NHL Playoffs

[Zarniwoop]

Originally Posted by Moontayle

I'm sure the Sabres will be back, only a couple of guys on the current team are going to be up on their contract. And I mean, look at the Senators, 10 years in a row and they're finally looking like a Cup team. So I have hope.

Yeah, it's tough to see your team going down in this fashion. If they were putting up more of a fight, you can at least say they gave it their effort. I'm truly surprised, because I thought only Ottawa teams did this!

Like I said, I see a lot of similarities between Ottawa teams of the past years and the Sabres this year. All year they had blown out teams with skill and speed, but when the defensive play increased in the playoffs they couldn't score the pretty goals and didn't know how to adjust. I think Ottawa's playoff disappointments have finally showed the team what kind of play is needed to win. Hopefully Buffalo will follow the same pattern.

Of course, all this is assuming the Sens don't flame out over the next four games. I'm still emotionally scarred and haven't ruled that out.

[EmpireF4i]

Wow, that was a pathetic game by the Ducks. They better pick it up thursday or they are going to be playing golf and getting tans next week.

[Eomer]

I wanted to see the Pens win, after I cried once the Pens lost, I wanted Buffalo to win since they deserved it IMO because of their points and record. Though its not gonna happen lol :P

Regular season points don't mean a damn thing. The difference between regular season and playoff hockey is huge. The NHL record books are loaded with teams that were great in the regular season, but once it comes time for the playoffs they fold under the increased physicality and pressure (Buffalo two years running, Ottawa for the past decade, Detroit for the past few years, and so on). I really think that they should shorten the regular season, as it's just too damn long. But that won't happen because it would severely reduce ticket revenues, and the NHL is unique among major North American leagues in that most of its revenues are from ticket sales.

The Pens will win a cup in the next 3-5 years, guaranteed. And they better do it in that timeframe, because after that with the new CBA all of their hot shit players will be unrestricted free agents free to go wherever they please.

Majority of the players are from other countries (Canada, Russia, Czech and Slovakia), whereas majority of the players in NBA and NFL are American.

I haven't looked at it recently, but for the history of the NHL the vast majority of the players have been Canadian. Prior to the late 80's when Russians started defecting and Europeans started breaking in, the league was 90% Canadian. Even now I'm almost positive that over half of NHL regulars are Canadian. If it was allowed, Canada could field three Olympic teams and each would have a good chance of winning gold. It really is that dominant when it comes to hockey, with Russia a close second. Most other countries have a steep drop off after the top 10-20 players, whereas Canada has 100+ players at any time that could compete at an international level.

Of course, all this is assuming the Sens don't flame out over the next four games. I'm still emotionally scarred and haven't ruled that out.

It's virtually impossible. It has only happened twice in NHL history, the Leafs did it in the 40's I think, and the Islanders in the 70's. Coming back from 3-1 or 2-0 is rare enough, 3-0 is basically a done deal. Who knows, it could still go 6 or 7.

Wow, that was a pathetic game by the Ducks. They better pick it up thursday or they are going to be playing golf and getting tans next week.

Pronger's ass should be suspended for at least a couple games. He and Holmstrom were beaking at each other just prior to the hit, and he intentionally drove Holmstrom's face into the glass in the hit. It was premeditated and dirty as hell.

[EmpireF4i]

Originally Posted by Eomer

Pronger's ass should be suspended for at least a couple games. He and Holmstrom were beaking at each other just prior to the hit, and he intentionally drove Holmstrom's face into the glass in the hit. It was premeditated and dirty as hell.

It was a high hit, but it was only that bad because his helmet was knocked off right before the hit happend. Weird that they called the penalty on Neidermayer though. No one got injured too bad so theres no need to suspend anyone.

[Eomer]

Yeah, I guess they figured it was Neidermayer that did the damaged, but the replays clearly show Pronger driving his left elbow into the back of Holmstrom's head. I don't know if 13 stiches is "not hurt too bad", but the fact is he could have broken every bone in his face and/or his neck with that hit. Surprised he didn't get concussed. And again, it was premeditated, he was trying to bury Holmstrom for something that happened earlier in the game (running over the goalie, no doubt).

Probably nothing will come of it, but something should. The NHL needs to stop this bullshit of guys going head hunting.

[EmpireF4i]

The initial call was boarding, but are they going to make every boarding call a 5 minute major then? They didnt review the Alfredson hit that happened a few games ago, but now they review Pronger for something he wasnt even penalized for in the game? Such BS. If he were still playing for Edmonton they wouldnt have reviewed it at all.

The NHL might as well say they are going to forfeit for the Ducks next 2 games and just let Detroit advance when you suspend someone like that in the playoffs.

They should suspend the officials for making the wrong call then too.

[Usha Starchild]

Go Canucks go! Ah well, always next year.

I hope the wings stomp the the shit outa the ducks just cuz im bitter. Then I want Ottawa to fart in the wings beer cans and bang their wives while embarasssing the wings 4-0

[DeLLyz]

Gogo Detroit!!!!!!!!!

Hasek is the main man for sure.

[Eomer]

The initial call was boarding, but are they going to make every boarding call a 5 minute major then? They didnt review the Alfredson hit that happened a few games ago, but now they review Pronger for something he wasnt even penalized for in the game? Such BS. If he were still playing for Edmonton they wouldnt have reviewed it at all.

The NHL might as well say they are going to forfeit for the Ducks next 2 games and just let Detroit advance when you suspend someone like that in the playoffs.

They should suspend the officials for making the wrong call then too.

Any play can be reviewed by the league office after the game. Even if there is no penalty on the play, a player can be suspended afterwards. I haven't seen the Alfredson hit, but from what I've heard and read it wasn't all that bad. And considering that it wasn't premeditated, nor from a guy known to take liberties, it's probably not deserving of a suspension. Who Pronger is playing for now or before has nothing to do with it, and in fact the NHL has more to lose in suspending him this year than last; they'd love for Anaheim to win the cup so it might actually make the front page of the sports section there, whereas a team like Edmonton winning the cup is "bad" for the league because the fans here aren't going to get any more fanatical.

As far as a suspension "forfeiting" the series for the Ducks, that's tough shit. If you lay a hit like that (and premeditated, no less, also in a game that was out of reach with frustration boiling over), in my opinion, you should be suspended. Such a hit could seriously injure or even kill someone, and it's a big shock Holmstrom didn't get concussed. In fact it's likely he did and he's playing through the symptoms and the team's keeping it quiet.

As far as the officials go, I can't say I blame them. Hockey is probably one of the most difficult sports to ref in due to the rules and pace of play. They're not going to get every single call right every time.

But after all that, I doubt he'll be suspended. And it's a shame. The NHL desperately needs to clean up it's act in terms of blows to the head. I'm tired of hearing about guys retiring because their brains are mush because it's a "clean" hit for Scott Stevens to plow a bulletproof shoulder plate into their face, so long as they touched the puck. Shea Weber learned the hard way that that shit is not acceptable in international play, and was suspended three games at the World Championship a few weeks back. And that's what the NHL needs to be doing.

Bob McKenzie has a good take on it: TSN : TSN¿TALENT - Canada's Sports Leader

[EmpireF4i]

Well I dont know what got into the Ducks last night, but they actually played well enough to beat the Wings. It was an awesome game and the loudest Ive ever heard the Honda Center/Pond get.

Even without Pronger and 16 minutes in penalties (which almost 2 minutes of that was 5 on 3) they managed score some goals on Hasek.

[Terawlyn]

Die hard Habs fan. Cheering for Ottawa and Detroit. Altho I also love Buffalo as a team.

Pretty much like Eomer, as long as Ducks lose, I'm happy.

[Moontayle]

Let's see if the Sabres can make up for the embarassment that was the first two games of the series. Oh, and show up for 60 minutes of Hockey insted of 10-30.

[Terawlyn]

Yeah it's time Connelly stops whining about his injury, that Roy and Pominville start crashing the net a bit more and that Briere acts like a captain.

They might win tomorrow, but will most likely lose in Ottawa.

[Moontayle]

Another game with crappy Power Plays and the Sens take advantage. Good game to the Sens. Whoever goes to the Finals from the West is going to have their hands full.

[EmpireF4i]

Whoever goes to the finals from the west is going to win the cup.