Stanley Cup Playoffs thread

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:35 am

Last night proved that the Oil doesn't need to play the trap to win. I saw very little trapping going on in the first two periods, when the Oil jumped to a 3-1 lead.

I think MacT is really keeping Babcock on his heels in this series. Alternating between trapping and free skating is really confounding Babcock and the Wings.

Take care,
PK

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:13 am

Whats wrong with the trap?...I know its hard to play when the refs enforce the rules...but..I dont think its illegal.

laurenskye · Post by **laurenskye** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:58 am

Well, it's just a 2-2-1 system but everyone calls it that "evil, unspeakable" word...TRAP.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:06 pm

laurenskye wrote:Well, it's just a 2-2-1 system but everyone calls it that "evil, unspeakable" word...TRAP.

I never had a problem with it. Even when the "evil" Devils used it. Are they still using it?

I didnt understand was what the difference was between the trap and the left wing lock?

I just always thought it was good defense and very smart play.

CrazyPsycho · Post by **CrazyPsycho** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:12 pm

Of course the Devils are still using it. It's so BORING. Takes all the energy out of a hockey game.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 12:35 pm

In the left wing lock, the left wing drops back to the blue line or neutral zone to play as a third defenseman while the center and right wing still forecheck. It doesn't have to be the left wing dropping back -- it can be any forward.

In the neutral zone trap, four players stay in the neutral zone while only one forward forechecks, often meekly.

Teams like New Jersey, Minnesota and Detroit are given badges of infamy for popularizing the lock and trap and using it successfully in the NHL. Ironic, considering both were devised in the supposedly free-flowing European game. The Swedes created the trap and the Czechs designed the lock back in the 1960s and 1970s to stop the mighty Soviet Red Army teams.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 1:17 pm

XXXIV wrote:Whats wrong with the trap?...I know its hard to play when the refs enforce the rules...but..I dont think its illegal.

Illegal? Not at all. But ask the poor fans at Minnesota that watch their Wild team play at full capacity and highlights always show a few people snoozing at their games. Like J. Lemaire the Master of the trap said: "There's nothing boring about winning". Their system is not pretty but very efficient in creating puck turnovers and consequently creating an offensive chance. And he did it succesfully for NJ while he was there although Lou is playing his team a bit more open in Jersey these days.

ubrakto · Post by **ubrakto** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:59 pm

pk500 wrote:Last night proved that the Oil doesn't need to play the trap to win. I saw very little trapping going on in the first two periods, when the Oil jumped to a 3-1 lead.

I think MacT is really keeping Babcock on his heels in this series. Alternating between trapping and free skating is really confounding Babcock and the Wings.

When you're right, you're right. I've wanted to pin the double-OT game 1 and game 2 loss on the trap, but in Game 3 I can't even blame that. If I'm not mistaken the Wings got both 3rd period goals while Emonton was trapping.

It's cliche, but the fact is Edmonton is playing with much more urgency and the Wings just don't seem to be able to match it for more than a few shifts at a time. (Game 1 excepted; I only saw the two OTs, but I thought the Wings really outplayed the Oilers in that one.) And yeah, Babcock looks like he's getting outcoached right now, which is ironic given that he used the trap so effectively in sweeping the Wings in 2003 (I think it was 2003).

*If* it's decisive (no OT and at least a two goal spread w/no empty netters), I really think the winner of Game 4 will take the series.
---Todd

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:31 pm

In terms of entertainment, nothing comes close to the Habs-Canes series. Even though it's just 1-0 in the 2nd period it's non stop action, end to end, and Ward is having a great game in between the posts for CAR.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:03 pm

While I'm stoked about the Oil's 2-1 lead in the series, I'm far from overconfident due to a simple fact. Edmonton is playing as well defensively as I've seen this season, and I've seen all but about five or six of its games. The Oil could use a bit more offensive punch, but that's hard when you're playing the "press."

Conversely, Detroit can play better. Possibly a lot better. So the crux of this series remains whether the Red Wings have the desire to play better, as Edmonton has outhustled Detroit in all three games, and whether the Oilers' system allows Detroit to play better.

It should be a fantastic conclusion to a really fun series. Game on!

Take care,
PK

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:44 pm

Turco alert, Turco alert. If hes playing, fuhgeddaboutit. Nothing against Turco, but he builds his record during the regular season and then tanks when it matters most. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong, and he stands on his head tonight.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:49 pm

Big relief for Philly as the series is now 2-1. Another OT coming up for the Habs-Canes match. freaky accident to S. Koivu as he got a stick in the eye and was bleeding from inside. Scary.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:54 pm

Turco strikes at the 5:21 mark of the first period. Amazing.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:57 pm

10spro wrote:Big relief for Philly as the series is now 2-1. Another OT coming up for the Habs-Canes match. freaky accident to S. Koivu as he got a stick in the eye and was bleeding from inside. Scary.

I thought the freaky part was that the refs didnt see it....

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:30 pm

ddtrane wrote:Turco alert, Turco alert. If hes playing, fuhgeddaboutit. Nothing against Turco, but he builds his record during the regular season and then tanks when it matters most. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong, and he stands on his head tonight.

Technically, he's very sound. As his coach A. Moog was saying, COL is playing a very smart series by having a lot of men screening him. But also if anyone knows Turco, his puck handling is one of the best, and what COL is doing is dumping the puck smartly where he can't touch it outside the area where it causes a penalty, because when he controls that puck it's like having a 6th man in your favour.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 10:44 pm

10spro wrote:
ddtrane wrote:Turco alert, Turco alert. If hes playing, fuhgeddaboutit. Nothing against Turco, but he builds his record during the regular season and then tanks when it matters most. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong, and he stands on his head tonight.
Technically, he's very sound. As his coach A. Moog was saying, COL is playing a very smart series by having a lot of men screening him. But also if anyone knows Turco, his puck handling is one of the best, and what COL is doing is dumping the puck smartly where he can't touch it outside the area where it causes a penalty, because when he controls that puck it's like having a 6th man in your favour.

I apologize and stop the Turco bashing. But in reality, I'm a frustrated Stars fan.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:35 pm

I know the Rangers/Devils series isn't a very good series but as a Devils fan I love it. The Devils are totally dominating the Rangers in every facet of the game in this series. Hopefully they can carry that into their next series.

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:45 pm

The crowd was insane tonight!
We're trying to make the series interesting.

LET'S GO FLYERS!!!

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:11 am

Whomevers choosing the games for OLN is making all the right choices(except for the Rangers/Devils). Another OT game with the Stars/Avs. The NBA can't produce this type of excitement in the first round.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:16 am

keep ragging on turco....

he choked

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:17 am

agreed! great games!!!!

i LOVE OT!!!!

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:18 am

You can't fault Turco for that 3rd goal...but yeah, OT here we come.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:19 am

Sudz wrote:keep ragging on turco....

he choked

Said I was gonna quit, but when the announcers start talking about his playoff ineptitude, well thats another story.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:22 am

OH. OH!

Sully · Post by **Sully** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:23 am

It's over.
Did Dallas even come out for the OT period?