NHL Playoffs (Eastern Confrence)

[appmaj]

Had to split them up....(10 max for poll)

East
#1-Boston Bruins vs. #8-Montreal Canadiens
#2-Washington Capitals vs. #7-New York Rangers
#3-New Jersey Devils vs. #6-Carolina Hurricanes
#4-Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5-Philadelphia Flyers

[gmoney55]

Carolina-Detriot has been the popular pick by experts, and I agree.

[JMU Newbill]

Caps... but only because they get the homer vote from me.

[thefortyniner]

LOL at the Devil's fans... face off of a playoff game and the arena is only 3/4 full. Pathetic.

[JayJ79]

I admit that I haven't followed hockey all that closely the past few years.

But I've tuned into the PHI/PIT game and just noticed some marks on the ice that I dont' recall ever seeing before.

There is a box of sorts behind each net.
Can anyone fill me in on what those are for?

[JayJ79]

nevermind. I think I found my answer.
And evidently, this has been around since '05-'06, so I'm really behind the times.....


Rule 31 - section J
(NEW for 2005-06) A goalkeeper shall not play the puck outside of the designated area behind the net. This area shall be defined by lines that begin six feet (6') from either goal post and extend diagonally to points twentyeight feet (28') apart at the end boards. Should the goalkeeper play the puck outside of the designated area behind the goal line, a minor penalty for delay of game shall be imposed. The determining factor shall be the position of the puck. The minor penalty will not be assessed when a goalkeeper plays the puck while still in his goal crease.

Not sure the reasoning behind this rule. but anyway.

[tribe_pride]

Caps need Theodore to play a lot better than today if they are going to advance. Other than him, that team is really good.

[thefortyniner]

nevermind. I think I found my answer.
And evidently, this has been around since '05-'06, so I'm really behind the times.....



Not sure the reasoning behind this rule. but anyway.

Supposedly meant to speed the game up and, along with the repeal of the two-line-pass rule, speed the game up and give an advantage to the quicker skaters, as well as make the game more offense-oriented.

The rules were intended to make the game more entertaining and appealing to new fans, but I think it is more jumbled and less strategic. I used to love hockey... but now I only watch when I have time to.

[JayJ79]

Supposedly meant to speed the game up and, along with the repeal of the two-line-pass rule, speed the game up and give an advantage to the quicker skaters, as well as make the game more offense-oriented.

The rules were intended to make the game more entertaining and appealing to new fans, but I think it is more jumbled and less strategic. I used to love hockey... but now I only watch when I have time to.

I think eliminating the two-line pass rule is a good thing.
But I just still don't understand the point of the other ruling.

[ISUMatt]

Cmon that left wing lock was killing the game, this up tempo is the best!!

[TheValleyRaider]

The new rule involving the "trapezoid," as it's called, was meant to speed up the game because it gives the goalies less area to play the puck. Goalies are very protected by the officials (worse than QBs in Football), so they'd wander into the corners to play the puck, forcing forecheckers to slow up and not pressure as much. This slowed the pace down and allowed defensive teams to maintain possession within their own zone. Now, goalies are not allowed to play the puck outside of the trapezoid, which only exists behind the red line

I thought I posted this earlier, but I guess not:
I think only Boston, New Jersey and Pittsburgh have legitimate shots to actually win the conference. I don't trust the others, and of those 3, the one I have the most confidence in right now is the Penguins. So I am the lone Pens vote in the poll, as of right now....

[appmaj]

Didnt get to see any of the game!
Couldnt find it streaming anywhere on the net.

Boo Verses Network!

[thefortyniner]

Keep in mind, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champs got shellacked in 1/4s game 1 vs. Montreal, then lost in OT in game 2.

Devils have the best shot? Not even.

Stanley Cup will return to the Loudest House in Hockey.

[gmoney55]

[QUOTE=thefortyniner;1331273]Keep in mind, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champs got shellacked in 1/4s game 1 vs. Montreal, then lost in OT in game 2.

Devils have the best shot? Not even.

Stanley Cup will return to the Loudest House in Hockey.QUOTE]

I'm with you on that, the Red Wings are looking good.

[gmoney55]

Keep in mind, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champs got shellacked in 1/4s game 1 vs. Montreal, then lost in OT in game 2.

Devils have the best shot? Not even.

Stanley Cup will return to the Loudest House in Hockey.

Agreed, the Red Wings are looking good.

[TheValleyRaider]

Keep in mind, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champs got shellacked in 1/4s game 1 vs. Montreal, then lost in OT in game 2.

Devils have the best shot? Not even.

Stanley Cup will return to the Loudest House in Hockey.

The Devils skate the best player no one talks about in Zach Parise, a solid defensive system, and one of the game's greatest goaltenders in Marty Brodeur. Bear in mind I didn't say they had the best shot (that would be Pittsburgh), just that they're one of the teams I think is good enough to get past the East

[thefortyniner]

Agreed, the Red Wings are looking good.

134

[Ivytalk]

And the Flyers are playing like crap...again. Out in 5...again.xsmhx

[89Hen]

One of the worst officiating calls I've ever seen last night on the Pens first goal. Should have been a minor for goalie interference instead of a goal. xnonono2x

[saint0917]

Canadiens are all but done, Price has played like crap, they should have started Halak, not that it matters at this point. :(

[gmoney55]

Devils/Canes is shaping up as the only real good series in the first round, though I think the Sharks still have something left in them and Chicago/Calgary could tighten up in the West.

[thefortyniner]

Last night's game may have had one of the most amazing endings I've ever seen.

A buzzer beater in hockey? I had always thought that to be virtually impossible... but I'll be damned if it didn't happen last night, and I'll be damned if I didn't go from seated on the couch to jumping over the coffee table in a millisecond.

I needed that... hockey, I will never turn my back to you again!

(note: I didn't actually clear the coffee table... it's a big table. Only hurt a little bit though)

[93henfan]

One of the worst officiating calls I've ever seen last night on the Pens first goal. Should have been a minor for goalie interference instead of a goal. xnonono2x

No. The rules specifically state that Sidney Crosby has immunity. You didn't know that?

The refs in this series have not even made the slighest attempt to conceal the fact that the NHL wants Sid the Kid in the finals. The NHL is trying to crack into the top 200 in the Nielsen ratings this year.

[appmaj]

Last night's game may have had one of the most amazing endings I've ever seen.

A buzzer beater in hockey? I had always thought that to be virtually impossible... but I'll be damned if it didn't happen last night, and I'll be damned if I didn't go from seated on the couch to jumping over the coffee table in a millisecond.

I needed that... hockey, I will never turn my back to you again!

(note: I didn't actually clear the coffee table... it's a big table. Only hurt a little bit though)

Great Goal... Must be nice to watch it on TV . I am straining my eyes on my computer to see it.

[LacesOut]

Typical crybaby Flyer fans!!!!!! LOL

[93henfan]

Typical crybaby Flyer fans!!!!!! LOL

We're only speaking the truth. Have you watched the series?

[89Hen]

We're only speaking the truth. Have you watched the series?
Yup. I'm never one to harp on the refs, but it's been ridiculous. The penalty call near the end of game 2 to put the Pens on the power play was a complete joke. That was the first time a conspiracy theory type thought has ever entered my head. :(

[89Hen]

Great Goal... Must be nice to watch it on TV . I am straining my eyes on my computer to see it.
It was on VS. They jumped over for the last 3-4 minutes of the game. xpeacex

[LacesOut]

We're only speaking the truth. Have you watched the series?

No I haven't, I don't watch hockey.

But sitting across from me here at work is a Flyers fan who has been complaining the entire morning about the game. And sitting two desks behind me is a Pens fan, so I'm getting a kick out of their back and forth bantering and yapping. Free entertainment while I work!

[gmoney55]

No I haven't, I don't watch hockey.

But sitting across from me here at work is a Flyers fan who has been complaining the entire morning about the game. And sitting two desks behind me is a Pens fan, so I'm getting a kick out of their back and forth bantering and yapping. Free entertainment while I work!

I'll admit I haven't watched much of the series, but the idea that Pittsburgh is getting calls doesn't surprise me.

[thefortyniner]

The referees in the Carolina-New York, Jr series has been subject at best as well. I haven't seen the Pens-Flyers series so I can't really compare, but there have been a few questionable calls/no calls, most of them benefiting Jersey.

[89Hen]

Typical crybaby Flyer fans!!!!!! LOL
BTW, interesting that none of the Flyers fans voted for them as homers in this poll. xwhistlex

[89Hen]

Stick a fork in the Caps now too. Oh well, at least I'll be able to shave my beard off by the end of the weekend. :p

[appmaj]

It was on VS. They jumped over for the last 3-4 minutes of the game. xpeacex

Is that what id going to happen tonight?

Looking at the TV schedule on VS. it looks like I might be able to see the end of the game...Given this series it might be pretty exciting


7:00PM - 9:30PM Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Game 5 (TV-NR)
Philadelphia at Pittsburgh Game 5
TBD
9:30PM - 10:00PM Carolina at New Jersey Game 5 (TV-NR)
Carolina at New Jersey Game 5
TBD
10:00PM - 10:30PM HOCKEY CENTRAL (TV-NR)
HOCKEY CENTRAL
TBD
10:30PM - 1:00AM San Jose at Anaheim Game 4 (TV-NR)
San Jose at Anaheim Game 4

http://www.versus.com/schedule

[whitey]

The Caps have outplayed the Rangers for all but 3 periods the entire series. But Lundqvist has been nothing short of amazing. I love Avery, but he's been an idiot the last two games. Torts should seriously consider benching him for game 5 and calling up Anisimov from Hartford to take his place (Voros shouldn't be an option...he's terrible).

This series was going to come down to the Rangers defense and goaltending vs. the Caps offense. The Rangers defense (they've blocked a ridiculous amount of shots and have done a good job keeping the Caps forwards to the outside) and goaltending is winning the battle so far. Getting a few lucky bounces (Drury's goal last night, OV8 hitting some posts) also has helped.

If you're a Caps fan you have to love what you've seen from Varlamov at least.

[tribe_pride]

Yeah. Why do you take that stupid penalty with with 3 minutes left and the Caps on a roll. I like you, am an Avery fan, but he took it too far yesterday. Most of the crap he gets is undeserved and he did the funniest thing in sports last year (when he was annoying Brodeur last year by waving his hands or something in Marty's face). Who cares if he made fun of his ex-gf. Most people say worse than he did and don't get suspended from their jobs for 5-10 games. That said, he could have cost the team the game last night.

Time to win game 5 and get ready for the Bruins in a battle of 2 great goaltenders.

[whitey]

Avery has always been a tard, but he's letting his frustrations get to him. The officials obviously have been out to get him somewhat this series. Of course he's not helping himself either (punching Erkskin & Varlamov in game 3 + two stupid penalties in the 3rd last night).

He's not drawing penalties that others would draw and he's getting some calls against him that others wouldn't. He has to understand that this is going to happen to him, especially in the playoffs. So cool it a little bit Avery.

When he's not in the box, he's a very valuable player. Especially on the fore-check. The Rangers need him to be a pest and working the puck in the offensive zone. In order for him to do that he needs to keep his head in the game and stay out of the box.

[89Hen]

I love Avery, but he's been an idiot the last two games. Torts should seriously consider benching him for game 5
The NHL should serioulsy consider benching him for game 5. xnonono2x

[89Hen]

Is that what id going to happen tonight?
Looks that way... unless Flyers/Pens decide to do another 5OT game in Pittsburgh. xsmiley_wix

[whitey]

The NHL should serioulsy consider benching him for game 5. xnonono2x

Why? For committing a couple of boneheaded minors in the 3rd period of a 2-1 game with home ice on the line for the rest of the series? I didn't know you could get suspended for that.

If Avery doesn't play game 5 it should be a team decision, not an NHL one. He got caught, got put in the box and served his 4 minutes of punishment last night. Avery, deservedly, gets beat up on almost every shift. You can't see it on TV but I guarantee away from the play someone on the Caps is giving him a shot somehow on 90% of his shifts. That's what Avery wants and he retaliates when he gets the chance. What's so puzzling about him though, is that when its really important for him not to retaliate he does so anyway and can't keep his emotions in check.

[89Hen]

Why? For committing a couple of boneheaded minors in the 3rd period of a 2-1 game with home ice on the line for the rest of the series? I didn't know you could get suspended for that.
Then you haven't been following the playoffs. Flyers Carcillo was suspended for a two minute minor at the end of game 1. NHL has said anyone trying to "send a message" late in the game can be suspended. Avery's punch to the Cap last night was absolutely, 100% intentional. I'd love to see Avery have a career ending injury... and I've never said that about anyone. He is BAD for the game of hockey and a complete asswhole to boot. xnonono2x

[whitey]

Avery didn't punch anyone last night in the final minutes of the game. He took a high stick penalty with 3 minutes to go with his team clinging to a 1 goal lead. That wasn't "sending a message", it was just idiocy.

Carcillo was suspended because he hit Talbot in the head with 7 seconds left in the game and his team losing by 3. He also didn't get a minor for it.

[89Hen]

Avery didn't punch anyone last night in the final minutes of the game. He took a high stick penalty with 3 minutes to go with his team clinging to a 1 goal lead. That wasn't "sending a message", it was just idiocy.
Fine, it was a punch to the face with 10 minutes to go in the game. xcoffeex

[93henfan]

The Caps have outplayed the Rangers for all but 3 periods the entire series. But Lundqvist has been nothing short of amazing.

That's been the story for much of the Flyers-Pens series. Fleury has been amazing, with the exception of game 3. In game 4, the Flyers completely dominated the first period and had nothing to show for it, and when Crosby got his questionable goal early in the second period you could see the Flyers mentally run up the surrender flag.

I'd be surprised if the Flyers even show up tonight in Pittsburgh. Knowing it's an uphill battle against the refs from the opening faceoff makes it tough to get up.

[whitey]

Fine, it was a punch to the face with 10 minutes to go in the game. xcoffeex

That's not what the league had in mind. Colin Campbell:


"We held a conference call Monday with the general managers and coaches of playoff teams and told them explicitly we would not tolerate attempts by clubs to "send a message" late in a game when the outcome had been determined,"

See the difference:
- Avery punch to the face with 10 minutes to go in a 1 goal game.
- Carcillo punch to the face with 7 seconds to go in a 4-1 game.

If you think that Avery should have gotten suspended after popping Varlamov in the face at the end of game 3, then I'm not going to argue with you there. However, committing a roughing penalty with 10 minutes to go in a 1 goal game is totally different.

[gmoney55]

The Caps are reminding of some of the Ottawa teams earlier this decade....great in the regular season, but the style and lack of goaltending hurt in the playoffs.

[whitey]

Who voted for the Canadiens? Out yourself. Haha.

[89Hen]

Who voted for the Canadiens? Out yourself. Haha.
saint0917 xwhistlex

[93henfan]

Nice blast by Asham from the top of the circle! Maybe Fleury is human after all.

Gotta give the Flyers props for not rolling over tonight (so far).

[89Hen]

Think Crosby will have to sit out Game 6 for the blatant cross check in a 3-0 game with less than a minute to go? xwhistlex xcoolx

[appfan2008]

great goalie dual last night but the canes came up on the short end with the devils

[whitey]

Think Crosby will have to sit out Game 6 for the blatant cross check in a 3-0 game with less than a minute to go? xwhistlex xcoolx

No, because the NHL has the most pathetic set of double standards and they lack the balls to do it.

[93henfan]

Flyers scoring the first three goals in game 6 = good

Giving up the next five goals = very, very bad


It looks like the Flyers had another choking situation, as Terry Murray once described it.

[seantaylor]

Caps rolling now

[89Hen]

Flyers scoring the first three goals in game 6 = good

Giving up the next five goals = very, very bad


It looks like the Flyers had another choking situation, as Terry Murray once described it.
They were completely out of gas in the third. I'm sure the Pens scoring four in a row had something to do with it, but I've never seen a team so sluggish in an elimination game down one goal with plenty of time left. I'm not saying they gave up, but their legs sure did.

Oh well... Let's go Caps!

[whitey]

Oh well... Let's go Caps!

Lundqvist has looked shaky the last two games and the Rangers offensive woes all season have continued. I wonder if Brashear (definite late hit & possible elbow to Betts' head) and Morrison (for biting Dubinsky during a scrum) will get suspended for game 7 though. That could make things interesting if the Caps are missing two regulars. Sadly, for the Rangers, Betts has already been ruled out. He's the teams' best penalty killer and face off man. :(

[93henfan]

Wow - congrats to all the 'Canes fans. What a comeback! Two goals in the last 1:20 to snatch the game (and series) from Joizy!

[thefortyniner]

Wow - congrats to all the 'Canes fans. What a comeback! Two goals in the last 1:20 to snatch the game (and series) from Joizy!

I can't talk and my chest is still pounding.

I really need them to start winning more decisively...

[93henfan]

I was in Raleigh the weekend before last for a Baptism and was impressed by the local support of the 'Canes. We were staying downtown and there were 'Canes banners hanging from every street light and a sizeable number of cars with flags and people with jerseys walking around. It all seemed a bit strange for NASCARland, but was nonetheless impressive.

I can also recommend Finch's diner in Raleigh. It looks like a hole in the wall and the people all talk funny, but they were nice as hell and the waitress brought our drinks to us from memory (me, my wife, and both kids) when we returned on day two.

[whitey]

*sigh*

Rangers totally outplay the Caps for the first two periods and only get one goal to show for it. Then they give up in the third and the Caps go on to win. I hope Sather is canned but he won't be. After all, how long did it take Dolan to fire Isiah?

Sather has really screwed the Rangers cap for the next few years giving these super-star contracts out to non-elite players (Gomez, Drury & Redden). I doubt any of these guys are even move-able with their large cap hits. I have no idea where he is going to find a couple of guys that can actually score goals for this team next season.

Being a Rangers fan is fun. Blah.

[whitey]

That was a totally awesome finish to the Devils/Hurricanes game. The tying goal was such a sick sequence of plays and passing. The winning goal was a rare softy given up by Brodeur. LOL @ Devils fans leaving the arena with 30 seconds left in a game 7, down by one.

I think I'm going to root for the Canes here on out. I can't stand the Penguins. And I just don't feel like rooting for the Caps or Bruins.

[93henfan]

Being a Rangers fan is fun. Blah.

You got your once-every-50-years championship in 1994, so you guys are good for another 30 or 40 years. xsmiley_wix

Man, it's been 34 years without a championship for the Flyers. I must be getting old. I remember the "Don't Give Up The Stanley Cup" Flyers sticker that my dad put on my tricycle, circa 1975.

[whitey]

You got your once-every-50-years championship in 1994, so you guys are good for another 30 or 40 years. xsmiley_wix


Haha. I hope not. I wish the team wasn't owned by someone totally incompetent and run by someone even more incompetent. This team has a lot of good young players starting with Lundqvist of course, but also Staal, Girardi, Callahan & Dubinsky.

The Rangers need one or two first line players. They have 7 second line type players: Drury, Gomez, Callahan, Avery, Antropov, Zherdev, Dubinsky. Not one of those guys is a 30+ goal scorer. That type of mix will get you through the regular season in okay shape but it's not going to get you anywhere in the playoffs as we saw in this series against the Caps.

And because of those idiot contracts Sather isn't going to be able to get a top line forward in Free Agency. So he'll have to try to make a trade for like Drury for Lecavalier for example. But there is no incentive for Tampa to make that trade unless the Rangers throw in another player or two in the deal. Which means Staal or a top prospect or two and picks.

As long as Sather is around this team is going to be middle of the road. They'll probably make the playoffs almost every year and maybe even get into the second round but they won't go farther than that unless they strike gold with a draft pick and/or magically bring in a top line forward or two.

[gmoney55]

That was a totally awesome finish to the Devils/Hurricanes game. The tying goal was such a sick sequence of plays and passing. The winning goal was a rare softy given up by Brodeur. LOL @ Devils fans leaving the arena with 30 seconds left in a game 7, down by one.

I think I'm going to root for the Canes here on out. I can't stand the Penguins. And I just don't feel like rooting for the Caps or Bruins.

I guess I'll go for the Pens in the East, but as long as the Bruins get knocked out I'll be happy.

[89Hen]

The playoff beard stays for another two weeks. LET'S GO CAPS!

[TheValleyRaider]

A little pat on the back for myself and saccat xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx

We don't have to mention my San Jose pick from the West...