05-06 NHL Discussion Thread

Originally Posted by Zork

But I suppose it was somewhat fitting, seeing just how badly they were pwned/bitch-slapped by the Sens, and all.

*coughottawainfivecough*

quoted for truth

I cannot believe they way that last scrum went. ANyone else watching? Anyone else see how Chara pummelled, stradled and then nearly KO'd Lecavelier? fight oty

and that last goal was SO kicked. Nice try though.

FELIPE NO

It's always a good laugh when someone gets it into their head that it's a good idea to fight Chara.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

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Please explain what prompted this statement.

There was no singing of O Canada prior to puck-drop.

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I cannot believe they way that last scrum went.

The whole affair was rather chippy, which is definitely a positive, IMO. Because, unless they're getting agressive (read: Dingman shows his presence), I absolutely cannot endure watching the Lightning -- regardless of who they're playing -- otherwise.

'Hockey Bay', my ass.

Well, at least they'll be [un]mercifully dethroned (if tonight was any indication, anyway), and we'll see a new Champ crowned this year. ^_^;;

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ANyone else watching? Anyone else see how Chara pummelled, stradled and then nearly KO'd Lecavelier? fight oty

So he declined to go for the knockout punch...

*Lightbulb*

Chara for the Lady Byng, y'all! XD

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It's always a good laugh when someone gets it into their head that it's a good idea to fight Chara.

Something Mr. Ragdoll--erm, Bryan McCabe, knows all-too-well. =P

Jam it back in, in the dark.

The Predators backup goalie is horrible. Stupid mistakes on his part cost them this game.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

>_<

Anaheim totally self-destructed tonight... watching them skate was like watching a Disney On Ice show while watching a speed skating competition. Anaheim was slow... lucid... and not there. And if they don't snap out of this funk they don't deserve to advance. I like my Ducks... but after seeing them play these last two games makes me wonder it they even care about being in the playoffs.


In terms of the Arrowhead Pond not playing the Canadian national anthem... I know they've done it in the past whenever I attended the games, but FSN didn't go to the ice until the final line of the US national anthem so I cannot confirm or deny that it was sung or not.

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

Originally Posted by Zork

'Hockey Bay', my ass.

Haha. Whats the problem with the bay area embracing the team? I've been a fan since 1996, and I can't recall seeing a this area more behind a team over the past 3 years since the Bucs in the late 1990's. Considering the fact that the St.Pete Times forum has been packed each game of the season, its a testament that this is definately a hockey market just as much as it is a NFL market.

Horrible game, most definately. I couldn't help but laugh at all the completely dumbass passes in our zone all night. Like they never learned that the Sens just put a player in front of our outlet players near the blueline. Fucking amazing. Grahame did a good job, but was beaten by the fact our defense decided to just be a bunch of idiots, such as the reason our team as been inconsistant all year. Oh well, all we can hope to do is regroup for game 4 on Thursday. Hopefully I get some tickets for it. To put it simply, this team is lacking in motivation and heart right now. I question whether or not the have the drive to be the team they were a season ago.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

We sat and just gazed at the ice for a little while after the 2nd OT session concluded at the RBC Center on monday night. I really hope that won't be my last visit to that building this season. I expect a BIG effort from the Canes tonight.

How about those Oilers? Man I love watching them beat Detroit. Puts a smile on my face every time.

And what the hell was Vinnie Lecavalier thinking taking a swing at :chara:? Can they give you 2 minutes for stupidity?

I was speaking idiomatically.

The penalties for stupidity are usually a lot worse, say a few months with post-concussion syndrome. =o

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

That is all. You all know what I'm referring to.

FELIPE NO

Even with Jagr, the Rangers played poorly.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

So how about those Avs? Holy shit, they looked good-as-dead come the conclusion of the regular-season (and even flirted with missing the playoffs, entirely), and prime for the picking for whoever their Quarterfinal opponent was going to be. Now they've stepped-up their play, and actually look like [somewhat of] a contender. I've got them winning this series, but not in a sweep.

And, unfortuntely, that means the questions about Marty Turco persist. However, all the blame shouldn't just be laid upon his shoulders. But the goalie always does make the best scapegoat in these kind of situations, I suppose. Bah. He deserves better.

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The Predators backup goalie is horrible. Stupid mistakes on his part cost them this game.

Mason or Vokoun, they were destined to lose this series (Chris is still a pretty solid netminder, but the Sharks just have way too much talent & firepower). Not unlike the Red Wings. =P

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Anaheim totally self-destructed tonight... watching them skate was like watching a Disney On Ice show while watching a speed skating competition. Anaheim was slow... lucid... and not there. And if they don't snap out of this funk they don't deserve to advance. I like my Ducks... but after seeing them play these last two games makes me wonder it they even care about being in the playoffs.

Everyone says that -- regardless of what happens -- they should just be proud to have qualified for the postseason, and consider it quite the accomplishment, as they weren't really expected to (obviously). But that doesn't excuse them from playing like a bunch of statues in Game-3.

Still, I have Calgary dumping them in six. Especially considering they've apparently finally found their game -- both offensively & defensively (just-in-time, fellas XD).

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In terms of the Arrowhead Pond not playing the Canadian national anthem... I know they've done it in the past whenever I attended the games, but FSN didn't go to the ice until the final line of the US national anthem so I cannot confirm or deny that it was sung or not.

Well, this time they most certainly didn't. Which is a total disgrace; right up there with when the Habs fans used to boo during the USA one (they might still do that, but I haven't really noticed). No, actually, it's even worse.

But, then again, maybe it's not too much of a surprise, considering it took the person about five goddamn minutes just to get through the one Anthem; so I guess they figured there wouldn't be enough time for both...?

Nevertheless, it'll be interesting to see what exactly transpires tonight -- in-terms of both the Anthem(s) & the actual on-ice action.

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Haha. Whats the problem with the bay area embracing the team? I've been a fan since 1996, and I can't recall seeing a this area more behind a team over the past 3 years since the Bucs in the late 1990's. Considering the fact that the St.Pete Times forum has been packed each game of the season, its a testament that this is definately a hockey market just as much as it is a NFL market.

I'm sure the fact that the vast-majority of the fanbase (read: 99.9% of it) are 'bandwagon-ers' doesn't exactly hurt, either. So, despite what you might choose to believe, Tampa isn't a genuine hockey-market. Sorry.

But there's also those lovable-loser D-Rays... oops. My bad. XD

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Even with Jagr, the Rangers played poorly.

New York had a fluke season, pure and simple.

Although, I wouldn't mind seeing them make a dramatic comeback to upset the Devils. But at this point that's about as unlikely a scenario as there ever was (Game-3 proved it).

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Zork

I'm sure the fact that the vast-majority of the fanbase (read: 99.9% of it) are 'bandwagon-ers' doesn't exactly hurt, either. So, despite what you might choose to believe, Tampa isn't a genuine hockey-market. Sorry.

But there's also those lovable-loser D-Rays... oops. My bad. XD

I agree, a vast majority is at the moment. However, I'm sure a good amount will stick around when the team goes through the dark ages. The Bucs have sold out 8 straight years, and will make it 9 straight this year in very good likelyhood, so loyality does grow when a franchise goes through a period of consistant good play. During and after, fans that have grown loyal do typically stick to that team. Its not a genuine hockey market yet, yes. But, its on its way to being one. Fucking on that same point, it sucks that its become increasingly harder (for both football and hockey) to get tickets in this town. I used to be able to just walk to the ticket office on site, not anymore. Lame...

:lolsign: I'm a Drays fan. We seem to have everything in line except for a good pitching rotation. With a new owner and a new mantality approaching the franchise (and god-willing we'll get out of that division and move to the NL East), I have faith that in a few years, we could actually have a better team to field. Obviously, the franchise has been a shitstorm since it started. Of course thats not to say everything has gone wrong. We do have alot of good, young talent it town. I just hope it stays that way long enough to get proper pitchers in here.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

FTW Anaheim!!!! In OT...
Anaheim played well in the first couple of periods and fell apart at the beginning of the third period, but managed to pll themselves together to make sure the 2-0 lead at the beginning of the third didn't end up becoming a loss.
Was really impressed with the younger players... and was nice to see Selanne finally score a goal in this series.
Anaheim needs to put more pressure on Iginla just like they put a lot of pressure on Selanne. He's the thorn in Anaheim's side... and unless he get injured in some way... he will continue to be the main reason they cannot totally kick some ass.

A couple of issues I did have was the lack of calls in the game though. I saw at least two high sticks against Anaheim that were never called... one of which did draw blood. It seemed to me that in this series that the refs were very anti-Anaheim. A lot of calls never being called... and only would call VERY flagrant calls against Calgary (as well as in the last handful of games of the regular season).

Yes, I'm going to call bullshit on the refs... there are calls that they are letting go. And it isn't just Anaheim... it's across the league. Either call everything or call nothing. Don't take sides... and don't call them willy-nilly.

Okay... rant off... now to move on to Game 5... the beginning of a Best of Three series now... ^_^
See you in Calagary on Saturday...

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

So, how about that pick-and-roll goal by the Wings and Lidstrom?

I haven't been paying much attention to the playoffs, though I have watched more games this year than in years past. The games I have seen have been intense, high-scoring, and just all-around exciting. This is what hockey is all about. I'll get more focused once things get to the conference finals.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm am so impressed with Havlat's play. He's so fluid in everything he does...and as much as I hate to admit it, Spezza's goal was very nice, even though it'll promote more dangles from him.

I cannot look at Fisher with that eye, I feel so sorry for him. I must admit though, the really bright blue eye surrounded by the blood from the impact is really creepy.

I was speaking idiomatically.

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MONTREAL (CP) - The Montreal Canadiens will have to try to win without their hard-luck captain. Saku Koivu remained in hospital Thursday, waiting for swelling and bleeding in his left eye to subside so that tests can be taken to determine the exact nature of his injury and how long he will be out of action.

He will miss Game 4 of the Canadiens best-of-seven NHL playoff series with the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night at the Bell Centre and may be gone for the rest of the series - or longer.

Bob Gainey, the Canadiens general manager and coach, did not sound optimistic as he updated the media on Koivu's condition. He said it would be two or three days before doctors can start taking tests on the eye.

"He's not available to us for an undetermined time," said Gainey. "I can't put a date on when he'll be back."

He was unable to say if Koivu's injury was similar to the one suffered by Columbus defenceman Bryan Berard, who missed the 2001-01 season after a high stick cost him the sight in one eye, or whether it was one that would heal with full vision restored.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Oil/Wings game in about an hour and a half. Already have the jersey on.

The Oilers have managed to greatly impress me this series. They went from only making the playoffs because Vancouver are fuckups to outplaying the best team in the league for the first three games (I don't care what anyone says, Edmonton had it in game 1. They just got sloppy.)

They can win this series, it's not going to be easy, but they can do. If they can win this afternoon, they've got it. They'll come home and win it in six (as I've been saying since the first game). If they lose, they'll still win at home, but I don't think they can win at Joe Louis at game seven.

Also, is Stevie still hurt? Let's hope so.

Brent I'm sorry, but best hockey hair ever still goes to the reinging champ, Ryan Smyth.



FELIPE NO

I'/m really hoping the Oilers win, I'm DYING to see an upset in the first round. I had my sights set on the the Avalanche/Stars series but then Dallas went and screwed that up for me.

I dunno, I still think Alfredsson's hair is far superior to Ryan Smyth and I'm not just saying that because he's on the Sens, Alfie just had the whole clown hair cut thing going for him all through our playoff bid last season.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Just like that the Rangers are swept 4-0. I knew the Devils would take it in 4. Of course Brent didnt believe me in chat.

How ya doing, buddy?

And the oil won!

GO FLAMES GO

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Let's see here...



What a god damned debacle. I fell asleep, and when I woke up we went from the 3 seed to the Golf Channel. At least I can still watch my "hometown" Devils get obliterated by Ottawa later on in the postseason. Fuck you very much!

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

Congrats Sens. Good luck throughout the remainder of the playoffs.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm SO proud of Emery, he's really stepped up to the challenge dispite nearly everyone doubting how he could handle the pressure. Thank GOD Havlat came back, he's been amazing.

Also, congrats to the Devils for sweeping the Rangers.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Wojo

Just like that the Rangers are swept 4-0. I knew the Devils would take it in 4. Of course Brent didnt believe me in chat.

I didn't know like half their team had the flu.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Predators are out in 5. It's too bad Vokoun ended up with that rare blood condition that put him out. They were too busy trying to pin down Thorton that they completely forgot about Patrick Marleau who scored a postseason best seven goals. No excuse.

FELIPE NO