Hockey Ping!
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Posted on 04/15/2017 9:38:44 AM PDT by Hat-Trick
Thought it well past time to get a 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs discussion thread going, now just 2 games into the 2017 Playoffs.
I'll start by saying that while I'm not a big Pens fan, it is nice watching Phil Kessel skate past Tortorella with a 2-0 series lead. Last nights shenanigans are pretty typical of a Torts-coached team, getting out skated and out worked in most all facets, and then turning the ice into an episode of the Gong Show. Hoping to see Calvert sit for the rest of this series after this little gem: http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/blue-jackets-matt-calvert-loses-temper-delivers-ugly-cheap-shot-to-penguins-player-041517
Also nice to see Mike Yeo giving Blues fans a warm-fuzzy feeling about letting go of Hitchcock a couple of seasons too late.
The speed in the Caps/Leafs series is phenomenal. Game 1 was as good a game as any series-opener I've seen in a long time, and can't wait to watch the rest of this series.
The Oilers/Sharks series has been past my bedtime but looks to be a great one as well, knotted up at one apiece.
I love this time of year.
Requesting that you ping the usual suspects! Many thanks!!
If the Maple Leafs would have lost their last game of the season The TB Lightning would be playing the Caps. I always hate when a team does everything they can but still needs other teams to lose to squeak in the playoffs. Oh well, always next year lol.
Rangers almost made it 2-0 last night. But I will take 1-1
heading back to MSG tomorrow. Although home ice does not seem to mean much to the Rangers.
Having said that, I think Montreal has exposed two serious flaws in New York's game and would have had a good chance of winning even if they went back to NYC down 2-0:
1. The Rangers are awful in front of their own net, and get pushed around even when they outnumber the opposition. I thought they'd be able to overcome this because I didn't think Montreal had enough forwards who could play a gritty style, but after last night's game I'm not so sure about that anymore.
2. Lundqvist has been one of the best goalies in the NHL for a long time, but I suspect even I could score a goal or two against him if I had some good linemates to set me up. He goes down so quickly on every play that I would fire every shot within 6-8 inches of the crossbar. Pittsburgh exposed this badly last year against the Rangers.
The Sharks better hope they don’t get any more power plays. The only goals scored in game two were shorthanded goals by the oilers.
I never saw such inept power plays - San Jose looked pathetic.
Stick side high on King Henrik. Rangers are fast and they have to hit the net more. Canadiens look good. This is going 7 games.
Sharks will choke
Never mind.
Still treasure watching Wayne Gretsky & the Edmonton Oilers with my teenage sons and daughters in the 80’s. Haven’t watched the NHL since then.
Hockey is still more enjoyable than the NBA and NFL but we now prefer MLB.
Maybe it’s because the grandson plays soccer and baseball. No football, basketball or ice-hockey for him.
(let me know if you want on or off the ping list)
To be taken with a grain of salt. The “guilty” team is Putin’s favorite.
I’ve stayed up to watch Edmonton just because I have not had the opportunity to see much of Connor McDavid in an Eastern Conference/East coast market. The kid is phenomenal.
I know it’s impossible to make generational comparisons accurately in the NHL between him, Crosby, Jagr, Lemieux, Gretzky but he’s the real deal in any era. I’ve seen so many greats just by being in Pittsburgh it’s scary.
Anyways no one has mentioned it but the Penguins are scary good so far. Key phrase, so far.
Columbus has no answer for them, Bobrofsky has looked like an ECHL rookie at times in the goals he’s given up.
Say what you want about the trade deadline deals made by the Caps getting Shattenkirk and others but the biggest trade in hindsight was Fleury staying put.
This is going 7 games.
17 seconds I’m crying. But I have to agree with the Devil’s fan that the Rangers are soft in front of their own net. Somebody on the Rangers has to kick Gallagher’s ass. He’s too good to let hang out in front of the net. Even a Devil could score against Henrik after someone crashes into him and breaks his stick.
If the league's biggest dirt bag, Marchand, gets only two games for spearing Dotchin, and then shoving his stick in his face when he's on the ice in pain, Calvert should receive a small fine and be back for game 3. We'll see how much balance and objectivity there is in the NHL.
The Caps looked like hell in the first two periods and were lucky to get the win. The shot by Wilson in OT was about as good as it gets.
With their size and speed, and the fact that they're loaded with cup experience, they should roll over Toronto. Ovechkin had one shot on goal the entire game. I hope the best team in hockey shows up tonight.
Habs are talented and in shape.
Agree with you about Torts. The guy breeds goons. As for Calvert, the Department of Player Safety (/s) gave him a one game suspension. One of the local scribes (Pittsburgh) surmised that next year the league would institute a double minor for total decapitations.
Love this Leafs-Caps game. Go Auston Matthews, Go Leafs Go!
Forgot, Go Preds. 2-0 over Chicago LOL!
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