NHL Playoffs start tonight....
Hallco
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Will it be just another great regular season and then choke in the playoffs year for the Caps? Are the Canucks for real? Are Price and Thomas and the rest of their teams going brawl again in the Montreal/Boston series? Lots of questions! 
I think the Tampa Bay/Pittsburgh series is going to be really good! What say you's guys?
I think the Tampa Bay/Pittsburgh series is going to be really good! What say you's guys? 0
Comments
I agree with the Jack Edwards comment (way too many words per minute, way too many lame jokes), but I'm confused about the Bruins comment. Please explain.
as for the other comment, it should have been directed towards Bruin management. As I'm sure you know, the Bruins play a defense first system. Despite their system and having the mountain known as Chara playing half of the game, they're still second from the bottom in allowing shots per game. They've rostered a bunch of the same type of players...and I call those types of big, slow, dumb/selfish penalty taking players future members of the St Louis Blues. An organization that hasn't figured out that their scoring woes and defensive breakdowns may just be the result of rolling out a line and a half of Cam Janssens each night.
Bruins management has taken their share of criticism, most well deserved. When their GM was asked by a local radio station the other day what he would consider a successful 2011 playoffs, he said "getting past the 2nd rd". I'm not kidding.
As for the B's style and squad makeup, they don't mind giving up wide angle shots or shots from the point - they feel their goalie will stop the puck, and they can clear the rebound....and while the big/slow tag is fairly accurate, they've got a handful of speed guys this year that past teams didn't have. I'm not sure where the dumb/selfish comes from though. They have the 6th fewest minor penalties this year, about 3.5 minors a game. They are very disciplined IMO. Don't let the total PIM fool you - most of those are from fights - and I will never complain about a team that likes to drop the gloves.
The rest of the west is lame too as far as intrigue, although Pavel Datsyuk is a joy to watch play.
Montreal-Boston is going to be a treat, but Boston should move on. I hope Tim Thomas gets a ring. I really like that guy.
Flyers without Pronger is less of a team, but still a good team.
Pittsburgh is tough as nails. Saw them go into Boston and just flat out outwork the Bruins in their own building.
Letang is one of the best, if not the best.
I'll predict Vancouver and Boston in the finals.
fair enough. One can look at major penalties as - no worries...others may see them as a complete waste of time (DET, CHI, VAN, NASH etc)...the type of penalties that shorten benches and keep an already immobile blueline gassed and stretched beyond their already limited skill sets. Not to mention putting a ton of unnecessary pressure on the goalie with the shooting gallery a 4 on 4 or 5 on 4 brings. 13.6 PIMs per game usually catches up to a team as it did in '08-'09 when a very similar B's team were ousted by a mediocre Carolina squad.
frustrating game...the Bruins took it to them all game, couldn't get anything past Price....If those two teams play like they did last night for the whole series, Boston will win in 6.
Although, even if Boston gets by Montreal, if all the series go the way of Game 1, I don't think they are beating Pittsburgh in Rd 2.
Goot - great comeback by your squad, should be a fun series with Washington.
Did you see dat Jaro Spacek dive when dat Lucic guy crushed him from behind into the glass! Did you see dat Halpern guy dive when Ference dropped the Spanish Archer on his head without da puck! Did you see all dose patented Johnny Boychuk hits from behind? Buncha pansies dem Canadien guys. We got Colin Campbell!
edit to add: Exhibit A as to why everyone outside of New England will do the unthinkable and root for Philly in the series
Blackhawks - Vancouver series will be a bore. Hawks don't have it this year.
another quality prediction EF.
Subban has all the talent in the world, yet tries to goad the refs into a call by falling in the corner after his plays the puck. Nothing made me happier than watching Kelly score while Hamrlik laid on the ice after another patented dive. That Montreal team is an embarrassment to hockey.
And what Boychuck hits from behind?
It's obvious you dislike the Bruins, which I have no problem with, but at least bring valid points to your argument.
Who the F cares about our crazy play by play guy? He's a tool. I get it. Most of Boston gets it.
I have a ton of respect for Philly. They have a bunch of skilled players, and they are also tough as nails. Frankly, if I was a hockey fan outside of New England, I'd probably root for them too. They are a much more exciting team to watch.
Look, there's embellishment (like Chara folding when taking a legitimate cross-check to the back from Eller), and then there is diving when you are barely hit (Subban, Price, Hamrlik all did it twice in that series, drawing 3 penalties). I didn't see the dive that Letang got called for in Game 7, but I bet it was no worse than 10 of the dives Montreal took in that series. Montreal flops more than anyone in the league, and it's not even debatable.
There's a difference between late hits and finishing your check. I know you don't see it much in the Western Conference, but finishing checks is part of the game, the Bruins and Flyers happen to do it better than most.
As for Ference, I can't speak to his days in Calgary, and I'll grant you, he's far from what I would consider your typical "tough guy". All I know is that he has repeatedly been the first guy to defend a teammate all season long, while probably being the 6th or 7th best fighter the Bruins have. You may not like him, but I'm sure his teammates appreciate that kind of support. I know I like seeing it.
I'm done talking about those filthy Canadiens, and their diving, all they do is get me fired up. I'll leave you with some classic examples of Montreal "dishonesty" throughout the years. This team is such a disgrace.
Subban Game 7 Subban looks to see where the ref is, and then falls.
Markov throws glove I hate Matt Cooke, but I hate Markov more for throwing his glove 10-feet in the air after falling to the ground.
I've fallen and I can't up You'd think he was shot rather than lightly pushed to the ice.
Total PIMs
1. NYI - 1515
2. Pitt - 1388
3. EDM - 1270
4. STL - 1225
5. ANA -1178
6. OTT - 1179
7. PHI - 1119
8. BOS - 1115
9. CBJ - 1113
10. MTL - 1079
Game Misconducts
1. NYI - 11
2. Pitt - 10
3. BOS - 7
4. PHI, COL, STL, OTT, EDM MIN, - 4
Major Penalties
1. STL - 79
2. Pitt - 74
3. BOS - 73
4. NYI - 71
5. ANA - 68
6. NYR - 62
7. CBJ - 59
8. EDM - 58
9. DAL - 54
10. TOR - 53
Of course didn't your assistant GM, Colin Campbell, call your best offensive player (Savard) a "little faker". Skill players tend to embellish. Crosby, Pat Kane, the Sedins, M.St. Louis, and generally any skill player in the NHL have all been guilty as some point. It's part of the game, unfortunate, but not quite as unfortunate as teams who offer the Trevor Gillies of the league, a paycheck for 1:33 of ice time per night. Quite frankly I find it odd that the diving/embellishing bothers you more than Matt Cooke, Steve Ott, Kaleta, Downie, Carcillo, Bertuzzi, Marchand, Mike Richards et al elbowing players in the head from behind. To me that's way more uterian than embellishing to gain a PP.
And for a second, I thought the highlight would be one of Thomas' 52 saves, or Krejci's nice one-timer in OT, or even one of JVR's breathtaking rushes up ice last night. I probably should have known better.
<< <i>Is Goot OK? Lightning up 2-0 heading home, and no recent posts in this thread? Maybe he doesn't want to jinx things. >>
Pretty much... but I will say that I'll be at the game tonight!
of course, that was quintessential Bruins hockey...a useless guy like McQuaid leaving a check to try and land an elbow (late) on a small guy that didn't even have the puck. That's more textbook Bruins hockey than Tim Thomas being solid in the cage. I expect both examples to occur on a nightly basis in any given Bruins game.
well that's another instance we can agree to agree you're wrong about...but even if it was an extended forearm, that's still illegal....as per
any body-check that results in reckless or intentional high contact with an elbow, forearm, or stick should be penalized with a Minor or Major penalty (Major plus Game Misconduct if injury results).
so it probably doesn't occur as often as you seem to think it's what "everybody" does. What we do know for sure is that he certainly wasn't leading with a shoulder which is the only legal hit in that instance. You continue to toss out "laughable" quite a bit. I would say laughable is stating gems like "Elbows to the head and diving are equally reprehensible". Like reasoning someone's season/career ending prematurely or one's physical/mental wellness is the same as embellishing to help your team draw a one PP.
I like how in one breath you seem so concerned about player safety, yet claim toughness is "Brent Seabrook twice sitting out only one game with concussions, or Ian Laperriere blocking shots with his face while playing with a concussion". Sorry, but those don't represent toughness, it more resembles stupidity. For someone that seems to care so much about a player's long term health, I thought you would have picked up on the irony in that statement.
What's even more ironic is implying the Bruins are a bunch of cheap shot artists, when they are the team over the past 5 years that has had two of their best playmakers sidelined for over a year due to illegal hits???
Look lane, I have no doubt you watch more of the NHL than I do. I've acknowledged every valid point you've made about the Bruins. As hard as it will be for me to do, I'm done responding to your misrepresentations of the Bruins and hockey in general.
What's even more ironic is implying the Bruins are a bunch of cheap shot artists, when they are the team over the past 5 years that has had two of their best playmakers sidelined for over a year due to illegal hits???
also not ironic...it's coincidental....and I never said they were "cheap shot artists". I said the B's roster a handful of useless players in the name of some faux-toughness that doesn't actually exist. I know Savard was taken out by Cooke, but I'm spacing out on the second "playmaker" in your argument. I can't think of one other playmaker from the Bruins in the last 5 years other than Kaberle who turned out not to be since he apparently can't play in the Bruin system. If you mean Bergeron or Krejci they aren't really playmakers. They're two-way danglers. There's also something for you to ponder. If the Bruins didn't have the types of players who play on the edge, chippy, goonish, or illegally, there's a much better chance that someone like Savard doesn't get taken out by an illegal hit. I'm not sure what (if anything) led up to the Cooke/Savard hit, but I do know Boychuk and Ference both have a history of taking runs at star skill players.
up 3-0 vs. Philly....not bad for a bunch of goons, hey lane?
<< <i>easy there Steelers....still one more to win for Boston. I'm not taking anything for granted after what happened last year.
up 3-0 vs. Philly....not bad for a bunch of goons, hey lane?
Trying to put the 'reverse jinx' on the series. It's not going to happen this year, the Flyers are toast. Besides the Flyers scuffling along (disinterested at times), with horrendous goaltending, Thomas is Superman right now, etc...they've got to be the favorites from here on out. Very frustrating season as a Flyers fan after their great start to the year.
Tampa is through ... Ovechkin, Crosby and Stamkos have been n0n-factors.
Detroit and Vancouver - Boston and Tampa .... wow
<< <i>Got to love these play-offs.
Tampa is through ... Ovechkin, Crosby and Stamkos have been n0n-factors.
Detroit and Vancouver - Boston and Tampa .... wow >>
Detroit??
<< <i>Got to love these play-offs.
Tampa is through ... Ovechkin, Crosby and Stamkos have been n0n-factors.
>>
Ovechkin is the only person on the Caps that can actually say he played a decent series in my opinion.
Crosby hasn't played in 4 months.
Stamkos scored the go ahead goal in game 1, then the game tying goal last night in the 3rd period, and has 4 goals in his first ever playoffs. Not setting the world on fire, but not a non factor.
Potential Roloson-Thomas match up... The old man Battle Royal!
I look at him and see a journeyman goaltender that got hot during the 2006 playoffs and led the Oilers the Cup final, largely because the top 4 seeds all lost in the first round that year. Other than that, it seems like he hasn't done much. Granted, he's been on some bad teams, but I guess that is my point - he's bounced around to 6 different teams, yet a bona fide contender never picked him up until Tampa this year (Edmonton was the #8 seed in 2006), and that was because they were so desparate to find an upgrade over Smith.
All that said, sometimes it's advantageous to have the hot goalie rather than the better goalie (although I'd argue if the Bruins get there, that Thomas is also the hotter goalie too).
<< <i>
<< <i>Got to love these play-offs.
Tampa is through ... Ovechkin, Crosby and Stamkos have been n0n-factors.
>>
Ovechkin is the only person on the Caps that can actually say he played a decent series in my opinion.
Crosby hasn't played in 4 months.
Stamkos scored the go ahead goal in game 1, then the game tying goal last night in the 3rd period, and has 4 goals in his first ever playoffs. Not setting the world on fire, but not a non factor.
Potential Roloson-Thomas match up... The old man Battle Royal! >>
Stamkos has been good, not great. He definately has not been a non factor.
<< <i>goot - It's been a great story so far, but I question whether Roloson can keep it up. I assume him coming back down to earth is your biggest fear, right? What is your gut feeling about him?
I look at him and see a journeyman goaltender that got hot during the 2006 playoffs and led the Oilers the Cup final, largely because the top 4 seeds all lost in the first round that year. Other than that, it seems like he hasn't done much. Granted, he's been on some bad teams, but I guess that is my point - he's bounced around to 6 different teams, yet a bona fide contender never picked him up until Tampa this year (Edmonton was the #8 seed in 2006), and that was because they were so desparate to find an upgrade over Smith.
All that said, sometimes it's advantageous to have the hot goalie rather than the better goalie (although I'd argue if the Bruins get there, that Thomas is also the hotter goalie too). >>
I honestly have no idea what to expect for Roli because this entire team has surprised me this post season so I can't even predict anything. I'd rather just enjoy the ride than set any expectations at this point...it's part of the beauty of making that improbable run. I will say that I think it's pretty obvious the Bruins have the better goaltender and I think that would be a big deciding factor as to why they would win the series. I do know that Roloson knows it is the end of his career, barring a return next year for one final season, and I feel like this guy is really playing like every game could be his last and is pulling out all the stops (literally). I'm not really sure as to why the guy has never been with any contending teams, and I never really followed him before this year because I just don't get to see the Oilers and Wild play too often and I'm pretty sure most people have avoided watching the Islanders at all costs the past couple years.. Just looking at his stats the only ones that suck are his W-L, everything else is definitely good. I mean he has a 2.65 GAA, and a .910 career save pct, yet has a W-L of 214-241-79.
I know right, and much like the Penguins, it's not like Philly is missing it's two best players - a top 10 NHL scorer, and the best defensive defenseman in the league either...<wink>. So that's really not that surprising (though I had BOS 4-2) that BOS is up 3-0. What astounded me (while looking up some stats) is that BOS posted a collective top 5 offense with that roster + Savard being out + BOS turning Horton from a skill player into a...grinder/fighter/punching bag + Kaberle's sucktitude....then I realized...oh yeah they don't have to play against Flint Thomas, and since every other EC goalie (save for Lundquist, Price, and Vokoun) is mediocre or completely sucks (coupled with 7 of the NHL's worst defensive teams) it almost makes some sense. But that's pretty marbles of you to acknowledge a 3-0 lead given the results of last year's match-up and all. That said, personally I'm intrigued by a BOS/TB series. A couple of middling defenses + the best goalie in the league + an AARP rep aping 2007 J.S. Giguere performing way over his playoff head in net.
Tampa Bay Lightning Offense: +17.0 GVT (7th in NHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning Defense: +5.8 GVT (12th in NHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning Goaltending: -16.3 GVT (26th in NHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning Power Play: +0.4 GVT (10th in NHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning Penalty Kill: -0.7 GVT (16th in NHL)
Boston Bruins Offense: +20.0 GVT (5th ??????????????????? in the NHL)
Boston Bruins Defense: -2.7 GVT (17th in the NHL)
Boston Bruins Goaltending: +36.3 GVT (1st in the NHL)
Boston Bruins Power Play: -3.7 GVT (20th in the NHL)
Boston Bruins Penalty Kill: +6.5 GVT (9th in the NHL)
GVT = The value of a player, in goals, above what a replacement level player would contribute. GVT aggregates offensive, defensive, goaltending and shootout contributions in a single metric. The sum of player GVT on a team equals that team’s goal differential plus the replacement level, which is 50% of the average team scoring level. Or the hockey equivalent of baseball's WAR.
Tampa is through ... Ovechkin, Crosby and Stamkos have been n0n-factors.
Detroit and Vancouver - Boston and Tampa .... wow
Big hockey fan eh.
A .910 SV% is well below league average (.916%) and 2.65 is above (2.58) for GAA. I tend to look at even strength percentages as the true indicator where Rolo is also barely average or just under league average. So that's what he is - a league average goalie or at times slightly above or below depending on the quality of the team around him. His numbers weren't that different with TB than he was with NYI.
TB - 2.56/.912
NYI - 2.64/.916
which basically means he faced more shots with TB...but gave up higher scoring chances with NYI....and fwiw TB was tied for dead last in even strength goals against with NJ...though of course that wasn't all on Rolo as Smith and Ellis were also terrible. As for Rolo's run with EDM, he played very well in the '06 playoffs, but he wasn't as over his head then as he is playing now. EDM had a serious shutdown defense that year with Pronger, M.Green, Spacek (in his prime), and J.Smith on the blueline and half a roster of shutdown forwards like (two -time) Selke winner - Peca, Stoll, Reasoner, Moreau + Pisani, Dvorak, Torres grinding it out with them. That was a tough team defense to penetrate.