"The Stack" 5-9-17

The Stack is back on this Tuesday and there were only two playoff games last night. Kind of odd I know, but we are winding down in terms of how many teams remain in both the NBA and NHL Playoffs. Reaction to that and more so let’s get right to it and see what is in “the stack” for today, Tuesday, May 9th:

Warriors run by Jazz, advance to western conference finals

Anything you can do I can do better. That appears to be what the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are saying to one another. A day after the Cavs swept the Raptors to start the postseason 8-0 the Warriors jumped out to a 39-17 first quarter lead and steamrolled the Jazz 121-95 to sweep them and improve to 8-0 in the postseason as well. Though the Jazz crept closer and got within eight points at the half, the Warriors made sure they would not complete the comeback. They pulled away in the fourth quarter and four of the five starters were in double-figures led by Steph Curry who had 30 points. Ultimately the Jazz just didn’t have enough firepower offensively to get the job done. Gordon Hayward scored 25 points to lead the Jazz and it is probably his last game in a Jazz uniform and he is a free agent. Boston beckons with Hayward’s former college coach Brad Stevens being the head coach. Golden State awaits the winner of Houston-San Antonio.

Capitals force a game seven

The Washington Capitals are still alive. They had more energy and beat the Pittsbugh Penguins to loose pucks regularly as the Capitals beat the Penguins 5-2. It was scoreless more than halfway through the first period when T.J. Oshie scored a power play goal to put the Capitals up 1-0. They added another goal in the second period and while Capitals fans were still plenty nervous, Nicklas Backstrom put their minds at ease scoring sixteen seconds into the third period. The Capitals would get up 5-0 before the Penguins scored two goals late. It really didn’t matter and it doesn’t give the Penguins an edge or momentum at all going into game seven. The Capitals were far and away the better team in game six. Their power play was better (they went 2 for 4) while the Penguins power play was lackluster failing to score on any of their three opportunities. The Penguins are 5-0 in road game sevens, but the Capitals are playing the better hockey as of now. The Penguins at least should still have Sidney Crosby who took another hit to the head during the game, but skated on. Can’t imagine that he will miss this game. Game seven is going to be awesome.

Tuesday’s playoff schedule

NBA

Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs 8 PM ET TNT (Series tied 2-2)

NHL

Ottawa Senators @ New York Rangers 7:30 PM ET NBCSN (Senators lead series 3-2)

Coming up Wednesday: Tuesday’s playoff reaction plus other top stories in sports