The Kings Are Back In The NHL Finals

((HT: NBCSN/NHL))

First, let's just say that the one thing better than a Game 7, mutual-elimination game where the winner gets to go to the Stanley Cup Final is an overtime, Game 7, mutual-elimination game where the winner gets to go to the Stanley Cup Final

Here's the highlights- if you're a Kings fan...


And the reaction in Los Angeles
((HT: MyFoxLA))
Los Angeles Local News | FOX 11 LA KTTV

With an early preview
((HT: ESPN))

ICYMI: The CBC Does Amazing Opens for Hockey

Okay, we've worked in the TV business for a long, long time and we've seen some amazingly well produced videos. Heck, we've won awards for some of our own well produced videos.

But we can't compete with things like this.

Check out the open produced by the folks at the Canadian Broadcast Corporation to kick off Wednesday nights Game 7 Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage of the Montreal Canadiens/Boston Bruins series.

The song, "Experience the Jewel" by the group Wintersleep. The video, historical and current set up the game, won by the Canadiens, perfectly.

Game Sevens Times Three Finish Round 1

((HT: NHL/NBCSN/CNBC))

It's what this time of year is all about... other than the tanning and vacations...

Game Sevens make late night viewing all good...

And the NHL last night had three Game Sevens to close out the first round...

First stop was New York City for the Rangers and Flyers...
And when the fourth line is contributing (see: Dan Carcillo), it's going to be a good night for you. But, these days, Carcillo is in Ranger Blue and not Flyers orange...


Game Two went for a while...

Because there's only one thing better than a Game Seven...
It's a Game Seven that goes to overtime. Minnesota escapes the first round since 2000 with an overtime win at Colorado. Avs head coach Patrick Roy was pleased with his team's efforts this season. But he was obviously, disappointed with the premature finish of the season...


The larger question for Minnesota in Round Two is the status of Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper- who had to leave the game in the third period, yielding to Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryz made one save for the rest of the game, but that's all that needed to be made as the Wild take on Chicago...

The late game, probably, is the end of the lifespan of Todd McLellan in San Jose. The Sharks had a 3-0 lead in the series against Los Angeles. But the Kings rediscovered their defense in and around goalie Jonathan Quick and became the fourth team in the history if the NHL playoffs to come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win a series, 5-1 in Game 7...


That sets up Chicago and Minnesota and the Freezeway Series between LA and Anaheim...

And, Now Your Game 7 National Anthem...

((HT: NHL on NBCSN))

The task at the Madhouse every home game is to drown out the singer of the National Anthem, Jim Cornelison...
The task was the same at the Stadium with Wayne Messmer at the mic...

There is no singing along, just noise upon noise...

Here's how it was before tonight's Game 7 (which amplifies it even more) with the Blackhawks and Detroit...


And that's why the HQ loves this time of year...