The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

[DrJones]

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

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.

Not that I'd make him captain or anything, but Malkin played the best hockey of his career when Crosby was on the shelf for 30 games during the '08 season.

[DrJones]

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."

That's not what Leonsis is saying. Relax. Give the Caps a couple days to digest.

[DrJones]

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

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.

I'm old enough to remember people saying that about Gretzky, Lemieux, and Yzerman, not to mention John Elway and even Michael Jordan, if you can believe it. A captain's job is to lead by example (and deal with the press). Semin, Backstrom, and Green are grown men. If they need the ghost of Mark Messier to "inspire" them, then it's time for the Caps to acquire more self-motivated players.

[BlueNGold]

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

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.

Half of the problems you mentioned are on the players themselves, not the coach.

The one thing that goes against Boudreau is his insistence on keeping Ovechkin at the point for so long, especially when Ovechkin and their powerplay were both going through big slumps.

I don't know, I guess I just feel like firing Boudreau is more of a panic button move than it is the right move. The fans and media want to see someone take the fall for their playoff failures, but like I said earlier, most of the time you have to pay your dues in the playoffs to reach that ultimate success.

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 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.

These were Neuvirth's first NHL playoff games. I'd hardly rule him out after one playoff run.

I don't really disagree with that second quoted paragraph though. I think the Caps need to surround Ovechkin with more gritty, leader-type players. Jason Arnott fit that role pretty well IMO, but he's way up there in age and was only on the team for half a season.

[goh]

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...

I think the Red Wings can because Howard has been great and they've all been 1 goal games.

Philly might if they can pick a goalie. Is too late to bring someone up from the minors?
Flyers call up minor league goalie,wins 12 straight! Stanely Cup champions!

[pietasterp]

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

I think the Red Wings can because Howard has been great and they've all been 1 goal games.

Yeah, the only problem is that 7 of the last 8 games have been 1-goal games, so it's not like things are tilting in the Wings' favor....the fact of the matter is that San Jose is just 1-goal better than we are, consistently. Even when we play well, like last night - it's just one of those things where we can't beat that team. I think it's sweepsville for both, but I'd be happy to be wrong.

[TSOLEliot]

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

I think the Red Wings can because Howard has been great and they've all been 1 goal games.

Philly might if they can pick a goalie. Is too late to bring someone up from the minors?
Flyers call up minor league goalie,wins 12 straight! Stanely Cup champions!

Yep, Flyers have Boston right where they want em right now...

After the Flyers sign that that new dazzling goalie from the Eastside Hockey League or Neal Little, injure Krejci and Seidenberg by using some Montreal Canadian skate trickery, pump Pronger up with devil's blood, and trade back Matt Walker, a case of Tasty Cake and Hartnell's curls for Simon Gagne...

They're good to go in and straight out win this best of 19 series (league just changed the format to insure better TV ratings- LA, Chi and NYR have been summoned back from the golf course and resume tomorrow).

[Evan_OS]

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

Well tonight is make it or break it time for the Predators imo. Either drop both home games and fall into a 3-1 hole (which I don't think we can make it out of) or knot this thing up 2-2 and have a realistic chance at winning this series.

[SqueakyD]

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

Yep, Flyers have Boston right where they want em right now...

After the Flyers sign that that new dazzling goalie from the Eastside Hockey League or Neal Little, injure Krejci and Seidenberg by using some Montreal Canadian skate trickery, pump Pronger up with devil's blood, and trade back Matt Walker, a case of Tasty Cake and Hartnell's curls for Simon Gagne...

They're good to go in and straight out win this best of 19 series (league just changed the format to insure better TV ratings- LA, Chi and NYR have been summoned back from the golf course and resume tomorrow).

LOL
This is what happens when your team drives you to insanity.

[tyler289]

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.

How many of the Lightning goals were off Caps players? 3?

To say Neuvirth needed to play better is insane. The kid showed up when the rest of the team laid an egg every game. 22 years old and he was a beast.

[ImTellinTim]

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

After the Flyers sign that that new dazzling goalie from the Eastside Hockey League or Neal Little, injure Krejci and Seidenberg by using some Montreal Canadian skate trickery, pump Pronger up with devil's blood, and trade back Matt Walker, a case of Tasty Cake and Hartnell's curls for Simon Gagne...

<a href="http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/imtellintim/?action=view&amp;current=450-elmo-rofl.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j84/imtellintim/450-elmo-rofl.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I've got the Preds pulling even tonight. I'm feeling 3-2 in 2OT.

[DrJones]

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

Yep, Flyers have Boston right where they want em right now...

After the Flyers sign that that new dazzling goalie from the Eastside Hockey League or Neal Little, injure Krejci and Seidenberg by using some Montreal Canadian skate trickery, pump Pronger up with devil's blood, and trade back Matt Walker, a case of Tasty Cake and Hartnell's curls for Simon Gagne...

I was wondering why the Flyers hadn't injured Krejci yet. Worked like a charm last year.

[DrJones]

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

I've got the Preds pulling even tonight. I'm feeling 3-2 in 2OT.

I boldly predict that someone wins by 2 or more goals tonight. Shocking, I know.

[RealmK]

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

Yep, Flyers have Boston right where they want em right now...

After the Flyers sign that that new dazzling goalie from the Eastside Hockey League or Neal Little, injure Krejci and Seidenberg by using some Montreal Canadian skate trickery, pump Pronger up with devil's blood, and trade back Matt Walker, a case of Tasty Cake and Hartnell's curls for Simon Gagne...

They're good to go in and straight out win this best of 19 series (league just changed the format to insure better TV ratings- LA, Chi and NYR have been summoned back from the golf course and resume tomorrow).

hehe this actually made me lol I tip my hat to you sir.

[mkharsh33]

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

How many of the Lightning goals were off Caps players? 3?

To say Neuvirth needed to play better is insane. The kid showed up when the rest of the team laid an egg every game. 22 years old and he was a beast.

They don't make beasts like they used to, apparently. Yes, he's young, but he's the least talented goalie in round 2. That's not a crack on him at all as he's a young kid with a solid upside. But he needed to shut the door to keep their hopes alive and he didn't.

Look, I'm not wanting to get into some kind of flame war with you. I don't care about the Caps, as I'm a Lightning fan (and not a bandwagon guy - I've been supporting them for a few years since I moved to the Tampa area nearly 8 years ago). I'm simply commenting on what I saw having went to the last two games. I'll simply say this:

The Penguins are a much tougher team than the Caps. The Caps think they can skate around people and they couldn't. The Pens series was much more physical, and it was apparent starting in game 1 that the Lightning would have the toughness advantage, which is everything in hockey. I will submit the Caps are a more talented team...but they lacked heart and fight.

But in the big picture I have no feelings either way about the Caps and I wish you well in this offseason whatever it brings you...