05-06 NHL Discussion Thread

I have a Sabres bias, I'll admit. (I'm a Buffalonian.)

What I'd like to point out is that more than traditional offense tactics or goaltending, the factor that's driving a lot of teams through the playoffs is heart.

This isn't anything new or profound, but as Dopefish pointed out, three of the remaining teams have never won a Stanley Cup. If I'm not mistaken, San Jose also has yet to experience total victory. To these teams, the playoffs just business as usual. The Sens, the Avalanche, the Rangers - they've all held the Cup before; losing now does nothing to truly tarnish their past. For Buffalo/Carolina/Anaheim, losing only embellishes past failures.

I can't speak of other teams but I know what's driving Buffalo. Three years ago, the owners of the Sabres were indicted for embezzling millions of dollars from their primary company, Adelphia Cable. When they were found guilty, the ownership of the Sabres was in the air and morale sunk like a stone.

Three years later, we've been rescued from the depths by joint efforts between the NHL itself and a local millionaire. We have a strong roster and we're fast on the ice for a change. We're also still stinging from the horrible, horrible "No Goal" call in Dallas back in 1999. (Even ESPN has recognized it amongst sporting's Top 5 worst calls ever.)

Basically, we deserve the Cup as much as any other team does and Buffalo may not be good for much, but dammit, we're a sporting town. All the anti-Sabres sentiment I hear around here hurts. After all the shit Buffalo sports teams have gone through, we deserve our moment.

It's sad how nobody outside of Buffalo is willing to take us seriously.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Sonne

I cannot see any of these teams winning the cup.

You are a fucking moron.

Hey, who's going to win the Super Bowl?

Well, even though they're down to these two remaining teams, and no other footballs teams are present, let alone playing or doing just about anything related to football, I still doubt that either team in the Super Bowl is going to win. It just isn't gonna happen.

Conversely:

We're down to game Seven of the World Series, with the Red Sox taking on the Astros. Who do you think will emerge victorious?

I think that will be decided in Game Eight.


Do you even have any clue what you're talking about, Sonne?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

The biggest mistake Carolina will make will be showing up.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.