The official NHL thread

[WOLF]

Full credit and congrats to the Habs.Camalleri,Halak,Gill and Gorges all played outstanding.Gonchar,who was good as gone as a UFA this summer anyways,most certainly is gone now after his soft play last night.

That's good of you man - I know it can't be an easy loss to stomach as a big fan. I have to say I'm shocked. To beat teams like the Pens and Caps it takes every guy on the roster playing his role to 100% of their ability every game - and they're doing it. I can't believe how everyone from Halak, to the scorers, to the whole D unit, to the role players like Lapierre, Moore, and Pyatt have stepped up.

I'm actually scared of the Habs being perceived as somewhat of a favorite in the conference final. The element of surprise is gone.

It's weird saying this, because in most years I'd love to see a good Bruins choke job, but GO B's GO (sorry JSR). A Habs/Bruins semifinal, with another original six team still alive in the West, is too good to pass up.

[chungasrevenge]

The Habs have to be the favorite to win the cup. I haven't seen the odds, but that's where I would be putting my money. If the B's go down, I would love to see the Habs/Hawks. If the B's win tonight, I think Habs take them in 6. Next year is the B's.

[WOLF]

The Habs have to be the favorite to win the cup. I haven't seen the odds, but that's where I would be putting my money. If the B's go down, I would love to see the Habs/Hawks. If the B's win tonight, I think Habs take them in 6. Next year is the B's.

I like how the Habs match up with the B's; I don't like the way they match up with the Flyers. The Habs have a hard time with the Prongers', Hartnells', and Richards' of this world. Let's go Brew-ins!

Same thing in the West. I think the Habs can find a way to compete with San Jose; I don't like the prospect of Byfuglien's ass in Halak's face while Toews and Kane fire BBs at the net.

[John Simon Ritchie]

The Habs have to be the favorite to win the cup. I haven't seen the odds, but that's where I would be putting my money. If the B's go down, I would love to see the Habs/Hawks. If the B's win tonight, I think Habs take them in 6. Next year is the B's.

I like how the Habs match up with the B's; I don't like the way they match up with the Flyers. The Habs have a hard time with the Prongers', Hartnells', and Richards' of this world. Let's go Brew-ins!

Same thing in the West. I think the Habs can find a way to compete with San Jose; I don't like the prospect of Byfuglien's ass in Halak's face while Toews and Kane fire BBs at the net.

Please let a Flyers/Habs series happen.

[alecjonsludge]

Full credit and congrats to the Habs.Camalleri,Halak,Gill and Gorges all played outstanding.Gonchar,who was good as gone as a UFA this summer anyways,most certainly is gone now after his soft play last night.

That's good of you man - I know it can't be an easy loss to stomach as a big fan. I have to say I'm shocked. To beat teams like the Pens and Caps it takes every guy on the roster playing his role to 100% of their ability every game - and they're doing it. I can't believe how everyone from Halak, to the scorers, to the whole D unit, to the role players like Lapierre, Moore, and Pyatt have stepped up.

I'm actually scared of the Habs being perceived as somewhat of a favorite in the conference final. The element of surprise is gone.

It's weird saying this, because in most years I'd love to see a good Bruins choke job, but GO B's GO (sorry JSR). A Habs/Bruins semifinal, with another original six team still alive in the West, is too good to pass up.

I may be a die hard Pens fan, but I'm first and foremost a HOCKEY fan. I can appreciate and respect what the Habs have done this playoffs.It's quite unbelivable really,but as you said,it has been a team effort,with everyone committed 100%.(Mind you, anything less than white hot goaltending from Halak might have changed things....might have being the operative words).

They are a team playing loose and having a lot of FUN(Lapierre's smile for instance).The pressures and expectations were not as relevant in years past,due to their seeding, and that may have helped. A team having fun is always a difficult squad to play in that they don't get down and don't let pressure get to them.

[WOLF]

I know the feeling of game 7 playoff nerves all too well this season. Enjoy and try not to have a meltdown: JSR, chunga, Skydog, and anyone else I may have forgot on the Philly/Boston side of the equation.

PS - there's going to be a fucked up schedule for the semifinal, as the Bell Centre is not available next Thursday or Friday. There's either going to be a back to back situation (Sunday/Monday/Wednesday or Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday) OR a situation where they have to take three days off after games 1 and 2 (Sunday/Tuesday/Saturday).

[John Simon Ritchie]

I know the feeling of game 7 playoff nerves all too well this season. Enjoy and try not to have a meltdown: JSR, chunga, Skydog, and anyone else I may have forgot on the Philly/Boston side of the equation.

I'm starting to break a sweat already, haha.

[WOLF]

I know the feeling of game 7 playoff nerves all too well this season. Enjoy and try not to have a meltdown: JSR, chunga, Skydog, and anyone else I may have forgot on the Philly/Boston side of the equation.

PS - there's going to be a fucked up schedule for the semifinal, as the Bell Centre is not available next Thursday or Friday. There's either going to be a back to back situation (Sunday/Monday/Wednesday or Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday) OR a situation where they have to take three days off after games 1 and 2 (Sunday/Tuesday/Saturday).

The Habs/Molson booted the shows that were scheduled for the Bell Centre for Thursday/Friday to accomodate the playoffs. You can't mess with hockey in these here parts - especially when the owner of the team also owns the building!

[Facedown]

Whoa, can the Flyers overcome a 3 goal deficit to overcome a 3 game deficit?

[WOLF]

Jeez, so much for drama. It's just after 7:30 and it seems I know who my Habs are playing, barring a miracle that is. At least we got a 2-3 hours jumpstart on the gameplan and film splicing.

[pieceofme]

Jeez, so much for drama. It's just after 7:30 and it seems I know who my Habs are playing, barring a miracle that is. At least we got a 2-3 hours jumpstart on the gameplan and film splicing.

Perhaps not.

Its 3-3 now.

[Facedown]

It's only fitting this game ends 4-3.

[SkyDog112046]

Fire Jullien. How the fuck do you blow a 3-0 series lead and then a 3-0 lead in game 7? Claude has to go.

[Scatman]

That was nothing short of amazing. Bring on the Habs!

[WOLF]

Now I've seen everything! A too many men call decides it to boot....

[John Simon Ritchie]

Jeez, so much for drama. It's just after 7:30 and it seems I know who my Habs are playing, barring a miracle that is. At least we got a 2-3 hours jumpstart on the gameplan and film splicing.

Niiiice. Like that miracle?

[chungasrevenge]

WTF? Flyers deserved it, so you have to give them credit. At least the B's made history this year.

[WOLF]

Jeez, so much for drama. It's just after 7:30 and it seems I know who my Habs are playing, barring a miracle that is. At least we got a 2-3 hours jumpstart on the gameplan and film splicing.

Niiiice. Like that miracle?

This could only be weirder if Claude Julien gets fired; gets hired by Colorado; and hires Hardy Arstrom as his goaltending coach.

I swear, last night was a hockey version of the TV show LOST. All kinds of Deja-vu.

Habs/Philly - not what I wanted.

[SkyDog112046]

Julien has to be fired. I don't see how he can stay after the season they had and the ending they had. His coaching sucks, and he clearly isn't a motivator.

I saw where some of the Bruins were upset about the too many men on the ice call. FUCK THEM. They blew a 3-0 series lead and then choked away a 3-0 goal lead. The call had absolutely nothing to do with the outcome. They choked, pure and simple. I suppose the only one happy is Jacobs since he got 7 home playoff games to hawk his overpriced concessions.

[chungasrevenge]

Julien has to be fired. I don't see how he can stay after the season they had and the ending they had. His coaching sucks, and he clearly isn't a motivator.

I saw where some of the Bruins were upset about the too many men on the ice call. FUCK THEM. They blew a 3-0 series lead and then choked away a 3-0 goal lead. The call had absolutely nothing to do with the outcome. They choked, pure and simple. I suppose the only one happy is Jacobs since he got 7 home playoff games to hawk his overpriced concessions.

They just signed Julien to an extension last offseason. I don't think they'll fire him.

[WOLF]

OK - prediction time:

Hawks over Sharks in 6
Habs over Philly in 7

Setting up an original six final for the first time since 1979, and a repeat of the 1971 final where the Habs upset the mighty Hawks.

Go Habs Go!

[johnk5150]

OK - prediction time:

Hawks over Sharks in 6
Habs over Philly in 7

Setting up an original six final for the first time since 1979, and a repeat of the 1971 final where the Habs upset the mighty Hawks.

Go Habs Go!

Having endured shitty Blackhawk hockey here for the better part of 40 years, I'd wait on modifying their mascot with the term mighty.

[John Simon Ritchie]

Should be a great series between The Flyers and The Habs since they split on the season. I'm looking at a seven games series too...only with The Flyers on top.

[johnk5150]

Byfuglin = my favorite black Blackhawk.

[Garbageman]

San Jose was robbed for having to be on the ice at noon local time. Were they supposed to have their morning skate at 5AM?

[Scatman]

6-0, Philly over Montreal. Leighton gets the shutout, Halak gets the hook. Beautiful.

[WOLF]

6-0, Philly over Montreal. Leighton gets the shutout, Halak gets the hook. Beautiful.

Well, if the Habs were to have a stinker, better to get it out of the way early, like they did against Pittsburgh.

The Habs have to make life tougher for the Flyers though, or this is going to be a short series. Leighton saw everything and the Habs shot themselves in the foot defensively time and time again.

[Garbageman]

The Habs had too much time to worry and the Flyers had too much time to scheme... because they were playing in the late game! It's not even dark here yet and our team has been done with their game for over 5 hours!

[John Simon Ritchie]

6-0, Philly over Montreal. Leighton gets the shutout, Halak gets the hook. Beautiful.

'twas a wonderful thing.

[johnk5150]

San Jose was robbed for having to be on the ice at noon local time. Were they supposed to have their morning skate at 5AM?

San Jose had a week to schedule their morning skate.