PLAYOFF DISCUSSION THREAD

[Stoner]

Any good reason they showed late Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko with three minutes to go in the Bruins-Canes game?!

 

Wow, the crowds have been awesome in these playoffs. Singing along to songs. Standing for much of the game. Amazing. Pure playoff fever. I can't say a Sabre crowd has ever been as jacked as some of these throngs.

[...]

I almost spit out my Jack and Coke reading this. Detroit's D hooks and holds more than New Jersey's and gets called even less. Last year they kept talking about how the Pens couldn't get to loose pucks in front of Detroit's net. When they showed the replays it looked like detroit was using pitchforks holding them back. I won't even get into the goalie interference. They're a good team, but the refs definitely tilt the ice in their favor.

 

Every team in the playoffs are hooking, holding, and cross-checking. It's just how are they using it? If it's tactical, okay, again, everyone is doing it, but if it's vicious, like the Ducks, and even the Pens at times, then it's less than "sporting".

[SwampD]

I know, I'm anti-conspiracy theory, and so this response will be discounted, but: is it anything other than a case of the good team gets the good calls (in ALL sports)? Especially when you cite the series against the darling Pens?

I don't think it's a conspiracy, but that doesn't make it any less real. Certain teams consistently get the calls and others consistently don't.

[...]

I don't think it's a conspiracy, but that doesn't make it any less real. Certain teams consistently get the calls and others consistently don't.

 

Well, we're going to see a lot of that in the Eastern Conference Finals, what with fem Crosby and crew on the ice. I guess I can get behind Cam Ward; he's a helluva goalie. Carolina will at least beat up on the Pens unlike the Caps.

 

I think the West will be the better series overall.

[Eric in Akron]

Ok. I don't like Carolina (2006) and I deeply dislike the Sidney Crosby (Cinderella Crysby) gahgah. So, who to cheer for. Hmmm....

 

The Pens get soooooo much media attention because of Crosby and you know, I would probably like him better if the media didn't cream themselves over him. I mean I don't think he is the best player in the league - he is on a very talented team and he cherry picks like Gretsky. He has great vision but the attention he gets is nauseating.

 

Carolina, a franchise that is in an area that really doesn't support the team like up North but better than most Southern teams. The team consists of some players I can't cheer for but they are executing. They are playing smart hockey as a team. So I guess I will have to pull for them to make it out of the East but to lose to the West.

 

I think I will skip watching the EC Finals games and root for Chicago in the West.

 

Boy I love hockey, but this East match up is not to my liking. Oh well, another year I have to tolerate the asinine comments of talking heads and pull for the underdog.

[SwampD]

Well, we're going to see a lot of that in the Eastern Conference Finals, what with fem Crosby and crew on the ice. I guess I can get behind Cam Ward; he's a helluva goalie. Carolina will at least beat up on the Pens unlike the Caps.

 

I think the West will be the better series overall.

3 of the 4 remaining teams fired their coach during this season.......just sayin'.

 

The 2 teams from the East danced on either side of the 8th spot(sound familiar?) until they fired their coaches....just sayin'.

 

 

 

 

 

Cue Deluca to tell us all how much worse the Sabres would be without Ruff...Blah, blah, blah.

[...]

3 of the 4 remaining teams fired their coach during this season.......just sayin'.

 

The 2 teams from the East danced on either side of the 8th spot(sound familiar?) until they fired their coaches....just sayin'.

 

Yup. I thought the same thing after tonight. Then it occurred to me that the collective team grit and soul for each of the four remaining teams make the Sabres look like a junior college hockey team battling hangovers.

[plenzmd1]

3 of the 4 remaining teams fired their coach during this season.......just sayin'.

 

The 2 teams from the East danced on either side of the 8th spot(sound familiar?) until they fired their coaches....just sayin'.

Cue Deluca to tell us all how much worse the Sabres would be without Ruff...Blah, blah, blah.

 

Thats an amazing stat, although Chicago was so early kinda hard to really consider that a mid season firing.

Man, I hate all these teams. Wanted Jersey to win just cause I know zero Jersey fans. Guess rooting for Pittsburgh from here on out, as all the Piit. fans I know readily admit to being bandwagon fans, and only watching and rooting for the Pens in the playoffs. Least they are stand up fellas in one area LOL

[LabattBlue]

F Carolina and the Johnny come lately Caniacs, I am hopping on the Sabretooth73 bandwagon about hating on Shittsburgh and I am not going to cheer for the skating tomato can to win a Cup. I guess that leaves me with Detroit.

[Eleven]

F Carolina and the Johnny come lately Caniacs, I am hopping on the Sabretooth73 bandwagon about hating on Shittsburgh and I am not going to cheer for the skating tomato can to win a Cup. I guess that leaves me with Detroit.

 

I'm with you on this one, and I'm hoping they do it to Pittsburgh again.

[Buffalo Wings]

F Carolina and the Johnny come lately Caniacs, I am hopping on the Sabretooth73 bandwagon about hating on Shittsburgh and I am not going to cheer for the skating tomato can to win a Cup. I guess that leaves me with Detroit.

:worthy:

 

Of the four conference semis, the only two teams I didn't want to see advance actually did. :sick:

 

I'm not thrilled that the Bruins lost, but I have no sympathy for Boston fans these days.

[wonderbread]

:worthy:

 

Of the four conference semis, the only two teams I didn't want to see advance actually did. :sick:

 

I'm not thrilled that the Bruins lost, but I have no sympathy for Boston fans these days.

 

 

Boston fans are the antithisis of Buffalo fans. I am pulling for Chicago, living in Pittsburgh I have a hard time rooting for the Pens. These yinzers constantly shove Sidney crosby down everyones throats. That and I would love to hear radio personality Mark madden cry about why they didn't win again.

[FearTheReaper]

Well after the Caps,Ducks and B's lost,i have almost no interest in watching the remaining playoff matchups.

 

Detroit vs. Pittsburgh anyone?

[R_Dudley]

Wow forgot I picked clean the 2 upset specials, wish I could do that with money on the line...

Now the second round Hmmmmm,,,,

 

EAST

 

I'm thinking the Canes match up nicely with Boston. I could see another upset here.

And Pgh vs Washington is must see TV. OV and Cindy do not like each other and it should be pretty intense(Although I really would have liked that match up to happen for the ECF , damn those devils holding a lead). Flip a coin.

 

WEST

 

The Chicago Kids really impressed me with how much above their age level they are playing.. Will it last another round though against a sound defensive team like Canucks.... Hmmmm maybe I'm a liking these Hawks..

Anahiem at Detroit,,, Ahh finally a good test for Detroit. They seemed to toy with Columbus and Anaheim will present a much stiffer challenege but barring injury too much experience and offense on that Detroit team to bet against them...

 

Damn, I should have bet it however as soon as I put money on it I'm almost always certain too lose...

 

Finals round should be a good one.

 

I can't believe how much garbage I saw the referee's let go in that Boston/Canes game last night. Sure will be interesting to see if they let all those trips/interference type penalties go in the finals and SC. That will not bode well for the Pens since they just came off a series with Washington who preferred to trade chances more than hits. Curious to see if Canes stay physical or switch back to the up tempo style and trade chances with Pens. More entertaining hockey for sure but if they do then I say they will lose to the more talented Pens in 6, if they keep the physical style(and the Refs let them) they played with Boston then sad to say I think we will see Canes in 6 and in the SC. (Just to be clear I would rather see the Pens from the East than Canes)

 

Now for me Chicago and Detroit will be must see hockey TV. Both teams coming off real physical battles in previous series and both teams can play both physical and very offensive. I expect they will switch styles and tempo's in this series as the situtation/home ice and match ups dictate. I personally think Chi can do a little better than their regular season record against Detroit if the keep allot of the Physical stuff in play. ( They played the regular season more open and offensive skating and lost the season series). So if they play a up tempo Physical game I predict CHI in SC if they fall back to open offensive skating style then I say Detriot wins, either way though I see 7 game series here easy.......

 

And last, the first weekend w/o hockey in a long time.... Go do something with your families all you hockey Crumudgeons...

[Claude_Verret]

Let's go Red Wings! And of course I'm holding my nose and pulling for the Pens in the East. Those fargin' Canes! :censored: Their last four playoff series have all gone seven games and they have won each one. It's absolutely imperative that the Pens take control of this series early and step on the fuggin Canes throats, otherwise I'm quite certain that the Canes will find a way to win once again. One thing is for certain, there will be plenty of Pens fans in the house at the RBC. I didn't see such a big Boston fan presence at the games but with the big Pittsburgh transplant population in the area these games should be like the '06 ECF with about 5-6k opposing fans in attendance.

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

Let's go Red Wings! And of course I'm holding my nose and pulling for the Pens in the East. Those fargin' Canes! :censored: Their last four playoff series have all gone seven games and they have won each one. It's absolutely imperative that the Pens take control of this series early and step on the fuggin Canes throats, otherwise I'm quite certain that the Canes will find a way to win once again. One thing is for certain, there will be plenty of Pens fans in the house at the RBC. I didn't see such a big Boston fan presence at the games but with the big Pittsburgh transplant population in the area these games should be like the '06 ECF with about 5-6k opposing fans in attendance.

I am tempted to buy a Pitt Jersey and go to games. The Canes seeme to keep finding ways to win and Caniac bandwagon is getting fuller they may even sellout early for the games. Lets hope Pitt goes up 2 - 0 before coming to the RBC.

 

I would love to see Blackhawks win however if the canes make it to the cup Detroit is the team I want them playing.

[Stoner]

The Cane-envy is hilarious. Why not be mad at the Sabres for not becoming the Canes? It was all sitting there for them.

 

Heck, the Canes were sitting BEHIND the Sabres when the teams met in Buffalo sometime around Game 60 IIRC. I remember there was talk about the Sabres "putting away" the Canes.

[Claude_Verret]

I am tempted to buy a Pitt Jersey and go to games. The Canes seeme to keep finding ways to win and Caniac bandwagon is getting fuller they may even sellout early for the games. Lets hope Pitt goes up 2 - 0 before coming to the RBC.

 

I would love to see Blackhawks win however if the canes make it to the cup Detroit is the team I want them playing.

 

Game 3 is Saturday in Carolina. This bodes well for a huge Pittsburgh fan presence at the game. Dare I say there could be a repeat of the 2006 game one raping and pillaging?! I hope the RBC folks won't be handing out 2008-2009 commemorative pint glasses to all fans for this game. <_< The bandwagon is out of control here. Why can't this fargin' Canes team get presented with some playoff adversity for once? You know like a goal going in through the side of the net and counting, or have Crosby scoring a goal in OT while Malkin is tackling Ward and the refs letting it stand...or having three or four of their key players go down in successive games? Since I hate them so much and I live here I watch Canes games with almost as much scrutinty as Sabres games and I have to tell you that in the end things just always seem to go their way. I'm not saying they are lucky this year, they certainly deserve to be where they are with their play in these playoffs, but why oh why can't the hockey gods stick these guys with some real honest to goodness Buffalo style playoff adversity just once?

.

[Claude_Verret]

The Cane-envy is hilarious. Why not be mad at the Sabres for not becoming the Canes? It was all sitting there for them.

 

Heck, the Canes were sitting BEHIND the Sabres when the teams met in Buffalo sometime around Game 60 IIRC. I remember there was talk about the Sabres "putting away" the Canes.

 

It ain't envy. As I have said before I don't hate the Canes team per se, it's their fans and organization that make me despise them. Also, I said in my previous post they deserve to be where they are with their play this year so the Sabres certainly would be better off if they made shrewd moves like Rutherford and played with as much passion. Just attend a game at the RBC and you'll see what we mean, they will be really easy to dislike after that experience..

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

CV I agree with both of your posts above. Its not Canes envy but major dislike of the fan base. Up till 2006 I had a canes jersey and went to many games. But the bandwagon got out of control and the BS they spewed was too much to take. I love the moves they made in getting Cole back and firing Lav, I was surprised Maurice has been effective but than again if the GM is making moves to help the team maybe the coach isn't all that important after all.

 

Cam Ward is now 4 - 0 in games 7's.

[Guest]

Well I just keep picking losers. I was hoping for Wash, Vancouver or Anaheim. Gone, gone and gone. The only team I wouldn't mind seeing win now is Chicago. I should now expect them to lose in 4 or 5 games.

 

I'm just happy that Boston got beat at home. Nothing I despise more than Boston fans. Hope the Celtics are next. :chris:

[Eleven]

Ah, nah, anahther Bahstahn team lahst a game seven at home!

 

But naht hahckey, this time.

[shrader]

I'm not thrilled that the Bruins lost, but I have no sympathy for Boston fans these days.

 

Watching workers remove the Bruins and Celtics playoff banners from the outside of the arena this morning was a beautiful sight.

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

go Pitt go!!!

[Stoner]

Fleury fantastic.

 

Satan sizzling. Another of the core Darcy stupidly let go. We could still have him, and Drury, Briere, Dumont, Grier, McKee, Campbell. Who else?