NHL Playoffs '09

[Azaroth]

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

It's now 4-1.

The series is very much over.

[Slayerik]

Cool, Hossa decided to show up.

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

[Azaroth]

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.

[Special J]

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.

[Paelos]

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

mmkay? 

[Azaroth]

Agreed.

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

[naum]

I edited my post with "Nm" 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…

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.

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…

[Azaroth]

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

[Paelos]

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

Thanks.

Lulz. 

[Azaroth]

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.

[Paelos]

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. 

[naum]

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. 

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.

[Slayerik]

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.

[Azaroth]

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.

[Mandrel]

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

[Paelos]

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

[HaemishM]

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

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.

[naum]

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…).

[Azaroth]

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.

[Special J]

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

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.

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.

[Azaroth]

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.

[Azaroth]

FYI Section:

Federov and Kozlov left Washington for the KHL today.

My prediction is that Semin is next.

[Special J]

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.

[Azaroth]

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

[naum]

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.

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

[Azaroth]

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?

[naum]

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.

[Paelos]

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.

[Azaroth]

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

[Azaroth]

Also, this:

[Strazos]

Malkin is such an ugly kid.

[naum]

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…

[Azaroth]

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. 

[Paelos]

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

[Azaroth]

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