The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[thedudedominick]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Are you kidding me with that goaltender interference call on Williams?

edit: and just like that a terrible penalty call leads to a goal for the Coyotes.

[Kobalt]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Yevengi Malkin, 11 goals and 8 assist got the MVP in the World Championships. Russia got the Gold.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Yevengi Malkin, 11 goals and 8 assist got the MVP in the World Championships. Russia got the Gold.

Also of note: the groups for the round-robin portion of the 2014 Sochi Olympics have been set.

Group A: Russia, Slovakia, USA, Qualifier TBD (likely Denmark or Belarus)
Group B: Finland, Canada, Norway, Qualifier TBD (likely Latvia)
Group C: Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Qualifier TBD (likely Germany)

The playoff format won't be the same as it was in Vancouver.

2010: 3 group winners + best 2nd place team received bye to quarterfinals; remaining 8 teams played qualifying round (5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10, 8 vs 9) to advance to quarterfinals

2014: Top 2 in each group + 2 best 3rd place teams advance directly to quarterfinals; teams that finish 9th-12th are eliminated

[thedudedominick]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Interested to see how the Kings come out in this third period. They haven't faced much diversity in these playoffs, this will be a good test for them.

[slickdtc]

Also of note: the groups for the round-robin portion of the 2014 Sochi Olympics have been set.

Group A: Russia, Slovakia, USA, Qualifier TBD (likely Denmark or Belarus)
Group B: Finland, Canada, Norway, Qualifier TBD (likely Latvia)
Group C: Sweden, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Qualifier TBD (likely Germany)

The playoff format won't be the same as it was in Vancouver.

2010: 3 group winners + best 2nd place team received bye to quarterfinals; remaining 8 teams played qualifying round (5 vs 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10, 8 vs 9) to advance to quarterfinals

2014: Top 2 in each group + 2 best 3rd place teams advance directly to quarterfinals; teams that finish 9th-12th are eliminated

Looks like US drew a tough pool. Though the Swiss (is that correct?) with Hiller in net showed some mettle in '10. Not too many cupcakes anymore I guess.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Looks like US drew a tough pool. Though the Swiss (is that correct?) with Hiller in net showed some mettle in '10. Not too many cupcakes anymore I guess.

Agreed. The "minnows" will be even tougher on the big ice. In 2006, the Swiss beat Canada and Latvia tied the US. Yzerman's got to avoid the trap of being too loyal to the players who won in Vancouver.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Why not?

Dr. Jones's examples of the '83 Oilers, '95 Wings and '08 Pens could be very apropos this season.

No one gave the NY Giants credit going up against the all-mighty Pats a couple of Superbowls ago (the "undefeated season").

No one gave the NY Yankees enough credit going up against a stacked Phillies team a couple of World Series ago.

How did those series work out?

I understand that in the case of NE and Philly (per my examples above), they had great seasons as well as post-seasons. However, the point is, you can't tell just yet.

The Kings are clearly dominating right now but running up against a team in the East, who they only play once a year, could change that fact. We all know the East and West teams have different styles. Albiet, not necessarily worlds apart. I'm not saying that the Kings won't continue their recent play but you never know. The Rangers are grinders and wear teams down. They are opportunistic that way. The Devils are more of a finesse team that loves to capitalize on any mistake. They are great at it.

The Ranger's D is just as solid as the Kings. The Devils offense is just as solid, if not better, then the Kings. Goalie-wise, the Rangers and Kings are dead-even. Quick is currently better then Marty but Marty has SC experience on his side. He's not what he once was but I can see him going out with one last gem.

Either team could give the Kings fits. I wouldn't be planning any parades just yet.

You bring up valid points. I'm just really impressed with how the Kings rarely give up quality scoring chances. They are playing at a level were it's going to extremely difficult to beat them 4 out of 7 games.

[NYRBlue88]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

You bring up valid points. I'm just really impressed with how the Kings rarely give up quality scoring chances. They are playing at a level were it's going to extremely difficult to beat them 4 out of 7 games.

BTW - I don't want you to think that I am against your claim...the Kings do look like the front-runner, right now. And, no doubt, it will be difficult for any team to waltz in and beat them. However, I do see them as "beatable" if one of the East teams can expose certain weaknesses. The way the 'Yotes beat them last night is the exact style of the Rangers. Physical play and tons of blocked shots. I think the Rangers are better at it then the 'Yotes. Plus, Hank is better then Smith. Marty is more experienced. But, the Rangers and Devils have their weaknesses too.

I think that Quick has been phenomenal but he has shown some weaknesses/flaws too. He is a terrible stick handler (known for quite some time), can struggle with rebounds (although, certainly improved this past season), plays (at times) too aggressive (a patient offense could expose this) and can be exposed high as he plays so low to the ground via his butterfly style. Not that different from Hank and his weakness (glove-side high). Then again, most Ranger's players couldn't hit water from the side of a boat so the last two weaknesses may be pointless to mention. lol

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Looks like US drew a tough pool. Though the Swiss (is that correct?) with Hiller in net showed some mettle in '10. Not too many cupcakes anymore I guess.

As a side note, yes, this is the preferred nomenclature.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Handbags!!

[cjonesfan921]

You figured this would happen eventually.

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[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Over/under on Torts' visit with the media tonight: 2 minutes.

[cjonesfan921]

Over/under on Torts' visit with the media tonight: 2 minutes.

Push!

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[cjonesfan921]

Game over, series tied.

Rangers have really outplayed the devils in 3 of the 12 periods, yet 2-2. Henrik has been insane.

Best of 3 now.

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[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

As much as Torts and some others like to downplay the fatigue factor, the Rangers have just looked gassed for much of this series. Pretty tough to play the max amount of games as a grind-it-out team that uses only 4 D-men.