2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[slickdtc]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Barry Trotz must cringe after each Hawks win.
It'll be a long time before I forget how they blew a 4-3 lead with 3 minutes left and on a power-play.

If they hold on to win, who knows what happens?

I have a bit of a soft spot for the Nashville Predators. Despite all the **** they get, since the lockout, they've made the postseason all but one season. It sucks they're usually a low seed and always draw a powerhouse in the first round, but such is life. One day Nashville, one day...

And for the real point of this post: another excellent game by the Flyers. The talk is all about Briere and Leighton, but it's been the defense which has just locked down everything. Leighton hasn't been (and hasn't had to be) outrageous... he makes the stop, and the defense clears it out. Yeah, he's made a few big time saves, but he's not being asked to win games. Pronger, Timonen, Coburn, and Carle have been awesome. Krajicek and Parent are a nice complement as the 3rd pairing, and Parent has been a devil on the PK.

Next two games in Montreal. It was huge that we protected home ice and won both games because in that madhouse in the Great White North... well, ya never know what's going to happen. The Canadiens are going to win one there, it's up to the Flyers to steal one themselves. I won't be comfortable until we've secured a trip to the Finals, honestly. Too much craziness this postseason to ever feel comfortable.

And holy **** how many examples do we need this postseason before we stop writing teams off after falling in an early hole? It's how you finish, people, not how you start. I'm scared for the Flyers, and we're the ones up 2-0!

[RealmK]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Too much was made of the Sharks getting over the hump IMO. They beat a hard working Avs team that just wasn't physical or ready yet. They played an older Wings team that hasn't been physical in the way that teams have been that have given the Sharks fits in the past. I've never been impressed by Nabakov. The Sharks need guys that can scrap and do the dirty work to win. While they are immensely talented, they have yet to win in a series that requires them to dig deep.

You nailed it, I was thinking along the same lines, add in how beat up the Wings were and toss in the asstastic officiating during that series for good measure and its not difficult to see now that the Sharks get some push back they fold rather than dig deep.

[RealmK]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

There it is. How long until we don't have to hear this line from Wings fans? Please don't tell me until they win another Cup. :wink:

I'm far from a die hard Wings fan and honestly its not that much of a stretch considering how badly some of those Sharks/Wings games were called. It was quite possibly the worst I've ever seen, and if not pretty damn close.

[pietasterp]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

There it is. How long until we don't have to hear this line from Wings fans? Please don't tell me until they win another Cup. :wink:

Until we win another Cup...

Honestly (I'll let it die after this I promise), while I think the Sharks would have beaten the Wings regardless in that series, I do think the officiating led directly to at least 1 Sharks win in that series...I mean, I watch a fair amount of hockey, and that game 2 had to be among the worst I've ever seen. For anyone to even dispute that...I don't know how to respond to that.

Anyway, back to current news about teams still kicking...who comes back to win from their 0-2 hole? Tell me the future, soothsayers...

[Anavar]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I have a bit of a soft spot for the Nashville Predators. Despite all the **** they get, since the lockout, they've made the postseason all but one season. It sucks they're usually a low seed and always draw a powerhouse in the first round, but such is life. One day Nashville, one day...

And for the real point of this post: another excellent game by the Flyers. The talk is all about Briere and Leighton, but it's been the defense which has just locked down everything. Leighton hasn't been (and hasn't had to be) outrageous... he makes the stop, and the defense clears it out. Yeah, he's made a few big time saves, but he's not being asked to win games. Pronger, Timonen, Coburn, and Carle have been awesome. Krajicek and Parent are a nice complement as the 3rd pairing, and Parent has been a devil on the PK.

Next two games in Montreal. It was huge that we protected home ice and won both games because in that madhouse in the Great White North... well, ya never know what's going to happen. The Canadiens are going to win one there, it's up to the Flyers to steal one themselves. I won't be comfortable until we've secured a trip to the Finals, honestly. Too much craziness this postseason to ever feel comfortable.

And holy **** how many examples do we need this postseason before we stop writing teams off after falling in an early hole? It's how you finish, people, not how you start. I'm scared for the Flyers, and we're the ones up 2-0!

I understand what you're saying, but the Flyers are too good right now. You guys are a lock for the SCF. Montreal had a nice run, but they're losing steam. I'm sure the Habs will take one of their home games, but this thing is over in 5 man.

[DrJones]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

At this point, I might want to keep Marleau over Heatley. He's more versatile as he can play the wing or center, he is actually responsible defensively and he shows some heart.

Sure. But it's irrelevant, because it's not feasible. Who's taking Heatley's contract, what teams would he agree to go to, and what would you get in return?

I think the Dan Snyder incident really took something out of Dany. He seems like a different player since that occurred. He doesn't seem to have the same fire or ability to carry his team.

I dunno. Heatley did have back-to-back 50-goal, 100-point seasons immediately after being traded to Ottawa.

[DrJones]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Let's recap. Six weeks ago, most Red Wings fans were (legitimately) boasting, "Watch out for us! We're healthy now! We're 16-3-1 in our last 20 games! Pens-Wings Round 3!" Now after the fact, all of a sudden the Wings were this "tired, beat-up, average" team that San Jose should get no credit for beating? Lame.

[Scottdau]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Heatley and Joe T will be a great line next year. Heatley is having a good playoffs. He has gotten points just not goals, but he has had some good chances. Marleau fed off Joe this year. I would take Heater over Marleau. The Hawks are better and the Sharkshad to win that first game, but Nemi stole a game for the Hawks. Still I want to see how the Sharks respond being down 2-0. And it doesn't matter how the Sharks got to the finals, the thing that matters is they got there. Realm it is hard for me to take anything you say about the Sharks, because deep down inside I think you hate Joe T.

[duckfever8]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

San Jose could come back. Even though they're heading over to Chicago, the Sharks could still win those games. Just anything to keep the Blackhawks out of the finals. There are only three NHL teams I truly hate. Chicago, Anaheim and Florida. So I'm on the Sharks bandwagon for now.

[Scottdau]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

The only way the Sharks come back is if the first and second lines go off. But that will be tough. Or if Nabby plays lights out. The Hawks and Flyers series could be a great one though.

[Scottdau]

Pretty much Dr Jones. They also said the Wings would win in five. Don't forget about the refs.

[Flyermania]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Heatley and Joe T will be a great line next year. Heatley is having a good playoffs. He has gotten points just not goals, but he has had some good chances. Marleau fed off Joe this year. I would take Heater over Marleau. The Hawks are better and the Sharkshad to win that first game, but Nemi stole a game for the Hawks. Still I want to see how the Sharks respond being down 2-0. And it doesn't matter how the Sharks got to the finals, the thing that matters is they got there. Realm it is hard for me to take anything you say about the Sharks, because deep down inside I think you hate Joe T.

Heatley and Thornton will always be a good line and put up good regular season numbers, but neither of them is stepping up when it counts --- as usual. Heatley is a minus-5 and Thornton is an anemic minus-10 in the playoffs...not good. If it wasn't for a red hot Pavelski in the first two rounds who knows if the Sharks would have advanced past either round.

I've been surprised by the first two games in this series...I expected San Jose to really respond in game two but they didn't. Now they have to win at least 2 of the 3 games in Chicago -- not an easy task. If they fail in the playoffs yet again, it will be interesting to see who stays and who goes.

[Scottdau]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Joe minus numbers are not all his fault, but oh well. We shall see what happens.

[Flyermania]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Joe minus numbers are not all his fault, but oh well. We shall see what happens.

Of course not, but it's very indicative of how poorly that line has played this postseason.

[Scottdau]

Re: 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

True, but the 5 of those goals were hit off skates of their own players. It happens. Joe has been playing physical at least to me. But who knows I have no problem with how he is playing. Seto, Clowe and Pal were hot the first night, but they could not get on through. That happens. They had to win that game, but Nemi stole that game for the Hawks. The Hawks are going to be tough to beat. They are so deep and are playing really good right now. And even when the Sharks did play good they still lose. Not good, but oh well. They got the finals, now you can reevaluate this team and see what you can do to get over that hump next year.