Every Playoff Series Has a Villain. Who's Yours?

[Clark Kimble]

Watching the Oilers-Stars and seeing Mason Marchment, it's almost like 30 years ago when I routinely screamed at his father, the late Bryan Marchment, for his dirty play, disabling many star players ‐-- at least a dozen NHL suspensions --- and Mason is already mastering the taunting smile and laugh with hits behind the play that got Bryan acquired --- and traded --- by nine NHL teams.

Bryan died in 2022 at age 53.

Likewise, I've told my wife that the Oilers' Evander Kane can both win, and lose, a game for Edmonton with his talent..and his penchant for stupid penalties and dirty play.

Corey Perry? See "Kane, Evander"; blather, wince, repeat.

[Harry York 37]

Watching the Oilers-Stars and seeing Mason Marchment, it's almost like 30 years ago when I routinely screamed at his father, the late Bryan Marchment, for his dirty play, disabling many star players ‐-- at least a dozen NHL suspensions --- and Mason is already mastering the taunting smile and laugh with hits behind the play that got Bryan acquired --- and traded --- by nine NHL teams.

Bryan died in 2022 at age 53.

Likewise, I've told my wife that the Oilers' Evander Kane can both win, and lose, a game for Edmonton with his talent..and his penchant for stupid penalties and dirty play.

Corey Perry? See "Kane, Evander"; blather, wince, repeat.

I agree, Clark.

Playoffs are when the NHL Rule book becomes more open to interpretation.
Are there other sports where the rules are enforced in such a situational manner?

None come to my mind.

I am very proud that Binner got his pound of flesh, and more, from Perry back in April.

[moose-and-squirrel]

Watching the Oilers-Stars and seeing Mason Marchment, it's almost like 30 years ago when I routinely screamed at his father, the late Bryan Marchment, for his dirty play, disabling many star players ‐-- at least a dozen NHL suspensions --- and Mason is already mastering the taunting smile and laugh with hits behind the play that got Bryan acquired --- and traded --- by nine NHL teams.

Bryan died in 2022 at age 53.

Likewise, I've told my wife that the Oilers' Evander Kane can both win, and lose, a game for Edmonton with his talent..and his penchant for stupid penalties and dirty play.

Corey Perry? See "Kane, Evander"; blather, wince, repeat.

I agree, Clark.

Playoffs are when the NHL Rule book becomes more open to interpretation.
Are there other sports where the rules are enforced in such a situational manner?

None come to my mind.

NFL

[theograce]

I am very proud that Binner got his pound of flesh, and more, from Perry back in April.

By running away?

Your flesh meter is kaput

[Pink Freud]

To their credit, the NHL playoffs refs are pretty much letting them play. In that scenario, it's always in favor of the more physical team. They are simply better at inflicting bodily punishment, and the more lenient, the more punishing.

That's one reason Tampa Bay got not even one goal from superstar Nikita Kucherov --- 15 straight postseason games held scoreless --- and the Leafs got what...one goal?...from regular season sniper Auston Matthews...and both of them played against the Panthers.

With the weird scheduling of Sunday's 2pm (CDT) start in Edmonton after traveling from Dallas after Friday night's game, neither team will have time to practice on the Oilers' rink, so when they hit the ice for the pregame skate before Sunday's first puck drops, a lot of game time decisions must be made. Given the many distractions home teams face after being on the road, it may be wise for the Oilers to go straight from landing the plane to booking a hotel room, and letting home-based distractions take place on the day between games 3 & 4.

In the other series, I'll bet that was one seriously quiet Hurricanes' flight from Raleigh to Miami. The Panthers are likely drooling. Look for lots of Maalox and ibuprofen behind the 'Canes bench.

[Clark Kimble]

How could I start a thread about playoff villains and not mention Brad Marchand?