The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

[Kobalt]

Vancouver over Chicago in 5, Not a believer in Chicago this year
Sharks over Kings in 6
Red Wings over Coyotes in 7
Ducks over Predators in 6

Capitals over Rangers in 6
Flyers over Sabres in 7
Bruins over Canadiens in 6
Lighting over Penguins in 7

[jyoung]

You guys should make your picks official in the playoff challenge thread.

The one x-factor in the Nashville/Anaheim series is that the Ducks' goalie, Jonas Hiller, is still dealing with vertigo and hasn't played much since the All-Star break. Last time Hiller played was actually against Nashville, and he got pulled after letting in 3 first period goals.

Anaheim's backup goalie, Dan Ellis, was also the Predators' starting goalie last season before Pekka Rinne became the #1 and ultimately TOOK ER DOOB in the off-season.

Intrigue!

[skydog71]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

Will the TSN games be shown on NHL Network or something?

I don't know... but this whole Versus thing is just silly. It's like they cherrypicked a couple of playoff games, threw the rest back at the NHL, and now nobody is really sure what channels are going to show the "reject" games. The NHL needs to find a partner that is willing to show ALL of the games. ESPN would be ideal, but if that doesn't work out, maybe something with CBS where they show some of the lesser games on one of their other channels like Tru. It shouldn't be that hard. If the rodeo associations and cheerleaders competitions can get TV deals, surely the NHL can find somebody who wants to show some PLAYOFF HOCKEY.

EDIT: It looks like our local 2nd tier cable channel (Sportsouth) is going to pick up the games for the Nashville area. So we won't be completely in the dark. Oh, and it appears that Versus and NBC will be showing at least 2 games from every series EXCEPT the Ducks-Preds...

OK I'll quit ranting. Feel much better now.

[TheMatrix31]

Hooray, nothing like watching your team's freakin' PLAYOFFS on an internet stream, at least the first two games.

[ImTellinTim]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

Hooray, nothing like watching your team's freakin' PLAYOFFS on an internet stream, at least the first two games.

Relatively no one watches playoff hockey outside the home markets. That's why there's no full playoff deal. It's unfortunate.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by skydog71

I don't know... but this whole Versus thing is just silly. It's like they cherrypicked a couple of playoff games, threw the rest back at the NHL, and now nobody is really sure what channels are going to show the "reject" games. The NHL needs to find a partner that is willing to show ALL of the games. ESPN would be ideal, but if that doesn't work out, maybe something with CBS where they show some of the lesser games on one of their other channels like Tru. It shouldn't be that hard. If the rodeo associations and cheerleaders competitions can get TV deals, surely the NHL can find somebody who wants to show some PLAYOFF HOCKEY. EDIT: It looks like our local 2nd tier cable channel (Sportsouth) is going to pick up the games for the Nashville area. So we won't be completely in the dark. Oh, and it appears that Versus and NBC will be showing at least 2 games from every series EXCEPT the Ducks-Preds... OK I'll quit ranting. Feel much better now.

This is the time of year I feel most sorry for my American brethren. Not showing every single minute of every single playoff game is a capital crime up here.

Although you guys do luck out in avoiding the Leafs-centic nonsense that CBC and TSN wallow in. Think FOX and ESPN's breathless coverage of all things Yankees and Red Sox rolled into one, only if they had the on-field success of the Pirates and Royals year after year.

Today's top story on TSN: "Phaneuf, Schenn, Reimer to represent Canada at World Championships next month!" Oh boy! Top hockey-related blurb in the headlines: "Wilson believes Maple Leafs close to being a contender!" Forgive me while I try to contain my excitement.

[TheMatrix31]

Quote: Originally Posted by ImTellinTim

Relatively no one watches playoff hockey outside the home markets. That's why there's no full playoff deal. It's unfortunate.

How could they possibly expect to grow the sport and the league?

[ImTellinTim]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

How could they possibly expect to grow the sport and the league?

Hockey will always be a niche sport. I think they've just accepted it. I don't like it, but it is what it is. I'm not gonna get all worked up about it.

I do feel for people in your situation, though. If the Wild were in, there is always somewhere around here that has a package with the Wild game even if FSN decided not to pick it up. It was quite a scramble to find a couple of those first round Wild/Ducks games a few years back.

If I were you, I'd start calling around to see if any establishments in your area have the full NHL package. They are allowed to show non-national games that are picked up by the regional or local stations. At least that's how it was a few years ago...