nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 Don't forget my homestate team of the Carolina Hurricanes in '02 making it to the finals when most were predicting they would go out in the first round. I'm thinking a Lightning vs. Sharks final would be really good as they are both pretty equal teams, but I'll still pull for the Flyers. Didn't the 'Canes win their division that year, though, so entered the playoffs as the #3 seed? And, while my memory's not the best, I think both the 1 & 2 seeds lost in the first round. So, the 'Canes had home ice advantage for the entire Eastern Conference (correct me if I'm wrong). That's much easier than being the #6 seed and beating 3, 1, then 2 to get to the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 Yeah, Carolina beat the #6 Devils, #8 Canadiens, and #4 Leafs that year, having home ice advantage despite having less points than both the Devils and Leafs and probably not that much more than the Habs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 Yeah, Carolina beat the #6 Devils, #8 Canadiens, and #4 Leafs that year, having home ice advantage despite having less points than both the Devils and Leafs and probably not that much more than the Habs. Habs had more points then Carolina, and clinched before Carolina as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 Source: Carolina Hurricanes: 35-26-16-91 Montreal Canadiens: 36-31-12-87 Well, they had more wins, anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted May 7, 2004 Home ice is key, though, regardless of a few points one way or another. Maybe not as much in Jersey, but beating the Habs and Leafs is MUCH easier if you have 4 games at home and only 3 on their pond. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted May 8, 2004 I could have sworn my picks were posted, but I guess I am wrong: San Jose over Calgary in 7. (I am 0 for 2 in Calgary's series so I am going to enjoy the tobaggen ride!) Tampa Bay over Philadelphia in 6. (I am torn over this one, but I think Tampa is the better team.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted May 9, 2004 The other thing to remember about Carolina is that they had the fourth fewest losses in the league that season so it wasn't a huge surprise that they went on if you really studied things before the playoffs. Only Detroit, Boston and Toronto had fewer losses than Carolina. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted May 9, 2004 With Vancouver gone I'm definetly rooting for the Flames like nuts. They're up by one early right now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbondrage99 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2004 What was the score of the Sharks vs. Flames game last night? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brush with Greatness 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2004 4-3, Flames in OT. Montador with the GW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2004 This might be a stupid question: in a series like TB-Philly, would there be the same Hockey Night in Canada coverage that there would have been with a Canadian team in the series? If so: On behalf of sane Americans, let me apologize to our neighbors to the North for the Saturday game being on the middle of the day, instead of being on during prime time for HNIC. The dimwits running ABC/ESPN feel that it's more important to give the NBA Playoffs (with their record setting low ratings) the prime time at the expense of the history of Saturday Night hockey. If not: Nevemind. Go Lightning. Either way: Fuck. Gary. Bettman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2004 Even with low ratings, I would imagine the NBA playoffs would have scored beter ratings than hockey on Sat. night. That's no knock on hockey, because I'm a fan, but it's unfortunately the truth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2004 Even with low ratings, I would imagine the NBA playoffs would have scored beter ratings than hockey on Sat. night. That's no knock on hockey, because I'm a fan, but it's unfortunately the truth. I don't see that as a knock. When it's strictly on ESPN next year (if there is a next year) it probably won't be as much of a problem. Either way: Fuck. Gary. Bettman. And fuck David Stern, the NBA, NBC and ABC for stretching the first round of the playoffs for what seems like 10 years... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustJoe2k5 0 Report post Posted May 10, 2004 That music they play in the opening of every game, is that a real song or something special made for the NHL Playoffs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RepoMan 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 They've been using that song for their NHL telecasts forever. 3-0 Flyers so far Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Good Lord its 5-0 Flyers. Are they going for 7 again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packwingfn 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 What the John Grahame? Was a fan of his in the minors for the Providence Bruins when he won a calder cup....Who would have thought he would have to play at all this playoffs? especially with khabibulin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Even with low ratings, I would imagine the NBA playoffs would have scored beter ratings than hockey on Sat. night. That's no knock on hockey, because I'm a fan, but it's unfortunately the truth. I think we're going to see the gap between hockey and basketball postseason ratings start to close. I mean, this hasn't been the best Stanley Cup, but this year has certainly had a lot of interesting moments. Certainly more good moments than the very lackluster NBA playoffs with top-seed sweeps and the usual suspects once again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Flyers got what they needed in Tampa, a split. Now if they can take both games in Philly, they'll be in great shape. Then again, look what happened last time they were up 3-1 in a conference final Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Even with low ratings, I would imagine the NBA playoffs would have scored beter ratings than hockey on Sat. night. That's no knock on hockey, because I'm a fan, but it's unfortunately the truth. I think we're going to see the gap between hockey and basketball postseason ratings start to close. I mean, this hasn't been the best Stanley Cup, but this year has certainly had a lot of interesting moments. Certainly more good moments than the very lackluster NBA playoffs with top-seed sweeps and the usual suspects once again. The problem is that America, by and large, doesn't care for hockey. The sport needs a bona fide SUPERSTAR to make America care. Wayne Gretzky came too early, and Mario Lemieux just missed. Sadly, hockey doesn't have someone they can "push" to America, and thusly most of the country just shrugs their shoulders at the sport. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Which is exactly why I don't understand why it would be such a bad thing (in the US) to have a Canadian-based team in the finals. If Americans don't care, anyway, what harm would it do to have Calgary in there instead of San Jose? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 It wouldn't. You'd probably get the same amount of people tuning in either way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C Dubya 04 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 So, how much do you think getting bitch slapped like Tampa did last night will affect them in the next game? I gotta think that it'll hurt their confidence level in games 3 & 4. If the Flyers can jump out to an early lead, they should be able to rattle the Lightning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Which is exactly why I don't understand why it would be such a bad thing (in the US) to have a Canadian-based team in the finals. If Americans don't care, anyway, what harm would it do to have Calgary in there instead of San Jose? You sometimes get the same argument about how terrible a Sunbelt Stanley Cup would be between San Jose & Tampa Bay, hell tell that to the players & coaches who have busted ass all season long. As far as I'm concerned, if you get there, congrats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Which is exactly why I don't understand why it would be such a bad thing (in the US) to have a Canadian-based team in the finals. If Americans don't care, anyway, what harm would it do to have Calgary in there instead of San Jose? You sometimes get the same argument about how terrible a Sunbelt Stanley Cup would be between San Jose & Tampa Bay, hell tell that to the players & coaches who have busted ass all season long. As far as I'm concerned, if you get there, congrats. The problem with a Sunbelt Stanley Cup final is that you practically kill a lot of Canada viewers. Problem with an all Canadian final is you kill a lot of the American viewers. They'll get props for making it there, but you will lose viewers either way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheZsaszHorsemen Report post Posted May 11, 2004 Philly in the Finals would be great for Hockey no matter who the opponant is. Philly is a very supportive town. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2004 The Flames are OWNING the Sharks right now, 2-0 after 1. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tawren 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2004 2-1 now, as Mcauley (sp) scored. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2004 That goal sure as hell woke the Sharks up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted May 12, 2004 I was going to say Ville Neminen scored, but you might as well add Iginla. 4-1 Calgary Flames and this one is done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
