NHL Thread - 2009-10

[simpsons_fanatic742]

I had the Devils picked to beat the Flyers and my main reason was goaltending. I'm here to admit that I was wrong about Boucher because he outplayed Brodeur this series and that's why the Devils are going home. It just seemed to me that the Devils never got into the groove of the playoffs. You have to credit Philly though, they played the Devils very hard and played excellent hockey to win the series.

Pittsburgh and Ottawa are in an epic contest right now, tied 3-3 with 2 minutes left in the second OT. This has been a fantastic game and every hockey fan should be watching this game.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

well, its official. my devils are out in the first round for the third straight year. i already gave my tirade as to why this year failed so i will not say anymore. but to look on the bright side, it wasnt as disappointing as last year.

theres always next year...

I told ya, boss. Your team does not listen. They do not learn from past mistakes. If you go into next season and ride Brodeur for 75 games again, guess what will happen for the fourth straight year? That's right – first-round exit, regardless of whether you're the 1st or the 8th seed.

If I were you, I'd really hope some drastic changes are made to your head office, most notably the GM position. Lamoriello was a great hockey mind, but at 65 years old, and having held that position for what – 29 years? It's time to go.

 

[People's Champ]

So that's the way the Sharks need to play!

That was a great game last night. The Sharks offense finally came alive and sent Anderson to the bench. Marleau finally scored a goal, two rookies scored, including Couture scoring twice, and Nabby with the shutout.

First, great goaltending from Nabby last night. He streched every which way to block shot shots and keep Colorado from getting in the net, although they hit the post three times with one in the 3rd that almost crossed the line. But Nabby, outside of Game 2, has played beautifully between the pipes. He has really been a big part of the Sharks having the lead in this series. In fact, Game 1 was a off a Shark, Game 3 it was the fluke play. Other than that, I believe Nabby has shed that whole "shrinks in the playoffs" idea. Well, at least for this series.

Now the offense. You knew eventually the Sharks would have to have a burst and it came. Pavelski scored, the rookies Couture and Helmenin had 3 goals between them, and yes Patrick Marleau got in the action. Its hard to think that its taken this long to break through but we will take it. I fully expect this team to take advantage of this, use this momentum to finish th series in Denver. this was a great game all around, a game we Sharks fans having been waiting to see in the playoffs. Yes yes its the first round, but when your team has had trouble getting out of the first round, well every win is exciting.

 

[The People's Peep]

I told ya, boss. Your team does not listen. They do not learn from past mistakes. If you go into next season and ride Brodeur for 75 games again, guess what will happen for the fourth straight year? That's right – first-round exit, regardless of whether you're the 1st or the 8th seed.

If I were you, I'd really hope some drastic changes are made to your head office, most notably the GM position. Lamoriello was a great hockey mind, but at 65 years old, and having held that position for what – 29 years? It's time to go.

Lou isnt the problem. its the coaching. all he needs to do is hire a good coach to get the job done. As for Lou, i am currently studying to get into sports business, so hopefully he can hold it for me for a few years.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

No, Lou is the problem. Brian Rolston, Bobby Holik, Jaques Lemaire, Brendan Shanahan, etc. Where do you think all these ideas came from? A guy desperately trying to extend the decade of dominance he held over the NHL by revitalizing the same veterans who helped him get there in the first place, but to no avail.

Lamoriello is the problem and has been for the last two and a half years. Lemaire is a more direct issue, but I consider him only a byproduct of the real issue here.

Lemaire is the tumor to Lamoriello's cancer. Just because you cut it out doesn't mean the cancer won't come back.

 

[The People's Peep]

No, Lou is the problem. Brian Rolston, Bobby Holik, Jaques Lemaire, Brendan Shanahan, etc. Where do you think all these ideas came from? A guy desperately trying to extend the decade of dominance he held over the NHL by revitalizing the same veterans who helped him get there in the first place, but to no avail.

He didnt bring back these guys to play like they did when they were great. he brought them back because he believed they had a role to play on the team. Rolston came back to play up top on the PP and he did ok. Holik came back for his physical play and he did just that. Shanahan came back to score some goals and he did minimally, but he was mainly back for his veteran presence. Yes, Lou does make mistakes, as does every other GM in any sport. there are plenty of GMs that do a much worse job than Lou.

in other news, the pens and sens series is getting very interesting. i can really see the sens pulling off the upset. one more win in game 6, which is in ottawa, and then game 7 where anything can happen.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Oh, no doubt man, but Lou shares that role now, IMO. Nothing he's done over the last five years outside of perhaps the Kovalchuk trade really tells me otherwise seeing as he's basically played the odds with all his draft choices by picking the best name on the board (not necessarily what his team needs) and especially in his refusal to delve into the free agent market very much in the off-season to fill holes in his club.

Above all else, though there are many worse (like Sather), I just feel he's out of touch with today's game too much to be as effective a GM as he once was. If I'm the Devils, I look at the fact that he hasn't been able to help the club when it matters most as a potential warning sign that his skills are deteriorating.

 

[Mr. TM]

So the Norris awards went out today, and as I was Drew Doughty, I wonder if he becomes the second youngest ever to win it. It would be amazing for him to get it, knowing Bobby Orr, the best ever defender to play hockey.

Keith and Green are the other two to make it. I think I want Green to win it, more on offense than anything. I love a high scoring defense (coming from the Canucks example) and Green can score like few other defenders can get those points. Was shocked when Green didn't make team Canada, so hopefully he can at least have Norris. Just happy Chara isnt getting it.

 

[Mr. TM]

Well, a rout is always a hot topic. It does not happen often in the playoffs, but when it does, you better back it up the next game. Canucks scored 7 goals tonight, 3 in the 3rd itself to not only cause LA to pull Quick, but to pull Ersberg as well. The question will be who will LA put in net on Sunday and who will be able to stop Samuelsson, who has 7 goals in 5 playoff games.

LA was held to only one playoff goal tonight and went 1-5. Good news, as the only line that gave up a powerplay goal were the Sedins.

Fights were abrewing, and lets see how it goes in LA. Canucks were the first team tow in by scoring first, so hopefully they bring that to the Staples Centre.

 

[PsychoBlack]

Well, a rout is always a hot topic. It does not happen often in the playoffs, but when it does, you better back it up the next game. Canucks scored 7 goals tonight, 3 in the 3rd itself to not only cause LA to pull Quick, but to pull Ersberg as well. The question will be who will LA put in net on Sunday and who will be able to stop Samuelsson, who has 7 goals in 5 playoff games.

LA was held to only one playoff goal tonight and went 1-5. Good news, as the only line that gave up a powerplay goal were the Sedins.

Fights were abrewing, and lets see how it goes in LA. Canucks were the first team tow in by scoring first, so hopefully they bring that to the Staples Centre.

that loss was embarassing for the kings. although i think the canucks will win it all i dont think there as good as they played in that game. there was a lack of effort by LA which just makes the games boring to watch. also as you stated samuelsson is a monster in the playoffs and is on a crazy role lets hop he keeps it up

 

[It's Damn Real!]

So the Norris awards went out today, and as I was Drew Doughty, I wonder if he becomes the second youngest ever to win it. It would be amazing for him to get it, knowing Bobby Orr, the best ever defender to play hockey.

Keith and Green are the other two to make it. I think I want Green to win it, more on offense than anything. I love a high scoring defense (coming from the Canucks example) and Green can score like few other defenders can get those points. Was shocked when Green didn't make team Canada, so hopefully he can at least have Norris. Just happy Chara isnt getting it.

I really hate the Norris, because it doesn't differentiate between best offensive defenseman and best defensive defenseman which are all too often two very different things. I'd love to see the trophy split, or a second trophy created. We do give out a trophy to the best defensive foward every year, so why can't we give one out to the best defensive defenseman?

Guys like Anton Volchenkov, Zybnek Michálek, Marc Staal, etc. should be awarded for their stellar abilities.

As for the Norris, Keith should win it, but Green will again since it's nothing more than a points contest. I fucking hate Mike "4th Forward" Green.

 

[People's Champ]

Ok now I can talk about Saturdays game. Very proud, very impressed with the Sharks Saturday night. They nedded to show they are the dominate team and end the series in Denver and they did.

I have to say thank you Yip. After he scored the goal to give the Avs a 2-1 lead, the Sharks woke up. The killer instinct came out and they busted out and score two quick goals to retake the lead. You could see after the goal, from the faceoff on, they were going all out. That's what we were looking for for years now, that killer instinct, that drive to finish off a team. We saw it and I have to say I feel confident in my Sharks that they are ready to excel and continue to move up.

Lastly, I was happy for Dan Boyle. Even tho it was a fluke play, Boyle felt bad. Terrible. He ends up scoring the game tying goal. Feel great for him. Now that weight is lifted off and he can move forward. Also, Nabby had a great series. Besides Game 2, he had a great series between the pipes. He's going to have to continue to elevate his game as we get deeper in the playoffs, but he has been fantastic. And who could forget the "Big Pavelski". Damn what aseries he had. 5 goals and each one seemed bigger than the one before. He's had goals to tie the game, take the lead, win the game for us. He was a huge part of us moving onand can't enough about the top star of this team so far.

Well we have a possibility of not knowing our opponent for 7 days. Good rest tho will help ths team be fresh for the next round. For all those non believers and those who wanted to make the Sharks the butt of jokes, we are here and we are ready.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

You're a lucky man, The People's Peep – Jacques Lemaire has officially retired from coaching your New Jersey Devils as of this morning, but will remain with the organization in some capacity. Can you say "spare me the public firing", much?

The search for a new head coach is on, though I seriously doubt it goes much farther than Lowell head coach Johnny MacLean.

Congrats on freeing yourself of the most boring coach in the history of hockey, though!

 

[The People's Peep]

You're a lucky man, The People's Peep – Jacques Lemaire has officially retired from coaching your New Jersey Devils as of this morning, but will remain with the organization in some capacity. Can you say "spare me the public firing", much?

The search for a new head coach is on, though I seriously doubt it goes much farther than Lowell head coach Johnny MacLean.

Congrats on freeing yourself of the most boring coach in the history of hockey, though!

thank you very much! thanks for the good news. on a serious note, Johnny Mac should fit in perfectly. he was an assistant coach last year with sutter so he isnt a complete rookie, although technically he is. he was an offensive player as he is the second leading scorer in the franchise behind Elias and i think he'll bring that mindset to the bench.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

thank you very much! thanks for the good news. on a serious note, Johnny Mac should fit in perfectly. he was an assistant coach last year with sutter so he isnt a complete rookie, although technically he is. he was an offensive player as he is the second leading scorer in the franchise behind Elias and i think he'll bring that mindset to the bench.

Not to worry one way or another – even if he doesn't work out, you can just fire him four days before you make the playoffs and hire the next coach in line to walk the revolving door the following season, no?

Nah, but seriously, I'd imagine MacLean retains his job for at least a year or two. He's got all the elements he needs on the club to make them a contender, assuming of course the franchise finally learns to curb Brodeur's ego enough to sit him an extra 10 games a year.

Then again... how many records are available on the next tier heading into next season? That'll really factor into just how willing (or unwilling) he is to sit!

 

[hatehabsforever]

Well, the Bruins did it, they proved all of the nay-sayers who said they had no chance at all to win the series, wrong. Rask outplayed Miller and the Bruins outworked the Sabres.

Now here's a dilemma. If Montreal beats Washington, they would face Pittsburgh, leaving Boston with home-ice advantage against the Flyers, who with all due respect would likely be easier opponents than the defending champs. Not necessarily easy, but easier. If Wahington eliminates Montreal, Boston goes on the road against the Penguins.

As my name would suggest, how can you cheer for the Canadiens to advance, even though this would appear to favour the Bruins in the long run?

I can't do it. Go Capitals! And bring on Crosby and the Penguins. I wasn't intimidated by the Sabres, and I think that Boston would be underdogs against the Penguins, but they can pull off another upset in my opinion.

 

[People's Champ]

well we now know who we are facing in the 2nd round- Detroit. I know that they have dominated us in the past with their phyiscal play but I see this series turning out much different. We are a much more ohyiscal team than in years past, and are just a better team all around. Pavelski has taken this team over in the playoffs, so look for him to keep up this great play. I see Nabby and our top line rising to the occasion and finally overcome the Red Wings. Marleau, Thorton, and Heatley can't be kept quiet for much longer. And our 2nd line will prove to be too much to handle for the Wings.

 

[hatehabsforever]

So, any predictions for tonight's decisive Game #7 between Montreal and Washington?

I say Ovechkin is due to break out in a big way, as are several of his teammates. Plus, there's no way Halak can continue his superhuman play from the last two games. Plus it's in Washington and they've played too well all year to lose a game of this magnitude to such an inept team.

The end result? Washington 5, Montreal 1.

And bring on the Penguins in Round #2 against my Bruins.

 

[The People's Peep]

i think that the caps will win. i just dont see them blowing this. However, i hope the habs win. i love watching Gionta (former devil). plus it would be a huge upset and makes the devils losing to the flyers a lot more easier to handle. fun fact: if the caps lose that means that we have one of each seed left. 1. Sharks, 2. hawks, 3. Canucks, 4. Pens, 5. detroit, 6. Boston, 7. flyers, and 8. Habs. i think that would pretty cool. unimportant and irrelevant, but cool.

 

[BooCocky]

So Ovie comes out flat again in a game seven and people still think he is better than Crosby. Sid would have found a way to win that game. Ovies a choke and is nowhere near Sids level when it comes to a complete game. I hate the Canadians but I was a fan for seven games. Now they play the Pens and Sid will once again do something Ovie wasn't capable of. Beating Montreal. Crosby has a good, a eastern conference finals trophy and a cup and yet he's not the best in the world. The haters can fuck off.

The Pens win the series and they have an easier way to the finals. Both teams who we struggled against are eliminated so yeah championship baby!!!

 

[Big Sexy]

So Ovie comes out flat again in a game seven and people still think he is better than Crosby. Sid would have found a way to win that game. Ovies a choke and is nowhere near Sids level when it comes to a complete game.

Lol. Crosby has a cup because the team around him is better. You know what Crosby did last year in the Cup Finals? The BIGGEST series of his career? He had 3 fucking points. 3 points in a seven game series. He had ZERO points in the last three games of that series. His teammates picked up the slack and won that for him.

Ovechkin wasn't bad at all in this series. He had 5 goals and 5 assists. Tonight he took 10 shots and had an assist, the Capitals just ran into a goalie that was playing out of his mind. It happens to the best of them. No one was going to score a lot of goals on Halak the last three games.

Ovechkin is most definitely better then Crosby.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I don't think Ovechkin should be labeled a choker this early in his career especially since the Capitals have been known as choke artists for decades. If this keeps happening for three or more four more years, then maybe you can start to say he can't do it in the clutch but not now. I attribute it to more of the Canadiens winning than the Capitals losing. Halak was a beast the last two games and that goes to show that a hockey playoff series, more than any other sport, can really change due to a hot goalie.

 

[People's Champ]

Lol. Crosby has a cup because the team around him is better. You know what Crosby did last year in the Cup Finals? The BIGGEST series of his career? He had 3 fucking points. 3 points in a seven game series. He had ZERO points in the last three games of that series. His teammates picked up the slack and won that for him.

Ovechkin wasn't bad at all in this series. He had 5 goals and 5 assists. Tonight he took 10 shots and had an assist, the Capitals just ran into a goalie that was playing out of his mind. It happens to the best of them. No one was going to score a lot of goals on Halak the last three games.

Ovechkin is most definitely better then Crosby.

I agree with you, but the problem is this was another game 7 that he and the Caps blew. Hard to imagine the Caps lose to a team that they scored 101 more goals than in th regular season, and a team that they were up 3-1 on. Now in SJ we know a little something about being a top seed and losing in the first round. But for Ovechkin, this was more about him and how he would respond to being in another game 7. While he had an assist, you have to say that in this game he just didn't have it. And in the end that's all that's going to matter to people when they look back on his career so far, he couldn't win the important game when it mattered. Fair or not his rep took a hit.

 

[Big Sexy]

While he had an assist, you have to say that in this game he just didn't have it. And in the end that's all that's going to matter to people when they look back on his career so far, he couldn't win the important game when it mattered. Fair or not his rep took a hit.

He had 10 shots and played his ass off. How did he not have "it?" All he can do is take the shots, if the goalie is playing out of his mind and stopping everything he can't help that. Hockey is the perfect example of a sport where ONE player (goalie) can get hot and win the series for his team no matter how big the talent discrepancy is.

 

[People's Champ]

He had 10 shots and played his ass off. How did he not have "it?" All he can do is take the shots, if the goalie is playing out of his mind and stopping everything he can't help that. Hockey is the perfect example of a sport where ONE player (goalie) can get hot and win the series for his team no matter how big the talent discrepancy is.

While your theory about a goalie may be true, it wasn't in this case. The Caps collapsed. Period. Look at the Detroit-Phoenix series. Bryzgalov played a good series and played great in Game 6. And what happened in Game 7 in Arizona? The lower seeded Detroit won. But did that surprise you? No because Detroit was the better team and everyone knew it and they showed it. They have that it factor. "It" is that ablility to come up in big time, big game situations. The Caps, which includes Ovechkin, are now 1-4 in Game 7s.

The Caps panicked in Game 7 and Montreal took advantage. The Caps blew it tho. They are the first number 1 seed to lose to a 8 seed when up 3-1. A.O and the Caps lost it, and that's because they just don't have "it".