The Official NHL thread

[Shaynard]

Hockey!!

I made a decidsion not to watch and follow this year after years of close examination. I love the sport although I have never played it, as I can't skate. My problem is that I live near Toronto and Maple Leaf fans don't actually watch Hockey they watch leaf games... and the Leafs blow. yet they have the biggest most rabid fanbase in all of hockey. They even have thier own TV channel :rolleyes: Horrible team!


There are many GOOD teams in the NHL.. Some that are good every year. Like the Red Wings... Whats your fave and why?

[Maawdawg]

I am a Bruins fan, though I was originally a Whalers first/Bruins second fan. Cam Neely was far and away my favorite hockey player so I liked his team by virtue of that while Hartford was the local team. I got away from hockey after the team left Hartford and the Bruins ownership more or less told the fans they didn't care about them by penny pinching and putting an inferior product on the ice for a while. I am just coming back around to the NHL now after the lockout and all. I am not die-hard level again but if the Bruins make a Cup push in the playoffs I may end up hooked in all over again.

[Shaynard]

I started following and supporting the tampa bay Lightning when they entered the NHL. it was a couple years later they were worth watching. Vinny is one of my fave's.. Although most of thier appeal came from thier coach :D

I made about $400 the year they won the cup... I made a $100 bet 5 games into that season saying TB would win the Cup... they did :) They had won thier first 5 games by a score of approx. 5-1, the rest was a leap of faith. They made me proud beating out the Flames. Believe me, being Canadian and cheering against a Canadian team in the playoffs is like being a Witch in Salem... I actually recieved a beer bottle in the head one time for cheering the Penguins over the Leafs in a playoff game.. :rolleyes:

[PLOWKILL]

I stick with the Stars and the Wings....

[Laonar]

Pens, Caps and Sharks fan here. Ovechkin is probally the most exciting player to watch since Gretzky. The emotion he puts into the game is simply amazing and fascinating to watch.

[Nicholbert]

I do not care particularly for hockey, however I do pay attention and follow the Blues a little bit.

[Laonar]

Get out of our thread Nichol =p. I find a lot of people do not like the game due to not understanding the rules.

[Janot79]

I've been following hockey for almost 20 years. and i've been a fan of the devils since the beginning. No sport is as violent as hockey is. it is the greatest sport period.

[Maawdawg]

I think people miss out on some of the speed and how hard the hits are unless they have been to a game live though. You can't appreciate the impact of some of the collisions until you see how fast the players actually move on the ice. TV doesn't do it justice.

That said, there are plenty of sports more violent than hockey. Even if you only consider the "big 4 sports" in the US football is probably even more damaging and violent than hockey. There are some bigger hits on the ice but the continuous hitting on a football field all added together may be more. The only difference is they don't have sanctioned fighting in football. Look at old NFL players vs old NHL players and who looks like they took more damage by the way they move around? Most old NFL players bodies just fall apart from the beating they take.

[TonyOrtiz15]

Wings.

Detroit native. Lived around here my whole life. It's hard to live here and not be a Wings fan. Especially since they are really good in this generation.

[Shaynard]

I'm not sure why Hockey is viewed as violent anymore.. I understood when "enforcer's" had thier place in the league.. But with the rule changes a couple years ago.. the "violence" went away (for the most part) but the game is still physical.. I'd guess the average NHL player take fewer hit's in a game then your average football player. There was a special on A&E or Discovery that compared the actual impact of each sport.. I'll try and dig that up.

All that said, those sticks probably hurt a LOT, and players seem to be getting whacked all the time. When a player takes a puck to the face I cringe.

[Janot79]

I think people miss out on some of the speed and how hard the hits are unless they have been to a game live though. You can't appreciate the impact of some of the collisions until you see how fast the players actually move on the ice. TV doesn't do it justice.

That said, there are plenty of sports more violent than hockey. Even if you only consider the "big 4 sports" in the US football is probably even more damaging and violent than hockey. There are some bigger hits on the ice but the continuous hitting on a football field all added together may be more. The only difference is they don't have sanctioned fighting in football. Look at old NFL players vs old NHL players and who looks like they took more damage by the way they move around? Most old NFL players bodies just fall apart from the beating they take.

Well that being said. Your right there is probably a more dangerous sport than hockey. I'm just being a fanatic about the game. And while you are right about football being a dangerous sport. Think about it. how often do they play . once a week. How many games. bout 16 and that is if they don't make the playoffs.
Hockey players play 82 games. There are more injuries in hockey(that i've noticed). and football is full of baby players. I've seen hockey players that have played with an injury that would make a football player sit on the bench.

[Shaynard]

They used to, and some still do, keep track of Hits per Game in hockey.. That number is usually just into double digits. If you counted them in a football game, there would be that many on every play. Apples and oranges?

[TonyOrtiz15]

Football players don't get money if they don't play. They want to play hurt. The reason they ride the bench is because if they don't come back in top shape and perform, the team cuts them, and they don't have a contract at all. In the NHL and every other sport, you get your money if you get hurt or not. If the team cuts you, all your money is still paid out. The culture is tough in both sports. But, football is a different animal. I wouldn't call football players soft. There is a big difference in impact when getting hit by someone who is on foot as opposed to skates. Both sports are tough.

[Janot79]

i don't consider people blocking other people as a "hit". Yes i agree there are more hits in a football game than in 1 hockey game. Granted. But football players play once a week(or 2 times if they get a thursday or saturday game). If you add up all the times a hockey player gets slammed into boards, or smacked with a stick on his hands,. There are still enforcers in the game. Granted there aren't so many of them anymore, but that's because the game is faster than it was a few years ago.

[Janot79]

Football players don't get money if they don't play. They want to play hurt. The reason they ride the bench is because if they don't come back in top shape and perform, the team cuts them, and they don't have a contract at all. In the NHL and every other sport, you get your money if you get hurt or not. If the team cuts you, all your money is still paid out. The culture is tough in both sports. But, football is a different animal. I wouldn't call football players soft. There is a big difference in impact when getting hit by someone who is on foot as opposed to skates. Both sports are tough.

i don't know about that. I think that is retarded, not what you say but the fact that football players only get paid if they are playing. We all know that football is a violent sport, so why would owners not pay a person if they are injured and unable to play. That just sounds wrong to me.
I think you get more speed on skates then you can on foot. Although no matter whether you get hit while running or skating, it's still gonna hurt.

[Shaynard]

I have never played hockey.. I have played football.. and I concider blocking a hit.. If you don't believe me, put on a football helmet and run into a wall head first :D << not meant to be a rude as it may sound.

Boards have a lot of give to them. Simply observing the facial expressions of players bumped into the boards will say it must not hurt all that much.. The player is usually still focused on the puck at those moments. I am not saying that hockey is not physical and they player do not get hurt. Just that I think it's unfair to discredit football in defense of hockey when it comes to physical play.

[Laonar]

Believe me when I say, those boards are not forgiving. The glass moves the boards do not. It hurts. Also taking a puck in the ankle at 70+mph hurts like a son of a *****. As does taking one to the face. I think both are violent sports in their own way. Each sort of hit or slap, chop, bite whatever is unique to its sport.

[Shaynard]

Funny, I actually called a friend who is a NHL player after posting that. He said "the boards are not forgiving" but he went on to say that players rarely take the impact into the boards but rather the upper body into the glass, which does give (early defensive training?) and that your legs and hips take the beating not the upper body which is why they don't react much to it.

He went on to talk about the pucks and sticks causing much more injury than body to body play.

[SuperJay]

Wings.

Detroit native. Lived around here my whole life. It's hard to live here and not be a Wings fan. Especially since they are really good in this generation.

Damn man, sounds like we're neighbors of a sort. I'm in A2, my brother and sis-in-law are in Warren, though he works in Farmington. What about you?

And hell yeah, Red Wings for LIFE!! I already posted one oversized winged wheel on the forums today..

As for favorite player... probably all-time favorite for me is Stevie Y. Nobody can touch that guy, in my book. He's so much more than his stats or his records, just an amazingly talented athlete and leader who somehow always stayed humble.

Current lineup favorite is Nicklas Lidstrom, who's kind of cut from the same cloth that Stevie was and took over as captain when Yzerman retired. But we've got so many great players - Hossa, Z, Datsyuk, Franzen, etc - it's hard to have just one favorite. Great time to be a Wings fan. :) (BTW, that 4-0 win over the Jackets yesterday? Sweet justice.)

[ZIPGUN]

Lets Go Flyers!
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Lets Go Flyers!
Clap! Clap! Clap!

[Icarus 413]

New Jersey Devils FTW.

Best goalie EVER Martin Broduer. My favorite athelete of all time.

Maple Leafs are a joke. I went to see a Devils game one time and a Leafs fan sat next to me. Die hard Canadian. He was talking **** the whole game, but I didn't mind because the Devils were smoking them.

I would just yell extra loud and in his direction everytime they scored.

So the game ends, Devils win, and the guy stands up and keeps talking sh*t.

The next comment he made really made me laugh, "Oh shut up, your whole team is Canadian anyways, get over yourselves."

So I looked at him, laughed at him, and told him he was the biggest joke ever because the Devils have (at the time, and I still think do) the most Americans on their team in the whole NHL.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against Canadians. As said, my favorite player, Broduer, is Canadian.

But that guy was a moron and I just hate ignorant f*cks.

[laxfish76]

Little off topic, I believe I am the only Canadian that wants hockey to die. :o

Anyways, I used to like the Leafs, but then they started sucking.

If I would have to pick a team, I would say Calgary. But, then again, I hate hockey, so screw em all! :p

//Lax

[Shaynard]

The Leafs had a decent team in '94 :rolleyes: other than that they deserve the nicname Maple Laffs.

People in toronto talk like every other team sucks... Even when a team as great as Detroit or NJ come to play the Leafs, fans will say mindless crap like "Oh Tucker is better than Lindstrom"... Thats how blind they are. Gretzky said "People in Toronto believe in family, thier Church and thier Leafs' .. sad but true.. Most are completely oblivious to the goings on in the league unless it directly effects TO.. of course this is not ALL the fans.. but unfortunatly most of them.

Marty Broduer is the man!!! Dude won a Stanley Cup while going through a divorce because his wife was cheating on him during the previous playoffs... thats testicular fortitude!

[ZIPGUN]

The Leafs had a decent team in '94 :rolleyes: other than that they deserve the nicname Maple Laffs.

People in toronto talk like every other team sucks... Even when a team as great as Detroit or NJ come to play the Leafs, fans will say mindless crap like "Oh Tucker is better than Lindstrom"... Thats how blind they are. Gretzky said "People in Toronto believe in family, thier Church and thier Leafs' .. sad but true.. Most are completely oblivious to the goings on in the league unless it directly effects TO.. of course this is not ALL the fans.. but unfortunatly most of them.

Marty Broduer is the man!!! Dude won a Stanley Cup while going through a divorce because his wife was cheating on him during the previous playoffs... thats testicular fortitude!


You forgot 92' they lost to the Kings with the great one who than lost to the Canadian's with John LeClair and Eric of the Garden. lol I'm old.

[Shaynard]

You forgot 92' they lost to the Kings with the great one who than lost to the Canadian's with John LeClair and Eric of the Garden. lol I'm old.

I thought that was '94... either way thats the team I meant.. lol

EDIT: it was the '92-'93 season we mean..

[ZIPGUN]

Yes that is the 92'-93' season and Doug Weight scored a breakaway goal to go a head only to have the geart one score two more to send the King's to the finals for the first time ever. John and Eric became Flyers the year after winning the cup with the Canadian's.

[Shaynard]

We in Toronto actually had a reason to be proud of that team.. Losing to Wayne isn't that bad.. .lol

[ZIPGUN]

Damn I wrote Doug Weight when I meant Doug Gilmour. Gilmour was very good that playoffs.

[SuperJay]

Hats off to the Flyers, they almost had Detroit on the ropes in the 3rd last night. Thank god Franzen and Z got those 2 goals past Martin Birion, and only 1:30 apart no less. HAWT.

Turns out it was Kris Draper's 1000th game, nice way to hit a big milestone. I think Gordie, Lidstrom, and Stevie are the only others to hit the 1k mark with the Wings.

[ZIPGUN]

Hats off to the Flyers, they almost had Detroit on the ropes in the 3rd last night. Thank god Franzen and Z got those 2 goals past Martin Birion, and only 1:30 apart no less. HAWT.

Turns out it was Kris Draper's 1000th game, nice way to hit a big milestone. I think Gordie, Lidstrom, and Stevie are the only others to hit the 1k mark with the Wings.

Ya its a shame they could not pull it off. I just got to say I hate "VS" coverage.

[Maawdawg]

I am surprised no one commented on Brodeur breaking Roy's record. Talk about a stable force in goal. Too bad goalies like them are so few and far between.

[Icarus 413]

I am surprised no one commented on Brodeur breaking Roy's record. Talk about a stable force in goal. Too bad goalies like them are so few and far between.

His first game back after being injured was his 99th shutout :)

[ZIPGUN]

I am surprised no one commented on Brodeur breaking Roy's record. Talk about a stable force in goal. Too bad goalies like them are so few and far between.

Very Very good puck stopper. I`m only a fan of what he has done not so much him. I feel a little like Patrick Roy "Its not like I call him ever other week to see how he's doing but if I see him I ask how thing are." lol I laughed my *** off when he said that. I doubt Roy see's him but one or two times a year if that.

[Janot79]

Just incase no one knew it but Patrik Elias also broke the NJ Devil's points record. While it is not as big as Brodeur breaking the NHL alltime wins record by a goalie it is still an accomplishment given that the devils are not known for their offense.
And Brodeur is going to break just about every record a goalie can obtain, Shutouts. I was watching ESPN and was appalled to see that they don't consider him to be the best goalie out there. GIVE ME A BREAK, this guy played on a defensive team. He has won over 250 games by a goal. How many goalies out there can claim that? Not many.

[Icarus 413]

Don't forget that he himself does have 2 goals :p

[SuperJay]

Yeah, Brodeur deserves mad props. /highfive

Plus, Patrick Roy is a *****.

[Shaynard]

Yeah, Brodeur deserves mad props. /highfive

Plus, Patrick Roy is a *****.

I second, third and forth this statement..

[Icarus 413]

Yeah, Brodeur deserves mad props. /highfive

Plus, Patrick Roy is a *****.

I'll fifth and sixth it.

[ZIPGUN]

Flyers vs Devils tonight. The battle of PA. and NJ should be good.

Lets Go Flyers!
Clap,Clap,Clap-Clap-Clap!
Lets Go Flyers!

[Maawdawg]

The Bruins clinched the Northeast for the first time in a while. Now if they can just get through the playoffs without losing to Montreal like they have a habit of doing I can be happy. I am fine with them not winning a cup and bowing out of the playoffs when they roll around. I just dont' want them to lose to Montreal any more.

[ZIPGUN]

If Montreal makes it there slipping bad I think there in 8th now.

[Maawdawg]

yeah, them in 8th and Boston in 1st. So a first round match-up against the team that always seems to put them out. :(

Hopefully Florida passes into 8th. They can lose in a 1 v 8 upset and I will be ok with it. Just not a 1 v 8 against Montreal. That would be a double whammy.

[Janot79]

Yeah i'm interested to see how Brodeur is gonna fare tonight, given that he just launched a massive turd yesterday against the bruins. He was off his game, actually the whole team was off their game. they will rebound tonight. Flyers don't have anyone i'm concerned with

[Maawdawg]

Yeah, considering the Bruins had as many goals against him as his own temmates did last night. That was a weird night for him.

[ZIPGUN]

yeah, them in 8th and Boston in 1st. So a first round match-up against the team that always seems to put them out. :(

Hopefully Florida passes into 8th. They can lose in a 1 v 8 upset and I will be ok with it. Just not a 1 v 8 against Montreal. That would be a double whammy.

I hope they slide out of the playoffs as well.


Yeah i'm interested to see how Brodeur is gonna fare tonight, given that he just launched a massive turd yesterday against the bruins. He was off his game, actually the whole team was off their game. they will rebound tonight. Flyers don't have anyone i'm concerned with

You may want to concern yourself with the whole team thats how they roll as a team. Mike Richards is the best young captain in the game. IMO

[Janot79]

that first goal hurt, going right off of paul martins skate. I really hate those types of goals. it's such a luck thing it's just bad..I saw a game where, i don't remember the teams involved, one team was going on a power play and the goalie left the net for an extra skater. the team on the PP was in their zone and were getting ready to take it out when the defenseman on the PP team flicked the puck up, btw they had six skaters on the ice because the other team hadn't touched the puck yet, well either way it bounced off of the guy who commited the penalty and went right into the net. Scoring a shorthanded goal in a way. isn't that funny?

[ZIPGUN]

Now that was a battle. Great Game.

Lets Go Flyers!

[Janot79]

damn flyers

[ZIPGUN]

Lets hope they meet in the conference finals and then we will really have something to talk about. Flyers vs. Devils for who will play for Lord Stanley's Cup.

[SuperJay]

NHL Conference Quarterfinals start tonight!!

GO WINGS! :D


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_HeUY-A2efl4/SESKJrmH9nI/AAAAAAAABUU/B5v5yigoMPg/s400/300px-Detroit_Red_Wings_logo.svg.png

[Maawdawg]

Bruins v Habs, again. :( I hate watching those 2 play, I would have been much more comfortable with any other first round matchup. I think the Bruins are the much better team this year but rivalries have a way of tipping the balance sometimes.

[SuperJay]

I actually thought you'd like having the Bruins confront the Habs - what is it about their rivalry that you don't enjoy? (I'm not familiar with the history b/w Boston and Montreal.)

And yeah, obviously Boston is playing exceptionally well this season and are probably favored heavily, since the Canadiens came limping into the playoffs anyway... but strange things happen in the post-season.

I'm really hoping for a quick, easy series against Columbus. It really depends how hard Detroit plays in the early games... if we can get the momentum, keep our goaltender's head from imploding, and force the Jackets into taking some heavy penalties, they're done for. But if we spend too much time on the penalty kill ourselves or if Osgood comes out shaky in the beginning, we could easily have issues. The Wings can be wonderfully unpredictable at times. :p

[Maawdawg]

I actually thought you'd like having the Bruins confront the Habs - what is it about their rivalry that you don't enjoy? (I'm not familiar with the history b/w Boston and Montreal.)


check this out
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hockey_League_rivalries#Bruins-Canadiens_rivalry

"In the 1950s, the Canadiens would defeat the Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals three times."

"In 1971, despite the Bruins finishing first in the league and shattering many NHL scoring records, they lost in the first round to the Canadiens in seven games."

"...lost to the Habs in both the 1977 and 1978 Stanley Cup finals."

"the Canadiens defeated the Bruins in the first round of both the 2002 and the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, despite the Bruins being seeded higher."

Last year they also took out the bruins in 7 games in their series. The bruins fought all the way to a game 7, then lost 5-0. I would just rather play against someone else. I am fine if they don't win the Cup. They can lose to anyone else, just not Montreal. Every Bruins fan has seen enough of the Bruins losing to the Habs in their lifetime.

[SuperJay]

Every Bruins fan has seen enough of the Bruins losing to the Habs in their lifetime.

Haha, well from the looks of it (knock on wood) the Bruins fans won't have to put up with that this time around. I'm dying to see them sweep the Habs at home tonight. It'd be great to shut those Habs fans up for good.

(Had to laugh at Bob Gainey admonishing Montreal for booing during the American national anthem. Tim Thomas' remarks after hearing about Gainey's statements were hilarious, too... effectively saying "we expect that kind of thing when we play here." LOL)

[Shaynard]

I really dislike seeing the American National Anthem boo'd at Hockey games in Canada. It's actually pretty hypocritical of them when they examine thier "reasons". Some view it as "all in good fun".. I disagree, and find it distasteful. I have seen it happen at Toronto Raptor's games too, so it's not just hockey. I don't think it's safe to say American's don't do it as well.. but I definitely don't notice it as much.

Go Bruins Go!.. you are a better HOCKEY TEAM this year.

[SuperJay]

That's interesting Shane - I don't think I've heard "O Canada" booed at an NHL game in America, certainly not at any of Detroit's games I've seen at the Joe. That may be b/c we're an Original Six team, and have more respect for the history and tradition of hockey than other American franchises.

Also, people have more of a reason to boo the American anthem than the Canadian one, that's a given. Canada doesn't randomly invade other countries to "rescue" them while simultaneously giving the finger to every other nation in the world. :(

The booing at the Montreal home game did strike me as a little tacky and childish, but whatever. Hockey's practically a religion up there, and the fervent support of their beloved Habs is understandable, if a little misdirected in this particular case.

In other news, my Red Wings ruined the Jackets' home playoff debut last night. Awww. ;)

[Shaynard]

yeah i was saing it's not safe to say just incase.. i have never heard American fans boo a Canadian team. Aside from the Playoffs with Tampa Bay VS Calgary, but Calgary boo'd first and Tampa's were clearly to make fun of the Calgary crowd.

If it was about the team (Bruins) then they can boo the team while they are being announced. Doing it during the anthem is just disrespectful.

Also.. I doubt Detroit fans would boo anyone.. They are always happy as they always have a good team. Also they have some of the very best fans in Hockey. Always respectful. I noticed them cheer teams that beat their hometeam when they've done well.

[Janot79]

Let's go devils

[SuperJay]

Big ups to the Bruins, awesome shutout in Montreal last night! /highfive Maawdawg

Poor Carey Price, he's had a rough time but it's probably all good experience to get under you belt. WTF is it with that Montreal crowd?? Booing your own team, taunting your own goalie at a home game in the playoffs?? At least they did applaud the Habs players after the game ended, but IMO that doesn't really make up for getting under your own goalie's skin in the middle of a playoff game.

Can't wait for the Red Wings game tonight... another away-game sweep? We shall see.. :D

[Maawdawg]

It was nice to see the sweep completed and not have the series drag on. First and foremost just to put the Habs away, but secondly the Playoff games pre-empt the Red Sox games on my cable. Now that there is no games 5,6,7 I will get baseball games those nights.

I am not sure what was up with the crowd last night. They were really rough on Montreal. It couldn't have helped to have Ryder go for 2G 1A (and 4 G in the series) when they basically cast him off. Having Claude Julien be the one that made this team into what it is right now on the ice after they bounced him a few years back probably added to the frustration as well.

As a B's fan it is definitely nice to have a playoff series win after 10 years of drought. The other teams had their share of highs through the past decade but the Bruins have been the odd man out. Between the Pats, Sawx, and Celtics there have been plenty of titles in Boston in the past decade it would be nice to see the Bruins get one for themselves. The only Championship happiness Bruins fans have had in a long time was when we watched one of our best players ever go to Colorado and finally win one (Bourque).

[SuperJay]

Sorry, Columbus fans :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Broom_icon.svg/400px-Broom_icon.svg.png

[MADDGOAT]

St. Louis Blues... Yeah... But, we actually made the playoffs this season! ... Briefly...

[ZIPGUN]

Here's to hoping the flyers can make it a 1 game series with Pitt.

Here we go Flyers Here we go!!!

[Admin]

Go Pens!

that is all

-Admin

[Warblade]

Go Pens!

that is all

-Admin

I live in Pttsburgh and Phili just got shut down. We had a 5 goal winning streak. Come back come back come back. Fleury is a beast!

[ZIPGUN]

I live in Pttsburgh and Phili just got shut down. We had a 5 goal winning streak. Come back come back come back. Fleury is a beast!

OK OK, Damn flyers how do you blow that lead. All the problems started when we traded Upshall for that meat head Carcillo.

[Warblade]

OK OK, Damn flyers how do you blow that lead. All the problems started when we traded Upshall for that meat head Carcillo.

as much as our rivalry burns them, that was pretty bad. 3-0? Stats show that its imposible to come back from that

[ZIPGUN]

as much as our rivalry burns them, that was pretty bad. 3-0? Stats show that its imposible to come back from that

Yep. Weak.

[SuperJay]

So in the Western conference, the next round is set: Detroit Red Wings vs. Anahiem Ducks, Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks.

Will the Ducks remain Mighty when confronted by the Winged Wheel? DUN DUN DUNNN :o (God I hope the Wings come out strong...)

In the East, it’s all still up in the air since two of the four series are tied 3-3. Boston and Pittsburgh are advancing to Round 2, and the two Games 7 tonight will resolve the matchups.

It looks like the Bruins will play one of the following:

1. NY Rangers (if they beat Wash. Capitals)
2. Carolina Hurricanes (if they beat Jersey Devils)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (if both the Rangers and the ‘Canes lose Game 7)

Basically the only thing we know for sure is that Boston won’t play the Caps or Devils. LOL

[Janot79]

So in the Western conference, the next round is set: Detroit Red Wings vs. Anahiem Ducks, Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks.

Will the Ducks remain Mighty when confronted by the Winged Wheel? DUN DUN DUNNN :o (God I hope the Wings come out strong...)

In the East, it’s all still up in the air since two of the four series are tied 3-3. Boston and Pittsburgh are advancing to Round 2, and the two Games 7 tonight will resolve the matchups.

It looks like the Bruins will play one of the following:

1. NY Rangers (if they beat Wash. Capitals)
2. Carolina Hurricanes (if they beat Jersey Devils)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (if both the Rangers and the ‘Canes lose Game 7)

Basically the only thing we know for sure is that Boston won’t play the Caps or Devils. LOL

I'm happy that the bruins will not be playing the Devils. The Bruins are beasts this year.
On that note. I'm confident the Devil's will get their heads outta the butts this game. They need to get back to playing the way they did in game 5 if they want to bet the 'canes

[SuperJay]

Alllllrighty, Round 1 is officially complete - condolences to the Rangers and Devils fans in the audience, better luck next year. :(

Western Conference
Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks (starts Friday 7pm EDT)
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (starts Thursday 9pm)

Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes (starts Friday 7:30pm)
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (starts Saturday 1pm)

[Janot79]

Alllllrighty, Round 1 is officially complete - condolences to the Rangers and Devils fans in the audience, better luck next year. :(

Western Conference
Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks (starts Friday 7pm EDT)
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (starts Thursday 9pm)

Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes (starts Friday 7:30pm)
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (starts Saturday 1pm)

I'm so upset. Considering the Devil's had that game won. How do you let a game with only a minute and a half slip through your fingers. That was some sloppy playing with that much time left. That puck should've been cleared on that game tying goal. Kudos to the Canes for getting it done, they showed up in game 7 so i gotta hand it to them.. they came from behind and didn't lose their composure. I'm still upset, but hey things happen. We'll see what happens next year. Rangers Suck

BTW thanks for keeping us posted on the happening in the NHL playoffs. Nice work with that and all. Please Continue to post on the playoffs. I would be grateful for any info.

[Shikamaru07]

I'm so upset. Considering the Devil's had that game won. How do you let a game with only a minute and a half slip through your fingers. That was some sloppy playing with that much time left. That puck should've been cleared on that game tying goal. Kudos to the Canes for getting it done, they showed up in game 7 so i gotta hand it to them.. they came from behind and didn't lose their composure. I'm still upset, but hey things happen. We'll see what happens next year. Rangers Suck

BTW thanks for keeping us posted on the happening in the NHL playoffs. Nice work with that and all. Please Continue to post on the playoffs. I would be grateful for any info.

i hate hockey

[Janot79]

Your so dumb shika, it makes me LOL

what's with the new sig...have you been playing portal??

[Maawdawg]

i hate hockey

I don't really see how that is a necessary post in an NHL playoffs thread. Just don't click it.

[Janot79]

I don't really see how that is a necessary post in an NHL playoffs thread. Just don't click it.

Hey maaw, it's that me and him have been talking about hockey on xboxlive and i guess he saw that i had posted here, he was being silly with me. I don't think he was trying to be an a** with the rest of the people, just me.

It's cool though, no need to punish him.

[Maawdawg]

Oh, I am not going to punish him or anything. I was just trying to make a point that not everything needs a reply.

[Shikamaru07]

I don't really see how that is a necessary post in an NHL playoffs thread. Just don't click it.

im just playin i like the redwings a lil

i was just busting Janots balls

[Janot79]

Stop lying shika, you don't know anything about hockey. Just like my mom, she says she is a huge rangers fan but can't name 3 people on the team. How can you be a fan of a team and not know who plays on the damned team?? I can understand if you don't know a couple of players

[Shikamaru07]

Stop lying shika, you don't know anything about hockey. Just like my mom, she says she is a huge rangers fan but can't name 3 people on the team. How can you be a fan of a team and not know who plays on the damned team?? I can understand if you don't know a couple of players

i saw 5 games and it was kinda cool

and i played blades of steel alot on Nintendo

[Janot79]

Well never mind what i said earlier then YOU ARE A HOCKEY FAN (not)

[SuperJay]

I'm so upset. Considering the Devil's had that game won. How do you let a game with only a minute and a half slip through your fingers. That was some sloppy playing with that much time left. That puck should've been cleared on that game tying goal. Kudos to the Canes for getting it done, they showed up in game 7 so i gotta hand it to them.. they came from behind and didn't lose their composure. I'm still upset, but hey things happen. We'll see what happens next year. Rangers Suck

Yeah, that's a really bitter pill for the Devils to swallow. You could tell they were just stunned after the game, still in disbelief, not quite sure how the hell 48 seconds changed their whole season. Gotta hand it to the Canes though, you're right - they came ready to play and weren't giving up easily. This is one of the reasons I love playoff hockey, though - one team gets complacent for even 2 minutes, and everything can change in no time.


BTW thanks for keeping us posted on the happening in the NHL playoffs. Nice work with that and all. Please Continue to post on the playoffs. I would be grateful for any info.

Really? Right on, will do then. I was hoping it would help some peeps catch up or keep up to date. I'm NHL.com every day looking at the recaps and matchups and stuff, so I'll keep reporting back. :)

[Janot79]

Sweet. I've been having some difficulty keeping up with every game that's been happening in NHL. Mainly because some of the game's that i would want to watch happen to be on at the same time as the NY Mets play.(if you don't like them please don't comment). But i've been keeping up pretty well. just was unsure what's been going on with the rest of the league. i will be checking here almost everyday to find out how the pens and bruins are doing.

[SuperJay]

ALRIGHTY, after some neglect the poor thread deserves an update.

2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, round 2 (Conference Semi-Finals)

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks (series tied 2-2, next game Sunday in DET, 5:30pm ET)
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (series tied 2-2, next game Saturday in VAN, 10:30pm ET)
Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Canes lead series 2-1, next game in CAR tonight [Friday] 7:30pm ET)
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Caps lead series 2-1, next game in PIT tonight [Friday] 7pm ET)

[Entervalhalla]

Diehard Redwings Fan here....great win last night but sunday will be a huge game at the Joe.

Wings in 6!

[SuperJay]

GREAT game last night for the Wings!! Defeated Anaheim 4-1, the poor Ducks looked like a totally different team than they were in game 2. I think they only had 3 shots on goal the entire 3rd period? Something like that. Gotta love Johan Franzen!

Will be a very tough matchup on Tuesday, with the Ducks on the ropes... hopefully the Wings can stay strong and finish this out with a big win.

[Maawdawg]

The Bruins actually played well last night. I really hope there is a big suspension out today after in the last 4 minutes of a game one of the Carolina Zombie-Whalers (Walker) skated over and sucker punched Aaron Ward in the eye while he was jawing with another player and broke his orbital bone.

Down 4-0 in a game and doing something like to take out another player that is complete BS. Lucic is going to kill someone in the first few minutes of the next game, guaranteed.

[Entervalhalla]

GREAT game last night for the Wings!! Defeated Anaheim 4-1, the poor Ducks looked like a totally different team than they were in game 2. I think they only had 3 shots on goal the entire 3rd period? Something like that. Gotta love Johan Franzen!

Will be a very tough matchup on Tuesday, with the Ducks on the ropes... hopefully the Wings can stay strong and finish this out with a big win.



I am sure the Ducks will come out strong at home but hopefully like you said the Wings will stay strong and close it out....really don't want a game 7. Franzen has been amazing in the playoff last year and now again this year....Go Mule!


I am still very surprised the Bruins are down....nice 4-0 win but still need two more.

[Maawdawg]

No suspension, I am not amused. Anyone with a brain in their head could see that was a cheap shot. He came up dropped gloves and punched him in the eye while he was standing still with his hands down and gloves still on concentrating on another player. Bush league move.

I don't see how the league overturns the on ice call of instigation that was obviously right.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2009/news?id=4158572

[SuperJay]

Man, that's pretty lame. I'll have to watch the video footage, but it seems that the Canes are trying to say that Ward was talking smack but deliberately hed his hands at his sides with his gloves on, trying to draw a penalty on Walker? Seems a bit far-fetched to me. After Lucic got suspended for a lesser offense in the Montreal series, you'd think the officials would try and at least be consistent.

EDIT: Good news at least, Ward is back in for tonight: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=422500

...And Walker is supposedly sorry: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=422505

[Maawdawg]

The thing that irritates me most is the fact that they put the rule in the book this year to eliminate the message sending and cheap shots in the last 5 minutes. If you get an instigator penalty in the final 5 minutes it is an automatic suspension for the next game. Why put in a rule if you are going to overturn it as soon as you have it come up in a playoff game, especially in an egregious case like this.

Thornton will probably be all over Walker early. I doubt they will waste Lucic on a fight early.

[Shaynard]

but it seems that the Canes are trying to say that Ward was talking smack but deliberately hed his hands at his sides with his gloves on, trying to draw a penalty on Walker? [/URL]

This does happen.. and often since the rules changed. lame is an undestatement.. lol.. but this is what exists now that "enforcers" are obsolete.

[Maawdawg]

It does happen now, but in this case Walker was the 3rd man in and Ward wasn't even looking at him until Walker had already dropped gloves and started swinging basically. He certainly wasn't starting anything with Walker. Walker skated over and started swinging, how is that not worthy of the suspension for instigating in the final 5? Between that and the slash on Chara earlier in the game it was a pretty sleazy game on Carolina's (the Zombie Whalers) part.

[SuperJay]

Yeah, it would have been bad enough if it wasn't called on the ice (though hard to imagine how refs would've missed that)... but to have the on-ice call overturned later in meetings with the league, that's way worse.

The poetic justice may be that despite the NHL's decision, Walker is still getting some pretty bad press. If you read that "sorry" article I linked above, he's already making comments about not wanting his career to be defined by one punch. I think he realized that regardless of the ruling, the court of public opinion may find him guilty as charged.

EDIT: Regarding Shane's point with enforcers - you're right, this is the problem with the rule changes regarding instigators and such. Players will always find ways to send messages, and teams will always find ways to justify them doing so. I can see the intent behind the new rules, but in this situation, they aren't working.

[Shaynard]

Players will always find ways to send messages, and teams will always find ways to justify them doing so. I can see the intent behind the new rules, but in this situation, they aren't working.

That is all I intended to say for sure. Each situation is unique. I understand why fighting happens in Hockey but I really don't like it. I am glad to see enforcers gone, however there is a downside. Regardless, YES they should have suspended him.. Albeit situations need to be viewed individually they must do so in light of previous decidsions right or wrong. Suspending one guy for THIS and not another, sends a mixed messege. The NHL has never really been very good at dealing with those kinds of problems. There must be a significant amount of behind the scenes favortisim in place.. That is not just me talking from my butt either.;)

The new rules have great intent.. they need further review I can only hope they are receive.. I havn't watched hockey this season for a reason... Hopefully the summer meetings will be fruitfull :)

[SuperJay]

I understand getting the rules in place to discipline players for fighting when the situation merits some kind of punishment, but yeah, being inconsistent in enforcing those rules doesn't help. But it's got to be hard to officiate in any game, let alone a charged playoff matchup.

Personally, I support fighting in hockey, somewhat limited for reasons of safety but I don't want to see it eliminated altogether. It's not only part of the tradition but part of the overall fabric of the game. Don Cherry isn't the best resource to cite, but he actually makes a very good point in defending the role of the enforcer - that smaller guys (relatively speaking) like Gretzky cannot be protected from dirty hits if there isn't the implicit threat of a teammate playing that enforcer role. Remove that role, and some of the best players who happen to be lightweight guys can be exposed to underhanded attempts to knock them off the roster. I make no claims as to the soundness of his logic, but I can see the point.

[Shaynard]

Something I have come to accept is that I am part of a minority being a non-fan of fighting in Hockey... I understand and respect both opinions for all their very valid points.

Gretzky needs the room to be himself without fear of cheap shots and subsequent injury. make sense to me. Also that players become heated and that turns to violence.. My problem is with that human trait not with the sport obviously. I am over it... lol

In game officiating is one thing.. yes they are going to miss things.. Which is why we review film now... It's those reviews that are inconsistant, which doesn't make sense.

[SuperJay]

Most of the good ideas in human history started off appealing to a minority of people, so I wouldn't say being in the majority is necessarily a good thing. :)

And yeah, it definitely gets out of hand, and allowing for any 'legal' fighting means that the harmful shots or bad fights are that much harder to prevent. Like you said, I can see it both ways. I just don't want to see fighting disappear altogether, but if it did, it wouldn't ruin the game for me. I love hockey because of the speed, fluidity, and intelligence of the game, not because the players punch each other sometimes.

Anyway, big ups to the Bruins for a huge win on the road last night, and COME ON RED WINGS!! I'm starting to really wish for bad things to happen to Jonas Hiller. :(

[Entervalhalla]

Damn them Ducks!


game 7 = stressed watching a game..lol

[SuperJay]

HELL YEAH!! GO WINGS!!

On to Chicago! Sorry Ducks and Anaheim fans... but great series, they played hard and gave it everything, could've easily gone either way.

But a moment of silence for Timmy and the Bruins... *pours out a 40oz*

[Entervalhalla]

Nice 1st game to start the series. Detroit is playing so well but still think it will probably go 6 games.

[SuperJay]

Definitely, at least six games, possibly seven. Depends - you know Chicago is going to step up their game tonight and play harder. Detroit needs to do the same, avoid the turnovers it had in game 1 and keep the pressure on Bulin. If our forwards can continue that strong backchecking and the D stays tight on Kane and Toews, we have a good shot at beating them again tonight. I think it's going to be a tough series, though.

[Entervalhalla]

Another sweet win last night in OT....Redwings and getting such huge goal production from there role players (Cleary, Samuelsson, Hudler)..if a team shuts down the big boys (Dats, Zett, Frazen, Hossa) the others seem to step it up and deliver.

[SuperJay]

Yeah man, I'm loving Dan Cleary in these playoffs. That dude has totally risen to the challenge. The big story for the Wings right now is all about their depth, and folks like Cleary and Samuelsson exemplify that. Given that those guys are hot right now and Franzen's on a streak himself, it'll be great when Z, Hossa, and Pavs get fired up. (I'm beginning to wonder if Datsyuk is playing with an injury or something, he just doesn't seem his usual fluid wonderboy self.)

While it was a big win last night, it wasn't a decisive victory - the Hawks more or less outplayed us for the majority of the game. If they hadn't made a few critical mistakes and given up key turnovers (for Cleary's breakaway and the 3-on-1 rush that gave Sammy the gamewinner in OT), we'd likely be 1-1 in the series now.

So I still think it's gonna be a tough time for the Wings - any team that can take you to overtime in your own house is a challenge - but going up 2-0 as we head to Chicago is a huge help. Something like 85% of the teams that take the first 2 games in a series go on to win that series, so here's hoping we'll keep playing strong - limiting their offense, pressuring their defense, and controlling the neutral zone to minimize their transition game. The Hawks aren't going to keep making the mistakes they did last night.

[Entervalhalla]

Yeah man, I'm loving Dan Cleary in these playoffs. That dude has totally risen to the challenge. The big story for the Wings right now is all about their depth, and folks like Cleary and Samuelsson exemplify that. Given that those guys are hot right now and Franzen's on a streak himself, it'll be great when Z, Hossa, and Pavs get fired up. (I'm beginning to wonder if Datsyuk is playing with an injury or something, he just doesn't seem his usual fluid wonderboy self.)

While it was a big win last night, it wasn't a decisive victory - the Hawks more or less outplayed us for the majority of the game. If they hadn't made a few critical mistakes and given up key turnovers (for Cleary's breakaway and the 3-on-1 rush that gave Sammy the gamewinner in OT), we'd likely be 1-1 in the series now.

So I still think it's gonna be a tough time for the Wings - any team that can take you to overtime in your own house is a challenge - but going up 2-0 as we head to Chicago is a huge help. Something like 85% of the teams that take the first 2 games in a series go on to win that series, so here's hoping we'll keep playing strong - limiting their offense, pressuring their defense, and controlling the neutral zone to minimize their transition game. The Hawks aren't going to keep making the mistakes they did last night.


Well said Superjay. It going to be tough but the Wings are definitely putting to pressure on the Hawks to push a little more since they are down 2-0. All we need to do is steal one of the next two games.

[SuperJay]

For those that missed the Red Wings - Blackhawks game in Chicago on Sunday, it was a doozie. Wings put up a dominating 6-1 win, and the Hawks had a "meltdown", in the words of Doc Emrick. They just couldn't seem to get focused and just play - lots of chirping throughout the latter two periods, lots of penalties (I think Eager got two 10-min misconducts in the same game), just clearly their heads weren't in the right place. Quenneville completely lost his composure in the first period, screaming at one of the refs (and got fined $10,000 for post-game comments about the officiating), and his team seemed to emulate that behavior for the rest of the game. As Mickey Redmond put it, "The average age of the Blackhawks is 23 years old. They're the youngest team in the NHL, and tonight, they acted their age."

Obviously as a Wings fan I'm happy to see my team destroy any opponent in the playoffs, especially in a road game that puts us up 3-1 coming back to the Joe. But that said, it was sort of sad to see so much emotion wrecking the Hawks ability to play. They're a great team with a ton of potential, and hopefully next time around those players - and their coach - will learn to be a bit more professional.

[Entervalhalla]

Hoping we can close it out at the Joe. They played so well the last game despite not having a couple key players. (Nick L. and Dats)

[SuperJay]

Yeah, the showing from across all four lines was really strong, despite the absences. I'm worried for Nik though... the dude never misses even a practice, let alone a game... let alone a conference finals playoff game. It's just weird to have this injury kind of materialize out of nowhere, and I don't think he skated in yesterday's practice either. Crossing my fingers that we have him back in Game 5 tomorrow, I think we'll need him.

[SuperJay]

HELL YEAH!! GO WINGS!!

:D;):):cool:

On to the Finals, care to hazard any predictions as to number of games, standout players, final result?

[Entervalhalla]

:D;):):cool:

On to the Finals, care to hazard any predictions as to number of games, standout players, final result?


I will say that I will not be surprised if the Pens are able to pull it off this year. So hard to repeat but with all the talent the Redwings have I still believe they can win again in six games. I hate the 1st two games being back-to-back as the Redwings are not good at all when having to play two days in a row. Hoping all the injured players can back for this series but I really not sure atm.

[SuperJay]

HELL YEAH!! GO WINGS!!



PS: Crosby, if you're done whining, you might want to start playing hockey. ;)

[Shaynard]

So.. It's all over.. was in a meeting with my band that night and missed the game. Found out when i got home and saw Crosby kissing the Cup...

Kudo's to the Wings for being willing to share :D