Boz
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Post by Boz on Apr 16, 2009 9:58:27 GMT -5
Pitt wins handily while the Devils look to be well on their way to doing the same. The Rangers hold on in a nail-biter. Now, who's ready for Vancouver/St. Louis? I was!!! Or, at least, I thought I was. It is sad how old I am getting. I was really into that game & thought it was really well played, but I fell asleep in the third period. Man, I would have never fallen asleep in the third period of a playoff game as recently as 3-4 years ago. I am happy that Brad Boyes is doing so well in St. Louis. I was really bummed when Boston dumped him a few years back. Looks like he's definitely fulfilling his potential. The Blues are definitely in the top 5 of teams I really like in the NHL, so I'm pulling for them, but I think the series is going to go like last night's game throughout....namely St. Louis comes up just a bit short.
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Post by RockawayHoya on Apr 16, 2009 10:14:18 GMT -5
As long as the Caps are starting Jose Theodore in goal, there is hope for the Rangers. Henrik has bailed out the Rangers this year; if he's hot during the playoffs, the Caps are in trouble. I can realistically predict Rangers in 6 and not be an unabashed homer while doing it. So that's what I will do. You are aware that teams have to score goals to win, and the Rags aint to good at that lately. They can be good at it if Theodore decides he doesn't feel like stopping anything.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 16, 2009 11:32:54 GMT -5
You are aware that teams have to score goals to win, and the Rags aint to good at that lately. They can be good at it if Theodore decides he doesn't feel like stopping anything. Touche
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Apr 16, 2009 12:22:59 GMT -5
The rumor mill says that Varlamov might get the start for the Caps in Game 2.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Apr 16, 2009 16:44:56 GMT -5
I liked JTIII being on the jumbo tron as one of the DC area celebrities in the montage supporting the Caps at last night's game.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 16, 2009 17:21:42 GMT -5
The rumor mill says that Varlamov might get the start for the Caps in Game 2. Yeah. I am not sure how i feel about it. Ive never been that against Theo, so i am not ready to burn him at the stake. The one thing i will say about last nights game was that there were clearly calls that were not made. And im not talking tick tack stuff, i mean like when Avery slashed theo after the save had been made, or the clear interference on Green when he was pushing him into the bench.. I like Avery, i think he does his job beautifully, but he still should be called for penalties. We'll see what happens Saturday, a game i will happily be at
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Apr 16, 2009 20:56:14 GMT -5
And heeerrree come the suspensions!
Silly crybaby Habitants.
Well maybe not suspensions, plural, but LaPierre's almost certainly going to be sitting for Game 2.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Apr 16, 2009 23:14:54 GMT -5
How was that not interference on Chicago's OT goal? The Kipper doesn't just let shots like that go by.
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Apr 17, 2009 8:25:46 GMT -5
How was that not interference on Chicago's OT goal? The Kipper doesn't just let shots like that go by. Mainly because Leopold pushed Ladd into the crease, I think. Yeah, Mike Keenan's got a point that Ladd didn't try to avoid crashing into the crease, but most of the time when there is a clear push, the refs are not going to call interference.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 17, 2009 9:49:41 GMT -5
How was that not interference on Chicago's OT goal? The Kipper doesn't just let shots like that go by. Mainly because Leopold pushed Ladd into the crease, I think. Yeah, Mike Keenan's got a point that Ladd didn't try to avoid crashing into the crease, but most of the time when there is a clear push, the refs are not going to call interference. I didnt see what you guys were talking about but in general i think that the goalie interference rule needs to be more clear. It seems to get called a lot of different ways and isnt consistent.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Apr 18, 2009 15:49:02 GMT -5
Henrik Lundqvist might win this series on his own for the Rangers. Once again, the Caps dominate the game and lose.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 18, 2009 20:34:14 GMT -5
Henrik Lundqvist might win this series on his own for the Rangers. Once again, the Caps dominate the game and lose. That game was just so frustrating. Everything on D is going great and the Offense put like 35 shots on net, and five penalties are killed, but Kenrik is there to spoil the party. If this is how the next two games are going to be just call the series now.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Apr 20, 2009 0:07:52 GMT -5
8 Anaheim vs. 1 San Jose The Ducks are better than a lot of people think, and they've been playing important games for a couple weeks. I can see them taking the first two games of this series, but the Sharks will come back because they're the better team. Sharks in 7, but I wouldn't be shocked at an upset here. Thank you, thank you, you can all stop clapping now....
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Apr 20, 2009 8:49:37 GMT -5
Of the two teams currently in unexpected 0-2 holes (well, unexpected by everyone except Stig, apparently ), I really think the Caps got to feel better about themselves than the Sharks. The Caps have come up against the dreaded "hot keeper," but if they can solve Lundqvist, they are outplaying the Rangers, for the most part. The Sharks, on the other hand, are plain getting it handed to them. I think both those teams win their Game 3s, but I give the Caps a better chance of also winning Game 4 than the Sharks. But I'm no Stig, so take whatever I say with a slab of salt. As for the series I care most about, obviously I couldn't be happier with the first two games. With the exception of some weak 2nd period play here and there, Boston is really skating well. They must be careful though. Montreal got exactly what they wanted on Saturday by getting Lucic suspended. (Obviously, I think this is bogus and Maxim Lapierre is basically only on the ice to TRY to get people suspended -- he's not doing anything else). I'm beginning to think that Bob Gainey feels that this is his only chance to win. But as long as Boston doesn't let the Habs get into their heads too much more and stays out of situations like that, I feel pretty good.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 20, 2009 9:54:51 GMT -5
They must be careful though. Montreal got exactly what they wanted on Saturday by getting Lucic suspended. (Obviously, I think this is bogus and Maxim Lapierre is basically only on the ice to TRY to get people suspended -- he's not doing anything else). I'm beginning to think that Bob Gainey feels that this is his only chance to win. But as long as Boston doesn't let the Habs get into their heads too much more and stays out of situations like that, I feel pretty good. What kind of effect do you think the suspension will have Boz, you watch way more of the Bs than me. Also, i watched the Canes-Devs game on the internet last night, that series is getting testy, although no one pulled any punches last night. TSN showed a montage of St. Martin getting rocked in overtime by the Canes for the past 300 years and right then i knew the Devils would win. I do hope the canes pull it out though.
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whatmaroon
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Post by whatmaroon on Apr 20, 2009 10:52:48 GMT -5
A pair of 3-2 wins isn't the most dominant start in the world, but so far, so good for the Hawks. There were definitely some playoff jitters in the first game and going down 2-0 in game 2 wasn't the ideal beginning either, but the ability to come back has been pretty nice. Coming in, I was worried about Kipper stealing the series, but Barker's goal in game 1 was a pleasant gift and the other goals show he's beatable. I'm concerned about see how they come out tonight-with the slow starts the previous two games despite a raucous supporting crowd, it could get ugly.
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hoopsmccan
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Post by hoopsmccan on Apr 20, 2009 12:57:53 GMT -5
Let's just say I'm going to make sure I have Game 3 tickets at the Garden, while hope will still be in the air... hm Clearly, I'm not Stig...but happy to go to Game 3 all the same... hm
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Apr 20, 2009 13:17:59 GMT -5
What kind of effect do you think the suspension will have Boz, you watch way more of the Bs than me. Also, i watched the Canes-Devs game on the internet last night, that series is getting testy, although no one pulled any punches last night. TSN showed a montage of St. Martin getting rocked in overtime by the Canes for the past 300 years and right then i knew the Devils would win. I do hope the canes pull it out though. I think Montreal is going to have an easier time skating tonight. Lucic is a punishing forward, and I mean he hits people hard! There is no question he greatly disrupted the Canadiens' rhythm when he was on the ice in the first two games. Lucic does not reward opponents forechecking. Boston's got a few more guys like that, Shawn Thronton in particular, but he's nowhere near as talented as Lucic. Blake Wheeler is going to be moving up to Lucic's line tonight and he's not as good at disrupting the other team, for all of his offensive skill. I have really enjoyed the Canes-Devils series so far. They've been getting short shrift on the national telecasts, but they've been some very entertaining games.
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The Stig
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Post by The Stig on Apr 20, 2009 13:50:24 GMT -5
Where I see each series:
8 Montreal vs. 1 Boston (Boston 2-0) Original pick: B's in a tough 6. I think this pick could still be right, with the series heading to Canada. It might be a tough 5 instead of a tough 6 though.
7 NY Rangers vs. 2 Washington Original pick: Caps in 5. WRONG! As Boz said, the only thing between the Caps and a 2-0 lead right now is Lundquist, but a hot goalie can take you a LONG ways in the NHL playoffs. Blueshirts in 6.
6 Carolina vs. 3 Devils Original pick: Canes in 6. I think the Canes still have what it takes to win this one, although it might take 7 games. I'm taking a risk in betting against Brodeur.
5 Philadelphia vs. 4 Pittsburgh Original pick: Pens in 5. I still think the Pens will win, but it might take a few more games.
WEST
8 Anaheim vs. 1 San Jose Original pick: Sharks in 7, but I wouldn't be shocked at an upset here. I'm not touching this one!
7 Columbus vs. 2 Detroit Original pick: Wings in 5. Yep. Maybe even a sweep.
6 St. Louis vs. 3 Vancouver Original pick: Canucks in 6. Probably won't last 6 games.
5 Calgary vs. 4 Chicago Original pick: Chicago in 5. The Flames look better than I expected, and they're great at home in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they still suck on the road. This one might go longer than 5 games, but the Hawks will still win.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Apr 20, 2009 21:30:15 GMT -5
So if the cap play like they did tonight on wednesday, they can recover this series. That was an awesome game, total domination. (though i cant help thinking that if that puck hadnt his the post in the first period the game would have been much different)
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