NHL 08 Playoffs

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:07 pm

Inuyasha wrote:Looks like Pens are gonna make it in the finals just as Bettman / NBC want.

It's about damn time a sports commissioner realized how beneficial it is to fix it so a team that plays in a city of 300k can advance in the playoffs over a team that plays in a city of 8 million. If Bettman is fixing the Pens to be in the finals over the Rangers or Montreal then it's no wonder the NHL is on Vs.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:15 pm

He's happy their in, it's no fix going on. But he's made it public that he would prefer them in the finals because of the marketing opportunities. Maybe he shouldnt have said that publicly but he thinks it's best for the league.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:28 pm

No conspiracies.

Seven game series.

The teams with the better goaltending and greater will to win win. That has been the case in almost every NHL series I remember...

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:23 pm

Inuyasha wrote:He's happy their in, it's no fix going on. But he's made it public that he would prefer them in the finals because of the marketing opportunities. Maybe he shouldnt have said that publicly but he thinks it's best for the league.

Wow. I find that hard to believe. Do you have a link? I'd love to hear it or read it because that would be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard a commissioner say in public and that counts Bud Selig. I tried Google to find it and couldn't.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:48 pm

Can someone who watched the game yesterday explain how all four officials missed Drury getting his face cut open?

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:53 pm

pk500 wrote:Could it be possible that the Penguins could win the series because they're the more talented team? Of course not, according to Flyer Nation.

Take care,
PK

The way you pretend that all Flyers fans think the same way is really silly.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:56 pm

Feanor wrote:
pk500 wrote:Could it be possible that the Penguins could win the series because they're the more talented team? Of course not, according to Flyer Nation.

Take care,
PK
The way you pretend that all Flyers fans think the same way is really silly.

I've seen little here, at OS or hockey forums to the contrary. The persecution complex suffered by the majority of Flyer Nation is pretty damn acute.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:02 pm

I've been in the U.S. five years now and heard lots of white American say racist things, so I guess that means the majority of white Americans are nasty racists.

I'm sure you'll hear Flyers fans complaining about Crosby diving during this series, but that's got nothing to do with a supposed "Flyer Nation" complex since the Rangers and their fans were saying the same things.

For the record, I expect the Pens to win in 6 because their forwards should be too much for the Flyers D to handle. If only we could sign up Niedermayer and Pronger for a month.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:16 pm

Feanor wrote:I've been in the U.S. five years now and heard lots of white American say racist things, so I guess that means the majority of white Americans are nasty racists.

Hoooo-kay: You can stop right there. Comparing racism to passion for a hockey team is one hell of a stretch.

Feanor wrote:I'm sure you'll hear Flyers fans complaining about Crosby diving during this series, but that's got nothing to do with a supposed "Flyer Nation" complex since the Rangers and their fans were saying the same things.

If Crosby dives, I'll be in line with the complaining chorus. If he gets mugged and falls to the ice, I'll disagree with the chorus.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:59 pm

I heard Crosby took a major dive today in practice and as a result Steve Downie was suspended and the Pens will begin the series on a two-minute 5 on 3. Or was that just a nasty rumor going around Flyers nation about how the NHL hates us?

Oh, and I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that Malkin will be public enemy number 1 in Philly by the end of the series ahead of Crosby.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:47 pm

Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals
Friday at 7PM

Can't wait!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 06, 2008 10:21 am

Since there's no playoffs until Thrusday, it's team Canada vs Team USA at the Worlds championships in Halifax today folks.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Tue May 06, 2008 11:28 am

Since Jared locked the stupid horse thread lets pile back on Philly fan.
COME ON PENS !!!!!!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue May 06, 2008 3:20 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:Since Jared locked the stupid horse thread lets pile back on Philly fan.
COME ON PENS !!!!!!

Im done with Philly fans...I only care when they are playing the Habs.

I think its going to be a closer series than people expect if Biron and his D keep playing the way they have.

Go 7 game series!!!!..That ends with a game 7 OT!

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Tue May 06, 2008 4:28 pm

Agreed , the longer the NHL playoffs go the better cos after that its just Baseball snore zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz chores get done tho.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 06, 2008 5:41 pm

It's only a third rounder but great game going on at the Worlds between Canada-Usa. Third period tied 4-4.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:18 pm

I think the success of the Penguins is a great example of how well the Draft system can work in North American sports, compared to other parts of the world where bad teams can stay bad forever. Just look at the talent the Pens were rewarded with for their losing seasons in the first part of this decade.

2002 5th overall - Ryan Whitney
2003 1st overall - Marc-Andre Fleury
2004 2nd overall - Evgeni Malkin
2005 1st overall - Sidney Crosby
2006 2nd overall - Jordan Staal

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:24 pm

Feanor wrote:I think the success of the Penguins is a great example of how well the Draft system can work in North American sports, compared to other parts of the world where bad teams can stay bad forever. Just look at the talent the Pens were rewarded with for their losing seasons in the first part of this decade.

2002 5th overall - Ryan Whitney
2003 1st overall - Marc-Andre Fleury
2004 2nd overall - Evgeni Malkin
2005 1st overall - Sidney Crosby
2006 2nd overall - Jordan Staal

I forget they picked in the top 2 4 years in a row. I can't imagine that happens to a team very often.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:27 pm

I had totally forgotten how the NHL ran the 2005 draft since there was no hockey played that season. It was weighted based on playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years, but any team in the league could have got Crosby.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:30 pm

You're right Feanor. Having the right people to draft is huge, just look at DET that continue to get talented people without being bottom dwellers for years. J. Franzen is one excellent example, who's starting to shine in these playoffs. You also have to be lucky to have a year where all the talents are ready to make the big jump and 2005 was a big year. But at the same time, PIT was lucky to get Crosby as ANA was right in the lottery mix until the very last minute. Sadly, VAN has done poorly in the drafting department and therefore their mediocre results.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:37 pm

Feanor wrote:I think the success of the Penguins is a great example of how well the Draft system can work in North American sports

I like how it is an example of how it *can* work, but I also like how it is not a guarantee in sports. The Pirates have picked in the top of the draft for 15 straight years. Look at the Sixers. All those lottery picks in the NBA draft and nothing but one finals appearance to show for it. The Bengals are another example of a team that picks in the Top ten almost every year and still keeps losing. Plus, how many times in sports history have we seen teams trade away high draft picks and the rights to guys like Kobe, Magic, Worthy, etc? The Pens were at least smart enough to trade up for Fluery and turn down offers for the rights to draft Crosby and Staal.

The Steelers in the 1970s built their foundation on #1 overall selections Joe Greene and Terry Bradshaw. The Penguins won two cups with Mario and Jagr as high draft picks.

The long term success of the Pens will certainly be tied to those guys, but what has really made the team better this season are the contributions from (in some cases shrewd late season acquisitions) of guys like Dupuis, Malone, Gill, Talbot, Scuderi, Hall, etc. just like Bourque, aging Trottier and Mullen, Errey, etc. contributed heavily to the last 2 Pens cups.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed May 07, 2008 1:45 pm

Naples39 wrote:I forget they picked in the top 2 4 years in a row. I can't imagine that happens to a team very often.

True. It was the perfect storm. A broken financial system in a sport without a salary cap, a team in bankruptcy, a strike wiping out an entire season, and a Russian player that took a few years to come over.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed May 07, 2008 2:58 pm

Maybe Airdog is happy that P. Maurice is fired from the Leafs but their problems is beyond the scapegoat coach.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu May 08, 2008 12:41 pm

Well, after going 7 out of 8 in the first round, I completely struck out on my predictions for the second round. It's playoffs time again guys, and I really look forward to both match ups.

DET-DAL: I really think that if M. Turco continues to play out of his mind, the Stars have a chance. B. Morrow is a huge leader for this team, a candidate for the Conn Smythe throphy and everyone else is pitching in at the right time. S. Zubov has added depth to a blue line that include three inexperienced youngsters and the B. Richards trade has payed dividends for both parties. Now, Turco seems to have some kind of psychological meltdown at the Joe Louis arena and his record is rather poor vs the Wings.

You have to stop the likes of 'Homer' and 'The mule' and the other guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg are enjoying the fact that the spotlight has not been on them all the time. They have too many weapons to fight whatever the Stars will throw at them and playing physical and crushing into players like Lidstrom and Rafalski will be key. Easier said than done, they are so good carrying and controlling the puck. In the end, I think DET will prevail in 7.

Battle of PA: What's not to like, just bring it on! It'll be a physical war between these two teams, Flyers must have a ton of confidence starting with Marty Biron, and guys like Umberger, Carter and Knuble are contributing at the right time. S. Gagne would have made a big contibution to the team. But Pens are loaded this year, M. Hossa is erasing his soft image for the post season and the blue line is tougher than what people give them credit for.
M.A. Fleury has been hot too. At one point or another during the series, Laraque and Cote will duke it out (Ihope), bringing an extra physical element to the series. At the end of the day, Flyers will not be able to contain the likes of Staal, Crosby, Malkin and CO, and the penalties will catch up on them. PIT will make them pay in 6.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:23 pm

Man, the series hasn't even started yet and the trash talking has gotten out of control. Yesterday a host on ESPN Pittsburgh threatened to shoot Riley Cote from the press box.

That's going just a little too far, especially when Cote has hardly played in the first two rounds. He'd do better shooting Biron or Umberger.