It's NHL 2010 Playoffs Folks

tmdba37 · Post by **tmdba37** » Tue May 25, 2010 8:11 pm

Naples39 wrote:
10spro wrote:Even Laperriere and Carter are back, Hawks have more depth and skills overall. Flyers D won't be able to keep up with CHI's speed. The only chance they have to win it all is to pummel the hell out of everyone in their sight, at every corner of the rink and be physical for 60 minutes. If not it's the Hawks in 5.
Obviously the Hawks are more talented than the Canadiens, but I'm not sure the Hawks are that much faster than Cammallieri, Gionta, Gomez etc... That speed looked awful slow against the Flyers top-4 managing all of 2 goals in their 4 losses.

Feanor wrote:The only thing that will suck about this Finals match-up is having to watch Sharp and Kane play for the Hawks, when they could be in orange & black if Hitchcock hadn't gone mad and traded Sharp for a bag of pucks and the stupid lottery hadn't cheated the 06-07 Flyers out of the #1 pick. (Kane has 230 points in 244 regular season games, JVR has 35 in 78.)
Yes, I was just beginning to get over the awful luck of getting the number two pick that year despite an historically bad season and the worst trade ever; Sharp and Meloche for Matt Ellison and a 3rd rounder.

If you judge this series on regular season records, obviously the Hawks are huge favorites. However, on paper and based on postseason performance this is pretty even. Remember this Flyers team is talented enough that they were The Hockey News preseason pick to win it all.

I don't know if you can really and fairly compare three guys in their 30's to Kane, Toews, Bolland, Versteeg, etc. I mean the Hawks have something many of us would love to bottle and sell--youth.

Also, don't forget what the Hawks just did to the Sharks top lines. . .take Patrick Marleau away and they essentially shut the entire team down. Their team defense has been stifiling as of late.

Per the regular season, ironically, the Flyers helped the Hawks playoff run by scoring those two late goals in winning against the Hawks and Cristobal Huet--essentially (and thankfully) pasting his French behind to the bench. . .

It'll be interesting to see what happens when two teams on a roll like these two get together, but I think that overall you have to go with the more talented and consistent team.

Blackhawks in 5.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue May 25, 2010 9:11 pm

My specific point is that the pure speed of the Hawks attack isn't necessarily a major problem for the Flyers, not that the Hawks are similar to the Habs overall.

People are being fooled by the Flyers inconsistent regular season and number 7 seed. The fact is that the Flyers top-4 defense is as good as any team in the league, and Gagne, Richards, Carter, Briere and Giroux provide plenty of pop up front. They are a very talented team and this series isn't as lopsided as people are making it out to be.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:41 pm

It's amazing to think that the Flyers got Richards at #24 in the draft and Giroux at #22. What steals.

Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multim ... ent.1.html

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat May 29, 2010 8:07 pm

The quest for the Cup starts in a few minutes. Hope that the series plays up to all the hype built up the last few days. Battle of the original 12!

. Can't wait for Mr Crosschek C. Pronger to start whacking at big Buff. If he plays with that edge prior to the lock out, PHI will have one of the problems solved.

Easier said than done, Byfuglien is listed at 250, and I am darn sure he's in the 270 vicinity.

Flyers have to create more traffic in front of Niemi, he's prone to give a few juicy rebounds but neither VAN or SJ could capitalize due to the great CHI's mobile D-men.

P. Laviolette has done a great job in Philly since he took over and the players trust in his system. Some great matchups, Richards vs Toews, Carter vs Kane. Hope Philly can keep their gritty game and be physical with this young CHI team, because the overall skill of the Hawks should win the series.

I still pick the Hawks in 5, hope I am wrong and goes the distance.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat May 29, 2010 8:12 pm

10spro wrote: I still pick the Hawks in 5, hope I am wrong and goes the distance.

Disagree!.... Hawks in 6.

EDIT: Oh yeah I forgot the

...and a Go Hawks

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat May 29, 2010 10:01 pm

Fantastic 40 minutes of action. Amazing how quickly Boucher healed considering how his knees twisted in game 5 vs BOS. I would pull out Niemi as well.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat May 29, 2010 10:05 pm

I bet the coaches would say sloppy bad hockey. Most of those 10 goals were results of defensive break downs and or turnovers.

You are right 10s. It is exciting and fun to watch. Especially since its not the Habs and I dont want to shoot the ref for not calling that high stick that Seabrook caught in the face.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Sat May 29, 2010 10:14 pm

Im not really digging it, are we still going to test out smaller goalie equipment and bigger nets still? why after these playoffs id say we need to reduce scoring its like NHL 10 out there on pro.
Now all they need is to get rid of hitting and weve got the allstar game for 82 games Sa weet.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat May 29, 2010 11:06 pm

It was ugly but I'll take it. Any time you can win a game you're not at your best is a bonus. The refs sure didn't want to call a penalty on the Flyers. I hope that trend does not continue. I saw 3 blatant that should have been called. If the Hawks can shore up their defense and corral their nerves I like their chances to hoist. 3 more wins!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat May 29, 2010 11:11 pm

Doesnt need to be pretty.

The 3rd period is probably more indicative of what we will see the rest of the series. Scoop I think you are correct as I look for much of the sloppy to go bye bye as the nerves subside.

Hossa sure looks like he doesnt want to be on 3 differnt finals losers in 3 straight seasons. he worked damn hard for those two sweet assists.

tmdba37 · Post by **tmdba37** » Sat May 29, 2010 11:24 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:It was ugly but I'll take it. Any time you can win a game you're not at your best is a bonus. The refs sure didn't want to call a penalty on the Flyers. I hope that trend does not continue. I saw 3 blatant that should have been called. If the Hawks can shore up their defense and corral their nerves I like their chances to hoist. 3 more wins!

The worst non-call was the missed high stick on Seabrook. . .the Flyers scored shortly after that. . .

What a fun game though. I have to imagine that the Flyers will be kicking themselves because they could have easily won this one. They had momentum and some nice lucky bounces, but the Hawks countered every punch and locked it down in the end.

I do feel bad for Leighton, as I thought his being pulled was awfully harsh because he was hung out to dry on most of those five goals. . .Boucher did ok though for a gimp. . .

Definitely looking forward to Monday night. . .this is simply a blast!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun May 30, 2010 12:10 am

tmdba37 wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote:It was ugly but I'll take it. Any time you can win a game you're not at your best is a bonus. The refs sure didn't want to call a penalty on the Flyers. I hope that trend does not continue. I saw 3 blatant that should have been called. If the Hawks can shore up their defense and corral their nerves I like their chances to hoist. 3 more wins!
The worst non-call was the missed high stick on Seabrook. . .the Flyers scored shortly after that. . .

What a fun game though. I have to imagine that the Flyers will be kicking themselves because they could have easily won this one. They had momentum and some nice lucky bounces, but the Hawks countered every punch and locked it down in the end.

I do feel bad for Leighton, as I thought his being pulled was awfully harsh because he was hung out to dry on most of those five goals. . .Boucher did ok though for a gimp. . .

Definitely looking forward to Monday night. . .this is simply a blast!

Sloppy fun it was. It reminded me of game two where my 'Nuckers coulda and shoulda put the Hawks away and yet they squandered their many opportunities on the PP, losing eventually the game and of course the series. Flyers missed their chances on the PP as well and in the end it cost them, especially after the first 40 minutes.

I don't think Leighton was that awful, but a simply wake up call from Laviolette to his D-men to tighten things up. If Philly went ahead 5-4 maybe Niemi would have been the scapegoat too.

It'll be a much tighter game two for sure and based on tonight's game, the Flyers should be optimistic about the next game.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Sun May 30, 2010 7:38 am

Hard to know what to make of game 1.

On the one hand the Flyers completely shut down the Hawks top line (2 shots, -9) and outchanced the Hawks nearly 2-to-1, yet still lost.

Neither goalie will want to remember that game, but at least Niemi made some big saves while leaking 5 goals. Leighton didn't make a single notable save, which is how he made his name for the team the last few months. Even in a bad performance a goalie should come up with a big save or two.

Do the Flyers match their game 1 effort and get average goaltending for a game 2 win? Or have the Hawks already absorbed the Flyers best punch and Leighton is out of his league? Hard to say.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sun May 30, 2010 8:00 am

Losing a game where the offense was rolling like a freight rain for most of the game is really tough. Leighton didn't get great support, but he should have made a couple more key saves than he did. Boucher's only goal was awful, but it's his first game back from knee injuries so I can't blame him for not being perfect.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sun May 30, 2010 10:16 am

Naples39 wrote:Hard to know what to make of game 1.

On the one hand the Flyers completely shut down the Hawks top line (2 shots, -9) and outchanced the Hawks nearly 2-to-1, yet still lost.

My take was that the Hawks just put 6 by the Flyers despite having their top line completely shut down. Same data, different conclusions.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon May 31, 2010 1:04 pm

And this sweet goal folks, was voted play of the year.

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IcC5-SpCncs&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed>

Game 2 tonight between Flyers-Hawks. I expect Philly to pick up a notch in the physical department, they have to steal one tonight, CHI is pretty darn good on the road.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 31, 2010 9:05 pm

That was much more like it....0-0 after one....Hard nosed and actually resembling a hockey playoff game.

Go Hawks!

Must go. 10 minutes of free roaming bear hunting RDR before the 2nd starts

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 31, 2010 10:02 pm

Hossa really really doesnt wanna play on three finals losers in a row.

Niemi sweet saves...Eager goal from no where.

Hawks up 2-0 and looking to take the series up 2-0 in games back to Philly.

Back to RDR. Many bears.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Mon May 31, 2010 10:38 pm

Niemi. Chicago Niemi.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon May 31, 2010 10:52 pm

Diablo25 wrote:Niemi. Chicago Niemi.

Big factor no doubt. CHI is collapsing far too deep into their blue line protecting the lead. The rebounds are there but he's been able to make the second saves as well. Flyers need to put more men around the crease.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon May 31, 2010 11:01 pm

I was ready for Sharp to haunt his former team, but to have the game-winner be a wrist shot by Ben Eager from pretty far out is sickening. The Flyers can't win the series with Leighton letting in weak goals like that; I don't think they can even win one game with that type of goaltending.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 31, 2010 11:02 pm

Yeah its Niemi. He comes up big and holds off the Flyers.

Flyers going to need more of that come back magic down two zip in the series.

tmdba37 · Post by **tmdba37** » Mon May 31, 2010 11:05 pm

Neimi says "No"

Certainly felt much more like a Stanley Cup Final game and I have to hand it to the Flyers for playing for their lives there at the end. . .but Niemi--as he has often times in these playoffs--took his play to the next level. A level I don't think anyone thought this guy could get to. . .

Ben Eager with the game winner. . .talk about your unlikely heroes. . .but as they say. . .that's sports. . .you never know and even when you know you still don't

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon May 31, 2010 11:12 pm

2 more wins. Philly played tough and threw everything they had at the Hawks in that last period. Niemi was more than equal to the task. Game 3 should be interesting considering the Flyers are even more desperate but the Hawks play much more controlled and loose on the road without the pressure of feeling like they have to put on a show for the hometown crowd. It was nice to see Hoss get goal tonight. He has been a beast during the playoffs with his defense and offense but just couldn't hit the back of the net. He looked so relieved to finally do it.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:17 pm

After watching the 1st two games, it turns out the Hawks can play the Flyers' game better than the Flyers can play the Hawk's game. Playing back in Philly, Laviolette better make some changes. Maybe separate Carter from Richards making them tougher for CHI to key in on, maybe bring back Riemsdyk? At least at home he'll be able to dictate matchups better and the home crowd always helps.

That and put more people in front of Niemi, he's seeing everything.