2015 NHL season (2 Viewers)

I haven't followed the NHL since when I played hockey in Jr. High and high school, when for six straight seasons, the Rangers and the Islanders beat the tar out of each other in the playoffs (one year I remember Ken Morrow winning game 7 in overtime), with the winner going on to the finals, and the Islanders winning four Stanley Cups (the Rangers lost to the Canadians in the finals the first year, and the Islanders lost to the Oilers in the finals of the 6th year).

This season, the Rangers and the Islanders are one point apart, and might, according to local sports talk radio, meet in the second round of the playoffs. If they are fairly evenly matched, and the series goes 6-7 games, I would be tempted to watch out of nostalgia, although, frankly, the new rules confuse the heck out of me.
 
gk5717 said:
As much as I hate saying this, don't ever count the Hawks out in the playoffs.
I'm hopeing & praying we (Blues) don't play them in the first round. We got our collective butts kicked last night by no less than Calgary. After beating Chicago, Anaheim and Dallas last week a let down was sure to happen.
Gary
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The Hawks are a top team. Probably the favorite in the west to reach the finals. That is why I was surprised the Kings handled them so easily in Chicago. Crawford looked awful in goal like he had been on a bender. Some nights he is a brick wall and nothing gets past him. Last night was almost embarrassing as he was frozen like a statue while pucks sailed into the net. I'm not sure about your Blues. They always seem to play great in the regular season and awful in the playoffs. Sort of the opposite of my Kings who often struggle to get in, but then play gang busters in playoffs. Anaheim and Nashville are playing great hockey.
 
Louis Badolato said:
I haven't followed the NHL since when I played hockey in Jr. High and high school, when for six straight seasons, the Rangers and the Islanders beat the tar out of each other in the playoffs (one year I remember Ken Morrow winning game 7 in overtime), with the winner going on to the finals, and the Islanders winning four Stanley Cups (the Rangers lost to the Canadians in the finals the first year, and the Islanders lost to the Oilers in the finals of the 6th year).

This season, the Rangers and the Islanders are one point apart, and might, according to local sports talk radio, meet in the second round of the playoffs. If they are fairly evenly matched, and the series goes 6-7 games, I would be tempted to watch out of nostalgia, although, frankly, the new rules confuse the heck out of me.
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The biggest change is the three-on-three OT which seems to be wildly popular. Wide open action to decide OT games. They would play normal five on five in the playoffs though which can go on all night. That is the biggest drag about playoff games. They can go on endlessly with a long break between each OT. I've seen the NY Islanders play a couple times and they look good. The Rangers have had ups and downs. Lundqvuist has carried that team in past years but he is showing his age a bit. Doesn't seem to be as sharp. The Caps are the team to beat in the East.
 
Except for a few teams anyone who makes the playoffs has a chance at the cup. In the West, Anaheim, LA, Chicago, Dallas, St Louis. Flip a coin.
Gary
 
Combat said:
The biggest change is the three-on-three OT which seems to be wildly popular. Wide open action to decide OT games. They would play normal five on five in the playoffs though which can go on all night. That is the biggest drag about playoff games. They can go on endlessly with a long break between each OT. I've seen the NY Islanders play a couple times and they look good. The Rangers have had ups and downs. Lundqvuist has carried that team in past years but he is showing his age a bit. Doesn't seem to be as sharp. The Caps are the team to beat in the East.
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That's not what confuses me. I don't understand the interference rules. When I watched the NHL and played in high school, a defenseman could push a forward out of the slot so the goalie would not be screened. You could also tie up an opposing player or slow him down without the puck. Now, what I consider good defense is a penalty. And what used to be a legal hit is now "boarding." What the heck is boarding? Checking someone into the boards? Checking him "too hard?" Getting a good skating start? Not pulling up? The players are all wearing pads and helmets, aren't they? These are tough guys, so I don't believe the rules changes are to protect them. It must be to encourage scoring.

I also don't get the shoot out at the end of overtime. If you don't want the game to end in a tie, play another 3 on 3 or even 2 on 2 overtime. This is not soccer.
 
Louis Badolato said:
That's not what confuses me. I don't understand the interference rules. When I watched the NHL and played in high school, a defenseman could push a forward out of the slot so the goalie would not be screened. You could also tie up an opposing player or slow him down without the puck. Now, what I consider good defense is a penalty. And what used to be a legal hit is now "boarding." What the heck is boarding? Checking someone into the boards? Checking him "too hard?" Getting a good skating start? Not pulling up? The players are all wearing pads and helmets, aren't they? These are tough guys, so I don't believe the rules changes are to protect them. It must be to encourage scoring.

I also don't get the shoot out at the end of overtime. If you don't want the game to end in a tie, play another 3 on 3 or even 2 on 2 overtime. This is not soccer.
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Like the NFL with all its new rules that are supposed to promote safety, the NHL had to adopt some in light of the large number of concussions etc. There is an element of subjective judgement in those penalties. Basically boarding has to do with the violence of the check, whether the player has the puck, and if the player's head makes contact with the board. You sort of know it when you see it. There are normal checks and there are violent collisions in which guys get hurt. An NHL sized player going full speed could end someone's career if they didn't pull up or hit guys not expecting it. Too fast and too big. If you ever listen to the homers calling the NHL games on the radio, they are constantly complaining about the calls. Occasionally they show those old time goalies playing without even a face mask. I wonder how those guys lived. They must have been tough as iron. One blast to the face with a hockey puck would be lights out for a normal human. I saw a player gently toss a puck over the glass to a kid who mishandled it and it ended up hitting some lady. She had an enormous gash in her forehead and was bleeding all over the place.
 
As Combat said, one game it's a penalty the next game same offense it's not. One thing you can count on the penalties will even out
Team A gets 3 called against them in the first period, team B will get 3 called against them later in the game. Always seems to happen, more than just a coincidence.
I really like the OT 3 on 3 and also like the shoot outs.
As so far as to what Louis ask in regards to defensemen clutching and grabbing that all changed after the lock out season to help increase scoring tho the last few years scoring is way down. My opinion the goalies now with their huge equipment and physical size are the reason
Wasn't it Belfour who pioneered the "butterfly" move all goalies use now. Look at old games where the goalies just flopped all over the ice. It's a wonder they stopped any thing.
Gary
 
gk5717 said:
As Combat said, one game it's a penalty the next game same offense it's not. One thing you can count on the penalties will even out
Team A gets 3 called against them in the first period, team B will get 3 called against them later in the game. Always seems to happen, more than just a coincidence.
I really like the OT 3 on 3 and also like the shoot outs.
As so far as to what Louis ask in regards to defensemen clutching and grabbing that all changed after the lock out season to help increase scoring tho the last few years scoring is way down. My opinion the goalies now with their huge equipment and physical size are the reason
Wasn't it Belfour who pioneered the "butterfly" move all goalies use now. Look at old games where the goalies just flopped all over the ice. It's a wonder they stopped any thing.
Gary
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I heard yesterday that the NHL is reviewing the goalie equipment rules because scoring is down so much. Some of those guys are so big they hardly have to do anything except let the puck hit them.
 
All kidding aside. I always wondered if say a minute or so left in the game and your ahead by a goal why couldn't you have 2 or 3 players along with the goalie all just stand in the crease with their backs to the crossbar and let the other team just blast away. Have 2 skaters chase the offensive players or the puck. Get the picture.
Gary
 
The season is finally winding down and it's time for good stuff. Pittsburgh is on fire in the east. Looks like my Kings after being in first place most of the season will finish second in the pacific. Probably good news since that means they play the Sharks and avoid traveling cross country to play a dangerous Nashville team. Going to be a real scrum in the west. The Caps looked like the real deal most of the season but the Pens might give them a fight now. The Caps blow this one and they are toast. One of the worst playoff teams in history. This should be their year.
 
Finally time for the playoffs. In the past couple of years home ice and rankings haven't meant much in the playoffs, but I think this year the top teams are going to run the table. Time to pick'em:

East:

Tampa 4 Detroit 2 - The Wings are tough at home but they are lucky to be in this year. Florida is the new Canada.

Pittsburgh 4 NY Rangers 1 - The Pens ended the season playing the best hockey. Lundqvist can't carry the Rangers anymore. An early exit.

Washington 4 Philadelphia 1 - The Flyer are cannon fodder for the top team. The Caps have a history of playoff chokes though so if they can win a game or two it might get interesting.

Florida 4 NYI 2 - Could go either way.

West:

St. Louis 4 Chicago 3 - should be a great series. Chicago always seems to play well in the playoffs and the Blues not so much. But StL better find a way to win this year.

Dallas 4 Minnesota 2 - I'm not sold on Dallas as the best team in the west, but they get past the first round.

Anaheim 4 Nashville 2 - This should be closer than expected. The Preds played well down the stretch.

LA 4 San Jose 3 - a grudge match. LA wins game seven at home.
 
I agree with you about the Pens but I see more like 6 and I think Florida will win. Washington, clearly, and yes for Tampa.
 
Don't follow the East well enough to predict tho I don't see Tampa going very far without Stamkos. As for the West I agree with your predictions. St Louis is playing the best hockey they have played all year, everyone is finally healthy and Elliott is one of the hottest goalies. I actually look for them to beat Chicago. The West is just brutal. Other than Minnesota every team is good and capable of winning the cup.
Gary
 
gk5717 said:
Don't follow the East well enough to predict tho I don't see Tampa going very far without Stamkos. As for the West I agree with your predictions. St Louis is playing the best hockey they have played all year, everyone is finally healthy and Elliott is one of the hottest goalies. I actually look for them to beat Chicago. The West is just brutal. Other than Minnesota every team is good and capable of winning the cup.
Gary
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Chicago is a brutal draw in the first round. They seemed charmed in the playoffs. A lethal combination of good and lucky. Other teams like the Caps and Blues always seem snake bit. Interested to see if that pattern holds as the Caps are expected to run the table. A ton of pressure on those guys if they get in a tight series. I think the Pens have actually been playing better than the Caps down the stretch.
 
Panzer ace said:
Hopefully San Jose finally makes a run in the playoffs, although I have my doubts.
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I think SJ would call it good just to get past the Kings. They have been awful at home for some reason. The few games I've seen in San Jose the place looks dark. Maybe they can't see the puck. It's weird why it looks so dim on TV. Should be a good series. The Kings have not exactly looked like world beaters down the stretch. Having their usual trouble scoring goals, but also giving up late leads which is something they never did in the Cup years.
 
LA has knocked them out of the playoffs in their 2 previous series.

Bottom line, in recent years LA has played great playoff hockey, San Jose has not. You can throw the regular season records out with these 2 franchises.
 
Sharks looked good last night in the series opener, then again they have done that in the past against LA only to find themselves reserving tee times by the time game 7 ends.
 
Sharks win again, up two zip heading home; if they win again to go up three zip, the Kings will have them exactly where they want them.

Blackhawks up 2-1 late in the second period, series tied at a game each.

I can see why the Blackhawks are referred to as the Patriots of hockey, ie, their fans love them, the rest of the hockey free world hates them with the fire of 10,000 suns...................any shot the Wild can beat Dallas? Probably not, but watching those diehard Stars fans all wearing gear they just bought in the pro shop prior to the game and waving towels like yahoos is pretty annoying...................
 
Since the Bruins aren't in the playoffs, do you have a team you're rooting for?
 
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