Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

I gotta agree that I don't see a single series that is a slam dunk at this point. 7 series have gone 2 games so far, and ALL 7 are 1-1. Home ice means little or nothing right now, 7 teams have proven that. Hope the Hawks series follows the current trend. ;)

5 huge games tomorrow...God I love this time of year. :)

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Your right
Home Ice has not been Kind to the B's this year.

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I cant believe yesterdays action.

The Caps looked all but dead and buried. Ovi and Backstrom seem to have found that Halak is shaky high and the Caps definetly got in his head as he was complaining on almost every goal. That game looked all but over early in the 3rd when the Habs went up 4-1.

The Kings beat Luo. They looked dead also but nope they decided to find that grit and solve. Kessler may be hurt as well. That would be a big loss.
As to Vancouver, yet again they appear to have kept it classy like at the WJC in 2006 when they booed the US anthem and were pretty rough on the US Jr kids. After the game winning goal a "Yankees Suck!" chant broke out. Really? Half the team is likely Canadian and since when do the Yankees play baseball in Vancouver?
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/con...=sb:highlights
If you listen at about 10:55 its failry audible. Come on Canucks.

I dont think I will be able to catch all the games tonight, but I am going to get most of the Yotes game hopefully the Hawks and some of the Sharks. Funny until they escape the 1st round I have little intrest in watching them. Good luck to everyone with a horse in the race today.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

I agree some of the Vancouver fans were classless last night.

Working today so I will try to catch some of the Wings-Yotes game in the lunchroom. I will try to get off a little early tonight and hopefully watch most of the Hawks game in real time.

As Mike said, good luck to all.

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Not to say the Wings may not come back and win Game 3....but I think the theory of the Coyotes being intimidated by the Joe is out the window.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Wait I watched that game Tom. At the end of the game though the place was a ghost town. I didnt see much of an intimidating crowd there at the Joe. Sure hope we dont see any crutches break out about a quick whistle in the 3rd. It took the Wings 60 minutes to fail, and that wouldnt have even tied the game.

Awesome to see the Coyotes go into the Joe and punch the Wings right in the mouth after the last game. Going to be interesting to see if Doan is gone for the series or not. Going to be real interesting to see how the Wings respond. The Coyotes also have home ice again so I guess that Joe definetly wont be a factor now either.

I only hope the Sharks and Hawks show up tonight, but Marleau has been a ghost again this year and heater is gripping that stick hard evidenced by his clankers.

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Lets go Hawks! A must win game tonight.

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No-No Niemi comes through. :D Pressure back on the Preds in Game 3. :tu

Unbelievable performance by Craig Anderson tonight...51 saves, and a well-earned smile after the game. Mike, sorry about the loss....I know Danny Boyle ain't smiling tonight.

Son, looks like the 'Yotes weren't quite as intimidated by the Joe as you thought they might be....Tuesday becomes a "must win" game for the defending Western Champs.

I ddn't get to see any of the Devils-Flyers, how was the overtime?

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Oh man...that's one overtime goal you don't want credited to your name. Ouch.

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You know its hard to be mad at the boys tonight.
They out played the Avs in every area except luck. That makes two winning goals for the Avs that were luck.

I hope for a better result on tueday. The third period was a joke the Sharks man handled the Avs and spent almost the entire period in their zone. What can you say though the end result is score board and the Avs lead the series 2-1. I believe the Sharks will stick to the same game plan and hope for a better result.

Nice win for the Hawks and the Yotes I think I called both of them. I seem to remember saying this series will come down to goaltending and tonight it clearly did.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

I'd say goaltending was even at the very least, Mike.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Add in that Doan went out with a injury and they still won, they are definitely showing they are a strong team. Most of the news reporters locally and fans want Osgood in net and think Howard is the reason why we aren't playing well. I disagree, Wings need to get some defenders to start playing to the level they are supposed to. Howard is not all to blame for the 2-1 deficit.

Good Win by the Hawks, Pops :tu

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uHUghCf3NI


Not exactly a pretty way to win.....but I'll take it.....;)

Anderson was AMAZING....51 saves....

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From my standpoint? Excellent! The Flyers really dominated play in the third and OT...outshooting the Devils 18-4; 6-1 in the OT. If it wasn't for Marty, the Flyers would have won in regulation.

The officiating in the game was ...:confused: (for both sides). It seemed like they would call anything in the 1st, then let anything go in the 2nd. The 3rd and OT were a little more as you would hope, but early on it was odd.

Boucher has really surprised me so far in this series. He hasn't let in the "bad goal" yet that haunted him down the stretch.

Speaking of bad goals, the short-side goal Howard let in yesterday was pretty bad. Goals like that can take something from a team and I wouldn't be surprised if the 'Yotes win that series...maybe even handily. A veteran may be able to get over stuff like that, but as a rookie...IDK.

And the Avalanche goal?...wow.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

I agree with you, Son...although Howard did let in that soft, short-side goal, I don't know if bringing in Ozze at this point is the answer....but of course, that's why Babcock is coach and I am a post whore on a cigar board. ;)

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

The guy who has really suprised me Joel, not just in the series but most of the year, is Dan Carcillo. I pretty much thought of him as a goof, but this year he has been clutch, and looked pretty skilled, on many occassions. Wouldn't mind having that kid on the Blackhawks.

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I guess yeah. I just hate using a crutch or the term puck luck. Anderson played the game of his pro carrer and the Avs have gotten puck luck in 2 games now. Its just crappy. That goal was 1 in 1000 or worse, but thats been the series for the Sharks this year. Goals of feet, goals of throats, and a WTF? Never seen that before goal last night. I hate to say it, but the Avs are clearly not the better team and it is clear by the stats. They are definetly the lucky team though with a goalie who is playing fantastic. Anderson has kept them alive. The Sharks plan is working great they are physically dominating the Avs in hits, shots, time of possession and dictating the flow of the game. They have to solve Anderson though and as everyone knows a hot goalie can take you to the promise land and that just may happen if Anderson can keep it going.

I think thats why not to many have hit the panic button yet though. Its not that the Avs have out played the Sharks since game 1. Without Anderson this series is very different. What can you do, Anderson stopped 51 shots last night and the Avs were generally dominated after the 1st period. The Sharks failed to capitalize on a Goalie that played the best game of his pro carrer. The Avs mustered 17 and the 17th was an accidental redirect not even a shot. I tell you though I wont be sad to see marleau go if he doesnt start playing with some heart.

In the end though all you can really say is scoreboard. They need to get it done and they are not. Unlike last year though when I was contemplating my season ticket purchase, right now I am not. My wife was even wtching the game just laughing at the whole situation in the 3rd. It was total domination with no goal.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Me too Tom. When the Flyers signed him last year they made a point to emphasize he wasn't only a tough guy/general PITA but that he had skill to go with it, pointing out his 13 goals in 50+ games with the 'Yotes in '07-08. He didn't display that last year, but now playing with the first line he had the opportunity to display it (arguable whether the Richards line or the Carter line is the first line, but I digress). His totals this year were anything but remarkable, but watching him play, I think he does his job well.

Maybe the Flyers will deal him this offseason for one of the Hawks many defensemen. Depth at D is something the Flyers are lacking....Stranger things have happened. :)

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

L.A. is 7 for 12 on the powerplay in the first 3 games against the Canucks. The Canucks scratched Alberts for game 3 as he had 13 PIMs in the first 2 games...but the 'Nucks still found themselves in the box 3 times, and L.A. scored on all 3. Drew Doughty tied Paul Coffey's franchise playoff record with 4 points for a defenseman (1 G, 3 A).

Montreal needs Game 4 or they are toast.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Wings, Sens, Sharks and Hawks badly in need of wins on Tuesday.

Philly can really put the Devils in a Helluva bad situation.

Another great day for hockey! Let's Go Hawks! http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/niemi203.jpg

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Bruins take the lead in the series :tu

But for how long? Home Ice has not been kind in the playoffs so far.
It was a tough fought game last night they are getting the timely goal scoring that they have been missing all year. And Tuukka is playing out of his mind right now. I just hope they keep it up for the next few games.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Wings - Yotes in 45 minutes! :ih

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For a 42 yr old (I think that's how oldl he is) Recchi is playing great too. Chelios probably had a big ole grin on his face for his play that triggered the goal (if he didn't fall asleep ;)).

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Apparently Hejduk is not playing tonight...:td

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Recchi is playing like a 35 yold what a great play he made. And nice shot by Bergeron

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Game time! Go Hawks:banger

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

The intensity in the Flyers/Devils series has most definitely gone up. What a game so far...the Devils have laid a few big hits, Boucher looks pretty solid again and Brodeur made a save that was just special (laying down on his side, glove save over his hip). Through two periods, the Flyers have the lead though :banger:...both beating Brodeur on his glove side, go figure.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Flyers take a 3-1 lead in the series! :wo

Gagne left the game after taking a shot in the leg/ankle area..."Lower body injury". I hope he doesn't miss any time, but I don't think it looks good. LW is not a strength of the Flyers, especially with how poorly Hartnell has been playing this series (IMHO).

And if I were a Devils fan (cringe) Kovalchoke would be driving me absolutely crazy. He tries to do so much on his own and it seems to take his linemates out of the play. The fit seems especially bad on a team built like the Devils are built.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Hawks stinking it up. :mad:

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I think they will bring it in the third period Tom:xxx

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

hope so

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Not so far. :td

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Positive karma heading the Hawks way. This has been the most insane first round ever. 1-4 stand a good chance of getting bounced by 5-8. In a way its awesome.

As a Sharks fan I would like to be mad, but I am so used to playoff failure that I just expect it now.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

:sad

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

That happened one time before in the West. I think it was the year the Oilers made the finals as an 8 seed against the 'Canes...2006.

I don't know if I can make it too late tonight, but I'll try to stay up to watch the end of the Sharks/Avs game. 3 OTs in a row. Crazy.

I don't know who the announcers are calling the game for Versus...but they aren't going to help keep me awake....ugh. :sleep:

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Nice goal for Pavelski in O.T.

Craig Anderson stopped 94 of 96 shots in the last two games....he is the series MVP to this point.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

I ended up getting tickets last minute to the Wings game last night (pays to still be a student :)). The atmosphere was totally different at the Joe last night than it was on Sunday for game 3. The crowd was into the game from before the first drop of the puck and never settled down the whole game. And the Wings took it to the 'Yotes, especially Jimmy Howard. He made some great saves and looked like a different goalie out there. I hope he can continue playing like he did last night. Plus a big key was the defense. They made it tough for the Yotes to even come into the offensive zone. Doan will probably be back for a huge game 5 in Phoenix.

I couldn't believe the score of the Hawks game, Pops. Never would have thought Nashville would be able to take it to them like this. History is not very good to the Hawks when they lose 2 of the first 3 games. They are 8-18 after losing 2/3. Although the series against Vancouver they were down 2-1 and ended up winning 3 straight to take the series so anything can happen. This is the first time in Nashville history they are up in a series with 2 wins. We will see what happens..

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn!
So lets see the series so far in the west has gone 1-1, 2-1, 2-2 the wings were down 1-2 and battled back. I think its a little early for any gloom and doom posts regarding any team. Just like the last time when you posted some speculation and were proved wrong. Dont worry about old stats as they reflect teams that are different with different players. Some of the players from the past teams you are discussing are friggin dead I believe, but hey whatever.

Same thing I have been telling you all year. The crest on the front doesnt change, the players do and past teams success dont mean current success. Hence the Wings troubles this year. Also demonstrated by your series with the Yotes being dead even and the Yotes having home ice advantage. They dont have a good playoff history but are doing just fine against a team with an amazing history of playoff success and have a good chance to win the series. Why is that? Because the players on the teams not the crest on the front are ancient history. This is not the the wings of mid 2000s this is 2010 and many of those guys are gone.

That said I am starting to have a few concearns about the Hawks.
The key games in a series are listed as 3 and 5. All three of our teams have lost game 3. Just as the Wings and Sharks bounced back so can the Hawks and I think they will.

As to the crowd at the Joe never settling down. No really, you lead the whole game and they never settled down? Where as the game you lost and trailed a fair amount they were quiet?

On the Sharks. Nice to see Pavs come up clutch AGAIN! Nabby had a good game. Avs definetly stood up more to the Sharks and didnt get pushed around as much. Will make games 5-6 and possibly 7 very interesting. This series I think just might go the distance. I think the Wings Yotes may also go the distance. Both series the momentum keeps going back and forth. Its a chess match.

Have faith Tom.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

I agree with this:But I wanted to point out the Devils have only won one series when they have been down 3-1. It was against the Flyers. Waaaaaay back in 2000. The same goalies are playing in this series as in 2000. Where is the "biting fingernails" smiley?

Now that Gagne and Carter are out for game 5, I sure hope the Flyers can finish this off quickly. And regardless if they do or not, I hope one or both of them can make it back without missing too much time.

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

It is interesting how history has a way of repeating itself. However, we keep playing the game to see who the better team is on that particular night. Regarding the Hawks vs Preds; I posted historic stats in both directions. Never did I say this is how it's going to happen.

This is a interesting topic considering you go on about how the Sharks continually take a dive in the postseason. Past 4 years Sharks get over 100 points and all 4 years they tank in the playoffs. Seems like that logo may mean something. NHL players have been polled and found that the Wings are the most respected team in the NHL, and they also have the best coach (ESPNthemagazine). There is more to winning than just the players. Coaches, front office, and yes even the logo helps all of this.

On another point you continually bring up how poorly the wings played this season and that the salary cap would finally hit the Wings. 9 players out at 1 point due to injuries and growing pains of a Rookie goalie led to a big part of why the Wings suffered through the first part of the season. After the Olympic break you are presented with the hottest team in the NHL and pretty much healthy roster. Another point about that roster is most of the core players came through our system, not through FA.

My fault for not being specific enough. The place was not only electric during the game but from before the puck dropped you could feel a difference. People were excited and ready to cheer on the Wings last night. On Sunday it was like everyone was in a lull before the game even started, and then the Coyotes score early leading to a bad loss. Obviously the crowd is going to be into it when the home team is winning. The attitude of the fans was just way different from Sunday. Sunday home ice didn't make a difference, yesterday it definitely did.

I don't see the Wings losing another game this series. I think they finally got the message after the way they played in the past 2 games. We know you don't care but historically the Wings have played poorly in the first round. I am no means an expert, but I'm willing to keep making observations and give my thoughts. Based on what I've seen, the Wings win in 6. If I was always right, I wouldn't be sitting here. I'd be on my yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean, smoking 1492's, drinking Louis XIII Cognac, wearing a lions mane, and having women feed me. Unfortunately I'm not right on everything and I have to make it through life by other means.

I'm wondering if most of your comments just come from hating the Wings so much :hm

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Yup you just proved my point. Its the players they have that are causing it. They play great in the regular season because its not about heart. In the post season when it matters most Marleau and largely Jumbo the 2 stars dont play with any heart. look at Marleaus stats. That was why they stripped him of the C. Its part knowing how to win, part heart, and part skill at this time of the year. The Sharks stars dont have the key element heart and regardless of the crest it wont change. Its also why almost 50% of the team is knew this year and the second and third lines are the ones who are getting it done and keeping them in it.

I dont recall saying they played poorly. I thought I said they were an average to slightly above average team now because the salary cap has taken its toll. This is the concept you cant seem to wrap your brain around. Whats funny is NHL analysts all said this would happen last year and they were right. Somehow you know more then them though. The injuries exposed the lack of depth to fill the gaps when people go down. Wings teams pre cap had much more depth of star power and would have kept rolling.


We will see about the wins

My comments are largely caused by the fans. They seem to not look at things objectively because the franchise has a great history. When shown logic they just keep chanting the same montra. The issue is many young wings fans have never known the bad Wings team so its difficult for them to grasp that it could happen.

The crazy thing is if 1-4 get eliminated the Wings would become my favorite to win. That would be painfull as humbleness seems missing from your posts. Stuff like your everyone says were the best and we have the best coach. The Series is tied 2 to 2. It seems after both wins now you have called the series. I just dont see those posts from anyone else in this thread much people display more humility. :tu

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

In an attempt to keep this thread on the right state of mind I am actually not going to give my opinion on your posts any longer Christos. Went to delete my last post, but it had been more than 15 min. Tom I have no issues if you make the post go area 51.

My appologies for taking this thread where it shouldnt be. I will keep my nose out of the Wings Yotes discussion or any further Wings discussion till or if they play the Sharks. I will stick to the other series.

My pics for tonight are Caps, Sabs, Kings. Going to be exciting tonight.

Wen

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

Here we go OT # 2


TUUUKKKA!!!!
LETS GO BRUINS!!!

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

What a game up and down all Night.
I don't know how they do it. Miller was awesome Tuukka was Awesome.
Great game all around
And the Bruins win in Double OT.

I love playoff Hockey.

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Great game :tu

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I think I have a man crush on Tuukka Rask.
GO Bruins!

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Thought the Kings were going to make it 3-1 tonight. Stupid Canucks. :td

Another great night tomorrow... I wish it wasn't so far away. :r

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

At one point they had 9 players out and to remain competitive I would say shows they have a deep team. There are only a few teams that could lose so many players and keep themselves within shouting distance of a playoff spot. So maybe a definition of "depth" would help the conversation.


That point that I brought up was a poll done by ESPN the magazine of NHL teams. They voted and those were the results. Never did I say the Wings were the best team either, the poll said they were the most respected. Plus I cited that in my last post. Now obviously I love the Wings but I cannot honestly say they are the best team this year. I'm biased towards them for sure, but isn't that the point of being a diehard fan? I can look at the league objectively but I'd never root against my team. I'm glad I missed the years of the "Dead Wings". I'm also glad that pretty much all of my 23 years the Wings have been a great team. I have enough agony since my favorite football team is the Lions :r

Re: NHL '09 - '10 Thread
 

;s

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Once again, the Kings fail to play an entire game. They either start great and end with a wimper, or start slowly and find a way to turn it on. Until they learn to put a full 60 minutes together they won't be going anywhere. Of course a little 5 on 5 scoring would be nice, too. Going 9 for 16 on the PP is great, but getting outscored 5-10 at even strength does not win a series.

We'll see. I still have faith. They already won one in BC, hopefully they can do it again and hold serve at home. At least I'll get to go to a third playoff game at Staples!