1. Trivia Word: retriprocity
2. Grab Bag
a. I think when you look at a team that was able to get more balanced offense out of an entire line, a team is definitely going to be thinking of the possibility that the sweet right might end, but it's always in a team's best interst to continue what's worked, as opposed to shaking up a team just before their biggest stretch of the season.
b. Some players can be stopped, some players can't. Teams cannot simply leave their playbook to be dictated by one player. At the end of the game, the best player on the ice usually doesn't play more than 22 minutes a game. that leaves at least 38 minutes to win the game. You win those 38 minutes, whatever happens in those 22 minutes isn't going to matter as much.
c. Goalies obey the laws of physics: a goaltender that is hot tends to stay hot. For New England, ensuring that they can continue to rely on Karsikko to make the big plays in their own end, keeping them alive, then they should consider staying the course, and looking to keep offensive pressure on Montagne.
d. Sadly I can't say to the best of my knowledge, which team would get the better of the other in the best-of-seven series, due to circumstances out of my control that make my opinion one that does not fit the spirit of the question posed. In short, it happened, so my point's not valid.
3. History Repeating
Hai Nam Hoang's career is a short one so far, but it has already been filled with a good many events that prove his career will be a bright and promising one. Hoang got off to a hot start despite the Monarchs' lack of success, scoring his first point and first goal in consecutive games. These two games, both tough losses, were punctuated by Hoang getting his historic first tallies in the league. His success was celebrated in his home country, the first Vietnamese-born hockey player in the SHL got his first points early and went on to lodge a solid rookie season, with 21 goals and 46 points, finishing 5th in Monarchs' scoring. His achievements and his solid play have turned heads, as although he is not a contender for the Rookie of the Year title, he has established himself as yet another young star in the making for Minnesota.
5. Blood on the Ice
People are right to not count out wolves for this battle of woodland warriors, but I do have to give this battle to the bear. While speed is on the side of the danger-pupper, bears have them completely outclassed in strength. Their bulk has power, and many bears can deal serious damage with their claws and body, using their solid speed to close the distance on unsuspecting prey and cocksure predators. Their jaws are incredibly strong, and when they have you in their mouth, they will not let go even for their own sake. The battle between a wolf and a bear is not a fair one, as wolves are more effective predators in packs, able to overwhelm their opponents. Alone, the wolf may score a wound or too, but the bear is too strong, too large, and to vicious in its own right. I give this fight to the bear, by knockout, in five rounds.
6. Hopeful Haiku
Second time's the charm
we will be back to fight again
take our pound of flesh.
7. Milestones
Claimed 2, 2 TPE