NHL Playoffs 09. Drop The Puck.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:26 am

Canes faces elimination because their D-men are running around and they are not being physical enough against the likes of Crosby and Geno. E. Staal hasn't scored in awhile and with his line being controlled, and C. Ward coming back to earth the past few games, those two consecutive game 7's is taking a toll on CAR.

I doubt P. Eaves will get a suspension for his dirty elbow.

Let's go Hawks tonight, they'll be missing a couple of players but hopefully their last win will bring them more confidence and they have to score first again, something they havent' been doing a lot during the playoffs.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Sun May 24, 2009 1:47 pm

Pitt made Washington's defense look like a downright joke. Now they are making Carolina's defense look pretty ineffective. The Pens are simply playing great hockey right now, and it does not matter what the Canes are or are not doing, the Pens are too good for them. When Crosby is on and Malkin is average the Pens are tough to beat. When Crosby is on and Malkin is on, the Pens are virtually impossible to stop. Throw in factors such as the improved play of support players and the solid performances of experienced guys like Fed/Guerin/Kunitz and you have a recipe for a legit cup contender this year that has a good chance of taking it all.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:39 pm

It's looking more and more the re-match of last years' finalists will take place. Hawks are too undiscipline so far and a team like DET will eat you alive every time.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Mon May 25, 2009 9:04 am

10spro wrote:It's looking more and more the re-match of last years' finalists will take place. Hawks are too undiscipline so far and a team like DET will eat you alive every time.

I don't find rematches particularly exciting, but it would be hard to argue that the two best teams in the league aren't in the finals.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon May 25, 2009 10:16 am

This is how good DET is; they dominated CHI without the services of Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Drake. The young Hawks pretty much gave up with the score 1-3, and when the Wings scored on their 8th PP, they were all just standing around...literally.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:30 am

That was one nasty ass whooping...

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon May 25, 2009 1:33 pm

I didn't see yesterday's game -- a small affair called the Indianapolis 500 was taking place at the same time. But Carolina's defense was guilty as hell of standing around Saturday night, too.

I'm starting to wonder if Tim Gleason can play any worse for the 'Canes. Losing men in the slot, poor breakout passes, getting abused by Malkin nearly every shift. The guy has been wretched this series.

And every time I see Pitkanen on the ice, it reassures me that Kevin Lowe made the right decision to trade him last summer to Carolina for Erik Cole, even though Cole returned to the Canes at the deadline in February.

Pitkanen is horrific in his end. How the hell he never saw Crosby steaming into the slot Saturday night is beyond me. I know how people get burned by Crosby. But to never look to see if he's skating in on your blind side?

Come to think of it, I'm not missing Cole much these days, either. It's looking more and more like his career as an elite NHL power forward ended when Brooks Orpik pile-drove him into the boards in 2006. Dude never has been the same since.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:41 am

The NHL brainstorms has the Stanley Cup finals beginning mid-June. and based on what's happening in the semis so far, both series could be over by tomorrow and unless they change the schedule pronto, having almost two weeks off won't benefit either PIT or DET.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:17 pm

10spro wrote:The NHL brainstorms has the Stanley Cup finals beginning mid-June. and based on what's happening in the semis so far, both series could be over by tomorrow and unless they change the schedule pronto, having almost two weeks off won't benefit either PIT or DET.

Talk about buzz kill. That's sheer insanity. Then again, that's Gary Bettman.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:19 pm

Pat Quinn is the new coach of the Oilers or it's going to be announced shortly. PK..how do you like that move.
Also....I don't have any link to confirm this but it's being reported in St. Louis that former St. Louis Blue, Philadelphia Flyer, and Toronto Maple Leaf player Peter Zezel is in critical condition. He's been fighting a serious blood disease for sometime now and almost died several years ago.

Tim

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:50 pm

When Tambi fired MacT, there was no secrecy for me anyhow, that he would go with either Quinn, Crawford or Renney. The old Canucks connection to the Oils' rescue. The fiery Irish man still has in him I do think, bringing the Junior Championship to Canada and with his experience and Renneys' tactical brain, EDM will finally make it to the playoffs next season.

Good hiring for Tambellini.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 26, 2009 1:51 pm

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:The NHL brainstorms has the Stanley Cup finals beginning mid-June. and based on what's happening in the semis so far, both series could be over by tomorrow and unless they change the schedule pronto, having almost two weeks off won't benefit either PIT or DET.
Talk about buzz kill. That's sheer insanity. Then again, that's Gary Bettman.

Who's more concerned these days about saving a franchise that has lost money in their 10 years in PHO than fixing the lousy schedule.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:11 pm

Here's the story on Peter Zezel....it's worse than I thought.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/ ... ntoNewHome

Thoughts and prayers to Peter and his family.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:13 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Here's the story on Peter Zezel....it's worse than I thought.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/ ... ntoNewHome

Thoughts and prayers to Peter and his family.

Very sad.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:26 pm

Sad news about Zezel. He was a good player with Philadelphia. Also had a role in the classic hockey flick, "Youngblood."

As for the Oilers' coaching moves, I have big-time misgivings.

It's apparent that Renney is being groomed to take over for Quinn. So it's obvious that Quinn was brought in to be an ass-kicking, tough-love head coach whose remit is to restore discipline and unity in the room for a year or two.

That's great. Very much needed.

But what happens when Quinn hands the reins to Renney, who was fired in New York because he supposedly lost the room and was a guy who was too cerebral to motivate his players long-term? Didn't the Oilers just fire a coach with similar traits, Craig MacTavish?

I would rather have Quinn hired as the coach alone, without Renney waiting in the wings. The proverbial leopard doesn't change his spots, and I can't see Renney becoming this old Irish tough guy coach after a season or two under Quinn.

I like the Quinn hiring. I don't like the Renney hiring. Not one bit.

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:59 pm

A lot of people forget that Zezel was Brett Hull's center during the 89/90 season when Hull scored 72 goals.

toonarmy · Post by **toonarmy** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:36 pm

What is the thinking behind starting the finals so late? Casual fans who have been watching will now have a lot of time to forget about the NHL and move onto other things before the finals begin. Also, a lot of potential viewers will be on family vacations by the time the finals are over. Then throw in the fact that a long layoff normally means the players will be a little rusty. Any groove either team's players have gotten into will be disrupted. Bettman is a complete putz.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:44 pm

toonarmy wrote:What is the thinking behind starting the finals so late? Casual fans who have been watching will now have a lot of time to forget about the NHL and move onto other things before the finals begin. Also, a lot of potential viewers will be on family vacations by the time the finals are over. Then throw in the fact that a long layoff normally means the players will be a little rusty. Any groove either team's players have gotten into will be disrupted. Bettman is a complete putz.

Don't ask. Never mind the fact that most people will be enjoying the outdoors soon or the fact that Hockey ranks easily way behind basketball, baseball and football already. You have two talented teams about to have a rematch, a showcase to attract a bit more interest south of the border but nope. Saving a team like PHO is more important for Bettman. Having said that, I hear if indeed both series are over by tomorrow, the league may indeed look at the possibility of moving up the dates.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:16 pm

Allowing that knuckleball to go in with the first period ending has to deflate the Canes. Although Pens' best player just took an unnecessary penalty shifting momentum again. Malkin don't get sucked in. E. Staal has to be relieved a bit.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:27 am

RIP Peter Zezel. A sad day.
http://csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?b ... feedID=729

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:49 am

Diablo25 wrote:RIP Peter Zezel. A sad day.
http://csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?b ... feedID=729

Very sad.. RIP Peter

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed May 27, 2009 9:10 am

You knew the Canes were toast when Ward allowed the softest goal of the entire playoffs.

It appeared to me that Carolina spent all it had just to reach the third round, and Pittsburgh is strengthening every round.

This is going to be one hell of a final. Too bad it's not going to start until Aug. 1 due to Gary Bettman's infinite wisdom!

Take care,
PK

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:24 am

pk500 wrote: This is going to be one hell of a final.

Amen to that...Let's Go Pens!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:51 am

Here's a list of UFA's for the upcoming season and what they were making:

http://www.sportscity.com/nhl/2009-nhl- ... y-position

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed May 27, 2009 12:08 pm

Damn those players are old.

So many top players in their mid or late 30s.