NHL Playoffs (2 Viewers)

[Combat]

We are finally getting down to it. Big surprises out west with Las Vegas and Nashville dominating. LV may be the first expansion team that I can remember to make a run for the championship. Nashville is the team to beat though. My Kings are hanging tough for a playoff spot. They are usually a better playoff team than regular season with their heavy game. I think the Cup is head west. Onward.

 

[Warrior]

As I've said countless times, there is nothing like playoff hockey; that said, the format is idiotic. As it stands now, the Bruins have the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs have the third, yet if things stay the way they are, they play each other in the first round, so either the second or third best team in the conference is out after round one.

Why not just line them up 1 through 8 and have 1 play 8, 2 play 7, etc; come to think of it, if that were to happen, the Bruins would get the Flyers and if another Philadelphia team ends a Boston teams season, I'll have to smash something expensive into 10,000 pieces........................

 

[Combat]

As I've said countless times, there is nothing like playoff hockey; that said, the format is idiotic. As it stands now, the Bruins have the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs have the third, yet if things stay the way they are, they play each other in the first round, so either the second or third best team in the conference is out after round one.

Why not just line them up 1 through 8 and have 1 play 8, 2 play 7, etc; come to think of it, if that were to happen, the Bruins would get the Flyers and if another Philadelphia team ends a Boston teams season, I'll have to smash something expensive into 10,000 pieces........................

Yes, I'm not a fan of the format. The last couple of year the Caps and Pens have played in the second round. The two best teams maybe in all hockey in those years. Ovechkin has never advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs. Probably the greatest goal scorer of the last decade. Winning the Cup is a grind. It takes talent, coaching, staying healthy, and some luck.

 

[CanesBart]

Panthers out of the WC by a point. One home ice tomorrow, then a 4 game road stretch to close.

Why cannot they build the program? Two years ago, they had the makings of a up and coming power. This should have been their year. . But no......just run the team randomly, arbitrarily and capriciously each season, and focus on revenue from the "casual" fan and of course the S FL Rangers, Islanders and Bruins infestation.

 

[Combat]

Panthers out of the WC by a point. One home ice tomorrow, then a 4 game road stretch to close.

Why cannot they build the program? Two years ago, they had the makings of a up and coming power. This should have been their year. . But no......just run the team randomly, arbitrarily and capriciously each season, and focus on revenue from the "casual" fan and of course the S FL Rangers, Islanders and Bruins infestation.

I think Tampa is the best hope for Floridians. They are rolling but strike me as a better regular season team than playoff contender. In the NHL, there seem to be some teams that do outstanding in the regular season and not so great in the playoffs. Washington and St. Louis are good examples. Other teams like the LA Kings struggle to make the playoffs, but then are more dangerous in the playoffs. It becomes more of a physical grind and the heavy teams that can win low scoring defensive games have an advantage.

 

[Warrior]

............and of course the S FL Rangers, Islanders and Bruins infestation.

That's thanks to many Northeasterners desire to move South, wear white shoes and go to dinner at 3:30 everyday.

Not to mention the Rangers and Bruins have huge followings as both are original six franchises. The Islanders, not so much.

 

[gk5717]

My choice for the Stanley Cup is Nashville. My Blues are hanging in there but even if they make the playoffs they will go out in the first round.
Gary

 

[Warrior]

My choice for the Stanley Cup is Nashville.....................

That would be an incredible story to see all those rabid, die hard, knowledgeable hockey fans in Nashville win a cup.

Same for the long suffering fans in Las Vegas.

And if Tampa wins the Cup, they can have one of their stars throw out the first pitch at a Doofin Rays game in front of 7 people.

 

[Combat]

Chicago is in dead last and already eliminated from the playoffs. So we don't have to worry about the drunken Hawks fans filling up half the road playoff games. Nashville is a rocking scene for hockey. I don't know if they arrive in covered wagons being pulled by the cast of Hee Haw but it is the best venue for hockey right now. They are almost impossible to beat at home and a much improved road team.

 

[Warrior]

Nashville is a rocking scene for hockey. I don't know if they arrive in covered wagons being pulled by the cast of Hee Haw but it is the best venue for hockey right now.

Living proof that you can no nothing about a sport, just jump on the bandwagon, show up to the arena and yell and scream like an escaped mental patient and bingo, instant atmosphere.

 

[CanesBart]

Cats win! Cats win!

 

[Combat]

Huge win for my Kings last night. Looks like they are going to get in unless they blow it big time in the final couple of games. If they go as a wild card that is a tough draw for Nashville or Vegas. The reward for being the top finisher is to get a wild card team with two recent Cup wins and Jeff Carter back in the line up in the first round. And even if they beat the Kings it's going to be physical. I think Gary's Blues may draw the short straw and not make the playoff cut. Weird year in the west with Vegas doing so well and Chicago in last place. The Caps are peaking in the east. In some odd way, I think it is better for them not to have been the top team during the regular season. The monkey is not on their back. They look relaxed and ready to finally knock off the Pens and get to eastern conference finals.

 

[Panzer ace]

The Sharks are looking good, but I am still weary of calling them a "favorite".

It is difficult to believe that they have been in the NHL now for 27 years.

 

[CanesBart]

Panthers must win or get a OT loss, and the Devils must lose

Make it so

 

[gk5717]

Even if the Blues get in there is no way they will get past the first round. I wrote this season off a long time ago.
Gary

 

[CanesBart]

Even if the Blues get in there is no way they will get past the first round. I wrote this season off a long time ago.
Gary

I once went to a Hawks Blues game in Chi Town....the fights!
And the game definately had no place in the Marquies of Queensbury' realm!

 

[Combat]

Seven teams are set in the West including the mighty Kings. Still some jockeying among the last few teams who are bunched together for higher spots but mostly set in terms of those who will make the cut. It seems like it is taking forever to wrap up the season and get down to business. Tough year for the Canadian teams with more California teams making the playoff cut than teams from the Great White North.

 

[sammy719]

Going to catch the San Jose Sharks vs. The Wild Saturday night, been a good while since I caught a hockey game.

 

[Combat]

Going to catch the San Jose Sharks vs. The Wild Saturday night, been a good while since I caught a hockey game.

In my opinion, there is no better sport to watch live than hockey. And if you ever get a chance to sit in the front row it is amazing (although you may get a crick in your neck from having to look up and down the ice). It's a fast paced, physical game that loses something on TV. Anyone who has never gone to a game should give it a try. You couldn't force me at gun point to venture out into the crowds and misery of most other sports events, but hockey is still fun. Hockey fans also tend to be knowledgeable and incredibly loyal to the game.

 

[gk5717]

Is Jake Allen taking a beating in St Louis today after last nights game. And guess what he deserves it. He lost that game. The really sad thing he has still got 3 years left on a big contract.
Gary