the max 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2004 The playoffs are going to be fucking awesome this year. If the Isles can get 6 points in their final 6 games, they'll finish with >90 points, making it so everyone in the East has >90 points. The West is shaping up as well. I still kind of want to see Nashville in the playoffs, but that's only because I hate St. Louis with a passion and want to see them fail after firing their coach. The Cup is going to the West this year, as even to come out of the East is going to be a dogfight, and I think that the East Final is going to be better than the Cup Final. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2004 I say it before and I still say it: Eastern Finals - Ottawa vs. Toronto Western Finals - Edmonton vs. Calgary Finals - Ottawa vs. Calgary Why I say this? I don't know. I just know that Calgary is going far, and I'd rather them knocking my team's ass flat in doing so. And Ottawa will final get a win over the Leafs in a series and it'll be a very big one. An All-Canadian Final just because it IS the last thing the NHL wants, next to having to deal with getting a new CBA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AllCanadian Report post Posted March 25, 2004 I say it before and I still say it: Eastern Finals - Ottawa vs. Toronto Western Finals - Edmonton vs. Calgary Finals - Ottawa vs. Calgary Why I say this? I don't know. I just know that Calgary is going far, and I'd rather them knocking my team's ass flat in doing so. And Ottawa will final get a win over the Leafs in a series and it'll be a very big one. An All-Canadian Final just because it IS the last thing the NHL wants, next to having to deal with getting a new CBA. And ABC/ESPN offer a 6 pack and a hot dog as a new TV contract, while CBC has the best ratings in HNIC history!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2004 Even though most Americans are pretty apathetic about hockey, and most Canadians are pretty passionate about it, you really need to have at least a couple of American based teams playing in the conference finals, and at least one in the Cup, for it to get any coverage in the US. And if the league is having a hard time existing with the present financial situation, imagine what it will do when the ABC/ESPN deal ends, and there's next to no incoming TV revenue. I can understand why people would like to see an all-Canadian final 4, but if it causes a huge blow to the future stability of the league, it seems like a pretty piss-poor idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2004 And the suspensions continue ... http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2004/03/208346.html Marty Turco gets 4 games for high-sticking Smyth. He'll be back on April 4, though, so he won't miss any playoff time. http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/2004/03/208344.html Jody Shelley gets 3 games for getting another game misconduct. He'll be back in time for the playoffs, but seeing as the Jackets have no chance of getting there & even if they did he'd probably be a healthy scratch anyways, his return date makes no difference. Marty Turco gets Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 25, 2004 Apparently Joseph tweaked his ankle again, so that's why Legace's been getting the last few starts. Bad news for my fantasy team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 I can understand why people would like to see an all-Canadian final 4, but if it causes a huge blow to the future stability of the league, it seems like a pretty piss-poor idea. It would. I still want to see an All-Canadian Final. And of all the years it could happen, THIS could be the year. It would suck like hell for the game (being the American side of the 49), but I don't think you'd find more bloodied hockey unless it is Canadian. Especially a team wishing to earn its first Cup (Ottawa) and one that wants to prove that they've got it (Calgary). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 If the other option is having teams like the Predators or Lightning in there, I'd take the All-Canadian final 4 that you referenced, Flik. Because those teams wouldn't get much more attention or respect in the States than the Sens or Flames would. But for the good of the game, I'd love to see Boston, or Detroit, or Colorado or Philly there (and I hate the Flyers more than any other team in any sport, and only like the Avs a little more than that) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 I hope they switch to white at home for the postseason and end this madness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 As was stated before, it was always Dark for home, Light for away games before the WHA was absorbed into the league. There abouts anyways, I think. I'm a little tired, so I probably am off on my dates. So really, it was madness before hand. Now it is correcting that madness that was originally created back when. Besides ... don't you like those crappy colored aw-home jerseys taht you know see? I admit it. Home-jerseys-that-formerly-were-away-jerseys-but-were-originally-home-jerseys just bite. I want the others one back for home games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 I grew up with white at home so I like it better. From a local viewer's standpoint it makes perfect sense: your team stays constant while the various road teams are all easily discerned from one another. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 Hm. Oilers just got bumped down to 9th due to STL and NSH wins. They'll get back in soon enough. Islanders won, so I think that's it for the Buffalo Sabres. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 HUGE bounce-back shutout wins for the Sens and Leafs tonight. Both teams looked like the Cup favourites they should be, instead of the first-round victims they were on Tuesday night. Lalime, in particular, looked sensational in net for Ottawa (told you it was maddening to watch him). It's amazing what having a good defense in front will do for a goalie's confidence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 Lalime drives me crazy when he does his "blow a game" into a "shut them out" the next. That inconsistancy makes me VERY nervous come playoff time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 Freaking Blackhawks are losing to the Wild 7-2! They need to replace Leighton. Is Thibault done for good? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 26, 2004 I hope they switch to white at home for the postseason and end this madness. As long as the Bruins never, ever, ever wear those fucking horrible mustard yellow sweaters with the cuddly teddy bear on the front, I couldn't care less if it's white or black at home. It took me a few weeks to get used to, but now it's not a problem for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2004 I hope they switch to white at home for the postseason and end this madness. As long as the Bruins never, ever, ever wear those fucking horrible mustard yellow sweaters with the cuddly teddy bear on the front, I couldn't care less if it's white or black at home. It took me a few weeks to get used to, but now it's not a problem for me. Good God yes. The bear isn't mad at all! He just looks depressed. No wonder: he's on that fucking ugly yellow sweater. Wasn't there a yellow version of the traditional B sweater too? That would look weird. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2004 I hope they switch to white at home for the postseason and end this madness. As long as the Bruins never, ever, ever wear those fucking horrible mustard yellow sweaters with the cuddly teddy bear on the front, I couldn't care less if it's white or black at home. It took me a few weeks to get used to, but now it's not a problem for me. Good God yes. The bear isn't mad at all! He just looks depressed. No wonder: he's on that fucking ugly yellow sweater. I thought it was Martha Hart on the jersey. /inspired by Jerry Lawler Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2004 Well consider Nolan be out for a while, possibly season and career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2004 I think career is kinda far, but I'd bet he's gone for the year. Fuck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LaParkaMarka 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2004 Nucks beat Dallas in OT, move within a point of the Avs for the Northeast. If they can get past the Avs, it sets up a Colorado/Dallas first round matchup, which would be very interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2004 Sens resigned Alfredsson to a 5 year deal. http://tsn.ca/news_story.asp?ID=78230&hubName=main Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2004 Maybe Kaptain Krusty can afford a haircut now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2004 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=78301 Nolan's going to miss at least 3 weeks. Hopefully if that's all he's out for the team's still playing when it's time to come back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2004 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=78301 Nolan's going to miss at least 3 weeks. Hopefully if that's all he's out for the team's still playing when it's time to come back. Getting Renberg & Tucker back will help lessen the blow of losing Nolan. The only Eastern team that's been able to avoid the injury epidemic is Tampa Bay. (hell, they've been pretty lucky all year). Philly's lost Roenick & Primeau (among others). NJ's defense has gotten banged up, with Stevens being the highest profile loss. NYI's lost Blake. Montreal lost Kovalev right when they picked him up. Ottawa's got Lalime as day-to-day now (and it's probably worse than they're admitting). And Boston just recently got Bergeron & Samsonov back. Hopefully a team won't see their Cup hopes go down the drain just because they lost a major player in the postseason. I like it when teams win a series, compared to the other team just losing it. (I don't know if that really makes sense ... I like it when a team earns a win more than gets a win by default) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2004 As long as Prusek's back holds up, the Sens should be fine. They should be getting Anton Volchenkov and Todd White back this week, which will help tremendously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 How insane was the end of that Tampa-Ottawa game last night? I missed most of it (hot date with an old flame, winkwink) but turned it on with about 4 minutes left. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when the floodgates opened and goal after goal was scored. With their wins last night, TO is tied with my Bruins and the Sens are only 1 point back. But Boston has two games in hand over the Leafs, and one over the Sens, and have their next two games against Carolina & Washington. If the Bruins can pick up at least 5 points in their last 4 games, they should be able to win the division, and potentially hold off Philly for the 2nd seed in the East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Boston is almost a cinch to win the Northeast at this point. The playoff matchups in the East will very likely look like this: Tampa Bay vs. NY Islanders Boston vs. Montreal Philadelphia vs. New Jersey Ottawa vs. Toronto Aside from having tickets to the first playoff game in Ottawa, I shall be glued to my TV every night watching these mind-blowing matchups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Boston is almost a cinch to win the Northeast at this point. The playoff matchups in the East will very likely look like this: Tampa Bay vs. NY Islanders Boston vs. Montreal Philadelphia vs. New Jersey Ottawa vs. Toronto Aside from having tickets to the first playoff game in Ottawa, I shall be glued to my TV every night watching these mind-blowing matchups. I picked up playoff tickets for all Boston home games, and the nights that I'm not watching the B's play I'll be watching the hockey package on cable. Half the reason that I picked it up is because they show every game of the first 2 rounds. Much better than ESPN picking every Wings & Avs game, but ignoring the other teams. And if there is a weekend game in Montreal (or Jersey, if that's what the matchup ends up being) then I'm SO heading there for a road game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 31, 2004 Half the reason that I picked it up is because they show every game of the first 2 rounds. Much better than ESPN picking every Wings & Avs game, but ignoring the other teams. What? The fine folks at ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC televised every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs! (reminded that they skipped Ottawa-Long Island, Round 1) Shut up Oh by the way, tonight the Blues play the Oilers in a game that means everything for the teams involved, as well as the Red Wings, who will get one of the two for Round 1. Also, Predators try to sneak past Edmonton in a game against Chicago. Go Hawks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
