Naples39 wrote:A Boston-Chicago finals matchup--no one could dispute that the two most deserving teams are in the finals.
I also a little relieved, because that would mean the champion wouldn't be all about the goalie, as it has been the last two years with Thomas and Quick.
Let's get something straight. Last year the Kings were not all about their goalie. Yes, his number in the playoffs were spectacular but a lot of that had to do with the Kings absolutely dominating the competition and not allowing much in the way of scoring chances. Quick was good but he didn't even need to be. The Kings held their opponents to low shot totals for nearly every game and the shots they did allow were usually from low percentage areas.
Look at the stats, the Kings controlled the puck better than any team last year (and all of this years regular season) and from the trade deadline on were the highest scoring team in the NHL. They won the cup because the team was firing on all cylinders, not just because they have a world class goalie. Quick wasn't scoring all those shorthanded goals last year. If it was my choice I would have named Brown or Doughty last years Conn Smythe. Quick got it because of his numbers more than anything.
This year is a different story. The team isn't scoring enough and Quick has kept them in every game.
"Be tolerant of those who describe a sporting moment as their best ever. We do not lack imagination, nor have we had sad and barren lives; it is just that real life is paler, duller, and contains less potential for unexpected delirium." -Nick Hornby
Naples39 wrote:A Boston-Chicago finals matchup--no one could dispute that the two most deserving teams are in the finals.
I also a little relieved, because that would mean the champion wouldn't be all about the goalie, as it has been the last two years with Thomas and Quick.
Let's get something straight. Last year the Kings were not all about their goalie. Yes, his number in the playoffs were spectacular but a lot of that had to do with the Kings absolutely dominating the competition and not allowing much in the way of scoring chances. Quick was good but he didn't even need to be. The Kings held their opponents to low shot totals for nearly every game and the shots they did allow were usually from low percentage areas.
Look at the stats, the Kings controlled the puck better than any team last year (and all of this years regular season) and from the trade deadline on were the highest scoring team in the NHL. They won the cup because the team was firing on all cylinders, not just because they have a world class goalie. Quick wasn't scoring all those shorthanded goals last year. If it was my choice I would have named Brown or Doughty last years Conn Smythe. Quick got it because of his numbers more than anything.
This year is a different story. The team isn't scoring enough and Quick has kept them in every game.
I don't think Quick won it single-handedly. I do think he did play off the charts, and he clearly was the hero at the end that everyone was writing about. Obviously the Bruins were more than Thomas as well, as evidenced by their success this year. But the story everyone will remember from each of those cup runs was unprecedented goalie performances. That will not be the case this year.
XXXIV wrote:The same talk radio clowns who had counted out the Hawks when they were down 3-1 to the Wings are counting out the Kings here.
While I do think the Hawks will probably win out in the end, Im not so sure the Kings will go away so easily.
Looking forward to finding out.
The Kings were under 500 on the road this season--San Jose was the only playoff team to have a worse road record. Even worse the Kings are 1-7 on the road in these playoffs. Hard to see them winning in Chicago twice.
XXXIV wrote:The same talk radio clowns who had counted out the Hawks when they were down 3-1 to the Wings are counting out the Kings here.
While I do think the Hawks will probably win out in the end, Im not so sure the Kings will go away so easily.
Looking forward to finding out.
The Kings were under 500 on the road this season--San Jose was the only playoff team to have a worse road record. Even worse the Kings are 1-7 on the road in these playoffs. Hard to see them winning in Chicago twice.
Especially without Richards.
"Be tolerant of those who describe a sporting moment as their best ever. We do not lack imagination, nor have we had sad and barren lives; it is just that real life is paler, duller, and contains less potential for unexpected delirium." -Nick Hornby
XXXIV wrote:The same talk radio clowns who had counted out the Hawks when they were down 3-1 to the Wings are counting out the Kings here.
While I do think the Hawks will probably win out in the end, Im not so sure the Kings will go away so easily.
Looking forward to finding out.
The Kings were under 500 on the road this season--San Jose was the only playoff team to have a worse road record. Even worse the Kings are 1-7 on the road in these playoffs. Hard to see them winning in Chicago twice.
I'm with Naples. Hell, I was calling it after the Hawks lost Game 3.
XBL Gamertag: RobVarak
"Ok I'm an elitist, but I have a healthy respect for people who don't measure up." --Aaron Sorkin
XXXIV wrote:The same talk radio clowns who had counted out the Hawks when they were down 3-1 to the Wings are counting out the Kings here.
While I do think the Hawks will probably win out in the end, Im not so sure the Kings will go away so easily.
Looking forward to finding out.
The Kings were under 500 on the road this season--San Jose was the only playoff team to have a worse road record. Even worse the Kings are 1-7 on the road in these playoffs. Hard to see them winning in Chicago twice.
I'm with Naples. Hell, I was calling it after the Hawks lost Game 3.
What a frantic last minute that was. Wow. Even I can't believe the Bruins pulled off the sweep, but they are playing absolutely stifling defense right now and Rask is lights out. This team believes they can win it, so who am I to argue. Good to be a B's fan right now.
I predicted BOS to win this series but never in a sweeping fashion. The Pens just never showed enough emotion or urgency to turn things around and T. Rask made things just so simple for his D. Very calm, doesn't give too many rebounds and makes his saves look easy.
Not too many doubts as to who was the better team here, they deserve another trip to the finals.
Justice prevails... i was gonna go 34 on you lot and the refs but i just had a feeling that was to big a none call not to have something good balance it out before the end.
I dont care so much about the result now just as long as that shitty play didnt decide this series. OMG i hate referees.
Very unusual for the Kings to give those 2 on 1's late in double OT as they were pressing. Hawks deserve the finals, original 6 match up. Great for Hockey.
Can't believe the Hawks survived to get into the Finals. They seemed off most of the playoffs and only when they wanted to play they actually played good. They needed that scare from DET and seems now Kane is finally getting going. Toews needs to step it up vs Bos.
Right now I 'm thinking Boston in 7 but i'm rooting for the Hawks.
Really looking forward to the original six matchup for Lord Stanley's Cup. Two great cities with two great home crowds. I do think Boston is overall a better team from top to bottom but Crawford makes me nervous. The B's have faced a below average Reimer, a "not on top of his game" Lundqvist, and an aging Vokoun (who played very well for most of the series). Crawford is the only goalie with a better GAA than Rask in the playoffs. Having no western conference versus eastern conference games this year makes the finals even more appealing as we truly have nothing on which to measure these two teams other than on paper. Should be fun.
The quest for the cup resumes tonight. Two evenly matched up teams that have already won the Cup not long ago. Which poison do I pick? Well, considering how cool Tuuka Rask has been, I am going to go with the Bruins in 6. Kane and Toews have been picking up their game lately but at the same time the Bergeron and Krejci line have been on fuego for awhile. I would prefer the Hawks to win it all but I have a bet going for BOS.
EZSnappin wrote:Bruins in 7. I have a beer riding on the results.
Hey, so do I!
Hawks in 3. Bruins will quit and not want anymore after Game 3.
In all seriousness I see this going 7 too. If it does Game 7 is on my birthday. That would be a most memorable birthday if the Hawks would win. Go Hawks!
I am a patient boy.
I wait, I wait, I wait, I wait.
My time is water down a drain.
EZSnappin wrote:Bruins in 7. I have a beer riding on the results.
Hey, so do I!
Hawks in 3. Bruins will quit and not want anymore after Game 3.
In all seriousness I see this going 7 too. If it does Game 7 is on my birthday. That would be a most memorable birthday if the Hawks would win. Go Hawks!
I'm so sorry that this is going to be your saddest birthday ever. I'll happily remind you of that fact when I finally get to Chicago and collect my beer.
