Boz
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Post by Boz on May 5, 2006 16:11:43 GMT -5
Good luck tonight Buffalo. I am looking forward to this series. I have a feeling NJ could make short work of the Canes (I'll be happy to be wrong), so I think the Sabres-Sens will be the best series in the East.
I have no love for either team, as you know, but I think Ottawa is higher on my hate list than Buffalo.
As for the West, cripes who the hell knows. I'm going to stick with Sergei Samsonov over Joe Thornton in the battle of all-time bad Boston Bruins trades.
My dirty little secret is that I kind of like the Ducks, but I can't root for them over Colorado, even if it is just Ray Bourque nostalgia that makes me prefer the Avs.
As good ole' J.R. would say.....
Business is about to pick up!!!!!
(jagoffs like Bill Simmons can talk about how "great" the NBA playoffs are; they have no idea....)
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2006 2:33:54 GMT -5
I jsut gote home. Im kinda drunk. But that was in my 20 plus years of wathicng pro sports the best game i've ever seen in any sport. Unreal. Amazing. 7-6 in overtime? Every goal scored within a couple minuts of the other? Amazing. Simmons can suck it. That game was more entertaining with any NBA game in the last 15 years.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2006 15:15:15 GMT -5
I dunno about you guys, but the more I watch the Ducks-Avs, the more I hope the team in the Cup finals from the Western Conference is Edmonton or San Jose... two teams that can skate, create a lot of offense, etc. Both the Ducks and the Avs are just dull, plodding teams that would have been eliminated by now if they played in the East.
The fact Anaheim is running the Left Wing Lock all game is testament to their dullness. Play the freakin' game!!!
Right now, I obviously want the Sabres in the finals, but I think the best "advertisement" for the league would be Buffalo/Ottawa/Carolina vs. Edmonton/San Jose. Avs/Ducks vs. Devils is the NHL equivalent of Spurs-Pistons... BORING!!!
Also, I know you all don't post on the thread too regularly, but I'm really dying to talk tactics, strategy, lineups, etc. You know, get a bit more technical. Anyone up for it? Do enough of you catch enough of these games that me comparing the blue line play of, say Avs/Ducks to any of the teams in the Eastern Conference will start a decent give-and-take?
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 8, 2006 9:18:26 GMT -5
In the words of one of our finest American actors, Buffalo. . . "You're so. . . analytical. Sometimes you just have to let art flow over you." I have a pretty busy day at work, believe it or not, so I don't think I can talk chalk. But I'll try to chime in this week. Good thing the Bruins went after Marco Sturm instead of Patrick Marleau in the Thornton deal, that's all I can say. (no offense to Sturm, I loved the way he plays; he was a good get & Stuart is a good defender, but Marleau is unstoppable right now)
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2006 22:09:18 GMT -5
Never... EVER... in my wildest dreams would I expect my boys to go INTO Ottawa and win BOTH games to start the series!!!
Game 1, they play Ottawa's game, fly up and down the ice for 60 mintues, abandon any semblance of defense, and win 7-6 in overtime. Unreal.
Game 2, they play lock down, defense-heavy hockey for 40 of 60 mintues and win 2-1 with Ryan Miller playing the best game a Sabre goalie has played since Hasek's 70 save 4-OT win versus NJ a few seasons ago.
This team is really... REALLY... special. Two down, two to go!!!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 11, 2006 15:05:50 GMT -5
Wow, the day after a Sabres win and nothing from Buffalo?
That must be sooooommme hangover you're workin' on.
I have to admit, I'm a little surprised. Not shocked -- I reserve that for the Devils -- but surprised.
Not because Buffalo is playing so well, that part doesn't surprise me, but because Ottawa really isn't.
I'm sure you're stoked, Buffalo, but I would ahve rather these series in the East be a little more back and forth. Not good for the league that the second round has been so one-sided.
Don't get me wrong, the individual games are still outstanding, but closer series would create a little more buzz and attention.
Not that you care about that right now.
Oh well. hopefully Colorado can stave off elimination tonight.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2006 19:09:08 GMT -5
Hahaha...
... yeah, I've been working off a few hangovers, Boz. HALFWAY TO THE CUP!!! The little team that could...
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 15, 2006 13:46:51 GMT -5
Congrats, Buff. Well, ouside of the Sabres, I've been about as successful picking these playoffs as ... well, I don't know; pick your own analogy for abject failure.
I do hope we get a great Prince of Wales final series between Buffalo and Carolina. I honestly don't care who wins, as long as every game is a one goal game and I get seven of them (hopefully with a few of them going 20, 40 or 60 extra minutes).
Believe me, even though I'm not a Calgary fan, it is almost as difficult for a Boston Bruins fan to admit to this, but I have loved the way Edmonton has been taking it to San Jose the last three games. They have been just simply relentless. Very exciting to watch. I guess I still have that soft spot for the Ducks (maybe I just like Emilio Estevez, I don't know), but put the Oilers in the finals against either Buffalo or Carolina and I will be a very happy man.
I wish all of the second round series had lasted a bit longer, but outside of that, I don't think I can ask any more of these playoffs to date. Glued to my chair for every game. Thank you for being back, hockey.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2006 9:31:51 GMT -5
Here we go, Boz, Frostback, SFO and others:
Buffalo-Carolina & Edmonton-Anaheim.
This is going to be SIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK. Either of the two Prince Of Wales squads would be "good" for the NHL in that - while not from the biggest markets - embody everything the "new" NHL is trying to push: fast, hard working, high scoring, everyone-better-skate-and-move-the-puck teams. Edmonton follows in that mold for the most part, plus they're a Canadian team... so that'll draw ungodly numbers of viewers from Canada.
Anaheim - while the biggest market - could be bad for the NHL. Too often I've seen 'em take the lead, have a tendency to tighten up, play a little left-wing-lock, and push a very dull style. You know the kind: rush only two forwards on the forecheck, hang everyone else back, get the puck to center ice and dump for a good period and a half, don't look for much offense... puke. Not the advertisement the NHL needs.
Being that I'm a complete homer, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict Buffalo in six games. And Edmonton in seven. Then it'll be all of Canada (except Calgary, I think) against Buffalo. Wouldn't have it any other way!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 19, 2006 11:42:51 GMT -5
How cool would it be if the Sabres broke out the new/old unis for the conference finals or the Cup finals if they get there?
Not going to happen, the NHL wouldn't allow it, but that would be great.
You should feel good, Buffalo, because I'm going to pick Carolina in this series. Which means the Sabres are a shoe-in to win. But it is going to be close, six games at least and I'm hoping for seven.
I think my favorite thing about Edmonton right now is how they've been laying the wood to people in both rounds, against Detroit and San Jose. The new NHL is great, but you still gotta' love great hitting, and the Oilers have been hitting like freight trains.
If Bryzgalov stays hot, I think this could also go 6 or seven - and obviously, I'm hoping for that - but if he cools off at all, I'm not sure Anaheim can keep up.
So, I'm calling Canes-Oilers, which means that it's a virtual lock for a Buffalo-Anaheim Stanley Cup finals.
Can't wait for it to start.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 26, 2006 11:01:43 GMT -5
Am I... Am I... Am I actually starting to like the Buffalo Sabres? Naaaahh. I'll tell you what though. If they can continue to pull this off with yet another injury, I'll be pretty impressed. What is this now, like EIGHT defensemen they're missing? I mean, I know they're a deep & balanced team, but this is just silly. Be interesting to see how they hold up tonight. But no, I still don't like Buffalo. I do respect them more than I used to, though. I enjoyed myself a lot more when they were a joke. (a lable my team currently seems to be wearing) I am on the Sergei Samsonov express to the Stanley Cup. Sergei, the Difference Maker! These games are crazy though. I love it. Scoring barrage after scoring barrage. (but Mike Grier still can't finish )
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2006 7:40:57 GMT -5
These injuries are going to be the death of us. I keep hearing 'Cane fans (all six of them) complaining about not having Cole.
I'd say losing Connolly, Kalinin, Tallinder, Mair, and Teppo more than compensates. I ain't giving up yet, but these injuries on the blue line may be all Carolina needs to push through...
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2006 22:12:08 GMT -5
My lord. We're down to playing predominantly four defensemen and STILL force a game seven? Two consecutive games decided in overtime?! Good god... I'm going to have a heart attack.
LET'S GO BUFF-A-LO!!!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 31, 2006 8:55:28 GMT -5
Tomorrow night is going to be sick!
Good luck man. I think the Canes have the advantage here - not necessarily home ice, just the Buffalo D issue (those guys have got to be wiped) - but anything can happen in a game 7.
I'm rooting for 3 OTs, so someone keep a defibrillator and an amp of epi close by to BuffaloHoya.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2006 12:38:08 GMT -5
Holy god almighty. If anyone didn't believe Buffalo sports teams were cursed before, there's no denying it now:
Jay McKee - our best defensive-minded defenseman - is out for Game 7. We are going to be playing two regulars (Campbell, Lydman), one semi-regular (Fitzpatrick), and three guys playing in all but their first NHL action (Janik, Jillson and Paetsch).
Four starters (Kalinin, Tallinder, Numminen, McKee) are on the bench, not to mention our most creative offensive player (Connolly). Ugh.
Oh, and tonight is Paetsch's first NHL game. Ever. I'd say we're doomed, but stranger things have happened...
... ROCK 'EM SABRES!!!
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 1, 2006 21:41:07 GMT -5
Yeah, it was a little too much to overcome tonight.
If I tell you the Sabres had a great season and will be good next year, will I sound like hifigator?
OK, I won't say that.
I'll go back to rooting against/hating Buffalo in October, but for the time being, I was impressed. Without those injuries, they'd be in the Finals.
Even with 'em, after that jaw-dropping save by Miller (just plain incredible) and then when they took the lead, I thought they might pull it off.
Now let's all root for Sergei to get his name on the Cup! I know you won't pulling for the Canes, Buffalo!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2006 6:50:24 GMT -5
Ugh. What a team. What a season. But I don't think I can bring myself to watch the finals. Even with[/b] Cole, I don't think Carolina could take the Sabres with their full roster. But I s'pose that's too much to ask. Just one of those "what could have been" series... and those are the worst. By far. Would rather have let the injuries get to them and lose in five. But my boys fought to the bitter end. And I love 'em for it. But by god, I'm so freakin' depressed right now. I live with my parents (at least until after the bar), I've been single since the last millenium (well, at least "officially"... I do get to throw-dribble once in a while), I'm stuck studying for two freakin' bar exams, am unemployed... all I have are my Sabres, Bills and Hoyas. And now... nuthin'. Ugh. There's no way I'll be able to bring myself to watch the Cup Finals. But in my absence, ROCK 'EM... uh... Oilers. Ugh. Don't worry... the sun will come out tomorrow (Buffalo DOES have the mildest and dryest summers of any city on the eastern seaboard, so I got that going for me) , and I'll decide against jumping off a bridge
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Post by FrostbackHoya on Jun 2, 2006 14:41:02 GMT -5
C'mon, it's only a theory that the sun comes up in Buffalo... although most of the smog is from that bloody coal plant across the lake in Ontario...
Great run for the Sabres! Coming out of nowhere, you've got to be happy with how well they did.
Oilers in 6, as long as Roloson continues to do his Bill Ranford impression.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 5, 2006 9:51:18 GMT -5
Oilers in 6, as long as Roloson continues to do his Bill Ranford impression. Ugh. Gut punch. How do I hate Bill Ranford? Let me count the ways. . . (Interesting fact from Wikipedia, though, I was not aware of this; apparently, Bill Ranford played Jim Craig in all of the on-ice scenes in "Miracle." Kind of surprised he didn't let in a couple of goals in the 3rd period against the Russians, you know, just on instinct.) The sun tries to come up in Buffalo, by the way. But it usually takes a look down, gets pretty disgusted at what it sees, and moves on to shine over Rochester.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 15, 2006 8:59:15 GMT -5
OK, Buffalo. I hope you have recovered enough from the Sabres' loss to be watching these games. Absolutely amazing.
(same goes for you Frostback, recovering from the fact that you have to watch hated Edmonton playing for the Cup).
Oilers deserved that one last night after the way they lost Game 1.
And Buffalo, you've got to be cheering for the way Edmonton is singlehandedly keeping the 'Canes team physician in business.
Besides, you want Mike Peca to get his name engraved, don't you? I know I'm rooting for Sergei (as I think i have made clear in the past).
I still don't know how Edmonton is going to pull this off with a) pulling way too many penalties and b) still not being able to score on their own power play.
Not to mention c) still using a backup goalie.
But, after last night, this thing has a great shot at going 7, and there is nothing greater in sports than a Game 7 for the Cup.
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