The season may pass but the dream doesn't die
ROUND THREE, NIGHTS SEVEN AND EIGHT: Penguins @ Bruins (GM 4); Kings @ Blackhawks (GM 5)
I needed a few days to process both of these games...spoiler alert: I wasn't happy with the end result
First, the Kings...the Blackhawks simply played better than them in this series but the Kings still played like champions and fought until the very end. I was hesitant about Richie playing in this game but his goal with less than 10 seconds to go in the third period to potentially save the Kings' season might be my favorite moment of the playoffs. That's exactly what I expected from him in this series and it's a shame he only got to play in two games due to concussion-like symptoms. Damn.
This was my last gif of the Kings' season - minus raising the Cup, what else could I ask for??
The game went to double OT and Kane scored on a pass from Jonny Toews. Of course. Still, although they came up short, the Kings have nothing to be ashamed of. Their series against St. Louis was arguably the best series and most entertaining to watch in the playoffs this year. The series against the Sharks was rough but they pulled through to make it to the Western Conference Final in back-to-back seasons. Even though they only won one game in the WCF, it wasn't for lack of effort. For that reason, I'm still proud of their season. Thanks, boys. (Sidenote: They only have three UFAs so they will most likely have a pretty similar roster next season)
The Penguins on the other hand...if you had told me before game one that in four games, the Pens would only score two goals, I'd think you're on meth. They had a 4.27 goals per game avg in the postseason so far. Tuukka Rask had a lot to do with their sudden scoring drought but it's still a mindfuck. Well that basically describes the entire Eastern Conference Final. It doesn't seem real - how is it already over? How did we go from being the favorites to win the Cup to suddenly being out of the playoffs and wondering who is still going to be a Penguin next season? I'm still not sure this wasn't just a nightmare.
Maybe it's karma for me giving Toews a hard time in the last round that Sid just completely lost himself against Boston. Haha speaking of karma, the game 3 intro set to "Karma Police" was absolutely heartbreaking to watch. It was so, so perfect but it pains me to watch it. I always hoped my favorite hockey team set to my favorite band would equal something much more pleasant. But no.
So how do I feel about the Pens' season now? Meh. It was their most entertaining season to watch yet and to see it end the way it did was just awful. We won't have the same team next season - no clue if Letang, Fleury, Dupuis or any of the new guys will be back. There's already talk about Kuni's contract and whether or not he'll sign an extension this summer (editor's note: AHHHHHHHH! I thought I still had another year until I had to freak out about this!).
But no matter what, Pittsburgh is in my blood and whether they're Stanley Cup Champions or 30th in the league, I'm stuck with these assholes for life.
I've thought about it and I just don't want to watch the Final. The season's over for me and I'd rather read a book than subject myself to more heartbreak since either way, a team I don't like is going to win the Cup.
So, is it October yet? #gokingsgo #letsgopens
I needed a few days to process both of these games...spoiler alert: I wasn't happy with the end result
First, the Kings...the Blackhawks simply played better than them in this series but the Kings still played like champions and fought until the very end. I was hesitant about Richie playing in this game but his goal with less than 10 seconds to go in the third period to potentially save the Kings' season might be my favorite moment of the playoffs. That's exactly what I expected from him in this series and it's a shame he only got to play in two games due to concussion-like symptoms. Damn.
This was my last gif of the Kings' season - minus raising the Cup, what else could I ask for??
The game went to double OT and Kane scored on a pass from Jonny Toews. Of course. Still, although they came up short, the Kings have nothing to be ashamed of. Their series against St. Louis was arguably the best series and most entertaining to watch in the playoffs this year. The series against the Sharks was rough but they pulled through to make it to the Western Conference Final in back-to-back seasons. Even though they only won one game in the WCF, it wasn't for lack of effort. For that reason, I'm still proud of their season. Thanks, boys. (Sidenote: They only have three UFAs so they will most likely have a pretty similar roster next season)
The Penguins on the other hand...if you had told me before game one that in four games, the Pens would only score two goals, I'd think you're on meth. They had a 4.27 goals per game avg in the postseason so far. Tuukka Rask had a lot to do with their sudden scoring drought but it's still a mindfuck. Well that basically describes the entire Eastern Conference Final. It doesn't seem real - how is it already over? How did we go from being the favorites to win the Cup to suddenly being out of the playoffs and wondering who is still going to be a Penguin next season? I'm still not sure this wasn't just a nightmare.
Maybe it's karma for me giving Toews a hard time in the last round that Sid just completely lost himself against Boston. Haha speaking of karma, the game 3 intro set to "Karma Police" was absolutely heartbreaking to watch. It was so, so perfect but it pains me to watch it. I always hoped my favorite hockey team set to my favorite band would equal something much more pleasant. But no.
So how do I feel about the Pens' season now? Meh. It was their most entertaining season to watch yet and to see it end the way it did was just awful. We won't have the same team next season - no clue if Letang, Fleury, Dupuis or any of the new guys will be back. There's already talk about Kuni's contract and whether or not he'll sign an extension this summer (editor's note: AHHHHHHHH! I thought I still had another year until I had to freak out about this!).
But no matter what, Pittsburgh is in my blood and whether they're Stanley Cup Champions or 30th in the league, I'm stuck with these assholes for life.
I've thought about it and I just don't want to watch the Final. The season's over for me and I'd rather read a book than subject myself to more heartbreak since either way, a team I don't like is going to win the Cup.
So, is it October yet? #gokingsgo #letsgopens