Hockey Night In DSP

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:10 pm

laurenskye wrote:Paul, you can come over and watch all the Wings playoff games since the Edmonton (trade our leader and captain and the greatest just to save a buck) Oilers will be watching from home.

Your point? Of course the Wings should make the playoffs. Compare its roster to Edmonton's and tell me which team should be atop the NHL and which team resembles an AHL team.

Fact is, the Wings have produced three consecutive regular seasons of 109 points or more since winning their last Cup, and they have been eliminated twice in the first round and once in the second round.

The Wings are the poster children for recent underachievement in the NHL. Maybe that will change this year, maybe not. I lean toward the latter.

Playing in the weakest division in the NHL does Detroit no favors when it comes to the proverbial crunch time in the playoffs.

There's a reason why so many higher seeds were eliminated last year; the lower seeds are in their personal playoffs just to get into the postseason for a month before the actual playoffs start. They're battle-tested. Teams like Detroit, which coast to their division title with little opposition due to a weak division, aren't tested as much as a team that scrapes for its life just to get in.

And yes, the last Wings' Cup winner won the President's Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season. But this Wings' team is nowhere near as powerful as that group, which was an amazing team.

So forgive me if the Wings' strong regular season isn't causing me to hang Hockeytown banners around my house. Until the Wings can prove they can get over the hump in the playoffs, I'm very unconvinced.

Take care,
PK

vader29 · Post by **vader29** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:00 pm

If anyone has a super high speed connection there are live hockey games streamed on this page http://www.comcast.net/sports/nhl/hockeylive/

My speed on verizon dsl is 2500 kb/s and I tried watching the New Jersey/Carolina game last night but I couldn't get it to stream on my computer, kept buffering after every 5 to 10 seconds of gameplay.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 6:59 pm

John Tavares has broken Wayne Gretzky's goal scoring record for a 16-year old in the OHL, after scoring his 71st goal of the season.

The accomplishment adds to the resume of a player who won't be available in the entry draft until the spring of 2009.

If the 6-foot, 183-lb. Tavares was eligible this June, one scout was asked prior to last night's game, how high would he be picked?

"No. 1," was the immediate answer. "There's no doubt. He has such a great hockey sense and an ability to get open, and he plays with an edge.

"I don't know what weakness he has, if he has any at all."

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Dr ... 6-sun.html

Pretty impressive stuff.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:20 am

Tough night for PK as his Oilers fall to the Blues but even more so in the fact that a couple of former Oilers Dmen did the damage. Jeff Woywitka scored his first career goal and Eric Brewer netted the winner in OT!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 12:07 pm

Ten and counting. Only nine goals during the streak. Pathetic, considering the f*cking Rangers scored seven just last night.

Amazing that a team which many during the preseason could have six or seven 20-goal scorers will end up with one and probably be the lowest-scoring team in the league. The Oil has the third-most impotent offense in the NHL, and it's only a matter of time until it's the worst.

The horror ...

Looking forward to the Pittsburgh-Ottawa game tonight. A possible preview of a barnburner of a first-round playoff series.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:23 pm

pk500 wrote:Ten and counting. Only nine goals during the streak. Pathetic, considering the f*cking Rangers scored seven just last night.

Amazing that a team which many during the preseason could have six or seven 20-goal scorers will end up with one and probably be the lowest-scoring team in the league. The Oil has the third-most impotent offense in the NHL, and it's only a matter of time until it's the worst.

The horror ...

Looking forward to the Pittsburgh-Ottawa game tonight. A possible preview of a barnburner of a first-round playoff series.

Take care,
PK

More importantly is Mactavish in danger of losing his job?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:24 pm

I think Mac T's job is safe for another season. You can't blame the coach for all the injuries that they are having plus the departure of Smytty.
But if the team doens't make the playoffs next season, then he's in trouble.

Canucks beat the best team in the NHL at the garage with a solid performance by the Twins and our MVP R. Luongo. Can't wait to get Nazzy going along our PP. We could turn a few heads during the playoffs.

What's up with Calgary? COL is making a solid run for the final spot and if there's a rumor about someone leaving it's J. Playfair. It should be an exciting fight for the final 8th spot in the West.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 6:26 pm

tjung0831 wrote:More importantly is Mactavish in danger of losing his job?

No.

First, there's still a honeymoon from last year's run, especially since that team REALLY overachieved. Second, I don't think even the bastard offspring of Scotty Bowman and Toe Blake could win many games with this team.

You saw the game last night, Tim: The Oilers basically are an AHL team playing at the NHL level. Four of the five defensemen are rookies. Nine of the 17 skaters have spent significant time in the AHL or ECHL this year.

I think MacT is safe.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 12:42 am

The Avs are making a lot of people sweat in cowtown. Just four points separate them now for the final spot in the West. P. Budaj is playing great for them and he hasn't lost a match yet this month. Some nail biting times for the Flames, and I don't mind that one bit.

It's just strange that with all the key additions that CAL got, they find themselves struggling lately. A lot of people are pointing at the coach.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:52 am

I'm reduced to a whisper:

"The horror ... the HORROR."

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:14 am

The Tootoo suspension is a joke.

First, Tootoo's hit on Modano was clean. Very clean.

Second, Robidas was about to jump Tootoo from behind. What the hell is the guy supposed to do, let Robidas nail him from behind? And I don't buy Robidas' explanation one bit:

"If I go in and try to jump him, that's my fault," Robidas said. "But I'm just going in there to let him know, 'Hey, you don't hit Modano like that, and if you want to go, we'll go.' That's all I was doing. I wasn't going to jump him. But then, boom."

Bullsh*t. Robidas was going after Tootoo. The guy has a right to defend himself.

Tootoo should have received a five-minute major and a match penalty. That's it.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:10 am

I would love to see a game in this barn:

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/193832

Take care,
PK

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:58 am

pk500 wrote: Bullsh*t. Robidas was going after Tootoo. The guy has a right to defend himself.

He definitely has a right to defend himself, but he does not have the right to flat out cold cock the guy. Most people put their arms, hands, stick, etc., to protect their face, not connect with a solid shot to the face. Throw in the fact that he's considered amongst the dirtiest in the league and you've got what's considered a no-brainer to league brass.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:11 am

I agree with Airdog. Tootoo's hit on Modano was a clean hit, but if you take a run at a team's star player, clean or not, you should practically expect a teammate to come after you. It's just part of the game.

Sure, you have a right to protect yourself, but do so by getting your stick or forearms up. Cold-cocking someone in the face on the other hand is totally unacceptable. This is a hockey game, not a street fight, and that is not the way to initiate throwing punches.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:38 am

the oilers have like 9 goals in 9 games...

ouch.

the ghost of smitty

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:12 pm

Well, even though the Oil lost again, they played very well against my 'Nucks last night. They have like 10 regulars out, a bunch of kids playing for next year and it takes time to put it all together. Out of their last 11 losses or so, I think they played their best game yet last night.

The Tootoo's suspension is deserved. And yes Robidas' action does seem to insinuate that he was going to jump on Jordin, but we'll never know because Tootoo sucker punched him. One thing should be mentioned though is the careless way M. Modano swung his stick at Tootoo as he was turning toward Robidas. But he's a supertar right? Doesn't matter, the careless use of the stick should apply to everyone alike.

The final spot for the playoffs in the East heats up between the Leafs, Habs and NYI. Games are so tight in the East that they seem to all end in OT.

Back in the West, it remains to be seen whether the Flames continue to choke away while the Avs have 2 games back to back with EDM and those could be the four points that will tie those teams for the final spot.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:32 am

Good rematch between the Devils & Leafs. Remember the infamous hit by C. Janssen that put T. Kaberle on the sidelines? Well, revenge time between Belak & Janssen took place; a great old fashion fight that lasted almost a minute and a half. Belak started throwing punches like crazy and landing them until he started getting tired. To Janssens's credit he never quit, in fact asked the zebras not to interfere and let them duke it out until the very end when Belak's legs gave in. Leafs also won 2-1.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/32592

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:02 am

I'll beg to differ on that scrap, James: It was much ado about nothing. The reason it lasted so long is because so few punches connected with anything of substance other than the hard plastic of a helmet.

I would much rather see two guys just hammer and connect for 15 seconds instead of a flailing, extended waltz like we saw between Belak and Janssen.

Big of Belak to step in and try to send a message, though. Janssen deserves a SERIOUS ass-beating from someone in the NHL. Too bad it wasn't Belak last night.

Three teams tied for the last spot in the East with 80 points. Woo-hoo! Fun times.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:10 am

Good to know that T. Fedoruk will be fine after hitting the ice hard and laying motionless when he was knocked out in a fight with C. Orr in a match that the Rangers just cleaned house vs Philly.

The Canucks are a fun and confident bunch to watch these days, whether they play at home or away. With Minni behind our heels, the guys outplayed a very smart & dangerous team in NAS and their new superstar P. Forsberg. With Louie in net they're playing solid D even without two of their top blue men like W.Mitchell and T. Salo. Good to see all four lines rolling.

We got back to back games with the Avs now, and they're also playing good Hockey as they are chasing CAL for the final playoffs spot.

Todd Bertuzzi may make his Wing debut on THU night after his back surgery.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:06 am

Twelve and counting ... the horror, the HORROR.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:05 pm

10spro wrote:Good to know that T. Fedoruk will be fine after hitting the ice hard and laying motionless when he was knocked out in a fight with C. Orr in a match that the Rangers just cleaned house vs Philly.

It's hard to watch him fight after all the bad face/head injuries he suffered:

This is the fourth time the Flyers winger has suffered a severe blow to his face. He suffered fractures to the left side of his face in a fight early in his career with the Flyers; he was struck with a puck on the bench playing for the Phantoms during the NHL's lockout year; and 10 games into this season, the right side of his face was fractured in a fight when he was still with Anaheim against Derek Boogaard.

He missed most of the first half of the season, wore a full shield for about a month and now he is back in the hospital. He has at least nine small titanium plates in his face, holding his cheek and eye orbitals together.

"With the surgeries he's had, he basically has a titanium face," Holmgren said.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 3:33 pm

You can look at Fedoruk two ways:

1. He knows his role is to be a goon, and he loves the game so much that he'll risk his facial structure just to play.

2. He's a cementhead.

A little of both, I guess.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:59 am

Nice comebacks from behind from the Canes and Habs last night as they seemed to be doomed and gloomed by the end of the second period. The race for a final spot in the East is exciting and now the Leafs find themselves catching up to the rest as they didn't play and have two tough games coming up. NYI also won.

Montreal just exploded with five un-answered goals and for now their goaltender issue is forgotten. Man, that S. Souray has a rocket of a shot.

In lieu of what just happened to T. Fedoruk, do you think the league should ban any figthting?

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=201160&hubname=

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:39 am

10spro wrote:In lieu of what just happened to T. Fedoruk, do you think the league should ban any figthting?

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=201160&hubname=

The NHL management is un-f*cking-believably stupid. I'm talking cro-Magnon dumb.

There's an EPIDEMIC of concussions caused by open-ice hits to the head, yet the league and its caveman henchmen, like Brian Burke in Anaheim, shrug that off as "part of the game." Yet when two goons like Orr and Fedoruk want to scrap, that's something that needs to be looked at?

Edmonton has had four players -- Stoll, Gilbert, Roy and Pisani -- sidelined for a considerable amount of time in the last six weeks due to concussions suffered on open-ice hits to the head. The career of Stoll, one of the most promising, talented two-way centers in the game, hangs in the balance due to his head injury.

And Colie Campbell is worried about fighting?

F*ck me. It's a good thing I love this game so much, because the suits running the show make it really hard sometimes.

Take care,
PK

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:55 am

agreed.

they are getting all up uppity because this stuff is getting more AIRTIME than Crosby or Modano or anything positive.

we need NEW management or the NHL will be gone.