Freudian slip? ;)

Another terrible game by Boston so far.These fuckin guys don't show up often.

All this talk about the Coyotes moving back to Winnipeg has got me thinking whether Bettman might use expansion as a way of keeping his franchise in Phoenix (and Atlanta in a couple of years when that gets to be an issue)

Honestly I think of all the major sports hockey is the most conducive. For a start, a team is 25-30 guys with at least 22 or 23 of those guys contributing on a regular night. The average skill level of a third.fourth liner in the NHL isn't that much higher than the skill level of the average AHL first liner and many teams have exciting young players in the AHL who they bring up as soon as the rosters expand. And hockey is by far the cheapest game in terms of owning a franchise and paying the players. Compare that to football where the cost of just building a stadium is enormous and injuries are on the rise every year, or baseball where there seem to be very few replacement level guys in AAA, or basketball where it's all about the stars and even 9th or 10th guys on the bench of an average team are pretty much scrubs. Call me crazy but I don't think expanding by another two teams would dilute the league that much. I bet I could build a team of guys in the AHL at the roster expansion this year that wouldn't finish last in the entire NHL.

Just to make it clear I'm not arguing for it - I'd pull those teams out of Phoenix and Atlanta and move them back to a traditional market in a heartbeat. I'm stoked about the possibility of a team in Winnipeg next year. But just trying to think if Bettman is as stubborn as we think he is, and uses future expansion as a way to stave this off - is it really the worst thing ever?

Hard to know. Winnipeg is the NHL equivalent of the NFL's Los Angeles. As long as it's open, it's a weapon in the NHL arsenal against cities reluctant to meet their wishes (granted, the same could be said about Quebec, but the arena's already built in Winnipeg).

Another emotional, physical game (with the end-of-the game "scrum") last night in Buffalo.

I like how the Philly players are whining about the refs today. Hey Richards, don't elbow the guy in face that you clearly saw coming at you.

I'm blaming you.

Dola

In the regular season thread I applauded Ference for being a stand-up guy.

After his salute to the fans after scoring his first playoff goal in something like 3 seasons, I take it back.

Anyone else need me to fire up their teams?

How about the Canucks?

More like the equivalent of Toledo, but that might be considered quibbling.

No kidding eh?

10 GA in 1 1/2 games??

Maybe Ryan Miller should have kicked Carcillo a few more times. Or how about Kaleta opening the bench door so one of your Sabers can knock Zherdev into the bench. Please don't whine (like another Sabers fan) about the end of the game scrum when this BS happened during the game.

I will not argue that Richards deserved a penalty for his actions, but not 5 minutes. Say all you want about the win last night, and you guys won...but you held on for dear life in that third period.

What?

:)

(I do agree with you on that it should of been 2, not 5. But that didn't matter in the end. It just a great performance by Miller.)

Miller played a great game in both Game 1 and Game 4. Sabers did a good job packing it in and blocking shots.

How about the Blackhawks...won last game 7-2 and now up 4-0 on Vancouver in the 2nd.

:)

Lessee, that's 12-2 just for one game and not even half of another? It's still an unlikely proposition for Chicago to come all the way back, but the Canuck fans are probably starting to get a little twitchy at this point.

All I can hear in GM Place is the music of Chelsea Dagger getting louder and louder. I think it's coming out of Luongo's head. I think Vancouver's going to have to win a 6-5 game to close this out.

The Sabres-Flyers game series has been a weird series to me. Each game has a different flavor it, but still with the emotional and physical aspects to it. And Hartnell, Carricollo, and Richards, Timonen (sticking Gerbe in the nuts after the game) certainly have had their moments like our guys. So don't whine about our guys when your guys are just as cheap and dirty.

Wasn't whining. I was laughing at the Flyers' players whining. Both teams have had their share of crappy refs in the series, but Philly certainly had their chances yesterday (Briere 1-on-1).

I do agree that the bandwagon Sabres' fans annoy the crap out of me. You should of heard the local sports radio show the day after Game 3. They were complaining about Miller and how Enroth should start.

Dola...

Vancouver seems lost. What the heck is going on.

Luongo is what's going on. He is a proven playoff failure, doesn't have the mental attributes needed to succeed at that level. He is the classic "great regular season but flops in the playoffs goalie." You can see that the rest of the team has lost confidence in him right now, and something isn't done quickly, they may end up blowing that 3-0 series lead in a big way.

Nice of the Bruins to finally look like they give a damn. Leave it to Michael Ryder and Chris Kelly, two non traditional sources of offense this season, to pick up the slack late in the game. We got ourselves a series now.

Oh shut the fuck up with this bullshit. He's performed at big stages.

I love hockey and the passionate fans. :)

If you're really going to play the "He won a Gold Medal" card, I have two words for you.

Antero Niittymaki.

He didn't need literal home ice to do it, either.

Video: Patrick Kaleta’s open door policy vs. Flyers is dastardly - Puck Daddy - NHL*Blog - Yahoo! Sports

Off-topic, but did I hear today that former MLB pitcher Tom Glavine is in an ownership group to buy the Thrashers?

How long before this becomes a 'History will be made?'




http://youtu.be/1xvNzX_WYgY

I was just merely pointing out that the Flyers players just didn't do this out of the blue...there were cheap shots by Buffalo too.

You are right, Flyers had tons of chances and didn't convert.

The best thing about this is that Ference's excuse was that his glove got stuck like that. He said that with a straight face. So, his middle finger got stuck because of his glove and he was just lifting it up to the Montreal faithful in an effort to... fix it? Show them it was stuck?

Oh, Andrew Ference... I have heard more creative and believable lies from 3 year olds. Just man up and accept it like that kid from Michigan did a few weeks ago.

I imagine you did hear something like that, but it doesn't seem to be quite that intense.

Glavine could invest to keep Thrashers in Atlanta *| ajc.com
“I am not buying the Thrashers,” the Braves pitching great said Thursday.

Glavine said his main interest is in keeping the Thrashers in Atlanta. And he is willing to do whatever he can — perhaps even becoming a partial investor — to help ensure the city does not lose an NHL franchise for a second time.

“I have a huge interest in hockey and the Thrashers,” Glavine said. “I would hate to see them leave. My kids play hockey. It’s a big part of our lives. We want to be able to keep going to games.

“I’m trying to do whatever I can do to keep the team here. Whether that is putting together a group locally or finding someone from outside the area. Any way my involvement will help, I am willing to do it.”
...
“To be perfectly honest, I don’t have the money to buy the team,” Glavine said. “I could be an investor. I could go down that road. I’m not saying I will or I will not.”

Oh okay, I agree that both sides are taking their jabs. Looking forward to tonight.

Is Pronger really coming back tonight? Is he 100%?

He probably thought they'd call 9-1-1 and have him arrested. ;)

Pronger is not 100% and is not playing tonight. Carter is out, there are reports he sprained his MCL and will be out 10-14 days.

This is all part of Bettman's...er I mean Pittsburgh's grand plan. Piece by piece, let the other teams in the East fall apart, then bring Crosby back at 100% health.

Ryan Malone is a wreck in the PIT-TB series. He's been nursing a shoulder injury. He got knocked down in front of the net during game 3, and he was like a turtle on his back, he laid there for what seemed like forever.

Oddly, Pittsburgh has had no inury issues, outside of what they came into the series with. Allow Staal and Talbot each sat out parts of the 3rd period and first OT the other night. Talbot got smacked looking for the puck. Head shot, but legal. Staal went for a hit and ended up head first into the boards.

Gotta agree with Lindy, where was the Flyers' whining when they got 5000 powerplays in earlier games? oh right...

3-0 Sabres after the 1st. Two weak goals that Boucher let in (who got relieved by Leighton), though good effort by the Sabres in working in their end, and a PP goal that Briere took for goalie inference.

Dear Sabres' players,

Quit standing around. Thanks.

Paraphrasing the old football axiom …

If you've got 3 goaltenders, you really don't have 1.

Bobby Ryan just scored a ridiculous goal.

Yeah, Legwand loses his stick, but still :eek:

What the hell, a week ago using the YT embed code was working...

http://youtu.be/btFBv2u8Nfc

DOLA

So, yeah, Pens-Bolts game 6 will be Monday night.

Awful effort.

Just turn on the game (then turning it back off). Yikes.

Wow.

7-0 Tampa? Who does Pittsburgh have in net? Luongo?

Fleury always follows up a terrible game with a good game...Luongo not so much. Although, only 4 of those are Fleury's, 3 more on Johnson.

Pens actually carried the play the first 10 minutes, at least offensively. Couldn't beat Roloson, and the floodgates opened.

DOLA

Comeback is on!

The Buccs went for two. I'm surprised. I wonder if the chart says go for two when you're up 6-2. ..

Clearly this was Rays-Pirates

Caps come out on fire. It would be nice to end this today and not hear about the Habs series anymore.

This is actually better

Also amusing that Marchand had the last laugh...goal and an assist (I think he got an assist on the GWG right?)

Nothing on the GWG, but still had the intial G.

Still funny. I'd imagine Marchand's heard worse.

Aaah. For some reason (announcer misspoke?) I thought he made the pass before the initial shot on the GWG or something. Who knows...it was late at that point and I'd watched a lot of hockey.

Vince Vaughn?

I don't watch much hockey anymore, but I did catch that Bruins/Habs game last night. Freaking awesome. Two unreal saves made by Ryder and Chara. Chara's was a complete fluke, but Ryder's was outstanding. And Thomas had a great save on a 2 on 1 in OT.

.

Richards should have gotten 5 for that hit on Connley. Wouldnt be surprised if he gets suspended.

Luongo not in net for the Canucks. Not even on the bench.

I can't believe he just got a 2 minute minor either. After he called out the refs for us getting away with Mass Murder. Lindy Ruff and Ryan Miller called him and the league out post-game.

Secretly, if we had to lose one guy, it's Connolly. Ruff said Derek Roy is ready to go and will return for game 7. I wish Sekera would be ready for go and allow us to sit Butler.

So Buffalo was whining about the refs ;)

As horrible as Leighton played today, I place the blame on Lavy for playing him. The guy started one game all year and filled in for Boosh in game 5. You can't expect someone who hasn't seen NHL caliber talent to play up to the level needed to win an elimination game. Leighton looked out of place, and he was out of place.

I've adopted the Preds for these playoffs, so congrats to them for their first playoff series win.

I hope you like diving, then, cause you're going to get a lot of it.

That said, for the Ducks, this is about them not bothering to show up for this one far too often. Like getting through the regular season with all their adversity alone was a worthy enough achievement.

Might be Teemu's last ever game. That's how they go out.

Butler? No way - Monty sits well before Butler does. Monty is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode back there with his constant giveaways. That said, Sekera isn't even practicing yet so I expect the status quo on the blueline for game seven.

It's been a good series and I'm really happy with how some of the young guys have performed. Gerbe has been a revelation, as has Gragnani.

DOLA:

And no chance Richards gets suspended. One of the NHL's favourite teams, their captain and a game seven?

I hope the Coyotes move back to Winnipeg and that Teemu goes back. That's my dream of the moment. Because honestly, I didn't even realize they he was still around.

Yeah, they're not pretty. A dude on another board was complaining about them being an ugly trap team. But as a Devils fan, I was weaned on it. ;)

I don't understand Lavy's handling of the goaltenders. Seems like you need to get someone in there and give him confidence.

Butler just seems out of place for me and tends to be a big part of the giving up the goals the last few games. I hate how he doesn't go all the way down to take away the pass on out-number rushes.

I was fine with going with Boucher...but I didn't like Leighton starting at all. He looked shaky the game before. I understand the reasoning having him as backup because Bob is horrible off the bench but after today I am willing to take that chance and just let Leighton sit in the press box.

I did as a Sabres fan, but I agree with you. It didn't make sense to me. Has Lavy been criticized a lot in Philly for his goaltending calls this series?

Given the fact that he waited so long to announce Leighton starting today, he didn't get much flack. Had they lost the game, I am sure he would have taken the brunt of the blame.

Think B will start on Tuesday? I can't wait. It should be a fun game.

If I were to guess...I would say Boucher will start.

The fan reaction would be epic. I still remember when they traded him for Chad kilger and Oleg tverdovsky. I was a kid and was sad about it. I honestly stopped following hockey as close as I had been because of that trade. Complete money move and as a kid I did not understand it.

Yeah, being benched in a series-clinching playoff game must mean he is an uber goalie. His GAA in this playoffs is 3.67, and last year it was 3.22; both with sub .900 save percentages. He would have been great in the '80's though.

He also would have been waiting for his voice to change ;)

Heh, okay, I can see that last. :p

F the part about Teemu going back to the Peg, though!

And look who's in now...3-3 heading to OT.

Schneider looks like he shredded his groin on a PS by Frolik to tie game.

Well that's that then. Tough to get too upset about a first round exit when you lost one of the best goalies in the game (possibly for good) and were 11th in the conference with a few weeks left, but this series was definitely there for the taking.

Difference is the Preds are built for the playoffs (a lot of veteran energy guys, a great defense that goes 6 deep and a Vezina quality goalie, even if he didn't play like it) and the Ducks just aren't. At least one defensive defenseman in the offseason is a must, and then hope that Sbisa and Fowler continue their development, plus Hiller comes back? That could be a pretty decent team.

Oh and take the C away from Getzlaf please. He didn't deserve it this series. Great player but until he learns to stop trying to get himself on Sportscenter and play the game that benefits the team, he's never going to really be a captain. Koivu or Selanne please, with Perry as an A.

Collars getting tight in Vancouver.

7uon6o strikes again. Vancouver going to a game 7. No team that has gone to 7 games in the first round has won the cup in the 16 team format.

LOL @Vancouver, blowing a 3-0 series lead and getting blown out in two of those losses.

Not sure where you got this stat, but without even looking it up and just going off the top of my head, the 1990 Edmonton Oilers went to 7 games against the Jets (and were down 3-1 iirc) in Round 1 and went on to win the cup.

Who know, perhaps they are the only one. But if some stupid commentator came up with the stat, it may be in reference to the current conference format as opposed to the old Smythe/Norris/Adams/Patrick setup. However, that format was still 16 teams.

1990? Probably "new expansion" (post-SJ) era then.

Just looked it up and I can't believe I forgot about Joel Otto's goal and Mike Vernon's save in 1989 when the Flames beat the Canucks in 7 and went on to win the cup.

It turns out the Pens turned the same feat back to back in 1991 and 1992, so that would make 4 consecutive seasons that the cup winner won their opening series in game 7.

The year 1987 was the first year with the 16 team, 7 games/round format. In 1994, the format switched from the old division semi-finals and division finals setup to an open conference format with re-seeding after the opening round, with only the '94 Canucks and '04 Flames having went to the Finals after going 7 games in round one since the switch.

Ok. I officially blame the stupid panicking Shark fans for being idiots about that stat.

Well, he worked the magic pretty well back in '06. Gerber was the starter during the regular season, but illness and flat-out sucking in the first game and much of game two against Montreal led Lavy to put Cam Ward in. Ward then proceeded to win four straight against Montreal, four of five against New Jersey, and then finally ran out of gas in the Buffalo series. With the series on edge, Lavy switched back to Gerber, who then delivered a huge shutout to keep the Canes going, but Gerber went back into the dumps the very next game, Ward came back, and the rest is history.

I'm not saying that's necessarily the equivalent situation here, but Lavy does have a tendency to play hunches with his goalies.

Thanks Kaleta...

Did Carter say something to Hartnell too?

I think the correct stat is no one who has gone 7 games in each of the first two rounds has won the cup.

Back-to-back Game 7s on Tuesday. Fantastic.

I only saw the last 3 minutes of regulation and all of the OT of the Chicago/Vancouver game last night, but Luongo looked like his was fighting every single shot. If the injury to Schneider is as bad as it looked and Luongo starts Game 7, I am not sure of Vancouver's chances. The guy looks to have zero confidence right now. It's crazy to think that Vancouver's biggest weakness going into Game 7 could very well be its $5.3 million a year, Gold Medal winning goalie.

Per NHLN, they are calling the Schneider "injury" cramping, due to dehydration. So, in theory, he could play.

What happens if they start Luongo and lose? Where does that leave them going into next year, with I think 11 year left on his deal?

If they start Schneider and lose, they'll be questioned about not using their gold medal winning goalie.

Anyone think Luongo may be hurt? He has been having trouble catching pucks and has uses his glove as a blocker a few times batting the puck? Could he have a hand issue?

I know the popular belief is that he's a "shitting his pants, non-clutch playoff goalie" but I don't believe that yet. The gold medal thing raised him in my eyes and so I'll believe it's an injury and I don't think the Canucks have to worry about goaltending for the next few years.

I didn't know Briere got divorce. (Not that follow the lives of hockey players.)

I'm surprised they still have Carter and Hartnell on the same team to be honest.

No suspension for Richards.

Tomorrow's game should be intense and old-school (like this series). I hate the wait.

I think Luongo is a good goalie, but the Blackhawks seem to have him figured out. Next year I'd like to see the Canucks not meet the Blackhawks for a couple of rounds to see how that theory plays out.

And yes, you can read into the above statement that I'm already assuming Chicago will win this series.

I am not sure if you can call Luongo a "non-clutch playoff goalie". Overall, his playoff numbers are very similar to his regular season numbers. The last two years, however, his playoff numbers are pretty bad:

09-10: 6-6; 3.23 GAA; .895 Sv%
10-11: 3-3; 3.45 GAA; .888 Sv %

Like Fidatelo mentioned, however, the common factor both this year and last are the Chicago Blackhawks. They are most definitely in his head. Also, unless he really is injured, I think "shitting the bed" is a pretty apt description of his performance in games 4 and 5 of this series.

As for his Olympic Medal being proof that he is a "big game" goalie, I am not so sure. Yes, he came in and righted the ship a bit in the Olympics after Broduer struggled, but I watched pretty much every game Canada played in the Olympics and never felt like he was the reason they won. He was fine, but not stellar.

I think my view on Luongo and Team Canada is similar to how people view Chris Osgood and the Red Wings. So, to analogize, Lurongo was to Team Canada's Gold Medal winning team as Chris Osgood was to the Detroit Red Wings 1998 Stanley Cup.

I am pulling for Vancouver. I would like to see them win, but at this point, against Chicago, I have no faith in Luongo.