2008 Stanley Cup playoffs - first round

[the pinjockey 0]

I am hoping the triple axle Ovechkin performed is the last dive we ever see from him. I love watching him, but if he becomes another Crosby the NHL is fucked.

[migoli 0]

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8927475

 

 

Bitter guys up there in Denver

[Red Baron 0]

Thank You Carey Price.

 

The loss of Koivu really makes Montreal a one line offensive threat.

[Nightwing 0]

Wow. Talk about a beatdown in Denver...

[Zetterberg is God 0]

About GODDAMN time Joe Thornton did something to help his team win. Really, it would have been ridiculous if Calgary won with 10 fucking shots on net. Ryane Clowe is quietly racking up some nice numbers for them and hopefully this is the momentum they need to bury this series.

[Agent_Bond34 0]

I can't believe they got that goal.

 

I would have figured it was bound for overtime.

[Nightwing 0]

Every series except for Pens/Sens and Habs/Bruins is wide-open. Talk about exciting playoffs this year.

[Red Baron 0]

San Jose stole any momentum left from Calgary. Setoguchi is going to be a threat for the Sharks in years to come.

[Red Baron 0]

I read in the Buffalo News a few days ago that Buffalo will barely make a profit this year, and if they aren't in the playoffs next year, the team will be in the red. Main reason is because almost 65% of their profit this year is going towards Player Salaries.

 

 

Here's a hint NHL. No fluxuating salary cap. Hard cap at $43 million, and be happy.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Thank You Carey Price.

 

The loss of Koivu really makes Montreal a one line offensive threat.

 

As a fan of a rival team, Price scares me. The kid always seems to be in position and unflustered; sitting in the alleged Garden and comparing the composure of Price to Thomas was, as a B's fan, painful.

 

And with that one offensive line, the Habs still have one more than Boston does. If Sturm scores on even half of his legit scoring opportunities, this series is 180 degrees different. And Murray? Ugh, I've never seen an alleged sniper be so snake-bit.

 

If I'm Claude Julien, I'm healthy scratching Murray in game 5 and putting Kessel in his place. Kessel might not help the team win, but it'd at least give the kid a little more exposure to the world of the post-season. And he really can't do less than Murray or Sturm.

[Red Baron 0]

I agree, and while Montreal only scored one goal, scatching Ryder and putting in O'Bryne on defence and made Streit a forward helped a bit. If it was a blow out for Montreal, I'd ask where is Andy Moog.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

I know there's plenty of time but what the fuck is going on with Detroit and these quick goals against?

[CanadianChris 0]

So ends the most excruciating season ever for a Sens fan.

[Nightwing 0]

God, this is horrible. The Wings are playing atrocious right now. I was hoping we could avoid a repeat of Calgary last year, but it looks like that's what it is going to come down to.

 

And taking only Draper is the most retarded call so far. God.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

Detroit's going to be golfing by Monday. Play like the number one team you supposedly are for Christ sakes. At least Osgood has looked pretty good so far and it'd be lunacy if they went back to Hasek if Osgood keeps this up.

[KingPK 0]

As a fan of a rival team, Price scares me. The kid always seems to be in position and unflustered; sitting in the alleged Garden and comparing the composure of Price to Thomas was, as a B's fan, painful.

 

Guess you know how Orioles fans feel when the Red Sox are in Camden Yards now, eh? It sounded like the place was half and half at best.

 

[Nightwing 0]

*Sigh*

 

Not looking as grim as it was, but this is definitely disappointing. They should have won this game, especially with the ridiculous rebounds Dan Ellis puts out. If they had played the entire game like they played the third, they would have won. I hope they fucking wake up after this, otherwise they're done.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

What pisses me off the most is that the effort only got turned on after they were down two. Their defense has also been shockingly poor which is costing them dearly. I also wonder how it would have tuned out if Osgood was in the entire way. Anyway, if they lose Friday this series is over.

[Nightwing 0]

Yeah. I think Hasek is done for the playoffs, barring an Osgood collapse. He looked pretty solid, though the Preds weren't attacking him like they were Hasek.

[packwingfn 0]

Babcock better start Osgood for Game 4.

 

And don't give up on the Wings yet...They play much better on home ice.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

As much as I want to believe in Dom, Osgood is just much more solid and calm at this point. I don't cringe when long shots go in on him like I do with Dom. For some reason I didn't feel this nervous after this point last year but like I said game five is a must win and obviously closing it out in six would be ideal. The effort in the third tonight needs to be carried over on Friday.

[Nightwing 0]

Well, the Preds also play a lot worse at the Joe. Again, it feels like the Calgary series last year.

[packwingfn 0]

Yea defnitely does. They defnitely need to come out strong on Game 5 and just take control of the whole game.

 

And yeah I felt pretty confident with Osgood compared to Dom, I mean he makes some nice saves but just seems out of it this series for the most part.

[Red Baron 0]

If the Sharks and Anaheim get knocked out in the first round, the cup is coming back to the Eastern Conference/

 

You're kidding, right? If they both get knocked off, I'm pretty confident that the Red Wings could face any team in the East and be the favorite going in. There isn't a team that is better coached, deeper, or has more experience in the playoffs.

 

I'm not counting the Sharks out yet, though I did bet against them in my predictions. The Ducks are in a whole different boat, but the Sharks still have decent chance right now.

 

 

Kidding? Detroit is having a handful with Nashville!

[Nightwing 0]

If the Sharks and Anaheim get knocked out in the first round, the cup is coming back to the Eastern Conference/

 

You're kidding, right? If they both get knocked off, I'm pretty confident that the Red Wings could face any team in the East and be the favorite going in. There isn't a team that is better coached, deeper, or has more experience in the playoffs.

 

I'm not counting the Sharks out yet, though I did bet against them in my predictions. The Ducks are in a whole different boat, but the Sharks still have decent chance right now.

 

 

Kidding? Detroit is having a handful with Nashville!

 

So? Nashville's a good home team. I stand by my comment. Considering that the top seed in the East is, by your own admission, a one-line team, you're already a step behind most of the teams in the West, not just Detroit.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

It's kind of silly that it's the year 2008 and the Red Wings' goaltenders are still Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek.

[Nightwing 0]

Well, looking at Hasek it's pretty much a done deal that Howard is going to be starting regularly next season.

[Zetterberg is God 0]

Well, looking at Hasek it's pretty much a done deal that Howard is going to be starting regularly next season.

Howard looked pretty solid in the brief time he was playing earlier this year so having him play more next year wouldn't be bad at all. Even if he falters a bit they can fall back on Osgood, who could provide guidance to Howard as well. Then there's that Ryan Miller rumor that always pops up but I don't see that happening.

[Nightwing 0]

Someone in Buccigross's question column brought up the possibility of the Wings going after Huet in the off-season as well, but I don't think that's going to happen, either. People rip on the Wings for buying out goalies, but they've homegrown a few good ones in recent years (Osgood and Legace haven't been legendary, but they are certainly among the most solid backstops in the league). Howard does look good, and the Wings really need a young goaltender to step and stabilize that roster spot.

[Guest Teal-y Dan]

It'll be interesting to see TRADE FOR KHABIBULIN what the Red Wings do this summer to TRADE FOR KHABIBULIN address their netminding needs. There are some good TRADE FOR KHABIBULIN free agents out there, but maybe TRADE FOR KHABIBULIN they can make some deals with other teams.