NHL Playoffs '09

[Azaroth]

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.

[naum]

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).

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.

[Azaroth]

Other than Maple Leaf insistence, I don't get why Toronto area (or Hamilton) can't have another team.

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.

[WayAbvPar]

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

[Bunk]

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?

[Azaroth]

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. 

[Strazos]

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

[Azaroth]

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

Dirty motherfucker.

[naum]

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.

[Azaroth]

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



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

[Paelos]

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.

[Azaroth]

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!

[naum]

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.

[Azaroth]

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.

[Azaroth]

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.

[naum]

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).

[Azaroth]

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.

[Special J]

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.

[naum]

Thrashers Move to Hamilton?

The Coyotes may soon be out of Phoenix and there is a chance the Thrashers could be out of Atlanta according to a report on TNS.ca.

According to The Hamilton Spectator, city mayor Fred Eisenberger will meet with a Vancouver-based group on Monday to discuss a proposed lease for Copps Coliseum, which would become the home of the Atlanta Thrashers as soon as 2010.

Eisenberger would not disclose any details of the second group, but a source confirmed to The Spectator that Vancouver developer Tom Gaglardi is leading the charge.

''By next Tuesday we will have a clearer picture of where we are'' Eisenberger told The Spectator. ''We're in the middle of discussions with Mr. Balsillie and his group and I will be meeting with the second group. We need to understand their intentions. It's fair to say I will be talking to that second group," Eisenberger said.

[Paelos]

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.

[Azaroth]

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.

[Azaroth]

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

[Fordel]

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.

[Azaroth]

Won't happen.

[Special J]

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.

[Azaroth]

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...

[El Gallo]

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. 

[Azaroth]

Well, him and Hal Gill.

[naum]

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. 

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.

[Stewie]

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

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.

[Azaroth]

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.

[Abagadro]

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.

[Montague]

5-0.

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

[Paelos]

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 

[Azaroth]

Here's how it went to 7:

Fleury.

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