The OFFICIAL Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[Young Drachma]

I don't mind Versus coverage of the NHL playoffs. I'd never seen it until I moved and got digital cable, but..it's not bad. I enjoy it a lot more than I ever did what ESPN was doing. Of course, I watch TV on mute most of the time. So it's hard to say.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Y'know, I'm not entirely sure that Calgary couldn't contend for the Eastern Conference title ... except for the geography part I mean.

[bbor]

Great pace to the Stars/Nucks game....just f'n great f'n hockey!!

Wooohoo

[Pyser]

no matter what happens the rest of this game/series, i think Turco has earned another year. he's hasnt been the stars problem at all this postseason.

also, watched the det/cal game 4. that was a great game. very good tempo, good intensity. glad calgary pulled it out, but they needed two 5 on 3s to do it, which doesnt bode particularly well. that and they cant even skate outside their own building.

[TazFTW]

Finally, the Stars win an OT game in the playoffs.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Too many men on the ice leads to the game-winning PPG. Talk about "Doh!"

[Karim]

Thankfully the effort seems to be back but Calgary is going to have to reinvent itself on the road. I don't know if they can but I can't imagine they'll look as bad as they did in Games 1 and 2.

[Honolulu_Blue]

My thoughts from Games 3-4:

The stories:
Kipper is one story.
Home ice is another story.
The Wings' specialty teams is the other story.

The Wings have gone 2 for 25 on the power play in the series and Calgary are around 25%. All but two of the Flames' goals have been on the power play. The Wings' power play has been off all season. On paper it looks amazing, but in execution it just hasn't. At all. The Flames, on the other hand, have executed excellently.

I hope that the difference between games 1-2 and 3-4 was just home ice. The Wings looked very disorganized out there. I hope that has more to do with Calgary's Jekyll and Hyde persona than the Flames finally figuring out how to slow down the Wings' attack (see, e.g., Edmonton last year). The shots in the first two games were 3-1. In the last two games, while the Wings have out shot Calgary, it's been much closer. Zetterberg doesn't have a point in this series. The top line was completely shutdown in the last two games.

My bigger concern, at the moment, is Hasek. I got nervous yesterday when I heard he didn't skate with the team before the game. Apparently he did the optional skate the day before or something, but it was out of his routine. Then he took that ridiculous penalty against Iginla that led to the Flames' first goal. Then he made some comments after the game. Hasek's a flake. He's been known to flake out in the playoffs before and that always means disaster for his club. While he hasn't been horrible, he hasn't been great. Kipper has out played him and that seems to be getting to him too. It's a concern. Indeed, it's my biggest concern until the Wings lose at home.

I guess, at this point, the Wings are either about where I expected them to be or actually a little better (I had the Flames winning in 6). The Wings' really should have won one of the two games in Calgary, especially with Regehr out of the line-up.

Bertuzzi had a solid game, a goal and an assist. I have to admit, I haven't seen him play a ton over his career, but it's quite enjoyable on some level. Before the playoffs two people hurt themselves just trying to hit him. Players just bounce off him like he was made of stone. He's sort of the flipside of Raffi Torres. Torres seem indestructible when making a hit, while Bertuzzi is indestructible when taking one.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Y'know, I'm not entirely sure that Calgary couldn't contend for the Eastern Conference title ... except for the geography part I mean.

and the having to play half their games on the road part.

amazing to see all those Calgary fans wearing red jerseys. they'd pan to the crowd and 90% of the people had home jerseys on. quite a sight.

I only watched the first two periods, but Hasek didn't look very good out there tonight for much of the game, and he looked downright stupid taking that diving penalty.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

I don't mind Versus coverage of the NHL playoffs. I'd never seen it until I moved and got digital cable, but..it's not bad. I enjoy it a lot more than I ever did what ESPN was doing. Of course, I watch TV on mute most of the time. So it's hard to say.

Versus has improved tremendously since they first started. Not that they could have gotten any worse. I'm not a huge fan of Emerick and I'd pay money not to hear Pierre McGuire pat himself on the back over and over, but the announcing is generally decent enough.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Bertuzzi had a solid game, a goal and an assist. I have to admit, I haven't seen him play a ton over his career, but it's quite enjoyable on some level. Before the playoffs two people hurt themselves just trying to hit him. Players just bounce off him like he was made of stone. He's sort of the flipside of Raffi Torres. Torres seem indestructible when making a hit, while Bertuzzi is indestructible when taking one.

Bertuzzi has really great hands. Couple that with his size and strength and he should be able to score a zillion goals just parked in front of the net like he did on his goal last night.

I didn't realize he was so young - he just turned 32. I thought he was much closer to the end of his career than that.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

...I'm not a huge fan of Emerick...

YOU TAKE THAT BACK!

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

YOU TAKE THAT BACK!

ok. he's definitely a MONSTER

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

Versus has improved tremendously since they first started. Not that they could have gotten any worse. I'm not a huge fan of Emerick and I'd pay money not to hear Pierre McGuire pat himself on the back over and over, but the announcing is generally decent enough.

Emerick isn't my favorite either, but he's much better than Joe Micheletti. Micheletti just uses too many "cutsey" terms for my liking. He should watch a bunch of CBC-covered games and learn to just call a hockey game.

I always liked Gary Thorne. I am a HUGE fan of Dave Strader too. He's been covering some games for VS. He's the play-by-play guy for the Panthers, but he was the Wings' play-by-play guy through the late 80's/early 90's when I really started to get into hockey. He and Mickey Redmond and Bob Cole and Harry Neale will always be the "voices" of hockey to me.

I would pay good money to see someone whack Pierre McGuire or at least spray him with a water bottle.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

ok. he's definitely a MONSTER

DD's the "Man In The Box"!

[Suburban Rhythm]

I'm not one for moral victories...but making the playoffs was a feat for the Pens. Nobody expected them to be this good this fast.

Add a top six wing (or 2) and another two-way defensemen, and this team will be back next year.

Fleury didn't play great, but was left out to dry pretty often.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Emerick isn't my favorite either, but he's much better than Joe Micheletti. Micheletti just uses too many "cutsey" terms for my liking. He should watch a bunch of CBC-covered games and learn to just call a hockey game.

I always liked Gary Thorne. I am a HUGE fan of Dave Strader too. He's been covering some games for VS. He's the play-by-play guy for the Panthers, but he was the Wings' play-by-play guy through the late 80's/early 90's when I really started to get into hockey. He and Mickey Redmond and Bob Cole and Harry Neale will always be the "voices" of hockey to me.

I would pay good money to see someone whack Pierre McGuire or at least spray him with a water bottle.

oh yes, Micheletti is practically unbearable. I too miss Gary Thorne. Jim Hughson (sp?) also needs to be mentioned - he's excellent.

[Dr. Sak]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I would pay good money to see someone whack Pierre McGuire or at least spray him with a water bottle.

I'll chip in some money. I cannot stand when he commentates between the glass. I wish he'd get hit in his bald ass head with a puck. For a color guy I like Eddie Olzeck. I think he has good knowledge of the game, but I do feel bad everytime he does a Pens game because the play by play guy always seems to bring up how he got fired by them last year.

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger View Post
...I'm not a huge fan of Emerick...

Last year my friends and I had a running joke that Doc Emerick wore women's glasses. I'm not sure if he's changed frames from last year but check it out. He has the thick black glasses with a little white around the outside. Then he had the string that keeps them on his head but instead of a string, it looked like they were pearls...too funny.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

oh yes, Micheletti is practically unbearable. I too miss Gary Thorne. Jim Hughson (sp?) also needs to be mentioned - he's excellent.

Hughson is excellent. I really like him. It took me a while to get used to him though because he was the play-by-play voice for a few EA NHL games. His inflection and tone in the EA game is identical to the way he calls an actual game. It was eerie for a while...

If the Wings can survive Calgary and move on against a non-Canadian team, I will definitely be watching CBC (if no HD is available) if I can.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by bsak16

I'll chip in some money. I cannot stand when he commentates between the glass. I wish he'd get hit in his bald ass head with a puck. For a color guy I like Eddie Olzeck. I think he has good knowledge of the game, but I do feel bad everytime he does a Pens game because the play by play guy always seems to bring up how he got fired by them last year.

"Ed, you coached Crosby for the first 20 or 30 games of his career. Did you know he was going to be this good this fast?"

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

amazing to see all those Calgary fans wearing red jerseys. they'd pan to the crowd and 90% of the people had home jerseys on. quite a sight.

Indeed.

The Saddeldome really is impressive. They are a loud, reslient, energetic bunch.

They definitely have an impact on the game. I'm almost positive that at least one call went against the Wings because of the fan reaction. It was a penalty on Scheider (I think, maybe Lang) and the ref didn't raise his arm for a good 4-5 seconds after the "penalty", while the crowd was screaming the entire time.

There was some stat on how many times the Flames were short-handed vs. on the power play at home and away and it was a staggering difference.

[Pyser]

interesting, i actually think emmerick is the best play by play guy ive heard in any sport in a long time. i love the way he calls a game.

the ducks home announcers are quite good, too, i must admit.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Pyser

the ducks home announcers are quite good, too, i must admit.

yes, very good. I'm a big fan of Bryan Hawyard

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

amazing to see all those Calgary fans wearing red jerseys. they'd pan to the crowd and 90% of the people had home jerseys on. quite a sight.

Ottawa tried to do that this year. Didn't work out so well. Let's just say that if you didn't already know they were trying it, you wouldn't suspect it from looking at the crowd.

[Maple Leafs]

Sean Hill suspended 20 games for performance enhancing drugs ... ?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Sean Hill suspended 20 games for performance enhancing drugs ... ?

That was random.

[Maple Leafs]

Apparently the Islanders will have to forfiet the games Hill played in since the drug test. The Sabres/Isles series will be cancelled, and the Leafs/Sabres series will begin tomorrow night.

[Young Drachma]

Nice throwbacks, Sabres.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Apparently the Islanders will have to forfiet the games Hill played in since the drug test. The Sabres/Isles series will be cancelled, and the Leafs/Sabres series will begin tomorrow night.

You have pro sports confused with the NCAA or something.

[bbor]

TB looks done.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Sean Hill suspended 20 games for performance enhancing drugs ... ?

25 points this year. how totally unawesome would he be if he was clean?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by bbor

TB looks done.

Glad to hear it. I'm having to watch the NYI/BUF game because it's on Versus. Bleh.

Stupid NHL. Get a national TV contract that lets me watch more than just one game. Though Versus has done a serviceable job with it.

[Young Drachma]

And the Isles are officially done.

[bhlloy]

Ridiculous save by Ryan Miller with 9 seconds left to keep the Isles out.

[RendeR]

The Isles were done before this series started. As someone else mentioned, getting in on a wing and a prayer on the last day earned them one win in the playoffs.

Toronto or Montreal would have been far better teams to be in than the Isles.

[kingfc22]

Damn, screw Nashville and their dirty play. Hopefully the Sharks come out on fire in the 3rd and send these jackasses home.

[Fidatelo]

I know the Coyotes are terrible, but if anyone ever gets a chance to hear Curt Kielback call a game they should do so. He was always awesome when he worked as the Jets radio guy, and I think he does Coyotes TV now.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

I know the Coyotes are terrible, but if anyone ever gets a chance to hear Curt Kielback call a game they should do so. He was always awesome when he worked as the Jets radio guy, and I think he does Coyotes TV now.

yes. I don't think I could listen to him 82 games out of the year, but he is fun to listen to. and his partner is Darren Pang who, holy jumpin', is good as well.

[Pyser]

classy, calgary.

classy.

[Travis]

I know I'm a bit biased as an Edmonton fan, but that was one of the worst displays I've seen in some time from a team.

I haven't watched any followup, but has anybody talked about McLennan being put in to do just what he did? Seemed awfully convenient the way it played out.

Certainly not the type of play you want casual/new fans of the sport to be watching. I hope Detroit ends this tomorrow.

[Karim]

"Sending a message", "policing themselves", "the code" -- all that shit would be unnecessary if the refs would just do the job.

Detroit wants Iginla suspended. Calgary wants Lebda suspended. McLennan was responding to Franzen's high-stick to his head and will likely be suspended for it. Langkow's punch was responding to Lebda's low bridge.

Whatever happens in terms of suplementary discipline is irrelevant. I blame the garbage on the referres for letting this one get out of control.

[Karim]

Originally Posted by Travis

I know I'm a bit biased as an Edmonton fan, but that was one of the worst displays I've seen in some time from a team.

I agree. It was much worse than Edmonton's stellar performance down the stretch.

[Hurst2112]

Langkow's punch was responding to Lebda's low bridge.

You talking bout that hip check? Seemed pretty subjective. I don't know the rules of a hip check but Lebda seemed to have gotten most of the mid section with that.

People better watch out for Zetterberg. He's hitting his stride at the right time. If and when they make it past this series, he's going to open it up.

[Hurst2112]

Seeing Cleary get the penalty shot was awesome. I think the last time I saw one was the Pens in 97 or 98.

[Pyser]

Originally Posted by Karim

"Sending a message", "policing themselves", "the code" -- all that shit would be unnecessary if the refs would just do the job.

Detroit wants Iginla suspended. Calgary wants Lebda suspended. McLennan was responding to Franzen's high-stick to his head and will likely be suspended for it. Langkow's punch was responding to Lebda's low bridge.

Whatever happens in terms of suplementary discipline is irrelevant. I blame the garbage on the referres for letting this one get out of control.

i dont know. maybe i wasnt paying enough attention, but as an objective viewer, it seemed pretty one sided to me.

[Karim]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

You talking bout that hip check? Seemed pretty subjective. I don't know the rules of a hip check but Lebda seemed to have gotten most of the mid section with that.

Watch Langkow's left knee on the replay. Let's hope Lebda was intending to hip check but that's not what happened.

[Karim]

Originally Posted by Pyser

i dont know. maybe i wasnt paying enough attention, but as an objective viewer, it seemed pretty one sided to me.

Lebda's low bridge, Franzen's high stick, Draper's elbow... seemed pretty even to me.

[Pyser]

ill wait for more people not from calgary to check in before i make up my mind

if it was the devils that did that, id defend them too.

[TazFTW]

2 quick penalties by Vancouver and Dallas makes them pay.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Karim

Lebda's low bridge, Franzen's high stick, Draper's elbow... seemed pretty even to me.

That doesn't account for short handed goals.

didn't lebda get called for that? did calgary score on the powerplay?