Stanley Cup Playoff Pick'em 2010

[Asher]

Hmm. I've been doubting Asher from the get-go regarding the Hawks...

In the end, I suspect he'll turn out to be right, as he definitely knows hockey better than I, but I'm gonna go with my gut. The Sharks had exorcised their demons, and I have a hard time believing Niemi can keep up his play.

Sharks in 7

Niemi is definitely the wildcard.

Nabby hasn't been too sharp either, though.

[Flubber]

wow

I know that the canucks got outplayed but you needd your best players to be your best players and Luongo simply wasn't. If the flow of the play had been much as iot was and the Canucks had lost 2-1 I wouldn't point at Lou at all but the reality is that he simply wasn't good most of the series. I heard a stat that the Nucks surrendered 17 goals in their 3 home games.

While thats not all the keepers fault, the reality for Vancouver is that Luongo is paid to be a difference maker in a positive way, maybe not every game but in most of them. Look at what Halak has given Montreal . . . Luongo quite simply is paid to be a game stealer, allowing his team to win some games they shouldn't. He did not perform to that expectation. Hell he was not even close

Oh and did you catch Luongo's post game comment of " I didn't give up 7 so I guess thats improvement" ???

[Flubber]

Niemi is definitely the wildcard.

Nabby hasn't been too sharp either, though.

Niemi is still somewhat unknown to me but he has played fine in clutch games. Nabby ?? Despite ghis season stats etc etc I simply do not believe he is a clutch goalie. His Olympic debacle was just one of many failures by him in this regard. Now since this is a weird year( Boucher and Leighton as heros??) I discount nothing.

Hmmm I should pick the hawks for consistency with my conference pick but I will delay until both series are pickable

[Kontiki]

wow
Oh and did you catch Luongo's post game comment of " I didn't give up 7 so I guess thats improvement" ???

He was being sarcastic. Having said that, I agree with you that he wasn't nearly good enough, pretty much in every game during the entire playoffs save for one or two. And even there, he didn't steal those games, he was mearly very solid.

[Asher]

wow

I know that the canucks got outplayed but you needd your best players to be your best players and Luongo simply wasn't. If the flow of the play had been much as iot was and the Canucks had lost 2-1 I wouldn't point at Lou at all but the reality is that he simply wasn't good most of the series. I heard a stat that the Nucks surrendered 17 goals in their 3 home games.

While thats not all the keepers fault, the reality for Vancouver is that Luongo is paid to be a difference maker in a positive way, maybe not every game but in most of them. Look at what Halak has given Montreal . . . Luongo quite simply is paid to be a game stealer, allowing his team to win some games they shouldn't. He did not perform to that expectation. Hell he was not even close

Oh and did you catch Luongo's post game comment of " I didn't give up 7 so I guess thats improvement" ???

Yeah,it's no wonder they have heart and gut-play issues. It's a team of floaters, and the people who do care (Burrows) are insufferable douches.

Luongo won't be captain next year, if they're smart. He's a major, major concern -- his numbers get worse every year (look at his playoff numbers -- .941, .914, .895 in 3 consecutive playoffs!). He's already 30, he's under contract 12 more years.

He's going to make $81M over the next 12 years...$10M alone next year. Of course he was joking after the game. It doesn't mean **** to him, it just means he gets to go golfing sooner. The guy should be playing soccer with his diving and whining. I didn't mind him before this season, but it's just gotten to levels that are beyond annoying this year.

[Asher]

Speaking of floaters, anyone see the Sedins in the last game? I didn't see them.

Four Vancouver forwards had more icetime than the Sedin twins by the end of yesterday's game.

[-Jrabbit]

Apparently Ben's in mourning. Or as you Canadians would spell it, mouurning.

[Guynemer]

[Ben Kenobi]

First off, congrats to the Hawks.

I know that the canucks got outplayed but you needd your best players to be your best players and Luongo simply wasn't.

Well, he stopped a 2 on 1 and a breakaway in the first, plus a couple of really good chances. The score could easily have been 3-0 after the first period if Luongo wasn't sharp. In the end the defensive breakdowns cost them.

Vigneault didn't trust his defense until he had no choice. He played 2-1-2 the whole first two periods, keeping a forward back to keep the Hawks in check. The first goal was a pretty one that Luongo didn't have a chance, a slap pass redirected into the top corner.

Second goal was a brutal givaway by Bieksa.

Third goal was a giveaway by Demitra at the point on the powerplay, leading to a breakaway.

We just didn't have enough bodies.

Injuries to the Canuck defense:

Willie Mitchell
Jim Rome
Nolan Baumgartner

Basically the Canucks knew with all three of these players out, that any injury to their top 4 would be fatal against the Hawks.

Then Salo went down, and Edler got hurt by Buff in the first period.

The Canucks had Bieksa, Ehrhoff, an injured Edler and an injured Salo, Alberts and SOB. Their 7th d-man was a minus player in the AHL.

That's basically the story here. You can't win in the NHL with pairings of Bieksa/SOB, Ehrhoff/Alberts, Edler/Salo (both being injured).

While thats not all the keepers fault, the reality for Vancouver is that Luongo is paid to be a difference maker in a positive way, maybe not every game but in most of them.

He put up an excellent game in games 1,2 and 5.

Look at what Halak has given Montreal . . . Luongo quite simply is paid to be a game stealer, allowing his team to win some games they shouldn't. He did not perform to that expectation. Hell he was not even close

So the expectation is that he has to stop .970 for the Canucks to win? This is so frusterating. The Canucks are the top goal scoring team in the west. If he gets a competent defense in front of him, he will do fine.

Oh and did you catch Luongo's post game comment of " I didn't give up 7 so I guess thats improvement" ???

After the man stops a breakaway, a 2 on 1, and gets rewarded being down 3-0? WTH is he supposed to think? The only man who came to play last night was Luongo. Hockey is a team sport.

[Ben Kenobi]

Apparently Ben's in mourning.

This is a good team. They'll be back next year. They have a young defensive core of Ehrhoff/Edler/Bieksa. All their forwards are in their prime, as is Luongo.

Trade for Hamhuis and they will be set.

[Ben Kenobi]

Luongo won't be captain next year, if they're smart. He's a major, major concern -- his numbers get worse every year (look at his playoff numbers -- .941, .914, .895 in 3 consecutive playoffs!). He's already 30, he's under contract 12 more years.

So let me get this straight. You expect the Canucks to trade their best franchise goaltender at the age of 30.

October 26, 1976

Kippersoft will be 34 at the start of next year's season.

If 30 is too old, 34 is ancient especially for a team where your best forward would be Burrows if Burrows had fewer goals.

[Asher]

Ben's ****ing whining about injuries shows how little he knows about hockey. Good teams play through injuries and guys step it up.

Look at Calgary's defensive corps in 2004, riddled by injuries and made it to Game 7 of the SCF.

Look at the Habs this season.

Poor excuses by a poor loser.

[Asher]

Look, the mother****er can't read

All their forwards are in their prime, as is Luongo.

If Luongo's in his prime, how come his numbers are in steady decline? I can't wait to see how he'll be in 12 years if this is his prime.

So let me get this straight. You expect the Canucks to trade their best franchise goaltender at the age of 30.

You didn't get that straight, because I never mentioned the word trade. I said he shouldn't be the captain. You are a complete ****ing moron.

(Edit: You're also not going to find a team wanting to take on Luongo's 12 year contract @ 6.75Mil per (including $10Mil next season in salary) after this season and two consecutive playoff-choking appearances, and after June 30th he has a NTC. You're just ****ed.)

Kippersoft will be 34 at the start of next year's season.

If 30 is too old, 34 is ancient especially for a team where your best forward would be Burrows if Burrows had fewer goals.

I never said he was too old. Again, you are a complete ****ing moron.

FWIW, Kiprusoff isn't under contract til he's 42. Kiprusoff is playing far better at 33 than Luongo is at 30 and has much better playoff numbers under his belt than Luongo.

I used to think they were comparable, but after this season it should be clear that Luongo is not in the same league as Kiprusoff. Luongo is only an elite goaltender in salary and dramatic antics.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben's ****ing whining about injuries shows how little he knows about hockey. Good teams play through injuries and guys step it up.

Look at Calgary's defensive corps in 2004, riddled by injuries and made it to Game 7 of the SCF.

Look at the Habs this season.

Poor excuses by a poor loser.

Losing your top 3 d-men, and 3 bottom pair d-men is whining about injuries?

You guys still had your best d-man available, Regehr.

[Ben Kenobi]

If Luongo's in his prime, how come his numbers are in steady decline? I can't wait to see how he'll be in 12 years if this is his prime.

You mention his age as if it's relevant. Again, Kippersoft is 34, and I don't see you saying that he's too old for his position.

You're just ****ed.

Unlike Calgary with Kippersoft who had a sad season this year, is 34, they have no defense, no forward corps, and will be looking at the basement of the division and west next season.

Even Edmonton has a brighter future and that's saying something.

FWIW, Kiprusoff isn't under contract til he's 42.

So, it's relevant when he's the only worthwhile player on your team and he's already 4 years past his prime.

Kiprusoff is playing far better at 33 than Luongo is at 30 and has much better playoff numbers under his belt than Luongo.

Uh huh. And Luongo has a gold medal while Kippersoft does not.

Luongo has lost to:

Anaheim (later cup champions) and the Hawks twice, and the Hawks will likely win the cup this year. Pretty good calibre of opposition. You guys allowed Tampa Bay to be cup champions. That's pathetic. Worst stanley cup final ever, but it was good to see the team outscored throughout the playoffs finally get exposed.

I used to think they were comparable, but after this season it should be clear that Luongo is not in the same league as Kiprusoff. Luongo is only an elite goaltender in salary and dramatic antics.

Yeah, Canucks will be contenders until Luongo is 40. They'll always be in the playoff hunt. Can't say the same for Calgary. It's going to suck being at the bottom.