The OFFICIAL 2008-09 NHL Playoffs Thread

[Dr. Sak]

I figured I'd get it started here. And just in case Maple Leafs forgot...the playoffs are what happens after the regular season and before the draft and free agency.

[DeToxRox]

I figured I'd get it started here. And just in case Maple Leafs forgot...the playoffs are what happens after the regular season and before the draft and free agency.

Oh shit.

[DeToxRox]

So the Wednesday slate of game is ..

Flyers vs Pens
Rangers vs Caps
Hurricanes vs Devils
Blues vs Canucks

I haven't looked but I assume Pens/Flyers is on Versus at 7 and then obviously Blues/Canucks after.

[Dr. Sak]

All the Pens/Flyers games are either on Versus or NBC. Thanks God!

[samifan24]

This means we all have to endure more of Doc Emrick's voice than we ever thought humanly possible. He's not a bad broadcaster but that voice....

[Dr. Sak]

This means we all have to endure more of Doc Emrick's voice than we ever thought humanly possible. He's not a bad broadcaster but that voice....

I doubt it because he'll be calling the Devils games. Unless they are on opposite nights.

And I'll take Doc over Dumb and Dumberer that the Pens have for a home announcing crew any night.

[Honolulu_Blue]

This means we all have to endure more of Doc Emrick's voice than we ever thought humanly possible. He's not a bad broadcaster but that voice....

Doc Emrick is the best play-by-play guy the U.S. networks have. Well, I am also always partial to Dave Strader, since he was the "voice" of the Wings when I first started watching.

Other than those two, I don't really like too many of the Vs./NBC play-by-play guys. I don't like Joe Beneninati. He uses too many unnecessary "cutesy" phrases that annoy. There's some other guy, whose name I don't recall, whose voice just gets very loud and deep all of a sudden whenever something "exciting" happens. It's strange and off putting.

I struggle between the HD glory of Vs. against the non-HD, but great sound and announcing of CBC. Typically, HD wins (unless the announcers are really offensive) and I switch to CBC for the between periods stuff.

[sterlingice]

I still miss the ESPN days of Thorne/Clement along with Pang/most anyone :(

SI

[Dr. Sak]

I couldn't agree more SI.

Right now I really like Edzo as a color man.

[watravaler]

Glad to see the Blackhawks matched up against a team they owned during the season, although it may not mean much given the Hawks' youth and the Flames experience. Vancouver would have been a bad draw for Chicago. Are the Flames banged up at the moment? I know the Hawks may be missing Sharp for a while...

My prediction: Vancouver over Washington in 6

[samifan24]

I still miss the ESPN days of Thorne/Clement along with Pang/most anyone :(

SI

:+1:

[DeToxRox]

Wings recall Darren Helm from Grand Rapids and he'll play game 1 on Thursday. Not sure who will be out (Hossa, maybe?) but I like it. He was great for us during last years run, and we need that infusion of energy in our lineup.

[Maple Leafs]

I'll post my playoff predictions soon. I'll use spoiler tags, since I've correctly picked the Cup winner and runner-up before the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.

[Fidatelo]

Lets go Rangers!

[Pumpy Tudors]

Lets go Rangers!
No.

Seriously, no.

[Logan]

Don't worry, he started rooting for us last year and we promptly got smoked :).

[USFLTecmo]

I hope the Canucks can take the momentum they have deep into the playoffs. I like the St. Louis matchup, and I LOVE that it's on Versus all series.

I just wish we got to see more of Boston-Montreal.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I posted this in the season thread

Any interest in a pool of some sort-- either predictions or player pool?

http://http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1990062&postcount=1922

[Fidatelo]

Don't worry, he started rooting for us last year and we promptly got smoked :).

Yep, its important to remember that my original allegiance was to the woeful Winnipeg Jets. I do not have a history of willing my favorite squad to playoff victory.

[Logan]

I've got you on a short leash man. From what I remember, you officially became a fan when you came in for one of the Devil games. There wasn't much success after that.

Like I said, short leash.

[MikeVic]

I was also a fan of the Jets, so if I cheer for the Rangers too does that mean there's no chance of them advancing?

[tarcone]

LET'S GO BLUES!

Haven't said that in years. But this group of players is really fun to watch.

[Chief Rum]

Strangely enough, I like that the Ducks dodged the Wings. Although I still profess the Ducks would be a tough test for any team in a series (including the Wings), fact is the Wings had a lot of good success against Anaheim this year and last year. But they have played the Sharks extremely tight in the last three games we played them in the past month, losing a 1-0 game at HP where Nabakov was literally on his head, a controversial 3-2 loss last week where the refs swallowed their whistles at the wrong time, and then a 5-2 pounding of the Sharks at HP. The Ducks largely outplayed them in all three games.

But that was then, this is now. Playoffs a whole different matter.

[Maple Leafs]

Does anybody know of a site that lets you run a playoff pool draft? Sort of like what Yahoo offers for the regular season.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I was also a fan of the Jets, so if I cheer for the Rangers too does that mean there's no chance of them advancing?

Yes. We refer to it as "The Curse of Thomas Steen". You Winnipeg fans never appreciated Thomas Steen.

[Fidatelo]

I've got you on a short leash man. From what I remember, you officially became a fan when you came in for one of the Devil games. There wasn't much success after that.

Like I said, short leash.

You have a good memory!

[Fidatelo]

Yes. We refer to it as "The Curse of Thomas Steen". You Winnipeg fans never appreciated Thomas Steen.

Don't make me go Pumpy on your ass...

[sterlingice]

Don't make me go Pumpy on your ass...

Sounds like a euphemism if ever I've heard one ;)

SI

[Logan]

Not to override SR's own playoff pool, but allow me to solicit for a minute.

Friend of mine is running an NHL playoff survivor pool. Cost is $100/entry, winner takes all. He accepts paypal or will take checks to his residence (but given time constraints, probably better to use paypal). I'll gladly vouch for him, and he just paid out $10K to two people for winning his NCAA tourney survivor contests. He also doesn't participate in the pools, so he's just an admin.

Premise is simple: 1st round you must pick 3 teams to move on (at least 1 from each conference), next round you pick 2 (one from each conference), then one team to advance to the Cup finals, and finally, pick the Cup winner. You may not pick a team twice, so strategy comes into play. It's a survivor pool, so if you're the only one left prior to the end, you win.

For more info or for payment instructions, send me a PM. Everything (including round 1 picks) must be in by Wednesday, 3PM eastern.

[Logan]

BTW I fully expect ML to partake considering all the Burke/Twitter ad revenue he's swimming in.

[Maple Leafs]

Premise is simple: 1st round you must pick 3 teams to move on (at least 1 from each conference), next round you pick 2 (one from each conference), then one team to advance to the Cup finals, and finally, pick the Cup winner. You may not pick a team twice, so strategy comes into play. It's a survivor pool, so if you're the only one left prior to the end, you win.
Interesting, what kind of strategy do you use in the first round? Go all favorites knowing that one upset will knock out most of the pool, or save the big teams for later rounds?

I'm assuming that even one wrong picks knocks you out.

[Dr. Sak]

Islanders get the #1 pick...Tampa gets #2.

[DeToxRox]

And Brian Burke uses the time tested strategy of saying he'll get one of the top two picks to start trade talks.

This must be twittered.

[Draft Dodger]

Islanders get the #1 pick...Tampa gets #2.

yeah, that was a whole bunch of stuff to end up exactly where everyone started from.

[DeToxRox]

TB has to be thanking their lucky stars to pick #2 since it's obvious they cannot take Tavares at #1.

[Logan]

Interesting, what kind of strategy do you use in the first round? Go all favorites knowing that one upset will knock out most of the pool, or save the big teams for later rounds?

I'm assuming that even one wrong picks knocks you out.

Yes, one pick knocks you out. Ideally you want some kind of combination of the two so you can save some of the best teams but obviously you don't want to take too much risk so you get knocked out. Best to kind of map out a full bracket so you don't end up knocking out all your winners.

I'll share my strategy once I know no one on here wants in :).

[Maple Leafs]

This must be twittered.
It's killing me.

I'm doing some of the Burke-like lines on the DGB account, but it's just not the same.

[Pyser]

anyone have the center ice channel assignment for wed's games?

[Travis]

Where are we doing just a straight up playoff pick 'em for each series (as there's been in past years)? Or has that not been started up yet?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Quick thoughts about the Wings/Columbus series.

I think the Wings should win, but there are (as always) some concerns.

1. Goaltending is the obvious one. Either Osgood comes into form (despite all evidence to the contrary all year) and the Wings have a good run, or he doesn't and it's short and sad.

2. Injuries have started to crop up at a bad time. Draper is out for at least the first two games. That's a huge hit to the Wings' face-off prowess. Cleary tweaked his knee in practice the other day (though will play) and Hossa hurt his groin and missed the last two games of the season (but will play). Groins are tricky things. Not great.

3. The Jackets have a number of forwards who can create problems for Detroit in their own zone. The Detroit defense isn't particularly strong or big, which can lead to problems in the corners and, especially, around and behind the net. Big, strong forwards like Torres, Umberger, Nash, and Modin can really cause problems in those areas. Young Eircsson who has been filling in for the still injured Lilja has been particularly suspectible to coughing up the puck behind his own net.

It will be interesting to see how Mason holds up. I think he should be fine, but maybe (hopefully) he's getting tired. Let's hope he's more "Jim Carrey" than "Patrick Roy."

I think I can see the Wings winning in 6.

As for the other series:

Boston - Montreal
Boston in 4.

Washington - NYR
Rangers in 6

Devils - Hurricanes
Hurricanes in 5.

Pens - Flyers
Penguins in 7.

San Jose - Anaheim
San Jose in 7.

Vancouver - St. Louis
St. Louis in 6.

Chicago - Calgary
Chicago in 5.

[DeToxRox]

To bring my predictions to this thread:

Boston in 7
Carolina in 5
Pittsburgh in 6
Rangers in 6

Detroit in 6
San Jose in 7
Chicago in 5
Vancouver in 6

My winners are the same as the other thread, just fixed how many games on a few.

[Fidatelo]

I will preface these picks by saying I'm totally out of touch with hockey this season:

Boston in 6
Devils in 7
Philly in 6
Rangers in 7

Columbus in 5
Anaheim in 6
Chicago in 7
St Louis in 6

[Pyser]

boston in 5
wash in 7
new jersey in 6
pitt in 5


sj in 6
det in 7
calgary in 6
stl in 5

[Travis]

Montreal in 7
Washington in 5
Carolina in 6
Penguins in 7

San Jose in 5
Detroit in 5
Vancouver in 6
Chicago in 4

[DataKing]

More than any other sport, hockey is the reason I finally made the move to HD last year. I LOVE me some HD playoff hockey. :popcorn:


As far as how my Wings will do (yes, I know, my sports loyalties are...diverse), it really boils down to if the goaltending shows up or not. Maybe they have enough talent to get past Columbus with mediocre net-minding, but they won't go any further unless either Ozzie or Conklin pulls their head out of their ass.

Living in Chicago, I do have to say that it is nice to see the Hawks back in the playoffs, even if I'm not a fan. There's definitely some buzz around town about it (now that Cutler-mania has died down a little bit).

[Suburban Rhythm]

Predictions:

Boston over Montreal in 5 -- shouldn't even be close, unless Thomas falls apart or Price plays totally out of his skull

Washington over NY Rangers in 6 - Lundqvist good enough to steal a game or 2, but that's it

Carolina over New Jersey in 6 - Just about everyone is taking this "upset"

Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in 6 - Not top end guys, but Pittsburgh a deeper team than last year

San Jose over Anaheim in 6 - I would like to pick the Ducks to be even closer, but Hiller's been faltering, and I don't think Giggy makes the difference either

Detroit over Columbus in 7 - I want to badly pick the Jackets...but common sense tells me no

Vancouver over St Louis in 5 - For some odd reason, I really like Vancouver in the West. Blues have to crash sooner or later, no?

Flames over Chicago in 7 - Everything points to the Hawks in this one, but my guy says otherwise. They reminded alot of the Pens from 06-07, young team happy to get in.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Boston in 5
Washington in 6
Carolina in 6
Pittsburgh in 6

San Jose in 7
Detroit in 5
St. Louis in 7
Chicago in 5

[Logan]

Boston in 4
Rangers in 6
Carolina in 6
Pittsburgh in 5

San Jose in 5
Detroit in 5
Vancouver in 7
Chicago in 5

[Maple Leafs]

Boston in 7
Capitals in 5
Devils in 6
Penguins in 6

Sharks in 5
Wings in 4
Canucks in 6
Flames in 6

Finals + Cup winner spoiler (remember, I've nailed this two years in a row. Don't click if you want to be surpised!):
Sharks over Penguins in 5.

I know, not all that exciting to pick the President's Trophy winner. But nobody else seems to want to pick them. Joe Thornton wins the Conn Smythe.

By the way, for the Canadians out there I'll be part of The Score's bloggers vs. experts challenge. Watch me kick Al Strachan's ass!

[Logan]

Ok, what the fuck is with that horn that precedes the "Lets Go Caps"?

[Dr. Sak]

Ok, what the fuck is with that horn that precedes the "Lets Go Caps"?

Get use to it.

[Logan]

What a play by Dubinsky.

Rangers would be losing 10-4 if they had a different goalie in net.

[Logan]

Rangers take Game 1, 4-3.

Nice to see two Caps fans throw shit on the ice as time ran out. They should be taken out back and beaten.

[DeToxRox]

Rangers take Game 1, 4-3.

Nice to see two Caps fans throw shit on the ice as time ran out. They should be taken out back and beaten.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I01Ncx4VSno&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I01Ncx4VSno&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Semin will oblige.

[Logan]

I would react the same way if I was on fire.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Let me introduce myself, you should be seeing me soon...

http://photos.upi.com/topics-Antero_Nittymaki/12ad02a6b7d29fd73fa81ca687e7aedb/Antero_Nittymaki_1.jpg

[Dr. Sak]

It doesn't matter who is in net with the piss poor performance in front of the goalie that went on tonight.

[DeToxRox]

So I said in the other thread there would be fights. We officialy .. kinda .. had one. I am already on fire.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I'll agree it wasn't Biron's fault. Bad bounce early against Crosby. Gimme to Malkin. Off Carle's stick on Kennedy's.

But Biron has to be pretty fragile right now. (I am not a psychiatrist, nor did i stay at a Holiday Inn Express, but that's my opinion)

[Dr. Sak]

I'll agree it wasn't Biron's fault. Bad bounce early against Crosby. Gimme to Malkin. Off Carle's stick on Kennedy's.

But Biron has to be pretty fragile right now. (I am not a psychiatrist, nor did i stay at a Holiday Inn Express, but that's my opinion)

Like I said in the other thread...the Flyers show no consistent effort, no sense of urgency. It's really frustrating. Biron didn't look sharp by any means but he wasn't even the worst player on the ice. Hell if you asked me to name a Flyer that actually played good...I'd say whichever ones were in the press box tonight.

[Suburban Rhythm]

The team one seems pretty straightforward, so I will put it here. I would like to do the player one, but without the spreadsheet access, I can't see what the groupings looks like.

Team (16 to 1)

16 Wings
15 Sharks
14 Devils
13 Pens
12 Caps
11 Bruins
10 Hawks
9 Flyers
8 Ducks
7 Nucks
6 Flames
5 Blues
4 Bluejackets
3 Canes
2 Rangers
1 Les Habitents<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

This is what I had in mind over the weekend, above is Chief Rum's entry.

We are a few games in, but if everyone wants to make their picks, I'll start tracking-- i set up in Google Docs, but I've been working late the last few days.

Anyway, premise is simple-- rank all 16 playoff teams. You earn points per victory, based on your ranking. So, every game won by your #16 earns you 16 pts.

As stated, CR's above.

Here's mine:

16 Pittsburgh
15 Vancouver
14 San Jose
13 Boston
12 Detroit
11 Carolina
10 Washington
9 New Jersey
8 Calgary
7 Chicago
6 Columbus
5 NY Rangers
4 Philadelphia
3 Anaheim
2 Montreal
1 St Louis

[DeToxRox]

16. Wings
15. Boston
14. San Jose
13. Pittsburgh
12. Chicago
11. Carolina
10. Rangers
9. Vancouver
8. Devils
7. Philadelphia
6. Washington
5. Calgary
4. Anaheim
3. Montreal
2. Columbus
1. St. Louis

[bhlloy]

16 San Jose
15 Detroit
14 New Jersey
13 Boston
12 Washington
11 Pittsburgh
10 Calgary
9 Vancouver
8 Chicago
7 St Louis
6 Anaheim
5 NY Rangers
4 Carolina
3 Columbus
2 Philly
1 Montreal

[bbor]

16 Sj
15 Det
14 Boston
13 pitt
12 Nj
11 Wash
10 Calgary
9 Chicago
8 Vancouver
7 Carolina
6 Anahiem
5 Philly
4 Montreal
3 NYR
2 St Louis
1 Columbus

[Wolfpack]

Blah. That's a pretty simple word to describe Carolina tonight, I suppose. NJ outskated, outshot, outhit, and pretty much out-everythinged the Canes over three periods. Aside from that brief blip of hope (and it was the definition of a "blip") when Whitney knocked in the goal to make it 3-1, Carolina was pretty lifeless for most of the game and deserved to get their butts whipped for it. The only consolation I can draw is that Ward seemed to be generally unaffected by the Buffalo game or the time off since then as it was pretty much his efforts alone that prevented this game from being an utter embarrassment. Even so, it isn't going to matter what he does if the Canes can't figure out how to match the ramped-up intensity New Jersey showed.

I think this series will come down to Game 2. If NJ wins, then Carolina's recent run of excellent play will be pretty well forgotten and everyone will say that they peaked too soon. It'll put a heavy amount of pressure on Carolina to sweep their two games at home because I don't think they'd want to go back to Newark down 3-1. A Carolina win, however, gets the ship righted in time for hopefully a loud crowd to make a difference in games three and four.

[Lathum]

I don't think they'd want to go back to Newark down 3-1. .

3-1 or not no one ever wants to go to Newark :)

[bbor]

Good game between Van and STL.....Blues would have won if they had Stempniak :)

Nice to see Colliacovo and Steen on in the last minute with the goalie out.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am not sure about CBC's iDesk.

[gstelmack]

Blah. That's a pretty simple word to describe Carolina tonight, I suppose. NJ outskated, outshot, outhit, and pretty much out-everythinged the Canes over three periods. Aside from that brief blip of hope (and it was the definition of a "blip") when Whitney knocked in the goal to make it 3-1, Carolina was pretty lifeless for most of the game and deserved to get their butts whipped for it. The only consolation I can draw is that Ward seemed to be generally unaffected by the Buffalo game or the time off since then as it was pretty much his efforts alone that prevented this game from being an utter embarrassment. Even so, it isn't going to matter what he does if the Canes can't figure out how to match the ramped-up intensity New Jersey showed.

Yup, the "flat" Canes decided to show up last night. It's performances like that where they aren't even trying that make it so difficult to follow them. They've turned in games like that with playoff appearances on the line before.

If they can get the intensity back, they should take this series, but if they decide they don't care like they did last night it's going to be a short series...

[Honolulu_Blue]

I ended up watching more of the Caps/Rangers game than the Flyers/Pens last night because the game was closer. I don't think the Caps are out of it by any means, but Game 1 was sort of a microcosm of how I saw the entire series playing out.

1. Avery having an impact. He goaded Erksine into a penalty, he blatantly interfered with Green on the Gomez goal, and started getting into Theodore's head. Mission accomplished.

2. Theodore not looking quite so solid. Though I don't think too many of those goals were his fault.

3. The Caps defensive lapses leading to Ranger goals.

[Logan]

Interesting, Pierre Labrun on ESPN in discussing whether Wash should make a goalie switch said that the "four goals should have been stopped."

Dubinsky snuck a great shot underneath his glove on the last goal, but at that range and with no one else in the way, he should've stopped it.

Ovechkin leaving the ice after taking a big hit from Callahan with a few seconds still left on Naslund's penalty pretty much led directly to the game winner. Which was awesome.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Interesting, Pierre Labrun on ESPN in discussing whether Wash should make a goalie switch said that the "four goals should have been stopped."

I would consider it. I know Theodore was stellar against Minnesota in the first round last year, but he was downright awful against Detroit. In fact, Johan Franzen should probably give him years 10 and 11 of his new contract.

[Logan]

Ha!

[Maple Leafs]

If you're a young team like the Caps and you're supposed to be built for a long playoff run, what kind of message does it send if your coach goes into panic mode and switches goalies after one bad game?

[Logan]

That Jose Theodore sucks.

[Honolulu_Blue]

If you're a young team like the Caps and you're supposed to be built for a long playoff run, what kind of message does it send if your coach goes into panic mode and switches goalies after one bad game?

I would give him 2 bad games. He didn't play horribly. I don't think he had much of a chance on Antropov's goal. One was on that horrible non-call on Avery and the other Schultz fell down.

[gstelmack]

Oh, and one way to "increase" your viewership is to only put the game on an SD channel. How TWC and Fox Sports Carolina managed to not use the HD channel they have set aside for Canes' games to broadcast last night's playoff game is beyond me...

[DeToxRox]

If you're a young team like the Caps and you're supposed to be built for a long playoff run, what kind of message does it send if your coach goes into panic mode and switches goalies after one bad game?

If you're a player on the Caps what kind of message does it send that your GM thought Jose Theodore was the answer to your Cup dreams?

[Wolfpack]

Oh, and one way to "increase" your viewership is to only put the game on an SD channel. How TWC and Fox Sports Carolina managed to not use the HD channel they have set aside for Canes' games to broadcast last night's playoff game is beyond me...

Eh, not surprised (even though I don't have HD, so wasn't aware of this particular problem). I remember a couple of weeks ago I think it was the Rangers game that was pre-empted so that they could finish a stinking tennis match that was being carried by FSN South. By the time the tennis was over, the Canes were already up 1-0 and the announcers carried forth like they were unaware there was a pre-emption, so I'm guessing there was a foul-up in the system somewhere (I hope). I was in the midst of a nasty-gram to Fox Sports when the game finally came on.

[Maple Leafs]

Has this already been posted?

This is the first positive contribution Atlanta has ever made to the NHL.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fn5daJZN_0Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fn5daJZN_0Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Logan]

Well done.

Ovechkin's jumping all over the ice when his team scores kind of annoys me. But of course, there's an easy remedy for that...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Well done.

Ovechkin's jumping all over the ice when his team scores kind of annoys me. But of course, there's an easy remedy for that...

http://bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0116/4725/doncherry_471_feature.jpg

[DeToxRox]

http://bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0116/4725/doncherry_471_feature.jpg

Imagine a Caps/Wings SCF?

That thumb wouldn't be up.

[Sublime 2]

Sooooo Amped for B's vs. Canadiens!!

[Ajaxab]

Is anyone else's feed for Det-Clb on Versus 'squished'? I'm not getting a widescreen HD feed off of Directv.

[DaddyTorgo]

2 goals in 90 seconds have the Bruins up 2-0 on Montreal after 15 mins

[bhlloy]

Bone headed play by Malhotra - looked like he tried to catch a shot from the point (which is a penalty no?), changed his mind and ended up deflecting it past his goalie...

Now 3-1 Wings. BJ's hung in there for a while, but I really don't think they can skate with the Wings. Assuming the seedings play out, Wings - Sharks might be a series for the ages.

[DeToxRox]

Detroit is playing very physical, I didn't think they'd come out as the aggressors which is why I was scared with this series. I expected to drop this game but so far Columbus looks shellshocked after those goals.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Solid game. Ozzie was very solid in the first period. Some great saves. The Wings got some fluky goals off deflections in the second and that was that. Columbus never really recovered. The Wings completely shut them down in the third.

[Fidatelo]

Hawks just tied it up. Watching this game has made me realise they are the team I want to come out of the west. Love the way they play, plus all the Winnipeg connections.

[Neuqua]

Havlat scores his second goal 12 seconds into overtime and the Blackhawks take game 1!

[sterlingice]

I wish that game had been on tv. :(

SI

[DeToxRox]

Anaheim vs San Jose on CBC is just awesome. <3 CBC.

[DeToxRox]

Anaheim is playing very passive offensivley. I am not a fan of not pressuring San Jose and still waiting for them to make a mistake to jump on. They're doing a great job clearing out the front of the net and limiting second chances but Anaheim has to jump on the offensive sooner or later.

[samifan24]

Good win for the Bruins tonight. The team played well for almost the entire game except for a seven or eight minute stretch when they looked flat. I was glad to see the team create goals with hard work, especially Krejci's goal. I wonder if the league will look at what Lapierre and Kostopolous did in the last minute. I didn't see what Carcillo did but it sounds like the league is cracking down on players giving cheap shots in the final seconds of an already decided game which is why I think the league will review the tape. I bet they get fined.

[bbor]

Where the hell did thsi Hiller guy come from???

No offence CR but we in T.O rarely if ever get to see Anahiem play.

[bhlloy]

Don't say I didn't try to spread the word about Hiller :D

The main weakness in his game right now is rebound control... if he can get that down, he'll easily be a top 5 goalie in the league IMO. Positionally he's excellent, he has a quick glove hand and he very rarely makes a save look difficult. Bear in mind 2 years ago he was playing in Switzerland and he really didn't play all that much last year either. He's almost a rookie and his stats are very comparable to Mason and Rinne.

Pretty lucky win for the Ducks tonight, but I'll take it. Need to take less penalties, but the penalty kill was very promising as that has been the teams achilles heel all year.

[Chief Rum]

Where the hell did thsi Hiller guy come from???

No offence CR but we in T.O rarely if ever get to see Anahiem play.

Heh...none taken. I think it annoys fans of other franchises close enough to know that the Ducks not only have a Conn Smythe winner in net, but his backup is better. ;)

Hiller, BTW, was regarded as one of the best goalies in Europe for a time before coming over here, and his presence is one of the main reasons the Ducks let Bryz go for nothing to the Yotes last year.

All that said, we won this game doing some things very good (few turnovers, excellent PK, Hiller on his game), but we continued trends that will eventually really hurt us if we allow them to (penalties, giving up shots). We can't afford to let a team as gifted with the puck as the Sharks to take two shots for our every one.

We're a good match for the Sharks in a lot of ways, because we're playoff tested and strong defensively, we have the size to match up with the Sharks, we have a normally good anyway (and currently hot) PP unit, and we have a very good top line. But penalties have killed us this year, and they could have tonight, too. There's a lot of series left, of course, so in fact it seems likely we will still get put in some really bad spots by a combination of inopportune penalties and reputation (earning us boxings for things other teams get away with).

[Chief Rum]

Don't say I didn't try to spread the word about Hiller :D

The main weakness in his game right now is rebound control... if he can get that down, he'll easily be a top 5 goalie in the league IMO. Positionally he's excellent, he has a quick glove hand and he very rarely makes a save look difficult. Bear in mind 2 years ago he was playing in Switzerland and he really didn't play all that much last year either. He's almost a rookie and his stats are very comparable to Mason and Rinne.

Pretty lucky win for the Ducks tonight, but I'll take it. Need to take less penalties, but the penalty kill was very promising as that has been the teams achilles heel all year.

Hiller did a good job tonight on directing back out his rebounds, so he could see them well and be ready for them coming back. That's because he was very good with positioning and anticipation, keeping himself squared to the shot when possible.

One thing going for the Ducks right now is that the Sharks have started to build a history of playoff failure, and the pressure only mounts for them losing Game One. That can only help the Ducks.

[Maple Leafs]

Via Damien Cox, thought this was interesting:

One interesting side note to Game 1 between the Rangers and Capitals was the unusual way in which Washington coach Bruce Boudreau deploys star winger Alex Ovechkin.

Or the way Ovechkin deploys himself.

Ovechkin played 26:07, which is a lot for any forward. But what was really remarkable was that he only took 20 shifts.

That meant Ovechkin's average shift was 1:18, far too long in a league where coaches love the 45 second shift to maximum energy and manpower.

But it gets better.

Ovechkin took one shift of 2:35, and one of 2:08. Sometimes those numbers can be distorted somewhat by penalties and TV timeouts, but they're still long shifts. He also took five others that were 80 seconds or longer.

Hard to imagine any hockey player can maximize his play staying out there that long, although Ovechkin did have 28 shots attempts and 13 actual shots-on-goal.

His improvisitional teammate, defenceman Mike Green, took 30 shifts for a total of 30:47, including one of 4:07. His final two shifts of the game were 2:35 and 2:29 as the Caps tried desperately to tie the game before losing 4-3.

Numbers don't mean everything. But these ones are eye-popping.

[Dr. Sak]

How can you use Damien Cox and interesting in the same sentence?

[Fidatelo]

I'd like to see those shifts on film. Why is a 2:30 shift too long if he gets a TV timeout and a few whistles mixed in? Context is too important in a stat like that.

Now, if he's frequently hitting 1:00+ of straight action and loafing around, fine, but just looking at numbers isn't enough.

[Dr. Sak]

Rangers sign Gilroy.

RANGERS SIGN TOP COLLEGE PLAYER - New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/04172009/sports/rangers/rangers_sign_top_college_player_164913.htm)

[Dr. Sak]

I saw this on deadspin and had to chuckle...

FREE TICKET to Pens Game on Friday... (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tix/1125979000.html)

[Pyser]

Rangers sign Gilroy.

RANGERS SIGN TOP COLLEGE PLAYER - New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/04172009/sports/rangers/rangers_sign_top_college_player_164913.htm)

balls.

but still semi-expensive. It's believed the Long Island native, whose father, Frank, played basketball for St. John's from 1997-81, signed a two-year deal for between $4-5 million.

[DataKing]

I saw this on deadspin and had to chuckle...

FREE TICKET to Pens Game on Friday... (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tix/1125979000.html)

Outstanding idea. I should try this with some Bears tickets.

[watravaler]

YouTube - Cammalleri hit on Havlat Game 1 PLayoffs 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g_r0xcKVIY)

No suspension. Good news for Flames fans, bad ruling, imo...

[Dr. Sak]

YouTube - Cammalleri hit on Havlat Game 1 PLayoffs 2009 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g_r0xcKVIY)

No suspension. Good news for Flames fans, bad ruling, imo...

That's bull crap that he didn't get suspended. I will freely admit that Carcillo deserved what he got, but this is just another example of double standards in the league.

[gstelmack]

How is that not a suspension? You're allowed to just rear back and nail a guy for no reason and no repurcussions now?

[Dr. Sak]

How is that not a suspension? You're allowed to just rear back and nail a guy for no reason and no repurcussions now?

It all depends on what color uniform you wear and how marketable the league thinks you are.

[Sublime 2]

Rangers sign Gilroy.

RANGERS SIGN TOP COLLEGE PLAYER - New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/seven/04172009/sports/rangers/rangers_sign_top_college_player_164913.htm)

Yuck, how can I root. For him now!

[Fidatelo]

Let's go Rangers!

[bhlloy]

It all depends on what color uniform you wear and how marketable the league thinks you are.

Actually how many penalty minutes you got the previous season. Let's not kid ourselves if it was the other way around with Andre Roy and Jeff Carter we would have the exactly same result. Doesn't make it any less of a crock of shite...

[Dr. Sak]

Actually how many penalty minutes you got the previous season. Let's not kid ourselves if it was the other way around with Andre Roy and Jeff Carter we would have the exactly same result. Doesn't make it any less of a crock of shite...

Thats the point I am trying to make.

[Travis]

Cammalleri better keep his head up if they meet up at another faceoff. Got to think that the NHL would have a hard time suspending Havlat on a duplicate play.

[Maple Leafs]

What happened to Martin Havlat? Back when he was with the Sens, if a Leaf punched him in the mouth like that we wouldn't see him again for two weeks.

[Wolfpack]

Woo-hoo! Carolina hangs on by its fingernails against New Jersey and salvages a split with a 2-1 OT win.

Carolina played a freightload better than they did in Game 1, but NJ still seemed to generally have them on their heels a lot. It's also hard to say whether NJ's play was agitating Carolina or whether Carolina was trying to do some message-sending, but the skirmishing picked up a lot tonight, resulting in a fair amount of roughing or similar penalties on Carolina (for one of the least penalized teams in the league this year, they've been getting penalties in bunches lately). The PK was fortunately once again very good, however, keeping Carolina in the contest. At least Carolina was able to carry the play for good stretches and pretty much dominated the OT before Gleason's winner.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not sure how to post the entire spreadsheet if anyone wants to see the scoring.

But, the early leaderboard:

1. Detox - 111 pts
2. SR - 107 pts
3. bbor - 100 pts
4. Chief Rum - 97 pts
5. bhlloy - 96 pts

[JS19]

How is it that the Rangers were able to sign that college kid from BU as a free agent? Why would he not have to enter the draft?

[Maple Leafs]

How is it that the Rangers were able to sign that college kid from BU as a free agent? Why would he not have to enter the draft?
His age. He's 25.

Edit: Any player after their draft eligibility is a free agent, which is how the Leafs got sign Bozak and Hanson. But Gilroy was old enough that he wasn't even limited by entry-level contract rules, so he could sign for whatever he could get.

[gstelmack]

Carolina played a freightload better than they did in Game 1

Agreed, and it was nice to see.

[Logan]

Can anyone give me (or point me to) a scouting report on Gilroy?

Shockingly, Henrik has been sensational so far today. That was a great physical first period.

[Dr. Sak]

The Rangers are really clogging the middle of their zone, not letting the caps any skating room.

[Logan]

Yep, some great defense here. That Ovechkin shot Sjostrom just blocked looked extremely painful.

[Dr. Sak]

And I really like having Darren Pang there in the announcing crew.

[Logan]

Jesus Christ, these refs are doing a terrible job at realizing the puck is extremely loose.

[Logan]

Well this was unexpected.

[bhlloy]

With hindsight, if the Rangers do knock off the Caps, it really shouldn't be that much of a surprise. Everyone is in love with the Caps skill players, but there is a history of teams with questionable goaltending, no true shutdown defensive defensemen and great skill players losing to physical teams with solid defense and a great goalie. I'll take pretty much any team with Lundqvist over any team with Theodore any time in the playoffs.

EDIT - I see Varlamov was the goalie today and did a nice job. A rookie goalie with that little experience isn't going to hold up for the whole series though. Rangers in 5 :)

[Logan]

I really don't think Varlamov had more than 3 moderately-hard saves to make, and one of those was the goal scored.

[Honolulu_Blue]

This is a great quote from Datsyuk:

Datsyuk got into a scrum after Antoine Vermette went hard to the Wings' net late in the second period. They met up again in the third period, this time when Datsyuk went to the Blue Jackets' net. Vermette ended up jumping on Datsyuk from behind.


"He just used me like pony," Datsyuk said. "He was on top of me. I don't like being the pony. I want to be on top."

[DataKing]

Sloppy play early by the Flyers, yet they're up 2-0. And that goal by Carter was a thing of beauty.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Chris Kunitz DESTROYED Kimmo Timonen...and of course then gets a penalty afterwards when jumped but Hartnell because he cleanly hit a Flyer.

And, can NBC please not use that God forsaken behind the net angle when Philly is on the PP. That is awful.

[DataKing]

I don't know. The different angle on the PP doesn't bother me too much in small doses.

Heck of an effort by Giroux on the PK.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I don't know. The different angle on the PP doesn't bother me too much in small doses.

Heck of an effort by Giroux on the PK.

While they are entering the zone and setting up, it's fine. After that, I don't like it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Dola

Somebody, anybody...PLEASE hire Pierre Mcguire in your front office, on your coaching staff, as a beer vendor. Something. Anything. Just get him off TV.

My two favorites today:

Briere highstick on Orpik (resulted in a 4 min double minor). Pierre chimes in with "but...he didn't mean to do that"

And later on, Coburn breaks his stick on the PP, Staal picks up the puck. Coburn makes a good play bumping Staal to negate a SH chance. Pierre goes on to explain that was a great play, and it's because of the great leadership Richards displayed all day. WHAT!?! That is 2nd in all-time stupidity behind Cherry's assertion that Talbot scored the tying goal in regulation of SCF game 5 solely because he sat on the bench next to Gary Roberts.

[Dr. Sak]

Dola

Somebody, anybody...PLEASE hire Pierre Mcguire in your front office, on your coaching staff, as a beer vendor. Something. Anything. Just get him off TV.

My two favorites today:

Briere highstick on Orpik (resulted in a 4 min double minor). Pierre chimes in with "but...he didn't mean to do that"

And later on, Coburn breaks his stick on the PP, Staal picks up the puck. Coburn makes a good play bumping Staal to negate a SH chance. Pierre goes on to explain that was a great play, and it's because of the great leadership Richards displayed all day. WHAT!?! That is 2nd in all-time stupidity behind Cherry's assertion that Talbot scored the tying goal in regulation of SCF game 5 solely because he sat on the bench next to Gary Roberts.

You're just mad cause he wasn't blowing Crosby all game like he usually does or talking about what an integral part he was in coaching the Pens when they won their cups. And please don't complain about the refs...it's pretty evident that your team is getting the benefit of a lot of ticky tack calls, not only today but last game too. I don't care if they are going to call them but be consistent.

Malkin's second goal was one hell of a shot. I'm actually more worried when he is on the ice than when Crosby is.

[Dr. Sak]

Dola...and MAF who was clearly the Pens best player in Game 2...gave up too many juicy rebounds today. That being said, Biron still looks shaky.

[bhlloy]

That hit by Kunitz was a thing of beauty. Shame he never played like that for the Ducks after the cup (not just him, most of the team did the same).

I was really pissed I had to leave for a soccer game just after that because it was the first time so far this year a game has really felt like playoff hockey. I'll be making sure to Tivo the rest of the series now for sure - these teams really do not like each other and it's freaking awesome. 7 game series please :D

[Suburban Rhythm]

You're just mad cause he wasn't blowing Crosby all game like he usually does or talking about what an integral part he was in coaching the Pens when they won their cups. And please don't complain about the refs...it's pretty evident that your team is getting the benefit of a lot of ticky tack calls, not only today but last game too. I don't care if they are going to call them but be consistent.

Malkin's second goal was one hell of a shot. I'm actually more worried when he is on the ice than when Crosby is.

There was alot let go both ways today. And then of course, the NHL official special: 10 guy scrum, we take 3. Kunitz gets 2 mins because Timonen couldn't skate with head up and that made Hartnell sad. But, Kunitz later in the game smashes Timonen stick, same as the Giroux call in game 2, and nothing is called.

I am actually wondering if this goes to 6 game, next Saturday is an NBC game I believe. If Richards doesn't return Pierre's calls or calls the cops when Pierre is sitting outside his house, McGuire will be back on Sid's bandwagon. Of course, if Richards can arrange a threesome for him and Pierre with Timonen, Pierre will be his forever.


MAF was awful. And this was the worst game Gonchar's played since returning.

Also hoping during the scrum towards the end of the 3rd, Crosby and Powe, I could see the two talking. Hoping Sid said "exactly who are you?"
But probably didn't get an answer. Richards showed leadership in being the 3rd guy in.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Dola

Another thing I didn't understand, but am chalking up to NHL officiating.

Kennedy and Giroux. Both toss their gloves. Both land punches. Giroux ends up on top of Kennedy.

Commercial.

Giroux and Kennedy 2 for roughing a piece (plus 2 to Giroux for elbowing, this all occurred on a delayed call).

Letang and Powe, 5 each for fighting.

HUH?
:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Dr. Sak]

Also hoping during the scrum towards the end of the 3rd, Crosby and Powe, I could see the two talking. Hoping Sid said "exactly who are you?"
But probably didn't get an answer. Richards showed leadership in being the 3rd guy in.

Don't forget the first call on Staal...I thought that was pretty BS as well as when Carter got called for slashing.

Was that like when Eaton was holding Giroux and then Kennedy dropped his gloves and starting swinging at Giroux...only to have Claude land a nice one right on Kennedy's face? Don't act like the Pens are angels here.

I will freely admit that Kunitz's hit was clean. But you know damn well Matt Cooke would've done the same thing had the roles been reversed.

It's nice to see the camera on Crosby all the time and him chumming it up with the refs. In Game 2 you could read his lips on FSN it was either "can't you see him f*cking elbow me or high stick me". Or today when he keeps skating up and saying "Watch because they are doing "this" or "that" to me". Grow up kid. That was fine when you were 18 or 19 but it's time to grow up.

And don't talk about being the third man in when YOUR CAPTAIN threw punches earlier in the season with one landing on Boris Valabik groin being the third man in. But again nothing is done because the Pens are angels.

[Dr. Sak]

Lucic gets 1 game.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Don't forget the first call on Staal...I thought that was pretty BS as well as when Carter got called for slashing.

Was that like when Eaton was holding Giroux and then Kennedy dropped his gloves and starting swinging at Giroux...only to have Claude land a nice one right on Kennedy's face? Don't act like the Pens are angels here.

I will freely admit that Kunitz's hit was clean. But you know damn well Matt Cooke would've done the same thing had the roles been reversed.

It's nice to see the camera on Crosby all the time and him chumming it up with the refs. In Game 2 you could read his lips on FSN it was either "can't you see him f*cking elbow me or high stick me". Or today when he keeps skating up and saying "Watch because they are doing "this" or "that" to me". Grow up kid. That was fine when you were 18 or 19 but it's time to grow up.

And don't talk about being the third man in when YOUR CAPTAIN threw punches earlier in the season with one landing on Boris Valabik groin being the third man in. But again nothing is done because the Pens are angels.

Both the Staal hold on Alberts, if holding means pushing the stick Alberts has in his face, and Carter "slash" on Malkin were awful. Carter actually wound of harder along the boards just prior to that, I think againt Fedotenko, with nothing called.

You mean like in games 1 and 2 when every call Richards is up the refs ass? Or shaking his head as he skates away? Or maybe I am not understanding-- I guess that's "leadership". Richards, the captain, talks to the ref it's leading. Crosby, the captain, talks to the ref, it's whining.

All that was missing was a swinging a butt-end into someones head at the game...thankfully Asham took care of of doing something stupid at the end.

Anyway, with that bullshit out of the way...was there 2 worse players on the ice than Carcillo and Sykora? How many times can Carcillo cough up the puck? And is that number greater than the number of times Sykora can miss the net?

All in all, IMO MAF has played 2 good games and 1 stinker. Biron has been shaky throughout.

If Cooke scores there right after Scuderi to open the 2nd, totally different game.

[Dr. Sak]

Actually this was one of Carcillo's better games...which isn't saying much. I'm more pissed that Knuble has been MIA all series. Sykora has been MIA...but I think he's hurt isn't he?

We can play what if's all night...like if Carter buries the puck in the open net in game 2 instead of shooting it into MAF's pads...2 goal lead...game over IMO. But I'm just glad that besides the first 3 minutes of the 2nd period, the Flyers actually showed up. It'll be interesting to see if they can carry it into Game 4.

[gstelmack]

So Malkin is better than Crosby, Ovechkin can't do anything in the playoffs, and Eric Staal needs Erik Cole with him to be effective. Are there any real young stars anymore? Seems like these guys come out of the draft on fire, then fizzle and turn into solid / really good players, but not the superstars they looked like they'd be.

Discuss.

[kingfc22]

Damn, ref really took a shot right there.

Nose is probably broken. EDIT: Guess not.

[Honolulu_Blue]

So Malkin is better than Crosby, Ovechkin can't do anything in the playoffs, and Eric Staal needs Erik Cole with him to be effective. Are there any real young stars anymore? Seems like these guys come out of the draft on fire, then fizzle and turn into solid / really good players, but not the superstars they looked like they'd be.

Discuss.

Dunno. So far, I don't have any complaints about Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I guess they may be getting a little old to be called "young". Then there's always Luke Schenn.

[DataKing]

You know it's gonna be a rough game when the ref is bleeding less than a minute into it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Sykora has been MIA...but I think he's hurt isn't he?



I am scared to think they might actually dress Satan. :devil:

This post at HF cracked me up...

HFBoards - View Single Post - Round 1: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Take 2 (http://www.hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=19156490&postcount=529)

This was a hockey game gentlemen...best I´ve seen in a while. The best hockey fans in the world saw their team being led to a win by the best hockey player in the world at this moment - Kimmo Timonen.


WOW

[Pyser]

dear versus

never show that matteau commercial ever, ever, ever again.

sincerely,

devils fans

[Dr. Sak]

I am scared to think they might actually dress Satan. :devil:

This post at HF cracked me up...

HFBoards - View Single Post - Round 1: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - Take 2 (http://www.hfboards.com/showpost.php?p=19156490&postcount=529)



WOW

Come on you know better than that...it would take me about 2 minutes to find a dumb comment by Pens fan.

[Logan]

Not a bad deflection by Parise.

edit: and tied about 8 seconds later.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Come on you know better than that...it would take me about 2 minutes to find a dumb comment by Pens fan.

I assume you are walking away from your monitor for the first 1:50

[Logan]

Hahaha nice backpedaling Clarkson.

[Pyser]

dear god carolina announcers are horrible. they just claimed a play was stopped for a two line pass. awesome.

[DataKing]

dear god carolina announcers are horrible. they just claimed a play was stopped for a two line pass. awesome.

Haven't heard one of those in a few years. ;)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Kunitz hit discussed earlier

YouTube - Chris Kunitz blasts Kimmo Timonen and Crosby begs for penalty (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNhrdc_yC_g)

I know this was discussed in the regular season thread as well. The idea that even a clean hit on a star player must be followed up with a fight is nuts. If there is ever a time to call the instigator, this (both Hartnell here and any time it happens) is it. CALL IT! If Hartnell and other guys still feel the need to stick up for a teammate, fine. But accept the additional 2 mins.

[Dr. Sak]

The last part of the title of the youtube clip explains it all. Seriously SR do you not believe that Matt Cooke or any other Pen would not do the same?

[samifan24]

I missed the Bruins game last night because I went to the Harry Kalas service and Phillies game but what happened with Bergeron? How did he get in a fight? And Lucic? Seriously he needs to calm down.

[Bad-example]

Sharks-Ducks starting in a bit. Hate the long wait between games one and two.

Always jazzed to see these two teams play. They are like mirror images of each other.

[Suburban Rhythm]

The last part of the title of the youtube clip explains it all. Seriously SR do you not believe that Matt Cooke or any other Pen would not do the same?

Then why have the instigator?

Have Penguins players done it? Sure. And the call should be made there too.

Maybe after teams give up a goal on the PP a few times, it will stop happening.

As for Crosby wanting the call-- Staal and Carter have already been called for less.

[Chief Rum]

Good start for the Ducks. Ryan converts his own rebound.

[Pyser]

man, parise is special

[Lathum]

man, parise is special

great win.

[Karlifornia]

Sharks about to go 4 periods without a goal. Hiller is playing well, though.

[TheNorm]

The Ducks are looking scary right now...so glad the Sharks drew them instead of the Wings.

[Chief Rum]

The Ducks are looking scary right now...so glad the Sharks drew them instead of the Wings.

Heh...(DeTox? :p)

Seriously, though, long game to go, and the Sharks are a proven, dangerous squad. I like the start, but a one goal lead is nothing in today's NHL.

[DataKing]

I'm torn on the Sharks/Ducks series, because each team has one of my personally most-hated NHL players. Chris Pronger from his days with St. Louis, and Claude Lemieux from back in the heyday of the Wings/Avs rivalry.

[TheNorm]

Heh...(DeTox? :p)

Seriously, though, long game to go, and the Sharks are a proven, dangerous squad. I like the start, but a one goal lead is nothing in today's NHL.

Absolutely, although someone might want to tell Joe Thornton the playoffs started. ;)

Game 1 looked like a bunch of Wings games I'd seen in the past: dominate for long stretches while their goaltender stands on his head, and then see the other team pot a couple of goals and lose.

[bhlloy]

Hiller can't keep this up for another 2 periods. At some point, the Ducks have got to generate some more offense and keep the play at the other end. Not that I wouldn't have taken 1-0 at the end of the first period at the start of the game, but this has a 4 goal period by the Sharks written all over it.

[Chief Rum]

I'm torn on the Sharks/Ducks series, because each team has one of my personally most-hated NHL players. Chris Pronger from his days with St. Louis, and Claude Lemieux from back in the heyday of the Wings/Avs rivalry.

I say root for the Ducks. Pronger may be a bastard, but he's an in your face bastard like Scott Stevens who makes no apologies for being a big hitter and stands up for himself. Lemieux has always been a cheap shot artist who runs from a fight. ;)

[Chief Rum]

And there goes the lead. Awful turnover (but still a good shot to get it in for San Jose).

[Pyser]

I say root for the Ducks. Pronger may be a bastard, but he's an in your face bastard like Scott Stevens who makes no apologies for being a big hitter and stands up for himself. Lemieux has always been a cheap shot artist who runs from a fight. ;)

i read that as root for us because hes like that devil, not like that other devil.

but then again, im biased

[bhlloy]

Not exactly an evenly called game here... Pronger gets two reputation minors and then Murray nails Selanne at the blue line with the puck nowhere near and no call. Not that we aren't used to it by now, had hoped the playoffs would be called a little more fairly.

Still no offense from the Ducks. No way they deserve to go back to SoCal 2-0up at this point. Hiller has been absolutely sick again.

[Chief Rum]

i read that as root for us because hes like that devil, not like that other devil.

but then again, im biased

Ha! I couldn't stand Stevens, but I hated Lemieux far more.

[Chief Rum]

Not exactly an evenly called game here... Pronger gets two reputation minors and then Murray nails Selanne at the blue line with the puck nowhere near and no call. Not that we aren't used to it by now, had hoped the playoffs would be called a little more fairly.

Still no offense from the Ducks. No way they deserve to go back to SoCal 2-0up at this point. Hiller has been absolutely sick again.

I tend to agree to all this. These are just stupid penalties (although the refs have made some questionable calls, too).

Wow, is San Jose on the PP, or are the Ducks right now? :D Nice save by Nabakov on Marchant up close.

[Chief Rum]

Unbelievable. Another PP for San Jose.

How many times can they poke the Lion with a stick and avoid getting mauled?

[Chief Rum]

Damn, the refs need to call a penalty on the Sharks, so it's not so obvious they have been bought.

[Chief Rum]

No six man on ice for Sharks. Ducks got called earlier for this. Exact same situation. These refs completely suck.

[DeToxRox]

Certain teams get reputations for how they play. Anaheim has a reputation of being very undisciplined and the refs are quick to the whistle. It sucks it has to happen in playoff hockey, but it isn't surprising. I'd suspect this continues as long as they're in so prepare yourself for the ride.

[Chief Rum]

Certain teams get reputations for how they play. Anaheim has a reputation of being very undisciplined and the refs are quick to the whistle. It sucks it has to happen in playoff hockey, but it isn't surprising. I'd suspect this continues as long as they're in so prepare yourself for the ride.

Are you watching the game? Rep is one thing. Straight highway robbery is another.

[Chief Rum]

Ebbett! The little man can play. :)

[Chief Rum]

Wow, great reactions by Ebbett. That was a weird goal. Sharks fans must think they're cursed.

[bhlloy]

How... is that not a penalty on Cheecho. Just a freaking joke.

[Chief Rum]

Wow, what a blatant interference on Cheechoo prior to his goal. This is just comical now. Even if I weren't a Ducks fan, I think I would be rooting for them just to throw an FU at the refs.

Hope we can hold on.

[bhlloy]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS... most reverse lopsided 2-0 lead going into game 3 I've ever seen. Hiller for MVP!

[Chief Rum]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS... most reverse lopsided 2-0 lead going into game 3 I've ever seen. Hiller for MVP!

Yeah, crazy good to get this one. The Ducks really had to work for it. They were on an 8-5 PK all game.

[kingfc22]

Can we get a PP goal sometime this series...UGH

[yacovfb]

Can we get a PP goal sometime this series...UGH

Agreed...but that would probably require the captain to show up.:banghead:

[bhlloy]

Marleau and Thornton showing up would be nice... and Nabakov needs to play like a playoff goalie as well. If the Sharks do go out in the first round this year (and I still think they have a better than 50% chance of advancing FWIW), surely it's time to build around a different core that might actually do something when it really matters instead of piling up stats in the regular season?

Just saw the Lucic suspension incident. If anyone can explain to me why that is worse than what Camalleri did... Bettman and Campbell aren't even trying to hide their agenda anymore. Complete disgrace. Hope they both die in a fire.

[bhlloy]

DOLA - if I'm a Sharks fan, I'm 100x more disgusted with Thornton than I am with Marleau. Marleau is the kind of skill player who can disappear in the playoffs. Thornton on the other hand is 6'4, 230lbs+ and plays softer than Marleau does. It's actually funny to see how unwilling he is to go to the front of the net and get stuck in when there is a 50-50 puck and how fast he skates out of there once the pushing starts.

EDIT - wow Marleau is 6'2 220? In that fact, yeah maybe they both need to sack up a little...

[kingfc22]

Nabokov is now only 1 game over .500 in his career in the postseason.

Guy will need to have two suberb games for SJ to have a chance to even this series up.

Why Marleau and Thornton can't play like Clowe did tonight is beyond me.

[yacovfb]

Nabokov is now only 1 game over .500 in his career in the postseason.


I know playoff scoring is generally lower, but a career playoff save percentage of .916 and GAA of 2.18 ain't bad. He needs some goal support.

[DeToxRox]

I know I predicted SJ to win but this isn't very shocking. The Sharks are not battle tested and play tense. Mclellan is a great coach but he is working with a bunch of guys who honestly look scared out there. Anaheim is playing fantastic and really keeping SJ off their game.

The big difference between SJ and Detroit though is that Detroit's forwards are not pushed around like Marleau and Thornton have been in their playoff careers. It's crazy to see how bad they've looked.

[MikeVic]

Haha. Nice pants Ovechkin!

[DataKing]

I wanna know what a 'Teazers Egg Special' is.

[Dr. Sak]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/04/ovie_watches_the_rangers.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/ovierags.bmp

[Logan]

He's trying to figure out what this so-called "puck movement" is all about.

[Maple Leafs]

Won't he have plenty of opportunity to watch them all he wants in about three more days?

[Sublime 2]

Ugh, Lucic suspended for tonights game. Shouldn't affect the. B's too much, but I love watching him play!

[samifan24]

Ugh, Lucic suspended for tonights game. Shouldn't affect the. B's too much, but I love watching him play!

I think this will be a wakeup call for Looch. He's great when he's on but he needs to know when to take it easy. Hopefully this suspension will serve as a reminder of the goal at hand.

[Fidatelo]

Here is my biggest beef as a Rangers fan: Sean Avery is the biggest douchebag to ever lace up skates in the NHL. I want to hate the guy with a passion. And then he steps on the ice and... he's a blast to watch play. He goes all out, gets other players off their game, and just plays a good all-around brand of hockey.

Fuck.

[Logan]

I actually feel bad for the guy on the ice. He's been completely under control and he still gets cross-checked in the face constantly.

[Fidatelo]

I actually feel bad for the guy on the ice. He's been completely under control and he still gets cross-checked in the face constantly.

Ok I wouldn't go that far.

[Logan]

I'm talking about strictly from a pain perspective. There could be a penalty called everytime another player touches him. He's an ass, but he's been playing within the rules.

[Fidatelo]

I'm talking about strictly from a pain perspective. There could be a penalty called everytime another player touches him. He's an ass, but he's been playing within the rules.

Ya but he deserves the pain, so I don't really feel sorry for him. He's reaping what he sowed. I just wish I didn't have to admit that he's a big reason the Rangers are up 2-0.

[Sublime 2]

I think this will be a wakeup call for Looch. He's great when he's on but he needs to know when to take it easy. Hopefully this suspension will serve as a reminder of the goal at hand.

I think you're right, but this is Canadiens/Bruins and emotions are bound to spill over on occasion. Looch is still a kid, and for him, it's just going to happen a lot more often. Just his nature/play-style.

I really do love the guy though, my favorite Bruin to watch!

[DeToxRox]

That Callahan post - Semin goal that just happened is a killer. It's only 2-0 with 7 minutes left but after seeing that I think this is over.

[Logan]

That Callahan post - Semin goal that just happened is a killer. It's only 2-0 with 7 minutes left but after seeing that I think this is over.

Horrible swing. I'm glad they showed the in-net cam (on MSG at least) which showed Callahan's shot was deflected just a bit.

Too many penalties taken, although I think the Drury and Callahan calls in the last few minutes were bad and horrible, respectively.

[Logan]

Hahaha...a goalie interference call on Avery, what the fuck was that ref looking at?

[Tekneek]

Hahaha...a goalie interference call on Avery, what the fuck was that ref looking at?

I have not seen it, but on paper it sounds quite plausible. :)

[Logan]

Usually there needs to be some sort of...whats the word...interference for there to be a call though.

[Dr. Sak]

Avery isn't going to get the benefit of the doubt on those calls. If he farts on a goalie, they are going to call it.

[DeToxRox]

Avery with the look left, punch right move to Varlamov. He cracks me up. I am assuming Game 4 Brashear will go take a run at him.

[DaddyTorgo]

Bruins!

[Fidatelo]

Avery made it easy to hate him again tonight. He earned all those penalties, including the goalie interference (you can't just go crazy to the crease and spin backwards into the goalie).

Overall, terrible game by the Rangers. Redden made 2 terrible plays in the Rangers end on what ended up being the first goal. Then the Callahan-Semin thing happens and it seems like they just gave up after that. Gomez was invisible all game.

[samifan24]

Bruins look for the sweep on Wednesday night.

[MikeVic]

Avery made it easy to hate him again tonight. He earned all those penalties, including the goalie interference (you can't just go crazy to the crease and spin backwards into the goalie).

Overall, terrible game by the Rangers. Redden made 2 terrible plays in the Rangers end on what ended up being the first goal. Then the Callahan-Semin thing happens and it seems like they just gave up after that. Gomez was invisible all game.

Gomez was in Scientist Pumpy's pants.

http://www.abcmedianet.com/showcontent/primetime/betteroffted/betteroffted_i/barrett.jpg

[Pumpy Tudors]

I hope Scott Gomez falls out of a tree and breaks his contract.

[Logan]

I hope Scott Gomez falls out of a tree and breaks his contract.

Me too.

[Logan]

Apparently after last night's game and with all the Rangers off the ice, Ovechkin went to center ice and saluted the Garden with a raise of his stick and one of his little dances.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Apparently after last night's game and with all the Rangers off the ice, Ovechkin went to center ice and saluted the Garden with a raise of his stick and one of his little dances.

I am sure people will be upset by the act, but I kind of like it. I don't mind a little showmanship, especially if it riles up the opponent and makes the games more intense and interesting. There is obviously a time when that sort of thing can cross the line (see, e.g., Avery, Sean), but lots of times it's just good fodder for a rivalry.

[Dr. Sak]

I love AO

[Logan]

I am sure people will be upset by the act, but I kind of like it. I don't mind a little showmanship, especially if it riles up the opponent and makes the games more intense and interesting. There is obviously a time when that sort of thing can cross the line (see, e.g., Avery, Sean), but lots of times it's just good fodder for a rivalry.

If Avery did that, or was the one sitting watching the Caps practice, he'd be out of the league again.

I guess my issue with it is because it's just a nice tradition that started because the team was showing appreciation for the fans after the lockout. To turn that into "look at me, I'm being a prick who you're afraid of (his words)" was wrong, IMO.

[Maple Leafs]

If Avery did that, or was the one sitting watching the Caps practice, he'd be out of the league again.

Because he's a complete prick with a long history of stupid behaviour.

[Logan]

Because he's a complete prick with a long history of stupid behaviour.

So its the typical NHL double standard, got it.

BTW, I'm not saying Ovechkin should be suspended or anything. Just like how I said there's an easy remedy for not watching him jump around like a ballerina after a goal, this is avoidable too.

[Fidatelo]

Logan, I think you're seeing this with some tinted lenses. Avery will absolutely not get the same kind of leeway others do, and its for good reason. It's the same reason why a cop might let someone with a clean record off for speeding, whereas a dude doing the same thing but with a record of 14 driving violations is likely getting a ticket and a max fine.

[Dr. Sak]

So its the typical NHL double standard, got it.


BINGO!

[Honolulu_Blue]

So its the typical NHL double standard, got it.

BTW, I'm not saying Ovechkin should be suspended or anything. Just like how I said there's an easy remedy for not watching him jump around like a ballerina after a goal, this is avoidable too.

I don't think this is case of "the typical NHL double standard." Not at all.

I don't think Avery would have been suspended or anything like that. People would definitely would be raising a much bigger stink about it for sure, but that's not a case of any double standard, it's just a case of the application of observation. It's the scientific method.

I do think it's kind of funny how Avery's antics are viewed depending on the result of the game... If his team wins, people still shake their heads at his nonsense, but say "Hey, he impacts the game. He's a force out there and gets results."

If they lose, "Oh, what a horrible distraction. What buffonery! Torts can't be happy about this! He's a loose cannon, a malcontent who sits at the end of the bench!"

Avery is what he is. He's a prick. Given everything he's done throughout his career, he doesn't get the benefit of any doubt anymore.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Logan, I think you're seeing this with some tinted lenses. Avery will absolutely not get the same kind of leeway others do, and its for good reason. It's the same reason why a cop might let someone with a clean record off for speeding, whereas a dude doing the same thing but with a record of 14 driving violations is likely getting a ticket and a max fine.

I think that sums it up nicely.

[DeToxRox]

Logan, I think you're seeing this with some tinted lenses. Avery will absolutely not get the same kind of leeway others do, and its for good reason. It's the same reason why a cop might let someone with a clean record off for speeding, whereas a dude doing the same thing but with a record of 14 driving violations is likely getting a ticket and a max fine.

Though it doesn't hurt that in this instance Ovechkin is also the 20 year old girl with the big rack and who loves to flirt.

[Logan]

Logan, I think you're seeing this with some tinted lenses. Avery will absolutely not get the same kind of leeway others do, and its for good reason. It's the same reason why a cop might let someone with a clean record off for speeding, whereas a dude doing the same thing but with a record of 14 driving violations is likely getting a ticket and a max fine.

I honestly don't think I am. I was one of the few in those threads who was all for the NHL kicking him out based on his comments with Dallas, so I have no long-lasting love for the guy. I wanted him back because the team wins with him in the lineup, plain and simple.

He deserved the misconduct, he deserved the roughing call (and actually more) when he gave Varlamov that shot. But the high sticking call was a fucking joke. The goalie interference call was a fucking joke. He gets slashed and cross-checked constantly, takes elbows to the back of the head, slashes to the balls. It would take a McSorley shot to his head for him to draw a penalty. That's not "losing some leeway." If this keeps up, Tortorella will be better served not playing him.

[DeToxRox]

I honestly don't think I am. I was one of the few in those threads who was all for the NHL kicking him out based on his comments with Dallas, so I have no long-lasting love for the guy. I wanted him back because the team wins with him in the lineup, plain and simple.

He deserved the misconduct, he deserved the roughing call (and actually more) when he gave Varlamov that shot. But the high sticking call was a fucking joke. The goalie interference call was a fucking joke. He gets slashed and cross-checked constantly, takes elbows to the back of the head, slashes to the balls. It would take a McSorley shot to his head for him to draw a penalty. That's not "losing some leeway." If this keeps up, Tortorella will be better served not playing him.

Avery is getting the same deal the entire Ducks team is getting. HB might be able to confirm this but I thought I heard Mickey Redmond say that the league was going to crack down on a lot of stuff this playoffs from numerous complaints other teams have made. I know he mentioned the Ducks specifically, but if it's true, Avery would most definetly be on a list of things to watch out for.

[Maple Leafs]

So its the typical NHL double standard, got it.

Yes, yes. The NHL treats guys with a long track record of bad behaviour differently than everyone else. How tragically unfair.

[Fidatelo]

I honestly don't think I am. I was one of the few in those threads who was all for the NHL kicking him out based on his comments with Dallas, so I have no long-lasting love for the guy. I wanted him back because the team wins with him in the lineup, plain and simple.

He deserved the misconduct, he deserved the roughing call (and actually more) when he gave Varlamov that shot. But the high sticking call was a fucking joke. The goalie interference call was a fucking joke. He gets slashed and cross-checked constantly, takes elbows to the back of the head, slashes to the balls. It would take a McSorley shot to his head for him to draw a penalty. That's not "losing some leeway." If this keeps up, Tortorella will be better served not playing him.

I disagree on his penalties. The goalie interference was not a joke. He went into the crease uncontrolled and ran into the goalie. That's goalie interference, plain and simple. Do people sometimes get away with something like that? Sure, but Avery is being watched closer than your average guy, and so he's not going to get away with anything. I can't recall the high stick, so I'll refrain from comment on that one.

As for him getting mugged, well, again, he's reaping what he has sowed over years of being a douchebag and 'straddling the line'. This is how hockey works: you try to make a mockery of the other players and refs, and eventually the players will start to cheap shot you and the refs will look the other way. As much as I want the Rangers to win, I don't have a problem with that logic at all, and it's one of the reasons why I didn't want Avery back with the team.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I didn't see the goalie interference call. It may have been a bad call, but again, you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

For example, it happens to the Red Wings quite frequently. Everyone knows what Holmstrom does. He sits right outside the crease and sticks his ass in the goalie's face. That's his job. He's good at it. Does he interfere with the goalie? Sure, sometimes. But given his reputation as a crease crashe/interferer there have been a number of goals disallowed based on his reputation not because there was any kind of actual goalie interference.

Does it suck when that happens? Yes. Do I get annoyed? Definitely. But, I understand that's the cost of doing business for Holmstrom.

The same holds true for Avery. His value to the team is his role as an annoying fuck. He has that reputation, so when he does stuff, it's much more closely scrutinized. That's the price of doing business for Avery.

[bbor]

I hope Scott Gomez falls out of a tree and breaks his contract.

I LOL'D

[Logan]

Yes, yes. The NHL treats guys with a long track record of bad behaviour differently than everyone else. How tragically unfair.

You know, it's a shame that someone who is as big a hockey fan as yourself has this mindset. A rule is a rule, a penalty is a penalty. Allowing anything else (or taking joy in it as you seem to) is bad for the sport, no matter how big of a prick someone is.

Let's say Brian Burke decided to follow up on his threat to sue you. Your defense points out that the Twitter rules clearly state that parody accounts are allowed. The judge says, "Sorry, you have a track record of bad behavior towards Burke in your blog. I don't care what the rules are. You lose." Are you cool with that?

I disagree on his penalties. The goalie interference was not a joke. He went into the crease uncontrolled and ran into the goalie.

You need to see it again. I just listened to an Islander-fan host on WFAN bitch about how terrible the call was. An Islander fan! :) For one thing, he didn't go in uncontrolled...he was pushed by Erskin (which I know isn't considered enough to wipe out a penalty these days).

Part of His value to the team is his role as an annoying fuck.

Fixed. 65 points in 105 games with the team isn't bad. He was a big offensive piece to how the team played very well down the stretch.

[Fidatelo]

You need to see it again. I just listened to an Islander-fan host on WFAN bitch about how terrible the call was. An Islander fan! :) For one thing, he didn't go in uncontrolled...he was pushed by Erskin (which I know isn't considered enough to wipe out a penalty these days).

Erskin hardly touched him, he was going way too fast and tried to spin around at the last second. I'm sorry, but to me that's a penalty, and I'm glad they called it.

[DeToxRox]

Brad Stuart KILLED RJ Umberger with a nice hit. Then Commodore tries hitting Cleary and flies into the bench. Puck goes down low, Commodore tries another hit, crowd goes wild as he crosschecks Cleary I think and Zetterberg scores an easy goal and the entire building goes deathly silent.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Where was this Chris Osgood the past 12 weeks?

[TheNorm]

Brad Stuart KILLED RJ Umberger with a nice hit. Then Commodore tries hitting Cleary and flies into the bench. Puck goes down low, Commodore tries another hit, crowd goes wild as he crosschecks Cleary I think and Zetterberg scores an easy goal and the entire building goes deathly silent.

That was a beautiful clean hit, and I love that the Wings took them out of the game early. I didn't like their performance the last 20 minutes save for Osgood who has been lights out all series long. I'm hoping they can wrap this series up Thursday night.

Speaking of Umberger, he's been the sole source of offense for the Jackets.

This Vancouver/St. Louis game has gotten good.

[Logan]

Did the Devils really lose with 0.2 on the clock?

[DataKing]

Where was this Chris Osgood the past 12 weeks?

Rather have him now, than 12 weeks ago.

[DeToxRox]

Did the Devils really lose with 0.2 on the clock?

Yep, lol.

[TheNorm]

Ozzie's been playing like that the last 2-3 weeks of the regular season, even if the rest of the team hadn't.

[DeToxRox]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FhRU8fAb1lU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FhRU8fAb1lU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Umberger gets destroyed

[DeToxRox]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/akNb1DtqSLU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/akNb1DtqSLU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Commodore with a shift he'd like to forget.

I love how quiet it gets.

[DataKing]

Awesome. :D

[TheNorm]

I want to watch the Ducks/Sharks right now but St. Louis and Vancouver are in OT...great stuff so far!