Post by: Khushrenada on April 18, 2007, 04:54:50 AM
And since this is playoff season, I'll give you a quick rundown of the teams I hope to see advance to the next round.
Western Conference
Detroit beating Calgary
Anahiem beating Minnesota
Vancouver beating Dallas
Nashville beating San Jose
Eastern Conference
Buffalo beating New York Islanders
Tampa Bay beating New Jersey
New York Rangers beating Atlanta
Pittsburgh beating Ottawa
For the most part, things are going pretty good this year for the playoffs. It's just the Pittsburgh versus Ottawa part that worries me.
Post by: NuclearSpeed on April 18, 2007, 05:21:56 AM
Looks like most of those picks will hold up, though I am going to root for the Islanders to win over Buffalo, and Pittsburgh better get on their horse. San Jose may be one to throw those off as well, seems like they have been playing nashville tough, I haven't gotten to watch any of those games though.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 18, 2007, 05:35:23 AM
When it comes to San Jose and Nashville, I'm really not that big a fan of either. I just don't like the Sharks because of the coach Ron Wilson and because the Sharks are rival of Anahiem. Nashville I just feel so-so on. I like the fact that they have worked hard to develop players and have really created a good team on their own without a lot of trades. At the same time, the fact that they get low attendance despite having a good team and they have Peter Forsberg playing for them are some negatives against them. (I just think Forsberg is so over-rated these days.) Still, they do have Paul Kariya and I still root for him even though he left the Ducks so that's why I made Nashville my choice to advance.
Same goes for Buffalo and New York. There's positives and minuses to both and in the end. Although an upset of Buffalo would be huge and that would be quite the thing to see.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 18, 2007, 06:11:41 AM
In my playoff pool at work I've got players from five teams: Buffalo, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Anahiem and San Jose. I didn't pick anything to do with Vancouver because as a fan I feel my opinion is biased. To often the home team fan gets burned hard in pools. So far I'm in third and was in first yesterday so I'm doing good but I'm really worried about Pittsburgh (I have five players from that team) and New Jersey should not be losing to f*cking Tampa Bay. It's Martin Brodeur. The guy's won three cups and just beat the record for most wins in a season.
But then I hate Tampa Bay because they're in a market that doesn't give a sh!t about hockey while places like Winnipeg and Hartford no longer have a team. While I want Vancouver to win all I really care about is a real hockey market winning the cup. Tampa Bay and Carolina winning the last two cups was depressing. The players on the team were good and deserved to win but most of the local citizens in the area probably have no idea what the Stanley Cup even is. It just doesn't seem fair to see a market like that win it while Vancouver and Buffalo both joined the league in 1970 and have never won the cup despite being strong hockey markets.
Nashville apparently had to threaten to black out games in order to sell out PLAYOFF games. If you can't sell out playoff games then you're in the wrong market. Every team should be able to sell out playoff games and there are enough major cities in Canada and the Northern United States to make up a 30 team league of healthy hocket markets. There's only about five NHL teams in bad locations anyway.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 18, 2007, 07:20:32 AM
I agree with you about the recent teams winning the cups. Tampa wins the cup when teams like the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Buffalo Sabres have yet to win despite all having been to cup finals before, in some case multiple times. With Carolina, the arguement can be that they were once the Hartford Whalers but does anything from their Hartford days still exist with that team. It is still a new team. The worst part was though both those teams won against a Canadian team and us Canadians have been wanting to have the cup claimed by Canada finally after what, 13 years?
I mentioned Nashville's low attendence in the last post and agree with all you've added. That's why I would like to see Nashville at least advance one round. If they could make some noise in the playoffs, I wonder if that might get people to the games. I doubt it would make much difference but at least that way, it would prove that hockey wouldn't work there and they might move the team to a different market. It's one thing if the fans aren't coming if the team is lousy. Look at Colorado and St. Louis. Fan attendance has been down because the teams have been struggling of late. But when the team is fighting for first in the conference and even holds the number one spot for awhile, it's really sad that they can hardly get anyone to watch.
What is your list of the 5 bad locations Ian? I'm curious to know.
And finally on Vancouver there. I never followed Vancouver that closely before. I'd catch the odd game here or there and watch them in the playoffs but that was about it. But, I didn't think Cloutier was that bad of a goalie. A lot of times, the losses didn't seem to be his fault. But, with the season he's had in L.A., I guess that proves otherwise. It's interesting to hear from someone in Vancouver about their thoughts on Cloutier.
Post by: Kairon on April 18, 2007, 08:47:25 AM
I... I consider myself a BAD, BAD Canadian for not following Hockey closely ever since I moved to the States.
/hangs head in shame
~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com
Post by: Ceric on April 18, 2007, 08:53:37 AM
Post by: IceCold on April 18, 2007, 09:48:09 AM
About time one of these threads got made.. I remember there was one about the playoffs over here a few years ago, then there was one about the lockout ending, but nothing since then. I seem to remember TheOmen being a hockey fan, but I think he's with Philly.. bad luck for him. And I believe Bill cheers for either Detroit or Carolina. And apparently Shift Key watches some games.
Anyway, here were my pre-playoff picks - I'll write down which team I would choose if I were to bet, but I'll bold the teams I want to win.
Buffalo over NY Islanders
Tampa Bay over NJ Devils
NY Rangers over Atlanta
Ottawa over Pittsburgh
Detroit over Calgary
Anaheim over Minnesota
Vancouver over Dallas
San Jose over Smashville
~~
About Tampa Bay, I sort of agree that they are fairweather fans, but I'm with them because of Lecavalier and Richards. Those two are so damn awesome - two of my five favourite in the NHL. Also, I would have chosen them to win even if I was betting - I looked at their head-to-head versus New Jersey, and they had won 9 of the last 12 meetings. The matchup was good for them, even if they are the underdogs.
Of course, none of this matters as much as the Canucks. I watched every minute of the quad-overtime game.. and all their other games too. It's definitely sweet for them to be contenders again, but at the same time, I long for the old days. When Naslund and Bertuzzi were second and third in scoring. When their style was fast and exciting. As it is, Vigneault has made the team into the '03 Flames team which I hated so much. Now, we rely nearly completely on Luongo (like they did on Kiprusoff), we play defensive-minded hockey with many one-goal games.
I guess you need this to be successful in the playoffs, but it's been pretty bad in this series. Sometimes it's just frustrating to see them not get a good scoring chance for half a period.
Post by: Spak-Spang on April 18, 2007, 11:23:27 AM
My first Hockey experience was years ago when Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup. I was driving home from school (a long evening drive) and would listen to the games. Ralph and Razor were the announcers and are quite good.
However, I knew very little about the sport and couldn't keep up with what was going on. But I was completely captivated by the story being told on the radio. I switched to TV and really began to see and feel the games. Dallas was playing a team in double over time, and my heart was on a roller coaster ride. They had to win this game...and whomever got the next point was going to win.
When the stars were on the offensive and shooting my heart soared, but soon it was breaking with the other team taking attempts at our net. I couldn't stand the suspense, and rather than continue my heart attack I tried to sleep...but couldn't.
Ever since that night I have been a Hockey fan, even though I don't watch many sports. The games are just so fast and intense, it truly is one of the greatest sports ever created.
I do not know how my Dallas Stars are doing this year. But I hope they make it far so that I can once again go on the Roller Coaster ride, and once again feel my heart either burst for joy or break with sorrow.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 18, 2007, 11:42:13 AM
Top of my head: Phoenix, both Florida teams, Nashville, Atlanta, Carolina. Okay that's actually six. I was just guessing the five number. If you can establish a strong fanbase in a non-traditional hockey market that's great. From everything I've heard about it Dallas has done this. But it's kind of silly for a team, particularly a talented one like Nashville or Tampa Bay, to be in an area where there isn't much interest when places like Seattle, Portland, Milwaukee, Hamilton or Winnipeg (all of which have an arena) don't have a team but are more interested in hockey. Phoenix is especially annoying because they moved from Manitoba, where they care about hockey, to Arizona where they don't. Are the Coyotes honestly better off in Phoenix finishing at the bottom of the league in front of an audience that doesn't care if they exist? I figure if they were still the Jets they would still suck but at least the area would be annoyed that they suck. Do they make a ton more money as a losing team in non-traditional hockey market? I figure at the very least a losing team in a traditional hockey market would make more.
Recently there were talks about moving the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is a talented franchise with a rich hockey tradition in an area that cares about hockey. I'm aware of the arena problems but if Kansas City of Oklahoma wants an NHL franchise why aren't franchise in areas where interest isn't really catching on considering it? It seems like there are too many politics involved, like they don't want to admit that the expansion into the Southern US wasn't the best idea. They would rather have a team losing money and struggling and making the NHL look like a f*cking joke rather than admit that a certain franchise was not put in an ideal spot. And when the idea of expansion comes up (there has been talk of changing the divisions around and expanding to 32 teams) why are places like Las Vegas considered over stronger hockey markets? What does the NHL accomplish by continuing to pursue an idea that was a mistake? If there are struggling franchises in non-traditional hockey markets then maybe it would be a good idea for the next expansion to be in traditional hockey markets. Wait until the current expansion proves a success before trying to expand in those kinds of areas again. 32 healthy franchises does the league and the sport of hockey as a whole a lot more good than 20 something healthy franchises and a handful of struggling ones in the Southwest. They shouldn't care about where these teams are but rather whether or not they're making money. If in order to accomplish that a geographical chunk of the US is ignored so be it.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 19, 2007, 10:31:24 AM
I know about Pittsburgh's troubles this year. It's my favorite team and I followed the story closely. The reason why Kansas wanted the Penguins is obvious. If you could take the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Florida Panthers, which team would you want to bring to your city? That's why they pursued the Penguins. They'd get an instant winning team with lots of young talent. It would be like the Nordiques going to Colorado. The Avalanche have made the playoffs every year since they came into the league except for this year. This is the first time that organization failed to make the playoffs. It's too bad because I think they deserved to make the playoffs more than Calgary. The current thinking now is that Kansas is going to go after Nashville, especially if the fan attendance stays low. Apparently, the owners of the Preds have the option to pull the team out of Nashville if the attandance isn't there and so that's what everyone is thinking might happen.
Frankly, Bettman has said that they are not planning to add more teams anytime soon. The focus is to just get all the markets healthy and if need be to relocate some teams to a different market. But, the reason why the NHL wants to expand to a city like Las Vegas is because they have the money there to support a team. Also, Las Vegas has no actual sports teams located there. Any team that goes there is basically going to have no competition. I also think that part of the reason they expanded down south so much was an attempt to generate more interest in hockey across all the States instead of the more northern ones. But, that doesn't seem to have worked. Frankly, it's hard to move some teams now that they have won the cup also. No team that has won a cup has ever moved or ceased to exist. At least, not since the cup was awarded by the NHL. That will look really great if Tampa and Carolina got moved.
As for Phoenix, I hope that franchise continues to rot because that's what Gretzky deserves. Hey, thanks for taking a Canadian hockey franchise out of Canada and putting it in the Arizona desert. Way to Gretz. You really are the great one.
Frankly, I think another location that might be good is Seattle but it's hard to say for sure since they have baseball and football there already. Still, it might be great for a rivalry with Vancouver. Anyways, I'm doing talking about relocations for now.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 19, 2007, 10:44:21 AM
Maggie's Picks:
Detroit
Minnesota
Vancouver
Nashville
Buffalo
New Jersey
Atlanta...........Wrong
Pittsburgh......Wrong
Not so good. Spun the wheel wrong on that one. Well, I still hope the monkey was right about Pittsburgh. I got a lot riding on that one.
Well, Canucks, Anahiem, and Ottawa could all advance. Here's hoping Ottawa doesn't. I really hope Pens can win this and go back to Pittsburgh. I would love to see the Pens win at least one game for the home crowd. If they can take it to seven games, mission complete.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 19, 2007, 11:38:55 AM
The Ottawa Senators (not the same as the current franchise) and Montreal Maroons both won the cup after the formation of the NHL and after the NHL became the sole holder of the cup.
The problem with Las Vegas isn't just the fact that it isn't a traditional hockey market but also issues with gambling. That's been the main reason why no major sports league has gone there. Players or coaches might bet on games they're playing in have an effect on the outcome of. Or there could be a Black Sox scandal kind of deal. If I was going to pick a non-traditional hockey market to go to I think Oklahoma would be better since they have the same "never had a team" factor that Vegas does without the controversy.
I figure New Jersey's problems are because there are three teams in the same area and the Rangers and Islanders were there first (with cups wins as well) and grabbed all the hockey fans before the Devils moved in.
Today I need Pittsburgh to make a big comeback for my pool and I want the Canucks to finish off the Stars. Mike Modano is in the paper making excuses and whining about how tough it is to play against the Sedins and then have to get past Mitchell and then past Luongo. He sounds like a defeated man and I think the Stars may have given up. The thing is Vancouver has only won by one point in each game. It has been difficult to get shots by Turco. The only team to have anything resembling a dominating victory in this series has been Dallas. Modano should be using that to inspire his team but instead he's all "golly gee this is tough".
Post by: Guitar Smasher on April 19, 2007, 04:40:47 PM
Post by: Khushrenada on April 19, 2007, 05:46:14 PM
First, Pittsburgh did beat Ottawa three times this year and those three time came in the last month and a half or so before the season. I felt going in, they had a good shot since they already had these victories so close to the playoffs.
Second. Everyone talked about the lack of playoff experience but Tampa Bay had a lack of playoff experince a few years ago but they made it to the second round even though it was their first time.
Third. Even though he was fine in the game today, I'm still unconvinced that Emery is a great goalie. I think Fluery is still better. Yeah, game one he was awful but so was the whole team. Frankly, Fluery kept the Pens in this series and for the most part, he is finally showing why he was the number one draft pick.
Fourth. I really don't like Ottawa. Man, that chanting of Roberts at the end was so irritating. Good for you Senators. You finally beat Gary Roberts. How many tries did that take?
Fifth. I don't care what you say, Ottawa still has trouble winning the big games. I can't believe they won tonight. Two five on threes in the opening minutes. Pittsburgh has the most power play goals this year and they can't score a thing? How many power plays did Pittsburgh get? Just a sickening game to watch.
Oh well. Even thought Toronto didn't make it in the playoffs, at least Ottawa's second biggest enemy did. That's right. I'm talking about Buffalo. Toronto has won all four match-ups against Ottawa in the playoffs and Buffalo has won all three of its matchups against Ottawa in the playoffs. This year might make it four.
Man, I really hate that Alfredsson.
Post by: IceCold on April 19, 2007, 06:36:57 PM
Gonchar was just terrible defensively. He just floated around the whole series, and made many serious mistakes. He's a great talent but he really needs to improve on defense.
About the Roberts thing, I was actually surprised the crowd was so into it. Ottawa has the most ungrateful and apathetic crowd of all the Canadian teams - with a team like they have, they should be much more enthusiastic.
The only good thing to come out of this is that we could see a Buffalo/Ottawa series soon. That will be one amazing series. The last two games they traded wins with both of them having a score of 6-5. Plus, there was that huge brawl in one of them. I won't miss a game of that series if it happens - one of the best matchups you could hope for.
---
Vancouver had better close up their series in Dallas..
Post by: ryancoke on April 20, 2007, 03:11:39 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 20, 2007, 05:54:00 AM
With the Pens out I lose five players from the pool at work which leaves me currently with the lowest amount of players left. I picked the Pens for two reasons:
1. Picking Ottawa has burned me in the past since they never seem to get it done in the playoffs.
2. Despite reason 1 many people at work usually pick them so I figured by picking Pittsburgh I was being clever. I would have a group of players that few others had while those who picked Senator players would lose a bunch of guys. The last few years picking the oddball team has paid off (Carolina and Edmonton last year). I was trying to pick the safest chance for an upset and the gamble didn't pay off.
But at least I got some good points out of every Pen player I had. Some people in the pool recently lost Atlanta players that got NO POINTS thus making the pick completely worthless. If a player gets eliminated you might as well least get some points out of him first.
Buffalo/Ottawa sounds like must see stuff. Those two teams hated each other in the regular season. Canucks/Sharks would be good too since the last regular season game between the two was vicious.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 21, 2007, 06:44:56 PM
This comes up in the Vancouver media a lot but I am questioning Markus Naslund's leadership as captain. The guy is a statue. He never shows emotion. He barely smiles when he scores and seems indifferent to losing. He was playing great in the first game. He was scoring, he was hitting and when it was in fourth overtime he was still playing hard. Since then he hasn't done much of anything. He doesn't seem to have any heart. Heart, desire and drive wins cups. When the team isn't playing well he needs to step it up and take the team on his back. That's what Stanley Cup winning captains do. Too often he disappears.
This core lineup of the Canucks has been around for a while and they've always done quite well in the regular season and then crappy in the playoffs. The one time this core made it to the second round they got eliminated after blowing a 3-1 lead, something this year's lineup is possibly one game away from doing. Goaltending was a common problem and it was solved with Roberto Luongo who has been great. He was the only guy who showed up to play today. And I'm realizing it's not just his skill that makes the difference. He never gives up. Some of the other key Canuck players do and no team will ever go anywhere with quitters. Regardless of what happens to the Canucks this post-season they need a Ryan Smyth type of player. They need that guy who when facing elimination would take a shot off his teeth in the first period to stop a goal and then come back to play in the second. I see heart in Luongo and in many of the defensemen. But it seems the only forwards who have no quit in them are all third and fourth line guys. The top line is talented but lacks passion.
Post by: Spak-Spang on April 23, 2007, 11:12:18 AM
I completely counted them out...and now I can't believe we actually have a chance to move forward to round 2.
Post by: IceCold on April 23, 2007, 06:41:33 PM
I can safely say that this was one of, if not the, only game that Vancouver outplayed Dallas. Having those powerplays definitely helped, but the Canucks finally showed some heart, and the Sedins showed up.
The fans were just amazing. Looking at the towels at the end of the third period, it reminded me of why I love the Canucks so much.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 24, 2007, 05:55:44 AM
Anaheim is next and they're pretty damn good so I don't know if Vancouver can beat them. All the experts are picking the Ducks and that makes sense. Vancouver winning would be an upset. But if they played like this did for the last two periods last night then they've got a chance. You can talk about how the refs called all sorts of flimsy stuff but they did that to both teams (Hansen gets called for running into Turco right after the tieing goal even though Dallas had been running into Luongo all series but never got called for it). The Canucks were playing hard and driving towards the net. If you outrun the other team they're forced to hook you and get a penalty. I don't really think those all should be penalties but there's a way to draw them and the Canucks did that last night.
My lucky co-worker got to go to the game. How do these people get tickets? The arena is always packed in the playoffs and I always wonder who these people are because it seems impossible for me or any of my friends to get tickets without paying out of our ass to a scalper.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 26, 2007, 05:08:04 AM
Still this is just game 1 so I'm not freaking out yet. Game 2 is much more important.
And man does the Anaheim crowd have no life to it at all. Here there team is just rolling and putting on a good show for their fans and the audience is sitting on their hands. In Vancouver the reaction to the away team's goals is louder than Anaheim's reaction to their home team's goals were. If Vancouver was crushing a team in the playoffs that bad at home the fans would be roaring like wild animals. Hell we were cheering like nuts for a second redundant open-net goal in game 7 with Dallas. The Anaheim audience didn't even sound that excited for their first goal.
Post by: IceCold on April 26, 2007, 07:48:34 AM
Naslund really needs to step up. What happened to the guy with the killer wrist shot and the fire in his eyes? I still wonder how things would be if the Bertuzzi thing never happened. Even though that year they weren't doing as well before the suspension, afterwards the whole team (and especially Naslund and Morrison) haven't been the same.
Here's hoping they bounce back.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 27, 2007, 04:55:06 PM
I think the problem is, they have been too successful and so the crowd doesn't need it has to cheer as much. When the team is always winning, you just sit back and enjoy it. When I watch Anahiem, I'll cheer a little when they score a goal or give a good hit. But, I don't see the need to keep going on and on. It's different when your team doesn't have much success. Then you cheer loudly for every little thing. Franbkly, we all know Nashville's crowd isn't the best. They are the ones who don't deserve a good hockey team.
Ahh, the Ducks. Western Conference finals 3 times in four years. Yes, that's right. It's time for my votes for the second round.
I'm hoping:
Detroit beats San Jose
Anahiem beats Vancouver
NY Rangers beats Buffalo
New Jersey beats Ottawa.
By the way, I also miss the days of Naslund, Bertuzzi, and Morrison. The Canucks just aren't the same too watch anymore. Then again, niether are the Ducks. Since they've got Chris Pronger, they seem to be moving slower and sitting on leads they get. Last year, they were much faster and would just swarm after the puck. I think that since they changed their uniforms to black, removed WildWing and got rid of the Mighty moniker, the Ducks have lost some of their heart.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 02, 2007, 05:09:39 AM
The only good thing about this is I didn't pick any Canucks in my playoff pool and a lot of my co-workers did so even though my team is f*cked at least I'll benefit from it in some way.
When I see the Canucks play like that I thank God the BC Lions won the Grey Cup last year so that at least Vancouver isn't a total loser sports city like Seattle, Buffalo or San Diego.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 03, 2007, 06:03:47 PM
Still Anaheim deserved to win because even though I don't think they were that great in this series they were still better and had more heart and when they're on they're a one of the best teams in the league. I'd think Anaheim and San Jose would make a really entertaining series.
Luongo did manage to make it into the second round in his first year in the playoffs so at the very least we know the Canucks have a playoff goalie and can build around that. I think the defense is good as is. They just need better forwards that are more consistent at scoring and have some more grit. The Sedins are back in my doghouse. Being great in the regular season and sucking in the playoffs doesn't make you a great player. Well they used to suck all the time so I guess this is an improvement but this was their first playoffs since they got "good" and until they show that they can play when it matters I don't have any faith in them. Your top scorers can't be soft and these guys are.
I guess I'm cheering for Ottawa now.
Post by: Khushrenada on May 04, 2007, 06:52:03 AM
It was a tough series for me. I'm always going to root for the Ducks. At the same time, I do like Vancouver and want to see Canadian teams do well (except for Ottawa). It was like the Edmonton/Ducks conference finals last year although that was worst since I live in Edmonton and was cheering for the Ducks. Still, I hate it when wins are messy. It takes the enjoyment out of the game.
Still, it's great to see the Ducks are the first ones team to advance. And my predication came true. 3rd time to the Western Conference Finals in 4 years. That's incredible really when you think of how tough the West has been. San Jose has a chance to make their second appearence in 4 years also. In the east, Ottawa, New Jersey and Buffalo are all fighting to make their second appearence in the Eastern Conference finals in the last four years. Not bad but though one of them won't make it. Most likely New Jersey. Although, Buffalo could be taken out also. The only blemish on the Ducks record is 2003-2004 when they didn't make the playoffs. Ducks are the best playoff team in the league these days.
Looking forward to the Western Conference Finals also because the Ducks have a good rivalry with both Western teams left. Obviously, the Sharks are divisional rivals so that will be a big battle. Not to mention that since they are so close, travel will not be an issue for once in the Western Conference. That means it could be a hard fought battle.
At the same time, the Ducks and Wings rivalry could be big. The Wings swept the Ducks the first two times they met and then the Ducks swept the Wings when the Wings were defending Stanley Cup champions. Ever since then, the Wings have suffered in the post season. But now the Wings would have advanced to the Conference Finals with a chance to avenge that defeat. Babcock facing off against his old club.
Yes sir, it should be interesting no matter who the Ducks face.
When the playoffs were just beginning, I was talking to some friends about which teams I would like to see in the conference finals and my choices were: Ducks vs. Wings and Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers. There's still a chance for the Wings and NY Rangers to make it. But Pittsburgh missing is just such a damper on the whole thing.
Well, I've rambled on enough about hockey.
Post by: Khushrenada on May 14, 2007, 04:50:19 PM
Thank goodness for the west. Wings and Ducks. Those are two teams I can root for. More the Ducks than the Wings as everyone should know by now. Whoever wins this series will have home ice advantage for the finals since Buffalo is most likely done now. That should be big considering how home ice has been huge for the past 3 years in the Stanley Cup finals. Hopefully, that trend continues.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 15, 2007, 06:17:43 AM
Figures that I finally realize that the Sens are chokers in the playoffs and don't pick any of their players in my playoff pool just as the team suddenly decides to prove everyone wrong.
CBC is probably pretty happy as it's likely there will be a Canadian team in the finals for the third season in a row. Though if the trend continues the Ducks will win it all. Why? Because for the last two seasons the traditional hockey market team has lost in the finals to a non-traditional hockey market team. Detroit, Buffalo and Ottawa are all hockey towns that have credibility with stubborn old hockey purists. Thus they won't win and Gary Bettman will have a huge grin on his face as he hands the Stanley Cup to the winning team in front of a quiet arena that isn't even sold out. The lousier the ice and the more ridiculous the name and/or uniform of the team the more he'll enjoy it.
Buffalo is going to lose because of their horrible new uniforms. The uniform a team wins a championship in becomes iconic. That's why when people think of the ideal Oiler uniform they think of the old orange and blue from the 80's, even though it's really not that that great of a uniform. The hockey gods do not want the ideal Buffalo uniform to look so crappy so they are cursing the team. That's why my Canucks got swept in the finals in 82. The hockey gods refused to allow the horrible flying V uniform to be immortalized.
Post by: IceCold on May 16, 2007, 10:31:30 PM
It's funny how in the playoffs the difference between a 2-2 series and a 3-1 series is one flukey overtime goal. Buffalo should be tied with Ottawa right now, but they have choked both times they have had huge leads, and it cost them once. The series has been pretty exciting so far, apart from the results of the first three games, that is. Game 2 especially was thrilling..
You can't help but marvel at Buffalo's offense. It's really an embarrassment of riches. When Afinogenov only plays 9 minutes, that shows how much depth they have..
Post by: Khushrenada on May 30, 2007, 08:00:52 PM
The Ducks are now just two wins away. So much I would like to comment on but I'm sure just being happy with the way things are going with the Ducks will be all I need to sum up feelings for now. Can't wait for Saturday. Hopefully the Ducks can get the 3 straight win and pretty much seal this series up.
Post by: IceCold on January 17, 2008, 07:09:29 PM
And look again, closely. The goalie saves it initially with his blocker, but then Nash kicks it to himself with his right skate and scores.
Absolutely incredible. Hats off.
Post by: Ian Sane on January 18, 2008, 06:40:18 AM
Ovechkin's famous "on-his-back" goal is more exciting looking, even someone totally unfamiliar with hockey would be blown away by it, but any hockey fan would really appreciate the effort and skill required to get this goal.
Post by: IceCold on January 19, 2008, 08:42:31 AM
Post by: Khushrenada on January 21, 2008, 03:18:20 PM
Post by: Khushrenada on April 08, 2008, 11:58:55 PM
So looking forward to the Pittsburgh/Ottawa re-match.
Post by: IceCold on April 09, 2008, 01:28:39 AM
Do you think Pittsburgh lost on purpose to Philly so they play Ottawa instead, like some people are suggesting? They've talked so much about it on TSN, yet they all miss the main point: this is only the first round. If Pittsburgh had got the top seed and faced Montreal in the conference finals, they would have had home ice advantage. As it stands, they don't against a great Canadiens team. I think the Pens could easily handle the Flyers too, so it isn't even much of an advantage to face Ottawa. Plus I'm scared of Ottawa - they might be doing really badly right now but they have talent, and you never know.. they might just click in time.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 09, 2008, 04:51:48 PM
I'm really excited Washington made it in at the last minute. A player like Ovechkin NEEDS to be in the playoffs. Part of the whole appeal of any sports playoffs to me is the all-star appeal of it. It's the best teams and you want it to be the best players as well. Seeing Crosby and Malkin in the playoffs was why I wanted Pittsburgh to make it last year.
One thing that is good about the Canucks being out is that without a specific team to root for I can watch the games that look like they'll be the most entertaining. Last year's Vancouver/Dallas series was so DULL. I can't imagine how anyone who wasn't a fan of one of the two teams would ever have been able to watch a whole game.
For the last few years every final has been between a Canadian team and some non-traditional hockey market team with the non-traditional hockey market team winning. So I guess this year it'll be San Jose beating Montreal in the finals. That would give Jeremy Roenick a Cup win though so I could live with that.
Post by: IceCold on April 10, 2008, 12:35:12 AM
If Montreal wins, then we could be in for a Washington-Pittsburgh second round, which would be awesome. The NHL would love that too.
With the Canucks out, I'm not too emotionally invested in any teams. I have favourites but none that I'd go crazy for.. it's good in a way since you will never be devastated by a loss or feel too down when any team loses... but you give up the elation of winning too, then.
For teams that I don't have strong feelings towards, I usually go with whichever team is a better hockey market, or the team whose fans are better. That's why I strongly dislike Anaheim, since it's like a library during a game. Obviously the Canadian teams have great fans, but teams like Minnesota, Buffalo and Colorado have amazing fans too. I think the Wild fans could rival some Canadian teams.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 10, 2008, 01:32:19 AM
Post by: IceCold on April 10, 2008, 01:36:40 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 10, 2008, 12:14:20 PM
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I think the Wild fans could rival some Canadian teams.
Makes you wonder why the North Stars ever moved in the first place. I mean if you can't sell hockey in Minnesota of all places you're clearly out to lunch. Anytime a sports franchise moves and then the city is granted a new expansion team within less than ten years it's an embarassment to the league, and that obviously applies to all the major sports.
I watched whatever I could last night and caught a fair chunk of every game except the NY/NJ one. In my playoff pool I've picked players from the eight teams I figure will go on to the next round. My strategy is to get a good lead in the first round by having players playing in every game (in the past picking from less teams has bit me in the ass). Plus if any team I've picked is eliminated I only lose a couple of guys. So far San Jose is the only team I have that's behind but I'm still confident they'll win. Colorado is my dark horse team that no one else has picked so I was glad to see them win.
There's just one problem. Very few of the guys in my pool team actually put up points last night. I have two Rangers and two Avs and sure enough NONE of those four got any points despite winning. So, yeah, this strategy might be a little flawed.
The beauty with gambling (it's only 10 bucks so it's no big deal if I lose) is it gives me a clear team to cheer for. Oddly enough, last night I wasn't cheering for either Canadian team. But I will be cheering for Montreal. I figure they're a lock to beat Boston so I picked Price as my goalie. That's like four free wins right there.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 10, 2008, 07:01:22 PM
That's why I strongly dislike Anaheim, since it's like a library during a game.
That's a myth propagated by Canadian media especially during the Stanley Cup final from last year. I'll be watching Anahiem tonight and cheering them on against Dallas.
Watching the games last night, it came to me why playoff hockey is so wonderful. Overtime. It was during the overtime of Minnesota and Colorado and the back and forth action that I realized help make the playoffs so special. A whole game and series determined by who can score first and it could happen at instance. Wonderful. I love overtime so much and would hate for them to ever replace it with the other suggestions that get thrown out there like 4 on 4 to 3 on 3 or a shootout.
As for Pittsburgh tanking, I'm not sure I buy that arguement. As a lot of analysts have said, it was more Brian Murray trying to get a spark out of his team and deflect attention at how poorly they are playing. To me, even though first in the east was on the line, I don't think the Pens cared that much becuase if they won, they'd face Philidelphia so why play hard and beat philly and motivate them for the series to get revenge? At the same time, if they lose, so what, they still are #2 and would face Ottawa an easy team to beat. I know the Pens talked about playing for 1st since home ice is important later in the playoffs but I just get the feeling that when the game came, they just didn't care what happened and were just waiting for the playoffs to start. I think the team wanted to play safe so as not get any injuries before the playoffs. The only one who seemed to care was Fluery which was good.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 10, 2008, 08:01:42 PM
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Watching the games last night, it came to me why playoff hockey is so wonderful. Overtime.
This is probably partially why soccer isn't big in Canada. Deciding championships on penalty kicks? Huh?
It is completely unique to hockey though. Sure baseball can quite easily go on for many extra innings but it lacks the sudden death nature of it. One screw up and the game and perhaps the season is over. One thing that really sucks about having no team to root for is that sense of fear during overtime isn't there. When the Canucks did this insane third overtime game against Dallas last year it was mentally demanding to watch. The longer it goes the more suspense their is. You don't want to have stayed up to 1am to watch your team LOSE.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 17, 2008, 12:10:36 PM
Post by: IceCold on April 17, 2008, 02:40:51 PM
I think the Wild/Avalanche series has been the most exciting so far, except for that last game. Hopefully Washington wins this next game to tie it up. The even numbered games are always the most important ones - they're the difference between a 3-1 series lead or a 2-2 tie.
I haven't been keeping tabs on the Dallas-Anaheim series, and the rest of them are pretty much over. Well, except for SJ-Calgary and Detroit-Nashville. I think the Flames series is going to 7 but Detroit should win in 6.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 29, 2008, 09:26:05 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 30, 2008, 12:09:12 PM
I'm rooting for Pittsburgh as well just because they're an exciting, fun team to watch and the Red Wings won a cup only six years ago. Though being in the west I see a lot more Detroit games on TV so the Pens also partially benefit from the novelty. Crosby and Malkin are special attractions to us in Vancouver while Zetterberg and Datsyuk as these jerks who murder the Canucks a couple times a year.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 30, 2008, 06:31:13 PM
Post by: Khushrenada on June 03, 2008, 01:09:07 AM
I'm sure there's going to be a game 7. I think this is going to end up like Edmonton/Carolina. Edmonton wins Game 5 shorthanded in OT, go back to Edmonton and hammer the Canes 4-0 in a game the Canes just didn't seem to want to play and then who knows for game 7. Most likely Detroit will win in 7 like the Canes. At some point, the Detroit onslaught is going to be too much for the Pens and they will finally succumb like they almost did in the third period this game.
Still, I hope for the best for my Pens. Maybe youth and luck can triumph over experience and good play.
Post by: Ian Sane on June 03, 2008, 11:58:04 AM
Plus Fluery's performance may earn him the Conn Smythe if the Pens win it all. I don't think they will. Detroit has killed them every game. The Pens haven't won any games against the Wings, they've survived them. But game seven is a possibility. Remember that the Pens core is full of guys under 25 while the Wings are full of veterans. After playing almost two games worth a hockey last night the younger team might have more energy for tomorrow.
Good to see Malkin get an assist on the game winning goal. The guy has just outright SUCKED in the finals so he could use a point to try to get out of his funk. The guy practically passes the puck directly to the Wings but he got that assist on the game winner and got off a really good shot early in overtime.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 04, 2008, 10:46:30 PM
This postseason has got me really into hockey, I intend to buy Center Ice next season so I can watch my Flyers all year long.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 14, 2009, 06:29:57 PM
So, finally the playoffs will start. The last two weeks have been a bit of a drag waiting for the regular season to end. And
these are pretty awesome first round match-ups. More so in the east than the west. Quick thoughts.
East:
Boston/Montreal - Go Bruins
Washington/NYRangers - Yeah, I'm cheering for the Rangers.
New Jersey/Carolina - Rather indifferent. I'd probably prefer Carolina to win but honestly, it doesn't matter who wins
or loses this round to me.
Pittsburgh/Philadelphia - Well, I'm amazed Pittsburgh recoverd enough to actually gain home ice advantage. I still think I would have preferred the Pens to have stayed in 6 to face NJ. I think that would have been an easier series for them. This is going to be a much rougher series compared to last year, especially since Philadelphia isn't depleted with injuries like last year. I still believe the Pens will pull it off and win this round but they will end up exhausted by the next round. This is one series I can see going 7 games as well.
West:
San Jose/Anahiem - Let's go Ducks. Pull off the upset. This is another series I plan to watch as much as I can. Always have loved the Ducks. Although I miss the days of the Mighty Ducks, there is still much I love about this team. Selanne, Getzlaf, Giguere and Bobby Ryan. Plus, a San Jose collapse is always fun. Right?
Detroit/Columbus - Another series that I am not too interested in. I think Columbus could make things tough for Detroit for a couple games but I don't expect Detroit to choke. I love Babcock. My favorite coach in the NHL. I want to see him keep winning. Want to see Hossa lose for leaving Pittsburgh.
Vancouver/St. Louis - Another series I have mixed feelings on since I like both teams. I think this could be a very close series.
Chicago/Calgary - Go Calgary.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 14, 2009, 07:18:15 PM
Boston/Montreal - The Habs have traditionally been my Eastern Canada team but this year, I just don't like 'em. Too much drama and the fans act like they're entitled to the Cup because of the team's 100th anniversary. But the Habs are a storied franchise because of the sheer talent they've had in their history. This team doesn't compare to their past dynasties. They squeeked in. They don't deserve it. The Bruins however do. Though I kind of don't want either team to go far. I guess they're just not "flashy" enough teams right now.
Washington/NY Rangers - I'll NEVER cheer for the Rangers. They're the team that beat the Canucks in '94! Never cheer for the Islanders either for the same reason. Washington is a fun team to watch and they've got Ovechkin. Plus I'm picking them in my playoff pool.
New Jersey/Carolina - Carolina has only made the playoffs twice in the last six seasons but BOTH times made it to the finals. They seem to make their playoff appearances count. I don't want them to win but I have Eric Staal in my playoff pool JUST in case. ;)
Pittsburgh/Philadelphia - My gut feeling likes Pittsburgh and I've got some Pens in my pool. Unlike some people I like both the Caps and the Pens and want to see them meet later on so they both have to win to get there. Who wins? Who cares? We do!
San Jose/Anahiem - San Jose is in my pool. I kind of would like Jeremy Roenick to get a ring.
Detroit/Columbus - I have Wings in my pool because I'm, you know, not dumb. It's nice to see the Jackets finally make the playoffs. They get grouped into these other expansion teams that are considered non-traditional hockey markets. This is OHIO! It ain't in the sun belt! This is a place where a hockey team actually makes some sense! Plus every fan deserves to see their team in the playoffs and every franchise deserves some history. Columbus is making their history right now. They won't win but I hope they make it competitive. They just have to win ONE GAME and they have a better history than the Thrashers. ;)
Vancouver/St. Louis - Go Canucks Go! Naturally. ;) I have no Vancouver players in my playoff pool though since I feel as a hometown fan my view of them is biased. Still I think they should be able to win this series. The Blues are a bottom feeder team that scraped their way in. Come one guys, you can't lose to THEM!
Chicago/Calgary - The HELL I'm cheering for the Flames. They're rivals anyway but they had to go get Mike Keenan as a coach. That damn bastard not only coached the Rangers to Stanley Cup glory at our expense but then later became our GM/Coach and ruined the team for years! He even traded TREVOR LINDEN! **** HIM! Go Hawks!
Post by: Khushrenada on April 14, 2009, 08:08:30 PM
Ah, the bitter perspective of the Vancouver Canucks. Hey, remember when Anahiem knocked your team out of the playoffs? I hope you are not holding that against them with your San Jose pick. I kid, I kid.
Speaking of the Canadians, that has always been my biggest problem with them. They always celebrate things before they have happened. If a game is tied, they'll start singing the song as though they've won the game. I love when the other team scores and wins the game to show them up. Same with this 100 year celebration. The fans were celebrating as though they had already won the cup. That's probably why there's been so much drama with the the team this year. The fans seemed to think the cup was a sure thing and have gone nuts that this suddenly might not be the case. Actually, that's another thing I don't like about them. They are unable to cope with a lose. They never lose. Everyone else conspires to make them lose.
Frankly, I've always liked the Bruins and I loved how they nearly upset the Canadians last year and have just pounded them this year. One more good thrashing for the playoffs would make my day. Hard to believe that 3 years after trading Jumbo Joe, they are the best team in the East and second only to the team they traded Joe to by 1 point. Incredible turn around.
Getting back to Anahiem, I really think they could go far again. They have all the right pieces. They have good defence with Niedermeyer, Pronger and Beauchamin due back soon. They have some excellant forwards with Getzlaf, Perry, Selanne, Ryan. Giguere seems to thrive more in the playoffs plus they always seem to have a good back-up and this year is no different with Hiller. It just depends if they can get the pieces to work together. I just wish the team could have kept more of its young talent together. Lupul, Penner, McDonald, Kunitz. If they had kept those guys, what a team they'd still have.
And St. Louis is not a bottom feeder. You don't get 6th place, I repeat, 6th place, by bottom feeding when nearly all your division is in the playoffs. You are playing fierce rivals who are also all playoff contenders. Nashville nearly made it for crying out loud. They weren't playing Colorado, L.A. or Dallas a bunch. Plus, they are without some of the big talent who have been gone with long term injuries. Their number one goalie was injured tripping on a carpet for Sarah Palin and yet they still managed to keep going and make it that high. They split the season series with Vancouver including losing and winning a game in March.
However, all of that said, I still think Vancouver will prevail for the reason that the Blues are injured, they have been giving their all for some time now, and like the Pittsburgh Penguins two years ago, they are too raw for the post season. The Pens were hot down the stretch when they qualified and even challanged Jersey for the second spot briefly before finishing fourth. Then, they were blown away by the Sens. I think the same thing will happen here. I expect many players in Vancouver to elevate their play this postseason. A lot of players have something to play for this year. But they better not dismiss the Blues so easily. This is a team that is going to fight equally hard.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 15, 2009, 02:21:07 AM
Oh well, Go Flyers! Boo Red Wings!
Post by: Armak88 on April 15, 2009, 02:44:56 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 15, 2009, 12:11:04 PM
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I expect many players in Vancouver to elevate their play this postseason. A lot of players have something to play for this year. But they better not dismiss the Blues so easily. This is a team that is going to fight equally hard.
Agreed. The 'Nucks have a bad habit of slacking off when facing what they view as "easy" opponents and then getting their asses handed to them in a very embarassing fashion as a result. They have to assume St. Louis is a threat because realistically every play-off team is. Fortunately in a seven game series you can afford to lose one game due to underestimating your opponent and then smarten up and beat them.
One thing that I am confident about is that this season whenever Luongo has a bad game or two and lets in some weak goals and the press starts crapping on him he gets fired up and responds with shutouts. He's the type of goalie that hates to lose. That's the sort of goalie you want in the playoffs. You hear Carey Price being interviewed and he's all "well I don't let the things people say bother me" and "it's just a game". Yeah, like you're going to win the Stanley Cup with that ho-hum attitude.
Quote
But Keenan made up for it by trading you Luongo.
Yeah, I guess you're right but I see that more like karma. ;)
Post by: Khushrenada on April 20, 2009, 02:24:59 AM
Ducks!
Woo. So far, so good. I've believed in the Ducks and they are rewarding my faith with a big ol' 2 game lead. I think this has also been the best series of the playoffs so far. Well, at least for me. Sharks had 5 regulation losses at home all year and won the Presidents Trophy to keep that home ice for the entire playoffs. But the Ducks showed them how meaningless home ice can be and just gave them 2 more regulation losses. And shut down the powerplay. I can't wait for Game 3.
Canucks are up 3-0 in their series. I expected them to win but I didn't think they would have the strangehold on the series so soon. I really believe they are going to make the Conference Finals this year. Whether they get to the Stanley Cup finals is another matter. We'll see who they face. But with a Ducks win, they can avoid Detroit for another round and maybe see Detroit get knocked out as well.
Surprised about the Flames but maybe things will turn around at home. Same with Blue Jackets. I hope they can give the fans something to cheer about at home. The fans have stayed with this team so long it would be nice for them to at least get a series out of it. Oh well. The first two times the Ducks made the playoffs, Detriot would beat them 4 straight. And then, one fabulous year, the Ducks turned the tables and bounced them out of the playoffs 4 straight.
Over in the East, things are going well overall. Boston is up 2 straight. I think the best thing about this series is the fan stealing Kovalev's stick in game 1. Awesome.
New Jersey has done an excellant job forgetting about their slide into the post season and cooling down Carolina who were looking very dangerous.
New York has the 2 game lead over the Caps which is fantastic. I know a lot of people keep wanting to see Pittsburgh and Washington play but what about New York vs Boston. I think that would get more attention and that's what I'm hoping to see.
And finally, Pittsburgh/Philly. I expected this to be a long series. That said, I keep hoping the Pens can keep it short. But aside from Game 1, I haven't been that impressed with their play. I really think this series should be in Philly's favor right now and I don't like saying that since I can't stand Philly. Mainly Scott Hartnell. But, I guess he's doing his job. Pittsburgh needs to get back the intensity they had before and in last year's playoffs. Right now, Philly seems to want it more. I'm not liking the direction the Pens are taking and hope they wake up for Game 4.
Still, overall, I'm liking the way things are shaping up for the playoffs. Nearly all the teams I like are ahead, so it's going to suck when they all win and have to face each other and I want to root for both.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 20, 2009, 02:30:10 PM
The Ducks' play just screams "remember we won the Cup two years ago!" while the Sharks are all "remember we didn't!" I figure San Jose is like the Ottawa of the west. They do great in the regular season and look like contenders and then get smoked. And like Ottawa the year I'll finally decide "that's it. I'm never picking them in my playoff pool again!" they'll make the finals and lose. Right now they're the Senators from about three years ago.
The battle of Pennsylvania has been exactly what I expected. Too bad I can never get home from work in time to watch a full eastern game. The difference will probably be whoever wins an away game first. Winning your home games doesn't mean squat. That's why San Jose looks so fucked; they lost both of their home games.
Missed last night's Canucks game. I agree that they look like they could go to the Conference Finals. I'm so glad there is pretty much no way they could end up facing the Ducks in the second round. In the Conference Finals they would have to face the winner of Detroit/Anaheim. Both scary teams but they would be scary teams that just hopefully wore each other out in a classic series. The Blues/Canucks series though has been very physical and there's potential for injury with all the hitting.
So far I have yet to watch a Canucks game where I was seriously scared they wouldn't win. That's great! Any other year I've spent pretty much every playoff game on pins and needles. It's nice to be confident in your team for a change. :)
Post by: Armak88 on April 20, 2009, 10:36:29 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 22, 2009, 11:58:52 AM
Though when Luongo was lying on the ice I was just shitting bricks. We have a good back-up but without Lou we're FUCKED. Thank God he's alright and now has some time to nurse any aches and pains he does have.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 22, 2009, 12:26:55 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 29, 2009, 01:55:41 PM
Canucks are facing the Blackhawks. I think we're the favourites in that one and should be able to win that series. It's good because a friend of mine has pulled some strings and can score tickets to the Western Confernence Finals (!!!!!) if Vancouver makes it. That will cost me some serious dough but I think it'll be worth it. :)
Despite losing a quarter of my playoff pool team thanks to the stupid Sharks I actually am in second place. A lot of people had lots of Canucks, Wings and Bruins which all swept their opponents. Since I had a good amount of players playing to a full seven games I was able to accumulate more points in the first round. And only one person in the pool has all 20 of his players still in. I may have lost guys but everyone else did as well so I've still got a shot. And one point I was looking at losing over half my team but Washington and Carolina managed to pull through.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 29, 2009, 03:00:17 PM
I expect the best series to be Anahiem/Detroit. There's a lot going on between those two teams. Looking forward to that one the most.
Now let's see how I did:
East:
Boston/Montreal - Right!
Washington/NYRangers - Wrong!
New Jersey/Carolina - Right!
Pittsburgh/Philadelphia - Right!
West:
San Jose/Anahiem - Right!
Detroit/Columbus - Right!
Vancouver/St. Louis - Right!
Chicago/Calgary - Wrong!
Not bad. And now for Round 2.
East:
Boston/Carolina - Going with Boston
Washington/Pittsburgh - Go Pens
West:
Detroit/Anahiem - Go Ducks
Vancouver/Chicago - Onwards Canucks.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on April 29, 2009, 04:02:51 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on April 29, 2009, 05:37:48 PM
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The Capitals-Penguins series should be good, the two biggest players in the sport competing for the right to lose to Boston.
This exactly why I'm surprised Khush isn't excited. Gretzky and Lemieux never met in the playoffs. They only played in the same conference for the last few seasons of Gretzky's career and the Rangers only made the playoffs once during his time there. Unless they met in the finals there was only one season they ever could have faced each other in the playoffs and they never did. So we're very lucky that the two biggest players are going to face each other because you never know how things will go. Maybe this will happen fairly regularly since they both play in the same conference. Or maybe it will never happen again. To me that alone makes the series worth checking out. You can't choose playoff matchups so when something like this falls in your lap, enjoy it. :)
Post by: Khushrenada on April 30, 2009, 01:25:41 AM
As for the Gretzky/Lemiuex thing. Let's put it this way. When Gretzky was winning cups with Edmonton, Lemiuex and Pittsburgh were not the greatest team out there. And when Gretzky was traded, he did all right with the Kings but the supporting cast was weaker. That's when Pittsburgh got better and then won their first two cups. That's when they also got the closest to meeting each other. In '93, Pittsburgh stormed into the postseason and looked like they would be on their way to a third cup until a second round upset occured. Interestingly, Gretzky and the Kings made it to the cup final. Yet, let me ask, which Gretzky would you rather see face Lemiuex? The Oilers, Kings or Rangers Gretzky? Which part of Lemiuex's career would you like to see face Gretzky? Early 80's, early 90's, comeback Lemiuex?
Is it interesting to see Crosby vs Ovechkin vs. Malkin vs Semin? Sure. But I don't expect this to be a battle of skill. Neither of these clubs have completed getting the surrounding talent needed to push them all the way to win some cups. They are just tough postseason opponents right now. Neither of these teams have won cups and I don't think anyone believes either of these teams will win the cup this season. So it's not like this is a huge battle of the titans with two potential cup winning teams meeting. That's Anahiem and Detroit.
Am I going to watch the series? Absolutely. Pittsburgh is playing and I follow the Pens. Maybe it will be a great series but it's better to underhype than overhype. I just think this is going to be more of a grinding/battling series instead of one with sparkling plays and end to end action.
Post by: Ian Sane on April 30, 2009, 12:06:29 PM
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Neither of these clubs have completed getting the surrounding talent needed to push them all the way to win some cups. They are just tough postseason opponents right now. Neither of these teams have won cups and I don't think anyone believes either of these teams will win the cup this season. So it's not like this is a huge battle of the titans with two potential cup winning teams meeting. That's Anahiem and Detroit.
The Caps I can understand but the Pens made it to finals last year and you don't consider them contenders? You are right in that Detroit and Anaheim are two powerhouse teams and the two most recent cup winners and that certainly has appeal. Though we did see that matchup two years ago when the Ducks won the cup. They faced each other in the WCF. Though it should be good I have seen it before so I would consider Pens/Caps to be of more interest. For me anyway.
Post by: Khushrenada on April 30, 2009, 11:30:28 PM
And now there is speculation that Oveckhin may have a bit of an injury. If that's true, it's going to further swing this series in the Pens favor. A lot of people are going to be looking at this series as a way of saying which player is better. As you said, Gretzky and Lemiuex never faced one another in the playoffs. If they had, people might use that as the "definitive" proof when people debate who was better. But by not facing one another, it helps keep their accomplishments seperate and doesn't tarnish the others legacy.
You're right that Detroit/Anahiem has happened before but circumstances around this match-up are different. The first time these teams met, Detroit swept them. Then Anahiem got revenge sweeping them in the first round of the playoffs after Detroit won the cup. The next few years, Detroit struggled in the postseason, often getting knocked out early. They finally made it to the conference finals in 2007 only to meet up with the Ducks and get knocked out again. Anahiem won a cup and then Detroit won a cup. Now they are meeting for the 5th time. The two recent cup winners. Both teams are going to have something to prove. Both are built to win cups. While Detroit has kept most of core intact and improved with the addition of Hossa, Anahiem also has most of its cup winning core around. When you look at the teams with the most cup winners, Detroit and Anahiem were the top two in this postseason. Detroit has the edge with multiple cup winners but a couple Ducks were around still from when they went to the finals in '03 and more around from when they went to Western Finals in '06 before their cup year in '07. They've gone deep in the postseason before. It should be some good stuff.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 01, 2009, 12:56:18 AM
You're dissing the Steelers? The greatest football franchise of all-time. Don't tell me you root for the Eagles, the greatest drama franchise of all-time. Once I learned Insanolord is in Philly, it became mush easer to antagonize him.
Actually I'm not in Philly, I'm in Erie, which is about as far away from Philly you can be while still being in Pennsylvania. And I wish I were an Eagles fan, they had a great off-season after making the NFC championship, they're poised for a great year. No, I'm a fan of the Browns, a team that hasn't been good yet during my lifetime.
Post by: Khushrenada on May 01, 2009, 01:22:29 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 01, 2009, 12:05:35 PM
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Great finish to the Canucks-Blackhawks game. I didn't turn it on until the 3rd but I caught the best part, though I am again denied the pleasure of overtime playoff hockey.
It was a great finish but it should have never happened. Stupid Darcy Hordichuk taking a stupid penalty at the worst fucking time. Chicago scoring on that powerplay completely turned the momentum in their favour. We got lucky that the Hawks had a huge defensive brainfart in the last minute of the game. We could have easily lost and Hordichuk would have been a pretty damn good scapegoat. He doesn't take that penalty and the Hawks probably would never have tied the game up in the first place. Penalties like that always bother me. Aren't these GROWN MEN? Shouldn't they have some semblence of control or discipline? But you see these guys that are my age taking penalties you assume a 15 year old would be embarrassed to take.
Chicago has clearly demonstrated that they are a much bigger threat than St. Louis was. And they probably gained a lot of confidence in that game since they could have won it after making a big comeback in the third period. Still we won. If we lost that game I think it would have been discouraging to lose at home in the first game of the series. But we won so it doesn't matter. Everything is still going smooth.
I find it funny that the announcers were talking about Khabibulin having not beaten the Canucks in ten years. Kind of a misleading stat since he didn't play in the NHL for one year due to a contract dispute, one year was the lockout, and we spent several years playing in the Eastern Conference. He has however never beaten the Canucks during his four years in Chicago.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 01, 2009, 12:50:04 PM
Penalties like that always bother me. Aren't these GROWN MEN? Shouldn't they have some semblence of control or discipline? But you see these guys that are my age taking penalties you assume a 15 year old would be embarrassed to take.
At least it didn't cost them the game. In game 2 of the Flyers-Pens series the Flyers had a power play in overtime but someone's stupid enough to cross-check a guy for no reason, which took it back to even strength which became a Penguins 5-on-3 that cost them the game.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 04, 2009, 12:40:30 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 04, 2009, 12:41:00 PM
Post by: Khushrenada on May 05, 2009, 12:47:43 AM
I was planning on watching the Anaheim-Detroit game this afternoon but never got around to turning it on. Damn, I can't believe I missed it, triple overtime and Detroit lost, it doesn't get much better than that.
Preach it! Looking forward to the game tomorrow.
The game tonight was pretty good as well. Ovechkin and Crosby really lived up to the billing tonight. I'm surprised that the Capitals are leading 2-0 in the series. I guess it would help if someone other than Crosby could score a goal for the Pens. Of the five goals scored, he has 4. That's crazy. As for the Capitals, as great as Ovechkin is for them right now, Varlamov is the star of that team. If Theodore was still in net, they wouldn't even be in this round. I thought they were crazy to play him in game 2 but he has been unreal. If he keeps playing the way he is, the Capitals could very well make it to the Finals, something I would not have thought possible until he started playing.
As for the Canucks, they seemed to have slacked off a bit and were running around a bit crazy last game. They were a bit lost. But now that they've had time to get over, I expect them to be focused and for everybody to be ready to step it up again next game. But Chicago has accomplished something that didn't seem possible before this series. Actually appear to be a serious threat for the Canucks.
Here's hoping the Ducks can win Game 3 tomorrow. As crucial as Game 2 was, I think Game 3 is even more critical. Detroit is going to want to crush any momentum gained from that overtime win and put it behind them. I expect Hossa and Datsyuk to step it up. They're getting critized of late. With Rafalski still hurting, you need to win as many games as you can before these guys wake up or come back in the line-up. Otherwise, it will be even tougher. I'm curious to see how Detroit tries to slow down Getzlaf. If the Ducks can win game 3, it may sap the Wings just enough to keep giving the Ducks the advantage.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 08, 2009, 02:11:31 PM
I'm mad at the coach because I KNOW it was his idea to play like that. Players love scoring goals and being on the offence. No team would decide to just start shovelling the puck in the other zone and hold back unless their coach was specifically telling them to do so. Now the series is even. If we were up 3-1 it would be a big demoralizer for Chicago. But we keep letting them get back. They've caught up to our leads in THREE of the four games. They've got to be feeling confident.
They deserve to win because they don't give up and that bothers me. They're playing with more heart and more guts. The Canucks are a better team and a smarter team but Chicago has more heart. We should have won that game last night. Chicago was helpless. But we played like pussies and we lost and we fucking deserved it.
Though on the bright side I'm did very well in my hockey pool last night because almost everyone else has tons of Canucks that got no points last night. :)
Post by: Ian Sane on May 11, 2009, 11:58:40 PM
What is it like to cheer for a GOOD team? What is it like to have a local team that you feel you can count on? What is it like to have clutch players that pull through when you need them to? Every year it's the same thing. We just never seem to have those types of players that just deliver when it counts. Even Luongo isn't clutch. Last time he was in the playoffs he let in the series ending goal because he thought there was an icing and stopped playing before the whistle went. Last year we missed the playoffs because his wife was having a baby and he had a mental breakdown. This year in the last game he lets in SEVEN GOALS! **** ME! Is he like the Joe Thornton of goalies? I know he's a great goalie but come on!
That game four that I absolutely hated really did **** everything up. We never play that lame ass trap hockey in that game and we're not eliminated tonight. Maybe we still would lose but not tonight. And all this series it was the same stupid ****. Stupid penalties. Stupid turnovers in their own zone. And it's the same guys doing it every time. It was just tons of brainfarts. I think the downtime after sweeping the Blues really did affect things because the Canucks were just making a bazillion stupid mistakes. Game three is the only one where they really played like we expected them to.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 12, 2009, 12:21:18 AM
Post by: Khushrenada on May 12, 2009, 12:24:31 AM
If all those teams go, I think I'm done for the playoffs this year.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 12, 2009, 12:49:32 PM
So right now my teams are Carolina, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Yes, I'm more or less hoping for a rematch of last year's finals.
Post by: vudu on May 12, 2009, 01:30:00 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 12, 2009, 02:39:25 PM
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Oh, quit your bitching. We haven't won the Stanley Cup since the early 60s.
We haven't won since 1915!
Post by: vudu on May 12, 2009, 02:55:04 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 12, 2009, 03:05:28 PM
But I have no problem with the Blackhawks winning a Cup. I hate them right NOW but generally have no beef with them. It's when fans whine that their team hasn't won a championship in ten years that piss me off (ie: New York Yankee fans). Chicago is certainly overdue.
Post by: vudu on May 12, 2009, 03:08:25 PM
It's when fans whine that their team hasn't won a championship in ten years that piss me off (ie: New York Yankee fans). Chicago is certainly overdue.
Chicago Cubs. One hundred one years. Yeah, baby.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 12, 2009, 06:43:36 PM
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Chicago Cubs. One hundred one years. Yeah, baby.
Yeah, so if I complain about the Toronto Blue Jays' World Series drought you are free to smack me upside the head. ;)
Post by: vudu on May 22, 2009, 10:13:07 PM
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 23, 2009, 05:01:08 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 28, 2009, 12:31:35 PM
But as a Canucks fan I've never had my team come back from that and make the finals again with the same core of guys. For the Pens to come back like this and then lose AGAIN would be even worse. Making the comeback and making the finals two years in a row just gets your hopes up even more and to lose now would be even more crushing. That's Buffalo Bills stuff where you're like a dynasty of choke. I'd rather have a mediocre team that's realistically not a contender than one that's clearly one of the elite teams of the league but never gets over the hump.
I think they've got a shot though. Detroit is out two of their best players and the finals start this weekend with back-to-back games. It doesn't give time for those Detroit players to heal up and the Pens are younger and would be able to handle back-to-back games easier. And Crosby is just playing like a man possessed. You can tell he wants this and that losing last year REALLY bothered him.
And if Pittsburgh wins it truly makes Crosby the man. To lead his team to the finals at such a young age, lose, and then comeback the next year and win it? The last person to do that was Wayne Gretzky.
And who doesn't want to see Hossa lose in the finals to the team he hung out to dry. ;)
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 28, 2009, 08:43:35 PM
Post by: Djunknown on May 31, 2009, 11:43:57 PM
I have no beef against Pittsburgh, let the best team win. Though another Cup would be some welcome news in a city/tri-county area that needs a little cheer.
Post by: Ian Sane on June 01, 2009, 02:08:51 PM
The Pens did better than they did in the first two games last year. And they lost the first two games to the Caps as well and won that series in seven. It ain't a series until the home team loses, right? So we'll see how game three goes.
Post by: Djunknown on June 08, 2009, 12:50:31 AM
Its a shame the Penguins couldn't keep their composure at the end. No doubt they were frustrated, but man, the last thing they want is one of their players to be suspended for taking it too far...
Will this light their proverbial fire, hopefully to take it to game 7, or Detroit get another back-to-back Cup?
Post by: Khushrenada on June 10, 2009, 12:08:42 AM
Post by: Khushrenada on June 13, 2009, 12:23:14 AM
Looking back right now, I've been able to enjoy some good years in hockey. I've been able to see my favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Mighty Anahiem Ducks both twice make it to a Stanley Cup final and to see each win a Stanley Cup. I didn't watch hockey when I was younger so I never saw the first two Pittsburgh cups. But I did get to see the Pens go from a bottom feeder team to annual contenders. The Ducks also for that matter. It's awesome to have been a fan of these teams during some brutal years and have something to cheer about and see them accomplish some great victories. It most likely won't always be this way and there'll most likely come a time when they do go through some brutal years again. But at least now, there are some glory years to go with them.
It's nice to not have to think about maybe winning it next year.
Post by: NWR_Lindy on June 13, 2009, 01:46:31 AM
Makes me want to play NHL 95 on the Genesis.
Props to the Pens, by the way. They really buckled down defensively and took out Detroit. Hopefully that'll be a big rivalry for years to come, like Colorado vs. Detroit in the 90's.
Post by: Ian Sane on June 13, 2009, 01:20:02 PM
Exciting as hell game with Fleury earning Pittsburgh sports immortality with that last second save against Lidstrom. I saw the pass going across the crease, saw who is was receiving it and the big open net in front of him and thought for sure they would tie it. They'll make posters of that save.
Pittsburgh just won the Superbowl and Stanley Cup in the same year! Now the Pirates just have to win the World Series, right? Uh, yeah. Well 2/3 ain't bad.
Marian Hossa's fate suggests to me that maybe karma is real. ;)
The rest of my family doesn't like Crosby because of this TV commercial he did earlier in the season. It showed a still shot of the Pens from last year when they lost in the finals looking really upset. Crosby then came out of the photo and said how he never wanted to be in this position or feel this way again. My family saw it as poor sportsmanship - Crosby should be happy with second place. I saw it differently. I saw a man with a goal that came so close to achieving it only to have it slip away at the last second. I've had goals like that where I almost succeeded and that sort of stuff eats at you. I'll bet Crosby had thought about that every night for the entire year with last night being a huge relief for him. To come close to your goal, lose it and then come back and achieve it as soon as you could is inspiring. That's what I took from the ad and that's why I wanted the Pens to win.
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 13, 2009, 01:32:23 PM
Post by: NWR_Lindy on June 14, 2009, 03:21:28 AM
How can any sane person expect or even want a professional athlete to be happy with second place? I know I don't want anybody like that on any team I root for.
Yeah, seriously. Somehow I doubt, say, Michael Jordan was ever happy with second place.
Post by: Djunknown on June 16, 2009, 02:22:01 AM
I was embarrassed when the fans started booing during the ceremony. The national media takes a diarrhea dump on us already, the last thing we want to be viewed as is sore losers. I expected most of the fans to leave the building, but hey, its not every day you get to see Lord Stanley up close and personal.
Maybe because of that loss, downtown was a virtual ghost town the next day. We're hosting the Red Bull Air Race; I would've thought that would attract some out-of-towners, but nope, me and a friend went to pub after bar after club, only to find scarce amounts of people. Only an after-hours spot that I go every now and again had a good crowd.
Though I'm sure downtown/southside Pittsburgh did not have that same problem ;)
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The rest of my family doesn't like Crosby because of this TV commercial he did earlier in the season. It showed a still shot of the Pens from last year when they lost in the finals looking really upset.
There was once commercial that was interesting was the one where they show a young Crosby wearing a Lemieux jersey, watching them play on a semi-old school TV, and then it pans to a trophy saying "1995 AAA Crosby" or whatever. Then it pans to a to a kid today wearing a Crosby jersey watching the game on a HDTV. I forgot what they were selling, but it did tug at my heartstrings...
