The Puck Drops Here 6.13.16: Lake Erie Monsters, Calder Cup Champions!

By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics

That's right you all read that title of this article right. The Lake Erie Monsters the farm club of the Columbus Blue Jackets are your NEW Calder Cup Champions for the first time since 1964. In front of a sellout crowd of over 19,000 fans at Quicken Loans Arena, the Monsters completed the sweep of the Hersey Bears in front of the biggest hockey crowd to ever witness a game in Ohio (19,665) and claimed their 10th Calder Cup in the process.

Led by 18 year old phenom Zach Werenski who is so calm with the puck leading the power play. Goalie Anton Forsberg who spent time with Columbus earlier in the season, was undefeated after becoming the starter in round 2. I can list a bunch of players but none was bigger than Oliver Bjorkstrand. Where should I start with that kid? 10 goals 6 assists for 16 points in 17 games good enough? How about adding 6 game winning goals (which tied an AHL record) or how about his 3 overtime goals in a single postseason? Those efforts were good enough to have Bjorkstrand named the MVP of the Calder Cup Finals.

And how about this Lake Erie team? First year as the affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets and they did not disappoint all year. Once they got to the playoffs they swept their first round matchup against the Rockford Icehogs. Then won 4-2 against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Finally in the Western Conference Championship they swept the defending AHL Champions Ontario Reign 4-0. Facing the Hersey Bears in the Finals many thought it would go 6 or 7 games given Hersey's experience but that wasn't the case as the Monsters won 4-0 including a thrilling 1-0 OT win to clinch it at home.

The Q was rocking Saturday night. Next season should bring tons of excitement to Cleveland and Columbus as the future is really bright for the Blue Jackets. But right now celebrate Cleveland. It might not be a "major franchise" sport, but this puts Cleveland on the map for something positive.

As always #BattleTogether #CarryTheFlag #CBJ #AllOfUs #Monsters and most importantly #CalderCupChamions

The Puck Drops Here 5.30.16: 2016 Stanley Cup Final Edition #StanleyCup

By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics

After a tremendous playoff race, two teams have emerged from the insanity that is the NHL playoffs to play for sports most prestigious trophy. Whether you call it "The Cup", "Lord Stanley's Cup", or "The Holy Grail", it doesn't matter. It is the goal of every hockey team at the start of the season in October to make it this far.

We will see from the Western Conference, making their first ever trip, will be the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks made it by beating the Los Angeles Kings in the first round 4-1. Then the Nashville Predators 4-3. And then the St. Louis Blues 4-2. After years of making the playoffs only to lose in an early round, they finally brushed that dark cloud hovering over them. San Jose is playing some of the best hockey in recent years and they easily have a chance, a really good chance by the way, of winning the whole thing.

On the other side of things, the Pittsburgh Penguins are no strangers being in this position. Sidney Crosby, love him or hate him, is one of the top players of this generation. Along with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, they definitely have the scoring whether it be from goals or assists. What could provide to be the biggest difference in the series is the play of rookie goaltender Matt Murray. Murray, who replaced veteran, Marc-Andre Fleury during an injury will become the 6th rookie goalie to start in the Finals, has been playing unlike a rookie seemingly unfazed and showing poise beyond his years. Penguins fans in recent years might be a little happy that Fleury is not playing as in recent years his play not all his fault has been the downfall of recent playoff years.  If Murray plays as he has been and can, then the Cup will be coming back to Pittsburgh.

This definitely will be a very good series as both teams have the talent and goaltending to win.  Biggest questions will be will Pittsburgh's Murray falter in the Finals or continue to play the way he has been all playoffs?  Will the Sharks lack of playoff experience this deep prove to be the deciding factor or will they continue to show that they are what everyone expected them to be and come out on top? Be sure to check out the website for game times and channels.

I have this series going 6 games, with the Penguins bringing the Cup back to Pittsburgh.  If you take a look back at the playoff preview edition, I will probably be wrong since my predictions weren't up to par.  But if I could predict everything being right I would predict the lottery numbers and win millions.

I hope you've enjoyed the articles throughout the season.  Enjoy the Finals, get ready for an amazing off season, enjoy your summer and I'll see everyone around draft time or right before the World Cup of Hockey.

The Puck Drops Here 4.12.16: Stanley Cup Preview #StanleyCupPlayoffs

By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics

After an exciting 2015-2016 NHL regular season, the NHL playoffs are approaching and this edition will preview the first round match ups.


EASTERN CONFERENCE

Washington Capitals (M1) vs Philadelphia Flyers (WC2)

The Capitals won the Presidents Trophy with 120 points and were almost unstoppable all season. Will this year finally be the year that Alexander Ovechkin breaks the "curse" and carry his team to the Finals or will the Capitals go home early? As for the Flyers they will prove to be a tough first round match-up as they are playoff tested and can beat any team with their gritty no nonsense physical style of play. Prediction Washington 4-2.

Florida Panthers (A1) vs New York Islanders (WC1)

Florida is lead by Jaromir Jagr. I know I'm going to get some flack for saying that but tell me in what other sport can a 44 year old help his team the way he has this season? Can Jagr make it back to the Finals? Just wait and see.  The Islanders are another gritty team lead by Captain John Tavares. New York playing in their new home hopes to bring some of the old magic from their old arena to their new one this postseason. Prediction New York 4-3

Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) vs Detroit Red Wings (A3)

A couple of weeks ago this match-up might of been a no brainier, but after blood clots to Lightning Captain Steven Stamkos maybe just possibly this is no longer the case. Questions amount for the Lightning. Can they get by without their Captain or will Detroit who is playing in the postseason for an unheard of 25th consecutive year be able to continue their playoff expertise? Detroit is a playoff tested team but with a new coach at the helm can they help in the process of going deep into the playoffs or be out early? Prediction Tampa Bay 4-3

Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs New York Rangers (M3)

This is the match-up I am looking forward to the most in the first round of the Eastern Conference. A couple of weeks ago Pittsburgh was fighting for a wild card and then out of nowhere caught fire and climb the standings to secure the second seed in the Metropolitan Division. There's no denying the ability of Sidney Crosby and what he has accomplished during his career. But the question is which Fleury will show up. Will the one who is really good during the regular season show up or will it be the one that shows up in the playoffs the past couple of years? Either way the Penguins have offensive fire power that can blow past other teams but will it be enough this year? New York on the other hand is another playoff tested team who like Pittsburgh have proven that they can win and go deep into the playoffs. Prediction New York 4-3 


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dallas Stars (C1) vs Minnesota Wild (WC2)

Dallas who had the most points in the Western Conference will play Minnesota. If Dallas can play their type of game they shouldn't have too much to worry about. But making the playoffs in the NHL is no easy task and Minnesota deserves to be their. Minnesota has to be able to steal either the first game or second g ame in order to have a chance in this series. Will they be able too do that or will Dallas be too much to handle for them? Prediction Dallas 4-1 

St. Louis Blues (C2) vs Chicago Blackhawks (C3)

This is the Western Conference series that I will be paying attention too. Firstly you have the Reigning Defending NHL Stanley Cup Champions in the Chicago Blackhawks going up against a Ken Hitchcock team who might very well be playing for their coaches job. St Louis who has had great regular season have faltered in the postseason the past couple of years can hopefully keep a great coach in Hitchcock if they can beat the Blackhawks. As for Chicago? What do I need to say? They can possibly be a dynasty in the NHL with another Stanley Cup Championship especially after trading away key parts of past Championship seasons in order to comply with the new salary cap. Some people said they would not be able to duplicate what they did in previous years but they shut everyone up this year. With Patrick Kane playing lights out hockey another Cup might be in the forecast and another parade for Chicago. Prediction Chicago 4-2   

Anaheim Ducks (P1) vs Nashville Predators (WC1)

Anaheim is going into these playoffs looking to make a statement that this is their year. And while yes they are playing a wild card team that is also looking to make the same statement. Nashville who acquired Ryan Johansen from Columbus earlier in the season in order to help their offense might just be able to pull off the upset in the first round. Johansen is a type of player who can take over any game and is dangerous with the puck. Nashville will have to steal one of the first two games in oder to have a chance but I think they are capable of doing so. Prediction Nashville 4-3

Los Angeles Kings (P2) vs San Jose Sharks (P3)

These two teams are no strangers to one another. To say they don't like each other would be an understatement. Yes they play in the same division. Yes they play in the same state divided by miles. So who has the advantage here? LA has been here before and has won the Cup recently. San Jose on the other hand has a lot to prove. They don't want to be one round and done. They want to prove that they are the best team in California. Can they get past LA goalie Jonathan Quick though or will the Kings experience and veteran players prove to be too much for them to handle? Prediction LA 4-2

There is the first round for you guys. Yes I probably will be wrong on some of the predictions and yes I did make a lot of series going to 7 games. You can't predict anything in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and if I could my team would be bringing the Cup home. Make sure to follow us especially the TV Listings each and every day for game times and channel updates each and every day.

The Puck Drops Here 3.9.16: Blue Jackets Review #CBJ

By Chris Lulovics, @CLulovics


Well, the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. The Blue Jackets decided it was best to stay put and not risk the future of the team. Sure many GM's around the league were calling the front office of the Jackets inquiring about the many young talents the team has but why risk the future for a rental player or draft picks for players who may not work out?

As the past couple of seasons have shown, the team has been playing their best hockey the past couple of months and have shown that this is the team that many expected to see back in October.  Sure, they had the worst record in the NHL and were almost a lock for the #1 pick in the upcoming draft, but the team never laid down and never quit.  Head coach John Tortorella said the process wouldn't be a short overnight fix.  If these past two months have shown anything, its that this team can play like a top tier team. If they can play like this at the early months, then the playoffs are in the future for this young team.

Scott Hartnell, who was rumored to be traded to the Nashville Predators at the deadline, currently leads the team in points and third in goals with a stat line of 21 goals, 22 assists and 43 points. Brandon Saad is tied for the team lead in goals, while coming in second for total points with 24 goals, 17 assists and 41 points. The 24 goals for Saad is a new career high for him in his first season with the team coming in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.  Cam Atkinson is third in points while contributing 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points. Boone Jenner is having a good year after last seasons injury plagued campaign 24 goals 14 assists for 38 points. Rookie goaltender and Lake Erie Monster call up Joonas Korpisalo, in the absence of Sergei Bobrovsky who is still out with a groin injury, has been nothing but spectacular while being thrown into a situation that he along with many were not expecting him to be in this season.

The Lake Erie Monsters, who in their past ten games are 5-3-0-2, are currently sitting in the playoffs and playing some of their best hockey even with call ups coming from the bigger club.  The future is still bright with the Monsters playing the way they have been and if they can bring the type of play down there up to the NHL then winning ways should be coming back to Columbus.



As always CARRY THE FLAG, MARCH ON, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, ALL OF US and see you guys either at Nationwide Arena in Columbus or in downtown Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Puck Drops Here: Columbus Blue Jackets 2015-16 Season Preview #CBJ

By @CLulovics

HEALTHY: in good health. Not injured or sick. Those are the things that made last season for the Blue Jackets uneasy. With 502 man games lost due to injury, the Blue Jackets led the NHL in that department and setting a new club record as well. Not the type of record the team had in mind of breaking when the season started, the team in the last two months of the season went 16-4-1 and recorded a point in the last 13 games. Todd Richards will be at the helm for the group once again this year. Last season Richards became the Blue Jackets all time winning coach, surpassing former coach and current coach of the St. Louis Blues Ken Hitchcock. Going into this season the Jackets are healthy unlike last year at this previous time, so expectations are once again at an all time high.

The big acquisition for Columbus during the off season was trading for Brandon Saad who spent the previous couple years playing for the Chicago Blackhawks and winning two Stanley Cup Championships during that time.  Columbus gave up forwards Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp, Marko Dano, and a fourth found pick in the 2016 NHL Draft for Saad along with defenseman Michael Paliotta. Saad put up career highs last season with 23 goals 29 assists for 52 points in only his 4th professional season. To keep Saad with the Blue Jackets long term, the team inked him to a 6 year extension worth $36 million. Another big off season signing was defenseman David Savard agreeing to terms on a 5 year $21.25 million dollar extension which keeps the big, strong, well minded young fellow in town for years to come.

The 2013 Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky who last season signed a 4 year $29.7 million contract extension, is once again the main man in goal. After a couple of injuries last season (just like everyone else one the team), Sergei looks to stay healthy and prove once again why many feel that he is the best goalie in the NHL. Ryan Johansen one of the NHL'S young studs will look to build on his career best in assists and points from last season. With the projected first line of Johansen, Saad and new Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno, he should have plenty of opportunities to surpass those point totals.

That first line of those three players could provide the fans with an opportunity to see something special. Boone Jenner, Brandon Dubinsky, David Clarkson, Cam Atkinson, Matt Calvert, Scott Hartnell, Kerby Rychel and Alexander Wennberg will look to provide fire power on offense. Jack Johnson, Fedor Tyutin, David Savard, Kevin Connauton, Dalton Prout, and a healthy Ryan Murray will provide strong help on the blue line in front of Bobrovsky.

The Blue Jackets will open up the 2015-2016 season at home on October 9th against Eastern Conference foe the New York Rangers. Beautiful Nationwide Arena is home to the Jackets. Opened in 2000, the arena seats 18,500 for hockey games. Surrounding the arena is another beautiful area called the Arena District which is home to many restaurants, bars, hotels and other outdoor places to sightsee. Across from the arena as well is the minor league stadium Huntington Park which is home to the Cleveland Indians AAA team the Columbus Clippers. So if you are ever in the Columbus area I strongly encourage you to catch a game, take in some food and drink, and spend a night at one of the many hotels which are in walking distance.

With the season fast approaching optimism, joyfulness and other emotions are high. This team has many others around the league talking about how good they can be. I feel that the Jackets will return to the playoffs this year and make a lot of noise.

As always CARRY THE FLAG, MARCH ON, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, ALL OF US.

The Puck Drops Here: #BlueJackets #NHLDraft #CBJ

By @CLulovics

The top 2 picks in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft went as expected as Connor McDavid went to the Edmonton Oilers and Jack Eichel went to the Buffalo Sabres. As for the Columbus Blue Jackets draft went they had the number 8 pick and they selected 17 year old defenseman Zach Werenski from the University of Michigan. Zach is a tall strong D man which the Jackets were looking for but early reports have him returning to Michigan. They also traded up to the 29th spot and selected D man Gabriel Carlsson from Sweden.

In the second round the Jackets drafted LW Paul Bittner from the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Still in the second round and with the 58th pick C Kevin Stenlund was selected also out of Sweden. In the third round the CBJ selected Keegan Kolesar who plays RW for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. The 5th round was all about defense as the Jackets took 2 D men in Sam Ruopp of the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and Veeti Vainio out of Sweden. Round 6 also saw the team take a D man in Vladislav Gavrikov who currently plays for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl out of Russia. And with the teams last pick in the draft they selected another D man in Markus Nutivaara out of Finland.

With the draft over the prospects headed down to Columbus in Nationwide Arena for the annual prospect camp which started on Monday June 29th. Fans can get an early glimpse of the teams draft picks along with other future prospects who hope to one day make it to the NHL.

Always looking towards the future Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen made a blockbuster trade on Tuesday June 30 with the Chicago Blackhawks which saw Brandon Saad, defenseman Michael Paliotta, and forward Alex Broadhurst traded to the Blue Jackets from Chicago for forwards Artem Anisimov, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp, Marko Dano, and a fourth found pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. Saad who was part of the past two Stanley Cup Champions for Chicago in only 4 seasons with the team saw career bests in the 2014-2015 season with 23 goals and 52 points. In the playoffs which saw the Blackhawks win the Cup Saad had 8 goals and 11 points.

To say it nicely the Blue Jackets got the better end of this trade as Artem Anisimov whose contract was up at the end of this coming season more than likely would of been traded during the season but Jarmo saw an opportunity to add a player from a team that won the Stanley Cup twice in the past 4 years so Saad knows what it takes to win.

As always Carry The Flag, We Are The 5th Line, Battle On and AllofUs

The Puck Drops Here 6.8.15: #StanleyCupFinal Games 1 & 2 Recap

By @CLulovics

GAME #1

The 2015 Stanley Cup finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning began on Wednesday night in Tampa. A lot of people thought that both teams would have a "feeling out" during the early stages of game 1 but it never happened. Tampa came out quicker than most people believed since players on Chicago definitely has more experience not only playing in the finals but playoffs overall. Tampa out shot Chicago in the first period 10-7 and out hit them 12-11. Alex Killorn opened up the scoring at 4:31 of the first period giving Tampa an early 1-0 lead after redirecting a shot from Anton Stralman. Both teams were 0-1 on the power-play in the first period.

The second period really didn't amount to much as it played out more like the first period should of with both teams "feeling each other out" but with Chicago starting to pick up steam and adapted to Tampa's playing style. Towards the end of the period Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford came up huge with back to back big saves against Tampa Captain Steven Stamkos keeping the score 1-0. Chicago was 0-2 on the power-play while Tampa was 0-1. Shots in the second saw Tampa out-shoot Chicago 8-6 bringing the games total to 18-13 in favor of the Lightning. Tampa also out hit Chicago 8-5 bringing those totals to 20-16 in favor of the Lightning as well.

Chicago came out in the 3rd skating, passing, and playing their game putting pressure on Tampa but Tampa's defense stood up to the task. Chicago's defense also was up to the task holding Tampa without a shot on goal threw the first 10 minutes into the third. In fact only 2 shots were taken in the first 10 minutes of the third both by Chicago. Tampa turned the puck over many times early in the third but Chicago couldn't take advantage of those turnovers. Chicago finally managed to put one in the back of the net at 13:28 by Teuvo Teravainen to tie it at 1-1. Another Tampa turnover resulted in an unassisted goal by Antoine Vermette at 15:26 which turned out to be the game winning goal. Chicago had the edge in shots in the 3rd 8-5 but Tampa had the overall lead 23-21. Tampa outhit the Blackhawks 9-5 in the period for an overall game advantage of 29-21. But shots and hits don't win games.

Both goalies played well throughout 3 periods. Maybe it was all the turnovers that did in the Lightning. Maybe it was Chicago's ability to adapt to Tampa's playing style. Nonetheless Chicago came out on top in game 1 in Tampa and taking away home ice advantage.

GAME #2

Going into game 2 Tampa needed a win to tie the series before heading to Chicago for the next two games as being down 0-2 would of almost spelled doom for the Lightning. Game 2 was completely different than game 1 was as the score showed in a 4-3 win for the home Lightning.

Scoring opened up in the first by the Lightning with a goal from Cedric Paquette with assists from Ryan Callahan and Victor Hedman. Tampa lead the first period with shots on goal by a slim 12-11 margin. Tampa was also 0-1 on the power-play while Chicago never got a chance in the period to try to capitalize with the man advantage.

Going into the second with the way both games have gone so far no one saw the offense production that would happen. Chicago came out shooting and found a way to beat Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop by scoring two quick goals at 3:04 by Andrew Shaw and 5:20 on a power-play goal by Teuvo Teravainen taking a 2-1 early into the second period. Only a minute and fifty two seconds later at 6:52 Tampa tied the game at 2 with a goal from Nikita Kucherov. Then at 13:58 the Lightning took back the lead with a goal from Tyler Johnson. That lead held the rest of the period as the Lightning took a 3-2 lead going into the 3rd and final period. Chicago was 1-2 on the power-play while the Lightning this period did not get a chance on the man advantage. Shots in the period once again saw Tampa with a lead 10-8 taking a game total of 22-19.

The third period could be described as wild. Chicago scored early at 3:38 to tie the game at 3 with a goal from Brent Seabrook. Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop left right after the goal and in came 20 year old Andrei Vasilevskiy. The relief was only brief as Bishop came back into the game. At 8:49 Jason Garrison of the Lightning scored to make the score 4-3 with a power-play goal beating Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. At the 12:19 mark of the period Bishop once again left the net and Vasilevskiy came back in for the rest of the game. Shots in the 3rd were 10-2 in favor of the Blackhawks and 29-24 also in favor of the Blackhawks. Tampa was 1-2 on the power-play while Chicago was 0-1 bringing the total with both teams 1-3 on the man advantage.

Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy became the first goalie to come in relief in the Finals since 1928. Tampa needed this win bad. Chicago had the opportunity to take a 2-0 lead in the series and heading home looking to clinch. If Tampa can steal two games in Chicago which is going to be hard to do they can come back home for game 5 and seal the Cup. But Chicago is a tough team who has been in the Finals before and know how to handle business. Games 3 and 4 will be interesting to see. Will Bishop come back into goal? Will Chicago be able to capitalize in their home arena? We will have to wait and see until Monday night June 8th.

The Puck Drops Here 6.3.15: #StanleyCupFinals Edition

By @CLulovics

The 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Finals will be contested by the Eastern Conference Champions Tampa Bay Lightning and the Western Conference Champions the Chicago Blackhawks starting June 3rd in Tampa. Let's take a quick look on how both teams made it to the Finals.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS ROAD TO THE FINALS

The Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Playoffs faced off against the Detroit Red Wings in the first time both teams have faced eachother in the playoffs. With Detroit making the playoffs for the 24th consecutive season might of been considered the favorite going into the first round match up with all the experience but the Lightning won the series after trading victories back and forth until Tampa pulled off back to back wins in game 6 and 7 propelling them into the Eastern Conference Semi Finals against the Montreal Canadians who took care of the Ottawa Senators in 6 games.

Against the Canadians the Lightning won the series in 6 games but not without the Canadians putting up a fight. Tampa started off fast winning the first 3 games before Montreal came back and won game 4 stopping the potential sweep winning 6-2 and game 5 2-1. In game 6 back in Tampa the Lightning didn't want to go back to Montreal for a game 7 winning game 6  4-1 propelling them to the Eastern Conference Finals

The Lightning faced off against the Presidents trophy winner in the New York Rangers. Once again for the Lightning the series went 7 games. Home ice advantage did not seem to help either team this series as the home team only won 2 games and the visitors winning 5. The Rangers were seeking a return trip to the Stanley Cup Finals but the Lightning had other plans by defeating the Rangers in game 7 giving the Rangers their first ever game 7 home loss and sending them to the Finals for the second time in franchise history.

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS ROAD TO THE FINALS
In the first round the Chicago Blackhawks faced off against the Nashville Predators in a series that saw the Blackhawks win in 6 games. With Nashville having home ice advantage the two teams split the first two games in Nashville before the home team the rest of the series winning every game. The series was a hard fought battle with 2 overtime games both won by the Blackhawks a double overtime along with a triple overtime game.

In the Western Conference Semi Finals the Blackhawks swept the Minnesota Wild 4 games to 0. All but one game was decided by 1 goal and no overtime games. In game 4 the Wild at home and hoping to extend the series saw the Blackhawks complete the sweep by a score of 4-3 and propelling them to the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive year and 5th time in the last 7 years.

Going up against the top seeded team in the Western Conference in the Anaheim Ducks, the Blackhawks were in for a hard fight if they wanted to return to the Stanley Cup Finals and they got just that in the Ducks. In a series that can be described as the "overtime" series in which saw 3 games go into extra period, a triple and double overtime both won by Chicago along with a single overtime game won by the Ducks. Both teams traded victories until the series was tied 3-3 and game 7 headed back to Anaheim where the Ducks had been 7-1 (their only loss coming to Chicago in game 2) the Blackhawks won 5-3 winning back to back games and sending them to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in the past 6 years.

A LOOK AT THE FINAL SCHEDULE
GAME #1
Wednesday June 3rd 8pm in Tampa on NBC

GAME #2
Saturday June 6th 7:15pm in Tampa on NBC

GAME #3
Monday June 8th 8pm in Chicago on NBCSN

GAME #4
Wednesday June 10th 8pm in Chicago on NBCSN

GAME #5 IF NECESSARY
Saturday June 13th 8pm in Tampa on NBC

GAME #6 IF NECESSARY
Monday June 15th 8pm in Chicago on NBC

GAME #7 IF NECESSARY
Wednesday June 17the 8pm in Tampa on NBC

This is the first time that both teams will face eachother for the Cup. The Tampa Bay Lightning are  hoping to repeat history as they won the Cup back in 2004 in 6 games against the Calgary Flames. On the other side the Chicago Blackhawks will be making their 13th Finals appearance last winning the Cup in 2013 against the Boston Bruins in 6 games.

As always check the TV Tonight schedule here on TripleThreatCLE.com at for any changes that might occur during the Finals and follow @triple3xthreat On Twitter.

The Puck Drops Here 4.15.15: #BlueJackets Season In Review & #NHLPlayoffs

By @CLulovics

The 2014-2015 NHL season for the Columbus Blue Jackets didn't go the way everyone envisioned it. The season for them was basically decided within the first few months of the campaign as injuries mounted up and the team couldn't overcome it. But despite all the injuries the Jackets never gave up, never quit, didn't tank for a better draft pick, and played for themselves and for the fans. That was made clear when they went 12-0-1 in their last 13 games and winning 15 of their last 17 games setting franchise records for most consecutive games with a point at 13 and longest win streak at 9. They also lost a team record and NHL leading 508 man games lost due to all the injuries they sustained during the season.

Statistically the Jackets were lead by Nick Foligno (31g 42a 73p), Ryan Johansen (26g 45a 71p), Scott Hartnell (28g 32a 60p), Jack Johnson (8g 32a 40p), Cam Atkinson (22g 18a 40p). The young core of players who were not expected to play in the big leagues this year (Marko Dano, Alexander Wennberg) proved not only can they play in the NHL but played above what anyone predicted. Dano was a force out there getting under the skin of the opposing players while Wennberg dazzled with his puck possession skills. Head Coach Todd Richards became the winningest coach in franchise history with a win over the Buffalo Sabres on April 10 passing former Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock with his 126th win.

With the mid season signings of players and a core of young talent the future is very bright for the team especially the way they ended. The last month of the season fans finally saw what the team is capable of when they are healthy and playing as one unit.

NHL PLAYOFFS

 The New York Rangers clinched the Presidents trophy as being the team with the most points during the season and are the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference The Anaheim Ducks will be the number one seed. The pairings are as followed:


EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins (game 1 4/16 in New York)
Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators (game 1 4/15 in Montreal)
Tampa Bay Lightening vs Detroit Red Wings (game 1 4/16 in Tampa)
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders (game 1 4/15 in Washington)

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks vs Winnipeg Jets (game 1 4/16 in Aneheim)
St. Louis Blues vs Minnesota Wild (game 1 4/16 in St. Louis)
Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks (game 1 4/15 in Nashville)
Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames (game 1 4/15 in Vancouver)

All NHL Playoff games will be televised on either NHL Network, NBCSN, USA, CNBC, or NBC. As always check http://triplethreatcle.com/ for the daily NHL Playoff TV Schedule as it is updated with all the top shows for the night including the NHL Playoffs. But since your reading this you prolly already know that but if this is your first time check it out anyway daily for all your TV, NHL, Every Cleveland Sports. Just check it out already if you havent!!!!!!!!!

NHL DRAFT LOTTERY AND NHL DRAFT

The 2015 NHL Draft Lottery will be held on Saturday April 18 right after game 2 of the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins game and will be on NBC. The 2015 NHL Draft will be held on June 26 and 27 at BB&T Center the home of the Florida Panthers.

Until next time and as always CARRY THE FLAG, WE ARE THE FIFTH LINE, AND BATTLE ON!!!!!!!

The Puck Drops Here 2.4.15: #BlueJackets Mid-Season Review #CBJ

By @CLulovics

Here is the Columbus Blue Jackets mid season review along with a quick short review of the entire league. The Jackets who started the season with almost half of their roster on IR started off slow and at the bottom of the NHL standings had a really good month of December to get themselves back into the playoff picture.

Ryan Johansen, Nick Foligno, and Sergei Bobrovsky were all named to the all star game which was held in Columbus over the weekend of January 24th which saw the skills competition and then the game itself held on the 25th. Bobrovsky was injured and could not compete in the game. Nick Foligno was named captain of the home team and selected teammate Ryan Johansen with the first overall pick of the NHL fantasy draft. Team Foligno lost the game to Team Toews by a score of 17-12. Nick Foligno had a goal and an assist while Ryan Johansen had 2 goals and 2 assists and took home the MVP award. Johansen also won the breakaway skills competition on Saturday night. Nashville Predators Shea Webber won the hardest shot at 108.5 mph  (record is 108.8)

Team leaders in points are Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen both with 45 points. Foligno has 18 goals and 27 assists while Johansen has 19 goals with 26 assists. Scott Hartnell has 10 goals 18 assists for 28 pts. James Wisniewski has 5 goals, 17 assists for 22 pts. And Jack Johnson has 5 goals and 18 assists for 23 points, also as of this writing.

Also as of this writing the Anaheim Ducks lead the league with a record of 32-12-6 for 70 points in the Western Conference. In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Red Wings have 64 points and the New York Islanders have 65 points. The Jackets are currently 13 pts out of the last wild card spot but anything can happen and like last year thus team can go on a streak in a month and find themselves back into the playoffs.

Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals leads the league in goals with 29. Philadelphia Flyers Jakub Voracek leads the league in assists with 41 and also leads the league in points with 58. The NHL trade deadline is March 2 at 3pm.

The Blue Jackets are gonna have to stay healthy and play a complete team game from here on out if they want to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.


As always Carry The Flag and We Are The 5th Line

The Puck Drops Here 1.7.15: Blue Jackets December 2014 Review

By @CLulovics

This is the Columbus Blue Jackets December month in review. First off my apologies for the delay in the article, as I had neck fusion surgery and am currently trying to write this in a neckbrace while using a tablet. So if there are any mistakes I apologize in advance.

After a horrendous month of November where we saw the Jackets lose many games in a row and saw countless players go down with injuries, the Jackets had a huge turnaround in December going 10-1-1 climbing from the bottom of the NHL standings to right back into the playoff picture. Along with the rise in the standings, we also saw the return of some injured players, some making their season debut with the rest just coming back from a short term injury stint.

Brandon Dubinsky who had been sidelined all season made his debut in December and his veteran leadership on the ice has shown through his puck skills and ice presence helping the younger players be in the right position.  Boone Jenner, who was on a hot streak, has been sidelined for 2 months with a bad back. But all in all, the Jackets are getting healthy and slowly returning to playing the type of hockey that got them into the playoffs last year.

Offensively the Jackets are being lead by Nick Foligno who leads the team with 35 points  (17 goals 18 assists). Ryan Johansen is right behind him with 12 goals 22 assists for 34 points. Scott Hartnell has 8 goals and 13 assists for 21 points. Jack Johnson has 3 goals and 16 assists for 19 points. And rounding out the top 5 point leaders is James Wisniewski has 3 goals and 13 assists for 16 points.

The Jackets acquired Kevin Connauton off of waivers from the Dallas Stars. They also traded defenseman Tim Erixon to the  Chicago Blackhawks for Jeremy Morin. Then just 2 days later they traded Luke Adam to the Buffalo Sabres for Jerry D'Amigo. Also acquired was Jordan Leopold from the St. Louis Blues for a 5th round draft pick.

Once again after the horrible month of November, the Jackets are right back into the playoff picture but must stay healthy and play a complete team game staying out of the penalty box to keep making the movement up the standings. If they do that then they should be enjoying the playoffs again like last year but with 3 months left in the season anything can happen. Also don't forget that the All-star game is in Columbus with a week long list of events enjoyable for the entire family. Check out the full list here.

As always Carry The Flag, March On, and "We Are The 5th Line"