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Post by AustinHoya03 on May 4, 2008 22:41:31 GMT -5
Keep your head up, Michalek!
Hoping the Stars can pull this one out in overtime -- it wasn't a great 3rd period for the home team. I do NOT want this series headed back to San Jose.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2008 8:45:30 GMT -5
Down to the final four and the story of the playoffs thus far has to be Marty Biron.
There's not much more to say, except he's the guy defying ALL expectations of his play coming into the SEASON, let alone the playoffs. For a guy who has let in the four or five weakest goals I've seen in my entire life - and I've seen A LOT of hockey - he's playing out of his skull.
And despite hating the Flyers more than anything, I love it. That said, I would KILL for a Pens-Wings final.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 5, 2008 8:54:04 GMT -5
That series.....Oh my God....was just unreal. And I have the bags under my eyes to prove it. Working on about 4 hours sleep this morning, but how could anyone turn that game off??
I feel like Roger the alien, except instead of Chocodiles, I'm praising Dallas-San Jose.
(and selfishly, even though I was rooting for Dallas - mildly - in the one, I was really kind of hoping for a Game 7, which would have been outstanding for so many different reasons, but not the least of which was, these teams played each other so tightly, the series deserved that ending)
Every single game was amazing, and last night was the capper. Turco and Nabokov made some unbelievable saves!
Congrats to the Stars, but honestly, I'm just sorry to see that series end.
Should be two good conference final series, but I haven't seen anything to make me think that it won't be Pittsburgh & Detroit in the finals.
Then again, I've been wrong on just about everything else, so who knows? I can only hope that the three remaining series can come close to living up to Dallas-San Jose.
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thornski
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Post by thornski on May 5, 2008 21:06:12 GMT -5
Unless there have been some others that I've missed, were those saves by Nabokov (glove on Richards) and Turco (the high pad save on forget who) the best two saves of the entire playoffs?? And all in one game's OT periods? Pretty sick.
Agree that Conf Finals should be good and the smart money has to be on the Wings & Pens, but then again how many experts had the Flyers beating the Caps or the Habs? Not too many...hopefully they can pull off another upset. Looking forward to it...
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moe09
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Post by moe09 on May 20, 2008 3:51:41 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2008 7:29:59 GMT -5
Pens in six.
At least that's what my heart tells me. My head?
Wings in seven.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on May 20, 2008 8:39:02 GMT -5
I have no stake in who wins this series, but I expect it to be outstanding, and I can think of nothing better than having it go seven.
I think both teams will have a hard time winning on road ice, even though the home advantage is somewhat less in hockey than in other sports.
Pittsburgh hasn't lost at home in, like, a year. Detroit did drop one at home to the Stars, but the Stars are pretty damn good & the Detriot fans certainly know how to bring the deafening noise in the Stanley Cup finals.
I do think Detroit's experience will give them an edge. Pittsburgh's lack of it hasn't hurt them at all so far, that's for sure, but now that it's the finals, I think they'll have at least one of those "holy crap what are we doing here" kind of games, or at the least a period or two like that. Probably no more than one, but it might be enough for the Wings.
I was really impressed on Sunday & last night how both teams just said, "You know what? This series is over!" and stomped all over the Flyers & Stars, respectively. That's a team that can win a championship and they both did it.
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moe09
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Post by moe09 on May 23, 2008 15:38:07 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2008 10:27:29 GMT -5
Sweet freakin' Jesus. Last night was awesome.
I made it all the way to the end (barely... missed most of the second OT snoozin' away), and was rewarded with an all-time epic. A few thoughts:
1 - Who died and made Fleury Hasek? Last night reminded me of a lop-sided (shots on goal-wise, at least) version of the epic Hasek-Brodeur battle in '94 in which Hasek made 70 saves, Brodeur made 40-something as a rookie, and the Sabres won in four OT's.
2 - the Hossa deal is still paying off for the Pens, but its going to make things difficult with so many players coming up for contract. Over the next two years, they've got Hossa, Malone, Orpick, Malkin and Fleury to name a few. Methinks at least two of those guys are gone (hopefully my former little league teammate, Orpick, comes back to B-Lo).
3 - speaking of Brooksie, I continue to enjoy him demolish anything in his path. That said, the half-dive, half-legit interference penalty he forced upon Maltby last night hurt my eyes to watch.
4 - I hear the Pittsbugh PD, Pennsylvania troopers and FBI are following up a missing persons report for Malkin...
5 - Nik Lidstrom is awesome. Red Wings had a losing season the year before he showed up and haven't had one since. Have won four Stanley Cups in his 14 years, could end up being five in 15... yikes. I know everyone loved Yzerman, loves Chelly, the glut of Russians through the early and mid 90's and so on... but this guy is The Man.
6 - Draper's playoff beard is quite possibly the best ever.
7 - I'm getting a little fed up with all this Chris Osgood love. Yes, he's played pretty well, but it isn't hard to do when you face 15 shots a game. Last night was a bit different, but still...
8 - does anyone else admire the fact Detroit has been so successful with so many oldies-but-goodies? Draper's been there forever, but throw him on a list with Chelly, Dallas Drake, Osgood, Maltby, Downey, Holmstrom, McCarty (another good playoff beard) and Rafalski... talk about the AARP of the NHL.
EDIT: 9 - Conn Smythe watch: if Pittsburgh comes back to win (I'm guessing in tight games) you'll probably have to consider Fleury, but also Hossa and Crosby. If Detroit hangs on, you've got to go with Zetterberg or Franzen.
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vcjack
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Post by vcjack on Jun 3, 2008 11:34:52 GMT -5
The only two games I've watched this series were games 3 and 5, both Redwings L's and both highly entertaining. I should watch more of this series because it both seems to prevent Detroit from winning and produces fun hockey
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 3, 2008 11:40:07 GMT -5
Only dispute, Buffalo, is that -- while you may not agree with it -- Osgood is getting the Conn Smythe if Detroit wins. No question.
Before last night he had two shutouts and a 1.00 GAA. Yes, I agree with your point about the Pens SOG, but he'll win it with those numbers.
Other than that, agree with just about everything you posted. (even the 2nd OT part, in which I caught a few Zs as well, and then thanked God when I opened my eyes and saw it was still going on).
Pittsburgh's good at home, but this Wings team is a-flippin-mazing. Don't think this gets back to Detroit, much as I would love a Game 7.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2008 12:29:28 GMT -5
Only dispute, Buffalo, is that -- while you may not agree with it -- Osgood is getting the Conn Smythe if Detroit wins. No question. Before last night he had two shutouts and a 1.00 GAA. Yes, I agree with your point about the Pens SOG, but he'll win it with those numbers. Other than that, agree with just about everything you posted. (even the 2nd OT part, in which I caught a few Zs as well, and then thanked God when I opened my eyes and saw it was still going on). Pittsburgh's good at home, but this Wings team is a-flippin-mazing. Don't think this gets back to Detroit, much as I would love a Game 7. But is Osgood really deserving of the CS when you consider it is SUPPOSED to go the best player THROUGHOUT the playoffs? Osgood has given up what... one goal in the three Red Wing wins this series? That is sweet, yes. But for reasons I mentioned, I don't think it is all THAT impressive. Further, I think Zet or Franzen have been far more valuable to Detroit over four rounds of hockey. EDIT: Agree with the ridiculousness of this Detroit team. I watch them and I wonder how they don't sweep everyone.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 3, 2008 12:58:35 GMT -5
Oh, I wasn't arguing that I think he's more deserving, just that he's going to get it.
Plus, I think the fact that Detroit is loaded with contributors who spread out the offense, and not one glamour superstar -- in other words the VERY REASON they are so dominant -- will contribute to Osgood getting it and not one of their forwards.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Jun 4, 2008 13:22:01 GMT -5
I am pulling for the Penguins to make the comeback, but most importantly, I just don't want it all to end tonight. That game Monday was just simply as entertaining as it gets. Here's to more hockey!
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thornski
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Post by thornski on Jun 5, 2008 7:31:24 GMT -5
Wow, great ending to a nice series after Hossa's deflection and then near putback with no time left (imagine that goes in...that's a replay review for the ages, although I think the clock had expired by then).
As a Philly fan, it pains me a bit to see a team win 4 times in the last 11 years, but the Wings were fully deserving - they've got a nasty team and played some beautiful hockey in the playoffs.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2008 7:46:30 GMT -5
It wouldn't have counted, but still... talk about dramatic. I'd like to see a supposed historic matchup on the hardwood TRY and live up to the series the Pens and Wings just gave us.
Oh yeah, Zetterberg wins the Conn Smythe? I think someone here predicted that... ;D
Depending on the moves the Pens want to make considering the ridiculous amount of free agents they have over the next two years (now you know how Buffalo felt!), they could either be really good again or quite mediocre.
Lastly, good to see the real M-A Fleury show up last night. In an elimination game of the Stanley Cup finals, you CANNOT[/u] let in those second and third goals. Weak. Freakin'. Sauce. That should quiet all this ridiculous talk about him having "arrived" or reached some "elite" status after game 5.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Jun 5, 2008 8:58:04 GMT -5
It wouldn't have counted, but still... talk about dramatic. I'd like to see a supposed historic matchup on the hardwood TRY and live up to the series the Pens and Wings just gave us. Oh yeah, Zetterberg wins the Conn Smythe? I think someone here predicted that... ;D Depending on the moves the Pens want to make considering the ridiculous amount of free agents they have over the next two years (now you know how Buffalo felt!), they could either be really good again or quite mediocre. Lastly, good to see the real M-A Fleury show up last night. In an elimination game of the Stanley Cup finals, you CANNOT[/u] let in those second and third goals. Weak. Freakin'. Sauce. That should quiet all this ridiculous talk about him having "arrived" or reached some "elite" status after game 5.[/quote] OK, fair enough. Good call on the Conn Smythe. And I totally agree with it. I just thought the "story" of Osgood, and his performance in the Finals would win it for him. I agree about Fleury. I have a friend (hifi alert!) at work who is a huge Penguins fan (well, OK, a huge Pittsburgh fan; he doesn't know that much about hockey) & I told him that Fleury -- as good as his is and probably will be -- is the reason more than anything that Pittsburgh wouldn't win. He let in way too many soft goals, not just last night. I think he'll continue to improve, but it's not like he's on his way to being Pat Roy or Marty Brodeur. Buffalo help me out with this one, I can't seem to remember. The rule today is that the puck has to cross the line before the period ends/green light comes on. With the current rules, I think that made Hossa's tip a fairly easy call if the puck had gone in. It was clearly after time had expired. (though good luck getting out of Pittsburgh alive, refs, if you had called that one no good). Didn't the rule used to be that the puck had to be shot (left contact with the stick, etc.) before the period ends & it didn't matter if it crossed the line after time had expired? I'm a little fuzzy, but I think that used to be the case and that would have made last night's call REALLY difficult. It seems like Hossa tipped it just as it was clicking from 0.1 to 0.0. Still, a great ending. I was kind of Editeded at Fleury, thinking about how much fun OT would have been if he hadn't let in that softie in the 3rd period. Anyway, congrats to Detroit. I know a lot of people hate them, but they were clearly the best team all season and well deserving of the Cup. Can't wait for October!
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Jun 5, 2008 17:49:22 GMT -5
That gaffe on the last goal was nothing compared to Fleury's finest moment in the World Juniors a few years back....
That was a terrific ending to a fine series and a great season. It wasn't as entertaining as that epic Game 5, but it was as dramatic as they come. A couple of inches the other way and lightning strikes twice for the Pens, and the Igloo wouldn't be there anymore since the Pens fans would have blown the roof off the place.
It was nice to finally have a Cup Finals between two hockey cities. No more of this stupid California, Carolina, Florida, and Texas stuff.
I think hockey is really on the rise. They've got an exciting product on the ice, some great young stars, and very dedicated core of fans who are loving what they're seeing. Arenas are full and teams are in the black again. All they need now is a decent TV deal, and I think we could see another golden age for the NHL. Oh, and get Bettman out of there!
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thornski
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Post by thornski on Jun 5, 2008 18:01:05 GMT -5
There was an article up on si.com showing that, while the NHL obviously still has a long way to go TV-wise, the ratings (especially from the games on NBC) were very encouraging especially compared to the last couple of years. So I think the NHL did themselves a lot of good this playoff season - a bunch of great series, a couple of true epics (Stars-Sharks Game 6 and Wings-Pens game 5 come to mind), and didn't hurt that this was the finals series that everyone (well...except me + other philly fans + dallas fans) wanted.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2008 7:42:41 GMT -5
Buffalo help me out with this one, I can't seem to remember. The rule today is that the puck has to cross the line before the period ends/green light comes on. With the current rules, I think that made Hossa's tip a fairly easy call if the puck had gone in. It was clearly after time had expired. (though good luck getting out of Pittsburgh alive, refs, if you had called that one no good). Didn't the rule used to be that the puck had to be shot (left contact with the stick, etc.) before the period ends & it didn't matter if it crossed the line after time had expired? I'm a little fuzzy, but I think that used to be the case and that would have made last night's call REALLY difficult. It seems like Hossa tipped it just as it was clicking from 0.1 to 0.0. Well, for any goal to be scored the puck has to cross the goal line in its entirety. So I would assume - not looking through the rule book - that for a goal to count in that situation the entire thing would have to cross the goal line before 0.0. Hasek is going to retire. With all due respect to Patrick Roy, Sawchuck, Plante, etc... nobody dominated the position the way Hasek did for a seven or eight year stretch. Hope I've got tickets for the game where they inevitably retire his number and hang it from the rafters.
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