2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Gil Dobie]

Nice game by Wild goalie Josh Harding, who was diagnosed with MS earlier this year. Starting his 5th game of the year, held my Black Hawks to a goal in regulation an lost in sudden death. Looks like Chicago is trying to stop the Wild first line and beating them with the 2, 3, and 4 lines.

[Laker]

Nice game by Wild goalie Josh Harding, who was diagnosed with MS earlier this year. Starting his 5th game of the year, held my Black Hawks to a goal in regulation an lost in sudden death. Looks like Chicago is trying to stop the Wild first line and beating them with the 2, 3, and 4 lines.

For Harding to come in cold like that right before the start was amazing. The Wild played a great game, but not quite good enough.

[NHwildEcat]

That was the Wilds' chance to steal a game from the 'Hawks. Chicago is a superior team by far and in theory should really make it to the Cup Final no issue. However, I just have a feeling they will get bounced in the second round--depending on how the first round matchups all shake out. No explanation for it, just unsual for the top team to advance to the Cup.

With that said, I was relieved and pleased that the Bruins came out last night and gave the Leafs a swift kick in the ***! THAT! Is the kind of hockey that team can play but has been missing in this short, awkward year. If the Bruins can find a way to keep that up, they will get themselves a nice rest before their second round matchup.

[Laker]

held my Black Hawks to a goal in regulation an lost in sudden death.

Gil, do you remember "Secord Sucks!" ??? xhurrayx

[Gil Dobie]

Gil, do you remember "Secord Sucks!" ??? xhurrayx

I was at the last North Stars game, and it was against Chicago. Secord was no longer on the team, and it was between Secord Sucks and Norm Green Sucks for the favorite cheer of the night. I remember the booze bottle flying over Ed Belfours head in the 3rd period.

This playoff series could help renew the rivalry between Minnesota and Chicago.

[Laker]

I was at the last North Stars game, and it was against Chicago. Secord was no longer on the team, and it was between Secord Sucks and Norm Green Sucks for the favorite cheer of the night. I remember the booze bottle flying over Ed Belfours head in the 3rd period.

This playoff series could help renew the rivalry between Minnesota and Chicago. We can only hope!

I still have a letter from Norm Green, in the Stars envelope, that he sent me when I begged him to keep the team in Minnesota. It wasn't a form letter either. I enjoyed watching games at the Met Center- Montreal, Edmonton with Gretzky, playoff game with Boston, matinee with Detroit followed by a Gopher basketball game with Oregon State at Williams Arena. Too bad that something wasn't worked out. I hate it when teams move around so much.

When I was in junior high the North Stars developed a big rivalry with the Blues. Haven't had that for awhile either.

[Gil Dobie]

We can only hope!

I still have a letter from Norm Green, in the Stars envelope, that he sent me when I begged him to keep the team in Minnesota. It wasn't a form letter either. I enjoyed watching games at the Met Center- Montreal, Edmonton with Gretzky, playoff game with Boston, matinee with Detroit followed by a Gopher basketball game with Oregon State at Williams Arena. Too bad that something wasn't worked out. I hate it when teams move around so much.

When I was in junior high the North Stars developed a big rivalry with the Blues. Haven't had that for awhile either.

I liked the New Years Eve games!

[Laker]

Shoot- Wild got caught in a change and the Black Hawks score. The last couple of minutes it looked like Chicago was on the power play. 2-2 going into OT.

[Laker]

Wild win in OT. Over 19,000 there today for the first home playoff game in five years. xthumbsupx

[bodoyle]

I am worried about my Hawks if the Wild/North Stars tie the series up tonight. After Game 1 when the Hawks had somewhere around 40 hits during the game I was pretty confident that we would roll through this series in 4 or 5 games, but they seemed to go back to the regular season Hawks team - not very physical at all. They need to get back to playoff style hockey: hit, chip and chase and get it out of your own zone.

[Gil Dobie]

I am worried about my Hawks if the Wild/North Stars tie the series up tonight. After Game 1 when the Hawks had somewhere around 40 hits during the game I was pretty confident that we would roll through this series in 4 or 5 games, but they seemed to go back to the regular season Hawks team - not very physical at all. They need to get back to playoff style hockey: hit, chip and chase and get it out of your own zone.

I'm not too worried yet. Wild still grip their sticks too tight.

[NHwildEcat]

People on the Boston sports talk stations were all down and worried about the Bruins after their Game 2 loss. Pathetic. Boston showed again last night that they are the superior team in that series and it will be over in 5. Mark it down!

[bodoyle]

I feel a little better after last night's shutout.

[NHwildEcat]

Sharks are the first team to advance...knowing San Jose, they will bow out in the next round--no matter who they play.

[TheDancinMonarch]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Sedin brothers should have to wear skirts when they play?

[bodoyle]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Sedin brothers should have to wear skirts when they play?

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server2900/c4e7d/products/234/images/2633/G2000_Black__99696.1359928394.1280.1280.jpg

[Grizalltheway]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Sedin brothers should have to wear skirts when they play?

For dudes with Viking heritage, they sure are pussies. xnodx

[bodoyle]

Hawks finally dominated last night winning the game 5-1 and the series 4-1.

I was under the impression that they would play the winner of the LA/StL series, but then heard last night it's either San Jose or Detroit - lowest seed remaining. Not sure who I want there.

[Gil Dobie]

San Jose had a better season, Detroit got hot at the end to actually make the playoffs.

[bodoyle]

The hot teams in playoffs worry me. I would be worried if my team was playing the Rangers. Lundqvist is on fire!

[Gil Dobie]

Boston reverses the choke after going up 3 games to 1, Toronto loses after being up 3 goals in Game 7.

[NHwildEcat]

The Bruins should have wrapped up that series after game 5, I hope they have their heads out of their asses and ready to battle with NYR on Thursday. Take it to them!

[bodoyle]

I just heard about and then saw the hit that Torres put on Stoll last night. I hate Torres (for what he did to Hossa last year), but I think the hit was hard, but clean. He didn't leave his feet, he lead with the shoulder, and didn't target the head. I think it was more of a reputation call than anything last night. Am I completely wrong?

[NHwildEcat]

B's going for the sweep tonight. NY looks to have all but given up! Take it to them tonight!

Rask has showed everyone how a goalie should be...Thomas was always out of place therefore he had to make all those flashy saves to save his own ass. Rask sees the game and understands situations better and has showed to be the more reliable goalie, not that I would expect anything less from him.

[bodoyle]

Hawks advance after falling behind 3-1 in the series. Thank God they scored in OT and that horrendous call to disallow Hjammer's goal didn't cost us the series.

[Gil Dobie]

Hawks advance after falling behind 3-1 in the series. Thank God they scored in OT and that horrendous call to disallow Hjammer's goal didn't cost us the series.

Off-setting Minors?????????????????????????????

[bodoyle]

Off-setting Minors?????????????????????????????

Yea I don't get that call at all. If you want to call a minor on the Wings bench for pulling Saad in, fine, but offsetting? BS.

[TheDancinMonarch]

This is not to say that it will continue in the rest of the series but it was just fascinating to watch the Bruins lasso the Penguins, tighten the noose and then put them in hobbles last night. It was hard to believe that those guys in black at the end of the game were the same free skating group that started the game.

[bodoyle]

Hawks scored 4 fast ones on Quick last night and he was yanked. Hawks up 2-0 in the series as it heads to LA.

[Grizalltheway]

Hawks scored 4 fast ones on Quick last night and he was yanked. Hawks up 2-0 in the series as it heads to LA.

If Quick doesn't get back to his usual form, this one is all but over IMO. It's pretty clear the rest of the team have been relying way too heavily on him, and they're going to continue to get worked if they don't step it up. xtwocentsx

[NHwildEcat]

Beautiful domination by the Bruins last night...looking forward to game 3.

I really thought Pittsburgh would win last night. I didn't think there was anyway the Bruins would take 2 on the road like that. I guess Pitt still is sleeping from their run thru East juggernauts the Islanders and Ottawa.

[bodoyle]

I didn't watch any of the East Finals, but seeing the scores was a shocker. How are you guys doing it? Just clogging up everything and forcing them outside and making it hard between the blue lines?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Absolutely loved watching the Pens get crushed last night!!

[NHwildEcat]

I didn't watch any of the East Finals, but seeing the scores was a shocker. How are you guys doing it? Just clogging up everything and forcing them outside and making it hard between the blue lines?

Well last night within the first 30 seconds of the game Crosby mis played a bouncing puck and watched as Brad Marchand flew by him and put the puck in the net. It looked as though Pitt was taken out before they even got going!

It's a combo of the Bruins simply play smart agressive D and Pitt's offense making little miscues that lead to I believe 14 turnovers last night, to Boston's 2. Also, Boston as the far superior goalie in the series and he has been lights out thus far.

It seems to me that Pitt is trying to play the Bruins game since they are nearly double the number in hits, but the Penguins can't play that way. The Bruins take a massive hit as they pass the puck up the ice and into the net. I doubt it keeps up like this, but if Boston wins game 3 get ready for the excuses from Sid.

[Mattymc727]

What was amazing about game 2 was Pitts attempt to complete stretch passing into the offensive zone, yet the Bruins did a textbook job of clogging that up. Not once did Bylsma make a change in philosophy, and the Penguins just got embarrassed. Not to mention how poor of a showing the penguins goal tending gave. If I were Bylsma, I would have no idea who to start in net for game 3, pick your poison.

As an avid Bruins fan myself, Im still nervous, knowing talent on the Penguins, and the fact that they could not have played a worse game than they did Monday night.

I still like Bears in 6, I have a good feeling about the B's. Something special is a bruin!

[Mattymc727]

I actually want a Bruins and Kings Stanley Cup. The last 2 cup champions, a chance to dethrone last years champs, and of course the Boston-LA rivalry. Celts/Lakers on Ice.

[bodoyle]

I don't like you UNH!!! LoL

The Hawks game was as expected for me last night. Kings came out with a lot of momentum and dominated the first half of the game. Hawks settled down in the 2nd period and started playing like normal about halfway through the 2nd. LA had luck last night with the broken stick changing the entire direction of the goal by Voynov. Hawks had chances in the 3rd to tie it up before the empty netter, but couldn't stick a fork in the bouncing pucks.

[Mattymc727]

Hey im only scared of the Hawks because the last time Boston (New England) had to play Chicago for a title it didnt work out so well for us..... (Think Refrigerator)

[NHwildEcat]

Hey im only scared of the Hawks because the last time Boston (New England) had to play Chicago for a title it didnt work out so well for us..... (Think Refrigerator)

That was a good Super Bowl. Amazing performance by Chicago.

[bulldog10jw]

You can keep the NBA. The NHL knows how to put on a great show......if anyone is watching.

Chicago 4 Boston 3

3 OT

[Laker]

You can keep the NBA. The NHL knows how to put on a great show......if anyone is watching.

Chicago 4 Boston 3

3 OT

I did stay up for the winning goal. But I was nodding off and waking back up again.

The NHL doesn't have endless time outs and clock stoppages all the time. The last two minutes of an NBA game turn out to be twenty.

[darell1976]

Now that was a hockey game. I was so glad the game didn't end on a controversial call. It was a clean deflection. No high stick no kicking it in, just a clean goal. Can't wait for game two.

[NHwildEcat]

Looking for the Bruins to bounce back. Game 1 was their's and they blew it...I can say the Bruins did not play up to their level. They haven't played that bad since the Toronto series.

Really looking forward to Game 3 (I got tickets)!!!

I love the Stanley Cup Finals!

[Mattymc727]

Horton is listed as day-to-day. Knowing his toughness, I bet he is in there Saturday night. Also, Seguin needs to put his big boy pants on and do something out there.

Last thought for game 1: Damn you Kaspars Daugaviņš!!!!

[TheDancinMonarch]

You can keep the NBA. The NHL knows how to put on a great show......if anyone is watching.

Chicago 4 Boston 3

3 OT

Somebody was watching.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sbnation/SBNation_20130613_Stanley_Cup_Final__Game_1_TV_rat ings__Game_1_draws_6_36_million_viewers.html


"A lot of people are already on board with the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, in a way that could lead to record audiences down the road.

6.36 million viewers tuned in to the triple overtime Game 1 between the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks. It immediately tops the viewership numbers for every game of the Los Angeles-New Jersey 2012 Final. The game also becomes the most-watched Game 1 ever in the current NBC era (i.e. since they reacquired rights in 2006). The game tops last year's overtime Game 1 between the Kings and Devils (2.90 million) by a huge margin.

The game drew a 2.5 rating among adults 18-49, making it the most-watched program in the key demo on television Wednesday night. There will likely be more numbers trotted out by NBC before the night is over. The series moves to cable (NBCSN) for Games 2 and 3, and it'd be hard to not see one of the two, if not both, break NBCSN's record audience (4.0 million). The Stanley Cup Final returns to NBC next Wednesday for Game 4."

[bulldog10jw]

Series now tied at 1 apiece after another great OT game.

I'm starting to think we could get 7 OT games.

[TheDancinMonarch]

Series now tied at 1 apiece after another great OT game.

I'm starting to think we could get 7 OT games.

Could happen. It might be time to consider a pre-game nap.

[AshevilleApp2]

Congratulations to the Blackhawks! Nice choke by Boston. xnodx

[NHwildEcat]

Congrats to the Hawks. Pretty damn good series. Good for the league especially coming off a lock out. Hopefully next year we can be witness to a rematch of the leagues two best teams!

[darell1976]

Nice game by Jonathan Toews!!! I still wish he could come back and play at UND for another year.xnodx

[bodoyle]

Congrats to the Hawks. Pretty damn good series. Good for the league especially coming off a lock out. Hopefully next year we can be witness to a rematch of the leagues two best teams!

Agreed, the NHL needed a good series with Original 6 teams, and I needed my Hawks to win :)

[bodoyle]

Just finished watching the Hawks celebration parade.

The Hawks took out an add in the Boston paper today:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/1057681_400086110110384_394907706_n.jpg?oh=19144d2 9c15c5eb724a668f7438c8757&oe=51CFECE8&__gda__=1372616539_61675762b105d247b3ddb35e805811c 5

[AshevilleApp2]

Just finished watching the Hawks celebration parade.

The Hawks took out an add in the Boston paper today:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/v/1057681_400086110110384_394907706_n.jpg?oh=19144d2 9c15c5eb724a668f7438c8757&oe=51CFECE8&__gda__=1372616539_61675762b105d247b3ddb35e805811c 5


Nice!

Go Red Wings!!!

[bodoyle]

Oh I'll tell your red wings where to go!!!! ;)

[Laker]

Just finished watching the Hawks celebration parade.

The Hawks took out an add in the Boston paper today:

That letter was pretty classy.