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Anyone else rooting for a particular team? Red Wings won last night to hopefully start another cup run!

Ahhh the good ol Stanley Cup!

GO NOT REDWINGS!!!!

How about cutting Detroit a little slack?

Manchu wrote:How about cutting Detroit a little slack?

Die hard Avalanche fan, soooo no.

ShivanAngel wrote:
Die hard Avalanche fan, soooo no.

Oh, sorry then. I actually sort of wish you guys were good again so we could beat you back into oblivion (see: 2002, 2008 playoffs).

Manchu wrote:How about cutting Detroit a little slack?

Considering they've got the Lions, I think the Wings deserve to win the Stanley Cup. Possibly the Nobel Peace Prize as well.

I'm rooting for the Canucks.. and Luongo just shutout the Hawks, so it's a fairly good start for them.

Will be rooting for the black and gold...

Probably Canucks as usual because they're the most local hockey team. Also this is very un-Canadian of me but I'm not a huge hockey fan, I generally find sports boring to watch while funner to play instead.

President's Choice was just the start baby

I fully plan on being in Vancouver for the victory riot.

I'm going for the Bruins, or whoever is playing against Montreal.

I'd like to see the C'Hawks knock out Vancouver, but I don't see that happening. That'll be Detroit's job this year.

Here's a parade route for the Canucks.



Hockey Trolling.

Khornholio wrote:I'm going for the Bruins, or whoever is playing against Montreal.

I'd like to see the C'Hawks knock out Vancouver, but I don't see that happening. That'll be Detroit's job this year.

Here's a parade route for the Canucks.



Hockey Trolling.

Yep, Boston and Montreal. I'm thinking Boston in 7, and that's only if Montreal can stop piling up minor calls for a bit.

Chicago isn't going to beat Vancouver. Half their star players got traded to Atlanta of all places (And even they won't save THAT failing lolfest franchise), and now they're just trying to look good as long as they can

I can see Detroit and Vancouver in the end-all-be-all. As long as Vancouver can avoid another case of "Chronic Roster Injury Syndrome", I'd say they very well could have a chance at the cup. Between the fact that Schneids' save percentage is something like .002% off Luongo's (and his percentage of games won is actually -better- than Lou's), the fact that they have the best Penalty Kill, plus the Sedin/Burrows line leads the league in scoring, AND that they have home ice advantage thanks to the Pres' Cup means that it'd be a serious uphill battle for Detroit to take them down if they met up.

As for the picture:


And I think it warrants that you win an Internet

I live next to Toronto. There is no joy I can get out of hockey, and it has been that way for the last 44 years.

DISCLAIMER: Not that I'm 44 years old. I meant Torontonians in general.

Nightwatch wrote:I live next to Toronto. There is no joy I can get out of hockey, and it has been that way for the last 44 years.

DISCLAIMER: Not that I'm 44 years old. I meant Torontonians in general.

Loaf fans excel at schadenfreude. I've been cheering for them since I was conscious of existing in a physical realm. I remember when Sitler, McDonald, Ellis, and Tiger Williams played for them. I've seen when they were actually 'good' (Dougie ) and the polar opposite in the 80s and now. My fondest recent hockey memory is when Ottawa lost the cup and the cup winning goal was an own goal. I had a grin on my face until the following Christmas. That's Leaf fan schadenfreude for ya! We're immune to insults about the team because we have knowledge beyond knowing as to how terrible they can be. We love the team and hate all the players.

@Metallifan the map is loaf inspired schadenfreude from when Pavel Butter played for Van. I still remember that insane pass he made to himself from behind the net to the box in the series against the Loafs. If Van blows it this year, maybe they should consider getting new uniforms....again. I'll admit the Nucks have been a solid team this year and have a lot of good guys. I reckon they'll get past Chicago in 5 unless they have a total collapse. They're saving that for the 2nd round though.

Price was totally awesome today. and that dead weight Slovakian Pylon Kaberle was at -2. The only defenceman in the league who can go into the corner with an egg in his pocket and come out with it in tact. Maybe the B's can use the Kesticle picks to get a defenceman who isn't like Kabby. Like good.

Khornholio wrote:We're immune to insults about the team because we have knowledge beyond knowing as to how terrible they can be. We love the team and hate all the players.

@Metallifan the map is loaf inspired schadenfreude from when Pavel Butter played for Van. I still remember that insane pass he made to himself from behind the net to the box in the series against the Loafs. If Van blows it this year, maybe they should consider getting new uniforms....again. I'll admit the Nucks have been a solid team this year and have a lot of good guys. I reckon they'll get past Chicago in 5 unless they have a total collapse. They're saving that for the 2nd round though.

One word...

CROSSBAR!

Vancouver v. Washington final, Caps in 7

Devils came close to the Playoffs, but alas, it wasn't in the cards this year, so I'm going with the local team.

BTW, Detroit can suck it. You guys would be the Yankees of hockey if it wasn't for Montreal.

spyfunk wrote:
Vancouver v. Washington final, Caps in 7

I can't see washington in the finals.. i mean, it took OT against the Rangers for them to win game 1. After seeing some of the highlights of the various first games, I think buffalo could go to the finals. Miller was absolutely insane in the first game of their series. Besides, if Washington meets Pittsburgh in the playoffs, I'm siding with history here, and going with the Pens.

Cheesecat wrote:Also this is very un-Canadian of me but I'm not a huge hockey fan, I generally find sports boring to watch while funner to play instead.

I know what you mean. I really could care less when everyone was cheering for the Vancouver Olympics. I have nothing against sports fans, I just find the entire concept of sitting on the couch, wearing some oversized jersey, while drinking a beer, shouting GOAL! rather unappealing.

But I do hope that the cup goes to a Canadian team, as it was originally a trophy awarded to Canadian teams, before the NHL even existed...

spyfunk wrote:
Vancouver v. Washington final, Caps in 7

BTW, Detroit can suck it. You guys would be the Yankees of hockey if it wasn't for Montreal.

Yeah, you're right, except for the part where you're wrong (the whole part, actually). We had an above average payroll before the salary cap... but then guess what? Now everyone has the same! And guess what? We're still winning. 20 straight years in the playoffs, including the last five under the salary cap. 4 Stanley cups (1 under the salary cap).

It's pretty recognized that we aren't the yankees of hockey, seeing as we also draft well and take our time with our draftees. Look at Jimmy Howard - we drafted him and let him develop in the minors for years before we called him up.

But continue to pick teams that own the title "choke artists!" Good luck!

I can't see the Caps in the final either. Ovie's production has dropped off. I think with Crosby out there hasn't been the same amount of competitive spirit from the Caveman who wears the number 8.

I have to agree that Detroit's system is the best hands down. They used to suck it, bad. Now they have guys that should be in a "over-the-hill" hockey movie consistently winning President's Trophies and Cups. Osgood played in 92-93! That's ages ago for a goalie. I don't see them winning the cup, but I see them in the 3rd round for sure. It was the youth of the C'hawks and awesomeness of Byflugien that got them last year.

I see a Pens-Wings rematch.

[quote=Khornholio
I see a Pens-Wings rematch.

metallifan wrote:
Chicago isn't going to beat Vancouver. Half their star players got traded to Atlanta of all places (And even they won't save THAT failing lolfest franchise), and now they're just trying to look good as long as they can

You mean Ladd and Byfgulien? That's hardly half (and its debatable as to whether either one counts as a star), and only one of them was any good in Chicago's system (and it wasn't Bygfuglien).

metallifan wrote:
I can see Detroit and Vancouver in the end-all-be-all. As long as Vancouver can avoid another case of "Chronic Roster Injury Syndrome", I'd say they very well could have a chance at the cup. Between the fact that Schneids' save percentage is something like .002% off Luongo's (and his percentage of games won is actually -better- than Lou's), the fact that they have the best Penalty Kill, plus the Sedin/Burrows line leads the league in scoring, AND that they have home ice advantage thanks to the Pres' Cup means that it'd be a serious uphill battle for Detroit to take them down if they met up.

I don't see why. Luongo has a history of choking in the playoffs (and game 2 against Chicago certainly wasn't his best, especially the second goal), home ice tends to be an overrated factor in the playoffs ( just look at last year's playoffs), Detroit and Vancouver are roughly even in terms of G/G (though Vancouver does have a reasonable lead in GA/G), and Luongo isn't significantly better than Jimmy Howard when you adjust GAA for Save% (he is better, but marginally, as opposed to significantly).

Vancouver is certainly the better team on paper, but the gap isn't quite so large as you might think. Either way, My pick for the Cup is Washington.

dogma wrote:

metallifan wrote:
Chicago isn't going to beat Vancouver. Half their star players got traded to Atlanta of all places (And even they won't save THAT failing lolfest franchise), and now they're just trying to look good as long as they can

You mean Ladd and Byfgulien? That's hardly half (and its debatable as to whether either one counts as a star), and only one of them was any good in Chicago's system (and it wasn't Bygfuglien).

It was a jab at Chicago. Clearly you missed it.

I don't see why. Luongo has a history of choking in the playoffs (and game 2 against Chicago certainly wasn't his best, especially the second goal), home ice tends to be an overrated factor in the playoffs ( just look at last year's playoffs), Detroit and Vancouver are roughly even in terms of G/G (though Vancouver does have a reasonable lead in GA/G), and Luongo isn't significantly better than Jimmy Howard when you adjust GAA for Save% (he is better, but marginally, as opposed to significantly).

Vancouver is certainly the better team on paper, but the gap isn't quite so large as you might think. Either way, My pick for the Cup is Washington.

I don't disagree about Luongo's unpredictable performances. To be honest, I'd rather have them alternate. It should've been Cory Schneider in game 2, not Lou. If the regular season teaches us anything, it's that Luongo has a habit of 'win one, lose one (or at least playing a close shave). Plus, Schneider has a .001% better save percentage than Lou. Might not seem like much, but that could've been the difference between Chicago's 1st and 2nd goals. Vancouver, Boston, and Detroit are the 3 I'm following. I just have a feeling the matchup is going to be in there somewhere. Do the Caps have a chance? Sure, but my Canadian-senses are tingling, and they're telling me that the Caps won't make it to the final game.

metallifan wrote:
It was a jab at Chicago. Clearly you missed it.

Apparently.

Either way, Chicago is a lot less physical this year (basically, that's what they lost with Ladd and Byfuglien), and they weren't all that physical last year. Vancouver, however, is a lot more physical (Hamhuis in particular). Though Oreskovich is going o get a major boarding/charging penalty if he isn't careful, there were a couple times in Game 2 where he strode all the way into the boards; only missing the check due to a last second move by a Hawks defenseman.

metallifan wrote: Might not seem like much, but that could've been the difference between Chicago's 1st and 2nd goals.

As an aside, it was funny watching how no one on Vancouver paid any attention to Ben Smith. Oops.

metallifan wrote:
Vancouver, Boston, and Detroit are the 3 I'm following. I just have a feeling the matchup is going to be in there somewhere. Do the Caps have a chance? Sure, but my Canadian-senses are tingling, and they're telling me that the Caps won't make it to the final game.

Well, unless Boston can start to skate with Montreal I'm not seeing them out of the first round.

As for the Caps, I like them because of their big, aggressive offense. Fehr, Chimera, Knuble, Arnott, Ovechkin, and even Semin can all grind with big d-men.

Looks like I am the lone Flyers Fan in the mix..... though a 1-0 loss to Buffalo is a crap start to the series.

montreal ftw
if I had to pick american Phoenix (they were once the Jets after all)

Yor wrote:if I had to pick american Phoenix (they were once the Jets after all)

Either this is trolling, or I should feel really sorry for you right now No one bets on the Coyotes making it past game 5. Not even the Coyotes.

dogma wrote:Well, unless Boston can start to skate with Montreal I'm not seeing them out of the first round.

The reason I'm going with Boston is because Montreal just seems to love stacking up minor penalties once they get comfortable. If they play smart they might have a chance, but I just see them taking some stupid penalties as the first round goes on.

andruin wrote:
Yeah, you're right, except for the part where you're wrong (the whole part, actually). We had an above average payroll before the salary cap... but then guess what? Now everyone has the same! And guess what? We're still winning. 20 straight years in the playoffs, including the last five under the salary cap. 4 Stanley cups (1 under the salary cap).

It's pretty recognized that we aren't the yankees of hockey, seeing as we also draft well and take our time with our draftees. Look at Jimmy Howard - we drafted him and let him develop in the minors for years before we called him up.

But continue to pick teams that own the title "choke artists!" Good luck!

Howard was at Maine for three years after he was drafted, not the minors and was called up the first year he was playing in the minors for 4 games to play for Detroit. Definitely understand the salary cap concept, the Red Wings/Yanks comparison was more to the tune of exactly what you brought up with them being in the playoffs 20 years straight.

I'd love to see Phoenix get deeper into the playoffs, just a great story for that franchise but it's not going to happen going through Detroit (who can still suck it )

andruin wrote:
Yeah, you're right, except for the part where you're wrong (the whole part, actually). We had an above average payroll before the salary cap... but then guess what? Now everyone has the same!

No, they don't. The presence of a salary cap does not indicate that all teams have the same payroll. The Wings still have a total salary that is above the NHL average. In fact, since the current era of hockey, they've never been under the cap by more than a million USD, and have several contracts that are likely to be illegal under the coming CBA (long, front-loaded contracts designed to reduce the cap hit).

andruin wrote:
It's pretty recognized that we aren't the yankees of hockey, seeing as we also draft well and take our time with our draftees. Look at Jimmy Howard - we drafted him and let him develop in the minors for years before we called him up.

The Wings are grouped together with all the other large market teams as clubs with an unfair advantage when it comes to pursuing the Cup, but that's more of a structural problem with the NHL than an issue with the team specifically.




Automatically Appended Next Post:

spyfunk wrote:
I'd love to see Phoenix get deeper into the playoffs, just a great story for that franchise but it's not going to happen going through Detroit (who can still suck it )

Of course, they may not be in Phoenix much longer, so who knows.

Curious for tonight to to see if Montreal can continue to milk everything they can from artful diving (I'm looking at you Subban) and uber-turtling once they get a lead...