NHL Playoffs 09. Drop The Puck.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:45 am

The tough thing for me is I'm overjoyed the Ducks pulled it out. I wasn't feeling very good about the last period or so. Early on the Ducks played great positional D and did a great job of not letting them set up. The last 20 minutes was just Mayhem (and even part of the 2nd period). I know they're good at protecting a lead, but that was pushing it.

I lost the puck myself, but I'm not at ice level, either. I was VERY surprised they blew the whistle that quickly. The only thing I could think is that he had to protect a flopped goalie from getting stepped on or buried under people.

I'm hypocritical enough to know that as it is, it doesn't bug me much...but if I was a Wings fan, I'd be livid. I guess that's the definition of a controversial call, eh? I can see both sides of it, but I'm glad the Ducks were on the winning end.

It's terribly unfortunate that it came so late in the game, at such a pivotal point in the series though. Something like that should be reviewable during a playoff series, because in no way did the whistle affect the outcome. It was still getting pushed in by Hank Zetterberg (I think it was Zett?) as the whistle was blowing and was still going to be a goal, whistle or not. It would have been nice to see them slug it out for an overtime period or three again.

That kind of thing can either suck the wind out of a team's sails, or enrage them. The way the end of that game was, the beginning of game 4 will tell a lot about which direction this series is headed. It's been extremely entertaining so far, but that was a big asterisk next to the W column for Anaheim.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:50 am

Diving?

Is this the right thread?

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:54 am

WTF wasnt me honest. Dble post 12 posts later . You will listen to me dammit.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:55 am

I posted the hat trick thing because I thought it was funny, and I didn't think my posts came across as particularly castigating. But as I said, I have never heard of players or team's complaining about interfering with one of the game's bigger traditions, such as hats for a hat trick. Just because Crosby is the team's captain doesn't make his plea any less silly.

Crosby is a hard working and talented player, and for instance he greatly improved his efficiency on face-offs since in rookie year purely on dedication.

I do, however, hate the young captain thing. Didn't like it with Lindros, don't like it with Richards, don't like it with Crosby. Such youngsters almost never get the balance right between whining and sticking up for your team. There's no substitute for experience and the more the young guys keep their mouth shut the better.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:08 pm

I didnt see the late game last night. Just watched the highlights. WOW. Not good reffing. Not only did they blow their job at the end of the game, they called a non existant penalty on Stuart setting up Neidermayer's goal.

I know if I was a deadwing fan Id be plenty pissed at that s***. Good thing Im not. I do agree with Hiller. Go Ducks!

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Wed May 06, 2009 10:20 pm

Welcome to the series Geno- what a show he put on tonight! When he is motivated, he is unstoppable. If he would just play with that passion every night, I don't think there would be any question who the best player in the game is. Great performance all around by the Pens tonight.

That being said, Varlamov is absolutely unreal in goal, and most likely going to win the series for the Caps. All three Penguins goals tonight couldn't have been stopped by any goalie, he gives you absolutely nothing. Just a stunning performance by him yet again tonight.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:10 pm

HipE wrote:Welcome to the series Geno- what a show he put on tonight! When he is motivated, he is unstoppable. If he would just play with that passion every night, I don't think there would be any question who the best player in the game is. Great performance all around by the Pens tonight.

That being said, Varlamov is absolutely unreal in goal, and most likely going to win the series for the Caps. All three Penguins goals tonight couldn't have been stopped by any goalie, he gives you absolutely nothing. Just a stunning performance by him yet again tonight.

The best player of the game is AO, no questions asked. Love how he throws his body around, he had a couple of checks tonight. What an exciting game, that's three in a row now and yes E. Malkin finally woke up and played with more intensity and will.

Varlamov was great but I am sure you've heard of Roberto Luongo, I am pretty sure he could have put a great show as well.

HipE · Post by **HipE** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:32 pm

10spro wrote:
HipE wrote:Welcome to the series Geno- what a show he put on tonight! When he is motivated, he is unstoppable. If he would just play with that passion every night, I don't think there would be any question who the best player in the game is. Great performance all around by the Pens tonight.

That being said, Varlamov is absolutely unreal in goal, and most likely going to win the series for the Caps. All three Penguins goals tonight couldn't have been stopped by any goalie, he gives you absolutely nothing. Just a stunning performance by him yet again tonight.
The best player of the game is AO, no questions asked. Love how he throws his body around, he had a couple of checks tonight. What an exciting game, that's three in a row now and yes E. Malkin finally woke up and played with more intensity and will.

Varlamov was great but I am sure you've heard of Roberto Luongo, I am pretty sure he could have put a great show as well.

You could say best scorer in the game, no questions asked. But there would at least be some debate as to whether or not he is the best player in the game. I'm not saying he isn't right now, but to say he is with no questions asked seems to be a stretch. The point I was trying to make with Malkin is that I believe his physical talents are unmatched in terms of size, skating, shooting, passing and overall playmaking. Obviously his mental makeup is questionable, and drive is a huge factor in Ov's and Crosby's success. I'm just saying that if he had that now as well, which obviously he doesn't, he would be unstoppable.

In regards to Varlamov, I never said anything about him being better than Luongo. I just wanted to credit an amazing performance tonight and in the entire series by him. In fact, I hope he completely falls apart now and the Pens take the series, although with each standout performance he puts together it seems less and less likely.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu May 07, 2009 12:23 am

HipE wrote:In regards to Varlamov, I never said anything about him being better than Luongo. I just wanted to credit an amazing performance tonight and in the entire series by him. In fact, I hope he completely falls apart now and the Pens take the series, although with each standout performance he puts together it seems less and less likely.

I see, it just sounded like a lot pf praise for a rookie when you said 'All three Penguins goals tonight couldn't have been stopped by any goalie' and you have the likes of Kiprusoff, Brodeur and of course still in the playoffs Bobby Lou that may challenge that statement.

As for AO, of course we're talking in the present and he's the best player today. He may not have the skills that Malkin possesses when the bigger Russian is ON, but that's the problem with him, there's a lot of IFS and to go far in the playoffs you have to be mentally tough which I don't see right now in EM. One game of course doesn't make him a genious, especially when he's disappeared the last two games including stretches of the series with Philly. He's got all the talent in the world, but has to show it consistently day in, day out and not just during the regular season.

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:29 am

hip, what the hell is up man? Long time no see! How's life going for you? I'm glad your club pulled it out last night. Varlamov is looking like a brick wall, but at least they won that game. If they lost that game, it was season over. Malkin showed up, which was nice.

Every time I see a game at Pittsburgh, I think about that movie Sudden Death they filmed there.. lol

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:18 am

Game four between Hawks and 'Nucks tonight. CHI better throw the entire kitchen sink in the first 10 minutes of the game before we silence your crowd. You can't start 0-2 again and again no matter how skillful you're and VAN did a good job of slowing down those kids last time.

Gotta go out of town again, so XXXIV post your impressions on the game when Canucks go ahead in the series 3-1 tonight.

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu May 07, 2009 12:16 pm

I only hope the best goalie lets in another 6 tonight. You can rip that C of him anytime also while were at it.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Thu May 07, 2009 3:53 pm

There is no question that Malkin was the best player on the ice last night. He was a physical presence, made outstanding passes, and played balls-out. If he can keep up that kind of play then the Pens are in good shape. Varlamov has been ridiculously good in the series so far to the point he is the hottest goalie in the second round, with Ward coming in a close second. The Pitt/Wash series has been living up to the hype. The level of talent on the ice when these two teams matchup is unreal.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu May 07, 2009 4:55 pm

Just saw today that Varlamov was the next player taken in the 2006 draft after the Flyers took Claude Giroux. As good as Giroux was late this season, Philadelphia really could use a 21-year old stud goalie on their roster.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu May 07, 2009 7:26 pm

HipE wrote:In regards to Leebo's post, I can't speak for him, but as a Penguins fan it seems like Philly fans are obsessed with every move Sid makes.

That's it. I apologize to Naples if he wasn't one of the 19k asshats chanting "Crosby sucks" that is still ringing in my ears. Anything else is gravy at this point in the playoffs for me. Knocking the Flyers out two years in a row is priceless and I'd put the satisfaction just a fraction behind the Steelers winning another Super Bowl.

If Crosby is a villain in a sports world filled with TOs (once a Philly fan favorite) and A-Rods then there is something seriously wrong.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:15 pm

Out playing em out playing em out playing em and then to give up that f***in goal to Hordichuk...

Starting to look like a Luongo game. That save on Toews in the 1st was big.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:05 pm

Leebo33 wrote:
HipE wrote:In regards to Leebo's post, I can't speak for him, but as a Penguins fan it seems like Philly fans are obsessed with every move Sid makes.
That's it. I apologize to Naples if he wasn't one of the 19k asshats chanting "Crosby sucks" that is still ringing in my ears. Anything else is gravy at this point in the playoffs for me. Knocking the Flyers out two years in a row is priceless and I'd put the satisfaction just a fraction behind the Steelers winning another Super Bowl.

If Crosby is a villain in a sports world filled with TOs (once a Philly fan favorite) and A-Rods then there is something seriously wrong.

Allow me to be clear. I think the "Crosby sucks" chants are incredibly stupid and I can tell you from first hand experience that they are most vociferously carried by wannabe thugs between the ages of 15-25 with serious homo-eroticism issues. I have never once participated in chants, and generally speaking even the loudest such chants are chanted by about 25% of the people in the building.

I'd say the Crosby sucks chants rank higher on the annoying chart than my other hated sports fan behaviors such as the incredibly dorky wayne's world bowing (which is thankfully rarer and rarer these days) and the now very tired cliche of chanting the visiting goalie's name because god forbid he let's in 3 goals.

As much as I personally hate it however, I do have to point out that such chants are not unique to crass Philly fans. Rangers fans have been chanting "Potvin sucks" for nearly 30 years, and last year during the Flyers-Caps first round series "Flyers suck" chants were far more common in DC than were "Let's go Caps."

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:37 pm

Puck deep + hard work + Havlat = OT

EDIT:
Hawks win! Hawks win!.....sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

A much deserved win.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:16 pm

Good for Chicago. Out of all the teams left, I'd like to see them win the Cup the most.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:35 am

Naples39 wrote:As much as I personally hate it however, I do have to point out that such chants are not unique to crass Philly fans. Rangers fans have been chanting "Potvin sucks" for nearly 30 years, and last year during the Flyers-Caps first round series "Flyers suck" chants were far more common in DC than were "Let's go Caps."

Good point. I'd say the most annoying thing about Pittsburgh fans is their propensity to boo most former players even if those players did nothing wrong other than to choose to play for another team or in some cases get traded. Oh, and 17 year olds threatening star players on message boards

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09128/968673-61.stm

fletcher21 · Post by **fletcher21** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:37 am

Go Hawks!!!

Anyone in there think they can get 2 out of the next 3 to win the series? I think it'll be all Vancouver from here on out, but I'd love to be wrong. All of Canada is on the back of the Cannucks now.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:33 pm

Just catching up on the news after my loooong flight. Tough loss with only three minutes to go but you just can't sit back on a one goal lead with these Hawks. They have too many guys that can hurt and they got the breaks that they needed at the end of the game. VAN almost pulled it off though. They're content to be dull and boring with these Hawks because the 'Run'em, Gang'em' style of the first two games benefitted CHI more but Canucks wil have to open up a bit more on Saturday.

We got a series again, best out of three, expect the likes of Sundin and the Twins to get their game going and also A. Burrows who's been a bit quite so far.

I guess I am not the only guy thinking that the Zebras have been mediocre so far:

http://www.theprovince.com/Sports/fine+ ... story.html

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat May 09, 2009 8:01 am

10spro wrote:As for AO, of course we're talking in the present and he's the best player today. He may not have the skills that Malkin possesses when the bigger Russian is ON, but that's the problem with him, there's a lot of IFS and to go far in the playoffs you have to be mentally tough which I don't see right now in EM. One game of course doesn't make him a genious, especially when he's disappeared the last two games

Take away a freakish, lucky goal and Alex has a couple of assists and 9 hits to show for his 58 minutes of ice time during his trip to Pittsburgh. However, he may have locked up the series MVP with his highly questionable and reckless hit on Gonchar which most likely will knock him out for the rest of the playoffs.

So the disappear count in the series is now Malkin 2 Ovechkin 2 with Ovechkin's knee trumping Malkin's elbow.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat May 09, 2009 9:20 am

Could the Bruins possibly suck more?

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sat May 09, 2009 11:58 am

In-game I thought the AO hit on Gonchar was dirty, however upon watching the replay a bunch it was not dirty at all. Look at the replay closely. Gonchar quite clearly has his leg extended out pretty far and AO never moves his leg out whatsoever. He stays on tracks completely and only tries to make contact with his shoulder. AO should not be suspended or fined since he did absolutely nothing wrong in this instance. I was furious at him last night when I was watching live, but upon further review I am not mad at him at all since it appears this was not a cheap shot. His reaction to the play in the post-game interview seemed to be quite sincere. AO is a pretty up-front guy, so since his personal feelings seem to jibe with the various replay angles I do not believe the injury was intentional.

The loss of Gonchar is big. The Pens certainly got going after his return in the regular season. I still think the Pens will take the series, but how much further they can get than that is a big question mark without their key player in the lineup.