 3-1 going into the 3rd period. Out of the blue, the Stars dominated the shit out of the Oilers for 20 minutes and easily took Game One. Other than the 3rd period of Game One, the Oilers have completely controlled this series, again, better at both ends than their hapless opponent. They did give away a game, so this one will be going 5 games instead of 4, but this probably should've been a sweep. 

We are headed to a rematch of last year's Final, which was a wild series with each team running 3 straight before the Oilers kinda collapsing in Game Seven. I suspect this year's series will be tighter but should still go 7 games. 

2021-22 NHL Finals

(One) Lightning 3-4 (OT) Avalanche

When the Avalanche got two quick goals and were up 3-1 after the 1st period, felt like they had found something in their relentless attack. But the Lightning tied it up in the 2nd and a scoreless 3rd set up the greatest thing in all of sports: overtime hockey! But, thankfully, the Avalanche scored almost instantly, so rather than wasting my life on a single goal, I got to experience the full (if brief) thrill of overtime hockey without worrying friends and family. 

(Two) Lightning 0-7 Avalanche

This will sound weird but for a guy that gave up seven goals, I thought Tampa Bay's goalie had a pretty resilient match. I'm always so impressed with every single goal, it is so hard to score in hockey, so perhaps I'm overrating this but, damn, man, all seven goals were great shots! You look at a game like this and you figure the defense collapsed (a little but not too bad) or the goalie just had a terrible night (not really). But, no, man, the Avalanche just had the finest shooting performance of their lives. Two ways this can go: either Colorado is just an unstoppable machine or else they just peaked. (Considering the Lightning are the 2-time defending champ, my suspicions are drifting to the latter)

(Three) Avalanche 2-6 Lightning

Colorado scored first but had the goal waived after a video replay showed off-sides (the right call, I guess, but I still hate replay). The reprieve did not last long as the Avalanches quickly got back on the board. Then Tampa Bay seemingly got desperate and dominated possession for a while, resulting in 2 goals and stealing the lead by the end of the 1st. Colorado's attack is relentless, when they get pushed back into the neutral zone, they have an amazing ability to turn the puck back to the offense with a quickness. Even when they're not shooting well, they can still dominate possession. Feels like that's what happened here: Colorado attacked better but Tampa's defense finally came up strong and the Lightning were able to convert more of their chances. Two ways this can go: either Colorado's attack is so overwhelming that they just find a way to outscore Tampa or Tampa's defense has solved Colorado and a slow steady smothering is on the way.

Not sure where this series goes from here: I can totally see Colorado taking the next two games but I can also see Tampa Bay being rejuvenated and winning the next three games. Somehow I foresee a slaughter rather than a rock fight but I'm not sure who is gonna take over.