The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

**DrJones** · 05-04-2011, 10:38 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by BlueNGold

WTF? Are we even going to get any close series' this round? Vancouver/Nashville is our only hope at this point.

Can't believe San Jose has come out like this. It looks like they've finally got their **** together in the playoffs.

1992 playoffs: 1st round featured six 7-game series and a pair of 6-gamers. Sweepsville rest of the way.

**DrJones** · 05-04-2011, 10:44 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by SidVish

I'm on the Tampa Bay bandwagon. I hope they win the Cup.

Why not? It has been a long 7 year drought, after all.

**SidVish** · 05-04-2011, 10:46 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Stamkos doesn't have one though.

**DrJones** · 05-04-2011, 10:50 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by SidVish

Stamkos doesn't have one though.

He's 21. He can wait. Timmy Thomas lifting the Cup (and probably falling down with it) would be a much cooler sight.

**SidVish** · 05-04-2011, 10:53 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

I'd have no problem with Boston winning it either. Although I do have a feeling it's going to be Vancouver or San Jose. Ugh.

**mkharsh33** · 05-04-2011, 11:27 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by tyler289

From a Caps fan (girl) in TB:

"OMG. I was just harassed more in last 5 minutes than ANY other stadium I've been too. Guy just walked up to me and poured beer all over me!!"

Stay classy, TB. Stay classy. This woman is the nicest person in the world and has traveled to NY, Philly, everywhere. Sad because I have been to TB multiple times and have had mixed experiences.

I was at the last regular season game that Tampa hosted the Caps. Two guys got tossed out for throwing a giveaway item onto the ice. They got smart with the usher and they brought in 2 more ushers. It was near the bottom of section 128-129... My 3 boys watched the whole thing as these two guys came up the steps and gave everyone the middle finger.

This stuff happens...and it goes both ways.

Sorry she got beer poured on her, but such is life... She'll get over it one day.

**BlueNGold** · 05-04-2011, 11:37 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by DrJones

1992 playoffs: 1st round featured six 7-game series and a pair of 6-gamers. Sweepsville rest of the way.

That's terrible.

And yeah, Tampa can wait. They got their Cup just before the lockout. Nothing against them but I'd rather see any of the other teams left in the playoffs win before they did because they've all gone through a hell of a lot of playoff heartbreak. Well aside from Nashville, but even then I'd rather see them win since they haven't won a Cup yet, plus they have a few ties to Winnipeg.

**goh** · 05-05-2011, 12:47 AM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Red Wings.

Ridiculous.

Plan B. Go Canucks!

Though I guess in theory they could 4 straight. It's the same as a sweep,they're just not allowed to lose again.

**SPTO** · 05-05-2011, 06:36 AM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

I feel bad for Gabby. He did amazing work turning the Caps into a defensive oriented team but by God, all the star players are floaters who don't fight for the puck and plain flat out SUCK! in the playoffs.

The Caps need a tough as nails coach to get them over the hump. Too bad Mike Keenan is way past his expiry date as he'd be the perfect coach to get them in gear. The only guys off the top of my head that come close to that and aren't totally off the radar would be Ken Hitchcock and Marc Crawford.

**tyler289** · 05-05-2011, 08:11 AM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by SPTO

I feel bad for Gabby. He did amazing work turning the Caps into a defensive oriented team but by God, all the star players are floaters who don't fight for the puck and plain flat out SUCK! in the playoffs.

The Caps need a tough as nails coach to get them over the hump. Too bad Mike Keenan is way past his expiry date as he'd be the perfect coach to get them in gear. The only guys off the top of my head that come close to that and aren't totally off the radar would be Ken Hitchcock and Marc Crawford.

See, I don't know how much he actually did. This Caps team just had more talented in defense and in goal, but they did make more of an emphasis on defense. Carlson, Alzner, Hannan and Neuvirth all are better than what they had last year, and it showed. When Wideman was brought in, the top 6 was as deep as anyone in the league. His injury killed us. But them's the breaks, and the Caps should've been able to adjust.

The Caps had, supposedly, a "better playoff system." I don't buy it. I watched every game. The team had no system offensively, at least consistently. Boudreau didn't do anything special, other than tell his team that if they don't get better defensively, they won't go anywhere. But improved talent made a huge impact as well. This Caps team is as good as Bruce will ever get, even with the injuries. The problem was Backstrom just stunk up the joint for months and Semin was either terrible or on fire. Mostly terrible against TB. Arnott ran out of gas. The 3rd line generated no offense on its own. The team came out flat and unprepared every game, and I put that on the coach. Bruce got out-coached again. No adjustments, especially on the powerplay. The team had terrible fundamentals all year, and every year Bruce was a coach. He held a real practice maybe twice a week. The team was a mess. His one championship in the AHL was because the Caps had a freakin AHL All-Star team in Hershey.

I know we're going to find out today that Ovechkin's had a serious injury all year, and we probably will with Backstrom as well. But Ovechkin played through it and produced again. Can't fault him. He brought it every game in both series. Man do I feel for him. He and Knuble went balls to the wall every game and their team just didn't show up.

**tyler289** · 05-05-2011, 11:08 AM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

McPhee just said he expects Bruce Boudreau to return next year. Ted on his blog today: "I am happy with our regular season. We won the East."

This organization has no clue. Pissing away Ovechkin's prime years.

**SPTO** · 05-05-2011, 11:13 AM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Originally posted by tyler289

McPhee just said he expects Bruce Boudreau to return next year. Ted on his blog today: "I am happy with our regular season. We won the East."

This organization has no clue. Pissing away Ovechkin's prime years.

I'm of the belief that Gabby deserves at least one more year so i'm not too worked up about it.

**jyoung** · 05-05-2011, 12:13 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Man, Detroit just can't seem to hold a lead in this series.

I thought they had that game last night for sure.

**mkharsh33** · 05-05-2011, 01:24 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Neuvirth is nice over 80 games in a regular season, but not for the playoffs. The Lightning are playing a modern version of the 'left-wing lock' and don't pepper the goalie with a great amount of shots. They pick their spots and rarely ever pinch down with their d-men. Neuvirth should have had a stronger showing against this style of play.

I respect Ovechkin and think he's a great player. But having attended both of these playoff games one thing was very certain: this team DEFERS to him TOO MUCH. I noticed guys always looking over their shoulder for him. Bobby Taylor (our local TV color guy) made a great comment when I watched the replay: you NEVER play Ovechkin to pass, only to shoot. Our guys knew that and maybe it doesn't show up on TV, but watching the entire game unfold I saw a lot of hesitancy on the Caps part when Ovie was on the ice.

I don't want to make a comment here out of turn, but part of me wonders if his being Russian and still speaking in broken English hurts him as a leader. Again, not trying to sound cruel, but I wonder about this. Kinda like how Malkin is protected in Pittsburgh. If Malkin was ever on his own (without Crosby next to him) my guess is he would greatly struggle with that spotlight solely on him. His personality couldn't handle it...he's too shy.

I don't think Ovie lacks confidence, per se, but I do see in him qualities that give the appearance of a lack of leadership. When I heart Marty St. Louis speak after the game, this guy just oozes with leadership abilities, and communicates well. Guys lean on that... I don't think Ovie has that "it factor" and I believe if the losing continues that will have to be criticized as a major flaw in his overall game.

**pietasterp** · 05-05-2011, 01:27 PM

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Sooooo....I guess someone has to ask: anyone think either of the teams down 0-3 is coming back?

My official vote: no. Furthermore, I think both series end in sweeps. And NO, I'm NOT crying...I just have something in my eye is all. And allergies, too...

The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

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