cali-canuck:

Brendan Gallagher on the ovation from the fans at Bell Center after losing the series to the Senators

And with that you can close the curtain on another disappointing finish. It was only two short years ago that we had a thrilling run to the Finals, with much the same core, and yet one wonders if the physical toll of that run has healed, or frankly whether it ever will.

Last season’s team went out too soon, but gave us a glimmer of hope before ultimately succumbing in the first round. However, this year’s first round exit had a more final feel to it. Losing to a hungrier, tougher and more disciplined team not widely thought to be better than you will do that. Certainly, some officiating could come into question, but there was no question as to who was the better team here.

One now has to look inward, and reflect about the veteran winger who can’t seem to catch a break from the injury bug. About the center with Selke candidacies past but perhaps not future, and with injury woes to boot.

About a collection of forwards one year older and further into their primes, with few high draft picks coming up through the pipeline due to an extended run of success and trades designed to extend the life of the present group.

About players who had overachieved and outplayed their contracts but are now being paid to their value at the expense of cap flexibility. About battleworn defencemen contractually attached to the team by long term deals.

About goaltending which seemed more than adequate but in which an underwhelming playoffs may have called into question. About a coach whose Jack Adams credibility might be just about used up on the dressing room.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this isn’t just the end of a season, but perhaps also of an era. It’s going to be a long off-season for your 2011-12 Chicago Blackhawks.

Chris the Curmudgeon’s comment on PITB

another early playoff exit, another year i can’t say “i’m not crying there’s lu’s radiant italian oils falling from my eyes”

pksubban:

To the tune of Take a Bow by Rihanna

Don’t tell me you’ve got another shot 

Canucks we know a Stanley Cup team you are not

But you put on quite a show

Really had fans going

But now it’s time to go

Your window’s finally closing

That was quite a show

Very entertaining

But it’s over now

Go on and take a bow

500-days-of-evgeni-malkin:

ambitiouspants:

Shit got a little out of hand at the Montreal-Ottawa game.

Holy hell…it’s like Canada gone wild.

crystalreeds:

narkusmaslund:

kate, gurl no. i forgot about higgy’s massive boner playoff beard

im even more disappointed today

LEXI IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE FOR US TO BE MORE DISAPPOINTED TODAY??? did we not reach the limit????

i just want to see beards grow ;______;

not enough cinco de mayo puns to express our grave disappointment

maybe a consolation prize for surviving today??? sporks stabbed into our eyes would be cool ^____^

kate, gurl no. i forgot about higgy’s massive boner playoff beard

im even more disappointed today

P.K. finds and locks onto celebratory target while said target smiles as he’s hit repeatedly. [ x ]

sealcat:

Cory Schneider, visibly upset, being spoken to and helped by Roberto Luongo before having to talk to the media I’m crying I love this team 

in pun-tastic news, this has been the best sinko de mayo for both my teams