The official NHL thread

[WOLF]

In Halak we trust. Sorry Carey....

Halak shuts out the Flyers 1-0, after facing 35 shots. HUGE road win for the good guys.

[John Simon Ritchie]

Go Flyers!



We're one step from trash bags over our heads.

[chungasrevenge]

Go Flyers!



We're one step from trash bags over our heads.

The home and home games against the Rangers to end the season are going to be huge for both teams.

The playoffs have already started for 6-10 in the conference.

[chungasrevenge]

Rangers dropped a turd last night. The Leafs can deliver a near fatal blow tonight. Rangers lose and 2pts will clinch for the B's and 1 point for Montreal? I think that's right.

[WOLF]

Rangers dropped a turd last night. The Leafs can deliver a near fatal blow tonight. Rangers lose and 2pts will clinch for the B's and 1 point for Montreal? I think that's right.

Habs clinch if they gain a point or the Rangers miss out on getting one. Even if the Habs lose their two remaining games in regulation, and the Rangers win all their games, the Habs would still make it unless the Flyers pick up a loser point against the Rags (since the Rangers winning out implies the Flyers losing their last two games).

A Rangers loss to Toronto tonight, which I doubt will happen, will really clear things up. It will put both the Habs and Flyers in, as well as put the Bruins a win away from clinching with three cracks at getting that W.

Habs let one slip away yesterday. They were 1:50 away from beating the Isles and clinching. Instead, they lost in a shootout and will probably back in.

[SkyDog112046]

Wow, the Bruins have just about a lock on that coveted 8th seed. $8 beers and $5 hotdogs for everyone! At least for the 2 home games that they will get before they get bounced.

They ought to do away with the 8 playoff teams per conference format and just take the 3 division winners and then have the top 2 wildcard teams play a 3 game series as a play-in to play for the 4th seed. It would shave a couple of weeks off the current schedule which is way too long anyways.

[chungasrevenge]

Wow, the Bruins have just about a lock on that coveted 8th seed. $8 beers and $5 hotdogs for everyone! At least for the 2 home games that they will get before they get bounced.

The B's have such a disgruntled fanbase. I'm actually really optimistic about the future, and I like the fight they've shown as of late with a horribly depleted roster. I'd like to see Rask in a series, not that I'm expecting any kind of run, but you still want to see them get in.

[WOLF]

Wow, the Bruins have just about a lock on that coveted 8th seed. $8 beers and $5 hotdogs for everyone! At least for the 2 home games that they will get before they get bounced.

They ought to do away with the 8 playoff teams per conference format and just take the 3 division winners and then have the top 2 wildcard teams play a 3 game series as a play-in to play for the 4th seed. It would shave a couple of weeks off the current schedule which is way too long anyways.

The owners LOVE their playoff revenue. The more likely scenario:

- 10 teams in each conference make the playoffs

- 6 vs 10 and 8 vs 9 in a best 2 of 3 play-in playoff mini-series

- The winners of the above series' join the 1 to 6 seeds in the traditional playoff format

I don't like it, but with the next collective bargaining agreement look for exhibition games to be reduced and for the extra playoff round to come in. Same number of games for the players; "important" games replace bogus ones; owners can charge more and reap more concession revenue; players profit as they share in the revenues partially, as well.

[SkyDog112046]

Wow, the Bruins have just about a lock on that coveted 8th seed. $8 beers and $5 hotdogs for everyone! At least for the 2 home games that they will get before they get bounced.

The B's have such a disgruntled fanbase. I'm actually really optimistic about the future, and I like the fight they've shown as of late with a horribly depleted roster. I'd like to see Rask in a series, not that I'm expecting any kind of run, but you still want to see them get in.

I don't want them to get in, although they pretty much have it wrapped up. I would prefer that they miss out, get the better draft selection, and be forced to make some changes. Julien's run is finished and it's time for him to go. Jacobs won't get mad enough to do it unless they either miss the playoffs completely or get embarrassed in the 1st round.

Whoever chose paying Thomas and keeping Julien over Kessel should be fucking shot too. Kessel and Julien didn't get along which is why Kessel wanted out. I guarantee you that if they went to Kessel and his agent and offered them an extra $1M a season and told them Julien was on a short rope that he would still be here. Someone needs to tell the Jacobs that the object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent and that it's not a good strategy to get rid of your leading goal scorer every couple of years.

[WOLF]

/\

I've heard that the entire room, really REALLY disliked Kessel. He's apprently a selfish, spoiled brat who's hard to take as a teammate. He'll probably grow out of it, and the Bruins surely miss his goals, but it might have been for the best - especially if he nets Hall or Seguin. There's even talk that Iginla could be had from Calgary for a top 2 pick... that would scare me, as a Habs fan.

Like I said previously, the Bruins weren't as good as they appeared to be last year (just like the Habs weren't as good as they appeared when they finished #1 in the conference two years ago). They had no injuries, several players had career years, Thomas was on fire, and Julien just had to sit back and reap the rewards - that can't happen every year. The reality is they're better than they appear this year (injuries were huge for them), but not as good as a real #1 seed. The future is bright though: Rask, Stuart, Hunwick, Boychuck, Marchand, Colborne, the picks coming in this year, and a handful of middle aged vets. No need for Boston to throw the baby out with the bath water.

[SkyDog112046]

/\
No need for Boston to throw the baby out with the bath water.

What about fans that consider Julien to be part of the bath water? Actually, I consider Julien to be the baby's bowel movement floating in the water.

[UtahRatt]

Fuck the VS channel and fuck the NHL and their fucking fuck of a TV contract. Doubt I'll resort to watching the Ranger/Philly game online.

Best of luck Rangers.

[chungasrevenge]

Fuck the VS channel and fuck the NHL and their fucking fuck of a TV contract. Doubt I'll resort to watching the Ranger/Philly game online.

Best of luck Rangers.

Yeah, the NHL desperately needs to get back on ESPN. The VS channel is good if you're interested in hunting duck, but they are showing the Rangers game tonight.

[WOLF]

I'm convinced the Montreal Canadiens are trying to kill me. How do you shutout the Flyers and Sabres, back to back, in the heat of a playoff race, and then no-show and lose games to the Islanders and Hurricanes.

All kinds of weird things have to happen for the Habs to miss the playoffs - AND THEY'RE HAPPENING.

Canadiens now clinch with:

a win or OT/SO loss to Toronto; or
a Rangers loss; or
two Flyers regulation losses; or
two Bruins regulation losses

I don't even know why I care. All making the playoffs means for the Habs is an extra week of hockey, more frustration, and a mediocre draft pick.

[SkyDog112046]

Four teams angling for 3 playoff spots. And the 3 teams that get in will be lucky to win more than a couple of games combined before they are all sent packing.

My guess is that if it's Bruins vs Caps in the 1st round that not only will the Bruins not win a game, they will not even have a lead in any part of the 4 games.

[alecjonsludge]

I think your Habs will get in.I'm thinking the Flyers might lose both games to the Rangers this weekend(Lundqvist > whatever 3rd/4th stringer the Flyers go with).But then again the Flyers are a more aggressive unit than the Rangers,so who knows.

[chungasrevenge]

Four teams angling for 3 playoff spots. And the 3 teams that get in will be lucky to win more than a couple of games combined before they are all sent packing.

My guess is that if it's Bruins vs Caps in the 1st round that not only will the Bruins not win a game, they will not even have a lead in any part of the 4 games.

They're a longshot, but what's the alternative? Not try? Playoff hockey is the most exciting time of year and it's good to have the B's make it. The experience is needed as well for players like Bergeron, Krecji, Rask, Lucic, Boychuk, Hunwick, Sobotka and Wheeler who are all under 25 and will be with the club for many years.

I hope the Flyers take care of business tonight.

[SkyDog112046]

Four teams angling for 3 playoff spots. And the 3 teams that get in will be lucky to win more than a couple of games combined before they are all sent packing.

My guess is that if it's Bruins vs Caps in the 1st round that not only will the Bruins not win a game, they will not even have a lead in any part of the 4 games.

They're a longshot, but what's the alternative? Not try? Playoff hockey is the most exciting time of year and it's good to have the B's make it. The experience is needed as well for players like Bergeron, Krecji, Rask, Lucic, Boychuk, Hunwick, Sobotka and Wheeler who are all under 25 and will be with the club for many years.

I hope the Flyers take care of business tonight.

The only way what they are going to experience is going to help them is if the embarrassment of getting blown out 4 straight games pisses them off and lights a fire under them for next season.

[WOLF]

So the Bruins earn their way in; and the Habs, despite a decent effort, back in. All that's left is one spot: Philly vs Rangers. I'm pulling for the Rags, as I'd rather the Habs finish 7th and face either Buffalo or New Jersey, as opposed to the sure death that is the Capitals (though those games might be more entertaining to watch).

I think some of you B's fans are pessimistic for nothing. With Rask at the top of his game I think you have a shot at knocking off Buffalo or New Jersey. Finishing 6th was a great thing for you. If I had to pick the upset in the 1st round it would be B's over whoever...

[Kid-Wicked]

henrik sedin wins the scoring title.

fuck. i would have bet the house today on ovie getting at least a hat trick.

first time a canuck has ever won.

sweet.


k.w.
bring on l.a.

[SkyDog112046]

So the Bruins earn their way in; and the Habs, despite a decent effort, back in. All that's left is one spot: Philly vs Rangers. I'm pulling for the Rags, as I'd rather the Habs finish 7th and face either Buffalo or New Jersey, as opposed to the sure death that is the Capitals (though those games might be more entertaining to watch).

I think some of you B's fans are pessimistic for nothing. With Rask at the top of his game I think you have a shot at knocking off Buffalo or New Jersey. Finishing 6th was a great thing for you. If I had to pick the upset in the 1st round it would be B's over whoever...

That Buffalo goalie ain't too shabby either. The difference is that Buffalo has guys who can find the net while the Bruins 2 best scorers are gone and out.

[chungasrevenge]

Good effort from the B's over the last week. C'mon Tuuka. We could have Taylor Hall on Tuesday as well.

[Scatman]

What a fucking game against the Rangers. I don't expect the Flyers to go far in the playoffs, but at least we're there.

[John Simon Ritchie]

Holy shit! The Flyers actually pulled it out...and in a shoot out even! Stanley Cup here we come, haha.

*Edit: Flyers versus Devils...Yes!!

[pieceofme]

henrik sedin wins the scoring title.

fuck. i would have bet the house today on ovie getting at least a hat trick.

first time a canuck has ever won.

sweet.


k.w.
bring on l.a.

Better than getting Detroit. Still reckon we won't get to the next round. Probably just as well considering i'm going to grow a playoff beard!

[chungasrevenge]

B's only have to beat the Sabres, Capitals and Devils to get to the finals. They beat all three last week.

Get the duck boats ready for the parade route.

[UtahRatt]

Holy shit! The Flyers actually pulled it out...and in a shoot out even! Stanley Cup here we come, haha.

*Edit: Flyers versus Devils...Yes!!

Guess it's a good thing I don't have the VS channel. Fuck hockey I'm out.

[chungasrevenge]

1- Hall, 2 - Seguin, 3 - Fowler. A good day to be a B's fan.

[pieceofme]

Interesting start so far. Pretty much all the underdogs winning the 1st game. Buffalo vs Boston the only exception.

2-2 between Canucks and Kings atm.

[chungasrevenge]

Caps/Sharks under pressure after one game.