The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I'll still take him over MAF.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I'm assuming DrJones is referring to high schools in Canada. High schools in most Canadian regions begin in grade 8 to grade 12.

When I went to school, junior high was 8-10 and senior high was 10-12. I think there are middle schools (6-8) up here now, though.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Anyone think either of the teams down 0-3 can come back?

Very doubtful, but I think both the Flyers and Kings would be wise to strike the deathblow ASAP. If the Canucks gained a little offensive confidence against Quick, if the Penguins decided that playing actual hockey was relevant to their interests, then who knows? There's so little difference between teams now that it's not the automatic death sentence it used to be.

Number of NHL teams down 0-3 to force a Game 7 between 1939 and 2009: 4
Number of NHL teams down 0-3 to force a Game 7 between 2010 and 2011: 3

[goh]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Pens? Nope. They can't seem to win at home against the Flyers. 1-9 now or something like that.
Canucks? Yes,just unlikely. Can't see Quick blowing 4 straight games. If he gets injured in the first period of the next game perhaps.

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Anyone think either of the teams down 0-3 can come back?

To answer my own question (even quoting it!), I think the Penguins are done and the Canucks can force a game 7.

If you would have told me before the playoffs started that the Pens and Canucks would be down 0-3, I probably would have answered exactly opposite. But having watched these series, the Penguins look totally lost and defeated, doing all sorts of things they don't usually do, and Marc-Andre Fleury just looks like a sieve right now. The Canucks are in every game until the end, they are just barely not good enough to win. A slight tilt of the tables from some unforseen event can shift that balance back toward Vancouver's way in a hurry.

BTW, neutral observers - if you haven't been that enthralled by the relatively tame Wings-Preds series, give it a chance if you are bored tomorrow night. I think it's going to be a dandy - Wings have to win to avoid the brink, and the Predators smell blood in the water. Brewing bad blood between the teams. Recipe for fireworks!

[Psyblast]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

To answer my own question (even quoting it!), I think the Penguins are done and the Canucks can force a game 7.

If you would have told me before the playoffs started that the Pens and Canucks would be down 0-3, I probably would have answered exactly opposite. But having watched these series, the Penguins look totally lost and defeated, doing all sorts of things they don't usually do, and Marc-Andre Fleury just looks like a sieve right now. The Canucks are in every game until the end, they are just barely not good enough to win. A slight tilt of the tables from some unforseen event can shift that balance back toward Vancouver's way in a hurry.

BTW, neutral observers - if you haven't been that enthralled by the relatively tame Wings-Preds series, give it a chance if you are bored tomorrow night. I think it's going to be a dandy - Wings have to win to avoid the brink, and the Predators smell blood in the water. Brewing bad blood between the teams. Recipe for fireworks!

Predators will win 4-1, Wings will roll over and die. It's over.

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Predators will win 4-1, Wings will roll over and die. It's over.

I secretly think that, but if they can come back tomorrow and win at the JLA, it's on. I still think it's a 6-game series at least.

[bcruise]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

West coast start times, oh how I loathe you.

Signed,

Disgruntled Central Time-zoner

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

West coast start times, oh how I loathe you.

Signed,

Disgruntled Central Time-zoner

I used to hate them as well. But now? Greatest. Thing. Ever.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Predators will win 4-1, Wings will roll over and die. It's over.

Ever the optimist!

[jyoung]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

NSH/DET is going at least 6 games, probably 7.

I don't expect much fighting or goonery in the series, even as the stakes increase and the teams grow more desperate.

NSH/DET are two of the most-disciplined teams in the league, and outside of Bertuzzi and Tootoo, there aren't really any tough guys or agitators on either roster looking to stir things up.

Tootoo may not even see the ice for Nashville considering he was a healthy scratch in games 1 and 2 and was mostly invisible other than the dumb roughing penalty he took early in game 3.

[RealmK]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Nice screen there Captain Planet, if you're going to block a shot block it, or get the hell out of the way. Not having warm fuzzies after that 1st period.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I used to hate them as well. But now? Greatest. Thing. Ever.

Agreed. Now that all the games are actually on TV? Give me a Sugar Free Red Bull in the morning and more hockey, please.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Lots of Boston fans in the house tonight.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Interesting note for game 4 of the Canucks/Kings series.

After originally not traveling with the team Daniel is now headed to LA and will begin skating with the team tomorrow (has apparently been skating a few days now and feeling better), so there's a chance he might be able to go in game 4.

That would be big for Vancouver obviously and who knows maybe it would have a similar spark for them in the way Dave Bolland returning for the Blackhawks last year when we were down 3-0, who knows but the Canucks definitely need something to light a fire under them.