NHL Playoffs Thread

[JL]

I wonder why players start playing better once they are traded. Lack of job security? All ex-Predators seem to really play better once they leave. Timonen, Hartnell, Hamius, Arnott, Peverly, and others really picked up their game once they left Nashville. There are exceptions of course (Mason, Ellis) but for the most part I think this is true. I haven't followed Hamius this year except when playing vs the Predators but in those games I hadn't changed my opinion since last season.

It probably has a lot to do with them getting to play with better linemates.

Barry Trotz deserves to win the Jack Adams Trophy for getting his team to game 6 of the second round and finishing tied for 4th in the WC with 99 pts. He did that with a group of second through fourth line forwards.

[Penneywize]

This game must be hard to watch for nucks fans

This is basically a replay of Canadiens / Bruins Game 3 oooo wait the habs scored 3 unanswered to at least make it a game.

kidding aside I'm hoping to see a pushback here by the nucks cuz they are just getting dominated

inb4 neg reps? ;p

[Penneywize]

jesus christ what is going on with the vancouver D

GIANT rebound on that 4th goal, bieksa standing there like he's waiting for a bus

[bigred]

Something about marginal victories not panning out in the long run...excited for game 4

[Galapogos]

Massive ass rapage out there tonight. It looked like a rec league game in the last 10 minutes.

[donkbee]

So now I would prefer a split in Boston and then win at home in game 5.

be careful what you wish for :P

game 4 should be good.

[Galapogos]

Rome gone for 4 games, ouch.

[bigred]

Horton gone for rest of series...

[JL]

Rome probably doesnt get 4 games if this is the regular season, but if they let him come back for game 6 or 7 all hell would break loose.

We have a really good series now and I am glad. I did not want to see a sweep even though I am a nucks fan. Horton will obviously be missed by Boston, but they managed to score 8 goals yesterday without him. Boston has a lot of depth up front just like the canucks have a lot of depth on D.

I am excited for game 4!

[donkbee]

I love that flow chart, lol

I did not want to see a sweep even though I am a nucks fan.

I agree with this. The hockey fan in me even wants Boston to win tomorrow so that the series can become epic.

The Canucks fan in me outweighs the hockey fan in me, though, so please no more Boston victories :P

[bigred]

I think if Boston wins game 4 in a non marginal win (aka a Canucks win) they win the cup

[donkbee]

doubt it!

[surviva316]

flyers got a goalie today. hurrah!

[JL]

They haven't signed him yet have they?

And this is not necessarily a good thing for the Flyers. He's probably not going to sign for less than $6mill a year...Flyers can't afford that without letting go of some good players.

[surviva316]

it is a good thing pretty much regardless of whom they trade to free up the space. flyers have PLENTY of 20 goal scorers so that we're a playoff/Stanly Cup contending-caliber team regardless of which one we get rid of (i'd prefer trading carter, but some sources close to the team have said richards is the top choice).

[JL]

it is a good thing pretty much regardless of whom they trade to free up the space. flyers have PLENTY of 20 goal scorers so that we're a playoff/Stanly Cup contending-caliber team regardless of which one we get rid of (i'd prefer trading carter, but some sources close to the team have said richards is the top choice).

We'll give you Luongo for Richards

[bigred]

Cup is ours imo

[bikes]

YES! ANYONE BUT THE CANUCKS! ANYONE WILL DO!

[donkbee]

Cup is ours imo

glgl

[dthorne04]

getting dangerously close to baby punching territory, tilt imminent.

nucks in 7. slightly greasy italian goalie comes back and puts in a much better effort in game 5.

[bigred]

Cup is ours imo

I don't remember writing this...where's the drunk thread...

[Sasquach991]

What changed between games 1,2 and games 3,4?

Canucks aren't forechecking near as much?
Boston's more physical?
Injuries?
Thomas is in the zone
Luongo's losing confidence
Canucks defense can't clear the rebounds
Boston's going glove side on every shot

Thoughts?

Going to have to record the remaining games as I'm going on vacation and prob won't be keeping up as I'll be on the beach drinking cold beers, eating oysters, and and breathing. That's about it. If the games are on I prob won't notice them as the TV will probably stay off.

[Penneywize]

Hey, Canucks, this is what you're supposed to do when trailing 3-0 v the bruins:

YouTube - ‪Bruins @ Canadiens Game 3 4/18/11‬‏

The highlights omit the majority of the last 10 mins of the third, where Boston was heavily outshot. Obv we lost the game, but imho there is a difference between going down 3-0 and battling back to lose 3-2 (or 4-2 with an empty-netter) and going down 3-0 and absolutely not playing anymore.

I mean, jesus, at least some kind of pushback would be nice, wouldn't it? As it stands right now, Van is dead in the water. Here's to hoping for some kind of response at home in game 5.

[Galapogos]

What changed between games 1,2 and games 3,4?

Canucks aren't forechecking near as much?
Boston's more physical?
Injuries?
Thomas is in the zone
Luongo's losing confidence
Canucks defense can't clear the rebounds
Boston's going glove side on every shot

Thoughts?

No Canucks are moving their legs when Boston enters their zone.
Canucks D having an awful time holding the offensive blue line and Boston is getting great rushes as a result.

[donkbee]

As it stands right now, Van is dead in the water.

I don't really understand why people keep saying stuff like this. The series is tied at 2 and it's a best of 3.

I'm ready for a sick sweat, gogogo

[Penneywize]

Now that's how you beat the bruins - tight checking, close games, keep their forwards to the outside when in the defensive zone.

GL GL for game 6!

[bigred]

soooo tired of these one goal losses...

[donkbee]

Tim Thomas should win the Conn Smythe, he has been stellar.

ONE MORE GAME!!!

[bigred]

GREAT FUCKING START!!!

[JL]

Pre drinking for Game 7 starts now

[Penneywize]

Pre drinking for Game 7 starts now

ok so vomiting over game 6 started when?!

[Tomturkey46]

when the score was 4-0

The Turkey

[bigred]

The goal diff in this series is crazy. I realize I'm beyond biased, so can a canucks fan weigh in on this? If the Canucks win game 7 in the same fashion they won their other home games, will you feel part of your victory is credited to home ice adv? I'll be referring to home ice as the Stanley cup winner tbh.

That's all theoretical though. Were winning game 7.

[Alexos]

The problem with the canucks is that they're playing fancy hockey too often, and they they're very confused when they don't have the puck, since it's not something they're familiar with given the amount of skill on this team. Their second problem is Kesler being injured, and/or Luongo choking.

Game 7 is bound to be amazing. Regardless of score differential or wtv bs, I feel the Canucks are still big favorites to win it.

[donkbee]

IMO, the games at home were so close due to the heroics of Tim Thomas. In those games, Luongo was able to play just as well, so the games were close.

I think that the Canucks have outplayed the Bruins in Vancouver. Obviously the Bruins have outplayed the Canucks in Boston. And so the goal differential in my eyes in Tim Thomas just outplaying the shit out of Luongo in Boston.

As soon as we won game 5, we all knew it was going 7. GL

[a500lbgorilla]

6 word story about the game.

Boston scored. And again. And again.

[bigred]

Rilla, what are your thoughts? I laughed when ctb said "I think" Vancouver dominated at home but "obv" Boston dominated at home.

[bigred]

@ctb, can you really attribute the goal diff entirely to Thomas > Luongo. I know Canucks fans love to hate on him, but srsly?

[a500lbgorilla]

Rilla, what are your thoughts? I laughed when ctb said "I think" Vancouver dominated at home but "obv" Boston dominated at home.

It's been a super wonky series and I don't understand how Boston can't score on Luongo in Vancouver.

It's gonna suck when Vancouver wins 1-0 on a late 3rd period goal by their 4th line.

I'd still prefer being a Bruins fan to a Canucks fan in this spot. One team feels like they just need to break through while the other feels like they need to hold.

[donkbee]

Rilla, what are your thoughts? I laughed when ctb said "I think" Vancouver dominated at home but "obv" Boston dominated at home.

Why do you talk about me as if I'm not here

I have to say those things because of the scores, lol

@ctb, can you really attribute the goal diff entirely to Thomas > Luongo. I know Canucks fans love to hate on him, but srsly?

I think it's pretty clear that Tim Thomas was the reason the Bruins were still in the game for at least a couple of the home games the Canucks won (especially the first two).

I have no idea if the Canucks would have played differently if Luongo had been able to make some saves while in Boston. I think they would have, but obviously there's no way for me to prove this.

So if you're asking why the Canucks couldn't get more goals en route to their 3 wins, the answer is Thomas is a stud. If you're asking why the Bruins got so many goals en route to their 3 wins, the answer is Luongo couldn't save anything. So yes, I can entirely attribute the goal differences to goaltending :P

[Galapogos]

[Galapogos]

I have no idea if the Canucks would have played differently if Luongo had been able to make some saves while in Boston. I think they would have, but obviously there's no way for me to prove this.

It was the Canucks massive defensive mistakes that lead to each Luongo collapse in Boston, not the other way around imo.

Also, I know a trainer isn't a medic or anything, but how is it a good idea to carry Mason Raymond off the ice with a broken back?

[donkbee]

It was the Canucks massive defensive mistakes that lead to each Luongo collapse in Boston, not the other way around imo.

Also, I know a trainer isn't a medic or anything, but how is it a good idea to carry Mason Raymond off the ice with a broken back?

When the Bruins have defensive breakdowns, Thomas saves their asses. Almost every time. Can't say that about Luongo at all in Boston. Obviously the Nucks defense was terrible those games. I'm not denying that. But Luongo needs to make those saves. Each of the 3 goals that he let in yesterday should have been saved. There's no way Thomas lets those in...

Poor Raymond

[Penneywize]

made me lol

[eugmac]

i haven't really followed hockey in a long time, but i do have to say it always did piss me off how much the game rests on the shoulders of the goaltenders.

[Penneywize]

i haven't really followed hockey in a long time, but i do have to say it always did piss me off how much the game rests on the shoulders of the goaltenders.

does football piss you off cuz the game rests entirely on the shoulders of the QBs?

[eugmac]

I don't watch football lolz

[JL]

A good QB is way more important than a good goalie, imo. Goaltending is not as important as the media makes it out to be, just look at the last years goalies in the finals: Leighton and Niemi. You do not need an elite goalie to win the cup.

[BennyLaRue]

Over the long run, this is true. But a hot goalie can win you the Cup.

On the other hand, I can't recall a goalie single-handedly losing a Cup for a team but the Greasy Italian might be the first.

[Penneywize]

Let's just see what happens tonight before we rip into this guy any further, mmkay? he did win the gold medal for canada on the world's biggest stage, right....?

[JL]

You don't need an elite goalie to win the cup, but having one would obviously make it easier.

And you can't blame Luongo for losing all three games in Boston. The Canucks defense has been terrible in Boston a well.

[donkbee]

If we don't win the Cup tonight, we won't be blaming everything on Luongo.

[JL]

All the bandwagoners will for sure be blaming Luongo.

[a500lbgorilla]

I'm already blaming Luongo.

[BennyLaRue]

And you can't blame Luongo for losing all three games in Boston.

Sure, but I'd say he pretty much single-handedly lost them Game 6.

[Miffed22001]

money on canuks - but (god i hate saying this as a flyers fan) but hope Bruins take it down

3hrs sleep before work tomorrow - awesome

[bigred]

You don't need an elite goalie to win the cup, but having one would obviously make it easier.

And you can't blame Luongo for losing all three games in Boston. The Canucks defense has been terrible in Boston a well.

Like I said, blaming Luongo is a standard Canuck line. It hasn't been all his fault. Not even close.


I'm excited for this game. I don't want to see a 1-0 game though or I will snap. I think Boston finally let's loose in Vancouver and takes this.

[a500lbgorilla]

1-0 would be the greatest of all game 7s. So long as it's 0-0 through 2 (or 3) periods.

[a500lbgorilla]

Posting before it's 4-0

[bigred]

SHORTHANDED GOAL!!!! WOOOO

[Galapogos]

Bostons defense is too solid. gg, need to leave for Vancouver now so I won't be late for the riots.

[bigred]

Tim Thomas and Chara have been on fire!

[bigred]

5 minutes, Canada. 5 Minutes!!!!!

[bigred]

WE FUCKING DID IT

[bigred]

BIGRED WINS THE THREAD, BIGRED WINS THE THREAD

[bigred]

BIGRED LOVE FEST

LETS GO BACK TO THE HOTEL BAR!!!!

WOOOOO

[bigred]

Seeing Chara hoist that cup was pure ecstasy!

[bigred]

Tim Thomas doubly so

[bigred]

Care to revise?

LOLOLOLOOLOLOLOL BRUINS!!!!

[bigred]

In all seriousness, Canucks were quite the worthy opponents. Your offense lacked this series but your defense was solid.

[bigred]

I may or may not have posted this on my canuck friends facebook pages, MAY or may not

YouTube - ‪Third Eye Blind - Jumper (Official Music Video) HD‬‏

[bigred]

And when I say friends, I mean Galapagos and CTB. I'm so sorrry. I really like you guys. I'm such a dick.

[Galapogos]

And when I say friends, I mean Galapagos and CTB. I'm so sorrry. I really like you guys. I'm such a dick.

lol, when I got the notification email I knew better than to check it out.

I mostly just feel sad for Kesler. Dude's a warrior and missed out on Olympic gold. Then missed out on the cup because his team started to crumble. Ah well, same team next year. Not like this was a fluke run like the others before.

[donkbee]

Being born a Canucks fan is seemingly a lifelong curse, FML

GG Boston, WP

gg, need to leave for Vancouver now so I won't be late for the riots.

I'm pretty fucking disappointed about the riots. I was watching the game downtown outside the CBC building and ran for the hills as soon as the handshakes were done. I didn't see any car fires but apparently they happened right where we were. wtf, why does our city do this? It's just terrible.

[Galapogos]

Being born a Canucks fan is seemingly a lifelong curse, FML

GG Boston, WP


I'm pretty fucking disappointed about the riots. I was watching the game downtown outside the CBC building and ran for the hills as soon as the handshakes were done. I didn't see any car fires but apparently they happened right where we were. wtf, why does our city do this? It's just terrible.

Yeah I made that post as a joke. I honestly didn't think people would do that again. The game wasn't fun to watch by the riots are just fucking embarrassing. And it's not your city that does it. It's the douchebag bandwagonners from other towns that drove in to end up doing dumb shit like this no matter what the outcome. I really can't see someone from Vancouver doing this.