Pens-Sens should be a good series. The matchups are definitely different than what each team faced in round 1.
The Sens can skate, but they seem to struggle to score goals and don't have anyone of Tavares' caliber. On the other hand, their defensemen and power play are better and their goaltending will be much, much better than the Islanders'. Having said that, the Pens' offense (both 5-on-5 and the PP) is a major step up in class from the Canadians'. It seems obvious that the Sens will try to agitate and knock the Pens off their game. The Pens need to keep their cool and stay out of the penalty box...they've shown that they can lose their composure at times.
My prediction is Pens in 6, but I don't think predictions are worth much and we'll just have to see how it goes.
gorgon wrote: Pens-Sens should be a good series. The matchups are definitely different than what each team faced in round 1.
The Sens can skate, but they seem to struggle to score goals and don't have anyone of Tavares' caliber. On the other hand, their defensemen and power play are better and their goaltending will be much, much better than the Islanders'. Having said that, the Pens' offense (both 5-on-5 and the PP) is a major step up in class from the Canadians'. It seems obvious that the Sens will try to agitate and knock the Pens off their game. The Pens need to keep their cool and stay out of the penalty box...they've shown that they can lose their composure at times.
My prediction is Pens in 6, but I don't think predictions are worth much and we'll just have to see how it goes.
It really all depends on how different "regular" season hockey will be from "playoff" hockey. The Penguins beat the Sens all three times they met in the regular season. Granted those were all (with the exception of 1 game) without Karlsson, Spezza, Michalek, and Anderson... I'll be watching, and if I could take time off of work and had a ticket, I'd be at Friday's game.
I'm hoping for a 4 game sweep with the Sens moving on, but I don't see it happening at all . I could definitely see the Penguins winning in 6, I could see the Sens winning in a 7th game, but they would probably be so gassed that they wouldn't be much of a threat in the following round.
Automatically Appended Next Post: This game is several levels of bs... Ugh...
gorgon wrote: Pens-Sens should be a good series. The matchups are definitely different than what each team faced in round 1.
The Sens can skate, but they seem to struggle to score goals and don't have anyone of Tavares' caliber. On the other hand, their defensemen and power play are better and their goaltending will be much, much better than the Islanders'. Having said that, the Pens' offense (both 5-on-5 and the PP) is a major step up in class from the Canadians'. It seems obvious that the Sens will try to agitate and knock the Pens off their game. The Pens need to keep their cool and stay out of the penalty box...they've shown that they can lose their composure at times.
My prediction is Pens in 6, but I don't think predictions are worth much and we'll just have to see how it goes.
It really all depends on how different "regular" season hockey will be from "playoff" hockey. The Penguins beat the Sens all three times they met in the regular season. Granted those were all (with the exception of 1 game) without Karlsson, Spezza, Michalek, and Anderson... I'll be watching, and if I could take time off of work and had a ticket, I'd be at Friday's game.
I'm hoping for a 4 game sweep with the Sens moving on, but I don't see it happening at all . I could definitely see the Penguins winning in 6, I could see the Sens winning in a 7th game, but they would probably be so gassed that they wouldn't be much of a threat in the following round.
Automatically Appended Next Post: This game is several levels of bs... Ugh...
The Sens need to get more physical and aggressive if they want to compete.
gorgon wrote: The Sens need to get more physical and aggressive if they want to compete.
Too bad if they did this, the Penguins would be on the PP the entire game... There were so many no-calls that went in favor of the Penguins, that any sort of retaliation from the Sens would have caused more dumb penalties... I almost didn't finish watching this game.
Now that my team the Capitals have performed their inevitable collapse, there's smooth sailing ahead for my back-ups in the Kings. The teal warriors of San Jose won't be able to get past Quick, and even the party boys on the 'Hawks aren't going to be much of a problem.
Valion wrote: Now that my team the Capitals have performed their inevitable collapse, there's smooth sailing ahead for my back-ups in the Kings. The teal warriors of San Jose won't be able to get past Quick, and even the party boys on the 'Hawks aren't going to be much of a problem.
Speaking of the Caps, what did you think of Ovechkin's comments about the NHL "phonecall" during game 6?
gorgon wrote: The Sens need to get more physical and aggressive if they want to compete.
Too bad if they did this, the Penguins would be on the PP the entire game... There were so many no-calls that went in favor of the Penguins, that any sort of retaliation from the Sens would have caused more dumb penalties... I almost didn't finish watching this game.
I didn't mean take cheap shots, I meant actually attempt to forecheck once in a while. Although ultimately I'm just not sure that the Sens have enough offense unless Voukoun crumbles.
Regarding biased officiating...please. If the NHL was trying to protect the Pens and Crosby, then Neil would have gotten a penalty for punching Crosby in his broken jaw. The Sens also had more PPs.
Valion wrote: Now that my team the Capitals have performed their inevitable collapse, there's smooth sailing ahead for my back-ups in the Kings. The teal warriors of San Jose won't be able to get past Quick, and even the party boys on the 'Hawks aren't going to be much of a problem.
Yeah, the Caps suck . So.... not clutch. Over and over. Ugh.
gorgon wrote: The Sens need to get more physical and aggressive if they want to compete.
Too bad if they did this, the Penguins would be on the PP the entire game... There were so many no-calls that went in favor of the Penguins, that any sort of retaliation from the Sens would have caused more dumb penalties... I almost didn't finish watching this game.
I didn't mean take cheap shots, I meant actually attempt to forecheck once in a while. Although ultimately I'm just not sure that the Sens have enough offense unless Voukoun crumbles.
Regarding biased officiating...please. If the NHL was trying to protect the Pens and Crosby, then Neil would have gotten a penalty for punching Crosby in his broken jaw. The Sens also had more PPs.
2 goals and Voukoun would have crumbled, he was looking shaky all night, almost kind of like, "Hey if I screw this up, I'm getting pulled, I need to not let that happen." And the problem is that the Sens were trying to carry the puck into the Pens zone all night long, they're not that type of team. A little dump and chase would have done them nicely. If they checked well and often, I have no doubt they would have seen more time in the box simply because some of the times they were in the box were on shaky calls (from what I could tell). And why would the NHL want the Sens to make it to the finals? One of the smallest marketshares in the NHL
Valion wrote: Now that my team the Capitals have performed their inevitable collapse, there's smooth sailing ahead for my back-ups in the Kings. The teal warriors of San Jose won't be able to get past Quick, and even the party boys on the 'Hawks aren't going to be much of a problem.
Speaking of the Caps, what did you think of Ovechkin's comments about the NHL "phonecall" during game 6?
I think Ovechkin's Russian, and Russian NHLers often say crazy gak, especially to Russian press. See: Bryzgalov, Ilya.
And since I can't say his name without posting this, here it is.
Sorry Redwings, you will not be advancing. I do not think anyone has the nuts to beat the Blackhawks with the way they are playing.
I'm making no predictions. If history has taught us anything, it's that nothing can be counted on when it comes to play off hockey.
You may not be making predictions, but I did (Albeit with the help from an empty netter).
Was a good clean game on both teams and the officiating was not terrible.
I can not wait til saturday for Game 2!
About the only Western team that I can see taking out the Blackhawks is the Sharks. This is simply because it seems that no matter how they barely squeek into a playoffs series, they tend to be one of the tougher teams to oust when it comes to PO hockey.
Wow was I surprised to see that Boston result in game 7. Been on nights so not had chance to watch, checked the score with 2 mins to go and saw the 4-2 score so gave up. Thought we were out, boy was I proven wrong. Now its time to bring on the Rangers.
Azza007 wrote: Wow was I surprised to see that Boston result in game 7. Been on nights so not had chance to watch, checked the score with 2 mins to go and saw the 4-2 score so gave up. Thought we were out, boy was I proven wrong. Now its time to bring on the Rangers.
Please, Toronto aren't known as the Make-ya-Laughs for just any 'ol reason!
As I keep telling most of my friends, (who are sadly Loafs fans), their team is at least great at setting new records! Just not the type you might want to see them setting!
While Montreal has a truly inspiring quote ringing the walls of their locker room, the Loafs instead have the ever-consoling "There's Always Next Year..." topping the wall of their locker room!
Just remember this little poem when it comes the the Leafs and all your doubts will be erased:
Losers
Even
After
Forty-six
Seasons
As for the Sens, they're getting away with murder out there, but then, the officiating, (and I only loosely call it that), is pretty terribad all 'round... Basically, it's business as usual for the NHL play-offs!
And don't expect the Sens to win... As long as Little Hitler is commish, no Canadian team will bring the cup home because there's no room for real growth up here - we're already hockey mad and we'll spend stupid amounts of money even knowing our teams will never win it all! (but then, hockey is our game!)
DeathReaper wrote: Well, if the blackhawks keep up the play they have shown in the last week they will win the Cup, and most of them are Canadian, so there is that.
Well, you don't want them to keep up the way they played today.
Azza007 wrote: Wow was I surprised to see that Boston result in game 7. Been on nights so not had chance to watch, checked the score with 2 mins to go and saw the 4-2 score so gave up. Thought we were out, boy was I proven wrong. Now its time to bring on the Rangers.
Please, Toronto aren't known as the Make-ya-Laughs for just any 'ol reason!
As I keep telling most of my friends, (who are sadly Loafs fans), their team is at least great at setting new records! Just not the type you might want to see them setting!
While Montreal has a truly inspiring quote ringing the walls of their locker room, the Loafs instead have the ever-consoling "There's Always Next Year..." topping the wall of their locker room!
Just remember this little poem when it comes the the Leafs and all your doubts will be erased:
Losers
Even
After
Forty-six
Seasons
As for the Sens, they're getting away with murder out there, but then, the officiating, (and I only loosely call it that), is pretty terribad all 'round... Basically, it's business as usual for the NHL play-offs!
And don't expect the Sens to win... As long as Little Hitler is commish, no Canadian team will bring the cup home because there's no room for real growth up here - we're already hockey mad and we'll spend stupid amounts of money even knowing our teams will never win it all! (but then, hockey is our game!)
Unless the sens were out there shanking guys last night, their performance in game 1 was terrible, as it has been pointed out, we weren't doing anything at all in game 1. At least game 2 was close :-\
Also Jason Spezza is confirmed to be playing in game 3... please God almighty let him help turn this series around.
Unless the sens were out there shanking guys last night, their performance in game 1 was terrible, as it has been pointed out, we weren't doing anything at all in game 1. At least game 2 was close :-\
Also Jason Spezza is confirmed to be playing in game 3... please God almighty let him help turn this series around.
Sadly I think our last remaining Canadian team is going down in flames in four short games...
The Sens just can't seem to avoid taking some of the most rardedly obvious penalites you'll ever see! (ie: grabing Crosby and hauling him down from behind when the play is about 20+ feet away, or checking guys square in the numbers into the boards, etc...)
DeathReaper wrote: Well, if the blackhawks keep up the play they have shown in the last week they will win the Cup, and most of them are Canadian, so there is that.
Well, you don't want them to keep up the way they played today.
GO WINGS!!!!
Yea the Blackhawks had one bad game against the Wild as well, so Not to worry, they will be back in form and win the series like they did against the wild. 4 games to 1.
Unless the sens were out there shanking guys last night, their performance in game 1 was terrible, as it has been pointed out, we weren't doing anything at all in game 1. At least game 2 was close :-\
Also Jason Spezza is confirmed to be playing in game 3... please God almighty let him help turn this series around.
Sadly I think our last remaining Canadian team is going down in flames in four short games...
The Sens just can't seem to avoid taking some of the most rardedly obvious penalites you'll ever see! (ie: grabing Crosby and hauling him down from behind when the play is about 20+ feet away, or checking guys square in the numbers into the boards, etc...)
You can thank Malkin for being a lazy pr*** and not backchecking like he should have in the last seconds of the 3rd...
If he'd moved his @$$ and honestly gave a damn, he'd have actually tried to keep up with Alfie and get under his stick to try and stop his re-direct.
I've never been impressed by him. He's nothing but an extremely lazy and selfish player. The sooner the Pens deal him away for a couple better assets, the better off they'll be.
What exactly did they say happened on that second goal by the hawks? Howard was clearly not interfered with...
No matter, the Hawks will win the series.
Please... they gave Chicago the only chance they had when Franzen got crushed into the boards, and they didn't stop play, thereby resulting in your first goal.
They should have stopped play, and you guys never would have gotten on the board, so don't go that route.
I'm fairly glad the Sens don't have to play either of those two teams until the finals (if they make it past Pittsburgh >_< ).
I recently came across hockeybroads, a hockey forum I've been watching some of the things Pens and Sens fans have been saying about the games... Man they get riled up over this game, certainly some interesting commentary
Alfndrate wrote: I'm fairly glad the Sens don't have to play either of those two teams until the finals (if they make it past Pittsburgh >_< ).
I recently came across hockeybroads, a hockey forum I've been watching some of the things Pens and Sens fans have been saying about the games... Man they get riled up over this game, certainly some interesting commentary
You should see what happens when Habs & Loafs fans mix it up...
A buddy of mine who's (tragically) a Leafs fan had his car keyed all to crap by one or more Habs fans when he road tripped in to Montreal for a game at the Bell Center.
Alfndrate wrote: I'm fairly glad the Sens don't have to play either of those two teams until the finals (if they make it past Pittsburgh >_< ).
I recently came across hockeybroads, a hockey forum I've been watching some of the things Pens and Sens fans have been saying about the games... Man they get riled up over this game, certainly some interesting commentary
You should see what happens when Habs & Loafs fans mix it up...
A buddy of mine who's (tragically) a Leafs fan had his car keyed all to crap by one or more Habs fans when he road tripped in to Montreal for a game at the Bell Center.
Someone had a go at my Redwings decal. Not sure if it was a Blues fan or Blackhawks. Both are prevalent down here.
Alfndrate wrote: I'm fairly glad the Sens don't have to play either of those two teams until the finals (if they make it past Pittsburgh >_< ).
I recently came across hockeybroads, a hockey forum I've been watching some of the things Pens and Sens fans have been saying about the games... Man they get riled up over this game, certainly some interesting commentary
You should see what happens when Habs & Loafs fans mix it up...
A buddy of mine who's (tragically) a Leafs fan had his car keyed all to crap by one or more Habs fans when he road tripped in to Montreal for a game at the Bell Center.
Someone had a go at my Redwings decal. Not sure if it was a Blues fan or Blackhawks. Both are prevalent down here.
I'd say Blues fan... we have some fans that has this irrational hatred of the Redwings... (see Yzerman's playoff goal that ended Blues '99-
00 play0ff & the "Punch the Redwings Fan in the Face Day" ).
I was googling something about sens hocky and hockeybroads came up. It is a forum to discuss hockey lol they don't have dakka's rules and far more explicit lol
What exactly did they say happened on that second goal by the hawks? Howard was clearly not interfered with...
No matter, the Hawks will win the series.
Please... they gave Chicago the only chance they had when Franzen got crushed into the boards, and they didn't stop play, thereby resulting in your first goal.
They should have stopped play, and you guys never would have gotten on the board, so don't go that route.
That was a legal hit, no need to stop play.
The "Interference" call that somehow did not result in a penalty, yet disallowed the goal changed the whole momentum of the game. It was not interference on the replay, but the ref's did not count the goal, that clearly was.
What exactly did they say happened on that second goal by the hawks? Howard was clearly not interfered with...
No matter, the Hawks will win the series.
Please... they gave Chicago the only chance they had when Franzen got crushed into the boards, and they didn't stop play, thereby resulting in your first goal.
They should have stopped play, and you guys never would have gotten on the board, so don't go that route.
That was a legal hit, no need to stop play.
The "Interference" call that somehow did not result in a penalty, yet disallowed the goal changed the whole momentum of the game. It was not interference on the replay, but the ref's did not count the goal, that clearly was.
The Ref's need to call a better game.
It was a legal hit, but a player was injured after it, laying out on the ice. He needed to be helped off. It was the ref's discretion on whether or not to blow the whistle and stop play, he decided not to, as a result you guys scored a goal. So don't do the "ref's gave the game to them" crap. Cause if that was a case, the game would have ended in a shut out.
Fact of the matter was, our goalie played a better game then yours.
What exactly did they say happened on that second goal by the hawks? Howard was clearly not interfered with...
No matter, the Hawks will win the series.
Please... they gave Chicago the only chance they had when Franzen got crushed into the boards, and they didn't stop play, thereby resulting in your first goal.
They should have stopped play, and you guys never would have gotten on the board, so don't go that route.
That was a legal hit, no need to stop play.
The "Interference" call that somehow did not result in a penalty, yet disallowed the goal changed the whole momentum of the game. It was not interference on the replay, but the ref's did not count the goal, that clearly was.
The Ref's need to call a better game.
It was a legal hit, but a player was injured after it, laying out on the ice. He needed to be helped off. It was the ref's discretion on whether or not to blow the whistle and stop play, he decided not to, as a result you guys scored a goal. So don't do the "ref's gave the game to them" crap. Cause if that was a case, the game would have ended in a shut out.
Fact of the matter was, our goalie played a better game then yours.
Unless the official believes that a player is in need of immediate medical attention, the whistle won't blow until the injured player's team gains possession and control of the puck.
I honestly didn't watch the game myself, but did the Wings re-gain possession & control of the puck after Franzen got hit? If the Hawks kept the puck, then it's at the referee's discretion if the play needs to be stopped or not...
What exactly did they say happened on that second goal by the hawks? Howard was clearly not interfered with...
No matter, the Hawks will win the series.
Please... they gave Chicago the only chance they had when Franzen got crushed into the boards, and they didn't stop play, thereby resulting in your first goal.
They should have stopped play, and you guys never would have gotten on the board, so don't go that route.
That was a legal hit, no need to stop play.
The "Interference" call that somehow did not result in a penalty, yet disallowed the goal changed the whole momentum of the game. It was not interference on the replay, but the ref's did not count the goal, that clearly was.
The Ref's need to call a better game.
It was a legal hit, but a player was injured after it, laying out on the ice. He needed to be helped off. It was the ref's discretion on whether or not to blow the whistle and stop play, he decided not to, as a result you guys scored a goal. So don't do the "ref's gave the game to them" crap. Cause if that was a case, the game would have ended in a shut out.
Fact of the matter was, our goalie played a better game then yours.
Unless the official believes that a player is in need of immediate medical attention, the whistle won't blow until the injured player's team gains possession and control of the puck.
I honestly didn't watch the game myself, but did the Wings re-gain possession & control of the puck after Franzen got hit? If the Hawks kept the puck, then it's at the referee's discretion if the play needs to be stopped or not...
You're missing the point. I'm not saying the ref should or should not have. I'm saying it was at his discretion to do so, just as you said. Calls are made. Results happen. Detroit outplayed Chicago on Saturday. They outplayed Chicago last night. Calls were made that were in the favor of both teams last night, so there is no sense complaining about that. The best thing Chicago fans can do is hope that their team can dig deep now and figure out how to win, instead of crying about other factors. That is why Detroit is where they are now.
Except that the interference, that was not, is a totally different situation than the decision to let the play continue after the wicked Franzen hit that Hjalmarsson served up.
Ugh the second and third period so far have been terrible to watch >_< I'm almost kind of wishing they had not won the game on Sunday so this torturous hockey can end
Automatically Appended Next Post: Jesus Christ this is terrible hockey... the crowd is silent, the sens aren't playing at all it seems, 5 goals down... I don't even think it's worth watching game 5...
Refs were extremely inconsistant, Sens played like they had never played before, no energy, no control, and no pressure. Penguins adjusted after the first and just went to town. Just once I'd like to not have to fetching deal with a Pittsburgh team.. it just frustrating to watch them do well when the sens can and should be beating them.
Alfndrate wrote: Refs were extremely inconsistant, Sens played like they had never played before, no energy, no control, and no pressure. Penguins adjusted after the first and just went to town. Just once I'd like to not have to fetching deal with a Pittsburgh team.. it just frustrating to watch them do well when the sens can and should be beating them.
The Sens have a nice, resilient, well-coached team. They simply struggle to score goals and have no ability to answer when even one of the Pens' elite players goes video game on them. See Crosby in game 2. Neal was due for a big game, there were even articles in the Pittsburgh paper earlier today about it. Part of the reason why the Pens seem to be on the power play more often (although really I don't think there's been a dramatic difference) is that they're the more skilled, aggressive team creating more quality chances and therefore drawing penalties.
I'm gonna cut you a break on the "should be beating them" comment. The Pens ran away with the conference despite losing Crosby, Neal, etc. for chunks of the season, were heavy favorites coming into this series, and this series is one boneheaded play in the final minute away from being over already. You gotta keep it real here.
It's not the refs. It's not the Sens' effort. They simply aren't in the Pens' class. Considering that it's such a young team, if the series ends on Friday, advancing to the second round of the playoffs was a pretty good season for them and you should be proud of them. Twenty-two other teams didn't get this far.
My comment about the refs is valid though the sender that crosschecked to the face and got sent to the box was repeated by Alfie and didn't get called for it. Its little things like that. Not to mention the pens get roughly 2 power plays for every 1 the sens get.
Yes I'm proud the Sens even made it to the playoffs, I'm from Cleveland... we don't know what the playoffs are. I'm just upset that the Sens are just up against a Pittsburgh team, I can't fething escape that city's gakky fans here in Ohio and I can't ever seem to root for a team that can crush a Pittsburgh team.
Thankfully I don't see the Sens get kicked out of the playoffs this Friday. Its fething heart wrenching watching them get their gak pushed in... :-\
Alfndrate wrote: My comment about the refs is valid though the sender that crosschecked to the face and got sent to the box was repeated by Alfie and didn't get called for it. Its little things like that. Not to mention the pens get roughly 2 power plays for every 1 the sens get.
Yes I'm proud the Sens even made it to the playoffs, I'm from Cleveland... we don't know what the playoffs are. I'm just upset that the Sens are just up against a Pittsburgh team, I can't fething escape that city's gakky fans here in Ohio and I can't ever seem to root for a team that can crush a Pittsburgh team.
Thankfully I don't see the Sens get kicked out of the playoffs this Friday. Its fething heart wrenching watching them get their gak pushed in... :-\
You're getting schooled by the team that will likely take the Cup itself this year...
Hey, at least you're not the team who had a 4-1 lead with just over 11 minutes to go in game 7 against Boston!
Alfndrate wrote: My comment about the refs is valid though the sender that crosschecked to the face and got sent to the box was repeated by Alfie and didn't get called for it. Its little things like that. Not to mention the pens get roughly 2 power plays for every 1 the sens get.
Yes I'm proud the Sens even made it to the playoffs, I'm from Cleveland... we don't know what the playoffs are. I'm just upset that the Sens are just up against a Pittsburgh team, I can't fething escape that city's gakky fans here in Ohio and I can't ever seem to root for a team that can crush a Pittsburgh team.
Thankfully I don't see the Sens get kicked out of the playoffs this Friday. Its fething heart wrenching watching them get their gak pushed in... :-\
You're getting schooled by the team that will likely take the Cup itself this year...
Hey, at least you're not the team who had a 4-1 lead with just over 11 minutes to go in game 7 against Boston!
I'd be a very happy sports fan if Pittsburgh never won another sports title again... Their fans are unbearable enough as it is (Not gorgon... yet...), I don't need them with another cup, ring, etc...
Well, I've never been the most obnoxious fan out there, and hell, I'm older than I used to be. FWIW, I think the Steelers-Browns rivalry was the best in the NFL in its day (apologies to Packers-Bears). Steelers-Ravens has been awfully good the past decade or so, but it's tempered by the fact that it *should have been* Steelers-BROWNS for all those slobberknocker games. Steelers fans think Modell was a POS just like Cleveland fans, I can tell you that.
Anyway, back to hockey -- the Pens still have a *lot* of business to take care of before they hoist the Cup. Seven down, but 9 to go and they're only going to get harder. I do like their improving focus and discipline. They've been getting better and lifting their game as the playoffs have moved along, which is exactly what you want to see.
Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote: 0-0 after 1, but the red wings keeper is off (Knee injury)
Hopefully the 'hawks can finish their chances and bring the series to 2-2
What?
Smith is off because of that, a defenseman. Jimmy is just fine from all I've heard.
djones520 wrote: Whatever the outcome of this game, this 3rd period has undoubtedly been one of the best I've ever seen played before, on both ends of the ice.
You just cannot get past the D of either teams right now. It's amazing.
Automatically Appended Next Post: And that is game gentlemen.
No kidding... great game.
Even though I'm such a fan of Toews... I feel like rooting for the Wings, if only because this is their last year in the West.
Experiment 626 wrote: You're getting schooled by the team that will likely take the Cup itself this year...
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha no.
The final's going to be Bruins v. Kings, and the Kings are taking it again. This is for a variety of reasons, but most of them revolving around LA being the town that cares least about hockey of those left. All the other reasons are Quick.
Experiment 626 wrote: You're getting schooled by the team that will likely take the Cup itself this year...
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha no.
The final's going to be Bruins v. Kings, and the Kings are taking it again. This is for a variety of reasons, but most of them revolving around LA being the town that cares least about hockey of those left. All the other reasons are Quick.
Considering the town has 2 NHL hockey teams, I'd say that might be a bit of a stretch.
Detroit and LA is going to be a good series. The West should be blessed to have seen so much good hockey this post season.
Pontiac ain't Detroit either, but tell that to the Pistons.
Yeah.
Still, when the local media can't even get the terminology of the game or the star players' names right, I think it's safe to say that it's not a top priority.
Yeah, I was pretty sure Chicago was going to win tonight, before the game started. Their to good of a team to go out in 5. We'll see how things go on Monday.
Andrew Shaw had a hell of a game, good to see him doing something other than acting like an idiot. Dave Bolland had a good game too, until he tripped Abdelkader after the whistle; that was really stupid. Also good to see Toews on the board, even though he hasn't really had a bad game throughout the playoffs.
Conversely, despite giving up 4 goals Jimmy Howard was lights-out. You can't let your goaltender face 45 shots.
dogma wrote: Andrew Shaw had a hell of a game, good to see him doing something other than acting like an idiot. Dave Bolland had a good game too, until he tripped Abdelkader after the whistle; that was really stupid. Also good to see Toews on the board, even though he hasn't really had a bad game throughout the playoffs.
Conversely, despite giving up 4 goals Jimmy Howard was lights-out. You can't let your goaltender face 45 shots.
Toews had a bad game in game 4 when he got 6 penalty mins in the second (And they were all 2 min penalties and happened pretty much back to back)
Unless it's Craig Anderson... and unless it's against anyone other than the Penguins...
Anderson was a 'Hawks property.
His early stats during his tenure with the Hawks weren't that impressive, but, knowing the blackhawks, I wouldn't doubt they planted the seeds and skills he's been relying on since making it full-time in the NHL.
Edit: The west certainly has been treated to their fair share of playoff hockey with both series in the semi-finals going to a game seven.
dogma wrote: That was the single worst call I've seen in my entire life, and I've been watching hockey since I was born.
Better than Gretzky cross checking Gilmour in the mouth and knocking out teeth in Game 6 of the Campbell Conference final in 1993? Oh, wait! That was never called.
Congrats to the Hawks getting to the conference final!
dogma wrote: That was the single worst call I've seen in my entire life, and I've been watching hockey since I was born.
Better than Gretzky cross checking Gilmour in the mouth and knocking out teeth in Game 6 of the Campbell Conference final in 1993? Oh, wait! That was never called.
Congrats to the Hawks getting to the conference final!
And thus did Kerry Fraser become the greatest evil to ever cast its shadow over Loaf's Nation!
Well, that was a pretty convincing win by the 'Hawks, even if it was only by 1 goal. Though I am interested to see if the league lays a suspension on Bolland for his hit on Richards.
As to the Boston-Pittsburgh game: horrible officiating. If Cooke's hit on McQuaid is grounds for ejection, then so was Marchand's hit on Neal.
dogma wrote: Well, that was a pretty convincing win by the 'Hawks, even if it was only by 1 goal. Though I am interested to see if the league lays a suspension on Bolland for his hit on Richards.
As to the Boston-Pittsburgh game: horrible officiating. If Cooke's hit on McQuaid is grounds for ejection, then so was Marchand's hit on Neal.
Cooke hit:
Marchand hit:
It's called "the series is fixed."
Anyone who knows anything about the game can agree that Cooke's hit was simply worth a minor for roughing as;
a) The Bruins' player saw Cooke coming, but still turned his back instead of putting himself into a better defensive position to take the hit he knew was coming.
b) Faked his supposed 'injury' after Chara came over and encouraged him to stay down and play it out.
Marchande's hit was much more dangerous, as Neal had no clue the hit was coming, AND he was in a much more vulnerable position due to being a foot or two out from the boards!
The fact that Boston only got a minor for what any other self respecting league would have at least called a major+game, (if not a match penalty, which it would be at the minor hockey level), only helps to foster the idea that the games are fixed.
You just can't explain such horribly biased officiating any other way!
dogma wrote: Well, that was a pretty convincing win by the 'Hawks, even if it was only by 1 goal. Though I am interested to see if the league lays a suspension on Bolland for his hit on Richards.
1) It was a great game. The Hawks look unstoppable when they play like this.
2) Why would the league lay a suspension on Bolland for his hit on Richards? It was a clean and good hockey hit.
2) Why would the league lay a suspension on Bolland for his hit on Richards? It was a clean and good hockey hit.
Because no one, not even the league, can agree on what a "clean and good hockey hit" is supposed to be. That's why so many rules are effectively at the discretion of the officials on the ice.
You just can't explain such horribly biased officiating any other way!
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Or, in this case, indecision.
The officials have been roundly criticized throughout the playoffs for their lack of competence though, as I've said before, it isn't entirely their fault. The rules that are currently in place are horribly written, in large part because there is a significant dispute within the NHL* regarding what NHL hockey is supposed to be.
*The league itself, the owners and staff of the various teams, and the NHLPA.
As a Bruins fan I agree that the Marchand hit was deserving of more than a minor, but still I am happy about the result as was expecting another loss to the Penguins.
This Boston-Pittsburgh series has taken me by surprise so far . Thinking Hawks and Bruins for the finals too at this rate, I reckon Boston stands a good chance as well.
The Pens aren't done yet. They beat Boston repeatedly this season, each time missing key star players. They're healthy now and have more than enough ability to win the series...but obviously game 3 is a must win. The main thing is regaining their focus and composure. Ever since they won the Cup, the team has shown a tendency to become completely unglued in the playoffs, as seen in the Flyers series last season.
And note how things have turned ever since Crosby and Malkin (of all people) freaked out at the end of period 2 in game 1. I realize they were a little frustrated to be scoreless at that point, but they hit what, six posts in that game? They were playing mostly good hockey and just needed to be patient. Instead the captain flips out rather than respond by putting pucks in the net. The book on the Pens is that they can be rattled and knocked off their game. Every team they face is gonna agitate them and try to do it. So how about a little less nonsense and a little more steely-eyed resolve, fellas?
1 hour until Blackhawks - Kings Game 3. If the Kings do not win tonight they may as well pack it up. there is no way anyone is gonig to beat the Blackhawks in 4 straight games. They are just playing too well for that to happen.
DeathReaper wrote: 1 hour until Blackhawks - Kings Game 3. If the Kings do not win tonight they may as well pack it up. there is no way anyone is gonig to beat the Blackhawks in 4 straight games. They are just playing too well for that to happen.
Kinda similar to when LA beat the Blues... the Blues were up 2-zip, until we played in LA.
The Kings tend to tilt the ice very well on their home turf.
Kinda similar to when LA beat the Blues... the Blues were up 2-zip, until we played in LA.
In all honesty, while I am a 'Hawks fan, my primary concern is that LA (as the reincarnation of the New Jersey Devils) will go to the finals. I do not want to see Darryl Sutter's style of hockey catch on.
That form of trap needs to die.
Edit: Patrick Kane has proven himself to be a liability on any play in which he has to go North-South when contested, as he had the same problem against Detroit.
Kinda similar to when LA beat the Blues... the Blues were up 2-zip, until we played in LA.
In all honesty, while I am a 'Hawks fan, my primary concern is that LA (as the reincarnation of the New Jersey Devils) will go to the finals. I do not want to see Darryl Sutter's style of hockey catch on.
That form of trap needs to die.
Edit: Patrick Kane has proven himself to be a liability on any play in which he has to go North-South when contested, as he had the same problem against Detroit.
LA just has a bunch of big players... it's not the same traditional trap system of the famed NJ era. You'd get called in interference penalties all the time...
The key against LA is to go fast and cycle short shifts... I've seen LA wear down big time on that. the Blues for some reason deviated from that plan whenever they play in LA.
The 'Hawks can play that style and has enough firepower to out-grind the Kings.
I think it'll go to game 7 with the 'Hawks winning.
The key against LA is to go fast and cycle short shifts... I've seen LA wear down big time on that. the Blues for some reason deviated from that plan whenever they play in LA.
The 'Hawks can play that style and has enough firepower to out-grind the Kings.
I think it'll go to game 7 with the 'Hawks winning.
You think it will go 7?
I was surprised it did not go 4 games. I now give it 5 for a Blackhawks victory.
I figure the Bruins are in...but they did have a huge meltdown of their own a couple of years ago. I do think Rask might be up for the miniature MLG trophy this year as it seems to go to the best goalie more and more recently.
LA just has a bunch of big players... it's not the same traditional trap system of the famed NJ era. You'd get called in interference penalties all the time...
In the regular season, sure. In the playoffs, not at all.
But that really isn't the fault of the players, its the fault of the league and the fans: the distinction between "playoff hockey" and the regular NHL needs to die.
Wow I can't believe that video is going viral like this. That's a friend of mine COA. One of the funniest and scariest dudes you'll ever meet.
Automatically Appended Next Post: And the bruins on the brink of becoming THE team in the NHL. 4 games against the top offense in the NHL 2 goal in 4 games.... Can't wait for the hawks.
And the bruins on the brink of becoming THE team in the NHL. 4 games against the top offense in the NHL 2 goal in 4 games.... Can't wait for the hawks.
Statistically it appears to be a roughly even match so, should it happen, it should be a good series.
That was some beautiful news to hear at 04:00 while sitting at the nurses desk at work. Sweeping Pittsburgh was not in my predictions for that series at all. Still not going to underestimate whoever comes next though.
Great game last night too. I'm always amazed by the way the game just tends to get better & better the longer the overtimes go. Having played in a few multi-overtime gold medal games in minor hockey tournaments, it is rather surprising just how much that adrenaline rush of sudden death/next-goal-wins can take you!
(longest championship game I ever played in was 2x10 min + 1x12 min periods, then 4x5 min sudden death overtimes of 4-on-4/no goalie! It was intense!)
At least I stayed awake to see the winning goal this time... I still kick myself for falling asleep 5 minutes before the winning goal way back when the Pens/Flyers played that 6 overtime period marathon game!
That game was amazing. Got a little worried after the kings and hawks were tied going into overtime, but it was intense!
Now it is time to blow out the Bruins!
Geaux Blackhawks!
I was sitting in hotel lobby trying to get a wi-fi signal on my phone to get the score which was updated when they were going into double OT: I had to spend about half an hour walking around to get the result.
Just got stopped by one of the physios at work while I was leaving, wearing my Bruins jersey. Turns out he was a Toronto fan and was shocked to 1) See a fellow ice hockey fan in the hospital and 2) that fan to be a supporter of the team that knocked out his.
gorgon wrote: The Pens aren't done yet. They beat Boston repeatedly this season, each time missing key star players. They're healthy now and have more than enough ability to win the series...but obviously game 3 is a must win. The main thing is regaining their focus and composure. Ever since they won the Cup, the team has shown a tendency to become completely unglued in the playoffs, as seen in the Flyers series last season.
Huh.
Not sure why everyone thinks the Blackhawks are such a sure thing, but anyway, this should be one hell of a Stanley Cup Finals!
Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote: What a game. Both goaltenders were nearly unbeatable in OT; especially considering how many shots they faced.
+1
Mind you, I didn't mind seeing it end, since it was about 1:02a.m. here!
At least the fans there at the arena got their monies worth - heck they got a 2-for-1 deal on their tickets! Can't ask for better in a cup final... Over 100 shots, over 100 hits, likely a new record for most icings! Plus it was one of the longest cup final games on record as well.
Can't wait for Saturday night when the festivities resume!
Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote: What a game. Both goaltenders were nearly unbeatable in OT; especially considering how many shots they faced.
+1
Mind you, I didn't mind seeing it end, since it was about 1:02a.m. here!
At least the fans there at the arena got their monies worth - heck they got a 2-for-1 deal on their tickets! Can't ask for better in a cup final... Over 100 shots, over 100 hits, likely a new record for most icings! Plus it was one of the longest cup final games on record as well.
Can't wait for Saturday night when the festivities resume!
It was 6 AM when it finished here
In a way I hope this goes to 7 games but I don't think my nerves could handle that
djones520 wrote: Despite ESPN's total effort to act like hockey doesn't exist, last nights game had a 100% ratings increase over last years game 1.
Really glad to hear that. If this sport got half the air time that basketball does, it would be huge.
It's fast paced, exciting, violent, why doesn't America love this? Oh right it's low scoring...
I watched 8 hours of Sportscenter yesterday (not by choice) and I did not see a single mention of the Finals that were starting that evening in that entire time. It was disgusting.
djones520 wrote: Despite ESPN's total effort to act like hockey doesn't exist, last nights game had a 100% ratings increase over last years game 1.
Really glad to hear that. If this sport got half the air time that basketball does, it would be huge.
It's fast paced, exciting, violent, why doesn't America love this? Oh right it's low scoring...
I watched 8 hours of Sportscenter yesterday (not by choice) and I did not see a single mention of the Finals that were starting that evening in that entire time. It was disgusting.
Yeah... I refuse to watch Sportscenter... I only watch ESPN for Football...
My only gripe is that penalties weren't called for both teams that would be during the season.
Ha!
Welcome to Playoff Hockey - as it should be!
Sorry, but Marchande should have been called for his blaitently obvious slue-footing of Crawford as he went by the Hawks net. Crap like that needs to be called, weather it's pre-season or game 7 of a 0-0 cup final. Goalies especially can get seriously fethed up by those kinds of trips.
Or the obvious high stick early on behind the Hawks net...
And the clutching & grabing by both sides...
Obvious penalties need to be called no matter what or else this series is going to turn ugly fast.
Mind you, I'm fully expecting Julian to go berserk when he sees on the game tape the very, very obvious too-many-men penalty the Hawks got away with in the 2nd overtime period...
djones520 wrote: Despite ESPN's total effort to act like hockey doesn't exist, last nights game had a 100% ratings increase over last years game 1.
Really glad to hear that. If this sport got half the air time that basketball does, it would be huge.
It's fast paced, exciting, violent, why doesn't America love this? Oh right it's low scoring...
I watched 8 hours of Sportscenter yesterday (not by choice) and I did not see a single mention of the Finals that were starting that evening in that entire time. It was disgusting.
I only knew that it was going on last night due to a tweet I caught about the weather in Cleveland interrupting the game .
No shoot outs in the entire playoffs, not just the finals. Hockey can't have no ties in the playoffs. Just keep playing till someone wins in sudden death like last night which was a marathon to listen too.
Azza007 wrote: 3 OT periods just seems extreme. Do they ever go to shoot outs in a finals game?
Thank-feth no we don't ever go in for crap-outs in the play-offs!
Shoot-outs are the coward's wat of determining who wins the Cup. Real hockey players go until you either win it properly, or drop dead from complete exhaustion!
actually they were still playing with a pretty high intensity!
That was the Flyers/Pens series from back in something like 2002. Can't recall exactly, but I do remember the game because I was in Montreal on a school trip.
There were almost 30 of us all hunkered down into 1 hotel room watching the game - which seemed to just get better and better as it went on... then we all fell asleep about 5-10min before Recci scored the winner!
We were a very grumpy, surely and pretty much walking-zombie like group the next morning.
We delayed out departure from the hotel by an hour actually so we could watch the highlights which included the OT winner twice on TSN's morning Sportscenter show!
Man I was expecting a "close" series especially with how these 2 teams play and all their statistical sameness. But if every game goes to overtime I think this will be too much for me to handle haha.
Glad the B's stole one in Chicago. Hopefully they can come home and win the next 2. Even if they do I still think the series goes 7. With how the first 2 games played out how could it not? If it does though, I think the more physical play of the B's and the Blackhawks playing in more OT games recently could hurt them later in the series.
Chancetragedy wrote: Man I was expecting a "close" series especially with how these 2 teams play and all their statistical sameness. But if every game goes to overtime I think this will be too much for me to handle haha.
Glad the B's stole one in Chicago. Hopefully they can come home and win the next 2. Even if they do I still think the series goes 7. With how the first 2 games played out how could it not? If it does though, I think the more physical play of the B's and the Blackhawks playing in more OT games recently could hurt them later in the series.
I think the series goes either;
a) Hawks steal both games in Boston and win it in 5
b) Boston wins both home games, Hawks take game 5 due to Boston being intimidated by the Chicago crowd/building but then win it all in 6 back in Boston.
I think tonight's game will be the series make-or-break game. Hawks really need to take it in order to destroy Boston's momentum and avoid putting a huge amount of do-or-die pressure on themselves.
As a side note, the two teams have thus far combined for over 200 hits in the first 2 games! That's gotta make for some rather sore bodies!
Got stopped on my way to work last night sporting my Bruins jersey by someone saying they hoped we went all the way. Nice when people recognise a team from a sport not widely supported in the country. Then we go and shut out the Hawks. 2-1 Boston, come on boys 2 more to go.
Azza007 wrote: Got stopped on my way to work last night sporting my Bruins jersey by someone saying they hoped we went all the way. Nice when people recognise a team from a sport not widely supported in the country. Then we go and shut out the Hawks. 2-1 Boston, come on boys 2 more to go.
The refs handed you guys these last two games honestly...
First they disallowed a good goal by the Hawks for no real reason in Game 2. (the "intent to blow the whistle" rule is utter BS)
Then they called two abysmally poor penalties on the Hawks in the second period last night, the second one leading to a powerplay goal which basically decided the game at that point.
The first penalty call was pretty damn soft - especially compared to what they've been letting both teams get away with thus far. The second one was a phantom call actually - the Hawks defender clearly hits the puck first, and then made contact with the Boston player's skates. (ie: it was a 100% legal play)
Pisses me off to no end when the damn refs are deciding things and not the teams!
Maybe you shouldn't look at the refs so much and focus on the Blackhawks starting to crack? Are there some questionable calls this series? Yup, are there ALWAYS questionable calls in every sports series ever? YUP
Did the refs allow the bruins to win 40/56 face offs in game 3?
Did the refs keep the black hawks from scoring even a single goal in game 3?
It was a heart wrenching game. I do not know if I can sit through another one like that.
A team that scores 5 goals against the bruins should expect to win the game in regulation.
But 2-2 and headed back to chicago! It really will be a Madhouse on Madison for game 5. It has been a great series and then next two or three games should be great as well. the Bruins are no joke, but neither are the Blackhawks. It will be exciting to watch the games!
Though I will be in Canadia this weekend, I should be able to watch it at a bar or something up there right? They have Hockey there don't they?
DeathReaper wrote: It was a heart wrenching game. I do not know if I can sit through another one like that.
A team that scores 5 goals against the bruins should expect to win the game in regulation.
But 2-2 and headed back to chicago! It really will be a Madhouse on Madison for game 5. It has been a great series and then next two or three games should be great as well. the Bruins are no joke, but neither are the Blackhawks. It will be exciting to watch the games!
Though I will be in Canadia this weekend, I should be able to watch it at a bar or something up there right? They have Hockey there don't they?
Most bars have a secret stash of beavers kept on hand which run rodent-sized hamster wheels that are hooked up to a generator and thus can power a television for a short period of time... should be long enough to see game 5, but overtime will require you to contribute at least 6 more beavers to keep things going...
Just remember to wear a healthy does of hickory-maple scented aftershave, because beavers can smell yankee from well over 20 miles away and it makes them cranky, kinda like this one:
We also once had a monkey who could sometimes predict the cup winner too, but she's since retired.
On the strength of Bruins-Blackhawks Game 4, NBC was the night’s most-watched network and tied Fox for first among Adults 18-49. Game 4 was the No. 1 program of the night.
NEW YORK – June 20, 2013 – With three of the first four games needing overtime, the 2013 Stanley Cup Final is averaging 5.356 million viewers per game, making it the most-watched Final through four games on record (data available since 1994), according to The Nielsen Company.
Last night’s 11-goal overtime contest (8:10-11:37 p.m. ET) between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth game of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final averaged 6.459 million viewers, making it the most-watched Stanley Cup Final Game 4 ever (since the introduction of People Meters in 1987).
Game 5 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final airs Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBC from United Center in Chicago. NBC will air Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET on Monday night from TD Garden in Boston. If necessary, Game 7 will air at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday night from United Center. Pre-game coverage for all games begins with NHL Live at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.
STANLEY CUP FINAL
Through the series’ first four games, the Stanley Cup Final is averaging a 3.1 household rating and 5.356 million viewers across NBC (Games 1 & 4) and NBC Sports Network (Games 2-3), the best on record (since 1994) and up 107% (1.5) and 118% (2.460 million), respectively, vs. last year.
GAME 4
Last night’s game — in which the Chicago Blackhawks tied the series by defeating the Boston Bruins, 6-5, in overtime — drew a 3.8 household rating and 6.459 million viewers on NBC, up 124% and 120%, respectively, vs. last year (LA-NJ, 1.7 rating, 2.935 million). Viewership peaked in overtime (11:15-11:30 p.m. ET) with 8.192 million viewers.
LOCAL
Boston received a 28.9 household rating, up 36% vs. the Bruins’ Game 2 rating (the second NBC game of the series) for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final on NBC in the market (21.2). Chicago received a 22.0 household rating last night.
NBC was the No. 1 rated network overall in Boston and Chicago during the 8-11:30 p.m. ET time period. Following are the top five markets:
1. Boston (28.9)
2. Chicago (22.0)
3. Providence (20.0)
4. Buffalo (8.7)
5. Detroit (6.4)
NETWORK
On the strength of Bruins-Blackhawks Game 4, NBC was the night’s most-watched network and tied Fox for first among Adults 18-49. Game 4 was the No. 1 program of the night.
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
NBC is averaging 3.428 million viewers for its coverage of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, up 50% vs. the same time period in 2012 (2.283 million). For the entire playoffs, including last night’s game, NBC, NBC Sports Network and CNBC have combined to average 1.342 million viewers per game, up 15% vs. last year (1.164 million).
Honestly, and this isn't a bad thing... but it didn't have to compete with the NBA finals, which I believe was probably a good joint effort on the parts of both sports associations.
Had it had to compete with the NBA finals, ratings would have been terrible. The thing I will say for this, is that if major broadcast companies can see hockey as a good ratings bump for their company, then the incentive to have more of the games on the "free" channels. Wednesday's game was on my local NBC affiliate, and as such I was able to watch bits of the game (I had to watch the Cleveland Indians play, but they won so it was a good night). The two previous games were impossible to watch because they were on some obscure channel I didn't have access to through Dish Network.
Granted I could have watched it online, but I'd rather enjoy it on my couch, in front of our nice flat screen with some pretzels and beer.
Chancetragedy wrote: Maybe you shouldn't look at the refs so much and focus on the Blackhawks starting to crack? Are there some questionable calls this series? Yup, are there ALWAYS questionable calls in every sports series ever? YUP
I think it is perfectly fair to focus on the officiating, as it has been terrible throughout both the playoffs and the regular season; any seeming favoritism is just an unfortunate stroke of luck.
Pisses me off to no end when the damn refs are deciding things and not the teams!
The officials are part of the game, so they are a factor in deciding the outcome. What irritates me is when officials, players, pundits, and fans pretend that they aren't involved* by nature of their role.
*In the sense of "We don't want to be involved, so we won't call anything."
Hawks with a commanding lead. Lets see what Boston does at home possibly without Bergeron... Crazy series, luck isn't with Boston this series that's for sure.
I wouldn't say that it's 3-2 not 3-0. There has been so much overtime and the difference between the 2 teams in regular season that Hawks should have been dominating this series imo. This coming from Bruins fan.
I'm a bruins fan too. But 3-2 is commanding because if the hawks win a single game they win. Bruins have to win the next 2 straight without Bergeron possibly, although that's mitigated by Teows possibly being out too. Don't get me wrong though. I still think this goes to game 7. Probably double OT at the rate this series is going haha.
I think it's a bit of a farce that Kane won the MVP honours though...
Yes, he helped out a lot with some key scoring, but Crawford pretty much stole the series by shutting the door on Boston in every game but game 3. Even the goal-a-thon 6-5 win, it was Crawford who held the Hawks in it in the overtime when the B's where bombarding the Hawks net with shots.
And especially last night, Crawford was the reason the Hawks even had the opportunity to come from behind as without his play in the 1st period, Boston should have had 2-3 more goals.
Hell, Crawford even set a franchise record with his GAA/save percentage!
Just my 2 cents...
Conrgrats to the Hawks! Toronto sends their thanks!
Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
It doesn't count when the 1st goal should have been disallowed due to being kicked in...
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
It doesn't count when the 1st goal should have been disallowed due to being kicked in...
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
It doesn't count when the 1st goal should have been disallowed due to being kicked in...
YOU SHUT YOUR SENS HATING MOUTH
I'm sorry, I can't hear you from behind our full team set of Stanley Cups + extras!
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
It doesn't count when the 1st goal should have been disallowed due to being kicked in...
YOU SHUT YOUR SENS HATING MOUTH
I'm sorry, I can't hear you from behind our full team set of Stanley Cups + extras!
1, you have 1 spare over a 23 man roster... And I'm sorry, but a championship 20 years ago doesn't mean gak, especially when it was your last time to the finals
Also, why is the current Ottawa Senators team not a continuation of the old Ottawa Senators Franchise that ended in 1954? We already use their logo, etc... as our throwbacks/alt jerseys.
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
It doesn't count when the 1st goal should have been disallowed due to being kicked in...
YOU SHUT YOUR SENS HATING MOUTH
I'm sorry, I can't hear you from behind our full team set of Stanley Cups + extras!
1, you have 1 spare over a 23 man roster... And I'm sorry, but a championship 20 years ago doesn't mean gak, especially when it was your last time to the finals
Also, why is the current Ottawa Senators team not a continuation of the old Ottawa Senators Franchise that ended in 1954? We already use their logo, etc... as our throwbacks/alt jerseys.
We're not allowed back into the finals because Montreal is full of dumb*** fethheads who 'celebrate' winning a series by burning down a small chunk of the city... (hence one of the many, many reasons why I personally hate Montrealers in general!)
And we're still the winningest franchise in NHL history thank-you very much!
Actually, Canada's 20 year cup drought is simply political BS from Bettman (aka Little Hitler) who cares more about promoting the sport in the southern US which doesn't give a flying rat's fart about hockey in general... As long as he and his cronies are in charge of things, we'll see more stupidity like hockey moving into Vegas and other unsustainable areas, and no teams for profitable markets like Quebec City, Regina, Halifax, Hamilton, Toronto, etc...
But seriously, we should end this bickering and focus on what's really important - poking fun at the:
Losers
Even
After
Forty-five
Seasons
So any reason as to why the Senators I love and cheer for (is 1 shortened season of hockey too early to say "love"?) aren't linked to the senators of old, franchise wise? Is it because they moved to St. Louis during the great depression which then died... I think Ottawa should petition for records and such to be relocated to the current franchise... but that's me, a Browns fan that has seen his franchise leave town only to get it back, and we had to petition to get the records, etc... "left in Cleveland"
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
Yes they did, but it was not as exciting as it was in the earlier rounds of the playoffs and not Game 6, and the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals!
Patrick Kane, and Johnny Towes on the same line is a Dynamic Duo.
Alfndrate wrote: Deathreaper, I'd like to point out that the Senators did something along the lines of that in the final minute in the earlier rounds of the playoffs (can't remember if it was against the Candiens or the Penguins).
Yes they did, but it was not as exciting as it was in the earlier rounds of the playoffs and not Game 6, and the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals!
Patrick Kane, and Johnny Towes on the same line is a Dynamic Duo.
The Sens greatest moment was when they scored the cup winning goal on themselves against Anaheim. Rev up the Red light!
I find it sad how hockey has gone nowadays, I pray for the return of the Nordiques but Seattle will probably be first in line... I didn't watch the Stanley Cup Finals this year, and I often don't watch the playoffs at all anymore, I don't see a point, no Canadian team is ever going to win, I couldn't care less about the American teams... I watched all of Ottawa's games against Montreal, and like 2 of them vs Pittsburgh because I knew they were going to lose. Didn't watch any of the other Canadian teams play, didn't see a point.
Unlike Warhammer, I want to enjoy hockey, I want to go to these games and buy hats and like jersey's and stuff but I just can't bring myself to care anymore, the world has enough disappointment lined up for me, so I shouldn't waste my time watching worthless sports teams loose...
Rainbow Dash wrote: I find it sad how hockey has gone nowadays, I pray for the return of the Nordiques but Seattle will probably be first in line... I didn't watch the Stanley Cup Finals this year, and I often don't watch the playoffs at all anymore, I don't see a point, no Canadian team is ever going to win, I couldn't care less about the American teams... I watched all of Ottawa's games against Montreal, and like 2 of them vs Pittsburgh because I knew they were going to lose. Didn't watch any of the other Canadian teams play, didn't see a point.
Unlike Warhammer, I want to enjoy hockey, I want to go to these games and buy hats and like jersey's and stuff but I just can't bring myself to care anymore, the world has enough disappointment lined up for me, so I shouldn't waste my time watching worthless sports teams loose...
Sounds more like a personal issue then the NHL's fault.
Hockey is more then just Canada. Four of the original 6 are American teams.
Rainbow Dash wrote: I find it sad how hockey has gone nowadays, I pray for the return of the Nordiques but Seattle will probably be first in line... I didn't watch the Stanley Cup Finals this year, and I often don't watch the playoffs at all anymore, I don't see a point, no Canadian team is ever going to win, I couldn't care less about the American teams... I watched all of Ottawa's games against Montreal, and like 2 of them vs Pittsburgh because I knew they were going to lose. Didn't watch any of the other Canadian teams play, didn't see a point.
Unlike Warhammer, I want to enjoy hockey, I want to go to these games and buy hats and like jersey's and stuff but I just can't bring myself to care anymore, the world has enough disappointment lined up for me, so I shouldn't waste my time watching worthless sports teams loose...
Sounds more like a personal issue then the NHL's fault.
Hockey is more then just Canada. Four of the original 6 are American teams.
Going by the TSN hockey insiders and all the rumor-mongering that's been going on the past year or two, they're predicting that Quebec City will not get a team back until after Seattle & likely Vegas get teams...
What's highly amuzing about the entire situation, roughly half the American clubs are financially hurting right now, yet all 7 Canadian franchises are rolling in profits! Hell, Toronto and the GTA area alone can easily support another 3 fully viable AND profitable teams! Halifax & Regina could also do well, as could Quebec city obviously.
But nope, we need to push hockey in the desert and the deep south.
But nope, we need to push hockey in the desert and the deep south.
Lol, Seattle is neither in the desert, nor in the deep south... But I do agree with you. Seattle is a fairly logical choice over Atlanta, Vegas, and even LA, but neither you or I run the NHL (though I suspect that we could probably do a better job then Bettman)
But nope, we need to push hockey in the desert and the deep south.
Lol, Seattle is neither in the desert, nor in the deep south... But I do agree with you. Seattle is a fairly logical choice over Atlanta, Vegas, and even LA, but neither you or I run the NHL (though I suspect that we could probably do a better job then Bettman)
I have a running bet with my dad & uncle that we'll see an NHL franchise in New Orleans before we get another proper Canadian market place.
Heck, there's probably better odds of Little Hitler putting a new franchise somewhere in the UK or northern Europe before he oh-so-graciously gives into his charitable side and gives Quebecer's back their team... (man I really hate that guy! )
But nope, we need to push hockey in the desert and the deep south.
Lol, Seattle is neither in the desert, nor in the deep south... But I do agree with you. Seattle is a fairly logical choice over Atlanta, Vegas, and even LA, but neither you or I run the NHL (though I suspect that we could probably do a better job then Bettman)
I have a running bet with my dad & uncle that we'll see an NHL franchise in New Orleans before we get another proper Canadian market place.
Heck, there's probably better odds of Little Hitler putting a new franchise somewhere in the UK or northern Europe before he oh-so-graciously gives into his charitable side and gives Quebecer's back their team... (man I really hate that guy! )
If he gave Quebec back their team, they'd celebrate by rioting and burning half the city
I'd still be a Sens fan, but NHL in Cleveland would give me reason to go see them play the Sens . Though I've already got my eye on the Lake Erie Monsters season, because they apparently play the Binghamton Senators (the minor league team for the Sens). Gotta go be the 1 guy that roots for the away team in my own city
If he gave Quebec back their team, they'd celebrate by rioting and burning half the city
That's Montreal who do that kinda stuff. Quebec City is actually pretty chill.
Montrealers in all my experiences with them on the other hand, I've found to be nothing but giant donkeycaves.
Details won't be official until 12 EST, but I imagine it'll be a one or two year contract, given the fact that he's already 40. Should be a solid 2nd line center though. Which means Filpulla is looking for a new team.
Automatically Appended Next Post: It's confirmed. 1 year contract. 5.5 million. Hope he's worth it.
djones520 wrote: Details won't be official until 12 EST, but I imagine it'll be a one or two year contract, given the fact that he's already 40. Should be a solid 2nd line center though. Which means Filpulla is looking for a new team.
Automatically Appended Next Post: It's confirmed. 1 year contract. 5.5 million. Hope he's worth it.
Given Detroit's track record with geriatric players, he should be
djones520 wrote: Details won't be official until 12 EST, but I imagine it'll be a one or two year contract, given the fact that he's already 40. Should be a solid 2nd line center though. Which means Filpulla is looking for a new team.
Automatically Appended Next Post: It's confirmed. 1 year contract. 5.5 million. Hope he's worth it.
Given Detroit's track record with geriatric players, he should be
We sure do know how to get a few extra miles before we put them out to pasture.
Think he's chasing the cup? Hoping to grab one last chance at the finals.
Most likely. Maybe he ended up with a bit of bad blood with the staff of the team as well? Don't know. Wings are going to be a strong contender this year, stronger then the Sens, for sure. Especially now that the Sens have to fight the Wings for that spot.
Think he's chasing the cup? Hoping to grab one last chance at the finals.
More likely it's a mutual business agreement between the two parties. Alfie is nearing the end of his career and the Sens overall need to look at building for the future.
Best thing for both sides is for Alfie to accept a good trade deal that can give the Sens prospects/younger talent while he goes and gets his last shot or two at finally getting a cup ring.
And let's face the truth of the matter; he's NEVER going to get that chance with any Canadian team sadly, because Littler Hitler has decreed that $$$ trumps actual fair play and so the 20+ year drought will continue as long as American businessmen are in charge of things.
Also and rather laughably, Phoenix is officially staying put instead of moving out of the desert and into a proper market that can financially support the team.
Think he's chasing the cup? Hoping to grab one last chance at the finals.
More likely it's a mutual business agreement between the two parties. Alfie is nearing the end of his career and the Sens overall need to look at building for the future.
Best thing for both sides is for Alfie to accept a good trade deal that can give the Sens prospects/younger talent while he goes and gets his last shot or two at finally getting a cup ring.
Too bad Alfie went as a free agent, Sens didn't get anything out of the deal except maybe some good and heartfelt goodbyes. And yes, this was entirely a cup chasing thing for Alfie. Which kind of sticks in my craw a bit, but then again I live in a city that has been plagued for 3 years by "The Decision" which turned 3 years old today believe it or not ... Good players leaving cities/teams that love and adore them just for the chance to win a trophy/ring.
Daniel Alfredsson wrote:"I had not won a Stanley Cup and that's a big priority for me. With Ottawa, I think they're getting closer and closer or definitely going in the right direction and has a really bright future in front of them, but at this stage of career there's not much left. I don't have the time to wait for that. This is purely a situation to me where this is about me. This is the decision I make for myself, not for anybody else. It's all about trying to get the Stanley Cup."
*Sigh* Always a rough job seeing people that I liked leave teams, and now I get to play the guessing game with who earns Alfie's spot as Captain, and if the Sens can at least repeat their 2012-2013 performance :-\
Alfie had a really hard choice to make on this one. You can't say he hasn't given everything he had for his team. He may be wearing a differant jersey this year, but the Senators will always be his team. I hope Sen's fans will be kind to him when he returns home in those 3 or 4 games this year.
Can't begrudge him for acknowledging the facts though. The Senators aren't as strong a contendor as Detroit is, and this is his last chance to get that ring on his finger.
djones520 wrote: Alfie had a really hard choice to make on this one. You can't say he hasn't given everything he had for his team. He may be wearing a differant jersey this year, but the Senators will always be his team. I hope Sen's fans will be kind to him when he returns home in those 3 or 4 games this year.
Can't begrudge him for acknowledging the facts though. The Senators aren't as strong a contendor as Detroit is, and this is his last chance to get that ring on his finger.
I don't doubt that this choice weighed heavily on him, and I also don't doubt that he doesn't want a fighting chance at the cup instead of an "almost sure thing" If I were chasing the cup, I'd probably go for a team that would 1) want me, 2) I think I would still be of use to and 3) isn't the favorite to win the cup.
Maybe he'll do what Scott Fujita did with the New Orleans Saints. Spent most of his career with that team, won a super bowl with them, and then went faithfully to the Browns for a few seasons, signed 1 day contract with the Saints and then retired so he could retire as a Saint.
Like I said, it's rough seeing him go after only being a Sens fan for a year and coming from a city that has lost players to ring chasing. I wished him the best of luck in Detroit via Twitter, and I do hope he does well. Just sucks :-\ I don't even know anything about the players that the Sens picked up in the draft, nor do I really know who's going to be doing what this upcoming season. The Sens have been having a skills development camp the past week, and some of the young names on the team as well as some newer names have been spotted on the ice... Just wish local sports talk would mention hockey, it's like trying to get blood from a stone...
No one who's desperate for a cup would ever entertain the idea of playing/continuing to play for a Canadian team...
It's a sad harsh truth that the cup won't be coming back north anytime in the near future since there's no money to be made through ratings & broadcasting contracts.
What's even worse, I fully expect the team to finally bring the cup back home to where it belongs will be, horror of horrors, the Make-ya-Laughs! (how embarrassing... )
And of course, they'll wait until it's the 100th anniversary since the Loafs have won the thing, just to ensure they can have a new record to one-up the Red Sox and their what, 80+ years between championships?!
Experiment 626 wrote: since there's no money to be made through ratings & broadcasting contracts.
I would contest this long enough to complain about this year's Stanley cup/playoffs. Now it might just be because I don't live in an NHL city, but I could only watch half of the cup due to them not showing it on channels available on my satellite package/viewing area. If I was little hitler, I would make sure that any and all viewing areas that are large enough to warrant broadcasting the NBA finals would be able to sustain the NHL finals. I knew many people that traveled to bars and what not to watch this and the NBA finals this year due to viewing issues. Thought the NBA finals were broadcast in such a way that a homeless bum knew what the score was at any moment .
Experiment 626 wrote: No one who's desperate for a cup would ever entertain the idea of playing/continuing to play for a Canadian team...
It's a sad harsh truth that the cup won't be coming back north anytime in the near future since there's no money to be made through ratings & broadcasting contracts.
What's even worse, I fully expect the team to finally bring the cup back home to where it belongs will be, horror of horrors, the Make-ya-Laughs! (how embarrassing... )
And of course, they'll wait until it's the 100th anniversary since the Loafs have won the thing, just to ensure they can have a new record to one-up the Red Sox and their what, 80+ years between championships?!
That would not be a new record.
The Chicago Cubs have not won a championship since 1908. They are currently on a 104 year dry spell and they do not look good this year so they will make it at least 105 years since they had a championship team. This is the longest record in sports and I see no end in sight.
I guess it is a good thing that I am a White Sox fan, they won in 2005
That said, the Blackhawks had a selling off, but Emery I knew would go. The Blackhawks got Nikolai Khabibulin back as a backup goaltender, so that should be fine if Crawford has an injury.
I am looking forward to the next hockey season, but I am sad that Detroit had to move out of the division, that was a great rivalry and beating the Redwings on a regular basis will be missed.
. I could definitely see the Penguins winning in 6, I could see the Sens winning in a 7th game, but they would probably be so gassed that they wouldn't be much of a threat in the following round. 
. So.... not clutch. Over and over. Ugh.
ardedly obvious penalites you'll ever see! (ie: grabing Crosby and hauling him down from behind when the play is about 20+ feet away, or checking guys square in the numbers into the boards, etc...)
).
