I enjoy sports.

*jazz hands* HOCKEY!

Freddie.

He might actually get cheered. Based on the polls, there might be about 18,000 New Yorkers who still support him, and they're the only ones who can afford the preposterously priced tickets.

The last time the Knicks lost, the Dallas Stars were up 2-1 in their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild.

THE NEW YORK KNICKERBOCKERS.

This team is apparently better than the last six Blackhawks teams. (I'm stress-spinning during the Knicks game.)

I, for one, am shocked that he sided with billionaires over labor. Shocked! www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

New POWERS & LAZ: @scottpowers.bsky.social is in Buffalo for the scouting combine, so we talk Blackhawks draft possibilities before diving into the tantalizing trade possibilities that suddenly exist:  www.patreon.com/posts/160257...

*whispers* Arlington Heights isn't Chicago, either. In fact, Hammond is closer. State lines are arbitrary. This isn't a big deal. *whispers even more quietly* But also, please stay in Illinois. Nobody with a half a brain here in NWI actually wants this.

With an increasing number of star forwards on the trade market, Kyle Davidson said this morning that he's "certainly motivated to" make a big addition this offseason. But what will it take? @scottpowers.bsky.social with the latest from the scouting combine: www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

My 10-year-old, who loves Stormy the mascot but really doesn't give a rip about hockey, actually watched that game. If anything's gonna make her a sports fan, it's that one. What a game. Her expert analysis: "That coach shouldn't have done that (challenge). That was dumb."

Me not covering this series:

Vegas' PK should win a collective Conn Smythe.

I've always found it incredible that there are people just sitting right there on the floor, mere inches from the players. No other sport is like that. Obviously those people are both very rich and very vetted, but still. Pretty easy to get down there from the 100-level seats.

That streak was from years ago. I started again earlier this year (in a different language, no less). Not to put too fine a point on it, but what kind of loser says yes to this? How much phony gamified validation do you need? (And why do I have to learn to talk about ghosts so much?)

What losing another prospect means in the big picture to the Blackhawks: www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

In October, Carter Hart spoke non-specifically about how he’d grown during his 20-month suspension, and about plans “to show the community my true character.” Monday, I asked for an update. He answered. Then his Media Day ended quick and early. Free, full story ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

On today's episode of The Athletic Hockey Show with @mbultman.bsky.social and me: – @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social on the Canes-Knights matchup – Chris Johnston (the real one) on summer trade targets – Claude Lemieux's family donates his brain to CTE research Listen here: pod.fo/e/424a08

Happy June, y'all. youtu.be/KusWM9AKfZg?...

Thoroughly enjoyed Spider-Noir, even if it involved pretending Nic Cage is like 45 years old. A lot of fun, and it looked great.

Incredible how fast things can change, particularly with goaltending. Last time I was in Raleigh, barely four months ago, Freddie Andersen was absolute toast and the Canes were selling out of Brandon Bussi T-shirts.

On @theathletic.com Hockey Show, @danrobson.bsky.social and I discuss the career and legacy of Claude Lemieux. Listen here: pod.fo/e/4219a8

Updated story on Claude Lemieux's death, with new reporting from @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Here's the latest that @scottpowers.bsky.social is hearing about the Blackhawks offseason, including the imminent departure of a seventh-round Finn that scouting director Mike Doneghey described as "naive and from a small town" when he was drafted: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

New POWERS & LAZ: @scottpowers.bsky.social and I answer all your questions in a May mailbag episode. Listen here: www.patreon.com/posts/159478...

What I'm hearing about the Blackhawks: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

After Vegas' shocking sweep, the Avalanche can spend their summer dwelling on all the what-ifs. But the more important question is: What now? ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

NEW: After enduring one of the most shocking sweeps in recent NHL history, the Avalanche face some uncomfortable questions this summer — starting with Jared Bednar. My column from Las Vegas, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

We all should have learned by now to never doubt the Golden Knights, writes @jessegranger.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

NEW: After enduring one of the most shocking sweeps in recent NHL history, the Avalanche face some uncomfortable questions this summer — starting with Jared Bednar. My column from Las Vegas, free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Who's going home in the morning? This guy:

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last 9 years… Doubt the Golden Knights are your own peril. My column on @theathletic.com ⤵️

Mackenzie Blackwood on the sweep: "Losing fucking sucks no matter how you do it. But losing like that, it stings a little bit more."

Gabriel Landeskog repeatedly said, "We'll be back," but also acknowledged: "You never know if you're ever going to get the chance again. I think that's why it hurts."

Instant takeaways from the Golden Knights shocking sweep of the top-seeded Avalanche to reach their 3rd Stanley Cup Final From @marklazerus.bsky.social and myself, on @theathletic.com-

I've covered a conference final for The Athletic in each of the last five seasons. Three were sweeps and one was a five-gamer. If you see me at your rink in late May, something really good or something really bad is gonna happen to your team.

Handshakes.

FINAL: Vegas holds on, sweeps the Avs. On to the Stanley Cup Final.

This is easily the most shocking sweep since Columbus dusted Tampa Bay in 2019. John Tortorella, folks.

GOAL: Cole Smith. 2-0 Vegas. That ought to do it the way Colorado is playing.

Makar denied by Hart, and he seemed to be hurting a bit after the shot.

It's 1-0 Vegas through two, and it's only that close because of Mackenzie Blackwood.

Necas is back on the ice.

Mackenzie Blackwood has been outstanding tonight. Just robbed Dorofeyev twice on this power play.

Marty Necas is down after an awkward open-ice collision.

Another end-of-period power play in this series. I think that's the fifth? Vegas to the power play with 1:04 to go in the first as Manson takes a seat.

GOAL: Mark Stone with an absolute beauty, fielding a fly ball on the run, dropping it at his feet, then deking Blackwood out of his shorts. 1-0 Vegas.

MacKinnon easing his way around the rink during warmups so far. Taking little baby steps to get going instead of exploding in that first step. Don't want to read too much in to warmups, and yet, here I am doing just that.

Mackenzie Blackwood leads the Avalanche out for warmups. Nathan MacKinnon is moving around pretty well. Valeri Nichushkin is not on the ice, though.