Canucks and Blues – Lone Greens?

After game ones are completed, GM Joel in Vancouver, the CTR #3 and projected West Conference NHLP Finals representative is off to an all green round. GM Scottie in St Louis, the CTR projected second round matchup and 8^th overall will join Joel with 8 green players with an Oilers win to complete the NHL’s first games. “This would be a massive second round battle” stated Muddy Capone, “38-37 if all sixteen players made it through.” The Canucks are up 8-4 while the Blues down one with Bouchard, Hyman and Ekholm versus Seattle’s McTavish for GM Shawn. It would appear the Blues will have the lead after even games but will they join the Caucks in Green land?  

-----

Flames Set to Take Series Lead

The CTR #9, but favorite to come out of the Pacific Division, GM Jr is set to reclaim the lead in his first round series. The high-scoring Flames are down 3-1 but half the team has yet to play a game one. Terry, Hymen, Carlson and Killorn who should combine for about just over 3 between them, per game, should be enough to put GM Jr’s team back in front. With the second round matchups calling code red after game one, the Flames are loving the smell of teams cup hopes burning for their second round matchup. With Colorado (Chad) up 5-4 over GM Andrew’s Kings, the two teams between them wouldn’t have enough points next round to douse the Flames. After this if Jr gets the Avalanche to run and the right matchup from the project strong teams in the West Division, the team could fair well in the Conference Finals. It is early, but the round goes by fast, so Jr doesn't want to let the Winter Hawks get any momentum with MacKinnon always a threat to light it up.

A Run for the Ages

In 63 days the NHLP will crown the 36^th Champion in league history. For one GM these next two months will be like a run they have never experienced. The highs and lows of NHLP playoffs is like nothing most people every experience. GM Andrew will be looking for the feeling for a 7^th time, having previously won Six Championships in his first 29 seasons. For Andrew and Jr this is season number 30 in the NHLP, only behind GM Marcel at 31 and GM Scott who has been around for all 36 seasons. For GM’s Chad and Scott, they are trying to tie Andrew with a sixth cup win. Chad won back-to-back in NHLP seasons 33 and 34 while GM Scott has not won since Cup #24, in the 2013-14 seasons, a record for him 12 seasons ago. GM Andrew won his last the year after Scott, so an 11 year drought for Andrew. In recent years the NHLP has seen a run of first time winners including GM Shawn in 2018-19, GM Charlie in 2020-21, GM Bryce in 2021-22 and last seasons the reigning Champion GM Matt won his first Cup in his 17^th season. GM Ryan in his 24^th season has the longest drought in league history without winning a Cup while GM Joel is 19 winless seasons in. GM Scottie is just in his second NHLP season. GM Scott said the emotions run high. “I am truly happy for everyone who wins for I know the feeling” Scott said, “But it isn’t fun being knocked out, for you put in the most part of a year, just to fall short, is a very humbling experience.”  For one lucky GM he will look back at this run with an unforgettable memory and bragging rights in the upcoming season. The NHLP wishes all GM’s the best of luck. Its going to be a wild ride.