NHL Thread / Playoffs

[Jowy]

<a href=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-lockout-over-players-owners-reach-tentative-cba-102905515--nhl.html>WE HOCKEY NOW.</a>

How do you think this is going to play out? What happened with your team for the first half of the NHL season? With only forty-eight games, is there a chance the Toronto Maple Leafs will make it to the playo-hahahaha yeah that sentence will never come out.

Giving up Staal to Carolina totes kills our third line, PK unit, and morale above all! But he'll be happier as a whole down there, so good for him! Plus we need the money to keep Letang on payroll. Paul Martin is a useless sack of :skull::skull::skull::skull: and at this point I'm sure the best we can get for a trade is a sack of pucks and some old stadium nachos.

Parise and Suter going to Minnesota still isn't enough to breathe any life into that team, especially with Parise getting entirely too much goddamn money for that contract. Maybe I'm a little mad because he opted for greed instead of glory by not signing with Pittsburgh, but we can't really say anything until we see how they play this year.

The Rangers are effing stacked as hell this year and are probably going to win the cup. Calling it now, NYR/VAN final.

edit: <a href=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1468068-nhl-power-rankings-where-each-team-stands-post-nhl-lockout>POWER RANKINGS</a> are the best thing ever.

[Faris]

<a href=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-lockout-over-players-owners-reach-tentative-cba-102905515--nhl.html>WE HOCKEY NOW.</a>

How do you think this is going to play out? What happened with your team for the first half of the NHL season? With only forty-eight games, is there a chance the Toronto Maple Leafs will make it to the playo-hahahaha yeah that sentence will never come out.



:lol: Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that about the Leafs?

No idea how the year is going to play out especially since the #1 teams were both out early in the playoffs, which was absolutely hilarious. Hopefully Ottawa does well again.

I don't follow hockey religiously so I can't make any good input :greenie: I do expect to see a lot less of Sidney Crosby's pouty face all over, thankfully. The NHL is going to have to do some damn good marketing and PR to get casual fans watching and in seats again. This long strike will undoubtedly hurt sales.

[Jowy]

Speaking as an American, the NHL really needs a stronger foothold in a market where football and baseball are the predominant sports. The Winter Classic was starting to really take off from a rating's standpoint with the exception of last year's debacle of a game. As a counterpoint though, there are just some markets in this country where people just don't care. Arizona, I am looking in your general direction. Portland and Seattle are two prime locations that would actually generate revenue and a following for having a team. Look at what happened when the Thrashers moved up to Winnipeg as an example. And even then, I'm sure Canada would welcome another team being relocated up there.

Ottawa's a blast to watch. That triple OT playoff game from 2010 was absolutely insane! Plus Gonchar is just, well, Gonchar. We still love him in Pittsburgh! All the Crosby hate is unjustified now that he's not an eighteen year old kid anymore, but I do have to say it is downright hilarious at some points. I saw a game where a Bruins fan had a "hit him with your purse, Sidney" sign pressed against the ice the entire game and couldn't stop laughing every time the camera panned over that way.

[Faris]

Any idea if they're going to have the all stars? I loooved watching that last year. The goalie from Montreal was a blast!

I don't really see a whole bunch of the southern states really being invested in hockey. It'll be really interesting to see what they do for marketing to grab their attention. Canada would love another team. I believe there's a whole thing about getting the Nordiques back in Quebec City.

No hate for Crosby! It's just that the footage I would see of the debates mostly had Crosby in the background all like :(... :(... :( Ottawa is probably really heartbroken over the fact that they'll only get half a season for what is supposed to be Alfredsson's last year playing.

[Jowy]

Carey Price is definitely the best Canadian goaltender in the league, that's a fact. With only a four month season, there won't be an all-star break. The all-star game itself isn't the most thrilling thing to watch, but the skills competition is a sight to behold. They're actually having fun, which is rare to see in professional sports! Nashville loves their hockey team, Dallas only seems to care after the Cowboys season ends. Tampa is the more popular of the Florida teams, although after the Panthers having a decent season maybe the stands won't be as empty!

[Old Manus]

edit: <a href=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1468068-nhl-power-rankings-where-each-team-stands-post-nhl-lockout>POWER RANKINGS</a> are the best thing ever.Oh my God are power rankings actually a thing

I thought it was just an /sp/ joke

[Jowy]

We can thank ESPN and the NFL for the greatness that is POWER RANKINGS.

[Bunny]

yay nhl fans matter again

oh wait

[Raistlin]

I sometimes watch hockey, but don't follow it very much. I decided to check the power rankings anyway, and I don't think I've ever even heard of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

[Jowy]

Neither has most of Ohio, Wesley.

[escobert]

GO WHALERS! :D

[Del Murder]

Can't wait for the next season and a half of hockey before the next lockout.

[jenovajunkie]

Where do you think Luongo will end up?

[Jowy]

Where do you think Luongo will end up?

Toronto for a sack of pucks and a new zamboni or Sunny Florida for some of those neat plastic rats.

[Faris]

Any idea when the schedule will be made?

[jenovajunkie]

First game scheduled for Sat Jan.19, so I read.

[Jowy]

Old NHL schedule has Pens/Habs in Montreal on 14 Jan which has mysteriously disappeared. I figure it'll be up by the weekend.

[Jowy]

So my team's undefeated. :aimsun: How you guys doin so far?

[jenovajunkie]

Undefeated. Awwwww yaaaaa.

[Futan]

Winless. XD

[Faris]

Take that Winnipeg!

[Jowy]

Undefeated. Awwwww yaaaaa.

And which undefeated team would that be? Blackhawks, Bruins, and Penguins are all great answers.

[jenovajunkie]

MAPLE LEAFS! WOO WOO!

[Jowy]

hehe

<img src=http://dennis-kane.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/funny_sign.jpg>

[Raistlin]

Ok, I don't even keep up with hockey much and that made me laugh.

[Jowy]

Ok, I don't even keep up with hockey much and that made me laugh.

You're welcome. :aimsun:

[Faris]

Take that Florida!

[jenovajunkie]

Crap Leafs lost. Stupid Buffalo, at least Colton Orr beat up a guy who was 6 foot 8!

[Jowy]

I hope the Panthers make the playoffs again. They did a hell of a lot better than anyone expected and hopefully last year's performance will cause more people to fill the stadium through the regular season. Seeing empty seats is heartbreaking! Colton Orr is beast-mode. I wanna see him and Biznasty go at it just for an inevitable Twitter explosion.

[Yar]

My sweet Blue Jackets haven't disappointed me yet. :D

I'll give them some more time. :p

But honestly, I think in a shortened season like this, there are going to be many surprises, and it's going to be really exciting. St. Louis is just on fire right now.

Also, lol Rangers

[Jowy]

Dude, Tarasenko's gonna be that last factor pushing the Blues into serious playoff contenders. Undisputed rookie of the year.

[Futan]

Flyer's off to another great start. XD 1-0 Devils

[Jowy]

2-0*

I hope Marty gets a shutout tonight before he goes back to his retirement home with Chris Chelios and a mummy.

[Futan]

You got your wish, you bastard! :p

[Jowy]

You got your wish, you bastard! :p

<img src=http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/bryzgalov-why-you-heff-to-be-mad.jpg>

Listen to your goaltender!

[Faris]

Take that Florida Part 2!

[Jowy]

Toronto beat Pittsburgh yesterday. :aimsad: But that's okay, Pittsburgh will actually see the playoffs in April! Flyers finally won, so good for them! Tarasenko getting a goal in every game so far with no signs of stopping. Dude's awesome and I hope to see more of him. Just not against the Pens in the SCF...which isn't likely to happen, but still!

[Faris]

Tampa Bay :argh:

[Jowy]

Tampa Bay :argh:

I know that feeling. We'll see what happens to your precious Senators tomorrow night!

[jenovajunkie]

Noooooo ... poor leafs.Again they are last in their conference.

[Jowy]

Take that, Ottawa! :aimwink:

Red Wings spending the entire second period on the power play. Sweet Jesus.

[Faris]

Curse you Crosby Pittsburgh! :argh:

[Futan]

Tampa Bay :argh:

Funny that the only team they lost to is the Islanders. :-/

[Yar]

Too much Eastern Conference in this thread.

[Jowy]

I agree! Blackhawks are gonna stomp the Wild tomorrow and keep that undefeated streak up and take the precious President's Trophy away from the Canucks at this rate. I love the Nucks tho'. The goaltending drama needs to come to an end. Let Schneider shake off a few losses and improve his form and confidence; Vancouver's media is entirely too harsh on both him and Luongo. That being said, I'm still going to talk :skull::skull::skull::skull: on Luongo because I'm butthurt from the 2011 SCF.

<img src=http://cdn.epicski.com/f/fb/1000x500px-LL-fb18de5c_luongo_beachball.jpg>

[Faris]

Take that Washington!

Edit: HAHAHAHAHAA MONTREAL HAHAHAAA! Except Price, he can come home with me and be my personal entertainer.

[Jowy]

Thanks for not posting in here while I was off playing in the snow, guys!

Ottawa has the most stable and confident goaltender in the entire league. You can't really say anything bad about Craig Anderson.

[Vincent, Thunder God]

*shuts down at the word hockey in the OP*

[Faris]

Thanks for not posting in here while I was off playing in the snow, guys!

Ottawa has the most stable and confident goaltender in the entire league. You can't really say anything bad about Craig Anderson.

I yell at Anderson through the TV all the time and his player picture makes him look like an alien. :colbert:

[Yar]

I'm really excited with the changes that are going on with the Blue Jackets. :jess: Years of torture could be turning around sooner rather than later.

my wtf teams so far: Los Angeles and Washington. Also, why is Toronto doing so well?

[Faris]

NO NOT KARLESSOOOOOOOOOONNNNN!

[Jowy]

That was painful to watch, I agree - I don't think Cooke intended to do that sort of damage. He's really cleaned up his act.

[Faris]

Shit happens sometimes :( At least it's repairable.

[Yar]

That was crazy. :( I know it's a rough sport, but I hate seeing the players get really hurt. Some injuries make me cringe.

[Yar]

h6go7EZ0gog

lol one of the funniest "fights" that I've seen in a long while. Thornton could have destroyed the little boy. :greenie:

[Jowy]

yes he COULD have, but the fact that Toews had the balls to drop the gloves with Jumbo Joe is what counts.

and who won that game? :aimsun:

[jenovajunkie]

Hey T.Dot represent.

[Jowy]

lindy got the axe from the sabres today, sad to see him go after being the team's most successful coach.

Y! SPORTS (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sabres-fire-coach-lindy-ruff-203725583--nhl.html)

[Yar]

So Realignment was approved. This might not affect other teams so much, but my team is finally going east... to probably the most competitive division in the league. :p :(

Anyway it's exciting news for me!

[Jowy]

WE GOT IGINLA! TIME TO STEAMROLL TO THE FINALS!

[Yar]

One week left!! Who sneaks into the playoffs??

I'm hoping Winnipeg gets in over the Rangers.

[Jowy]

<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/psycho_mantis/penguinsdance_zps2fd0c1de.gif>

i still can't wrap my head around toronto being the fifth seed! hoping that babel crumbles and the rags don't sleaze their way through as the eighth spot and snake an upset into the second round. very impressed with Minnesota and Columbus as well, would like to see both of them go to at least the second round.

gunning for PIT/CHI in the final myself. that's gonna get out of control.

DABROWSKI'S PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
Eastern Conference:
1) PIT
2) MTL
3) BOS
4) WSH
5) NYI
6) OTT
7) TOR
8) WPG

Western:
1) CHI
2) ANA
3) LA
4) VAN
5) SJ
6) STL
7) MIN
8) DET

Penguins win cup in seven games. Crosby passes cup to Iginla first, Iginla to Morrow, Morrow to Neal.

<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/psycho_mantis/1360173482561_zps56018523.jpg>

[Yar]

haha those guys... Did they take acid and then go to a hockey game?

[Jowy]

they were happy with the pens OT win!

[jenovajunkie]

LEAFS ARE CLINCHED...

[Jowy]

LEAFS ARE CLINCHED...

<img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/psycho_mantis/kessel_zpsb940f8d4.jpg>

[Bunny]

Everytime I see the title of the thread I think it is about a real sport.

[Jowy]

someone apparently changed the title!

[Faris]

Even though the playoffs haven't started yet.

OTTAWA BETTER CLINCH :mad2:

[Yar]

Saw this stat today:


PIT 26gp 22-4-0 44pts 1.69ppg
CBJ 27gp 18-5-4 40pts 1.48ppg
CHI 26gp 18-6-2 38pts 1.46ppg

My lowly Jackets are second in the league since March 1. It's been a great two months! If only they didn't have that hideous 5-12-2 start... :(

Anyway, it looks like Saturday's games may give me a heart attack. brb giving a sacrifice to the hockey gods.

[Yar]

Tomorrow's (today's?) games just got more exciting after that rout the Oilers handed the Wild. Why do the Wild always seem to choke down the stretch?

[Jowy]

Probably because they paid eighteen million dollars for Parise and Suter and that plan was sure to backfire.

[Yar]

ugh I think I'm going to go mope for a few days. :(

Go Pens I guess. fuck if I care

[Jowy]

Oh don't be so downtrodden! You stuck by your team and saw them play their fucking hearts out like never before!

James Neal is gonna style all over the eastern conference next week.

[Jowy]

brackets are up:

Chicago's going to steamroll Minnesota in round one, Los Angeles in round two. Anaheim knocks Detroit in the dirt after four games, and we all know that orcas fucking eat sharks. Vancouver beats Anaheim and then has to hear Chelsea Dagger sixteen times before Cory Schneider finally loses his fucking mind and murders Roberto Luongo with a sharpened skate blade secretly enclosed in his goaltending stick.

Meanwhile, back East:

Nobody's beating Pittsburgh at this rate. Unless the Islanders chuck a bunch of virgins into a volcano to awaken Tim Thomas from his almost not quite retirement.

[Yar]

Minnesota's slaughter is going to be comical. I can't wait. :)

It'd be nice to see the Islanders go deep this year, but there is no way they can beat Pitt. Oh well, better luck next year.

I'm hoping the Rangers also have a quick exit.

And I'm still weary of all those saying LA will repeat. Sure, they're good, but they're far from a sure thing. I just have a feeling St. Louis will take the series.

But speculation is useless anyway! That's why we have the playoffs. :D

[Jowy]

FUCK YOU NBC, SERIOUSLY. GO DIE. No playoff package equivalent of Gamecenter due to every game being broadcast on channels nobody would ordinarily look for a hockey game on.

gonna have to stream half of these since I sure as shit can't afford to go to the bar and watch them every day for two months straight. Chicago's going to destroy Minnesota in an hour. :aimsun:

[Jowy]

penguins turbo-dunk islanders 5-0

we'll do it again in sixteen hours. already wrong about my anaheim prediction, way to step it up!

edit:

luongo starting in net tomorrow due to cory schneider having the most stressful job in Canada.

<img src=http://vansunsportsblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Luongo-single-ladies.gif>

[Pheesh]

Hopefully Boston can right the ship and make a go of this after limping into the playoffs. At the very least it looks like the first round will be a wash considering how we destroyed the Leafs in game 1.

[Jowy]

yeah, you're either gonna sweep toronto or they'll pull through in a game seven double OT situation. regardless, I don't think Rask is ready for the playoffs. you guys have potential to make it to the second round, but by that time we'll have Crosby back to put that last nail in the coffin. Although with our absolutely perfect and overly stacked offence, I feel confident we can win the cup without the best player in the league.

[Jowy]

or blow a lead against the fucking ISLANDERS, whatever works. Vancouver and Minnesota are going to get swept at this rate, whoa nelly.

[Jowy]

crosby with the hat trick! ottawa's screwed.

[Faris]

:(

[escobert]

Crosby needs to shut up before chara knocks him one!

[Pheesh]

Rofl. I was so excited for that fight to happen.

That back and forth in the middle of the second was friggin intense. Also, Rask is playing out of his mind (and getting some help from the posts >.>)

[escobert]

Yeah that was a great defensive game for the Bruins. :D

[Pheesh]

Yaaahoooooo. I'm both insanely happy with the result and severely bummed I missed it because I was at work. I'll grab the torrent when I get home.

[escobert]

I mean it was fun to watch but got kinda boring with the bruins scoring every 45 seconds :p

[Inferno]

Yaaahoooooo. I'm both insanely happy with the result and severely bummed I missed it because I was at work. I'll grab the torrent when I get home.
Nice to see there are some Bruins fans here !

It's not over yet, but if they continue playing like this, there is no way the Pens are coming back

[Pheesh]

I'm taking my broom out of the cupboard :excited:

Also, Eric's absence from this thread is not going unnoticed.

[escobert]

That was an amazing game last night! So glad I stayed up for it all.

[Inferno]

I'm about to rename my car's clutch pedal to "Bergeron pedal"

[escobert]

Jagr imo. he set that all up beautifully. His board work all playoffs has been nothing but awesome.

[Inferno]

Agreed. If he doesn't steal the puck from Malkin there's no goal on the play. Imo he's been somewhere around okay against the Leafs, good against the Rangers and even though he hasn't scored yet, he had a 3 great games against the Pens. He's getting better as the playoffs advance.

[Pheesh]

Also, I'm not sure if this goes without saying, but Rask deserves so, so, sooo many props. That guy is playing at another level right now.

[Inferno]

Of course ! I liked what Tim Thomas has done 2 years ago. But Rask has proven he could easily replace him. It's great to see how he competes out there and how he could finally prove that he's an elite goalie.

Also, I can't wait to see Iginla's face when this is over
43678

[escobert]

Yeah Rask is playing great. Hell they're all playing pretty damn good! Krug has really shined. Not so much in game 3.

[escobert]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!

[Pheesh]

Epic final game, another amazing performance by Rask and we are headed to the finals with so much momentum!!

[noxious.sunshine]

WOOOOO PREDS WOOO!!!

I clearly know nothing about Hockey except that the Predators did decent last year. XD

[Goldenboko]

Tuuukaaaaa!

[noxious.sunshine]

S'like when the NFL lockout ended.... Ya know? And I was at work (at the Roadhouse which kinda doubles as a sports bar) & they announced it on ESPN or whatevery. And this guy was all "I'm gonna cry! The lockout's over!" and I said "OH! The NFL one?" and he's all "Duh" and I'm like "OH! What'd they get locked out of!?" (dead serious question). And he was like "You -really- just asked that question?" and I was like "...... I don't know nothin' 'bout no foozeball!"

[Pheesh]

We just won the Eastern Conference Finals and you're talking about the Nashville Predators and NFL!?

[noxious.sunshine]

o.o;;; I don't know who "we" is...

And um.. Predators are Hockey at least?

And and and.. DON'T STONE ME!

[escobert]

"we" is the Boston Bruins. :p


just swept (beat in 4 games) the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now we go to play the winners of the L.A. Kings and Chicago Blackhawks. I'm rooting for the hawks since I'm a Chicago sports fan and I want an original 6 Stanley cup!

[Pheesh]

My best friend is a Hawks supporter. If they win then the series is going to be so epic and heated between the two of us. I can't wait!

[escobert]

Watched both OT periods of the Hawks/Kings game. awesome! So glad the Hawks won! :)

This is gonna be a tough one for me. as both are 2nds in my love of Hockey. I grew up a Hartford Whalers fan and as we all know they are no longer a team ( I will no root for some damn Hurricane thingys they turned into!) so I then started rooting for the Bruins and Blackhawks. I'd say I probably have a little more love for the Bruins than the Blackhawks however.

[Jowy]

<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEXHeTcxQy4>i'll just leave this here.</a>

Chicago in five, sorry Boston. I feel like at least two other games are going to hit double OT; both teams are playing their hearts out.

[escobert]

Your prediction isn't looking very good at this moment :p

[Pheesh]

[05:39] Phil|Mobile> Jowy, I think you predicting Chicago in 5 just secured us the Stanley cup :p
[05:39] Phil|Mobile> Ty
[05:40] Jowy> we'll see.
[05:40] Jowy> just need to win three more.


Jowy's prediction attempts are Boston's good luck charm.

Also, I really hope Jagr nets a goal before the finals are through, no one is more deserving.

[Jowy]

I hope Jagr gets hit by a bus, personally. He's dead to me.

Hawks got spanked last night. I'm still optimistic for them to win, but right now Boston's showing that they came to win.

[Pheesh]

Also, I think Bryan Bickell has a death wish

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2803795/charadomination_medium.gif

[Inferno]

I hope Jagr gets hit by a bus, personally. He's dead to me.

Why ? What happened !?

[Jowy]

Playing for Philadelphia instead of coming back home to Pittsburgh.

[Pheesh]

I liked how before the start of the series they showed that he is on the wall of the Pens locker room xD

[Inferno]

Playing for Philadelphia instead of coming back home to Pittsburgh.

Oh yeah I see. I also think that it was stupid when he left Pittsburgh for Washington saying he "could not" stay. God damn it, just sign for a little less money if you wanna stay and if you like your team

[noxious.sunshine]

Hockey season already? -_-;;;

Too many sports to keep up with.

[Jowy]

Hockey season usually goes on from October-June. We're presently in the final.

[escobert]

I love me some Jagr :p I too hope he scores because damn he makes some beautiful passes. And he's been playing since I used to go to Whalers games as a kid.

[noxious.sunshine]

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

It's the NHL finals?

This is obvious evidence that I need to stay out of the sports threads. heh.

[escobert]

Holy hockey game batman!

[Pheesh]

Well tits :(

I was at work and missed Score-fest 2013, but going by the end result it's probably best I didn't see it, I might have broken something.

[Goldenboko]

Awesome game, shitty outcome :(

[escobert]

Yeah sad bruins lost but damn that was an exciting game. hope the momentum carries over into chicago! :)

[Pheesh]

Do or die tonight! Love the intensity we've come out with as well.

[Skyblade]

Hockey is one of the few sports I actually follow and enjoy watching, and these finals have been fantastic.

I do hope it goes to a game seven, just because these games have been so entertaining.

But I also hope Boston wins.

[Goldenboko]

Can't see the game! Hope it's going well.

[Pheesh]

SCORES!!!!

[Pheesh]

Oh my god O_O

What the smurf just happened. WHAT THE smurf JUST HAPPENED!?!

EDIT: Wow... just... wow. I am literally in shock. Great series I suppose. But fucking hell that is a hard pill to swallow.

[Jowy]

THE BOYS GET LONELY AFTER YOU LEAVE!

[Inferno]

Wow that was heart-breaking. I would have preferred a loss in game 7... not in the last minute like that argggh !

I take this stuff way too personnal, I had a hard time getting to sleep