The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 4

Round 3 Recap: It was a clash of the solid offenses in the Western Conference finals. 3 of the 7 games were decided in overtime as both Anaheim and Chicago had strong defense and goaltending. The series between them created an exciting atmosphere as the offense fulfilled its crucial role…Meanwhile in the East, Former New York Rangers Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle, and Anton Stralman were able to lead the youth of the Tampa Bay Lightning to victory. Their gritty style of play created opportunities for Tyler Johnson, and Nikita Kucherov to show off their skills against a tough New York Rangers team…Key Returns: Ryan Callahan (Tampa Bay Lightning)…Key Injuries: Ryan McDonagh (New York Rangers-Played With Broken Foot); Braydon Coburn (Tampa Bay Lightning-Limited Play In Game 5 Due To Illness); Michal Rozsival(Chicago Blackhawks- Out Remainder of the Playoffs After Breaking Ankle In Prior Playoff Series Against the Minnesota Wild)

Eastern Conference Final Results (A.K.A “The Lightning Are In the Finals Again”)

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning-won in 7 games

Metropolitan Division-#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers

Western Conference Final Results (A.K.A “Chicago Blackhawks’ Successful Duck Hunt”)

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks-won in 7 games

Pacific Division-#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks

Round 4: This is the moment that fans and teams alike have waited for since October. The Stanley Cup and its handlers are prepared to be present as soon as the final seconds tick off the clock of that final game. One city gets bragging rights all summer along with the burden of wearing the mantle of champion. As one city celebrates, the other is left with the regret of what could have been, and their organization looks forward to the reconstruction necessary to make their team ready for next season.

The Eastern Conference will be represented by the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Their adversaries from the Western Conference are the Chicago Blackhawks. Both these teams have worked hard to get to this point. The match-up is going to be interesting to watch if one is a fan of great offensive-driven hockey. The goaltending will have to be stellar. There may even be a few long nights as a game goes into an extra overtime session. 

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks

To follow the action as it develops, you can find NHL Stanley Cup Final action beginning Wednesday, June 3^rd, 2015. Check your local listings and NHL.com for dates and times. 

The 2015 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 3

Round 2 Recap:  The Western Conference had two exciting match-ups that thrived on a superb offense guarded by a solid defense… In the East, defense was the strongest aspect of play, and games hinged on who could score in the last minutes of regulation and overtime…Goaltenders were on display as they made amazing saves to keep their teams in the game… Key Injuries:  Mats Zuccarello and Dan Boyle (New York Rangers), Ryan Callahan (Tampa Bay Lightning), and Michal Rozsival (Chicago Blackhawks) …NHL Record Broken: New York Rangers set record for most consecutive playoff games decided by one goal (14)

The Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

#1- Montreal Canadiens

#2-Tampa Bay Lightning-won in 6 games

Metropolitan Division

#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers-won in 7 games

#2-Washington Capitals

The Western Conference:

Central Division

#4-Minnesota Wild

#3-Chicago Blackhawks-won in 4 consecutive games

Pacific Division

#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks-won in 5 games

#3-Calgary Flames

Round 3: The best teams of the East and West face off to decide who advances to the Stanley Cup Finals. Each division has a representative determined to earn the right to claim the NHL’s prized trophy.

 Eastern Conference Final (A.K.A   “What’s a Stanley Cup Title Between Former Friends?”)

Atlantic Division-#2-Tampa Bay Lightning

Metropolitan Division-#1, President’s Trophy winners, and Eastern Conference Champions-The New York Rangers

New York gets to play Tampa Bay, a team who bolstered its offense this past season. The addition of former New York Rangers Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle to Tampa Bay’s roster gave them Stanley Cup Final experience…New York has solid defense and great goaltending in Henrik Lundqvist. On their side is Stanley Cup Final experience in former Tampa Bay players who won are 2004 NHL Champions- Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis.

Western Conference Final (A.K.A “The Windy City Meets The West Coast”)

Central Division-#3-Chicago Blackhawks

Pacific Division-#1 and Western Conference Champions-Anaheim Ducks

Both teams have a series sweep in their playoff journey so far… The Chicago Blackhawks have been Stanley Cup champions as recently as 2013, with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews as their guides into greatness… Anaheim won the Stanley Cup in 2007 and built a good team off of that success.

The NHL Conference Finals are underway.

Marvel Universe Assemble! -“The Avengers” Double Feature

April 30^th, 2015-New York, NY-Fans lined up for over two hours outside the AMC Loews 34^th Street  14 theater for "the Avengers" Double Feature. I was lucky to be one of the many in line for the sold-out dual presentations of “The Avengers” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron”.

The event was run orderly. By 3:30pm, there were two lines: one for the Real3D showing in Theater 4 and the other for the IMAX 3D presentation set for Theater 13. Staff did a silent count as they allowed fans inside to present their tickets. With eager anticipation, the crowd found the line that snaked outside the theater. The reward to this wait was a lanyard featuring the cast and event details, a limited edition film poster, and an opportunity to enjoy the latest chapter in the Marvel film saga. Fans entered the theater with their promotional gifts and IMAX 3D glasses and settled into their seats; my seats were 3^rd row center.

There was a quick trivia question about the Hulk before “the Avengers” began at 4:00pm. The crowd was wrapped up in the action of this film and reacted as they were seeing it for the first time. From the viewpoint of a cinema fan, I saw that the audience’s connection to the story grew as the movie drew them into the plot emotionally. As a member of the Marvel Universe, I loved revisiting the first film that united Thor, the Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, Ironman, and Hawkeye under Nick Fury’s Avengers Initiative.

After a 30 minute break that included trivia, the premiere of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” began at 7:00pm. The film drew the audience right into the story and never let up on the thrills. Anyone who knew Marvel cheered and gasped as the characters were tested with challenge after challenge. I can even recall there being times when the theater fell into a reverent hush. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” was masterful at engaging the fans. So much happened that any additional information would seem like a spoiler.  That said, I can say I look forward to the time when “The Avengers will return” to the big screen.