The Official NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[Dr. Sak]

19 yrs ago 2day, David Volek of the #Islanders stunned the #Penguins w/ a 2nd Rnd Game 7 OT goal & this happened. OUCH! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=167X7PjO6oo

[B & B]

Come on devils, win this one for Pumpy

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Ajaxab

Fidatelo, what's the vibe in Winnipeg? Have people completely divorced themselves from all things Coyotes with the Jets being back or does the city still have a place in their hearts for Phoenix? I would imagine they're all pulling for Doan, but wondered if there is anything more than that.

I don't know that there is really a single vibe. I think the idea that we all pull for Doan is a bit of a myth. He only played one season here, and was just a rookie that didn't really have much of an impact. Selanne is our guy, there isn't a single person in this city who doesn't smile every time Teemu has success.

As for the Coyotes in general, there are certainly some fans that are cheering them on, but I'd say it's a minority. The largest group is of people that hate/resent all things Coyotes, and want them to continue their history of futility until they eventually leave the desert. This has waned a fair amount with the return of the Jets, but the undercurrent is still there.

There is another group of people, mostly the under 25 crowd that don't really have many memories of the old Jets, and that just don't care. Or they were around for the original Jets, but they were the jaded fan type that saw them as losers who never did anything worthwhile anyways.

I was hardcore in the hate/resent camp until the Coyotes beat Chicago and I realised I just wasn't as upset as I had expected. Apparently getting a team back has moved me more towards ambivalent, although I still want the Kings to win that series. It just won't anger me the way I expected if Phoenix wins.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by BlackJack

Washington? really?

Maybe it's not the same in the US, but it feels like Washington is on Fox every weekend here.

[Young Drachma]

Sigh.

[Lathum]

Sick stop by Marty. If the Devils come back to win this game look to that stop.

[Logan]

Tough first two periods, but a fun third. Devils held to 4 SOG during the period, same as WAS had in Game 7. Pretty impressive.

[RomaGoth]

Nice start to the series for the blueshirts.

[BillyNYC]

As a Rangers fan, was very worried about their legs, coming off of Game 7 two nights earlier and all. Was pretty surprised that the Devils were the ones who were getting outhustled down the stretch.

Del Zotto's puck covering should've been a penalty, but hard to think it would've changed very much.

Nice start, but this should be a long series.

Will be nice to watch Hagelin/Kreider zooming around the next several years.

[Grover]

Heh. At least he's regular.

[Ryan S]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

As a Canadian the teams that seem like they are featured a lot regardless of their current talent level are:

Dallas
Pittsburgh
Green Bay
Washington

To me, the most egregious one is Dallas. Everything after that usually seems pretty much fair.

As a UK viewer, that list sounds about right. I would perhaps add the Miami Dolphins to the list (as the NFL started getting tv coverage in the UK at around the time Dan Marino's career started)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Grover

Heh. At least he's regular.

I had to look at that picture 3 times.

I figured that the amazing thing in it was Tortorella was nearly smiling.

[Logan]

That entire press conference produced fantastic moments. Torts going off on a reporter's cell phone ringing during a question, and then after a (young, apparently) reporter asked a confusing 30 second question about Kreider he replied with "I have no clue what you're talking about. He was good though".

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

With all due respect the Malkin...Hank is the MVP.

I always have a tough time trying to differentiate this. Sheerly based on the position, all goaltenders are more important to their teams than any skater.

We both learned the hard way what happens when your goaltender underperforms. You could make the argument that Fleury and Bryz are more important to their teams success than Malkin or Giroux.

[Logan]

I would go Malkin over Hank for MVP, FWIW. Hell no on Stamkos though.

As long as he gets his Vezina I'll be happy.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Logan

I would go Malkin over Hank for MVP, FWIW. Hell no on Stamkos though.

As long as he gets his Vezina I'll be happy.

I have to agree. Malkin carried the Pens this year without Crosby. Without Malkin, the Pens don't even get close to the playoffs.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Grover

Heh. At least he's regular.

Man, twice in 20 minutes eh? Someone has been eating his raisin bran!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

19 yrs ago 2day, David Volek of the #Islanders stunned the #Penguins w/ a 2nd Rnd Game 7 OT goal & this happened. OUCH! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=167X7PjO6oo

I remember this. It sucked. That one hit ruined the career of one of the best power forwards in the league at the time to the point that he ended up at some hotel or something in St. Louis smoking crack with a crack whore. Depressing.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Interesting tidbit related back to the ratings discussion earlier

ROOT SPORTS' Ratings for Pittsburgh Penguins Broadcasts Lead Nation Ahead of All U.S.-Based NHL and NBA Teams - Pittsburgh Penguins - News

ROOT SPORTS™, the exclusive rights holder of Pittsburgh Penguins regional telecasts, announced today that the network posted an 8.03 average House Hold rating for the 2011-2012 Penguins regular season. This marks the first season that ROOT SPORTS™ has posted the highest local ratings of any U.S.-based NHL and NBA teams. In addition, this is the 3rd consecutive season that ROOT SPORTS™ Penguins Broadcasts has posted the highest local ratings of any U.S.-based NHL team

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Interesting tidbit related back to the ratings discussion earlier

ROOT SPORTS' Ratings for Pittsburgh Penguins Broadcasts Lead Nation Ahead of All U.S.-Based NHL and NBA Teams - Pittsburgh Penguins - News

Well, that just means the Penguins are very strong in their own market. Whoda thunk it from a fanbase that is also religious about its football team.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Well, that just means the Penguins are very strong in their own market. Whoda thunk it from a fanbase that is also religious about its football team.

Still taking it as a good sign for the NHL, the so called 4th of the major sports, that at least one team is supported more than any NBA team. I wish there was a full list for both league to see how it all plots out.

And it doesn't hurt that Pens games and Steeler games rarely coincide.

I'm biased, but to me it's a bigger statement when Pittsburgh, Buffalo, etc are selling out the building/leading the league in TV ratings than NY or Chicago. Based on size, those cities should be selling out.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Still taking it as a good sign for the NHL, the so called 4th of the major sports, that at least one team is supported more than any NBA team. I wish there was a full list for both league to see how it all plots out.

And it doesn't hurt that Pens games and Steeler games rarely coincide.

I'm biased, but to me it's a bigger statement when Pittsburgh, Buffalo, etc are selling out the building/leading the league in TV ratings than NY or Chicago. Based on size, those cities should be selling out.

I believe there is not an NBA team in Pittsburgh currently right? So they really aren't competing against the NBA in this instance. I am all for the NHL increasing exposure but I am not sure this instance really demonstrates that effectively.

[bhlloy]

Fucking Shane Doan. If the NHL has any balls he is looking at Matt Cooke time

[Warhammer]

I really hope the league comes down on some of the crap PHX was pulling throughout the game. The slash that Smith executed on Brown should result in something. I don't mind some chipping, but that was flagrant.

[MizzouRah]

The LA Kings will win the Stanley Cup, they are in a league of their own.. wow.

[bhlloy]

Doan is easily in the 5 dirtiest players in the league. Because he wears the C and some people think he's a great example of an old time hockey player he gets a pass, but he's made some brutal hits over the years that have resulted in some nasty injuries. He will probably get a game but deserves way more

Agreed on Smith. The fact that resulted in no manpower advantage was bullshit.
Clear intent to injure but the refs didnt have the guts to make the call. Really the Coyotes should have been on a constant PK for the entire third period. Dirty, dirty, dirty. And I'm rooting for whoever is playing the Kings

[Danny]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

And I'm rooting for whoever is playing the Kings

You got my day 1 vote in the next WW game we play in!

[MrBug708]

Kings
KINGS
KINGS!!!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Danny

You got my day 1 vote in the next WW game we play in!

Be careful, otherwise bhlloy and I will pair up to vote you out. Or I'll convince the village to lynch you.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Doan is easily in the 5 dirtiest players in the league. Because he wears the C and some people think he's a great example of an old time hockey player he gets a pass, but he's made some brutal hits over the years that have resulted in some nasty injuries. He will probably get a game but deserves way more

Agreed on Smith. The fact that resulted in no manpower advantage was bullshit.
Clear intent to injure but the refs didnt have the guts to make the call. Really the Coyotes should have been on a constant PK for the entire third period. Dirty, dirty, dirty. And I'm rooting for whoever is playing the Kings

While I'll agree Doan has thrown his share of dirty hits in the past, I don't think this is on that list. Lewis turns as Doan commits to the hit.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

While I'll agree Doan has thrown his share of dirty hits in the past, I don't think this is on that list. Lewis turns as Doan commits to the hit.

Totally agree, I don't even think the Doan hit deserved a penalty, let alone any kind of suspension.

On the other hand, Morris and Hanzal should each be gone for a few games in my opinion. They were just trying to hurt guys.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

The LA Kings will win the Stanley Cup, they are in a league of their own.. wow.

I have to agree. I can't remember the last time I saw a team so much in sync, from goaltending to defense to scoring. Amazing.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

I have to agree. I can't remember the last time I saw a team so much in sync, from goaltending to defense to scoring. Amazing.

I remember when I saw it: earlier this winter when the Bruins won 19 straight or something.

Hockey is fickle; this amazing run the Kings are on could easily end just as quickly as it began. I also think the east is stronger than the west in general, so dominant play against the Blues and Coyotes may not be so easily continued against either the Rangers or Devils.

[RedKingGold]

The Kings are so good that RomaGoth just became a fan and bought a hat.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

I have to agree. I can't remember the last time I saw a team so much in sync, from goaltending to defense to scoring. Amazing.

Agreed.. and they have won like 8 in a row on the road, nothing phases this team.... yet.... they are not only beating teams, they are dominating them.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I remember when I saw it: earlier this winter when the Bruins won 19 straight or something.

Hockey is fickle; this amazing run the Kings are on could easily end just as quickly as it began. I also think the east is stronger than the west in general, so dominant play against the Blues and Coyotes may not be so easily continued against either the Rangers or Devils.

The Bruins...or remember when Washington started the year 7-0 or whatever? Or the Penguins for a 3 week stretch starting early March? All of those teams were the favorites to win. Only difference with LA is the timing.

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

The Kings are so good that RomaGoth just became a fan and bought a hat.

Highly unlikely.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

Highly unlikely.

So you're saying there's a chance?!

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

So you're saying there's a chance?!

no chance

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

no chance

That's not what you said before!

[Young Drachma]

Hope they can steal one tonight in NY.

[Arles]

I know that the Kings are better than the Coyotes, but the officiating in this series has been crazy slanted. The Coyotes were pretty much 1-for-1 with power play chances against both Chicago and Nashville. In the last 2 games, the Kings have had 13 power plays to Phoenix's 5. The Coyotes have also had 3 double minors (two of which should have only been 2 minutes) and 3 5 minutes (only the Hanzal hit was worthy of that). The Coyotes have been hit with 68 penalty minutes in the last 2 games (the Kings have 22 - just 4 total tonight). Just tonight, that 2-minute slashing call at the end and the "matching" minors when Doan got tackled on a breakaway were both ridiculous.

I know no one wants to see Phoenix in the Cup finals and the reality is they are almost certainly not good enough to make it. It just would be nice to see them get a fair shot in this LA series - but that didn't happen.

[RomaGoth]

Put a fork in the 'Yotes....they are done.

[Danny]

I had to miss tonights game but the officiating was not slanted for games 1 and 2. Yes two lf the yotes majors should not have been but m smorh should have got one and the game was over then anyway.

[MrBug708]

Go Kings!

[chadritt]

Id feel bad about the coyotes not getting the calls except for the fact their goalie shouldve been suspended.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I remember when I saw it: earlier this winter when the Bruins won 19 straight or something.

Hockey is fickle; this amazing run the Kings are on could easily end just as quickly as it began. I also think the east is stronger than the west in general, so dominant play against the Blues and Coyotes may not be so easily continued against either the Rangers or Devils.

The Devils needed seven to dispatch the Panthers, for Pete's sake. Unless the Kings cool off, New Jersey would have no chance in the Finals.

[MizzouRah]

Don't forget their dominant play against the Canucks. Kings will win the cup, let me say that again.

[Warhammer]

The only horrible call I saw in the series was the one last night that Kopitar drew on the slash in the last few minutes of the game. Outside of that, most of the poor calls were from no-calls or not enough calls.

Ultimately, in this series PHX has only themselves to blame. They played without passion, and lost their composure. That's not a good combination.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

The Devils needed seven to dispatch the Panthers, for Pete's sake. Unless the Kings cool off, New Jersey would have no chance in the Finals.

But beat a much better Philly team in five. They were just getting their bearings. Not counting my chickens but...there are no gimmies in playoff hockey.