Official 2013-14 Stanley Cup playoff thread

[D.J.]

That time of the year.



Boston- 113 points, clinched #1 seed
Pittsburgh- 103 points, clinched #2 seed
Montreal- 97 points, 3 games remaining
Tampa Bay- 93 points, 4 games remaining
New York- 91 points, 3 games remaining
Detroit- 88 points, 4 games remaining
Philadelphia- 87 points, 5 games remaining
Columbus- 85 points, 5 games remaining


New Jersey- 84 points, 4 games remaining
Toronto- 84 points, 3 games remaining
Washington- 83 points, 4 games remaining
Ottawa- 80 points, 4 games remaining
Carolina- 79 points, 4 games remaining




St. Louis- 111 points, 5 games remaining
Anaheim- 108 points, 5 games remaining
San Jose- 107 points, 4 games remaining
Colorado- 106 points, 5 games remaining
Chicago- 103 points, 4 games remaining
Los Angeles- 96 points, 4 games remaining
Minnesota- 92 points, 4 games remaining
Dallas- 87 points, 5 games remaining


Phoenix- 86 points, 4 games remaining
Nashville- 79 points, 5 games remaining
Vancouver- 79 points, 5 games remaining

[D.J.]

Playoff matchups are set:


Boston vs Detroit
Tampa Bay vs Montreal
Pittsburgh vs Columbus
New York vs Philadelphia

Anaheim vs Dallas
San Jose vs Los Angeles
Colorado vs Minnesota
St. Louis vs Chicago

[Styles p]

rangers series is gonna be tough for the flyers, they haven't won in MSG in over 3 years... i wish we played the penguins we're like 9-1 in their new building.

[Done_And_Done]

Why not post anything Stanley Cup when there is a thread here?

But yeah, nice win for Habs tonight! :cheers:


No like :(

I smell a sweep though. They'll need that rest in their next round war with either of Boston or Det

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Datsyuk is a Hockey God. :bowdown:

Can't find a proper link to display it on this forum, but it's worth looking at: http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/849021560.gif?1397872282

[Done_And_Done]

Scooped up big points last night in pool with the Colorado trio. Mckinnon skates in 2 measures, fast and stupid fast. He, Landeskog, and Staz put on a show last night. Should be interesting to see if they can carry this momentum onto the road...

Rangers down 1 with just over 6 minutes to go...

[D.J.]

Matt Cooke never fails to amaze me. :facepalm

[becken]

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bl6godjCMAEVV71.jpg

Swaggy P keeping it busy. :oldlol:
:cheers: :cheers:

[Derka]

Unbelievable, this Pittsburgh/Columbus series. Four games in and the team that gets a two-goal lead has blown that lead in all four games.

I f*cking LOVE the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

[Done_And_Done]

Unbelievable, this Pittsburgh/Columbus series. Four games in and the team that gets a two-goal lead has blown that lead in all four games.

I f*cking LOVE the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ya man. There is just no quit in CBJ. That team has so much moxy...

[Done_And_Done]

And just like that Chicago squares up the series with a win in OT. Kane with the nifty snipe to end it...

[Done_And_Done]

Matt Cooke never fails to amaze me. :facepalm

7 games for the goon.

I believe Barrie is expected to be sidelined for 4 weeks...

[Derka]

Wings playing this game with that scary-ass air of desperation and the Bruins are *not* playing their game at all out there.

[Derka]

Brad Marchand is f*cking drunk or something. Two wide open nets he's just flat out missed tonight. :facepalm

[EricGordon23]

My L.a Kings are going to comeback and win this series 4 in a row...

Homerism baby!

[D.J.]

7 games for the goon.

I believe Barrie is expected to be sidelined for 4 weeks...


4-6 is what they're calling. Even if it's only 4, that's the Conference Finals.

[Done_And_Done]

Blackhawks came all the way from 2-0 series trailing to win the series 4-2 against the Blue.

Ducks came all the way from 2-0 game 6 trailing to win the game and series 5-4 in an OT.

:applause: :rockon:

Miller's confidence completely went to shit. That goal Sharp slid past him was just awful. The Hawks should also have little problem rolling thoguh either Minny or the Avs in the next round. I'm hoping Colorado takes it though...

And when the heck is Duschene coming back?

[Done_And_Done]

My boy Selanne coming through with 2 big points!

Hope LA beats the Sharks tonight to extend the series to 7. I want these teams to beat the shit outta each other.

[BurningHammer]

BJackets :applause:

Unfortunately, Pens are just too much.

[Done_And_Done]

Huge night for the league. Can't remember the last time we saw three game 7's play out in one night...

[mr.big35]

Hockey is not fun without the red wings/

[Derka]

It is my desire to see the blood of Montreal Canadiens coating the walls of the Garden tomorrow night. Festoon North Station with their innards.

This is the match-up Bruins fans thirst for, win or lose. I speak for all of us when I say we well and truly *hate* the Montreal Canadiens.

:cheers:

[Done_And_Done]

Simmonds. :applause: :applause: :applause:

Coming through big time with the hatty!

[Done_And_Done]

It is my desire to see the blood of Montreal Canadiens coating the walls of the Garden tomorrow night. Festoon North Station with their innards.

This is the match-up Bruins fans thirst for, win or lose. I speak for all of us when I say we well and truly *hate* the Montreal Canadiens.

:cheers:

As a Toronto fan, it perturbs me when I see fellow Leaf heads rooting for the Habs on the sole basis of them being a Canadian city. I seriously hope you guys decimate them. For one reason or another though, MTL has always been a tough out for your B's. Im predicting a Bruins series win in 6 games...

[Derka]

As a Toronto fan, it perturbs me when I see fellow Leaf heads rooting for the Habs on the sole basis of them being a Canadian city. I seriously hope you guys decimate them. For one reason or another though, MTL has always been a tough out for your B's. Im predicting a Bruins series win in 6 games...
If it wasn't the B's, I'd be rooting for the Leafs or Flyers, two franchises I respect the hell out of. That series with the Leafs last year was epic. It was funny watching all the homers here in Boston eat a ton of crow regarding Phil Kessel. He didn't fit with Claude Julien-style hockey, but the guy's talent is undeniable.

They are usually a tough out...they're fast and highly-skilled, which is always a problem for us. A big part of it is psychological: the constant flopping, the constant whining to the refs, the constant cheap-shots and then not stepping up to pay the price for said cheap-shots...its the way that franchise has *always* operated...that stuff gets in our guys' heads and they play right into it at key moments by doing something stupid and getting caught. 5v5, Montreal doesn't stand a chance...and they know that. So they do everything they possibly can to get on the power play as often as possible, where they can do damage. And what's worse...those French-fried fans of theirs are 100% on board with that kind of hockey. I love the city and the people have generally been terrific when I've been there...but on the subject of hockey, they are just incorrigible and terrible.

It'll be the same formula this time around: the first few games will be pretty even and then eventually the Bruins' punishing, physical play will wear the Canadiens down. They can't take the hits. Eventually, the Bruins pound you into the boards so much that you just stop wanting to get hit by Game 5...you rush passes while the Bruins are establishing the forecheck and do everything you can to stay away from their top 6 defenders. Tuukka will have to melt down completely for us to lose this series.

[mr.big35]

As a Toronto fan, it perturbs me when I see fellow Leaf heads rooting for the Habs on the sole basis of them being a Canadian city. I seriously hope you guys decimate them. For one reason or another though, MTL has always been a tough out for your B's. Im predicting a Bruins series win in 6 games...

Why havent maple leafs won since 1967.

[D.J.]

Ugh San Jose :facepalm

[bballnoob1192]

:bowdown: :bowdown: backdoor sweep. my nikka kings :bowdown: :bowdown:

[D.J.]

San Jose Shoke


It's amazing how many times they've choked in the last 10 years. Since 2004, they've lost with home ice against the following:


2004- Calgary
2006- Edmonton(blew 2-0 lead)
2008- Dallas
2009- Anaheim(#1 seed)
2010- Chicago(swept)
2014- Los Angeles(blew 3-0 lead)

[KyleKong]

Avs Cinderella season :cry:

[MMM]

All the teams I was rooting for lost in game 7. :(

Heck all the teams I rooted for in the first round except my Habs lost in the first round.

Sharks :(

I really want Joe Thornton to win the Cup one of these years.

[D.J.]

The Habs are Boston's kryptonite.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

First Strike. :pimp:

http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/e2n6el.gif

[cos88]

worst
sport
ever

[Done_And_Done]

First Strike. :pimp:

http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/e2n6el.gif

Total meltdown today.

Karma to my friends who support MTL that razzed us for the collosal 3ed period collapse last year.

[Done_And_Done]

Why havent maple leafs won since 1967.

Pretty much what Kaiteng said.

Prior to the salary cap era the Leafs should have been the Yankees of hockey but refused to ever break the bank. Rather then bringing in top notch free agents, we would perpetually surround our best players with aging former stars who were beyond there prime. For instance, Sundin was our go to guy for over a decade and the best player they ever signed to play with him was a seasoned Alex Mogilny who was still effective but nothing to lose your mind over.

Don't even get me started on the Harold Ballard era which was characterized by underspending.

[D.J.]

Pretty much what Kaiteng said.

Prior to the salary cap era the Leafs should have been the Yankees of hockey but refused to ever break the bank. Rather then bringing in top notch free agents, we would perpetually surround our best players with aging former stars who were beyond there prime. For instance, Sundin was our go to guy for over a decade and the best player they ever signed to play with him was a seasoned Alex Mogilny who was still effective but nothing to lose your mind over.

Don't even get me started on the Harold Ballard era which was characterized by underspending.


Prior to Pat Quinn taking over, they were pretty bad. For awhile, the only decent players after Sundin were Dave Andreychuk and Doug Gilmour. Hell even some of their d-men were more reliable and efficient offensively than the wingers.

Starting from 1999 on, they had decent players:


1999
Steve Thomas(28G-45A=73 P, +26)
Sergei Berezin(36G-23A=59P, +16)
Derek King(24G-28A=52P, +15)
Mike Johnson(20G-24A=44P, +13)
Steve Sullivan(20G-20A=40P, +12)


2000
Steve Thomas(26G-37A=63P, +1)
Jonas Hoglund(29G-27A=56P, -2)
Igor Korolev(20G-26A=46P, +12)
Yanic Perreault(18G-27A=45P, +3)
Sergei Berezin(26G-13A=39P, +8)


2001
Gary Roberts(29G-24A=53P, +16)
Yanic Perreault(24G-28A=52P, even)
Sergei Berezin(22G-28A=50P, +2)
Jonas Hoglund(23G-26A=49P, +1)


2002
Darcy Tucker(24G-39A=63P, +24)
Alex Mogilny(24G-33A= 57P, +1)
Mikael Renberg(14G-38A=52P, +11)
Rob Reichel(20G-31A=51P, +7)
Gary Roberts(21G-27A=48P, -4)


2003
Alex Mogilny(33G-46A=79P, +4)
8 other players with 10-16 goals


2004
Joe Nieuwendyk(22G-28A=50P, +7)
Gary Roberts(28G-20A=48P, +9)
Owen Nolan(19G-29A=48P, +4)


Mogilny probably was the best player after Sundin, but let's not act like Sundin didn't have any help once Pat Quinn stepped in. The Leafs were a very deep team and also very physical. They had a 5-6 year stretch where they could've went far and came up short every time. 1999, lost in the ECF with home ice. 2000, lost with home ice against the Devils. 2002, lost in the ECF with home ice. They were Ottawa's kryptonite for the longest time.

[Maniak]

:(

pretty good back and forth OT. both teams had great chances.

[bballnoob1192]

my nikka kings winning on the road like usual

[Maniak]

my nikka kings winning on the road like usual
its barely the road.

[D.J.]

my nikka kings winning on the road like usual


Road? It's less than an hour away. :oldlol:

[Done_And_Done]

Prior to Pat Quinn taking over, they were pretty bad. For awhile, the only decent players after Sundin were Dave Andreychuk and Doug Gilmour. Hell even some of their d-men were more reliable and efficient offensively than the wingers.

Starting from 1999 on, they had decent players:


1999
Steve Thomas(28G-45A=73 P, +26)
Sergei Berezin(36G-23A=59P, +16)
Derek King(24G-28A=52P, +15)
Mike Johnson(20G-24A=44P, +13)
Steve Sullivan(20G-20A=40P, +12)


2000
Steve Thomas(26G-37A=63P, +1)
Jonas Hoglund(29G-27A=56P, -2)
Igor Korolev(20G-26A=46P, +12)
Yanic Perreault(18G-27A=45P, +3)
Sergei Berezin(26G-13A=39P, +8)


2001
Gary Roberts(29G-24A=53P, +16)
Yanic Perreault(24G-28A=52P, even)
Sergei Berezin(22G-28A=50P, +2)
Jonas Hoglund(23G-26A=49P, +1)


2002
Darcy Tucker(24G-39A=63P, +24)
Alex Mogilny(24G-33A= 57P, +1)
Mikael Renberg(14G-38A=52P, +11)
Rob Reichel(20G-31A=51P, +7)
Gary Roberts(21G-27A=48P, -4)


2003
Alex Mogilny(33G-46A=79P, +4)
8 other players with 10-16 goals


2004
Joe Nieuwendyk(22G-28A=50P, +7)
Gary Roberts(28G-20A=48P, +9)
Owen Nolan(19G-29A=48P, +4)


Mogilny probably was the best player after Sundin, but let's not act like Sundin didn't have any help once Pat Quinn stepped in. The Leafs were a very deep team and also very physical. They had a 5-6 year stretch where they could've went far and came up short every time. 1999, lost in the ECF with home ice. 2000, lost with home ice against the Devils. 2002, lost in the ECF with home ice. They were Ottawa's kryptonite for the longest time.

I agree, but during those years where we were spanking the Sens and advancing to the ECF we were a good team but by no means a great time. The fact of the matter is, Pat was never given the green light to spend freely. Sundin should have been dressed with legit snipers, not the Jonas Hoglunds of the world. There's no guarantees, but had they invested properly opposed to being frugal, then 67 could very well have been supplanted by an 02 cup win...

[D.J.]

4-2 win for Le Canadien.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

4-2 win for Les Canadiens.

Fixed that for ya. :cheers:

[Derka]

B's did not come to play tonight and they still had chances. Gotta make 'em count. Good win for the Habs, even though f*ck those guys.

[Done_And_Done]

If it wasn't the B's, I'd be rooting for the Leafs or Flyers, two franchises I respect the hell out of. That series with the Leafs last year was epic. It was funny watching all the homers here in Boston eat a ton of crow regarding Phil Kessel. He didn't fit with Claude Julien-style hockey, but the guy's talent is undeniable.

They are usually a tough out...they're fast and highly-skilled, which is always a problem for us. A big part of it is psychological: the constant flopping, the constant whining to the refs, the constant cheap-shots and then not stepping up to pay the price for said cheap-shots...its the way that franchise has *always* operated...that stuff gets in our guys' heads and they play right into it at key moments by doing something stupid and getting caught. 5v5, Montreal doesn't stand a chance...and they know that. So they do everything they possibly can to get on the power play as often as possible, where they can do damage. And what's worse...those French-fried fans of theirs are 100% on board with that kind of hockey. I love the city and the people have generally been terrific when I've been there...but on the subject of hockey, they are just incorrigible and terrible.

It'll be the same formula this time around: the first few games will be pretty even and then eventually the Bruins' punishing, physical play will wear the Canadiens down. They can't take the hits. Eventually, the Bruins pound you into the boards so much that you just stop wanting to get hit by Game 5...you rush passes while the Bruins are establishing the forecheck and do everything you can to stay away from their top 6 defenders. Tuukka will have to melt down completely for us to lose this series.

Missed this post Derk :cheers:

Despite tonight's loss I still see Montreal eventually hitting a wall in this series. Game 5 is gunna be a monster...

[D.J.]

Habs against Boston:


2002
Game 1 @ Boston- win
Game 2 @ Boston- loss
Game 3 @ Montreal- win
Game 4 @ Montreal- loss
Game 5 @ Boston- win
Game 6 @ Montreal- win


2014
Game 1 @ Boston- win
Game 2 @ Boston- loss
Game 3 @ Montreal- win
Game 4 @ Montreal- loss
Game 5 @ Boston- ???
Game 6 @ Montreal- ???


Possible pattern?

[MMM]

tough loss for the Habs but if they remain consistent with their approach i like their chances in the long run. Seems like the Habs defense is giving up lower quality chances than they gave up in games 1 and 2. Carey is still in the zone and will probably continue to make the right reads. The top line needs to get going though.

[D.J.]

Habs up 3-0 through 2. But let's not forget game 4 against Carolina in '02.

[Derka]

Pathetic effort from the Bruins tonight. It was clear right from the start that they are perfectly content to go to Game 7 at home, and I can't stand it. :mad:

[ROCSteady]

PIT won't lose Game 7 so I just want whoever will beat them to win between MTL-BOS

[brandonislegend]

Go Ducks!

[BurningHammer]

Sid missed another one. :(

[NuggetsFan]

Haven't watched much since the Avs got knocked off by the Wild. Crosby coming up short this year in the playoffs is pretty funny. Hope the Habs beat Boston and go to the cup, really would prefer any team in the East to win it.

[D.J.]

I'll be really surprised if Bylsma still has a job in a month.

[Derka]

F*cking Bartkowski...these young defenders have been puck watching all f*cking series and it continues to cost us.

[ballinhun8]

Is there any duo Kore clutch HSN Toews and Kane??

[Derka]

Halfway through this game and I'm still waiting for the Boston Bruins to show up. Disgusted. Losing this series...this would be an all-time choke.

[EricGordon23]

Halfway through this game and I'm still waiting for the Boston Bruins to show up. Disgusted. Losing this series...this would be an all-time choke.

This montreal team is good not a choke at all. Bruins were definitely favoured but thats the great thing about the NHL anything can happen

[Derka]

This montreal team is good not a choke at all. Bruins were definitely favoured but thats the great thing about the NHL anything can happen

Dude, this is 100% a choke and I don't say that to take anything away from Montreal, as much as I hate their guts. Montreal has always given us fits because that's the way this match-up goes...but the Bruins are clearly the better team and they 100% got out played by a team they should have beaten. Games 6 and 7 were just straight up watching the Bruins piss down their legs.

[IcanzIIravor]

Dude, this is 100% a choke and I don't say that to take anything away from Montreal, as much as I hate their guts. Montreal has always given us fits because that's the way this match-up goes...but the Bruins are clearly the better team, and games 6 and 7 were just straight up watching the Bruins piss down their legs.

They played too damn loose. This is as much a loss due to arrogance and over-confidence as skill by Montreal. Team never played with a sense of urgency. They just expected to win without having that urgency at all times. A humbling experience. I got up early for this damn game. I hate Montreal.

Go Rangers!

:mad:

[EricGordon23]

Im sticking with my prediction L.a Kings vs Montreal with the kings taking the cup

[BasedTom]

**** BOSTON

[ROCSteady]

Penguins . . . NO CUP FOR YOU!!!


Bruins . . . NO CUP FOR YOU!!!

[BoogieWoogieMan]

I was at the Bell Center, while we watched the game from the jumbotron and the final 5 minutes of the game, the place was rocking. My ears are still ringing from it.

Habs! :bowdown:

[christian1923]

I don't know much hockey.

I only become a big ranger fan though cause I use to wok in MSG, I only watch the rangers lol how do we match up against montreal??

Compare it to an NBA match up. Do we have a chance??

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Don't know how to compare the two (in NBA terms), but both teams have great defense and outstanding goaltenders. The series should go to game 6 or 7.

[christian1923]

Don't know how to compare the two (in NBA terms), but both teams have great defense and outstanding goaltenders. The series should go to game 6 or 7.
Hopefully we see a game 7. I like the rangers chance with Henrik.

USA VS CANADA. All of America must be rooting for the rangers right?

[Done_And_Done]

Damn you B's. Had they advanced, I would have been sitting pretty in my pool. You royally f*ucked me in the ass Boston...

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Hopefully we see a game 7. I like the rangers chance with Henrik.

USA VS CANADA. All of America must be rooting for the rangers right?

Er... no. :oldlol:

Since half the Rangers are Canadians and the Habs' captain and leading goal scorer are Americans, I doubt that type of rivalry will occur. There is hardly ever national rivalry in the NHL come to think of it. I'd say its equal to the MLB as the most international sport in North American.

I don't even remember the last time the Rangers and Habs faced off in the playoffs, so this is going to be interesting to see. In the regular season, the Habs normally end up victorious, but the playoffs is a completely different game. We'll see what will happen.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Damn you B's. Had they advanced, I would have been sitting pretty in my pool. You royally f*ucked me in the ass Boston...

Goood. Gooood. Embrace the butt hurt.

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11114/111144181/3807427-emperor-evil-laugh-o.gif

[christian1923]

Er... no. :oldlol:

Since half the Rangers are Canadians and the Habs' captain and leading goal scorer are Americans, I doubt that type of rivalry will occur. There is hardly ever national rivalry in the NHL come to think of it. I'd say its equal to the MLB as the most international sport in North American.

I don't even remember the last time the Rangers and Habs faced off in the playoffs, so this is going to be interesting to see. In the regular season, the Habs normally end up victorious, but the playoffs is a completely different game. We'll see what will happen.
:lol true I just want to create story lines. I should work for ESPN.

NHL should market it as border war, they'll probably get better ratings lol

[Done_And_Done]

Goood. Gooood. Embrace the butt hurt.

http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11114/111144181/3807427-emperor-evil-laugh-o.gif

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh :(

Speaking of butt hurt, it looked as though Lucic and Dale Weiss were gunna throw hands during the post series hand shakes. Apparently Milan said "I'm going to f*ucking kill you next year" before moving on.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/milan-lucic-to-dale-weise-during-handshakes---i-m-going-to--expletive--kill-you-next-year-041130720.html

[Done_And_Done]

I would love to see my boy Teemu see the finals before he absconds into retirement, but my money is on a Habs / Hawks match up...

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh :(

Speaking of butt hurt, it looked as though Lucic and Dale Weiss were gunna throw hands during the post series hand shakes. Apparently Milan said "I'm going to f*ucking kill you next year" before moving on.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/milan-lucic-to-dale-weise-during-handshakes---i-m-going-to--expletive--kill-you-next-year-041130720.html

Yeah, I saw that on my facebook feed earlier.

I really don't understand Lucic. He's big, talented and a monster on the ice, yet he's the biggest bitcher on the Bruins. If he really wanted to hurt the Habs, score a goal like he's capable to do. He turned into an ineffective goon this series.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

:lol true I just want to create story lines. I should work for ESPN.

NHL should market it as border war, they'll probably get better ratings lol

Yeah, that storyline is right up their alley. :oldlol:

The NHL is a bit too classy for that. If they wanted to make a border war, the Habs vs Bruins would have been a perfect opportunity. But with so many Canadians playing for every team (even Boston), it just doesn't make sense.

[MMM]

Er... no. :oldlol:

Since half the Rangers are Canadians and the Habs' captain and leading goal scorer are Americans, I doubt that type of rivalry will occur. There is hardly ever national rivalry in the NHL come to think of it. I'd say its equal to the MLB as the most international sport in North American.

I don't even remember the last time the Rangers and Habs faced off in the playoffs, so this is going to be interesting to see. In the regular season, the Habs normally end up victorious, but the playoffs is a completely different game. We'll see what will happen.

96 i think the Rangers beat us in 5 or 6 in the first round not sure if they've met other than that series to be honest. Would think they did since they are original teams

Like the Habs chances but wont underestimate the Rangers. Surprised that Beniot Puollot is doing things for them though

[D.J.]

96 i think the Rangers beat us in 5 or 6 in the first round not sure if they've met other than that series to be honest. Would think they did since they are original teams

Like the Habs chances but wont underestimate the Rangers. Surprised that Beniot Puollot is doing things for them though


Yeah it was '96. The Rangers won in 6 after losing games 1 and 2 at home. It was immediately following the Habs leaving the Montreal Forum for the Molson Centre. They also met in the '86 ECF where Montreal won.

[Derka]

So Pens kicked both of their head coach and GM out of the bus at the same time a day after they are out of the playoff.
Bylsma, for some truly insane reason, hasn't been fired yet.

[D.J.]

Bylsma, for some truly insane reason, hasn't been fired yet.


He should've been out a year ago. Coaches have been canned for much less.

[Done_And_Done]

Likewise.

If Shiro gets the boot I see no reason why Bylsma shouldn't either. Shiro is actually less to blame in this equation, with seeing as how he's manufactured a cup contender virtually every year since the lockout of 03 (regardless of being ultra fortunate in past drafts)

[MMM]

Yeah it was '96. The Rangers won in 6 after losing games 1 and 2 at home. It was immediately following the Habs leaving the Montreal Forum for the Molson Centre. They also met in the '86 ECF where Montreal won.

Those 90's Hab teams had some solid scorers never fully realized how much the habs have lacked in a top scorer over the years. Until this season that is

[D.J.]

Those 90's Hab teams had some solid scorers never fully realized how much the habs have lacked in a top scorer over the years. Until this season that is


Those 90s players were good, but they also underachieved and peaked elsewhere:


Mark Recchi- arrived coming off multiple 40+ goal seasons, never scored more than 32 in a Habs uniform. Traded after having scored just 12 goals in 61 games and scored 20+ goals in 7 consecutive seasons.

Andrei Kovalenko- very next season after leaving Montreal, 32 goals.

Pierre Turgeon- traded after having scored 1 goal in 11 games. Scored 134 goals the next 5 years.

John LeClair- traded 9 games into the lockout season. Finished the season in Philly 25 goals-24 ass-sts = 49 points in 37 games. The next 5 seasons he scored 51 goals, 50, 51, 43 and 40.


The weakest Habs team(playoff team anyway) was in '02. After Yanic Perreault, the leading scorer had just 44 points(Richard Zednik). After the top line, no one had more than 15 goals. Theodore deserved every bit of that Hart trophy.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

http://static4.fjcdn.com/comments/3986128+_0e29a0446d96d138e7f1b06aa63261cf.jpg

[EricGordon23]

I actually wiped my eyes just to see if that score was right

[Sarcastic]

Yeah, that storyline is right up their alley. :oldlol:

The NHL is a bit too classy for that. If they wanted to make a border war, the Habs vs Bruins would have been a perfect opportunity. But with so many Canadians playing for every team (even Boston), it just doesn't make sense.


The sport that freely allows fighting is too classy for a marketing scheme? :rolleyes:

[BoogieWoogieMan]

The sport that freely allows fighting is too classy for a marketing scheme? :rolleyes:

Not this shit again. :oldlol:

The game at times can be barbaric, but the league has always marketed the sport in a professional manner.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

At the end, it is just 1-0 Rangers series lead.

Keep your spirits up, Habs and their fans! :cheers:

Hard to do that when Price is out for the series. :cry:


In Budaj We Trust!

[Derka]

Of course Price gets hurt in the series after the Bruins are out.

OF COURSE.

[BurningHammer]

Habs will lose Price for the whole series, and they are now trailing Rangers 0-2. :(

[Done_And_Done]

I don't think they stand a chance without him. Literally changes everything...

[Done_And_Done]

Hard to do that when Price is out for the series. :cry:


In Budaj We Trust!

I think Therrien is gunna ride Tokarski through the series and just hope to catch some lighting in a bottle.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

I think Therrien is gunna ride Tokarski through the series and just hope to catch some lighting in a bottle.

Yeah, I wrote that post before I knew about his decision. Budaj plays horrible at home, so I wasn't surprised about the change up. Even though the first two goals Tokarski let in were horrible, he really stepped up after that and played a solid game (he had no chance on that top shelf rocket by St. Louis).

I still feel the Habs are the better team, but Lundqvist is another story. :(

[D.J.]

I think Therrien is gunna ride Tokarski through the series and just hope to catch some lighting in a bottle.


That's about all he can do at this point. Outside of the Nash goal and given the circumstances, Tokarski really didn't play bad at all. But how much can you expect from a kid who only started 7 games in his career prior to Monday? It's a lot of pressure to put on him but that's why you're supposed to have solid backups. Calling Budaj a backup is a stretch and Tokarski is really a third string.

Ultimately, Montreal isn't winning more than 1 game in this series.

[BurningHammer]

Some 3rd string goalie named Tokarski just helped Habs win game 3 in OT.

The last few minutes in the 3rd was crazy also. Habs got supposedly winning goal through an own goal, only to concede one under a minute left through the same way.

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Some 3rd string goalie named Tokarski just helped Habs win game 3 in OT.

The last few minutes in the 3rd was crazy also. Habs got supposedly winning goal through an own goal, only to concede one under a minute left through the same way.



Tokarski led the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL to the 2008 Memorial Cup, Canada's national junior championship, and was named the top goaltender and most valuable player of the tournament. Tokarski then backstopped Team Canada to their fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In 2012, he won the AHL's Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals.

Not bad for a 3rd stringer. :oldlol:

[D.J.]

Carcillo gone for 10 games.

[Done_And_Done]

Tough break for the Habs last night. That Galchenyuk crossbar miss was inches away from being a goal. I can't see New York dropping 3 straight to these guys without CP (mind you, Tokarski has been surprisingly solid)

[BoogieWoogieMan]

I ain't giving up hope!

http://tiniertim.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Do-You-Believe-in-Miracles.jpg

[Done_And_Done]

I ain't giving up hope!

http://tiniertim.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Do-You-Believe-in-Miracles.jpg

You're taking this thing to at least 6 games mes amis. It's not over...

[BurningHammer]

Congrats, NY Rangers :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[Done_And_Done]

F

[ROCSteady]

Good for Lundqvist. Always nice when a team can compliment an elite goaltender with enough support to reach the round of Lord Stanley.

I see them falling vs the West teams either way

[christian1923]

My boys did it :bowdown: :bowdown:

To much momentum to lose now :bowdown:

[BoogieWoogieMan]

[QUOTE=Done_And_Done]F

[Bernkastel]

I didn't know ISH had a hockey community. No more updating in game threads.


http://i.minus.com/i7G3glONqdO7f.gif

The swat that saves the Rangers

I was going crazy when that didn't go in. It was such a great comeback after game five.

[Done_And_Done]

Vanek disappeared after facing the Big Bad Bruins. Playing rough against him took him out of his zone. An amazing talent, but very weak minded.




I agree. Even if the Habs made it to the Finals, Hawks or Kings just appear too good. Those teams are wickedly good. But like I said, these are the playoffs, anything can happen.

Agreed. He gives up on plays, loses pucks against the boards, and sporadically disappears for multiple games. Typical gifted Euro forward, who has a the talent in the world but lacks heart and work ethic.

[MMM]

Vanek disappeared after facing the Big Bad Bruins. Playing rough against him took him out of his zone. An amazing talent, but very weak minded.




I agree. Even if the Habs made it to the Finals, Hawks or Kings just appear too good. Those teams are wickedly good. But like I said, these are the playoffs, anything can happen.

Vanek wasn't very good in the Bruins series as well and most of the playoffs. However, he wasn't the only top producer that struggled. Mtl had issues generating offensive pressure 5 vs. 5 other. Consistency was an issue as well other than the Ellar line.

As for potential finals i think they would have had a better chance all though the other teams seem deeper and have more experience. I don't think many people gave them a shot vs. Boston but they do have a familiarity with Boston that they don't with who ever won the West.

[Bernkastel]

Chicago is going to take this to seven games at this rate. Hopefully they can pad the lead.

[EricGordon23]

L.a Get it done!!!!

[ROCSteady]

Kane!

[D-Rose]

GO HAWKS!!! I want dat game 7 at home.

[EricGordon23]

L.a ending every series with a game 7 nothing new. L.A kings still taking this.

[D-Rose]

L.a ending every series with a game 7 nothing new. L.A kings still taking this.
Meh. Defending champions on home ice with the momentum. I'll stick with the Hawks.

[ROCSteady]

Either way Kane single handedly showed his elite offensive abilities with an amazing pass and assist to tie the game and then a wrister that got through and fooled a screened Quick to keep his team's hopes to defend the Cup alive.

Kane was very impressive in times of stress and consequence

[franchise#3]

How good are the Rangers this year?

[EricGordon23]

How good are the Rangers this year?

Not good enough to win the cup. They had a pretty easy road to the cup as well.

[Done_And_Done]

Not good enough to win the cup. They had a pretty easy road to the cup as well.

I wouldn't say they had it easy. Sure, when you line them up against the path the King's took it appears that way but you can make that argument for any team in the East that makes it to the cup. The fact of the matter is, the West plays a bigger, stronger, hard hitting brand of hockey where the elite teams are quite frankly better.

New York beat some pretty damn good teams though and were as good as done against the Penguins until they completely turned it around. Philly and Montreal were definitely no pushovers either.

[franchise#3]

Let's go Kings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Done_And_Done]

L.a ending every series with a game 7 nothing new. L.A kings still taking this.

I think they were the first team in history to ever win 3 game 7's on route to the cup

[EricGordon23]

I think they were the first team in history to ever win 3 game 7's on route to the cup


Yeah Its been a pretty sweet ride for actual fans of L.a theres too many bandwagoners now.

L.a kings arguably had the hardest road to the cup ever. Rangers beat a phili team that wasn't expected to do much at all. A penguins team that had huge chemistry issues since at some point in the year a huge asset was injured at all times. Montreal gassed out. Congrats to NY but they would be a 2nd round team in the west if that

[Sarcastic]

1-0 blue.

[EricGordon23]

Carter to Clifford for LA.

2-1 now.

3 goals in like 3 minutes of play. I thought there wasn't much scoring in hockey? :oldlol:

-------

2-2 almost midway in 2nd INT.

Ny can't handle L.a's size

[Derka]

Kinda sucks that the Stanely Cup Final won't live up to that amazing Western Conference Final series. Good game though!

[BoogieWoogieMan]

Doughty! :applause:

[EricGordon23]

Kinda sucks that the Stanely Cup Final won't live up to that amazing Western Conference Final series. Good game though!

Luckily for us I see both L.a kings and the chicago blackhawks making it to the conference finals to face each other for at least the next 3 years

[EricGordon23]

Holy that cut!

Gaborik and kopitar's chemistry I hope they resign gaborik this year

[christian1923]

Krieder is gonna win this one for the rangers in OT

[KevinNYC]

****

[BoogieWoogieMan]

JW! Another one of my fantasy boys. :banana:

[Done_And_Done]

JW has a clutch gene like no other. He makes popping OT winners seem routine.

[EricGordon23]

L.a kings baby here comes the sweep! we did it again folks

[Styles p]

flyers west about to sweep those shitty rangers:applause:

[TexasBloodMoney]

I wish I started watching hockey earlier. It's so fun :banana:

[BurningHammer]

http://i.minus.com/iLuzcdymA6TGZ.gif

It was this close for Kings to catch Rangers up for an extra time and potential sweep.

Lundqvist is the man in elimination games yet again! :rockon: :rockon: :rockon:

[Derka]

Pia Toscano could most certainly get the D.

[EricGordon23]

Pia Toscano could most certainly get the D.


Hell yeah buddy

[Derka]

OT #2 on the way. Amazing game.

[9erempiree]

California is such a badass hockey state. Best in the nation.

[BasedTom]

California is such a badass hockey state. Best in the nation.
I laughed.

[Derka]

California is such a badass hockey state. Best in the nation.

Yeah and the US is a mecca for cricket while we're at it.

[imdaman99]

Well, that's that.

NY stays ringless since the NY Giants won.

[9erempiree]

Kings!

Should have been 3peat.

[KG215]

That's about as close as a 5 game series can get.

[Done_And_Done]

Thatta boy Brownie. Hoist that cup...

[Done_And_Done]

That Gaborik pickup proved to be such a difference maker throughout the playoffs.

[ThePhantomCreep]

Since opening in 1999, Staples has added a championship banner nearly every other year.

[Done_And_Done]

Since opening in 1999, Staples has added a championship banner nearly every other year.

A mix of adept management and a very attractive destination = recipe for success

[EricGordon23]

That Gaborik pickup proved to be such a difference maker throughout the playoffs.

And they have enough cap to resign him I hope he stays healthy for the whole year though next season

[kurple]

Well, that's that.

NY stays ringless since the NY Giants won.
not a hockey fan, but how has zucca's season been? will he play in NY next season?

[BoogieWoogieMan]

not a hockey fan, but how has zucca's season been? will he play in NY next season?

He should. He was one of the Rangers top offensive weapon during the season and he's still pretty young. He didn't come through huge in the playoffs like he did in the season, but that's the growing pains you have to deal with a youngster.


My boy Justin Williams taking home the Conn Smythe :applause: