The Official NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[Grover]

I hate Jeff Carter. How unprofessional he acted in Columbus, sulking his way into a trade to a contender. He doesn't deserve this, the rest of the Kings team does.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Grover

I hate Jeff Carter. How unprofessional he acted in Columbus, sulking his way into a trade to a contender. He doesn't deserve this, the rest of the Kings team does.

I couldnt agree more...I would be happy for Richards, Gagne, Hextall, and Stevens... but not Carter.

[britrock88]

If the Kings win the series in 4 or 5, they'll finish undefeated on the road with 10 or 11 wins. Sheesh.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by britrock88

If the Kings win the series in 4 or 5, they'll finish undefeated on the road with 10 or 11 wins. Sheesh.

Is it 2-2-1-1-1 then?

[britrock88]

Because you ask, I'll admit that I have not actually checked, but it's been 2-2-1-1-1 through these playoffs and for several past Finals, if I remember correctly.

PS: just checked and it is. Would have been quicker than qualifying myself.

[Wolfpack]

Yeah, the NHL likes the current format and isn't planning to change it. They tried 2-3-2 for a year back when the playoffs moved to the seeded format and only when it was a Pacific division team against a Central division team, but they didn't even do it for the Finals that year which was New York vs Vancouver.

[miked]

Either the Rangers were poo, the Kings are much better, or the Devils are just out of gas. They pretty much dominated play in the Rangers in almost every game, save a few periods of lapsing. They are getting decent shots at Quick, but no real chances or barrages like they got on Lundquist. The post shot with seconds left was a killer, and they missed a few chances.

I'm thoroughly impressed with the play of the Kings, they are hot at the perfect time.

[bhlloy]

Damn, I didn't realize how much Thomas was screwing the Bruins. Rask is an RFA and can now pretty much demand starter money or he heads to Europe, plus Thomas' 5m cap hit stays on the books. I hope he at least used lube.

[Danny]

Well, he did just win them a Stanley cup though

[Danny]

Originally Posted by miked

Either the Rangers were poo, the Kings are much better, or the Devils are just out of gas. They pretty much dominated play in the Rangers in almost every game, save a few periods of lapsing. They are getting decent shots at Quick, but no real chances or barrages like they got on Lundquist. The post shot with seconds left was a killer, and they missed a few chances.

I'm thoroughly impressed with the play of the Kings, they are hot at the perfect time.

From watching all the Kings opponents, it's pretty clear the Devils and Kings are the two best teams this year. The Kings have dominated every team they played in the west, but the Devils are playing them pretty even (Quick is just better than Brodeur so far, which is the difference).

It's not really about being hot. The Kings are a great team. They just needed time to adjust to Sutter's system. The previous coach Murray wasn't very good. Additionally, Richards and Carter needed time to gel (plus Richards missed a lot of time with a concussion). The call ups of King and Nolan were huge. Plus Penner just slept through the regular season and Doughty came in out of shape because of his holdout.

I think most of the Kings are getting the love they deserve except for Kopitar. In my mind, he is easily the Kings best overall player (Quick not included) and has to be one of the two or three best two way forwards in the league.

[Danny]

I'm also one that is usually not overly optimistic about the King's playoff chances, but going into these playoffs I knew they could compete for the cup if their offense clicked a little.

[miked]

Bullshit goal from the Kings. I guess once it's under the goalie's pads, you just keep slashing with your stick until it comes loose and goes in.

[chadritt]

WOOOOO!!!! GO KINGS GO! This is nuts.

[miked]

Nice power play Devils. Kovalchick looks like he's just gonna hang out at the blue line for the series.

[EagleFan]

Hey, what happened to the good games....

Sorry, just turned it on.

[Dr. Sak]

In 17 games Jonathan Quick has given up 2 LESS goals (24) than Fleury did in 6 games (26).

[Dr. Sak]

I hate you Jeff Carter...you finally learn not to shoot high and wide. Had you played like this two years ago...

But in the same breath I am so happy for Simon Gagne...he is/was my favorite Flyers from the time he came up at 19 years old. I am glad he played tonight and will get his name on the cup.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by miked

Nice power play Devils. Kovalchick looks like he's just gonna hang out at the blue line for the series.

Sigh.

That's enough hockey for me for one night. Surely, I can go find a book to read.

[Pyser]

at least we beat the rangers, right?

good season devils. you were scrappy and overachieved and we loved you for it. but the kings are deserving of this.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Pyser

at least we beat the rangers, right?

good season devils. you were scrappy and overachieved and we loved you for it. but the kings are deserving of this.

Yeah, I think that's a good synopsis. At least we exorcised the ghosts of 1994. And LA is certainly deserving. No real hating. At least it's not Phoenix.

Still, I was hoping for an improbable 4th.

[MizzouRah]

There is just no stopping this team.

[chadritt]

Man this has been fun. Considering the NHL moved my #1 team this year ive been thrilled to be able to watch the Kings do so well after making them my new "home" team almost 10 years ago.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by chadritt

Man this has been fun. Considering the NHL moved my #1 team this year ive been thrilled to be able to watch the Kings do so well after making them my new "home" team almost 10 years ago.

Wait what team did you used to root for?

[chadritt]

Thrashers. Born and raised in Atlanta, started going to IHL games when I was about 10.

[Danny]

If I got tattoos, I would have a silhoutte of Kopitar and Quick tattoed on my chest

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Danny

If I got tattoos, I would have a silhoutte of Kopitar and Quick tattoed on my chest

I've thought about getting a Quick or Kopitar jersey, just to honor them.

[Young Drachma]

I thought so. I just was curious.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

I've thought about getting a Quick or Kopitar jersey, just to honor them.

I have a Kings jersey, but I want to have Kopitar put on the back. He's my favorite player and also wears my favorite number. I just need to find a good place to have it done. I dont want the steam pressed crap

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Danny

I have a Kings jersey, but I want to have Kopitar put on the back. He's my favorite player and also wears my favorite number. I just need to find a good place to have it done. I dont want the steam pressed crap

I bleed blue through and through.. but damn has this Kings team been fun to watch.

[heybrad]

Originally Posted by heybrad

Looks like I'm going to game 4 of the finals.

Wow... I may be watching LA history on Wednesday night.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by heybrad

Wow... I may be watching LA history on Wednesday night.

Best of luck and enjoy.

Oh, and....

Hey Brad!!!!

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Yeah, I think that's a good synopsis. At least we exorcised the ghosts of 1994. And LA is certainly deserving. No real hating. At least it's not Phoenix.

Still, I was hoping for an improbable 4th.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, as I'm not a shit talker and genuinely respect the way the Devils have been managed as a hockey franchise for the past two decades...

...but really?

The actual play on the ice and intensity in that series was on a whole other level compared to this year. Double OT in games 1 and 3. Devils with a chance to clinch at home in Game 6. The Messier guarantee/hat trick. Devils tying game 7 with 7.7 seconds left. Matteau...the Devils fans I know still shit bricks on any wraparound attempts on Brodeur.

I don't know if I would view it differently if you guys were on the verge of clinching the Cup, and of course you can feel however you choose to, I just find it surprising.

[Logan]

Even as a Jersey guy I appreciate the creativity.





http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ho...icle-1.1089927

[Pyser]

Originally Posted by Logan

...but really?

The actual play on the ice and intensity in that series was on a whole other level compared to this year. Double OT in games 1 and 3. Devils with a chance to clinch at home in Game 6. The Messier guarantee/hat trick. Devils tying game 7 with 7.7 seconds left. Matteau...the Devils fans I know still shit bricks on any wraparound attempts on Brodeur.

yes really. you see, all that stuff is fun for a rangers fan, because YOU WON. its torturous as a devils fan. losing the finals this year will always hurt a lot less when we remember the OT goal ousting the #1 seeded rangers.

[BlackJack]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Yeah, I think that's a good synopsis. At least we exorcised the ghosts of 1994. And LA is certainly deserving. No real hating. At least it's not Phoenix.

Still, I was hoping for an improbable 4th.

Oh Jesus, thank you, haven't had a good laugh like that in a long time. What happened in this years conf finals doesn't touch what happened in '94. Enjoy the sweep. Only thing that would be more embarrassing would be if anyone was watching. But no one is. Because it's the Devils.

[Logan]

And then there's the other approach...

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by BlackJack

Oh Jesus, thank you, haven't had a good laugh like that in a long time. What happened in this years conf finals doesn't touch what happened in '94. Enjoy the sweep. Only thing that would be more embarrassing would be if anyone was watching. But no one is. Because it's the Devils.

If a team wins the Prince of Wales Trophy over their arch rivals and no one is around to hear it, do they still raise a banner?

Yes, it says 2012 Eastern Conference Champions.

Originally Posted by Logan

And then there's the other approach...

You're cool, dude. I understood your point. I was just venting when I wrote my original thing, it wasn't really meant to be anything serious. But yeah, tales of two cities here (between the two approaches.)

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by BlackJack

Oh Jesus, thank you, haven't had a good laugh like that in a long time. What happened in this years conf finals doesn't touch what happened in '94. Enjoy the sweep. Only thing that would be more embarrassing would be if anyone was watching. But no one is. Because it's the Devils.

last 17 years- 5 Cup finals- 3 wins, 2 likely losses

last 72 years- 1 Cup

I'll take the top team.K.Thx.

[BlackJack]

Originally Posted by Lathum

last 17 years- 5 Cup finals- 3 wins, 2 likely losses

last 72 years- 1 Cup

I'll take the top team.K.Thx.

Look, I read somewhere once that you don't choose your sports teams, your teams choose you, and I think there's a lot of truth to that. You're a Devils fan, that's cool, I just honestly think that its ridiculous that this metro area has 3 NHL teams, and the Devils organization, especially the players, would be better served in another city that would embrace it. North Jersey, which is supposedly the Devils home area, has a majority of Rangers fans. I know, I live here. And South Jersey is all Flyers. They have no base of their own. It isn't fair to the team, but the Devils' success hurts the NHL. And yes, that loss 2 weeks ago still stings like a motherfucker.

[miked]

Sigh, I grew up in North Jersey and it seemed about half of my friends were Devils fans. Not so bad when the other team puts it's arena over the busiest fucking train station in the land.

[chadritt]

Game Time. Lets go Kings, i want to see a Stanley Cup Parade on Hollywood blvd.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by BlackJack

Look, I read somewhere once that you don't choose your sports teams, your teams choose you, and I think there's a lot of truth to that. You're a Devils fan, that's cool, I just honestly think that its ridiculous that this metro area has 3 NHL teams, and the Devils organization, especially the players, would be better served in another city that would embrace it. North Jersey, which is supposedly the Devils home area, has a majority of Rangers fans. I know, I live here. And South Jersey is all Flyers. They have no base of their own. It isn't fair to the team, but the Devils' success hurts the NHL. And yes, that loss 2 weeks ago still stings like a motherfucker.

If they put the arena somewhere in Central Jersey, it'd probably sell out more than it does now. But putting it where no one actually lives or plays hockey, is what dooms it. People like a winner and people like a bandwagon, but unlike Detroit, there's an actual connection to the team and the Devils don't have the love affair locally because they've only been around since 1982 that the other teams do despite their success.

Luckily for Devils fans, despite the near-bankrupt owner there are teams in the NHL in worse straits and so...it's not likely the team with the new arena that's only 85% full is going anywhere, because a team in the NYC TV market even if no one cares is better than having them in Saskatoon.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Yeah, I think that's a good synopsis. At least we exorcised the ghosts of 1994. And LA is certainly deserving. No real hating. At least it's not Phoenix.

Still, I was hoping for an improbable 4th.

Ok, seriously. You don't get to claim ghosts or demons from a season that was three championships ago for your franchise. You exorcised them the very next year when you know, won a Stanley Cup.

[bhlloy]

What a complete crock of shit call

[Logan]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

What a complete crock of shit call

Didn't look good but would it kill NBC to show a replay in regular speed from the north-south angle?

[chadritt]

If this goes to OT there is no way im staying in the office. I need to find a sportsbar nearby

[EagleFan]

lol, that had to be one of the funniest missed checks that I have seen recently.

[Young Drachma]

THANK GOODNESS

[Young Drachma]

The Devils have never been swept in 42 best-of-seven series -- the longest active streak in NHL, according to ESPN Stats & Information

[bhlloy]

Where did Adam Henrique come from? He's a beast