You're Cooked: RIP Kings, Wild, Senators

Just two Games 7 remain as the first round wraps up. Let's say our final goodbyes to the Kings, the Wild, and the Senators.

Happy Saturday, hockey fans. As we expected based on Connor Hellebuyck’s play*, the Blues forced a Game 7 last night with a 5-2 win. Meanwhile, the gift that has been Avalanche vs. Stars keeps on giving tonight with a Game 7 that felt almost inevitable.

*I debated describing Hellebuyck’s play as “surprising,” but are we really surprised?

While we wait, let’s say our last goodbyes to the Kings, the Wild, and the Senators, who have officially joined the Devils, the Habs and the Lightning on the golf course.

RIP to the Kings

The Kings had their first 2-0 series lead over the Oilers in four straight years of this godforsaken series. Naturally, it became their most gut-wrenching matchup with the Oilers of all. Edmonton won four straight games to take over and close out the series in six games.

Why It’s Over

1. According to multiple sources across the league, a hockey game is actually 60 minutes and three periods. These Kings had a confident lead at first and got obliterated in the third period most nights. The Oilers scored four unanswered in the third period Game 3 for their first win of the series, then came out two nights later for Game 4 scoring two goals in the third to tie it up and win it in overtime. At that point, all momentum had shifted and Edmonton’s most dominant performance in Game 5 was the kiss of death.

2. Baffling coaching decisions from Jim Hiller.