omg.....B's down 3 games to 1. 
Nhl:08-09
- Thread starter Tribec
- Start date
Is Cam Ward stealing the games or what's happening there? Wouldn't have thought Carolina to pose such a big problem for Boston, but the unpredictability is also the beauty of playoff hockey I guess.
They got the split in Boston, I figured this would be their downfall had it occured... looks like Carolina might just be the favorite to win the Cup as of right now, their equipped to beat anyone.
I probably wasn't giving them enough credit. I know they have some great players like Ward, Staal and old timer Brind'Amour but I can't say I've seen them play much this year. Boston on the other hand I had down as one of the best, if not the best team in the league.
Really hope the Ducks can take out the Wings. Get sick of Detroit buying cup after cup. Wings fans continue to deny that they are in fact the Yankees of the NHL (buying up players and wins).
Rooting for the Pens in the East. Ducks/Pens would be a nice series. Love that Crosby. Kid is a beast.
Rooting for the Pens in the East. Ducks/Pens would be a nice series. Love that Crosby. Kid is a beast.
It just goes to show, along with the Ducks series, thats any one of the 16 teams that qualify can just get hot at the right time, and all of a sudden the seedings and what rink you play in doesn't matter... If I was a betting man i'd have my money down on a Ducks-Hurricanes final, but who would have even considered the thought as April turned?
How exactly do you buy the cup "year after year" when there's a salary cap and last years title was the Wings first in 5 years?The way that franchise is run is perfection at it's finest: Loyal players and long-term lucrative contracts, as well as short term fills and great trades. The Red Wings are in no way, shape, or form the "Yankees" of hockey, it's impossible to make such a comparison.
Although i'm not a fan of the wings by any stretch, I respect a strongly run franchise when I see one.
Detroit don't really buy their cups. They are a very well run organisation who built their success through great drafting first and foremost.
Yeah yeah, I have a soft spot for them. I've tried to fight it, but with all those great Swedes they find in the 7th round who they then turn into superstars. Resistance is futile. Also I like the loyalty they show to their players. They are just a very classy organisation.
she's got a nice pair on her
I agree with a lot of that but I don't see Anaheim winning against Detroit. Hiller played like crap in the last game and Detroit were back to their dominating selves. We'll see.
They just started playing right now btw.
The way that franchise is run is perfection at it's finest: Loyal players and long-term lucrative contracts, as well as short term fills and great trades. The Red Wings are in no way, shape, or form the "Yankees" of hockey, it's impossible to make such a comparison.
Although i'm not a fan of the wings by any stretch, I respect a strongly run franchise when I see one.
The Wings routinely outspend all other teams (save the NYR going on a spending spree here or there). They've also won 4 Cups since 1997 about the time they started spending far more than most. This cap didn't come about until three years ago so spare me that ridiculous excuse.
They can't outspend the others now, but they're still at the top of the league. Before you could try and argue that they bought cups, but to say that now is ridiculous. It's like saying the Patriots buy their Super Bowl rings in the NFL. Both teams are just fantastically run franchises which draft extraordinarily well and make players want to play for them.
This.
It comes down to the players you have on your team... when you can win a cup and upgrade with a "I'm going to take a paycut to win a Cup" Marian Hossa, you know you're doing something right.
What they do perfect is sign players to long-term deals, and keep tabs on guys who have been in the organization for years.
Some would say it's sneaky, and that there must be some perks the Wings give to these players... but I look at the guys who stick with this team to win championships, not for the financial aspect of the game, and I applaud the Wings for building such a strong foundation and including vetrens, young players, and the likes.
Franzen is the best and most recent example, because instead of signing him to a short, 2 or 3 year deal with millions, they sign him to a decade long deal at a smaller price, with a decreasing salary full of incentives and such... taking less out of the cap and leaving room for felxability and signing guys LIKE a Hossa who want to play and win a cup.
I mean, Zetterburg, Datsuyk, Franzen, Hossa, Lindstrom... 5 A-level players all on the same team, for the sake of winning a cup and taking a paycut... that's brilliance by the managment and staff.
This is turning into a bit of a love fest, but I got to say that they are just brilliant at scouting and developing players. I mean look at a guy like Jonathan Ericsson. He's drafted as the last pick of his draft class (Round 9, #291 overall) when he was playing as forward in the Swedish third division. He spends a couple of years at Detroits AHL affiliate Grand Rapids and is transformed into a defenceman. And after just a few appearances in the NHL, when Rafalski and Lilja get's injured he get's the chance to play on the top line in the Stanley Cup playoffs and is looking amazing out there. His development is crazy really and Detroit has obviously got a huge hand in that.
And just look where they found some of these players:
Henrik Zetterberg (round 7, #210), Pavel Datsyuk (round 6, #171), Niklas Lidström (round 3, #53), Johan Franzén (round 3, #53), Tomas Holmström (round 10, #257)
As for the games last night, do you guys think it's possible for Boston to turn it around? They looked very good last night. Anaheim on the other hand look really tired right now, especially Getzlaf. The game yesterday was really one sided, nothing like the close first couple of games which is a bit of a shame.
And just look where they found some of these players:
Henrik Zetterberg (round 7, #210), Pavel Datsyuk (round 6, #171), Niklas Lidström (round 3, #53), Johan Franzén (round 3, #53), Tomas Holmström (round 10, #257)
As for the games last night, do you guys think it's possible for Boston to turn it around? They looked very good last night. Anaheim on the other hand look really tired right now, especially Getzlaf. The game yesterday was really one sided, nothing like the close first couple of games which is a bit of a shame.
B's had their backs to the wall and played a pretty good game. there was still too much helter-skelter skating at times but much better than the last three games. maybe they have a little momentum now. B's in seven?
B's in seven? Canucks out, Luongo almost in tears
B's had their backs to the wall and played a pretty good game. there was still too much helter-skelter skating at times but much better than the last three games. maybe they have a little momentum now.
Tough game 6 man, imagine if the Celtics went to a game 7 as well
His D quit on him, that was embarassing in such a tight game.
I feel bad for goalies like him and Lundqvist who are so fantastic, but are without good enough surrounding players. We've seen what Lundqvist can do with a good group of players (see Sweden's gold medal) and I'm sure Luongo could do the same.
Anyway, these Blackhawks are mightily impressive. 7 goals on one of the best goalies in the NHL, bad defense or not, is quite impressive. I'm hoping they make the Finals and go on to win it if only just because I'll get to see their exciting brand of hockey a bit longer.
Tough game 6 man, imagine if the Celtics went to a game 7 as well
His D quit on him, that was embarassing in such a tight game.
His defense didn't give him much help. Especially Öhlund and Mitchell, who were really bad. Still, that was a pretty pathetic performance by Luongo in what was arguably the biggest game of his career so far. I too feel bad for him and I think he's amazing and one game won't change that fact, but if you're going to be the one to replace Marty as the best goalie in the world, you have to be able to raise your game when it counts.
I'm not complaining at all though. The two games last night were incredibly entertaining. How can you not love the Blackhawks? With all those young stars, it's like watching United back in the nineties
. Almost anyway. Detroit - Chicago would (will?) be a very interesting WCF.Wow, sod the hockey, I'd go just to see that little lass sing the national anthem again! Took the place down
Good grief the standard of video officiating is dire. That Boston goal was clearly fine after one quick replay, we've been waiting for minutes while they piss about looking at it over and over
they took their time about it. B's have come out on fire. 2-0 lead but as i type this they're running around in they're own end which makes me nervous. that's when they give up goals. if they keep up this pace neither team will have legs at the end. now the Bruins look like they're on the power play and it's 5 on 5.
Go B's!!
The arena is silent... Bruins are gonna nick this series.
Bruins - Penguins and Red Wings - Blackhawks would be nice
Nice to see some many series going to game 7.
I'd like to see Bruins - Caps and Red Wings - Blackhawks.
I'd like to see Bruins - Caps and Red Wings - Blackhawks.
Tuned in to see the final game of Pitts vs Washington, I'd watched all the previous games, this is a bit of a none event in the end though, Washington getting their arses handed to them, 4-0 currently
Absolute
Rape
The poor young Washington Goalie is shook, faced WAY too many shots, reminds me of Vancouver the other night with the poor Defence.
As we speak Staal makes it 5-0, NOW it's game over, hockey in Washington is returning to the back of the fridge.
Rape
The poor young Washington Goalie is shook, faced WAY too many shots, reminds me of Vancouver the other night with the poor Defence.
As we speak Staal makes it 5-0, NOW it's game over, hockey in Washington is returning to the back of the fridge.
Was expecting a better end to a great series.. This is just disappointing.
All the hype and over-analysis and the formula was simple, attack, attack, attack.
Pittsburgh's D haven't had shit to do in terms of garding Fleury.
Pittsburgh's D haven't had shit to do in terms of garding Fleury.
Although I don't really like the Penguins I have to say Crosby has been a beast in these playoffs. It would be interesting to see how they fare against a tough team with a great defense like Boston. Make it happen!
Two very interesting games tonight (or tomorrow morning for some of us)
Two very interesting games tonight (or tomorrow morning for some of us
)I'm hoping for an original 6 final, with either the Hawks or Wings winning. I don't like Boston too much, though I do want them through from the east, and for a change let's see the Hawks make it. It would perhaps show some of the other teams that drafting well and giving youth the chance can be a good thing.
As for the Oilers no news on a new coach, at least with CrackT gone we've got a chance. A chance of making the play-offs next year that is.
As for the Oilers no news on a new coach, at least with CrackT gone we've got a chance. A chance of making the play-offs next year that is.
fecking Ducks choked that one late... they had all the momentum and allowed a shit soft goal.
Hoping the Bruins can pull game 7 out tonight.
Hoping the Bruins can pull game 7 out tonight.
B's and carolina going to sudden-death at 2-2.
Detroit will beat Chicago
Pittsburgh will beat Carolina
Rematch!
Pittsburgh will beat Carolina
Rematch!
Seems pretty likely actually. Looking forward to Detroit - Chicago WCF.
Boston
Pens don't have a chance against Detroit IMO.
Pens/'hawks would be a wide open, goal-fest series.
Pens/'hawks would be a wide open, goal-fest series.