I can....much weirder things have happend in the playoffs......It wouldnt be that big of an upset.....Sure we are beaten up, injured, and facing tough odds, but whats new....its always like that in the playoffs......

Anyway, Leafs/Habs, Red Wings/Avs, and a Leafs/Red Wings final is what all hockey fans should be hoping for......

GO LEAFS GO!!!!

Detroit vs Calgary: Detroit in 6
Colorado vs San Jose: Colorado in 5
Toronto vs Philadelphia: Toronto in 5
Montreal vs Tamba Bay: Montreal in 7

(all same pics as the Blue Belgian...just different lengths)

Damn...Sach and HB are drunk...Leafs in 6 :)

I hope you guys are right.

In other new...The can gets tied to Jaques Martin today....i think they'd be better off canning Muckler....Is it not him who wanted to keep Lalime instead of getting a first rate keeper?Was it not him that traded for Bondra who no showed in the play-offs?

I don't get it:(

Muckler has been living off his oiler years too long.

bbor -- We do have Al Strachan going for us. He picked the Flyers in 5, and I'm not sure there exists a professional hockey pundit who has been more pathologically wrong about anything and everything than Strachan. :)

The fan in me obviously thinks the Leafs have a chance to win, however hard it will be, but the realist in me says Philly in 6 or 7.

Strachen is a knob eh?

I think the only person picking the Leafs is Stormin Norman Rumack:)

And myself, Sachmo, and Draft Dodger. It's a Detroit/Dallas/Colorado convergence. The powers of the West have spoken! We have to be right!

Agreed

Yes.

Wow, it sure didn't take Jacques long to find a new job!

I think the Belfour will keep the Leafs alive. He's older now, but he looks like he did in '99. Without him, the Stars don't have that cup. With him, the Leafs *can* have the cup.

Dola...

Leetch will prove to be the difference in this series, also.

Belfour has been playing ala Roy of 93,that is scary good.

Sach...Leetch struggles in the Ottawa series....i don'tknow why but he had a hard time against them.

I hope he turns it around this series.

HB:A Leaf/Wings final would be great too....if only for the trash talk that would goon here:)

I knew there was a reason why I posted I was scared of the flames.

Oh, and Belfour looks like his old self again. Good to see old friends.

Yep. I knew Detroit was going to lose halfway through the 2nd period. I told my wife that this is the exact kind of game they dominate for 1 or 2 periods, don't take advantage of it, and end up losing.

It's only one game...plus, my spirits are up a bit since I'm watching the Avs/Sharks game.

Man, San Jose finally gets a game on TV, and I don't get to watch it. They absolutely hammered the Avs, and by the end of the game, there were FOUR Av penalties in effect. Anyone want to fill me in on why the Avs looked like crap?

I didn't know how much of an asshole Bob Boughner was. The shot to the back of the head of Cheechoo (though not that hard) with 3 seconds left was uncalled for. Why in the hell do you do that with 3 seconds left? There was just a group of fights (where barnaby got pasted...thank god) that could have given your team some attitude for the next game. Yet, Boughner just has to be a tough guy and a dumbass.

I don't get it.

Don't get too far ahead of yourself. ;)

Leaf game goes as expected...although the Flyers did'nt look as good as i thought they would.

With Sundin back this could be a series.

Sami Kapenen as a D-man? interesting...he did get star of the game though.

Exactly. When the shots were like 19-4 and it was 0-0, you could tell things were not going the way they should...

that's the Avs - they are notorious for reserving their "A" game for top opponents, and not coming in prepared for those oponents perceived to be on the food chain. (this is why many Avs fans wanted them to play Dallas instead of Calgary).

they came out "so-so", the Sharks got those 2 quick goals in the first period (one that was a defensive meltdown, and one that Aebischer should have easily stopped), and then they completely melted down. After that, they played an all-around terrible game - offense, defense, and goaltending. They got completely unravelled. The only guy on the ice doing anything was Svatos.

sounds terrible, but this is generally a good thing for the Avs - usually, they bounce back strongly from a bad performance like this. that said, this is a strong-looking Sharks team - none of the softness I thought I'd see from them.

Go Flames!! Whoot!

I'm completely dumbfounded as to how someone on the Avs could do that. That was just a terribly stupid and thuggish thing to do; other than the result, I don't see how that's much different than what Bertuzzi did...

Did you miss the Claude Lemieux era?

PISS OFF, Mr. Bitterman!

I'm not bitter, Blue! I like the Flames, and since I hate all of the remaining West teams, I have to cheer for them.

They'd be a great story if they were playing someone else.

Ok, you can like the Flames. This is acceptable. But hate all the remaining West teams? I can see hating the Avs. They are pure evil, Forces of Darkness, etc, etc. I can see hating the Sharks, they like to hurt Mike Modano and other Stars players with some frequency. But the Wings?? Where's the love for the Wings?? You LOVE Brett Hull. Remember the illegal Cup winning goal against Buffalo? Those were good times! And Hatcher! Your former Captain? You remember him! You remember good, ole Hatch! Then there's Yzerman, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Shanahan, Zetterberg, Draper, and the rest of the guys EVERYBODY likes and you basically love half the players right there. See. It makes perfect sense! Come into the fold... It's warm, cozy, and nice! Klayman's here. And he LOVES it.

"I'll never join you!"


It's sad really. Stars fans hate Detroit. Detroit fans could give two figs about Dallas. Sort of like Edmonton is to Dallas.

Nah, don't worry, Sach. I hate Dallas well enough. ;) I don't like Modano, I don't like Hatcher (I hated him back in his Stars days), never liked Hitchcock, any of them.

I lived in Dallas for a while and I have a lot of friends there. One of which is the producer for the Stars TV broadcasts. He travels around with the team all season long. Cool job. Most of my friends in Dallas are actually Wings fans. I got to 'em before the Stars moved there. So, you'd have a support group!

You are friends with Buc Spivey?!?!? I love that guys name!

Dave Hodge picked the Leafs to win the cup, apparently the first time he's every picked them in his broadcasting career.

Why was the Joe Louis so quiet? It sounded like a regular season game. Do you guys not start cheering until the Conference Finals? ;)

It sure must be nice watching all that skill. It makes it really hard to punish the Wings physically. Calgary seems faster in terms of team speed, but that doesn't really help when they're chasing the puck all over the ice. Cujo made a couple nice saves but the OT goal was fluky. Kiprusoff was the reason we won and Detroit will be more in his face the next game and throughout the series.

We've had our Stanley Cup so most Flames fans are being realistic and thinking anything we get is gravy. The consensus is that it's just a matter of time before the Red Wings explode all over us.

I was on a hiatus then.
but what I meant was how could an Avs player be stupid enough to punch a guy from behind like that, when just a month ago one of their teammates got their neck broken like that.

anyone catch that AMAZING Tommy Salo stat last night? When Salo was entering the game, he was making his 22nd or 23rd playoff appearance. Up until last night, the only postseason opponent he'd faced was the Stars.

Random thoughts from the Flyers/Leafs game:

- I know it's a long playoff season and everyone is going to have a bad game now and then. Still... damn, did the CBC camerman ever have a terrible night.

- OK, the Tomas Kaberle honeymoon is officially over.

- Last night was the perfect example of why the Flyers will be so tough for the Leafs. You hear Leaf fans worry about how physical Philly is and you think we mean hitting and fighting. We're not worried about that. Hell, hit the Leafs as much as you want, it only makes them stronger. But our defence can't handle big guys, and last night was just the latest example.

- Wow, the Flyers outshot the Leafs last night. I guess that means that completely, totally dominated the game! (Sorry, I'm still stuck in the Ottawa series where apparently shots on goal became the only stat that mattered, much more so than, say, goals).

- Go Flames!

- It was good to see the Philly fans taunt Belfour with the old-school "Edddiiieee" chant. That's the way you do it. And Philly fan also knows to wait until after the first goal to do it. Don't Ottawa fans realize how dumb they sound chanting "Beellllfour", especially during a 150 minute shutout streak?

- Speaking of fans, it was strange after a seven-game Sens/Leafs series to see the Leafs play an actual road-game. When the Leafs scored, there weren't thousands of Leaf fans cheering. Weird.

- Why does Philadelphia keep booking their arena for Saturday nights during the NHL playoffs? Yanni? Arena football? Do the arena managers know they have a hockey team?

This is too funny...

Sad as it is, the answer to this question is "Yes." The Wings fans have very high expectations for the team. The first two rounds, hell even the Conference finals perhaps, is all about survival. They are too nervous to cheer. They have seen too many flameouts. Sad, yes. Very sad. They should be happy their team is in the playoffs, but they are not. They are a weird breed those who go the games. I must admit, though I haven't been to a home playoff game at the Joe since 1997, I have rarely gotten more pissed off watching hockey at the Joe than at any other time. The majority of Wings fans bug me to no end. It's sad. Very sad. (Folks around here not included, of course!)

Damn...TB looks strong...or the Habs are tired?

SHARKS!

So happy about this series so far. Can't really imagine it going better, to be honest.

Thank god the wings got their powerplay going. The lidstrom goal (last goal) was a good sign because kippy didn't seem to be screened. Hopefully, this will give them the confidence they need on the PP.

Also, I may be jinxing the subject but who is this Iginla guy everybody keeps talking about? They say he had about 41 goals this season. I saw a guy out there the last two games with the same last name. That must be his brother. ;)

I will watch with interest how Detroit handles the faceoff line changes in Calgary. It's pretty easy to get matchups when you are the first team out on the ice. I susspect that Sutter will make it a point to throw Jerome at the Wings any time he can.

What a goal by Chichoo. Best I have seen in years.

Sharks seem to be more than most people thougt they would be.

Actually, I think it is less about them being nervous than all the 'suits' in the lower bowl spending half the game in the concourse talking business or talking on their cells. Unfortunately, for half the 'fans' there, its just a place to be seen, a status-symbol type thing. Just look at all the empty seats along the ice, its not just in the first couple minutes of a period. We were actually discussing this during the game today, it makes me sick. But I guess I should expect nothing less when the cheapest seats are going for about $85.

for sure.

Avs played better, but it's still not going to cut it. After Marleau's goal (which was just stupid hockey) they fell apart again. Forsberg is trying to do too much.

the Avs need to put a shadow on Marleau. Marleau is killing them right now...

Well, I guess that's to be expected. The SaddleDome was like that for several years. Now the place is absolutely insane and is easily louder and rowdier than when we were cup contenders.

I'm sure he's frustrated as hell and would love to be surrounded with talent like the Wings. Since he's not, he's a marked man and unless OTHER players start scoring to remove the pressure, he'll have to face Maltby all over the ice followed by Lidstrom/Hatcher/Chelios. That's why Sutter called out his linemates at the end of Game 2.

Hatcher/Iginla fight was awesome!

Iginla wassssss pissed.

Sorry, I am just suprised that a player like Maltby has shut him down so far. And no, I don't expect Iginla to remain quiet for the rest of the series.

Maltby is one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. He and Draper have done a number on Iginla through the first two games.

Vancouver chose not to put any particular forward or line up against Iginla, just Ohlund and clearly Iginla won that matchup.

Detroit has either Draper or Maltby on him followed by one of the best defenceman in the game in Lidstrom, followed by the meaness and strength of Hatcher, followed by the meaness and craftiness of Chelios. Schneider is no slouch either and Dandenault has speed to burn. Fisher is the "weakest" of the bunch but he's still very physically strong. I haven't seen him enough to comment on his defensive positioning.

Unless Detroit has to start worrying about other players, and Calgary has not given them any reason to do so, Iginla will be a non-factor in this series.

For some reason, I dont think tonights game is critical for Toronto....win or loose, I still think the Leafs can take the series....Now ofcourse, I dont want to go down 2-0 to a team like Philly, but I think Belfour will play better then he did in game 1...and Im expecting Sundin back soon.....and with all the critism of Kaberle lately, im expecting him to play much better tonight.....I just got a feeling Toronto will take the series.....

GO LEAFS GO!!!!

Who the hell is coaching the Leafs tonight, and what have they done with Pat Quinn?

Aggressive forechecking? Winning one-on-one battles on the boards? Players in front of the Flyers' net? Where has this type of hockey been for the past 6 years?

Geez....now let's see if they can keep it up for longer than 20 minutes.

Esche!!! Esche!!! Esche!!!

Now if they can split up in Toronto, they're well on the way to sending those cheap shot artists home for the season. :D

NEVER!

What is this hockey thing all you guys are talking about?

Good game by Toronto tonight..Esche beat them....but you can see the Leafs confidence growing.

well, so far today I've been booted by my webhost and I found out that the video footage I've secretly been taking of my son for the last few weeks for a Mother's Day present is unuseable. and it's barely noon. I can't say I'm getting good vibes for the Avs game tonight.

Has somebody got a case of the Mondays? :cool:

I hate days like that. I had the same feeling on Thursday when the Wings blew game one versuses the Flames. I had a subpar day at work, poor indoor soccer game, my internet wasn't working on Friday morning (when I wanted to listen to the game). It was bad.

Curse of the deadthings....

Where's Nicky:D

wow...amazing how finding out you are going to have another baby can really turn your day around! :)

Congrats DD

thanks!

(that was a hockey-thread-only announcement, btw - still a little to early to tell the world yet)

Congratulations man :)

Congrats. Now you've told 5 people ;)

SI

Way to go DD. The baby will make up for the Avs not winning the Cup for the next decade :)

the Avs are under some pressure here, because our son was conceived during the Avs last cup run. they need to repeat for consistency's sake.

Don't tell me this DD...it's about time the Sharks got out of the second round.

Congrats DD

GO SHARKS!!!!!!!!! man, they look so good right now, marleau is on fire so far!

GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL!!! Brilliant play by Vinny.

This is a fun last 10 minutes. You know it will be 10 minutes of the Avs crashing the net, trying to keep their season alive and that's just exciting playoff hockey.

SI

man - good game. tough to lose again, of course.

those Sharks are a damn fine team.

Was the crowd mike on the TSN broadcast not working, or were the Avs fan just completely silent during much of the third period?

Too bad for Selanne and Kariya.....they did the right thing with the wrong team.They should have joined gods team(Leafs) :D

The Pepsi Centre was a tomb.

It's going to be pandemonium tomorrow in Calgary. I think I'll be watching the ABC broadcast to get an American perspective on things and the fact I'm loathing listening to Glen Healy. It's like he works for the Red Wings and I'm sick and tired of hearing how he rode the bench in New York to a Stanley Cup ring.

I don't see how. Either way, they're playing golf at the end of the 2nd round :)

LOL

(prick!) :D

I agree. Healy is one of the worst colormen on CBC, although that isn't really saying much. I don't know what CBC executive thought analysis from a journeyman goalkeeper with a lifetime .380 winning percentage and no personality was a good idea, but it is not.

:D

Wow! Congrats, D2!!

Give me your address and I'll send over a tiny little Red Wings jersey for the kid! ;)

Agreed!

With as loud and hyped as the crowd is supposed to be, I would be happy with the Wings splitting the pair in Calgary and getting home ice advantage back. All in all, should be a great couple of games, especially the first period tonight.

Man, that was a boring game last night. And then the only goal is scored off the goalie's back. That like a 1-0 baseball game where the pitcher wild pitches home the only run.

Congrats! Our second one is due within the next 2-3 weeks.

Speaking of home ice advantage... would it seem whiney and unbecoming of me to point out that the Leafs had a better record than Philadelphia, but the Flyers got home-ice advantage due to the NHL's continuing, stubborn insistance on pretending its divisions mean something?

Considering that teams play more games against the teams in their division than they do non-divisional teams, I'd say that the divisions do mean something.

Well, I've always wanted to see a 1-16 tournament. I hate having to play rivals in the first round and then someone like Carolina in the Stanley Cup. Imagine Phil/NJ or Tor/Mon or Det/Col or Cgy/Edm or Chi/Stl etc. for the Stanley Cup.

But of course it will never happen unless I get a customized hockey sim ;)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns

More criticism of Bettman... The plight of the Canadiens under Bettman akin to the Yankees and Expos switching places.... interesting analogy.

But how does it make sense to reward the team with the weakest division by giving them a higher seed? The Leafs had to play in a division with four playoff teams and a fifth that just missed, and still finished with more points than the Flyers, who play in a division with lousy teams like the Pens and Rangers, not to mention the Islanders.

That sentence had too many commas.

Anyway, it never made much sense to me and every year it seems to result in at least one matchup where the "better" team (based on the regular season, at least) is the lower seed. I'd like to see them seed based on standings, or at the very least drop the automatic seeds for division winners after round one.

All of which is sour grapes now, of course, but still...

I heart 1-16 playoff tree:)h

Agreed...though i still think we will be ok in this series....just got a feeling

GO LEAFS GO

My suggestion:

1. Get rid of the division winner automatic seeding. Rank the conferences 1-8.

2. Once the semi-finals are up, rerank the teams 1-4 and match them up that way. That would result in inter-conference matchups some years, but not others.

Like you, I just can't stand the idea of never having a TOR/MON or DET/COL Stanley Cup.

The 1-16 might be really hard in the future because of the new NHL proposal to eliminate inter conference games and move to a 72 game schedule.

Todd

Plus they want to add a couple of teams to the 16 that make the playoffs.

Someone was outside the Red Wing's hotel this morning with a bullhorn, making sure the Wings wouldn't sleep in for tonight's game. :D :D :D

Eesh. I really hope not.

Don't get me wrong. I think a much higher percentage of teams should make the post season. Let's say... 16 out of 24?

You can't be serious. I mean, I love the playoffs, but they're already quite long. And, like the NBA, some teams get in that just aren't that good. Keep it at 8 teams per conference and 16 games to win the cup.

SI

The thinking is that the NHL has expanded all these years, but still the same amount of teams are making the playoffs as before. It used to be just 5 teams that were out of the quest for the cup, and now it is nearly half of the league. Sadly it all boils down to money. The owners don't really care if you or I think the playoffs are too long, they just want the couple of extra million a playoff series would generate.

What I would like to see is more teams added to the playoffs (maybe 1 to 20) but see the season drastically shortened to somewhere around 66-72 games. Plus, I don't feel there is really a need for the first series to be a 7 game one, when 5 would suffice. But that's just me, I'm a radical when it comes to hockey. :)

If the playoffs were ranked 1-16, heres how the matchups would have been:

(1) Detroit vs. (16) Nashville
(2) Tampa Bay vs. (15) New York Islanders
(3) San Jose vs. (14) St. Louis
(4) Boston vs. (13) Montreal
(5) Toronto vs. (12) Calgary
(6) Ottawa vs. (11) Dallas
(7) Vancouver vs. (10) Colorado
(8) Philadelphia vs. (9) New Jersey

I'd like to see no more teams in the playoffs, a reduced schedule and the Stanley Cup has to be finished by May 31st. Going until June 6th as they did one year is just ridiculous. We'd see better quality hockey and fewer injuries I think, if we'd give these guys' bodies a chance to heal.

Hmmm.... Can you imagine a customizable hockey sim ala OOTP6? I think I'd have enough room on my hard drive for EHM:FE and a fictious league...

Poor Montreal...what a heart breaker:(

(salivates)