DaLori Designs offers our fans bracelets that coordinate with your favorite hockey team. Follow our Stanley Cup blog throughout the playoffs and impress your friends, not only with the latest scores, but details of the playoff pictures along with pictures of our gorgeous hand-made team spirit bracelets.
No team enters the Stanley Cup playoffs facing higher expectations and carrying more playoff baggage than the Washington Capitals. Winning their second straight Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season team will only further bring into focus their failure to get the job done if they go home early. Captain Alex Ovechkin, who scored just 33 goals after averaging more than 50 goals per season for the past three seasons, is the lightning rod for much Capital discontent, but he is likewise the most important player if the Caps are to break through this spring. As one scout told me recently, "Helluva team." But, he added, sometimes that's not enough. Will it be this spring? Yes!!!!!
As for the Toronto Maple Leafs (40-27-15, 95 points), they earned the last wild card in the Eastern Conference with a young team that’s ahead of schedule and a coach in Mike Babcock who helped plaster over their blemishes with his systems.
Auston Matthews broke out in this rookie year to a record total of goals (40) and a nice total of points (69). He did most of this without the benefit of high-scoring veteran linemates and while playing center, the toughest forward position for a young player. But you no doubt already heard this from your Leafs fan friends as they lobbied you on his Calder candidacy, when such things were in doubt.
Will Washington make it through to Round 2. Let's hope so since by all rights this is their year to win the Stanley Cup. We'll keep you posted.
April Showers Bring DaLori Flowers!!!