Darren DuPont’s Moose Droppings
The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions! We have plenty to discuss so let’s get into it:
1. Back-to-back – The Florida Panthers became the second team from Florida to win back-to-back cups in the past six years and third overall in the past decade (Pittsburgh was the other). What this team has been able to accomplish over the past three seasons has been truly impressive. They join the likes of Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Chicago as multiple cup winners in the past 20 years and as close to a modern-day dynasty as there is in hockey.
2. In like a lion – All the talk in this series early on was that it could be the best Stanley Cup final of our generation. But, a series that came in like a lion went out like a lamb. After some wonderful drama in game four, the series really had an anti-climactic finish with a pair of games that provided little drama. I give credit to the Panthers for that. They were suffocating defensively and Bob was nearly unbeatable.
3. Oilers – It really felt like their year, didn’t it? The two year run this group has been on was special and it’s hard not to think they could be right back here next spring. If you’re an Oilers fan this morning put on some Pink Pony Club, hold your head high and remember the good times, as hard as that is to do today.
4. Blame game – “Lost to a really good team.” Those were the words from Connor McDavid following the game six loss. There will be plenty of time to talk about what went wrong and what needs to change if the Oil are going to overcome the final hurdle and win a cup while McDavid is in Edmonton. Many will want to throw the blame at Stuart Skinner and the Oilers goaltending but can’t we concede that they are a good team that got beat by a better team?
5. Skiiiinnnneeeer! – Goaltending wasn’t the issue in the final two games as much as a lack of quality scoring chances and capitalizing on the ones they did have. The Oilers went 0/3 on the power play in game five and neither team had a power play in game six. In the end, Skinner, Pickard and the Oilers outlasted goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Ottinger, and Jordan Binnington on their way to the cup final. There’s more to it but it won’t stop fans from wanting a change. The early name being thrown around as the next Edmonton goaltender is Calgary’s Dan Vladar.
6. Offseason – Now that we are officially in the offseason we can start to look ahead. The draft and free agency are nearly here and there will be plenty more time to talk about what’s next. Btw, put me in the camp that supports getting the cup handed out before the end of May. We could start the season in September, shorten the preseason and get the playoffs started and finished earlier.
7. Power 4 – On to football. Two weeks into the CFL season these are the top four teams in the league: 1. Montreal 2. Winnipeg 3. Saskatchewan 4. Calgary.
Of the four I’ve been most impressed with the Stamps.
8. Game of the Week – It will be our poll question on The RP Show Wednesday. For me it’s Winnipeg at BC on Saturday. Last week Winnipeg won their opener against a Lions team on a short week. Now, they’ll be rested and this should be a highly motivated team looking to make a statement. I still feel Winnipeg is a team that should contend for a Grey Cup but BC wants to be in that conversation.
9. Best of the Week – the best story of the past seven days? JJ Spaun. The 34-year-old won his first major and just his second tournament in dramatic fashion at Oakmont on Sunday. How did he do it? In rainy and miserable conditions that forced a 99-minute delay, Spaum needed a two-putt on 18 to win. Instead he drained a 64-foot putt that made everybody stand up and say “WOW”. After losing to Rory McIlroy in a playoff at the PGA earlier this year and shooting a 5-over 40 on the front nine on Sunday, Spaun found a way on the back. Four birdies helped the journeyman from California find a happy ending to one of golf’s most gruelling tests.
What a story.
10. Randoms – Joey Chestnut will be returning to Nathan’s hot dog eating contest this July. This puts an end to any controversy and brings the king back to the big stage… Over the weekend I saw a few posts showing Tyreek Hill running in a 100m race. He posted a time of 10.15 which is very impressive. The qualifying time to make the finals at the most recent Olympics was under 10-seconds but this is still impressive from Hill… A friend asked what I thought of the first six players named to Canada’s Olympic team. They felt the Sam Reinhart pick was a little weird and premature. I texted back after he opened the scoring in game six (in highlight reel fashion) saying “this is why.” He proceeded to score four times including a natural hat trick… The food I can’t get enough of these days? Sweet potatoes.
Welcome to the offseason! Until next week,
DD
Bobrovsky was totally beatable…when he was in Philadelphia and the majority of his time in Columbus. When he was the Goalie that upset Tampa Bay – it again goes to show you need a guy that can be a wall. He’s very close to entering Dominik Hasek conversation along with the guy in net for Tampa Bay. After that you can all mix/match as those two are as good as it gets. Barkov as a Selke Trophy winner, Captain, and best player on the team. That guy is Bob Gainey 2.0 so they’ll keep winning as long as he’s there… Read more »
Barkov is Not Russian, he’s a Finn
Wrong – his father is Russian. He is a Russo/Fin as he’s right on the border and similar to those in eastern Ukraine they are identifiable as Russian vs those more to the west in Finland and in the scandinavian vein of things.
Aleksandr Barkov is more Sergie Federov than he is Jari Kurri/Teemu Selanie.
If anything the guy is an absolute take taking the finest of two really strong countries.
If your so bad go make your comments about Hill and Floyd to the next group of black men you see? I bet you that you won’t cause your a coward
Jordan Peterson informs that those of us who delay gratification in the name of sacrifice make out better in the long wrong.
…….I made it so I reside in areas that “limit” the type of people I’d be running into unless it’s staff at the local grocery store.
Put another way; they’re to busy cutting the grass with ear buds in for us to exchange views on how fatigued a lot of us all are.
So you’re a coward to run your mouth in real life? At least Jordan Peterson has courage and conviction, you’re just a wannabe name dropper.
Oh so you know him?
Perhaps follow rule 1. Go clean your room and make it spotless. From there go room to room setting your house in order.
….if you do that you won’t have time to comment on my comments as you have enough to keep you busy l.
As for your calling to help your pals; tyreek hill and George Floyd.
My buddy thomas sowell said. Racism isn’t dead but on life support kept alive by baiters liars and to feel better about calling people racist while pretending to be morally superior.
I am comfortable with who I am that I don’t need to be a racist and a misogynist to feel better about my situation. I am more than comfortable with the order of my house thank you!
Instead of sidetracking well thought out articles on here with attacks on women and suggesting black men should be shot to death for speeding, he should find his outlet to his opinions to real life men and women face to face? I don’t know him but know him well enough that he won’t cause he’s a coward!
OBAMA, go make yourself a cup of shut the f up. You constantly troll this newsletter with your over opinionated drivel and if I could “block you” I certainly would. You’re a typical “hide behind the keyboard” social media tough talking idiot. Go Away.