NHL Playoff Thread-Mania...

[Ben Kenobi]

Edit: I can't believe I beat obiwan to the update!

Moving takes time... I'll have to change my location sig.

Anyways, people are starting to get worried about the series as a whole as the canucks have only led for 30 minutes in 5 games so far. We'll see if Cloutier can bounce back for the last game to sink Lemaire and the Wild.

Then we can get on with the third round.
It's kind of cool having the Canucks as the only series people are waiting for.

I figure the Canucks will win a grinder in Minneapolis.

[cinch]

One thing I didn't know is that a South Korean is playing for the Wild. Must be the first Korean in the NHL.

No, I do believe that honour has already been bestowed on the wonderful ex-Penguin defenceman Jim Paek.

But I will go check the info to make sure.

[cinch]

Not Only The First Korean Player In The NHL, But The First To Win The Stanley Cup, Too!

[Agathon]

OK - as I write it is Minnesota 5 - Vancouver 1.

What's up with the Wild. Be afraid, Canucks, be very.....

[Hot Mustard]

Vancouver tied with Minnesota 3-3

Conference Finals start Saturday

East: New Jersey at Ottawa

West: Anaheim at either Vancouver or Minnesota

Well, I thought game five was all about the Canucks trying too hard and making stupid mistakes. Game six was more about the refs making stupid mistakes and Minnesota capitalizing on them until the Canucks felt out of it again.

A missed elbow to Cloutier, but called interference on Baron - Wild goal.

A missed offside call - Wild goal.

Tons of crosschecking and tripping of the Sedins - no calls.

Kudos to the Wild for their powerplay success. The Canucks are looking like they did a couple of years ago - an emotional team that doesn't respond well to pressure.

Crawford has to find a way to get them to play their game with zest, but with cool heads. And he has to get better line matchups - the top line has been useless because they're so paranoid about Gaborik.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by dejon
Vancouver tied with Minnesota 3-3

A missed offside call - Wild goal.

If it's the goal I'm thinking of, it was a good call: the replay showed it conclusively according to the analysts on "The Score" (admittedly that's Garry Valk and co. but they were pretty adamant).

[Sava]

Originally posted by dejon


Why?

Because the aging, overpaid almost-dynasty teams are finally fading?

Because young, exciting, talented teams are finally seeing the fruits of years of labour?

Or because, excluding New Jersey, you have to go back to 1927 (Ottawa) to find a past Cup winner that is left in these playoffs?

This changing of the guard has been a long time in the making, and is making the game better. It should be embraced, not scoffed at because it isn't the status quo.

Yes and No... other than New Jersey... crap franchises are left. It would be like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series. It's crap! Sorry, but I like to see the top guys in the hunt for the Finals. I bet the Wild will win, so what does this say about the strength of the league if the best players aren't in the hunt.

The only player that I would pay money to see on either Ottawa, New Jersy, Minnesota, or Anaheim; is Martin Brodeur... maybe Kariya, but that's it! I don't really care to watch a bunch of mullet-wearing Euro's play in the finals. Gaborik, Hossa, Alfredsson, Bonk, Naslund, etc... WHO CARES? NOT I!

Why do you think the NHL has reached it's peak in popularity? It was the fastest growing game in the United States in the 90's, now it has stagnated. Ratings are down. Attendence is down. Goals are down. It sucks. Once Lemieux is gone, there is hardly going to be any star power. And the semi-super-stars that are out there don't even make it to the latter rounds of the playoffs. What a piece of crap the NHL has turned into.

[Hot Mustard]

Originally posted by Sava
Yes and No... other than New Jersey... crap franchises are left. It would be like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series. It's crap! Sorry, but I like to see the top guys in the hunt for the Finals. I bet the Wild will win, so what does this say about the strength of the league if the best players aren't in the hunt.

The only player that I would pay money to see on either Ottawa, New Jersy, Minnesota, or Anaheim; is Martin Brodeur... maybe Kariya, but that's it! I don't really care to watch a bunch of mullet-wearing Euro's play in the finals. Gaborik, Hossa, Alfredsson, Bonk, Naslund, etc... WHO CARES? NOT I!

Why do you think the NHL has reached it's peak in popularity? It was the fastest growing game in the United States in the 90's, now it has stagnated. Ratings are down. Attendence is down. Goals are down. It sucks. Once Lemieux is gone, there is hardly going to be any star power. And the semi-super-stars that are out there don't even make it to the latter rounds of the playoffs. What a piece of crap the NHL has turned into.

I understand, and in fact share some of, your frustrations. The NHL grew too fast and diluted the talent pool, which has had many adverse effects: reduced scoring, increased defensive play, lower attendance, and a lack of perceived "star power".

In today's NHL (as most other team sports), individual (high-priced) players do not determine a team's fate.

Just look at the Rangers - big bucks, no chemistry, no prospects. Then checkout teams like Ottawa or Vancouver - good talent, no bank-busters, great farm prospects, and very good chemistry.

Doesn't the lesson of the Anaheim Angels ring a bell? Individuals do not win championships, teams do.

So your question "what does this say about the strength of the league if the best players aren't in the hunt?" is meaningless, and always has been. Gretzky didn't win on his own, and neither did Michael Jordan. The complaint should be that the owners/managers/coaches of the teams with the best players don't know how to build a team around them.

As for the veteran champion teams eliminated (Detroit, Colorado, Dallas) - there is a number of reasons they were beaten, but common factors include average player age, speed, and a management approach of renting missing components at the deadline, sacrificing the future. Last I checked, the only trade deadline move that is having any effect this year is Steve Thomas - that's a pretty poor average.

If you can't see or appreciate the talent of players like Hossa, Gaborik, or Naslund - the NHL is simply not your game.

[Zero]

Originally posted by Sava

Yes and No... other than New Jersey... crap franchises are left. It would be like the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers playing in the World Series.

Are you kidding me? Sure, nobody would be watching the world series. You're right. But that sounds like one hell of an exciting play off season.

[reismark]

Watch Minny complete the comeback tonight, kids. JUST WATCH.

[cinch]

Last I checked, the only trade deadline move that is having any effect this year is Steve Thomas - that's a pretty poor average.

Don't forget Rob Niedermayer!

[Guest]

Minnesota can become the first team ever to rally successfully from 3-1 deficits in the same postseason.
THE GAME HAS STARTED

[Hot Mustard]

Well, Vancouver has proven once again that they lack the experience and composure necessary in the playoffs. They were beaten tonight by a team that has barely any experience, but plays under a coach and with a system that gave them all the composure and confidence they needed.

It will be the Wild (6th seed) hosting the Ducks (7th seed) in the Western Conference finals - who would've guessed it?

[asleepathewheel]

Wow

[Kontiki]

That was so painful to watch, it's beyond words....

I just knew the wheels would come off as soon as Minnesota scored their first goal.