f13.net

The best I can figure out is that you click here.

http://hockeypool.cbc.ca/cbc/hnicp09/groups.cgi (http://hockeypool.cbc.ca/cbc/hnicp09/groups.cgi)

Group name: Batcountry

Password: Divein




You may also have to do some various signing up.

It would seem that you then go here:

http://hockeypool.cbc.ca/cbc/hnicp09/fan_enter_picks.cgi (http://hockeypool.cbc.ca/cbc/hnicp09/fan_enter_picks.cgi)

To enter your picks.

-You pick two full teams - one east, one west.
-You do this each round.
-Players have points associated with them, and you have a budget of 30 points.
-You have to pick a "Star Player" for each F, D, and G. You get double points for these players.

It would appear that your team is entered in the official contest as well as the groups you've joined automatically.



Pick Deadline: 7:00 PM ET on Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2009


This post will be edited as I continue to figure this out. It's 5am, give me a break if I fucked something up.

Signed up.

You have to register in the first link, then you can join the group afterwards.

play the CBC Hockey Night in Canada Playoff Pool
Go to: http://hockeypool.cbc.ca/cbc/hnicp09/

Once you've registered go to the Create/Join Group page at
http://hockeypool.cbc.ca/cbc/hnicp09/groups.cgi
and join the "Batcountry" group that I've created.
The group password is: Divein

Oh its on, like Donkey Kong!  :drill:

Im in.

Cool- thanks for setting this up.

Entered. There's a few oddly cheap players in that list.

IT'S A TRAP.

In.

Hey, Maggie the monkey is retiring.   :heartbreak:

What a shame. With a 40-35 all time record, she must have been showing up the human hosts too much.

In just in time.

I love that Canucks run down Calgary to win the division and the higher seed and are rewarded with the hottest team in the league. Fuck.

FYI I don't see you on there Haemish, so.

DUR. I submitted my lineup, but didn't read far enough to join a group. Done now.

I could save enough points to pick up Mike Green by betting against the Canucks.

Hm.

Blues were hot at the end of the season.

QUITE happy with last night's games.

The Rangers win was surprising. But a good surprise.

I'd love to see Ovechkin go jump around on the fucking golf course during the second round.

I did manage to get Green, and what does he do for me last night... nutin.

Canucks series should be a good one, though I am pissed to learn that games 3 and 4 are not going to be in hi-def (due to the poor economic climate).

Green is a punk and I'm quite happy that I chose Luongo at this point.

What's funny is that one of my major reasons not to pick Green was because I thought the series would be short. Maybe even a Caps sweep, I thought.

Loltheodore.

One suspension to the Flyers incoming. Carcillo for the buttend to Talbot's jaw off the faceoff at the end of the game.

Too bad it's only one suspension, and too bad it's just Carcillo. If anything, that probably helps the Flyers.

I'm in a hockey pool at work and we have to pick one guy as our 'enforcer' and he gets 1 pt per goal/assist and 2 points per penalty minute.

My enforcer is Hartnell. He had more points by himself than the 2nd place guy got from all his players all night. Too bad it's just 4 games in and not 4 weeks in, though it's pretty nice to see my name at the top of the leaderboard right away.

Blues had the best 2nd half record in the NHL.

Should probably have introduced a "No Flyers" rule to keep that pool fair.




Seriously.

So where is the suspension for Bill Guerin instigating a fight at the end of the game.

It's a rule on the books, isn't it?

Guerin never got an instigator minor. If Coburn hadn't dropped his gloves he might have, but that's pussy hockey. 

/gratz to the Hawks for game 1 victory… …not that I particularly dislike the Flames, and actually like them a lot more than the BS Brian Sutter Bullshit Hockey (as Keith Tkachuk so aptly termed it) days, and I'd never thought I'd root for a Wirtz team (but now he's passed on)… …but I love the style they play and Khabby has always been one of my favorite netminders, and when he gets on a roll, he's a tough wall to penetrate…

Is a Flyers fan talking about suspensions?

I thought that was kind of funny too.

I might have looked at a Duck for that enforcer spot, if they get the upset, you'd have had you whole pool locked.

I love the Calgary series- it is good for me whoever wins. If Chicago wins, I get to see Calgary lose. If Calgary wins, I get to see the Canucks humiliate them in the second round (if they can sneak by the Blues, that is).

He definitely should have; it was a textbook fucking instigator.

Actually, if you watch, the fight was in response to a hack at his ankles. You know, that "stuff" the Flyers were doing. That could have resulted in SEVERAL suspensions (as such making it humourous that you're trying to complain about one based on a new rule) - and beyond that, they both dropped their gloves at basically the same time.

I would have actually said to take Guerin on that technicality (and it's a stretch), if you're also going to suspend the 5-6 Flyers who were out to injure that night in the last minute.

I would have.

But having Guerin in the lineup worked out pretty great last night.

 :drill:

Wow, check this out. This is awesome.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0904/nhl.playoffs.separated.at.birth/content.1.html

Wait for a good laugh at the end.

Yeah, because the Penguins CERTAINLY play perfectly clean at all times and would Never try to put down an opposing player.

Retarded. Guerin ran at Coburn, tossed off his gloves and fucking tackled him. A hack at the ankles? Really? Kiddy shit.

I think we were watching two different games.

I won't even make the comment about Flyers and slashing ankles.

Anyway, moving on.

I think it's safe to say there won't be any sneaking involved at this point.

Oh, and how big a hockey fans are we up here? Jim Patteson (who owns half of BC) went and cut a check to the CBC for $100 grand to get them to rent a high def truck for the games in St. Louis

Mighty Ducks indeed. Considering they did a fire sale this season, WTF?

$#%$#Q^YT#$TR FEAGQ%#^Q$%YU&$%RT%@!#^Y%$%#%^Y&T##!@#@!%T&Y^*&^*%$^$#$%#@$!  sharks in the goddamn playoffs.

Sharks are playoff failboaters. That's all there is to it.

Every year the analysts cream themselves about how far the Sharks are going. Maybe people should just stop putting faith in them until they fucking do something.

As far as tonight, let's go Canadiens. Lucic is out for a crosscheck to the shoulder that slid up to Lapierre's neck, so get it done fuckers.

FYI, Stewie is tied for 86th overall in the CBC pool.

To put that in perspective, Naum is tied for 39,438th.

I just noticed that I somehow have Shea Weber on my team. I don't think he will score too many points in the playoffs. WTF.

That's what I get for not picking any Penguins and starting Jose Theodore…

That's what I get for picking Nabokov as my star goalie.  :ye_gods:

You should both also get a smack upside the head. Better luck in round 2, it'll be harder to completely fuck up.

Carey Price in net tonight, eh? Wellll.........

Welcome to 0-3, Habs.

Absolutely godly performance by Fleury. Total ass from the rest of the pens.

Wins is wins, though.

Hell of a game last night. Luongo remains god. Go Ducks, Go! (so we don't have to face Detroit in the 2nd round)

God bless the Fleury. Sykora needs to get scratched, he's obviously hurt.  Gonchar has been oddly inconsistent. 

We need an easy matchup next round to get our shit together.  Also, I want to be able to attend games in person.  Go Caines and Caps!

Next round (in the East) will be BOS vs. NYR and CAR vs. PIT.

Rangers will take Washington in 7. Varlamov won't stay hot, IMO. He's what, 18?

(http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t11/wayabvpar/luongobroom.jpg)

Yeah, but give the Blues credit. It wasn't like the Montreal/Boston sweep. At least they competed.

He made up for the dreadful game 3 performance and carried the team to victory.

Eh, Pens played well in period 2 but got back on their heels in period 3, playing not to lose and did their best to serve the game up to the Flyers. Fleury had different ideas and the only one he let in, I don't think Spiderman could have stopped… …very sloppy in their own end, forwards and D-men both — Eaton, Scuderi, Orpik all lazy and by the end of the period, weren't even capable of even icing the puck.

On Boston v. Montreal, Detroit v. Columbus, Jackets & Habs totally outgunned…

Anaheim v. SJ very competitive, thought Ducks had upper hand last night, started to impose their will I thought, then I fell asleep at 3-3 and wake up to discover SJ won…

Chicago v. Calgary has been very exciting series to watch — I love the way the Hawks play but Khabby needs to have his A game going for them to have a serious shot and I think no matter, any of these teams will be punked by Detroit…

The Blues are going to be a nightmare next year. All the kids have some seasoning, and if they improve their blueline and maybe a bit more secondary scoring they will win a playoff series next year.

I didn't know you were allowed to slidetackle goalies now.

Fleury played really well, and was lucky when he needed to be.

Series could easily be 3-1 the other way.

I'd like to gloat about being tied for 83rd here for a moment.

How's 40,192 working out for you there, Naum?

Yes, gloat. And ridicule me for picking Jose Theodore… …WTF was I thinking…

…though Osgood easily could have netted 3 SO instead of 1, and there's still game 4 to go…

Ozzy looks good. Detroit's D looks good. And the team is hitting.

Look the fuck out NHL :)

Oh look, Montreal is completely fucked and really sucks.

Edit: You know, I should sign back up to WoW just for tonight. I used to play with a bunch of French Canadian guys that I could really be razzing right now. Fuck, it's even raid night.

Has there been a franchise in any sport more prone to ridiculous chokes as the Washington Caps?

Phoenix Suns? Chicago Cubs? San Diego Chargers?

Relying on a player who, every single time he touches the puck, rushes down the left side and fires the puck through the legs of the defenseman in a whirling dervish of fucking predictability to play thirty minutes a game of the laziest defense known to man and shoot the puck literally thirty times (less than half of which hit the net, even) whether a shot is the right play or not isn't a good playoff strategy.

Washington is a good fucking team. Flat out. One of the best teams in the East on paper, if not THE best. And I'm not saying Ovechkin is really the problem. But how about some fuckin' defense.

I watched the Caps/Rags game last night, yo. Ovechkin played almost 30 minutes, and I couldn't have told you that. Mostly because when his team is in the defensive zone, Ovechkin is nowhere to be seen in the frame.

"Huh. Well, that's OV's line again. Where the fuck is OV?"

Waiting for a pass.

Caps look like they've been well crafted for regular season success but need to exchange a few parts to attain postseason success. Much like the Pens in the early Mario years…

15 years ago Peter Bondra was the same way. The Caps have an affinity for puck-hogging cherry-picking wingers.

lol, Montreal.

Carey Price, next Patrick Roy, amirite? :awesome_for_real:

What is he now, 1-8 career in the playoffs? lolz

Lulz at Pitt's pitiful play tonight.

How can you be surprised. Their last three games have been complete and utter fail.

Game 7 should be interesting if the Pens decide to show up (because game 6 is guaranteed to be a Philly win at home with the Penguins playing like this).

Those are teams with just general long streaks of futility. The Caps seem singular in their ability to completely outclass the teams they ultimately lay down for in the playoffs.

Sharks.

Pens win!

(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x85/X26r/thechariman.jpg)

Flyers draft pick charged with killing referee, burying body


http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Flyers-draft-pick-charged-with-killing-referee-?urn=nhl,158910



I've heard of immersing your prospects into your systems at a young age, but come on Philly.

Come on.

Holy shit I have seen that guy play like 10 times! He was a T-Bird for a year or two.

Brashear suspended for 6 games. 5 for his crushing "blind site" hit on Ranger Betts and 1 for a pregame skate altercation…

Too excessive?

Seems so to me, given that a guy can swing a stick at another skater and rarely get penalized. Harsh penalty imposed just because the injury suffered.

More like, not enough penalties/suspensions for shit that gets let go in games.

They're inconsistent at best. Brashear got that much because he's a goon, plain and simple. Any other player gets 1-2, if anything.

Definitely the Sharks.

Eulogy: Remembering the 2008-2009 Calgary Flames (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Eulogy-Remembering-the-2008-09-Calgary-Flames;_ylt=AnhvNkLb6ZsH7TVMmIMz8Rl7vLYF?urn=nhl,159630)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOc6CCLlap8

Is there even a point in watching this until the finals? Can anyone actually beat Detroit or Boston?

First: lol @ Rangers for thinking they can possibly win games by scoring one goal.

Second: Wow Carolina wtf?

As far as watching the second round, I'd say there's some interest to be had. Washington/Pittsburgh will be the apple of the network's eye, Carolina has been good and has a chance against Boston. Anaheim may also surprise Detroit.

WTF indeed. 2 goals in the last 2 minutes, come charging back from 3-2 deficit to claim game 7 on Devil ice. First goal I can excuse the mighty Marty but the GW by Staal? What a crushing loss for Devils and their fans…

Also this:


Pens vs. Caps


(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x85/X26r/thechariman.jpg)

fucking penguins.   caps better not choke again.

If the Caps are going to choke (again), it will almost certainly be against the Penguins, just like in 1991, 1992 (after being up 3-1 in the series no doubt!), 1995 (after being up 3-1 in the series AGAIN), 1996, 2000, and 2001.

When I was living in Virginia in the 90's I can't recall how many times I came close to putting things through the screen of my TV.

At least I can root them on now after watching the Sharks lay down and die.

Caps took series from Pens in '94 (a geriatric Pens squad on the downslope after Cup years and terrific '93 regular season and Islander upset that put kibosh on 3-peat). But Pens took at least half-dozen series from Caps.

But that's all history. I think Pens have big problems matching up with Cap (and Boston too, Carolina to some degree also) forwards — either too small or too slow on defensive end. And Caps took 3 of 4 in the regular season series, though you can toss that too as it's whole new season in post-season…

Yea, the only thing the League would have loved more would have been the Caps vs Pens in the Conference final.

That Carolina/New Jersey game was crazy. It was pure chance that I ended up watching the third period. The absolute highlight though was one of the replays went to freezeframe after the last goal, with a perfect shot of a blonde in the front row facepalming in disgust.

I was hearing similar things in 1998 about the matchup with Detroit....and look how that turned out. :wink:

We'll see, it should be interesting either way, but I've been disappointed too many times in the past to get my hopes up too high.

Remember to put your round two picks in before the games start.




(http://azaroth.org/images/standingsplayoffpool09.bmp)

Canucks up 2-0 over Chicago in game 1 in the 2nd. I,m at the game her in Van and fuck is it loud! Go nucks!

Congrats on the win, 'nucks.

The last 22 minutes of that game took years off my life. I texted Trotski that the Canucks were going to lose with about 5 minutes left. I don't like having to use up tricks like reverse jinxes this early. Hopefully they will take this as a wakeup call and decide to play a full 60 minutes tomorrow night.

Little like the Penguins.

They'll play the first. Or they'll play the third. But never both-  and never, ever will they show up in the second period.

Well they switch sides in the second, that's confusing!  :oh_i_see:

Hey, I've seen a guy score a goal into our own net in the second period. It IS confusing, apparently.

Typical.

Pens dominate first period 5 on 5.

Caps get a 5 on 3, go up 2-1.

Pens play like SHIT through the second... and probably the third.

The difference:

Varlamov: 36 shots, 34 saves, 94%
Fleury: 26 shots, 23 saves, 88%

Fleury needs to play better for the Pens to win. Can't fault him for the 5 on 3 goal (Matt Cooke, you are an idiot, and I would have benched you for the rest of the game…) but the other 2 were ones he should have had, or at least on the 1st one controlled the rebound.

Granted, Varlamov was not as sensational as dim witted NBC announcers crowed on, but however you stop them, you stop them, and he atoned for the soft Eaton goal.

Pens matched up better than I thought and even with a subpar Fleury and idiot penalties that gave Caps 5 on 3 and mo switch, would have won if they actually were able to mount an effective power play.

They fix the power play and Fleury controls rebounds, and maybe they can take the series.

Gonchar getting way too much ice time (I understand why) but ~30 minutes too much ice time and his game was lagging in final minutes. Odd, though how Blysma managed Malkin minutes, he only played like 11 minutes through 1st 2 periods but half of 3rd. Even when he's not in sync with his linemates, he still just as dangerous as Sid or AO…

Looked like Fedorov really knows how to bottle up Staal and I thought he did yeoman job as defensive forward in general, but what happened to his O power — he looks really tentative with the puck.

The Pens powerplay is the difference.

Period.

Yeah, gooch sucks and staal sucks and fleury is constantly kicking rebounds into the slot... but the powerplay has to fucking score sometimes. With that much talent on the ice. SOMETIMES.

Vancouver goes up 2-0 in the first period at home, and Chicago looked like shit on the ice. I started flipping back and forth between that and the NBA playoffs. By the time I get back it's 2-2 and the NBA game is wildly out of control, so I start paying attention again. From that point on in the second, Chicago just curbstomped Vancouver.

It's rare when I see a team look that different across the first and second half of the game. Luongo just collapsed and gave up 1 PP, 1 SH, and 3 regular strength goals.

I watched that shit.

I was like.  :ye_gods:

What an amazing game.

Canucks look like they're just imposing their will on Hawks, and then Hawks just burst out, and I really think they rattled Luongo, with all the contact in the crease… …the SH goal was beautiful too.

Turned on the DET/ANA game with like 10-12 minutes left in the third.

Absolutely no idea how Anaheim has scored three goals. They never have the puck.

Hiller was money in that first OT.

Fuck, Hiller was good that whole OT.

I'm glad it finally fucking ended though.

Someone finally beat Detroit while they were having a shitty day. Good for them.

I think the rust is fully off now though, so the Wings will take the next game with ease.

Conclusively, that was a fucking Carolina goal. Period.

It was shown at several different angles on TSN.

Ya, serious job on Carolina there.

Oh I don't know, Ducks played a lot better in game #1 and just melted down in 3rd… …today they were outplayed though they enjoyed stretches where they did dominate… …Getzlaf has shined in post-season, and may be more MVP than Crosby, Malkin, AO, etc.… …and I think Duck D squad most solid in NHL. Wings just are deep with talent and they'll no doubt wear Ducks down as the series unwinds…

Haven't seen much of Bruin play and going into today, looked like they were waltzing through 1st 2 rounds unscathed. Tonight, Canes being scrappy though it still likes Bruins team to beat this Cup season…

So the playoffs is pretty much just about goalies. I don't think they're getting shit by Cam Ward tonight.

We'll see how far they can ride him.

On non-goalie personnel, they probably least of all the final 8.

And yes, that was a goal. Bob Errey on NHL channel defending referees — no Bob, I think it's pretty clear that crossed the plane…

DERP!


Hawks look like they might give Vancouver a bigger fight than I originally thought. Still think Boston and Detroit are gonna move on, but the Ducks and Canes will give them a fight. I'm looking forward to the Caps/Penguins getting a bit nasty.

I thought the Canucks would roll over the Hawks. Toews is obviously hurt, Kane was out a game near the end of the first round, a couple of their defense are hurt and I'm waiting for the Khabibulin implosion.

What can I say, though. I should have realized that the canucks are still the canucks and are likely to implode at any given time for no real reason.

at end period 2 in game #2 of pit v. wash…

…unbelievable bullshit penalty call on kunitz for a phantom (trip|hook|elbow|*)? on ovechkin - in regular season may see something like that but never in post-season have i witnessed such a phantom call as that.

…if fleury doesn't step his game up, pens are toast. yeah, i know those are tough shots to stop, but it's cup time, and that is what separates champion from chump. he should have stopped those 2.

SAVEPCT
Fleury: 88%
Valarmov: 92%

Fleury sucks. He is no Cup goalie. Don't give me garbage about how hard AO shoots, he had clear look and that's a stop a Cup winning goalie makes. Period.

OTOH, Pens D is atrocious — AO had 12 SOG. Inexcusable.

And Caps D (Kurcina, Green, etc.…) are mauling Malkin and Pens forwards and really taking them off their game. Blysma needs to juggle the lines but we'll see what happens when they get last sub in Pittsburgh.

It's starting to look like a sweep.

I doubt it's a sweep, but it's probably a 5 gamer.

Nobody but Crosby showed up for this series. Nobody.

Letang is now injured, and Kunitz is going to be suspended for a crosscheck on Varlamov.

Pens will take one in Pittsburgh, but it'll be over soon.



Oh, hey. Malkin? Fuck you, you Russian cocksucker. You and Gonchar need to stop being a couple of heartless, gutless pukes.

Thanks.

The worst part is that despite NOBODY showing up besides Crosby, the Penguins have actually been the better team all series. Varlamov has just been... ridiculous, and the Pens defense has been flat out fucking awful.

It seems Gonchar spent by 3rd period… …his conditioning might be suspect, it doesn't look like he has enough in the tank, at least for the minutes he's logging… …and Letang showing he not up to postseason game, injury means we'll see Boucher in his spot (who else can fill that role, Gogoloski who spent most of 2nd half in WBS…)?

In defense of Malkin, he's getting mauled by Caps D and F both as they painted big crosshairs on him and his linemates are not stepping up… …they need to juggle the lines to give him a little help, I'd move Staal onto his line and let one play winger…

And unlike v. Phi, they're not winning faceoffs, which really exposes their poor D.

Varlamov looks like fucking Spiderman out there.

The worst part about Varlamov is that without him, the Pens be playing the Rangers.

What really fucking irked me, though, is the driveling stupidity of the media afterward.

After the first period CBC had Ron Mclean, Mike Milbury and Kelly Hrudy sitting around showing how ridiculously long Ovechkin's shifts were, how he doesn't buy in to the team concept, how much he floats, doesn't play defense, just fires the puck all the time and et cetera.

Well, yeah. That's Alexander Ovechkin. Like, not trying to knock the guy.. thats' what he does. Are you guys watching him for the very first time?

The game continues, and he continues to be AO. Playing the exact, very same fucking way he always does. He gets some good setups and fires a few in. Two from the circle on the powerplay (one into an empty net), and one rushing down on a defenseman one on one, using him as a screen. Frankly, it was an awful goal by Fluery. But that's what Alex Oveckin does every game. He either one times from the circle on the powerplay or he rushes in and uses the defenseman as a screen for a shot.

Three of his 21 shots hit the back of the net and these fucking troglodytes are blowing him all night after the game. And the media is still fucking teabagging themselves voluntarily all over his nuts. Calling it his best game ever. "Nobody can stop him", etc. Barely a mentioning that, you know, Crosby (or whoever that dude is) got a hat trick too.

I'm sorry, but what was he doing any different than he did in the first half of the game? I mean, someone did do something different - but it was Marc-Andre Fleury.

I don't know. This shit is starting to feel like the WWE. It's brainless shlock from a bunch of fickle mushheads who are always all too ready to hop immediately on board with the current media darling regardless of the fact that they were bashing the shit out of him 20 minutes ago.

And for good measure, I'm going to mention the fucking diving. Not because there was diving, and not because it was AO that was flopping around and looking at refs all night. Hell, not even because he randomly grabbed his face and fell to the ice like he'd been hit with a flying icepick despite the fact that nothing came near his face, and not even because that drew a penalty from the laughably WWE-caliber NHL referees.

But because, if Crosby pulled that shit, the media would be tearing him a new asshole for about six years straight. When AO does it, nobody says shit. Not a fucking word.

I'm reasonably close to watching games on mute and turning the television off between periods and immediately afterward. These people are fucking idiots.

I dunno, Fleury should have stopped all the AO goals scored. Yeah, they're hard shots but it sure looked to me like he had a good look. I don't think he was screened on the one…

Goal scorers always get the glory. So he loafs at the blue line, waiting for a pass. You know what? Pens should have a D + F both marking him, but Pens don't have anybody that can handle him 1v1. Maybe Staal can skate with him, and have Orpik/Gill take him from the dots in…

A challenge for Bylsma, but Pens skaters still have to execute and it doesn't look like they have personnel to address AO. Maybe things are better on home ice when they get last line change, we'll see…

MIA: Chris Kunitz, Jordan Staal, Petr Sykora…

MIA:

Kunitz, Staal, Sykora, Malkin, Fedotenko, Gonchar, Guerin, Kennedy, Talbot, uh... etc.

Kunitz showed up for a few seconds at a couple points, actually. But that's about it.

It's been flat out Crosby vs. the Capitals.

Edit: I also completely agree that the goals, at least a couple of them, were pretty much on Fleury. That's kinda the point. Guy played the same way as when they were bashing him, but Fleury lets in a couple of relative softies and Ovechkin is suddenly Alex Ovchristchkin.

Yeah, but to be fair, the NHL playoff's have always been about the hot goalie.  Osgood, Hasek, Roy, just go down the list.

Yeah, but the frustrating part is that their goalie was Theodore. Out of nowhere comes this kid, completely randomly, that plays net like Jesus.

Then after smoking the Pens, he'll revert back to below-average <-> above-average goalie in next series. Really hot goalies playing over their heads typically only lasts for a series. Sometimes two. Rarely can goalie alone power a team to a cup.

Though Capitals have some more ingredients. They just lack depth and experience. And the Penguins possess not much more in the experience department, just +1 season and a few castoffs with Cup signature engravings (Capitals have a few too, however, Fedorov comes to mind, but certainly I'm missing more, or am I?).

I dunno. I'd just be happy if someone would cover Ovechkin.

How can he constantly be wide-fucking-open?

Not playoff related, but NHL breaking:

Blackberry Chief Bids for Coyotes
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSN0551773220090505


NHL has been hostile to any Hamilton (or another Buffalo/Toronto area franchise that would encroach on the market of each), so I am curious if this will fly… …have not heard any more, but the local sports talk jocks are saying it's a done deal…

My theory on this is that Balsillie is in league with the NHL. He makes ridiculous offers constantly for teams that aren't worth a red cent and never actually GETS a franchise (four teams now?), thereby driving up the (at least publicly perceived) value of NHL franchises in general.

That said, a team near Toronto WOULD be profitable as fuck. It's just that the Leafs (and to a lesser extent, the Sabres) would never, ever allow it. They're suicide bomb the NHL offices before it happened.

I know that it would be popular and profitable. But /yes, Toronto (and Buffalo too) will put the kibosh on any proposed franchise there, as they see it cutting into their pie. Already, outside of the NY area teams (and back then Hartford too), Toronto and Buffalo are already at closest NHL distance.

I think they'd have better luck moving the team to Toronto proper, and hoping to divide the city a la Chicago with MLB.  If not, Vegas is constantly gunning for a major sports team.  :awesome_for_real:

There will never be another NHL team within the GTA. Ever.


Not while the fucking Leafs can pull in ten jillion dollars by simply EXISTING.

I wonder how many times I have to watch the puck go in the net before they call it a goal? Apparently in Anaheim it doesn't matter that the whistle happened AFTER THE FUCKING PUCK CROSSED.

Intent to blow.

....


The whistle.



Regardless, Detroit just got royally screwed by.. well, like...

It's atrocious refereeing. It's... the NHL. I guess I can't be too surprised anymore.

But that shit was fucked up. Lol.

Usually the reffing doesn't bother me in hockey. It's nowhere near as bad as the NBA or NFL at times.

Still, the fucking puck was in the net. The whistle happened after the puck went in. They showed it with sound several times. I don't give a green god damn what the intent of the ref is, that's a goal.

EDIT: If that's a rule it's a shitty rule and it should go away. Just like the dumbass rule about reviewable plays after whistles in the NFL went away because of the clusterfuck call by Ed Hochuly on the Denver fumble.

I think you guys may end up being wrong about the whole second team in TO thing. It will end up in court battles.

Well, that was a hell of a better game by the 'nucks last night. Kessler was a forechecking god. Three or four times he caused a turnover in the Hawks end in the middle of the ice on his own. Was fucking brilliant.

Intent to blow the whistle is an actual rule, yes.

Doesn't change the fact that the whistle shouldn't have been blown, or the fact that the puck was in the net before it was.

It was a goal.

Yes, will be interesting. Looks like Moyes (the "until 5/5/09" owner of the Coyotes) blindsided the NHL with his bankruptcy + sale deal forging. And it seems Blackberry dude was rather savvy this time resorting to subterfuge instead of open bidding.

But the puck is in the NHL zone now — they need to find a set of owners in Arizona or Vegas or Portland or Oklahoma City or Winnipeg or ?.

And curious to see what my home city who plunked down lots of taxpayer dough to secure the Coyotes (and to build up the sports mega-mall that surrounds Coyote (and Cardinal) facilities) does in response too.

But it's a team that's never won a playoff series, hasn't even qualified for post-season in 7 years. And they've failed to market and grow fans long-term - see what I wrote on this months ago - http://azplace.net/index.php?itemid=985 

Mason Raymond has been quietly effective during the playoffs too- glad to see him get a goal (what a pass by Kes). If the Sedin line could get going I would feel a lot better.

If Phoenix is going under, I can't help but think Atlanta is probably next. To go from a winning the division in 06-07 to coming in 28th and 27th over the last two years, that's lead them to have the second to last average attendence in the league behind even Phoenix.

It's only been recent few years that Phoenix did not pack 'em in. First few seasons in new arena saw lots of sellouts and even when playing in old America West Arena (with 3-5K seats eliminated or offering obstructed view) Coyotes always were a strong draw (but they were making the playoffs every season in them years).

The move west really split them off from East Valley fans though. For me, I'm a few exits down the 101 but for people in Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, and even S. Scottsdale (N. Scottsdale not too bad, as you can just ride 101 loop), it means an hour drive to get to the games. Couple that with the silly league scheduling that means a lot of the teams Valley transplants are interested in seeing (Rangers, Penguins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Devils) rarely come to visit.

But, bigger, like I wrote in my articles, Coyotes always focused short-term, and never made strides to grow the sport in Arizona. With rollerblades and 300+ days of sunshine, a plethora of roller rinks (outside and indoor), they should have evangellizing hockey, sticking sticks and skates in every youth's possession, and promoting leagues, etc.… …instead of the token player meet and greet autograph sessions and an occasional plug for the handful of actual ice sheets that exist in the "Valley of the Sun".

Lol.

Game starts, immediate bounce off the boards out infront of the net which Ovechkin, of course, pots.

As if they need the bounces here.

Malkin, again, doing jack shit.

Gonchar, our number one defenseman, immediately coughs up the puck if anyone looks at him crosseyed.

Staal... well, sonofabitch. What an awful draft pick. Honestly, look at the top 5 that year and look at what we could have had aside from Eric's Brother. How can your best year be your fucking rookie season.

At least now some of you know how it feels to be a PHL fan watching a national telecast involving either PIT or WSH.

Mike Milbury has no business being in a modern telecast. The asses on VS and NBC just harp on 1 or 2 of Bettman's beloved players.

Oh, I've known that for some time. They suck the balls off of whoever is winning, and whoever is the current media darling.

Last two years, it's been OV. But before that, it was Crosby. And it was sickening each. and. every. time.

Although, to be ENTIRELY fair, Pierre Macguire was sucking the balls off of Richards that entire series.

Point is that, regardless, it's fucking sickening and annoying when it's done. It's also a mush headed way to broadcast a game. I expect better insight into what's going on in a game than "I BET SO AND SO'S BALLS TASTE GREAT".

Dude, hockey's in the tank with popularity. They are trying to front the superstars so they can draw in fans. I'll more than admit I've watched games because OV is in there. Also, I hate the announcing quality, but that's what you get when your sport goes on strike and you sell off the TV rights to a 3rd rate network that does MMA and funnycar as it's other main draws.

Yeah, but I also hate that everything is so choreographed from the standpoint of "Here's what's good for the league, all of the media does it."

It makes it seems so... fake.

Either way, great outcomes tonight. Pens, then Canes. Awesome.

NBC has proven to be far worse. Of course, they only do a handful of games a season, so they have an excuse for their ineptness. Nor was ESPN that much better — I, for one, was thankful to be spared of Bill Clement (other than the hijinks of chugging everytime he uttered the word "torque"…).

And the whole notion of selling the superstars seems flawed to me. Instead, should be illustrating on how hockey embodies the elements of all the other major sports - power of football, skill of baseball, precision of golf, quickness of basketball, toughness of boxing, etc.… Or emphasizing the team play aspect - all 20 (or 15-18 come playoff time) are involved in the game, and each has a role to play, and if you loaded up with just *superstars*, your team would suck. The superstar focus obscures these elements and pegs hockey as a winter variant of basketball.

Best evangelism for the game is to get people to play it. They get an instant appreciation. Second best (and I have had opportunity to do this) is to show them the game at ice level — back when the Coyotes first moved to Phoenix, they held rookie camps at America West Arena (can't even recall what corporate moniker is on it now - US Airways?) and I worked next door — I brought workmates down for lunch and we went to ice level, sometimes just watching them do silly drills we did in peewee hockey — skating around pylons, puck passing, breakouts, etc.…, then I'd watch their jaws drop in awe as they got a closeup view of the speed and skill, whereas they came with preconceived notions of how it was a game for plodding oafs.

I've brought several people to hockey games that have never watched the games before. Here are my conclusions from taking noobies:

- Going to games is always fun, but they don't like watching them on TV because they can't follow the puck.
- They don't understand play stoppages. Offsides is confusing at first.
- Everyone loves a good fight.
- Everyone loves a hard hit.
- People will not go to games if your team is sub-.500 after January.
- People don't pay much attention on the weekends while football is still going.
- People are more willing to get into hockey if they have someone knowledgable around them.
- People don't like the fact that the names are hard to pronounce.
- The playoffs are the BEST time to attract new fans.

See, maybe it's because I'm in Canada. But I have no desire to introduce people to my personal addiction. This trend of "Hockey is failing! We must help out good ship NHL Corporation!" is bullshit, imo. We're not fucking Jehovah's witnesses, and at least those dudes are going door to door advertising JESUS.

These fuckers make hockey games. I rikey. I don't give a fuck about their bottom line, and I'm not helping them out. They can eat my fucking ass with a side of potato salad, as I'm sure most if not all of them are rich old contemptible cocksuckers.

I understand that sometimes you want a friend or girlfriend to go to a hockey game or enjoy hockey with you or whatever. In that event, it's defensible to an extent and I get it. But this whole attitude that everyone needs to go door to door with crazy hats on to promote the NHL the last several years (promoted mostly by the media) is bullshit, imo.

That attitude is exactly because you are from Canada. If people said similar stuff to me about baseball failing, I'd tell them to kiss my ass that it's our national past time and they need to get with the program.

The NHL from a Canadian viewpoint will be fine. I think it is failing hard in the South, and they need to start contracting the teams personally. Columbus, Atlanta, Nashville, Phoenix, and Florida should all be disbanded and have any actual talent reassigned. Also, they should get rid of the Islanders (who have been dead last in attendence 3/4 last years). Get the league to 24 teams with decent to great markets, make it 4 teams in every division, and call it a day.

See, but I don't give a shit if they get with the program or not. And I don't fucking care that it's failing in the South.

I get Gary's American strategy, I get why it doesn't work, and I get why he sticks to it. I even get why there'll never be another hockey team in Southern Ontario (forever ever? forever ever ever).

I'm still not going door to door with funny hats. And I still offer the potato salad to the NHL owners. Fuck 'em.

Other than Maple Leaf insistence, I don't get why Toronto area (or Hamilton) can't have another team. Why is it OK for NY (3 teams, was 4 with Hartford) and LA but not Toronto?

And I think Quebec and Winnipeg should still have teams.

But the league should go into the sun belt and it will work if done right. Though 2 teams in Florida might be a stretch and giving a team to Atlanta, where hockey already failed, are questionable moves.

Problem is, they've been short term focused, concerned more with the luxury boxes than growing the sport.

Another example: a new facility (outdoor + 2 indoor rinks) was built just up the street from me, originally designed for inline hockey back in 2004-2005. Today, it's all indoor soccer as they scrapped the hockey. Back in the 90s, every kid owned a pair of rollerblades, and still many do, but Coyotes + city leaders (plus NHL too, if they really were serious about "growing" hockey) never grabbed on to that trend that faded. There's another local rink that has a thriving youth league setup (as well as the few ice sheets in town).  Coyotes, instead of paying attention to how many bodyguards Keith Tkachuk was allotted, should be sponsoring youth leagues and/or partnering with city (specifically Glendale after the move) to promote. No immediate payback, but 10+ years down the road would mean a burgeoning fan base.

Back to playoff series - I had to step out and missed the Pit/Was OT, but wow, Pens played desperate, and even a red hot goalie couldn't contain them, in the end. Malkin looked like the sleeper awakened. And please, stop with the Jordan Staal bashing — remember, he's only 20 years old and has already has better career totals than NHL 30+ers.  Even when he isn't scoring, he's still a very effective player.

Because those people are consuming hockey already.

A team will not move from an American city to the Toronto area. Forever ever ever. If there's another round of expansion at some point, maybe. But no relocation to Toronto. Ever.

There are the ever-present rumors about a team coming to Seattle, but I have several reservations about that-

1) I don't want to use any more taxpayer money to build an arena and then have a team leave 10 years later
2) I don't want to steal another fanbase's team since I know how much that sucks
3) I love the Canucks and would have trouble getting behind the new local team

I think you are more likely to see a team in Portland, if Paul Allen ever gets his wish.

I do feel for those of you having to watch US broadcasts.

Nothing is more painful to a Canadian hockey fan than trying to watch a game with a semi-fan beside you that thinks they know what they are talking about. At least complete Hockey newbs don't pretend to know what is going on.

Milburry absolved himself of anything bad he has ever done - he called Al Strachen a Dink on national TV last weekend. Unfortunately, I can't find a clip of it.

Az, what did you think of Malkin by the end of the last game?

I think he was trying too hard to do everything by himself. I also think the media was dumb as shit (as usual) for getting on him for it.

He has to. He has no wingers.

Point is that he was trying. Which is good.

Pens in 6.  :grin:

I think you could contract those teams mentioned earlier, minus Columbus.

Wow, I'd threaten Ovechkin here but the FBI would come get me.

Dirty motherfucker.

Not saying Gonchar O will not be sorely missed, but I find it noteworthy that AO nets only 2 SOG — Gonchar more than makes up for it on O, but he's just not that solid on D, at least against Cap frontliners. But Philipe Boucher in for Gonchar is going to hurt.

THOUGH

WTF did Rob Scuderi take to become superman on the ice?

And again Fleury lets in some soft goals but he made some nice saves (when he was challenged - Pens blocked a lot of shots too) and Valarmov seemed to return to earth, letting in more soft goals than Fleury allowed total. I'll ease off Fleury because all that matter is he let less in than the other team's netminder and he held the lead in the 3rd even if he did look shaky at times…

Somebody watching the Bruins/Canes series please tell me what happened to the Bruins. I only caught the third period (after Pens game), but they seem to have shriveled up and withered away. All this talk and Vs. announcer crowing about Chara manhandling Eric Staal — LOL, Staal seems like he got over game 1 clampdown, though having last change at home helped Canes with matchups. We'll see game #5 if the Bruins awaken or pining for the golf course greens, go completely comatose.

Just saying "hi" to all of you "Ovechkin led with his shoulder" people:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3513514807_bd057d0ed6.jpg?v=0)

In fact, not only was his knee out like that, but he was clearly leading with it. Here's a picture showing his right skate a foot and a half infront of his other one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3513514811_6eef37ef4b.jpg?v=0

Outside of Boston, which is really really odd, the matchups are all really good so far. The Ducks won't go away, the Caps and Pens are evenly matched, and Chicago either decides to play hockey or not.

Well, Gonchar out for the MF playoffs as per TSN.

No suspenion also, as per TSN.

Hit was clean, as per Fat Bob Mackenzie.

Most players lead with their knee a foot ahead of their other leg when they hit, I guess.

Honestly, I hope someone fucking tomahawks him. Do it, Cookie. You'll get suspended because you're not AO, but who the fuck cares?

Hell, put Goddard in to do it. He sits in the press box anyway during the playoffs. If the league wants to be a bunch of homos, play by their rules and sting them.

Goddard on Ovechkin. Tomahawk CHOP!

Nah, best way to respond is just to take game 5 and game 6, end series.

Yes, I expected the double standard to be employed here — if it was same hit, but Donald Brashear or George Laraque (or even PJ Axellson), there would be suspension issued and strong league proclamation about how that type of hit won't be tolerated. But when it a superstar the NHL pins their public appeal on, whitewash the reality and say it was just a unfortunate, unintentional mishap…

Figured Boucher would get the nod, but pleased that Gogoloski is coming up instead, though he's not seen big league action and some time and question whether he's ready for this level. But you gotta go with the horses you got.

I think Boucher would've gotten the nod if it weren't for Malkin being absolute fucking stank bogass quarterbacking the powerplay last night.

But Goligoski ain't fuckin' Gonchar, that's for sure.

As far as Ovechkin, he's the perfect person to make dirty plays like that. He'll never be suspended for it, and everyone knows it. He'd literally have to shoot someone on the ice. He might get one game for that.

I say this ends Gonchar's career, by the way.

He clearly wasn't really the same player coming back from that shoulder injury, and this could potentially slow him down even more.

Funny, he still has the shot and moves the puck around well in PP (and in controlling puck in enemy O zone), but his skating (what does that have to do with his shoulder?) seems to have suffered and his defensive acumen (which really was never top notch like the other parts of his game) has faltered further, especially when Gonchar is matched up against top caliber forwards.

All moot now, Letang + Gologoski will have to step it up. Unfortunately, Pens don't possess a skilled forward in that regard that could fill his role on PP (other than Malkin, but as you've correctly noted, has not really been a prudent move to date).

I'd argue that he does nothing as good as he did the season before, but he especially does a few things much worse. More injuries is not what the guy needs.

Sorry, I don't think that hit is suspendable. Gonchar dragged his knee out since he was too afraid to actually battle along the boards.  I don't like how Ovechkin leaves his feet all the time, but If doesn't move it's clean, shoulder on shoulder.  Admittedly, if the name said Brashear on the back the NHL would treat it differently.

I think Pens will finish the job anyways.  Varlamov's magic is wearing off.

Thrashers Move to Hamilton? (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/rumors/post/Vancouver-group-looks-to-move-Thrashers-to-Canad?urn=nhl,162349)

Where the hell is Hamilton? I've never heard of it.

Either way, I hope they get the deal done. They don't even bother televising all the Thrashers games down here because nobody gives a crap. Also, until the NHL gets itself on a real network, they need to get into more Canadian and Northern markets where they actually have a chance at making some money.

Hamilton is just west of Toronto. It's the Pittsburgh of Canada.

The lure is that it's SO close to Toronto that you're going to lure Leafs fans away.

My argument is that these people already watch/buy hockey shit. A short rise in merchandise sales is the net gain, big picture. The only problem with one team in the Toronto area is that it's hard to go to a game.

Strangely enough, I'm really interested in the Boston/Carolina game tonight. Boston can't really go out in five, can they?

I feel bad for Hamilton, they've been jerking their chain for DECADES in regards to opening a NHL team there.


They deserve one, they would easily support it and make it profitable... but I still don't see it happening.

Won't happen.

If I wanted another team in Ontario that badly I'd put it in London or Kitchener.  You'd end up with a market around the size of Ottawa when you include Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge.  RIM's corporate HQ is in Waterloo.  Infringes less on Toronto/Buffalo while still being close enough that people will make the trip from there.  Of course, being Balsillie's home turf, he may have already looked very hard at that area.

I'm not convinced he'll win the right to move the team though, even though the Coyotes are about as failed a franchise as you can get.

Well, shit. Tonight didn't go well at all.

I honestly didn't think Chicago was going to beat Vancouver. Toews and to a lesser extent Kane are clearly not totally healthy, and.. for fuck sakes... Khabibulin...

When you have offensive talent (hell, even if you utterly suck), you've gotta win home playoff games when you outshoot the other team by NINETEEN.  Varlamov was fucking insane again, Fleury wasn't. 

Even if Ovechkin scores 28 goals and ends 3 more careers in Game 7, Varlamov is still the MVP of this series if the Caps win.  Hell, he's the MVP of this series if the Caps lose, too. 

Well, him and Hal Gill.

SAVEPCT FOR GAME 6
Fleury: 79%
Valarmov: 90%

I can't fault Fleury for all the goals the last night — Pens D (and F) appeared to be in sleep mode or tangled up assignments frequently, but there were at least a couple he should have had. I said that he had to be at his best for them to have a chance — he's been good at times, but not great and sometimes cost them the game. Even if they survive Wednesday night, no way Pens advance again unless he raises his game a notch.

from tsn.ca
CANONSBURG, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Sergei Gonchar has practised for the first time since injuring his right knee during a collision with Alex Ovechkin and hopes to play in Wednesday's Game 7 against Washington.

Hm.

We'll see if it's a ruse to make the Caps plan for Gonchar or if it's for real on Wednesday, I guess.

Reports have been mixed. Some said he'd play the next game, some said weeks, some said rest of the playoffs. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.

Wow. The Pens are steamrolling the Caps. 3-0 30 seconds into the 2nd.

EDIT: Heh. Make that 4-0 150 seconds into the 2nd.

5-0.

"Get in the fast lane Grandma, the bingo game is ready to roll!"

This is one of those unreal asswhompings that make you wonder how the hell it went to 7 games.

Guess I'll be watching LOST live tonight. Yeesh  :ye_gods:

Here's how it went to 7:

Fleury.

Pens outplayed and outshot the Caps in every. single. game.

Honestly, I'd say Fleury/Varlamov but it's harder to list Varlamov after tonight and the fact that he let in a few pretty rankin' stinkers, even if he was pretty miraculous the rest of the time.

I suppose we can chalk it up to "Goalies" as the reason it went 7 games and leave it at that.

See? Fleury is a god damn train wreck.

That was a pretty brutal slash to the face on Crosby.

EDIT: Heh, sweet justice for Sid.

I want a picture of Ovechkin on his knees watching Crosby go for a breakaway.

Just sitting there, watching. Rofl.

(http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0518/rpm_g_lemieux_600.jpg)





thx.


np.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/1531kxy.jpg)

I hope Detroit wins now. So we can have the exact same setup as last year with different results.

I've been hoping for a rematch of last year.

Pittsburgh is going to have a hard time with Boston, though. Hopefully the wings get a little banged up too, because there are some existing and future injuries for the Pens.

That's if they can beat Boston.

I'm going to quote myself:


Yup.  At least I wasn't surprised.

Ahem!

I just don't see a way the Pens can win without giving Fleury a brain transplant. It's like trying to win the World Series with no pitching.

Just depends. 10-15% of the time, Fleury is Marc-Andre Le Jesus. You just sorta need to hope he pulls that out at the right times, and doesn't fuck up TOO badly when he inevitably does fuck up.

Give Fleury some credit.  If he doesn't stop Ovechkin's breakaway, this game could have looked a lot different.

Oh, hey, I agree completely. That's probably a close game if that puck hits the back of the net.

That's what I'm saying. SOMETIMES Fleury is GREAT.

SOMETIMES.

You just gotta hope he's great when you need it. He was in that game, and his fuckup came at a time when it didn't really matter (5-0). It worked out well.

Before game #7 I was reading some of the Pittsburgh forum chatter and everyone was putting entirely all the blame on Fleury for losing the series (or at least it looked that way to posters, upset over game #6 and in general, how Pens outshooting, outplaying but even on the scoreboard) — while I am no Fleury fan, he not the reason it was 3-3 — can't single him out with a D-man corp the Pens have…

But he made big saves early on in game #7 (and that is a big redeeming trait he has, to make some really awesome saves) and even with the giveaway and the other soft one he let in — you know what? He let in less than the other guy(s). That's all that matters. If it's a 1-0, 2-1 game, he's got to be great. If the Pens net 5 or more, then he just has to be good enough to make the saves and handle the offensive blitzes down the stretch. Sure, it sounds duh common-sensical, but I guess I trying to make the point he has to be comfortable w/ way Pens play. Which means he will be presented with opp. scoring opportunity.

I like Bylsma philosophy - play same way up 4-0 as down 4-0. None of this Thierien crap that had the players always looking over their shoulders (other than Crosby/Malkin). Let 'em loose, just play smart with the puck and dump deep + change it up when in doubt.

Does anyone think Carolina has a chance tonight against Bruins?

I'd say the same about Anaheim but I'm simply astounded that it's actually going to a game 7 and while I expect Wings to prevail, it wouldn't shock me to see Ducks pull another rabbit out of the hat…

I was more egad at Theodore shriveling up, backing into the net, letting Sid just dance the puck past the crease…

…Good Gates, they play shootouts in the regular season, is that the way Theodore plays breakaways?

But, yeah, that was a big fsck you goal by Sid after AO ragged the puck up and down, and was in mid-dance himself when he coughed it up to Crosby… …think that sealed it for the few Caps skaters left that actually believed they still had a comeback prayer.

100% Varlamov imo. The overall play in this game (when it was competitive) was not different than most games in the series.  It's just that you'd look up and see that the Pens only scored 2 goals instead of 6.  He was that good.

As for the Pens chances now?  I don't see them being Fleury-centric.  If the offense clicks, they just need Fleury to be decent to win.  Unless they play Detroit.  If they play Detroit, the result will be dictated by how well Detroit decides to play.  If Detroit actually tries, they'll crush the Pens no matter how well Fleury plays. 

You know what?

That kind of shit is garbage. Physically pushing the goaltender into the net with your stick or whatever else should not be a goal.

Hiller played like a mofo these playoffs though. And overall, I wanted Detroit to win - because I want a Pens/Wings rematch.

But, fuck it. This game should be in OT. The puck is under Hiller's pad and you jam the pad into the net with your stick? Fuck, come on...

PIT had a similar goal against Biron, when Biron actually had the puck frozen.

In Hiller's case, he didn't have the puck frozen. I didn't see him as being pushed in, either.

 :awesome_for_real:

Doesn't bother me; at least they were consistent, in this instance, with calls made in other playoff games.

Just as I thought "Man, I'd like three or four overtimes and about five injuires" Brind'amour gets smoked in the face with the puck. That shit was ugly, and I retract my desire for injuries.

But NOT for three or four overtimes. I'd got beer, I've got good food, and I'm ready to rock.

Holy shit.

Well, I feel bad for the Boston fans, to be honest. They were really into it.

You're simply wrong. I don't know how to explain it better than that. He never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever had that puck. Ever.

As I saw it, the puck was under his pad. The pad was then pushed into the net.

Is that wrong?

You saw it wrong. The puck is behind him sitting there. He gets pushed back to bump it in. The puck was never near him.

EDIT: The refs saw the same thing on review, this isn't contested.

Well, I'll keep an eye out for a replay.

You're both right. He [Hiller] never had the puck AND he was pushed. But even if he wasn't pushed, puck would have probably ended up in the net. It's one of them calls had they initially called "no goal", that ruling would have stood, but OTOH, not enough conclusive (at least IMO from watching and rewatching replays) evidence to overturn goal call…

And I really was rooting for Anaheim, as they are my favorite western team after Coyotes and Kings (yeah, weird that I like 3 teams from the same division, but when I first moved to PHX, the Kings were the only NHL hockey I got to see on TV)…

…and I've grown to loathe the Red Wings to the point where I wish a Black Hawk would just take out Franzen and Hossa in game #1 (not advocating anything other than clean hits, but they'd be the two I'd target immediately, though Hossa probably can handle any of the Hawk skaters).

I hate Detroit, I'm a Stars fan. But if that goal didn't count, the sport hasn't had a dirty crease goal in the last 10 years.

Uh, you still not allowed to push goalie… …unless one of your own D-men (or F) pushes opponent into him.

I don't know if I'd go that far. I just dislike goalies or any part of them being pushed in while in any semblance of control of the puck to result in a goal. Never have.

It's always counted in the NHL, though.

Funny part is when you watch it, he's not pushed. He move his leg and just knocks the damn puck in. I mean just watch it.

He got bumped, but he's flailing.

Gonna need you to go ahead and calm down.

I totally disagree. I see the puck being partially under his pad/behind the pad. I then see Cleary pushing the pad with his stick, and the puck sliding in.

I mean, just watch it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvOO0snnQOY

That replay doesn't show the backside angle where you can see that while Cleary pushed his pad with his stick, the puck was trickling in before he pushed the pad…

Az, I think you need to calm down, the pad moving has nothing to do with the puck at all, as Naum has stated. He's definitely bumped, but it means nothing. The puck was wide open behind him drifting back and went in.

EDIT: Hell Sportscenter played the goal cam not 20s ago, it's a goal.

Continue watching the video. The puck is stopped under the pad. It is then directed into the net through the motion of the pad which is clearly caused by Cleary, as shown very clearly on the first replay in the video.

The refs watched it, I'm just going with that at this point. Is it close and odd? Hell yes. It's not something you see every day. Hell, it's not something you see 3 times in a season. But I'm not seeing the pad. The refs aren't seeing the pad, and it was quick. They didn't think about it much. It wasn't under the pad.

EDIT: Hell, it even got reviewed, you're paddling upstream here.

Remember to get your picks in.

One large note:

It seems that rounds three and four MAY be stuck together, meaning you don't get to pick again for the finals. At least, that's the way it looks.

(http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nhl_experts__28/ept_sports_nhl_experts-13156346-1239829483.jpg?ymr_9GBDejOBfDFM)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/thepound/savinglundmark.jpg)

(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/shadowam2/tinman_joe.jpg)

(http://www.thepensblog.com/images/stories/2009_playoffs/random_posts/april/4_20/-9.jpg)

(http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6034/bettmanrofl.gif)

(http://www.kuklaskorner.com/images/uploads/Planeteers.jpg)

(http://imedia.foxsports.com/media01/images/00000/43/72/NDM~NDcy_large.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/DayWalk3rz/ept_sports_nhl_experts-175343841-12.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/DayWalk3rz/ept_sports_nhl_experts-257414381-12.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/DayWalk3rz/ept_sports_nhl_experts-519347166-12.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/DayWalk3rz/ept_sports_nhl_experts-637174867-12.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/DayWalk3rz/ept_sports_nhl_experts-649382290-12.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v702/babr021/DucksGolf.jpg)

(http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/DayWalk3rz/PenguinsSetsCapsOnFire.jpg)

You need to see the goal cam angle Az, the puck was clearly loose.

And bumping goalies? Remeber when Crosby slidetackled Biron for a goal?

Can't find the goal cam angle for the game 6 goal by Fedetenko.

Haha, I knew the slidetackle would be brought up.

As I remember that goal, the puck was already on its way in without the contact. If not, it's bullshit. I don't need to try to defend something my favourite team did just because.

But you also have to remember that it's the NHL. Bullshit comes with the territory.

So Versus is working out well for Gary.



But that's because nobody in the US cares about hockey. It's not the fault of Versus or Mr. Bettman.

Moving off of ESPN was the dumbest thing the NHL ever did.

Yep, I was a RABID hockey fan until the strike, and the move. I watched every ESPN national game, had a hockey package, and watched all the local games. As I've said before, if they move back to a real network, I would start watching them again. When that strike hit, I had nothing left but baseball, and I've never gone back. Baseball offers me what hockey can't right now. All the local games are televised, ESPN does regular coverage of it nationall 2 nights a week minimum, and I can watch it while playing games and not miss a damn thing.

Ratings for Penguins Continue To Soar on FSN
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09135/970318-61.stm


Similar markets encounter same success - Buffalo, Boston, even Carolina now enjoy strong fan base and have good TV ratings on local level…

Versus isn't even available to many markets. While I get most all the games via Centre Ice + Vs. + NBC on DirecTV dish here, the monopoly cable TV holder (outside of a few small patches in exurban PHX) didn't even include Versus until 2009 here.

Even when ESPN had the NHL, it was an uphill deal as NHL in the late 1980s (1st time they dumped ESPN), they eschewed national TV for a strategy of local market focus and blew their wad on an ill-fated alliance with SportsChannel (yeah, I bet for most of you, that isn't even faintly recalled) — even in most markets, their penetration was limited. In Pittsburgh, Pens games were inaccessible to many cable systems. Forget it, if you lived in non-NHL market, as televised pro hockey ceased to exist. I lived in Alabama late 1980s, early 1990s and I was a frustrated hockey fan, who could only follow in USA Today…

A few years later ESPN (in '92 I think) snagged it back and the league enjoyed a resurgence of viewership, especially with the exciting brand of hockey played, along with showcasing Gretzky (in LA), Lemieux, Messier and lesser stars like Selanne, LaFontaine, Roenick, etc.… And the big city markets all had competitive teams - Toronto, LA, NY Rangers, NJ, Chicago even Islanders were making the playoffs then…

(http://img.skitch.com/20090516-bj3i929fy4dhgtwai4482facgg.png)

After a dreadful round #1, only Azaroth bested me in round #2.

But might be too far back to have a chance at #1 in the final round, considering that the selection of players has dwindled unless everyone on top of me picks all Penguins or Red Wings and they get wiped out 4-0 in conference finals…

Well, I'm all Pens and Wings so if you wanna sneak up..

Pens/Canes series I think is pretty 50/50, anyway.

Backstrom calls Crosby "the best":


http://gd.se/sport/ishockey/1.1043868

So Adam Burrish is lucky to not be a corpse.

Holy fuck.

Quiet in here all of a sudden.

Guess with the Canadian teams exiting the scene, nobody cares much for Hawks, Wings, Canes and only a few of us Pens fans here…

Khabibulin needs to get hot or Hawks will be clipped in 4. I love the way their D-men play but they got to be smarter with puck, or it's going to be very short series. Score did not reflect how close the game really was, but Wings took control in 3rd, when it mattered.

On Pens v. Canes, game #1 notes:

* …thanks Vs. for showing the replay of Orpik penalty :( — still have no idea what he did but it must have been flagrant and Orpik got to keep his wits

* …should that have been a goaltender interference penalty on Eric Staal on 2nd Canes goal? All the announcers thought so but already Canes put one in discounted (a flagrant goaltender interference)? I not a rulebook-nazi so I don't know if swiping the stick (and then again swiping it further away from the netminder) is indeed a "goaltender interference" infraction? Guess since Pens held on and prevailed nobody squawking…

* …Gonchar looks really shaky, unable to get much of a stride, but he got better, still, he looks like grave defensive liability even on PP…

* …Pens can't afford to get ultra conservative with a 2-0 lead, they need to keep to their game

* …neither team played at their best, though Fleury did dazzle early and Ward was sensational after first 2…

I think it's quiet because nobody gives the Hawks or Canes any chance. If Detroit and Pitt go up 2-0, everyone's gonna stop watching unless they live in those cities.

I don't give the Blackhawks much chance. Wings will take them out in six but the outcome won't be in much doubt.  Pens/Canes is tough to call.  Pens have the star power but Staal will give that defense all they handle and Ward is the better goaltender.

Well, Fleury can be amazing sometimes, like I said. And he was in that game.

Problem is that if he wasn't, Canes may have won. Mainly because after dominating the first period, the Pens decided the series was in the bag (as usual) and coasted through the rest of the game.

Gonchar has a torn ACL and is playing with a brace, so he's gonna be slow and relatively immobile. But it's better to have him than not, because without him our powerplay is awful.

Edit:

lolbriancampbellwtf

I'm going Wings in a sweep honestly. I think the Hawks will blow it.

After my round 2 debacle I have righted the ship and will be coming along side of you pretty soon Az with the intention of nosing you out at the end.

Although with such similar picks it may be difficult.

It was the defense's fuck up. You can't allow a guy to be axing at your goalie, they didn't clear him out, cost them the series. Go Wings.

Egad, that was a rec league kind of muff… …in a post-game interview, he said something to the effect "yeah, i should have put some more sauce on that"…

Was flicking back and forth to CHL Memorial Cup tourney (NHL channel televising all the games!)… …have to root for Kelowna, since half their team is comprised of U.S. lads… …didn't even know where Rimouski was and had to look it up on Wikipedia…

Okay, I'm saying it.

Shut the fuck up about the Phoenix Coyotes.

I can't do this anymore.

I used to love the playoffs. It was great. I'm watching pregame shows, postgame shows, analysis the next day, listening fucking radio shows at noon... totally having a blast with the hockey.

But for the last however long (time has no meaning in sports coverage) ALL anyone on ANY hockey show has talked about is the fucking Phoenix situation.

I can't stand it. I'm so incredibly sick of it. It's ALL anyone talks about and it's SO POINTLESS.

It's in court you douchebags. That means there's no resolution ANY TIME SOON. Christ, probably not THIS YEAR. And by your own admissions, NOTHING SPECTACULAR OR ODD IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN. THERE WILL BE NO TEAM IN CANADA. YOU CAN'T JUST BUY A TEAM AND EXCLAIM "I'M MOVING IT TO UGANDA FUCKERS AHAHAHA!!!!!!!!". ESPECIALLY IF THE COMMISSIONER HATES YOUR FUCKING GUTS. THAT OR YOU WORK WITH HIM DILIGENTLY TO ARTIFICIALLY INFLATE THE PRICE OF FRANCHISES.

EITHER WAY, NOBODY CARES ANYMORE. SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY. YOU'RE RUINING THE PLAYOFFS.

There.

Fuck.

They have to have something to talk about this round. These matchups are incredibly lame and I'm certainly not watching them. If the Canes actually win game 2, then people may start paying attention again, but I'm not sure they can.

Regardless of your sentiments, it's news, and yesterday was a big day on the fate of an NHL franchise.

Mediation ordered, but next Wednesday judge will rule on who "controls" the team - NHL or Moyes. Which still doesn't settle the other question that even if it's in Moyes hands, does buyer have right to move team.

A rally was held last weekend and interesting, Ellman (former owner, and then partner of Moyes) who owns Westgate (the mega-block that houses Coyotes, Cardinals, restaurants, movie theaters, office complexes, etc.…) would not allow rally to be held on site and it had to be moved across the street to Native New Yorker. 500-1K people showed up, depending on whose estimates you believe…

Now, Las Vegas businessman who presently owns 3% of Coyotes stepped up to the potential ownership plate.

Actually, I think part of that fault IS with Versus. It's such a small channel that few people know they have it if they even have it, finding it is difficult and its coverage blows monkeys. ESPN for all its faults was at least ubiquitous in households. Bettman should have been sucking Disney's cock to get his product back on ESPN when the strike was over, if for nothing more than the exposure alone.

I was being sarcastic, Haemish.

As far as the Coyotes, fine. Report on it. Reporting on a 500-1k rally (which was reported as 250 "or significantly less" in Canada) or rumblings of a minority owner perhaps purchasing the team and keeping it in Phoenix is a 5 minute segment.

The rest of the time, how about you talk about the playoffs.

Reporting on court cases all day every day is fucking ridiculous. Sorry. This ain't OJ.

I suppose part of my anger comes from how incredibly LAME the post game coverage has been. It's usually 5-10 minutes of stupid, obvious observation if it's anything at all. The hockey talk has been the same thing. Five or ten minutes talking about tonight's game, then 45 minutes about the fucking Phoenix court case. Like honestly, let's get a fucking grip here.

I realize that it's news. But in no way does it demand 90% of all hockey talk airtime for the next 10 months. And especially not during the playoffs. Let's be serious here.

Or maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm voting with my fucking remote. Hell, maybe I'll get some actual work done.

I agree with this. I guess there's something to talk about with DET/CHI, but you can only say "THE HAWKZ R TEH YUNG OILERZ" so many times - and everyone knows the Wings are going to win. So.. yeah, not that interesting.

Canes just aren't interesting period. PIT/BOS would have been ten times the series.

Yes, I would have been glued to a Pens/Bruins series. As it is, I'm just waiting out the clock while watching regular season Braves games every night and flipping to check the scores in the NHL/NBA playoff games during commercials.

I think assessments awarding Pens a series victory over Canes are a bit premature. Canes have the best goalie of the teams left and a superior D-man corp 1-6.

But I can see the view that it's a cakewalk for Red Wings, as none of the teams remaining can offer up anymore a challenge than last season's edition of the Pens.

Red Wings added pieces and improved a Cup winning team. Pens barely managed to scrape together pieces to get back where they were a season ago, and even then, it's arguable whether this year's squad is its equal. Then, throw in a damaged Gonchar and a shaky Fleury…

It's not equal, even with a healthy Gonchar and a sturdy Fleury.

I don't see how Detroit doesn't win the cup again.

Anyone else watch the Anaheim series?

They were a goal away from elimination. One injury to say, Nick Lidstrom (though he's a rock), and it could change everything around for them. I'm a Detroit fan, and honestly I haven't been all that impressed with our stars. Pavel has played hard, and had good ice time, but can't get da puck in da net. Zetterburg is playin' alright...Hossa is...well...bad.

Cleary is my new hero. Game winner in game 7, then a 2 goal game to help take game 1...and that huge breakaway in G2. Samuelsson has had a goal in each of the last three games...steppin up.Not sure what these guys are missing, but the cup is not a wrap yet.

Out of all the teams in the Cup tourney, Anaheim probably matched up best against Wings and indeed they had a lot of trouble with Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan line. Also, Ducks were blessed with arguably best D-man unit in the league (consider Whitney, a #1-2 D-man for Pens is 5-6 guy there (and on 2nd team PP)), a hot goaltender and they, along with Pens, one of the hottest teams down the stretch…

Datsyuk has been AWOL, Zetterburg OK, but they still serving up decent 2 way play.

Franzen has been amazing and the biggest threat along with Cleary, Helm, and forward group #2-#3 linemates have really wreaked havoc.

I just don't see the Pens D-corp containing (actually, Carolina may match up better) the depth of Wing lines, but in a seven game series, who knows what can happen…

Oh, well.. I won't argue that the Ducks defense is a lot different than the Penguins defense.. but Ryan Whitney was never #1-2.

Top powerplay unit sure, but in defensive situations he was pretty much near the bottom.

About 12 minutes and 5 goals already in the game.

Detroit would murder either of these teams with defense like that.

Well, Pittsburgh in particular just has an awful, awful defense.

Pitt's just standing around waiting for clearances and not putting anybody ON THEIR ASSES.

They look like pussies out there. Or spectators. Neither is good.

Pens fans are used to it. Pittsburgh hasn't had a good road-grader defenseman since Ulf Samuelsson.

We'll it's 3-3 anyway.

I reiterate my point that this is like trying to win the World Series with no pitching.

Dude. Canes are throwin the fucking knees left and right.

No offense, but the only real chance they have is to cripple a key player on Pitt's offense. We've already discussed what happens when that goes away.

Regardless, at some point a ref needs to call a kneeing penalty at some point during these playoffs.

Edit: And before anyone jumps on me, yes, I think Matt Cooke should have been suspended.

I don't think it was Cole's fault at all, for the record.

You can't turn your back on a knee.


Edit 2: Another knee from Carolina.

They must have a free pass until the knee after someone gets hurt.

Unreal 3rd goal by Malkin.

Beat me to it. He's pretty good.

I hear that Malkin kid is pretty good.

Aw. I was hoping for a brawl.

These series are lame.

I'll be that guy.  :grin:

I think Pittsburgh/Carolina would be more interesting if it were Pittsburgh/Hartford.

Don't know what games you're watching, but this annual edition of the Stanley Cup playoffs has been very exciting, with lots of end to end, offensive action + lots of hitting. In stark contrast to the dump + chase, full defense minded, neutral zone trap antics of past cup runs…

…though both series are 2-0 (with home team prevailing in first 2), each game has been close and not decided to latter part of 3rd or in OT.

On Pens 7-4 win and Geno's evening of marvel: watched with some family and I predicted Malkin busting out and how he was going to shine this series in same or greater way Crosby prevailed in Washington series. Pens inexcusable defensive ineptitude had me dejected but they put more than the other colored sweaters did…

Malkin's 3rd goal was a magical one for the ages, and brought to mind some of the highlight reel goals Lemieux and Gretzky tallied in past postseason performances…

Yeah, these playoffs in general have been fantastic. I just think that nobody cares about Carolina in general, and a lot of Canadian fans turn the televisions off when there isn't a Canadian team in the mix.

The Detroit series can be seen as boring because everyone figures they're going to win no matter what happens. They're also probably correct.

Malkin's goal was ridiculously awesome. That being said, I don't care for 11 goal games in the playoffs. That's shameful.

BOO FSCKING HOO…

When's the last time a Canadian squad captured the Cup?

It's been like, what, 25+ years.

Oh, sorry, 16 years.

/dodges projectiles from angry canucks

I'm Canadian, only watch hockey during the playoffs, and stop watching once all the Canadian teams are out.

No angry projectiles though, sorry.  Traditionally we are still represented pretty well at the player level if not at the team level.

Also I hate Detroit so I'm still ever so slightly invested in it.

Also, there's been a Canadian team in the finals for the last quite a few years, so Canadian fans aren't quite sure what to do right now. Most, I assume, just stopped watching.

Nevermind the fact that Vancouver is about as close to Montreal as Mexico is, and no team is actually "Canadian". It's the same effect that'd have Americans booing the everloving shit out of a Paris NFL team, even if every single player was American.

Stupidity.

I just  :heart: hockey.

NHL. CHL. AHL. IHL. ECHL. WHL. WHA. Collegiate. Roller/Inline. Rec-league. Deck. Pee-wee. Etc.…

Yeah, I've been known to hang around some peewee hockey games, too. We just love hockey.


Stick to your story, dude.

Anyone see that Kronwall hit? Dude was laid out.

5:00 intereference major on a completely legal hit. The guy had the puck.  A 4:00 minor earlier. Another penalty against the wings. Seriously? Come on now refs. We know the Blackhawks need a hand, but lets not go with the 11:00 of penalty time for the first 20 min of playing.

The refs need to stay the hell out of this game. It's getting annoying on all the stupid little calls. It should probably be 1-0 Hawks right now.

EDIT: And now they are making make-up calls to Detroit. UGH.

Heh, Detroit decided to show up.

Wow, Detroit, when all the cylinders are firing and they aren't on a PK, makes it look like they are on a power play when it's 5 on 5. They made a statement in the 2nd that might just be the series.

The ice looked tilted in the latter part of the 2nd period. It was a thing to behold.

Heh, Hawks actually didn't completely fuck that up. Good job.  :awesome_for_real:

/yes, at worst, that might have been 2 minutes for elbowing…

/sad but a lot of penalty weight is given to whether or not skater is hurt, regardless of hit legality…

Hah, I love the CBC Saturday Night broadcasts.

I wonder how it feels attempting to stop the two best players in the world.

(http://www.liquidmatrix.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/malk.jpg)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/marchchic7/anim_8f37deb9-5335-83d4-71ff-d526f1.gif)

Wow, Lidstrom AND Datsyuk out.

I suppose I should have given more thought to the Hawks chances of winning. I've been riding the whole "Kane missed a game in the first round and is inevitably hurt very badly!" and "Toews only played 15 minutes a game for a while!" line of thinking too long. I think Kane and Toews might just be pussies who ACTUALLY HAD THE FLU FOR A FEW DAYS.

Speaking of pussies... Datsyuk is out with a "sore foot". Really? Not a "broken foot" or "high ankle sprain" or anything? It's sore?

So take a few advil and get out there... you may like seven million bucks...

Honestly, there are a few non-serious injuries I can understand. Things with knees, ribs, or especially backs... that shit can be painful and debilitating. I think I've had almost every area of sports injury at this point. But honestly, a sore foot?

Play hockey, bitch.

What happened to guys playing with broken legs and shit in the playoffs?

Edit: Nm.

But Khabibulin is out too, and while Huet in regular season has shined, he's no cup goalie, and I think Hawks are Wing meat, even minus Datsyuk (who's been invisible in the series thus far) and Lidstrom.

Campbell is immensely skilled, but way too careless with the puck. The SG goal Det scored is mostly all on him (and Huet too who should have had both, and is being badly outplayed by Osgood) — he goes in deep, behind the net on PP, and then carelessly floats a odd man rush for Filpula (who's played awesome in the series) + Hossa…

It sure looks to me like series is over, but I hope I'm wrong…

I edited my post with "Nm" at 2-0.

It's now 4-1.

The series is very much over.

Cool, Hossa decided to show up.

Anyway, not much of a game. Wings are just too deep for these guys. NEXT

Next: Two of the best three players in the world at any given time. Sometimes, the top two.

And they're horny.

Let's hope Datsyuk's tootsie is getting better.

Thought it would be close. Obviously it isn't.  Carolina just can't stop both those guys.  If you split them up you've got one of them on the ice the majority of the game.

Huet can't save the 'Hawks even with Detroit's injuries. He's an average goalie that is still riding the reputation of one hot streak in Montreal.

Just hurry up and get these things out of the way so we can all watch what we expected.

mmkay?  :why_so_serious:

Agreed.

I'll be real annoyed if Chicago and Carolina win their next games. These lame series should have been ended at 2-0.

/ditto

Stepped out for a bit, came back and saw the travesty that remained… …it sure looks like Death Cab for Hawk fan… …but if they can pull off a game #5 upset, a glimmer of hope shall be still in grasp…


This.
 
I'll be surprised if Pens finish off Canes Tuesday. Believe they'll win one playing in desperation… …I hope not, and Pens need to play hungry just like it was game #1-3…

Pretty sure I'd be in the top 100 if I would have put the star on Malkin instead of Crosby. Feck.

Lulz.  :awesome_for_real:

Now, I know it's hard to concentrate on anything that happened more than a week ago - but those two did look pretty awful during a lot of the Philly series.

Just a reminder. If you're a sports fan you know better than to make statements like that lest they bite you right in your ass.

I'm here to be that guy.  :grin:

And here, I haven't even brought up Azaroth gnashing of the teeth over Whitney trade, Blysma hiring, Guerin acquisition (though I don't think that was panned as much as the Whitney deal…).

I'd pronounce that the trades worked out pretty well, and they're doing pretty well for a team IMV that does not possess (a) a Cup caliber goalie, (b) a solid stay at home #1-2 D man, and (c) a big physical forward that plants himself in front of the net (would seem to be a no-brainer with the interference rules — that Milbury and all the other television prognosticators prattle about endlessly — and unlike them, I love all the rule changes,  with that one exception, that a D-man (and I biased here :)) should be able to clear that forward out).

The new additions have been solid in supporting roles, even if they are not lighting the lamp at the pace of Sid and Geno. Kunitz, who I thought was very one dimensional, has actually offered up his body and is playing an all around game, even if finding the back of the net is proving to be most difficult for him. Fedotenko keeps scoring timely goals, just like he did with TB in '04 cup run. Talbot has played better, and Pens do have 3.5+ lines that are cup worthy. The only real minus on their forward composition is Cooke. Even on defense, as much I bash them and cringe when I watch them play in the defensive zone, they've blocked a ton of shots, and Eaton has far surpassed my expectations, Scuderi been fairly solid. Orpik would be OK if he just didn't go brain dead at critical junctures.

And I really hope you will all razz me in a few weeks about how my Fleury dislike was irrational after Pens drink from Lord Stanley's Cup.

So do the Penguins have 3 lines this year?

They better come correct after the whooping Babcock gave em last year with the lines. And now we got a a cup hungry Hossa. Seriously, good luck Pens.

Good thing you're playing the Pens. I'm not sure how much Hossa would have liked living in Raleigh.

Ahhhh, just kidding.

I also stand behind my assessment of the Kunitz/Whitney trade. Kunitz is a glorified third liner and just isn't worth 4 million a year against the cap on a team with cap problems.

Of course, if Whitney decides to NEVER improve his defensive play... well. I guess we won. Or something.

Guerin has done well for how old and slow he is. I don't think I ever complained about GUERIN. I may have complained about "not someone else" or "just Guerin", though.

What the fuck is with the NHL potentially taking off 10 days after the conference finals before the last round?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Potential-Stanley-Cup-break-could-be-long-very-?urn=nhl,165449 (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Potential-Stanley-Cup-break-could-be-long-very-?urn=nhl,165449)

The natives are restless over a long break to the finals. Advantage...Detroit.

Ok, look goddamnit. It's already taken way too long to get to the Conference finals. Hockey's finals should not be played in June, period. It just seems unholy. But to not even fucking START until June 5th is ridonkulous.

Hockey in June is ridiculous.

NHL could fix this problem by ending season in March (Oct - Mar, 6 month regular season) and by cutting a few games off the schedule (go back to 80 games or less) or compacting regular season a bit more (don't like this, fans already get ripped off when a team has to play 3 out of 4 days…).

Not only is Pat Quinn the new Oilers head coach, but they've got Tom Renney as an assistant.

I'm totally jealous.

As a Pens fan, I was rooting for Quinn to be named head coach this spring. Bylsma has worked out better than fine so far - but I really felt at the time that Quinn could impart a sense of confidence that would take those guys to multiple championships.

Quinn and Renney, though. Good work, Edmonton. IMO.

That would be to appease the network that doesn't pay them anything.  Except that it completely kills any momentum you might have as everyone without a vested interest in the two teams move on to other things.

Nice move for the Oilers. It's now offcial.

I believe they've changed their tune in light of everyone in the universe proclaiming how fucking stupid they are.

If both series end by Wednesday, the SCF will start Saturday. Not bad.

But yeah, basically the entire thing is about bowing to NBC.

Of course, I say fuck NBC in its ass. I HATE afternoon hockey games.

Edit: And honestly, go back to ESPN so you don't have to keep sucking the balls off of NBC just to get American viewers.

FYI Section:

Federov and Kozlov left Washington for the KHL today.

My prediction is that Semin is next.

I don't know about that.  Federov and Kozlov are at the tail ends of their careers.  Semin is pulling down $5 mil next year and you have to figure at least that down the road.  I don't think the KHL can pay him that kind of dough.

Of course they might feel like pissing off the NHL a little more.

If the KHL can pay Federov 4, they'll pay Semin more than 5.

WTF has Quinn ever won at NHL level? Yeah, he took a couple teams on a nice bridesmaid run and that success was quickly dissipated as his antics soon wore thin.

I put him in the same category as Keenan & the Suters — might work out initially but the players will eventually grow sick of it…

And while I like Renney, he's been a 2 time failure at NHL level…

Success at junior level != success in NHL

WTF kind of team has Quinn ever had at the NHL level. Oh, one year he had Sundin AND Robertz. Oh man, what a dymanic fucking duo. Shit, they may have even had Brian Leech at 41 that year.

Renney is one of the best strategic/defensive coaches in the NHL.

Would you honestly not welcome a Quinn/Renney combination to your team?

Retreads.

Worse, Quinn was GM too for some of those teams.

Renney makes for a fine assistant coach.

No.

3-1 Pens, the lights are almost out for the Canes unless they wake up, which I hope they don't.

Also, that pass by Crosby on the move for the third goal was pretty damn smooth. He makes it look so easy.

I can't believe how much I've come to like Guerin with Crosby.

Also, this:


(http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr118/ZMachine13/Bettkin.jpg)

Malkin is such an ugly kid.

The fluttering goal tallied by Talbot was bizarre. Canes skaters see something like that, it must have been when the doom meter dial hit close to 100%.

In post game conference Maurice said they were "whipped" down and he saw it on their faces as they skated to bench after their shifts, even after tallying a goal…

Not enough scoring depth on their forward lines, and I overestimated their D-men (dreadful game for Babchuk, and Corvo was a big zero for most of the series). Funny how they did a great job corralling Bruin forwards but just broke down against Pens.

Great game by Fleury — after that early one let in, he was simply dazzling.

Rooting for Hawks tomorrow, but convinced that's a futile act. In fact, I expect a blowout, though the Hawks will hang in tough for first period and maybe good chunk of second.

Then again, I figured Carolina would squeak at least one game out and make it to a game #5 elimination in Pittsburgh…

Such a odd collapse by the Canes.

New Jersey was pretty bad down the stretch, and Boston at times seemed like they lost something after steamrolling the Canadiens... but then again, Carolina was pretty great before the playoffs. I don't know.

Maybe it really WAS Gary Bettman.  :awesome_for_real:

We knew what this was when it started. It's coming to a rematch and it's going to be fucking glorious. Get ready.

Oh, I agree. It'll be awesome... but it was just odd to see the Canes roll over like that, you know.

I want 7 games in the finals. Hell, hockey NEEDS 7 games in the finals. The NCAA tourney left us wanting, the NBA playoffs are a joke, and it's hockey's time to shine. Can it happen?

Maybe. Just maybe.  :drill:

Overtime would be orgasmic.

I think everyone would be pretty happy as long as there were seven games though.

True about their opponents, but man they were looking good those two rounds.  They sure looked ordinary.  They got hot for a while I guess and then reality set in.  It can also mean the Pens are getting hot at exactly the right time.

BTW, good on Sidney for picking up the Wales Trophy.  Refusing to touch it is a superstition that needs to die.

One more thing: RIP Peter Zezel.

He didn't touch it last year and that did not work out so well.

Mario touched it during the Pens back-to-back Cup wins in the early 90s.

It's a silly superstition anyway — really, the teams (with dubious officiating sometimes being a major factor also) will settle the matter on the rink…

Huet is the only reason Chicago is still alive. The last second on your face pad save...that's gonna be on every highlight reel tomorrow. I STILL can't believe he pulled that off to keep them in it.

Well, here we go.

Should be fantastic.

The idiot announcers are going to make this whole finals about the touching the trophy superstition.

In my mind, Detroit is the better team so I don't think anything matters in regards to trophies, but I'm hoping the Pens win to shut the door on that stupidity.

It might help that Datsyuk and Lidstrom might be slowed down a little bit.

Of course, our #1 defense has a fucked knee so..

Huet was amazing tonight. Still couldn't save em. Cleary continues to be my D-Towne hero. Hossa is really playing like he wants a cup. I look forward to Saturday.

Does anyone care about that dumb superstition? Let's just watch back to back cups for the Wings.

P.S. - Osgood has been underrated for years. Maybe two cups from now he'll start getting respect.

The media needs something to talk about.

You know, something other than the games.

Because that'd be worthwhile.

Let's bring it on. At least we don't have to wait until July for the Cup, right?

Depends.

If Crosby gets hurt, surely Bettman will postpone the games. Something to do with Jean-Claude Van Damme, dirty pucks and terrorism I'm sure.

I'll be the first to say it.

Pens in 7. Why? Destiny, that's why.  :drill:

Changed for ya :)

I'm rooting for Detroit.

Why? Because I hate that PIT is good only because they sucked during key draft years.

You hate PIT because you're a Flyers fan.

I would have a lot more respect for PIT as a franchise if they simply hadn't been lucky enough to have all those #1s during key years.

So you hate Chicago and Washington too?

Or, where does respect come from? Signing free agents = respect? Lucking out on lower picks = respect? Drafting a few spots lower but being an equally terrible team = respect?

Anyway, apparently Hughson is calling the final because it was written into his contract. I hate Hughson's cheeseball bullshit, and they had a poll on a radio show today to see what people preferred.

IMO, Bob Cole is a legend and raises the excitement of the game regardless of whether he can follow the play anymore. You should respect a legend - Hughson is going to likely have many years of annoying the hell out of everyone and making them feel like they're being sold used Hyundais on the local radio station.

Especially with the cap now, free agency takes a lot more financial gymnastics.

Also, lucking out/properly scouting lower picks is nothing like having multiple #1s in possibly some of the best drafts in recent memory.

There's building through the draft, and then there's being handed stars on a platter.

Financial gymnastics such as signing Daniel Briere at $10m/year.

I'll be eating Little Ceasar's at the Joe on Saturday night.  :drill:

 :ye_gods:

Oh... and Wings in six.

And you got an extra ticket for a Flint guy, right? :)

Congrats, always been a dream of mine to see a Stanley Cup final game at the Joe.

And the impressive thing about Detroit is their ability to see be a great as they are, even after the cap.

I  :heart: Jim Hughson. Why don't all you haters force CBC to fire him so he can come back and do all the Canucks games? We miss him.

There's no better arena to be in, as far as I'm concerned, than the Joe for a cup final game.

I was on the ice before game four in '97 when they swept the Flyers. When the won that one, the place Exploded.

The Wings' secret? Depth. The whole organization believes in it. From Ilitch on down. Develop your entire team as
role players, even your stars.

NHL.com robot predicts Red Wings in a romp tonight.

And Detroit with allllllll the bounces.

Never seen so many bounces go for one team and against another.

That just the way it goes some nights.

MESSAGE TO NBC: PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, BANISH THIS BROADCAST TEAM, REPLACE WITH *2* THAT DO NOT INCESSANTLY RAMBLE AND SPEW OUT EVERY IRRELEVANT THOUGHT THAT CROSSES THEIR DUMBSTRUCK MINDS…

Yeah pretty well everything went their way.  But the Pens didn't look bad against them.

Fleury was ill prepared for the bounces the puck would take off the boards, which can happen when you only play in the building once a year or less.

So I DVR the game and come home to 4 hours of a telethon for a local hospital instead. That's right. The local affiliate preempted a game from the Stanley Cup Finals for a telethon.

No, Pens looked half decent. And I'd hate it if we won and someone started complaining about bounces. But it really was frustrating watching every single break go their way all night.

Did I mention I'm a jedi?

I didn't think the Pens looked all that great. Their defense and passing was sloppy. The refs were fucking asleep through the first and most of the second period. That Cooke hit in the crease after the puck was frozen should have been called. What a dirty cheap shot.

Devorski's been asleep most of his career.  :awesome_for_real:

Oh wow.  I'm glad I'm north of the border where such things would be scandalous, and get to have broadcasts from CBC and TSN.

And Paul Devorski is one of the best.  I'll take the veteran refs any day.  I have no issue with how that game was called.  Let 'em play, it the Finals.  The Adams hook was weak, and Malkin shouldn't have got his breakaway, so they even out.

Devorski is indeed one of the best. Even talked to him a couple times.

My point about his sleepiness still stands though. Especially this time of year.

Can't really say I had much of an issue with the reffing tonight.

Obviously there were a few missed calls on both sides, but usually NHL reffing is such a fucking joke...

I keep reading how evenly matched the teams are, and I realize that bounces were the story tonight... but I just can't shake the feeling that this series is over in 4 or 5.

I loved that Abdelkader goal. Catch, drop, top shelf em. 1st playoff goal of his career (and like the song they played for em, FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME!)

Detroit kept putting the puck on da net, and it paid off. Failed clears killed the Pens. Osgood had a good game, and made a big stop on Malkin. Once I saw 71 on the breakaway I just assumed it was a goal.

Overall it was a pretty close game. Reffing was fine. The Wings did what they were supposed to do, win at home. I'm guessin' the Joe was rockin' last night, eh Surly?

IN-sane.

And yeah, the Abdelkader goal tore the roof off. When the crowd is in it and the Wings are winning, the entire Joe rocks.

The Igloo is like that too, so this is gonna be a great series for the fans at both locations.

Uhhhhhhhhhhh I'm actually really nervous about a game for the first time in the playoffs.

If the Pens lose this game it's over and done with. The Red Wings are not the Washington Capitals.

WTF?

What market you in?

I might go insane and launch into anti-abortion doctor killer mode if that happened…

Salt Lake City, previous host to the winter Olympics.  :why_so_serious:

It was the station owned by the LDS Church. They are always jerking around the schedule (won't show SNL for instance). Usually it shows up in the DVR tags though so I can hunt down where they have shifted it (usually to a lousy UHF station so I wouldn't have gotten HD even if I had managed to find it).

WTF?

Red Wings getting away with clutching, grabbing, slashing…

The call on Malkin was BULLSHIT as Red Wing held him and he shook him off…

Then, Hossa slashes Dupuis who would have cleared the puck, breaking his stick, leading to Wing PP goal…

Fuck the NHL and its inconsistency.

Who said refs were for Pens?

Blatant.

Pens do seem to be getting jobbed.

Osgood keeps getting caught behind the net. It's going to cost him a goal one of these times.

Wah wah wah, both teams have PP goals, and the Pens can't seem to hit anything but posts. If they learned how to shoot they'd have 4 goals by now.

Pens would definitely be up if they'd hit the fucking net instead of the posts.

Reffing has been atrocious tonight, though. There's no getting around it, really.

Edit: When you're listing the shit Detroit is getting away with don't forget the FUCKING ELBOWS. Elbows EVERYWHERE.

ANOTHER one off the pipe.

That's the worst soft goal I've seen in the playoffs. My god Fleury. :ye_gods:

That thing didn't even look on net to me. Did Fleury deflect it in?

Yes, off his glove.

I don't even understand why there were referees in this game.

Just keep the refs off the ice so everyone knows what's up and there's an even footing. That way everyone can just do whatever they want.

If you want, at one point you can randomly call a single penalty on each team and there you go. That's what the refs have accomplished tonight.

They called some at the end there.  :why_so_serious:

And the Red Wings win another cup.

Fucking yawn.

I'm seriously not seeing all the stuff you're talking about. Still, it's 5 on 5 hockey most of the time, and that's where the better team should win. Exactly what's wrong with calling it loose?

Oh right, because Pitt has no real defense and they hit people with their purses. Got it. If they didn't ring 3 off the iron, we wouldn't be hearing about the refs.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Watch the hockey game.

Call it the way its been called all season/playoffs long.

Red Wings permitted to clutch, grab, hold, interfere, trip, slash, elbow at will, with no threat of penalty call.

Malkin is held, but is called for shaking off the hold.

Crosby tripped behind the net, no call.

Numerous elbows and sticks to the face, no call.

Much interference, even the chatty announcers who fellating all over Red Wings, note all the interference no-calls Red Wings getting away with, how it's part of their game…

It's bullshit hockey.

It's not cheating if you don't get caught. :P

Wings are flat out are the better team. All this crying doesn't change that.

Are the Pens even capable of forechecking? You can't give Detroit the passing lanes they do, they will eat you alive. Pens are getting outhussled and outplayed. Detroit's forecheck kills the Pens advancement about half the time.

Oh yeah...Sydney who?

EDIT: Also, you can not be serious about non-elbow calls, Pens got away with a bunch Saturday.

The Pens CAN forecheck, they're just not. Why aren't they? Who the fuck knows, but watching their fans blame the officiating is
almost as much fun as the nerdrage that came off the Star Trek movie.

Hurhurhur.

Except after game one, I defended the refereeing and said I had absolutely no problem with it.

Hurhurhur dem penz fanz blamin dur refz, wouldn't bee complenen if dey wun.

This is totally ruining Bettman's plans to hand Crosby the Cup, personally.

Detroit hits you in the mouth and hopes to knock you off your game. They will play dirty, hit you when the refs aren't looking, glove-washing hockey. You can either cry about it or you can man up and keep your cool by scoring goals. THAT knocks them off their game and forces them to take more chances. If they get the early lead, they can just lock down and piss you off.

Rarely do you hear so much complaining about refs letting stuff go. Get over yourselves Pittsburgh. This is fucking hockey. Play five on five and win or don't.

EDIT: This is coming from a Dallas fan, and we've dealt with the same shit in the playoffs with them before. Sometimes we won the series, sometimes we lost, but you knew you couldn't let all the little jibs and jabs affect your game.

No.

Game should be called same way it was all season.

To do otherwise, is to be bush-league.

Interference is interference.

A stick to the face should always be whistled.

Tripping is tripping.

Yeah, Pens need to deal, but I as a fan have a right to expect consistency from the officials, even if I allot that they're going to miss some…

Yeah, that. The reffing was utter shit tonight. There's letting them play and then there's just forgetting every fucking rule in the book. There were a ton of missed calls, stuff that any other fucking game in the season or the playoffs would have gotten called. Bullshit hockey is right.

Osgood has not been that good. He's been lucky as fuck. Just take 2 of the shots off the post in each game and put them in the net and suddenly we're in OT. Of course, if the Pens D would stay awake the whole fucking game, at least 1 or 2 of those Red Wings goals would be erased. They are lazy as fuck back there. They need to have a pillow strapped under their helmets.

Like I said - if you're going to call the game like that (which is clearly in the favour of the team that takes advantage of it expertly every year and everyone knows that), then just take the fucking refs off the ice and everyone will know the score.

Here's my problem as a Pens coach:

Wings hook, hold, trip, interfere, elbow, crosscheck, mug, fuck with the goalie, slash, whatever ALL game long. None of it is called.

Do we come back in the third and start doing the same shit? See, I doubt it, now you have to be afraid of the calls starting and going against you. So if they're not going to call penalties against the Wings, again, just get the fucking refs off the ice.

But I do agree with Paelos. Ancient Jewish wisdom states something along the lines of "In this life, there are no asterisks - just scoreboards. And ours is currently reading 'fucked'."

Granted on sticks to the face and tripping, but interference is probably one of the most subjective penalties in the game.

Again, on the Red Wings second goal — that was a blatant slash on Dupuis. Yeah, I know some of you hate that rule change, and in past years would not necessarily been a call. But in 2008-2009, in the regular season, and in the 1st 3 rounds of the Stanley Cup post-season, that's a no-brainer slashing call.

Even Doc "clutch-n-grab Devil lover" Emrick and Eddie "resentful of Pens for letting him go" O both took time out from their Detroit fellatio to remark on all the interference non-calls…

Finally, in regards to the NBC broadcast team — PLEASE, STOP *TELLING* US WHAT IS HAPPENING; INSTEAD, JUST SHOW IT! If you want to let me know everytime Crosby is out on the ice without Zetterberg, run a ticker or overlay or something. I don't need to hear it every shift. We have HD now, we can see the skaters. And I don't need to be told one team is gaining momentum or how important a faceoff is, for Gates sake, it's plainly evident even if you're a new fan to the game. Bring back Peter Puck if you want to do Hockey 101 but let's can the chatter and cross-talk, and instead, do you know, PLAY-BY-PLAY or cue up replays.

Sometimes. Usually when somebody goes beyond finishing their check. Or if it's a judgment call on whether they had the puck or not.

But we're talking blatant interference, pick throwing, completely AWAY from the puck.

I can't stand Olczyk. That guy has been spewing chunky bitterness over the firing for HOW many years now on national television?

Get the fuck over it.

Surprised he's allowed to call the Finals with Pens in it, as his resentment is obvious. Likewise, I wouldn't expect Bob Errey to be in the booth (funny though, about Larry Murphy, even though he won 2 cups with Pittsburgh and 2 with Detroit, he sure sounds partial to Pens too).

Emrick, no doubt, has fans gained from his nearly 40 years of brodcasting. He's mildly annoying, but what's grating is the cross-talk between Olcyzk and McGuire. Both competing to see who can state the obvious quicker. Need to dump that between the benches guy. If I was playing, I think I'd fire a puck at his grill. We don't need to be that intimate with the players, just show us what is happening on the ice. With all this technology, you'd think they'd not miss replays or would come up with some innovative screen stuff. Like a flashing overlay on a line change with the sweater #s popping on and off.

UPDATE: wow, Murphy is Red Wings broadcaster. I would never guess that from his NHL Live commentator shtick.

And the NHL needs to hold their officials more accountable, like NFL is starting to do. On NFL channel, every week, the head of the officials does a half hour segment to answer all the objectionable/contested calls. And he's up front about missed calls or he argues the case based on the rulebook and defends the officials.

I think the last 20 seconds of that game is the most fire I've seen from the Pens. Malkin had a case in the ass for Zetterburg, and it was good to finally see some emotion from them.

Back to penalties, it's kinda like the NFL where receivers get away with push offs....if the ref has a bad angle, how can you call it? Shit happens way too fast and behind the play sometimes to catch. The best receivers all walk the line of pushing off and fighting for position. It's the same way with these slight picks in hockey. Slow them down just a cunt hair, buying enough time for your defense to catch up or your offense to get by. Interference is very tough like that.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=424480&intcmpid=tckr

No Malkin suspension. Shocker there.

A league that enforces a suspension for missing an all star game, but doesn't enforce the instigator rule... or the rule that states you have to drop your stick before a fight! Guess that makes up for the thousands of elbows by DET last game.... :P

Yeah, not shocked, but he certainly should have gotten something for that shit. You don't start a fight with a stick in hand, and you don't punch the refs. You stop punching when the refs get between you like that. Both he and Zetterberg should have a one-game timeout for that, but again... this is Bettman's NHL. The rule book is a guideline.

Well, I will say in Zetterburg's defence, cause obviously I'm a Detroit fan, he wasn't trying to fight Malkin. It took him 10 secs of getting punched at to finally say fuck it, drop the gloves, and get a shot or two in. Malkin was out of line there. Flailing around like a fuckin' kid.

Malkin popped Zetterberg several good ones.

No, Zetterberg did not necessarily want to fight. As evidenced by the punches thrown with gloves on and the shots taken after the ref was in.

What Zetterberg wanted to do is what all Detroit players want to do - act like bitches and not have to defend themselves for it.

As far as wanting Malking to be suspended... heh. Absolutely nobody in the hockey world agrees with Detroit fans on that one and I'll leave it there.

I don't want him suspended. I enjoy watching the Wings spank these guys with all their best players. It was still a bad call if you are trying to look fair.

What did Zetterburg do to 'act like a bitch'? He pushed the guy that blatantly slashed his goalie (as would ANY player in the fuckin NHL - and Zetterburg is not a dirty player by any stretch), and Malkin gets some hard on, cause well his team is outmatched again this year, and starts flailing at Zetterburg like a child throwing a tantrum. He is handily brought to the ice, ref comes in, he's controlled, and punched a few times by ole Zetterburg. I'm not trying to claim Zetterburg is a fighter, but what the fuck was with Malkin, really? Frustrated. Knows he's going to lose.

Ole Malkin better watch him self. The 'dirty cheap shotting' Detroit squad will be after him. LOL

You've got a funny definition of a slash.

Perhaps turn the Red Wings broadcast down and check your goalie out a little closer. Guy is a diver, always has been.

Are you fuckin kidding me on this one? Am I being trolled?

You think that was a legal play? You don't do that kinda shit to a goalie and not get punished...that's just the game.

And oh yeah, he got called for it.

The nice part about my surround sound is it does something where the announcers are basically almost muted. All I hear is rink sounds, it's pretty sweet. Anyway, the only HD channel was NBC...so that's what I watched.

Osgood will continue to quietly do what he does, win championships. A lot of that is the squad around him, but the guy is good.

It was a bullshit call on Malkin… …both guys should have been sent off, NHL just rectifying blatant referee favortism to Red Wings. It was end of game and refs let it to get to that state by not whistling all the elbows, clutching, grabbing, slashing, holding, etc.… that Red Wings were permitted all game long.

If they're not going to call it the way it's been called for all season long and 3 rounds of Stanley Cup playoffs, they should at least announce it beforehand. Say "we're not calling jack, no holds barred, let 'em play…" and be done with it.

The officiating was a travesty, but then again, no surprise for the NHL.

And tell me that's not a dive by Osgood…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfrHdSjZZcA

Dive or not, you do NOT fucking spear a goalie unless you're a total tard or you're looking to make a point.

Puck was loose, skater has right to knock it in.

Goalies have nice thick pads you know.

Are you really defending that cheap shot? It was blatant, and uncalled for. Yes, there was some dive there. Still, you try standing on two blades while a very strong 200 lb hockey player spears you like that :P

Either way, keep crying about officiating because it's all you got. Maybe your boys will show some heart and win both these games in Pitt. I wouldn't hold your breath though. Fluery is pretty bad from what I've seen.

If a puck is on the ice around the goalie, spear away at it. If it is visible but trapped in his pads, you don't have the right to hack it out. It was a desperation, idiotic play. Move along.

It was a spearing, and Malkin fighting was really really funny. The whole time I'm sitting there going, this is just getting silly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOYaEIyR3-0

No dives here. Just wanted to bring some fun back into the thread. My brother was at this game.

I had to miss it cause of work. He'll never let me live it down.

Watch it in slow motion.

Talbot is looking at, and directly going for, the puck in Osgood's arm. It's not even that hard of a push with the stick. Osgood flops like a bitch. Evidencing that he barely has it is the fact that it falls into the net when he flops over.

Should Talbot have done that? Nope. Goalie has it, leave it be regardless of what a desperate situation in the game is in.

Are you people being complete bitches screaming and moaning about how close to murder it was?

Yes, absolutely.

It was a spearing with 20s left. It wasn't a big deal. As a result nothing came of it at all. Let's play a new game, what will Pens fans talk about after the next loss?

A - The refs, again.
B - We outshot them, WTF? Where's the defense?
C - Global warming is ruining ice conditions.
D - I bent my wookie.

And Detroit can:

1. Defend the refs for letting them do whatever they want because it works in their favour
2. Scream and cry about another one of their divers diving, demanding that someone be executed over it
3. Scream and cry that one of their players was acting like a bitch all series and got bitchslapped, then demand that the regular season and playoff leading scorer be SUSPENDED FOR ALL TIME!
4. Party (play hockey) like it's 1999!


Can't wait 'till Tuesday?

Or, actually, I can. Because the Red Wings ruins hockey, and it's no wonder people don't go to the fucking games in Detroit.

Have you sold out a game in the playoffs yet, yo?

Are you serious? Now you really are trolling.

Refs "letting stuff go" basically destroyed the NHL and made it utterly unwatchable garbage from 1994-2007.  Big hits are one thing.  Tactical defense is another.  But hooking/holding/obstruction turn hockey from the fastest, most beautiful and creative game on the planet to something resembling two high schoolers grapple after class really, really, really fast.  They've let too much shit go in this series, and the quality of the gameplay has suffered for it.

That said, I'm about as big a Pens fan as you'll find and I don't see the bias others see as far as interference non-calls.  Especially in game one, the Penguins got away with a fair number of hooks and a METRIC FUCKTON of interference. 

The reason they're losing is that Fleury is making big mistakes and Osgood isn't.  I've been pleasantly surprised, as the overall play has been relatively even.  Even with the injuries Detroit has, I thought they'd dominate in shots, quality chances and attack zone time.  Pittsburgh is closer to the Wings than I thought.  With a couple breaks, they might've been able to win this Cup.  With another year of muscle on Malkin and Crosby as they approach their physical peaks, and the core of the Wings continues to age, they might not need any breaks to win next year.  More plausibly two.

But, right now, the Wings are the best team in the NHL, and by a good bit.

I agree with all your points. The New Jersey trap made hockey so stupid to watch, it's amazing I actually got into it.

That being said, elbows are not going to be called all the time, nor will "interference", or hooks. They happen a ton in the game and some are severe and deserve penalties while others are relatively minor and meaningless to the overall flow of the game. Also it's hard to catch them all. Tripping, high-sticks, and blatant holds/boarding should always be called and if they aren't I do take exception with that.

Detroit has done nothing but play a strict trap this entire series. Down a goal, up a goal, from the drop of the puck to the final horn Detroit has played the trap.

I was really hoping Zetterberg would plaster Malkin. Shame.

You want to talk about bitches on the Wings? lol

Screw you, hippie. You're talking about my first career there.  :oh_i_see:

Though, I suppose it's a coincidence that my working at the league was about the same time as Bettman's start. Still, while I was there, there was a lot of internal debate about that very issue. If you look at the Wings of the mid-90s, they were the equivalent of today's Pens. Getting the shit held out of them by the Devils and then getting shit beat out of them by the Avs taught them they needed to re-think their game. They did that and they've been rather dominant ever since.

Trust me, I'm sure I and a lot of other fans both outsiders and current and former insiders would rather it went back to the old ways, but I don't think that's gonna happen any time soon.

Let's be real here. Osgood hasn't been stellar. In Game 2 especially, he got his ass saved by the post at least what... 3, 4 times? He's gotten lucky bounces go his way that Fleury hasn't. Osgood has been better, but he's hardly been mistake-free, and any number of his mistakes could have been in the back of the net. It helps that he has defensemen who actually know how to clear the crease worth a shit, whereas Fleury has defensemen who don't move, don't follow the puck and don't protect him worth a rat fuck.

Bingo.

Eh, Osgood has outplayed Fleury.

Fleury got beat bad on the board rebounds in game #1, which I cannot fault him too much since he would not be familiar with building quirks.

In game #2, Fleury gave up a real softie for goal #3, and still, though his rebound control has improved, still yields a fat one at least once a period.

That said, not the reason Pens are down 2-0. It's due to (a) in large part to the vast change in officiating from the 1st 3 series (Detroit has suffered on PK, so please don't tell me it's not a factor), (b) bad bounces (i.e., the posts and the board caroms) and (c) while the Penguins have been their equal or better in play, Red Wings have been the better squad in the last 10 minutes of play, clutching up while Penguins are frenzied (same thing happen to Hawks, they melted down in 3rd periods).'

Finally, as much as I think Babcock is a dick, his coaching record speaks for itself…

Babcock's not as big of a dick as Bowman and Crawford were.  :awesome_for_real:

That's like saying Michael Moore isn't as fat as that 600+ pound guy that needs to be wedged out of his crib…

For your point A) , whats the pen's powerplay percentage (if you want to bring up Detroits PK)? Would it have covered the two goal deficit in both games? Doubt it. Plenty of non-calls in Game 1, Pens got away with some shit. Game two, Det did. To say the officiating is the main reason for them being down 2-0 is funny though. I'd say their inability to play 5 on 5 hockey would be the main reason.

Penalty minutes thus far (not counting the last 40 sec on G2):
4:00 min Detroit, 2:00 min Pit

2:00 min Detroit, 2:00 min Pit

I'd rather see that than a game overcalled.

The real reasons Pens are down 2-0 in this series: They suck at shooting even-strength with only one goal in 2 games, and Crosby has zero points.

Crosby has zero points because Guerin and Kunitz are post snipers.

As a casual Pens fan I was glad to see Malkin go after Zetterberg. Kinda pathetic but he at least finally showed some spark.

Look, you have to give the devil his due: The Red Wings are a damn good team and they're very good at what they do. They're kinda like hockey's version of the Steelers in that they have a system and they pick players that fit the system instead of chasing so-called talent. And like the Steelers, the only way to beat them is to punch them in the face.

So Zetterberg is draped all over Crosby, fine. Where is Goddard? Where is the fourth line guy planting a cross-check across Zetterberg's head? Why are Pittsburgh's defensemen playing tick-tack pokecheck with a rookie on a 1 on 2 instead of decapitating him? Because they're playing the same pussy hockey they did in the late 90's when Lemieux was there, with the same result.

Well, when Matt Cooke is your tough guy…

It's true. The Wings clutch & grab and play the 1-2-2 better than anyone in the league right now. Pittsburgh is being outplayed and BADLY outcoached. Zetterberg is a fantastic shadow and Lidstrom is the best defenseman in the world x years running.

I won't go so far as to say the Penguins are playing pussy hockey - but close enough to it that they're not currently replicating the success that the Ducks had against the Wings by playing rough and dirty.

Wings commit the cardinal sin early and fail to make an easy clear. Pens up early.

EDIT: And that lasted about a minute.  :ye_gods:

Ok it's true, the refs have no fucking clue what's going on in this game. Holy lord.

One interference called, next one let go, then Pens run 6 on the ice for 30s. I'm not making excuses for them anymore. That was terrible.

Officiating is awful but at least it's being equally applied tonight. Missed Red Wing interference calls on one hand, Penguins skating with six on the other… …though the non-interference call resulted in Red Wing PP goal…

Yeah that was quite a call.

Edit: Another one of those fantastic calls on Satan there.

But you gotta even shit up, right.

I really wouldn't be shocked if this game went deep into OT given how tired these guys have to be with 3 games in 4 days.

I was shitting myself in the second half of that period. We had so many chances to put it away.

And Kunitz, by the way, is exactly what I fucking said he was. Glorified third liner.

Yeah but that was a nice hit on Franzen. Pens were much more physical in the third period than they have been. They need to keep it up, frustrate the Wings into more penalties.

WTF Versus? Game over, and straight to that silly "Sports Soup" show… …/thank DirecTV for NHL channel…

Kunitz missed his opportunity, but Talbot could have easily netted a 4 goal night (though had banged the others in, no empty net would have been there…).

Lots of missed interference calls, but at least the bad calls were evenly distributed this game. And both teams got saved by the metal posts…

Dupuis, for all his speed, looks like a giant 0. Cooke at least throws his body around and drew a penalty.

I like Gill, but his game seems to have slipped a notch. No, I didn't expect Chara like performances from him, but I'd settle for just clearing Red Wings out of the crease and eliminating rebound shots…

Odd, they played better in the first two games, but they did clutch it up in the closing 3rd period minutes…

Every game's been a battle and I expect game #4 Thursday night will be no different.

CBC hasn't had a postgame show since the Canucks went out.

You can switch to TSN, NHL Network, or Sirius/The Score which is what I do. But honestly - it's the Stanley Cup Final and *CBC* doesn't have a pre OR post-game show?

Come on, guys. They fucking run Jeopardy and shit for the half hour slot leading up to 8:00.

Best game yet I say, even if my boys lost. The first was the kind of period that really gets the blood flowing.

Pens showed some will in the third. I honestly don't like seeing Crosby without any points (of course I do) because he's too good not to and will get some soon.

Osgood, average tonight. But he did what he has a knack of doing....giving his team a chance to win the game. Just wasn't their night. I know a bar owner that is quite happy about tonight's loss :)

Coaching was a factor tonight. Don't know his name, but he obviously did better with the last change and may be starting to figure some shit out.

Babcock is still a beast though. TBH, I think he may be better than Bowman at working lines. Game 4 should be great.

Dan Bylsma, former Phoenix Roadrunner and Anaheim Duck who played under Babcock when he coached in Anaheim 2002-2004

http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=42688
http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=6406

Bylsma is a total coaching no0bler, it's his first season ever as a head coach in any league (he started season as head coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) though he served as an assistant for 3 years, including a season with the Islanders in 2005-2006.

Oh my God Rumble In The Bronx is on Peachtree TV and it's just starting!!!!!!!!!


See you losers later!

GO PENS!

Like I said, Wings in six.

I want it to be in five, so they win at the Joe, but I don't think that's gonna happen.

I'm quietly hoping it will go to 7, but I'm not sure.

It all depends on what happens Thursday night.

If the Red Wings win, you're looking at 5 or 6.

If the Penguins win, probably 7.

So Detroit just added an MVP finalist to their lineup.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/26573-Datsyuk-may-return-for-Game-4-will-play-in-Game-5.html

Rut roh.

Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary
Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Hossa
Filppula-Helm-Sameulsson
Hudler-Draper-Maltby

It's a fucking all-star team. Not to mention the defense, which is one of the best in the league.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

It's that your pickup line?

I don't need pickup lines ;D

I prefer checking lines.  :awesome_for_real:

Officiating is a joke.  We're well on our way to 1998-style calls.  I don't think there was a single time there was a dump or loose puck in the Detroit offensive zone where a Penguins defender did not interfere with the Wing trying to get to the puck, rarely even pretending to play the puck.  The Wings only interfered half the time, but made up for it with hold after hold on Pens who had the puck. 

They add some jizz icing to the shitcake by making two random interference calls, one of which won the game.  The only thing worse than the refs letting a game devolve into a 60 minute clutch-and-grab shitfest is the refs letting the game devolve into a 55 minute clutch-and-grab shitfest but then throwing somebody in the penalty box for doing the exact same thing both teams had done about 67,000 times thus far in the game.

At this pace, Hal Gil will be the best player on the ice by game 6, if not by game 5.  Which is exactly how the morons who run the league like it.  I swear those fuckers are still crying that the 1996 Florida Panthers never got to play the 1999 Devils for the Cup in a 29-game series held in tar pit.

Anyway, go Pens.  I'm sad Mario had to watch this, but at least He didn't have to play in it.

Eh, Penguins noted the Red Wings getting away with it and adopted the tactic themselves. Red Wings trapping, clutching and grabbing like its 1998…

Red Wings still better at the holding… …actually was shocked when they called a few, though watching game on Versus, most of the penalties are simply phantom calls, as they go to commercial and never give you video of what actually happened…

Really sad deal about it is that it's an aberration from the way the game's been called all season long, and for 3 rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Most all the post-season games I watched called it real tight in the 1st, sometimes bordering on the ridiculous, and there were quite a number of 5 on 3 situations too (something unheard of in NHL postseason). But the officials were fairly consistent and skaters learned quickly what was not acceptable. With the finals, it's seems so blatantly off kilt and totally random, I don't understand it.

NHL needs more accountability for the officials, similar to steps NFL has taken.

It's exactly what the league said they didn't want when they changed the fact that games were called different in the third period and in the playoffs. Now the game is just called differently in the Stanley Cup Final.  And that's still stupid.

- 10 average minor penalties per game in the Eastern and Western finals combined.
- 4 average minor penalties per game in the Stanley Cup finals.

I'm going to blame the economy. We simply can't afford as many power plays as we used to, so the refs are cutting back.  :why_so_serious:

That's not an accurate assessment.

Evaluating officiating on # of penalties called misses two thirds of the story. Even just looking at raw numbers of minors, need to at least break down obstruction calls (holding, tripping, interference, hooking) vs. roughing/boarding/high sticking…

Calls made in 1st period that reinforce what's not going to be tolerated and skaters adjust, especially in the post season, especially when you're not a top line skater and that boneheaded hook, hold or act of interference will translate into ice time reduction. All of the Penguins previous postseason matches had this effect — it got noted early that officials were not going to "let 'em play" and disregard the obstruction.

Well, I was GOING to make a spreadsheet to really get in-depth about it, but you caught me.  :oh_i_see:

Next time I won't be so lazy when I agree with your point about refs ignoring things.



Dick.  :why_so_serious:

Man, you're hardcore  :star:

No one gonna bring up the 6 men on the ice Pitt had for like 30 seconds? Laughable. Detroit has been hosed on called throughout the playoffs, trust me on this one.

I enjoyed the game, maybe cause I don't sit around waiting for my team to get some wishy washy call.

I'll quote myself because you obviously didn't read. That's ok though since you're a Detroit fan. We get it.  :grin:

Whoops :)

Did you read the most recent posts in this thread?


The bad calls got evened up in game #3… 

Bickering about refs and shit aside, this game tonight is fucking huge.

Not just because of the 3-1 deficit to the best team in the league if the Penguins lose, but because they'll be having fucking flashbacks and their confidence will go out the window.

Penguins secret weapon = fucking hilarious players:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN28CYsbw8A

Pens are about to get.........

(http://www.sam-hayne.com/graphics/Kronwalled.jpg)

For you Americans who have heard a CBC broadcast and wish you could get that kind of commentary, if you use HotSpot Shield and go to the CBC website, you can stream the playoffs. Not as appealing as a large TV, I know.

Well that was quick.

Slayerik, I thought it was going to say "Jumped".

Whoa. Red Wings are blowing defensive assignments, not used to seeing that in the Finals.

They are crumbling. I don't get it. :uhrr:

Crazy. That 4th goal by Penn was very nice though. Great Crosby pass.

Pens are just getting all the powerplays imo. It's bullshit. Imo.

This goes beyond powerplays. The wings are dropping their men on D, scrambling, which is opening up passing opportunities and just generally throwing the game away.

Henry Ford was a Nazi and Bettman has had it in for Detroit ever since?

Come on, help me out here.

You could sell me on Bettman being a Nazi. What with cock blocking a new Canadian team in an area where it would thrive.

Ahhhh, a good strong night of laughing at Detroit bandwagon shit talkers on sports forums coming up.

I <3 Trolling.

Looks like fatigue set in. 4 games in 6 nights.

If only Red Wings could take a 5 minute mulligan, they would have won…

Glad to see Jordan Staal really bust out, that SH goal changed the tone of the game. Fleury made some clutch saves too. A few inches though, game could have looked a lot different…

I started to cringe everytime I saw Orpik and Gonchar out together with Penguins holding lead…

Goals #3 and #4 were beauties…

Officiating again is awful (McCreary you really suck), but Red Wings fans might have a beef on this game, though they did get away with a lot of stuff too…

Finally, WTF was that one handed hot dog Kunitz?

One handed hot dog was being hooked. The rulebook says being hooked heading clear to an empty net is an automatic goal. McCreary is a fucking moron.

Babcock just called Filppula "Fill-a-pool-a". lol.

Bettman is not a nazi.

He definitely has a Napoleon complex though.

As far as the game goes, yeah fatigue.

Still, Wings in six.

Pens in six. Home ice cup hoisting.

As epic as a game 7 would be, it'd be on Detroit home ice. I much prefer playing in Pittsburgh, so I think it's uber important to win game 5 in Detroit.

I think it's fun how each game keeps getting more and more important. Epic.

Not much to say here....we got outplayed.

But hey, I've seen this before I believe. Even with this loss, we still got home ice. i hope you guys never bring up non-calls again though :)

You know it was as legal as a hit gets.

Kronwall is the master of the last-second jump. He often makes it look very legal.

It was dirty, we all know it. A well placed dirty hit, but still dirty. And, yes, I get what you're saying.

They have to win game 5.  If they don't get their road win there, I really don't see it happening in game 7.  Glad they evened it up; we have a series now.

Great game. The Pens skaters finally showed up. That Staal short-handed goal was really the turning point, and it was fucking awesome. Osgood was just completely flummoxed. The passing on the 4th goal was fantastic too. It was nice to see some shots that didn't dink off the posts.

As usual, the officiating was just shit. Cross checks, punches, interference, clutching and grabbing, it was all in evidence. I just don't get it. The announcers keep saying "These were the least penalized teams in the playoffs" like that means something. Of course they are the least penalized now - you fuckheads aren't calling ANYTHING.

Still, it got me excited for Game 5. I just hope the Pens show up in Detroit this time. The refs, however, I'm not sure if it'll matter if their plane goes down in a fiery ball of suck. I can't tell their on the ice most of the time.

It was as legal as a dirty hit gets.


Fixed that for you.

 :oh_i_see:

Currently #333 in the CBC pool. What pisses me off is that if I had put the star on Malkin instead of Crosby like I was pondering, I'd be at 306 points.

#10 is 308.

 :ye_gods:

I'm sort of in the same boat. I starred Crosby instead of Malkin.

Well, when you're picking for round 3 and 4, how the hell do you not star Crosby after what he did against the Capitals?

Clearly I should have put the star on Gonchar as well, but I wasn't exactly sure how badly he was hurt. He's playing pretty decent, and that decision was a mistake too.

What the fuck can you do. I could have been in the top 10.

Maybe I'll just lie when I tell the story about how I did in the CBC pool to someone.

"And then, in a couple of shrewd and ballsy moves that put me over the top, I put stars on Gonchar and Malkin (like I had been doing ALL FUCKING PLAYOFFSp until this point), and I WON THE TOYOTA PREVIA or whatever"

Well, I called it right re:Malkin — I figured he'd bust out in Carolina series, predicted to my family and then watched in glee as he did just that.

Unfortunately, as far as the pool goes, a "starred" Malkin represents nearly half of my round 3-4 segment total. I think I only have a couple of Penguins — Geno and Tanger. I should have loaded up with just players from 2 teams instead of picking from all 4 (duh!)…

Have I mentioned this yet?

I tried to say it on TSN, but they moderated my posts out any time I mention it.

CBC is pushing Bob Cole out. Not allowing him to do the finals, and only "5-20 games" (CBC president quote) next year.

Jim Hughson sucks fucking monkey balls. Bring back the legend.

Fuck it if he's 80 and can't follow the play sometimes. People understand he's old. In other sports they respect their legendary announcers.

Hilarious:

The Star Wars Guide To The Stanley Cup Finals

http://bostonblueline.blogspot.com/2009/06/star-wars-guide-to-stanley-cup-finals.html
 (http://bostonblueline.blogspot.com/2009/06/star-wars-guide-to-stanley-cup-finals.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/nemesis15/BylsmaTrap.jpg)

That was pretty good. :)

My wishes for 7 may be coming true!

I'm no longer in favour of a seventh game.

If we win game five.... maybe. I guess. It wouldn't be THE WORST.

But if we lose all three in Joe Louis and then go in for game 7?


Ehhhhhh.

Plus, Pittsburgh has never had a major sports championship won on home turf as far as I know.

Mainly, it's very important to win tonight. I also don't want to have to hook a toilet up in the living room to watch game six back in Pittsburgh if we lose game five.

Remember, he learned at the feet of David Stern, who is as big a cocksucker as I can imagine. Fuck both of them.

I did not know that. Fuck, no wonder he's such a douche.

I heard about that on Leaf Talk radio here, earlier in the year. It was like December or January or something, and announcers just talking during a break or whatever and the other dude asks "So when are we seeing you back here (ACC), haven't seen you in awhile?" and Bob was like "This is my last game here for the season, I'm going to leave it at that".

Fuck CBC.

I got sick of their broadcast (The horrible Dos Equis Don Cherry ripoff anyone? etc) a couple of games ago and tried to switch to NBC.

I immediately changed the channel back.

CBC is fucking awful and I'd love there to be an alternative. But NBC is not it.

Versus is really not it.

I wonder if it'll get to the point where I'm watching RDS.

Lawl.

This thing is a bloodbath.

Top shelf! Where gramma keeps the cookies!

I'm curious as to what happens if you give the Stanley Cup Champions 17 straight powerplays.

Oh wait, no I'm not. As such, I didn't need to see this.

I'm curious as to why slashing and punching Red Wings results in penalties?

Haven't been penalties when you do it to the guys in the other jerseys all series. Kinda chapping my ass, but whatever. Refs called this game.

Whether the penalties were legit or not, they haven't been called the other way. This game, or all series.

heh stepped out to pick up food for party tonight and missed all of 2nd until there was just a few minutes left and pens with garon in net facing 5v3 down 5-0...

WTF happened?

Step 1: Pens dominate first ten minutes of first period.

Step 2: About 10 straight powerplays for Detroit.

Step 3: Detroit enjoys cup.

Funny thing is that, technically, Detroit had 4 powerplays and Pittsburgh had 1 last game. The last one was meaningless and the second was nullified 3 seconds in, etc. Pittsburgh had one actual powerplay.

Now, Detroit straight up gets the game called for them. Anything they do in the game, completely ignored by the refs (including a straight butt-end to Staal's face off a faceoff.. but it's nothing new, the Red Wings elbow off of every faceoff).

This is after Detroit had the "let 'em play" shit going in their favour, hooking and holding and slashing and elbowing and whatnot.

Pittsburgh fans have a legitimate beef with the reffing at this point. I don't give a fuck what Detroit fan says otherwise.

This second period has been so crazy and not in a good way...

I do totally blame the Penguins for the game being 5-0 and not 3-0, though.

Once you see that the refs intend to call EVERY SINGLE THING against you and let EVERYTHING the other team does go, you can't start acting like bitches and go out all frustrated and do some slashing.

They're gonna call it. They've proven that. They'll keep calling it until it's 42-0.

Play hard. Lose. Have the coach go up on the podium and ask for referees who know how to a) call penalties and when they do, b) call penalties against both teams. Take the 10k fine, split it between the players and have a laugh. Fin.

Edit: Oh, and Fleury was fucking awful. Detroit was like 90% on the powerplay.

FYI here come a few powerplays for the Penguins so the scoresheet doesn't look quite so bad.

Kinda like last game.

Kinda like every game in the NHL.

I don't think what you want to happen is actually going to happen.

Uh... Ya got some sand in yer vag there...

Satisfied with being handed a win on a silver platter, are you?

I'd be at least a little ashamed of winning with the powerplays 72-1 after how dirty Detroit has been this series. Fucking embarassing what these referees have done with this final.

That's hockey. There's always going to be dirt and grit. If you can't stand that it could be decided factor, it's clearly the wrong sport for you. I'd suggest golf.

Sorry, what?

Did I complain about dirt and grit?

I complained that it was being called one way.

If you can't see that, I'd suggest a brand new white cane.

Datsyk owns you guys.

I wouldn't go so far as to say Pens dominated the first 10 mins, as they DIDN'T SCORE. They played well though. Once that adrenaline wore off, they once again were facing a better team.

Just face it man, Detroit made your guys look like a JV team tonight. My only bitch is that they kept 13 out there. His ass shoulda been on the bench after the 2nd.

Your Pens take stupid penalties and you blame the refs? You are watching a different game than I saw man, from your commentary anyway.

You did complain about dirt. It's only being called one way when your team loses. That's every hockey game and, unfortunately, part of being a fan.

Either way, you were baiting Wings fans I believe, now it's your turn to be on the opposite end of that. Chin up! Maybe next year.

It's only being called one way when the penalties are 12-2....

As far as "You did complain about dirt.", check out the entire sentence.

Whatever. What can you do when the other team is on the powerplay the entire game?

Like I said. After how the series has been called and all of the crap the Wings are doing (-as well-), it's an absolute fucking disgrace to call a game for one team like that.

Cry moar bitch

Penguins lack balls and heart. Malkin is a dirty player, Crosby is a cry baby that chokes in the clutch, and who even knows any other players on that dirtball squad.

Oh wait, i forgot the big guns... Hal Gill, and old man Guerin.

It's amazing Penguins have two wins.  It's the same story as last year, but with Hossa on the better team.

"Cry moar bitch" and "sandy vaginalol" are such compelling counter arguments and insightful analysis into the game of hockey.

Retards.

I think you are mistaking "insightful" with "horribly biased." I have zero dog in this fight, and I think you're off the reservation at times with your analysis of the reffing.

The Penguins only show up at home. That's the reality of the situation. Also, they can't mentally deal with any bad breaks on the ice. They have not looked like a Stanley Cup championship team at all, and frankly it would be embarrassing for them to win it right now. IF they can pull it together and stop worrying about all the other shit going on outside of simply putting the puck in the net and playing defense, then I'd be happy. As it stands, that's not the game we're watching at all.

Ah, nobody can stop sucking the balls off of the last team who won. It's a symptom of a much larger disease.

Pens played great in the opening 10 minutes (whether they scored or not - you CAN actually dominate play without scoring. It's not basketball.), but then went completely off the rails and looked like shit. This had quite a lot to do with 400 penalties in a row an Fleury playing like trash. They got deflated.

Please don't mistake the fact that I'm complaining about the calls with the idea that I'm saying all of the calls were unjust. You can call 50 minor penalties a period on each team if you really want to. It's hockey. But it's also the playoffs. It's chippy as fuck out there.

They only called them on one team, and if you're disagreeing with that you're either balls crazy or someone who would come into a thread and make comments about sandy vaginas.

Also Datsyuk was a beast especially for having a broken foot/sprained ankle/whatever. They came out with no game plan for stopping him and that was stupid.

But you can't win hockey games when the other team is on a perpetual powerplay no matter what the fuck you do.

True if you're killing time the entire game, you'll lose. Still, it always looks like mental breakdowns out there. I'm almost willing to blame the coaches for not getting their guys under control or mentally prepared for the adversity, but then again these are supposed to be professionals.

Part of the problem was getting frustrated at 3-0 and starting to take shots at people. You know the refs are watching you at that point, and are going to watch you more closely the further out of hand the game gets.

Basically, they got themselves into a shit snowball hurling down shit creek without a shitpaddle by being undisciplined after the Wings were gifted a strong lead. You don't give up at 3-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals, but that's exactly what they did.

Still not defending the string of calls that got them there or any deeper. Just saying that there's a valid explanation for them, even if it's kind of a shitty one and there should have been calls the other way too. How many times is Jordan Staal going to get elbowed in the fucking face off of a draw before it's called? etc.

Well, at least now you know what it feels like to have your team on the wrong end of some obviously one-sided refereeing.

Not a troll.

The penalties have gone either way in the playoffs, this thread is a testament to that. That being said, Pitts didn't stick around for the last game. They checked out early and that was a big part in their loss.

Soooo.....Big game tonight, any predictions?

4-3 Wings (in OT?)

Kind of hard to blame the officials when you lose 5-0…

I hope Fleury shakes it off and delivers a better performance tonight. Otherwise, it's curtains for the Pens and again will be treated to the ignominy of the visiting squad prancing around with Lord Stanley's Cup in their home igloo…

I think the Pens win tonight 3-1, and take it to the 7th game.

Wow, Guerin with the 10/10.

I think the Zetterberg penalty was legit, though. He took the chance of being shoved a bit to into Fleury. He figured he could go in there because it wouldn't get called - which is precisely why it should be.

Needs to be a goal here though, because Detroit is going to get an evenup call soon.

HEEEEEEEEEEE SHOOTS & SCORES!!! BUY SAM A DRINK AND GET HIS DOG ONE, TOO!!!!

I could take or leave the Pens but I  :heart: Mike Lange

Respect the legends, I always say. Forcing Lange out to radio in favour of that hack Steigerwald was a damn shame and an awful move by Fox.

PING!

Fuck, Osgood has played well.

Hal "The Thrill" Gill strikes again.

Heh. Didn't know that that many people could fit into a crease.

Give Scuderi some pads and put him in net.

Awwwww yeah. Game 7 for Lord Stanley's. Gotta love it.

Failed break away and Fleury's damn arm cut Detroit from tying it up in the last couple minutes.

Time to win it at home, I guess. :grin:

That was a great hockey game. Game 7 - wouldn't want it any other way.  I know it favours Detroit, but it's down to one game.  Anyone can win one game.


I was on the move tonight so I picked up Lange over XM between access to TVs.  He's solid.

Two late powerplays and I was shitting my drawers the entire time.

I was quite convinced that they were going to tie it up on the second powerplay. I was happy to escape the first.

Going to a seventh game is epic. I don't know what it is about home ice this series, though. I'm not entirely optimistic about Pittsburgh's chances.

So I get my wish after all, and I was an empty netter away from getting the score right.

Detroit wins, 4-2 at home btw.

I can't find the CBC intro for tonight's game. I'll post the youtube link if I can find it later. Epic, though. Totally awesome.

Too bad the level of epicness was taken down about ten notches as soon as Jim Hughson started talking.

The one on Guerin was a bullshit call — Detroit skater should have been whistled for a dive — watch the replay.

The call on Malkin too was questionable, not that it was not a legitimate penalty, just that I watch Kronwall commit the same act (or blatantly interfere with forward, or throw an elbow…) every single shift he's on the ice…

But Pens beat Wings at their own Brian Sutter bullshit clutch & grab game, even if Babcock is performing some kind of services for McCreary…

I think it's been known that Babcock has been babbing on McCreary's cock for some time. Not the point.

You can call any of the penalties last night bullshit if you want. Penguins adapted, Penguins won. No one in particular benefited from the powerplays (although I'd trade first period powerplays for third period powerplays anytime, and if the Penguins got third period powerplays people would be shitting their pants and screaming conspiracy,  but whatever).

Come on guys, please don't say that was called Detroit's way last night. Seriously, I'd lose some respect for y'all (not that you Pen's fans give a fuck but hey)

If anything, it was called pretty decent compared to the last 5.

Game 7 in Detroit....Fuckin' A! Should be awesome.

Are you hating on Jim Hughson?!  :ye_gods:

I know Cole was a classic, but come on. Did you really want to watch a final with: "And there goes Crosby, and he's got the puck, and... ... ... Lebda has the puck"

Shit, some of those games this year - there'd be a three shot flurry ending up with the puck sitting on the goal line before a miraculous save - and Cole would say "there's a shot". Unless of course it was the Leafs...

No.

Officiating was just as dreadful in game #6…

Penguins skaters (Orpik, Staal) have scars on their faces from being slashed/high sticked w/ no call yet Guerin gets whistled for a phantom high stick (+ Red Wing skater dive)…

Babcock is working the refs a lot more than Blysma, who's too soft spoken…

Not disputing the 3rd period Malkin penalty, but again, I see Kronwall do the same thing (or throw an elbow, or blatantly interfere) EVERY shift…

In game #6 I see the Penguins laying the body (yes, sometimes going in high) but I don't see them clutching, holding, grabbing, holding the stick, etc.… like the Red Wings…

On twitter, Wings fans think Scuderi should have been called for gloving the puck in the crease, but I watched that replay at least a half-dozen times and there's no definitive evidence of that…

Hopefully Friday night, Fleury brings his A game, Pens continue to play like game #6 and prevail despite the immense deviation of how the game has been called in the finals, compared to the 1st 3 rounds of the post-season…

We got called on a horrible interference call in the first, and saw some other questionable shit. I just don't focus so much on that side of the game and actually like watching the play. You guys need to stop your fuckin' crying. Detroit has had to deal with one sided officiating for the last two years. Go somewhere else with your bullshit, cause I ain't buying. :)

Bylsma doesn't work the refs, I'm assuming, because he thinks that it'll create mutual respect and the refs will appreciate it, etc. He wrote a couple books on hockey and coaching and such, so I'm assuming he's overthought the situation to that degree.

Problem is that the referees in the NHL are universally about as smart as a fucking lamp post and ARE manipulated QUITE effectively by post-game and media bitching. Screaming from the bench very often buys makeup calls, etc.

Also yes, I AM hating on Jim Hughson. His epic call at the end of the game last night sent shivers down your spine, did it?


"Pittsburgh wins.


...



Pittsburgh wins."


Oh, fuck, thanks Jim. Well, that's good I guess.

http://www.theonion.com/content/from_print/evil_red_wings_owner_wario

(http://azaroth.org/images/espnpoll.bmp)

All the Caps fans jumped on the Octopus wagon I see…

Either people are sick of Red Wings winning the Cup or Penguins have a lot of fans nationwide…

Hey. They have Maryland.

Don't you forget Maryland.

Looks like a bunch of pissed WSH fans.

I'm ok either way. I don't really like either team and they both piss me off. I'm probably leaning towards the Wings just because I think they are better.

High flying offensive hockey with two of the three best players in the world and a cast of enthusiastic kids versus hook 'em, hold 'em, interference-as-a-system 1-2-2 trapping bullshit that was supposed to be abolished half a decade ago... I'd say you have a combination of both.

Funny how obvious it is that most of the Crosby hating comes from Canada. There are plenty of people up here on the Red Wings bandwagon for purely that reason.

I wonder if they'll be cheering when he puts on a Canadian jersey this winter.

Give him to the Swedes, I'm sure they'll say.  :oh_i_see:

We eat our own for some reason I'll never understand.

Is there any backlash because he played QMJHL?

Lots of guys I skated with, especially those from western Canada (though certainly Ontario too) incessantly bashed the French, often laced with racial epitaphs from "Pepsi" to "Frog". One of my ex-coaches (from rural BC) once smashed a bug and exclaimed "look, a Frenchman…" in a mocking voice…

I always assumed the "China Doll" Mario bashing was due in part to some of that factor… …where Gretzky is a TRUE Canadian…

And I didn't even mention the xenophobic Don Cherry ravings…

What you need to learn about Vancouver/BC is that the people there hate everyone else in Canada. Basically, their hate intensifies every time you cross a border, as far as I can understand.

I'm sure it has something to do with living in a place that could be called Seattle's rainy sister.

There's a little Quebec hate anywhere you go, though. It's certainly not why people hate on Crosby.

Want a secret?

Either the media intentionally set him up as the villian, or the media is stupid. Pretty easy to give them the benefit of the doubt and go with the latter.

If you watched the sports news up here (including internet stuff), you'll notice that while Sid started out as a huge media darling, headlines and general tone toward him soured significantly during his second season. He'd literally get headlines like "No Whining!" with a picture of him being bodychecked, etc. This was the point where the media set up camp outside their new darling's house (AO), and began to gently tonguewash his jockstrap in a loving fashion.

Of course, the mushheaded fans went along with the tone that the media was taking step for step. Most of them can't give you a valid reason as to why they hate Sid, they "just do" kind of thing. He's a whiner and I'm sure he smells funny, etc.

Yeah, trolling again I see.

Not going to say much besides may the best TEAM win, and they will. This is, after all, hockey. Your two guys won't beat our 4 lines in the end. Can't wait to see it though.

Well, we've done it at a rate of 50% so far in this series.

Should be interesting, nonetheless.

I'd say I hope the reffing isn't awful and doesn't come into play, but it's the NHL and that's clearly too much to ask.

Pens draw first blood.  Detroit constantly tries to clear the puck from behind the goal line towards the middle for some reason I'll never understand.

Worst refereeing I've EVER seen.

Crosby out of the game on a blatant interference and knee on knee.

Talbot is everywhere and it pays off.

This is gonna be some 20 minutes of hockey.

GREAT last second save by Fleury.

Even in the end, thought DET might pull it out. Fleury made the saves he had to make, even though DET dominated the 3rd and probably most of the game.


AND Hossa loses back-to-back finals.  :oh_i_see:

Stay Classy, Detroit.  :awesome_for_real:

Brilliant strategy by Bylsma. All out defense in their zone and then breakout on the pinch by Detroit. Babcock pulled the D men back and the Wings couldn't seem to adjust.

Absolutely incredible save by Fleury at the end.

Detroit fans booing was..... heh. Wow.

I wonder if nobody will sign Hossa now.

What a bad luck charm.

Enjoy the bitter, bitter taste, asshole!

The Save

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kANbgKP6seM

Heh, wow.

fsck me for all the negative rants on fleury… …i take it all back, but better, nobody can now take away his cup inscription…

talbot always been one of my favorite pens, what a game #7 performance…

officiating again was dreadful, but it was near equal in its misapplication and atrocious calls for game #7…

red wings have nothing to hang their head over, it was a post and/or a brilliant save away from going to OT…

Big save by Fleury! And it is, that's it! The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the Stanley Cup, and Lord Stanley, scratch their names on your fabled Cup!

That last save was pure willpower. Cup saving too probably, I don't think the Pens would've come out in OT.


Also Hossa  :awesome_for_real:

Yeah, that was basically the conversation here. Cup winning save. Seriously doubt Pittsburgh would have won in OT. Especially without Crosby.

(http://i41.tinypic.com/2vhz02q.jpg)

Sup, guyz.

It was a great final.  I glad for the Pens.

Now can we please for the love of God stop whimpering about refs?  The series was won and lost by the players.

Now for the draft and figuring out which direction to aim the Dany Heatley cannon.

A cup-winning save indeed. I was surrounded by drunk pens fans the remainder of last night.

Congrats, Pens fans, your boys earned it. You, however didn't.

"High flying hockey vs, hook and hold"? Surely you fucking jest. As for Hossa, there's always next year.

The Little Ceasars sign really ads that classy touch.

Rofl.

Your tears are so sweet.

Two things:

1) Get that Little Ceasar's shit out of that photo or I'm not buying it. Lul. So intentional.

2) Draper crying his eyes out and saying that Crosby was late for the handshakes. Get the fuck out. I can see where your fans picked it up. Guy was being mugged by 4,000 reporters and trying to give them all some time. Christ, CBC was pulling Penguins aside as the CUP WAS COMING OUT. Reporters are classless and want their soundbites and interviews, and Crosby always tries to accommodate. Do you honestly think he MEANT to be late to the lineup? GTFO and accept the loss.

Boo hoo, he was late in the lineup. IMO, give us the cup. That'll show him.

Yeah, Fleury was damn good down the stretch. He made the saves when he had to and the Pens just plain played better for most of the game. Good on them.

No tears, cheese dick. Just truth. You want high flying vs hook and hold, look at the Yzerman era wings or the Lemieux era pens vs the devils and the avs in the mid 90s. That was then, This is now. Everyone hooks. Everyone holds, your bitches just happened to win this year. the true test is whether they'll be able to pull it off again. Odds are, they won't.

O rly?  Seems to me the Stanley series is tied 1-1 Detroit and Pittsburgh.

Have they issued a flood warning in Detroit?  Freakin' rivers of tears must be making the drive to work unbearable.

God, you burgers are such clueless bitches.

Call me when Crosby and Malkin have as many rings as Lidstrom.

I'm sure Oilers, Habs, and Leafs fans tell themselves the same thing to justify not bringing home the trophy this year, too.

Also, in the last 20 (okay, well 19) years, Wings have 4 cups and Pens have 3.  You'd have to go back to the 1950s to start adding more Detroit cups.

I'm not sure how your argument holds up.

But I still don't have a clue about hockey, do I?

Disappointed Wings fans might be worse than Florida Gator football fans when they lose.

I thought it was sort of Ironic that Lidstrom had the last chance to tie it.

The Habs have a decent case in that regard. They haven't gone *that* long without a cup and they totally have way more then everyone else.


Leafs though...   :why_so_serious:

Detroit deserved to lose that game. Didn't seem to be hungry.

Osgood gave Maxine like 2 foot of net on the far side on that 2 on 1. I could see if he would have cheated towards the other guy some, but he was just horribly outta position.

Overall, I was glad to see it at least come down to the wire. It was straight up depressing before that.

And seriously, you guys still crying about the calls... I think we are watching two different series' or something.


One nice thing about being a Wings fan, there is always next year and a chance at another cup. Cya next year in the 09-10 Playoffs thread :)

Why so surly? :why_so_serious:

Well played Az, well played.  :awesome_for_real:

As for you, cmlancas, you don't have a clue, but keep telling yourself you do and that my argument is about
sour grapes since that seems to make you feel better about your cover boy team.

:roll:

Yeah, we sucked this year.  The cover boy comment is silly -- St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Malone are all great players, but they aren't the reason TB didn't win.  TB didn't win because their D was freakin' swiss cheese.  They were calling up every D-man they had from Norfolk just to try to fill the injury gaps.  Mike Smith had an amazing season last year, but his stats don't show it because the D playing in front of him sucked. 

That being said, you have to give credit where credit's due.  The whole, "let's see if they can do it again next year" was retarded -- Detroit couldn't do it, so why ask if Pittsburgh could do it?  Shit, I picked Detroit to win the cup (in five no less) -- I thought they were the better team.  However, Pittsburgh showed me they were the better team this year.

Even if you thought DET was the better team, even if they ARE the better team....Hockey is funny sometimes, and the better team doesn't always win.

Tampa needs to trade Lecavalier and St. Louis for some HoT DraFt Pickz. You'd be the new Pittsburgh/Chicago/Washington in a few years.

Just wanted to say Gratz to Azaroth on the pool win and excellent overall ranking.

NO!  St. Louis would be much served getting Dany Heatley.  :grin:

Or tell you what, cmlancas.  We'll take that stiff Stamkos off your hands in return for a star forward to play with Lecavalier.  :why_so_serious:

By the the way, the Red Wings need to shut the fuck up about this "snub" shit. Talk about being sore fucking losers.

You dudes rushed the handshakes while the Penguins were celebrating. I understand you want off the ice, but try being gracious losers and sitting your fucking asses there like Pittsburgh did last year for you guys. Now you try to sully the first cup for these kids with a bunch of bullshit like this?

Seriously. Get over yourselves, idiots.

(If you haven't seen - it's not just Draper anymore, Zetterberg came out talking shit today and Lidstrom made a comment. IMHO, Lidstrom's only comment should have been congratulate Pittsburgh, regardless of how he felt about the situation.)

So yeah, Marian Hossa signs a 12-year contract? WTF? He's decent, but is any player worth giving 12 years too, especially one who is already in his mid-20's? Does anyone think he has 12 years left?

Actually, he's 30.

There must be some stipulations in there for Hawks to opt out if he's a bust.

And that kind of straps them on the "paying the goalie" portion of team management. But that didn't stop Flyers from nabbing Chris Pronger and not addressing their goaltending needs…

It's a dodge of the salary cap.  Their cap hit is only what the average of the contract is, even if they pay him say, 8 million a year for the first few seasons.

12 years of losing the Finals. That will wear on any fanbase. Especially Chicago, where they know a long non-championship streak better than most.

Which would be a problem because you'd be paying Hossa at age 42 a million bucks a year or whatever, but still experiencing the same hit against your cap.

Luckily, there's a rule in the CBA that says if a player who signs before 35 retires or otherwise leaves the league AFTER 35, his cap hit comes off the books.

Long term contracts with massive dollars up front and tiny payments at the end that the player doesn't intend on collecting both allow for overpayments to players and minimizing of a cap hit. Detroit started it, it's basically cheating the salary cap.

A bigger WTF moment for me was Scuderi getting 3.5 per for 4 years from LA. Congrats to the guy for cashing in and all, but this guy was up and down from the AHL a few seasons ago and he's 31. He's a valuable defensive defenseman, sure, but 3.5 is redonkulous.

Biron was not consistent enough to cut it, and there were no FA goalies on the market that were a significant upgrade. Besides, look at someone like DET: Osgood isn't super great, but wins championships because of the guys in front of him. Also, Emery has been to the finals before.

You still have Niitymaki behind Emery, right?

If so, you should be fine. Maybe.

Scuderi had a helluva post-season, probably playing his best hockey ever, but /agree, he strikes me as Orpik all over again, as Orpik excelled in 2007-2008 post-season but was a big letdown in 2008-2009.

Gill departed for Canadians at ~2.25M per season (2 year deal) — Gill been dependable for Pens, but certainly not the hulking backstop they thought they were getting. But that price doesn't seem that unreasonable for the only crease clearing presence Penguins seem to have on the roster. Still, he's far from irreplaceable.

Delighted that Penguins retained Fedotenko for another year.

Red Wings lose Samuelsson along with Hossa, but I think they have the depth to compensate. Bigger questions for them are the aging Lindstrom and Stuart who needs to recover from his dismal D-man performance v. Pens.

Khabibulin wastes no time making way to Oilers, he must not have liked his teammates/management there much. He's well traveled now…

Emery? Really. One season wonder. He could catch fire again but we'll see…

Again, considering the Flyers' cap situation (especially with Jones' and Carle's horrendous contracts), what other option was there?

Next summer is going to suck HARD, as Coburn is up for RFA (if not UFA). The guy is making a pittance right now.

And no, Nitty has wanted to return home to Finland for awhile, so the Flyers brough Boucher back. Heh, I'm sort of indifferent to it, though I'll miss the guaranteed points against ATL.

Oh.

Emery and Boucher.




Good luck with that. ><

Quick thoughts about the offseason "makeover" for the Habs.

• The Montreal media and front office driving Koivu out of town is shameless, classless. Fuck Montreal, tbh.
• The "makeover" is the dumbest fuck set of moves I've ever seen. NOBODY was going to give fucking Cammalleri $6m per. Taking Gomez's $7.6m 16 goal ass was... nothing short of a joke. The Rangers should have had to give first round picks to get RID of that contract. But they got solid players, prospects AND cap space to improve their lineup for the privilege. Essentially NYR traded Gomez for Gaborik, Higgins, McDonagh, Valentenko. What the fuck.
• Kovalev gone as well. Fine, pick up Gomez, Gionta, Cammalleri etc.. but make it steps forward.
• Koivu, Kovalev, Higgins, Komisarek vs. Gomez, Cammalleri, Gionta, Gill? I don't know dude. The four pickups are supremely over rated and that'll figured out pretty fast by the montreal fans and media.
• Montreal is now possibly the smallest fucking team in the entire league at forward. Very possibly the most overrated/overpaid, too.
• All of the above means Gainey is gone this season. He'll be lucky if they don't chase him out of town with pitchforks by December, frankly.

Leafs now sign Beauchemin in addition to Komisarek.

They sure know how to reliably lock down 11th spot.

Consider that what was probably Gomez & Gionta's best season was the year they were the top guys in Jersey without Elias around.  They have proven chemistry together.

Wow, wtf is going on up there?

It's quite a scene, man. I've tried explaining how utterly fucking stupid their respective management teams are to Toronto and Montreal fans, but they'll hear none of it. These moves are the greatest ever and both teams will be challenging for the Cup, etc.

It'll take about... three months and one month respectively before every single one of those fans turns on their team.

And it says ever so much about the average sports fan that they had absolutely no ability to see any of it coming.

Are you kidding? That is going to be one of the most difficult blue lines to play against in the league.

Kaberle-Komisarek
Beauchemin-Schenn
Exelby-White
With Jeff Finger, Mike Van Ryn and Anton Strahlman as extras.

Where the Leafs are hurting is up front now.  But I doubt they're done.  Even if they can't score to save their lives this year they've got a defense corps to carry them a few years.  On top of that they get a legitimate heavyweight back into their lineup.

I'm envious of what they've done.  My team has been a disaster. Fucking Alexei Kovalev; wonder how the Senators can get even softer and more dysfunctional.

The Leafs signed Komisarek and Beauchemin.

Plan the parade.

Oh and Colton Orr.

Plan it.


Maybe Jiri "The Wang" Tlusty will erupt for 50 this season.

In other news, Joe Sakic retires.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283991

Weak.  The whole "Ho. Ho. Plan the parade" line is a little tired.  And I revel in all their failures.

Their defense is one of the best in the Conference now.  If they can manage to improve their offense they challenge for the playoffs again.  They were a soft, easy 2 points before, that's not the case now.

Those were 2nd and 3rd best defensemen available at free agency and they're the type that will actually help you win games instead the usual crop of expensive pretenders. 

Well, we'll see.

I always liked Joe, but I am glad he won't be lighting up the Canucks any more.

The Leaf Victory Parade will be glorious, we've been planning it for 40 years now!  :awesome_for_real:

Didn't you already have one in '93?

Didn't we discuss Pratt & Taylor at one point in a hockey thread?

I tuned in today. Hilarious. ALL Pratt does is demonstrate his penis envy toward Toronto. That's all he does. He figures out how to talk about Toronto for easily half of the show. If there's a golf tournament in Toronto, he'll bitch about it because it's not in Whistler. He's probably quite sore that the Blue Jays and Maple Leafs don't play 90 games in Vancouver, etc.

They should be bitching about the rape the Canucks took in the scheduling department thanks to the Olympics. 14 game road trips are cruel and unusual.

So Biron signs a 1 year deal for chump change with the Islanders....lol.

The biggest lol there is that it's pretty clear DiPietro isn't playing this season.

Or, like, maybe ever.

I don't even remember how he got hurt last year. Did it look That Bad?

Well, I think he had a couple concussions. Then his knee and his hip. Then surgeries, and post-concussion syndrome. Etc.

Actually, Canucks management is happy with the schedule. They new they would get stuck with a long road trip around the Olympics, but all of their roadtrips this year make sense time zone wise. Last year they had one trip that went NY, NY, Minnesota, Pittsburg in six days. apparently this schedule has no crazy cross time zone jumps during any of the road trips, which is what they asked for.

As for Pratt - yes, his hatred of all things Toronto is unparalleled (and sometimes valid).

I don't know if I'd want to see a Montreal style housecleaning out here, but all the changes for the Canucks so far add up to: Sundin replaced by Samuelsson, lost Ohlund.

Bah. You were in the second round last year and nobody would have been surprised whatsoever if you ended up in the WCF.

Montreal's housecleaning is going to suck out loud for them. I still can't believe someone actually allowed Sather to unload that contract of Gomez's onto them.