The NHL Thread

[Jeff]

Total different scenario here I guess, as the players bought into the system, but were stacked for offensive play and were being hemmed in their own end by their own bench crew.

Yeah, your coach brought a new system that handcuffed offenive, big time.  I saw these numbers for Sid:

Games before HCMJ: average point per game = 1.40
Games with HCMJ: average point per game = 0.98
Games after HCMJ: average point per game = 1.36

Gee, think HCMJ was the problem?

[Jesse James]

Certainly at least wasn't helping. 

Crosby's been scoreless last two, but Malkin's out too and so the 2nd line's sorta dismal without him (of course) and it's hampered Kessel who was also sorta coming on (a little bit anyway) since Johnston got pink slipped.  Plus teams then focus shut-down guys on Crosby whereas Malkin often draws the top guys in a kind of irony...  ****** timing since every point is seriously counting this year.  The East is a logjam at the bottom.

[Jeff]

Post-Yeo: 3 games, 15 goals, 3 wins. 

Yeah, I know, it was a 3-game streak against terrible western Canada so I can't get too excited.  Still, it's nice to see actual Ws again.  Makes this weekend a little bit better.  Would have sucked balls to enter our big stadium series appearance with a 9 game losing streak or whatever.   

Pretty excited for the weekend.  We've got tickets to the alumni game tomorrow and the big outdoor game on Sunday.  Should be fun!

[Jesse James]

The Hawks took it up the poop shoot today, so I guess Yeo's system blew. 

[I Am Sith]

That was an epic thumping.  I had recorded the game because my son had a basketball game that overlapped, but someone mentioned that it was 5-0 in the third when we were leaving so I never bothered to watch it.  From the 'highlights', it looked like the Wild were playing at a different level and that the Hawks were still admiring their trip to the WH.  Thank god that wasn't in Chicago or that stadium would have been empty by the start of the third...

[Jeff]

Shaping up to be an exciting finish in the Central.

If the Stars win on Saturday, they get the streaky, yet potentially dangerous in the playoffs MN Wild (we've beat the #1 two years in a row, you know).

If the Stars lose and STL wins... the Stars get the Blackhawks in round 1, while STL gets the Wild.


And the 3-way battle in the East w/BOS, DET, PHI, is shaping up to be fun too.  Going to keep pulling for DET and BOS because everyone hates it when the Flyers miss the playoffs (or at least I know it'll make the two Jesses here very happy to see BOS in and PHI out ).

[Jeff]

Here we go...

Stars in 5 
Blues in 7
Ducks in 5
Sharks in 7

Panthers in 6
Red Wings in 7
Caps in 7
Penguins in 6

[EdSolo]

You can't pick the Caps in 7...they never win game 7 regardless of their seeding.

[Jesse James]

A lot of locals are picking Stars to the finals, but hey, ya never know.

[McMetal]

You can't pick the Caps in 7...they never win game 7 regardless of their seeding.

This is their year! 

[Morgbug]

Jets in... oh wait, after a month of the season we sucked.  Until the last four games, when we rocked.  Pointlessly.  Well, not entirely, I love beating the Wild, Kings and Ducks.  But good luck to y'all cuz we ain't there (and if the youth movement continues we won't be there next year either but the future looks bright).

[P-Siddy]

You can't pick the Caps in 7...they never win game 7 regardless of their seeding.

This is their year! 

I don't know much about the West, but they're the best I've seen this year.

[P-Siddy]

Here we go...

Stars in 5 
Blues in 7
Ducks in 5
Sharks in 7

Panthers in 6
Bolts in 7
Caps in 7
Penguins in 6

I'm just going to copy Jeff's list with Tampa over the Red Wings though.  No idea about number of games.  Sad I'm choosing the Pens over the Rangers but I've not been impressed with their game this year.  I'm picking the Caps to take the East though.  They've improved their overall game over the years and Holtby's matured as goalie.

[Jeff]

I'm just going to copy Jeff's list with Tampa over the Red Wings though.

Very brave of you to make that pick with Tampa up 3-1 in the series, Steve.   

My Detroit pick was totally selfish - I wanted to see Detroit advance only because I didn't want to admit that this might be the last Datsyuk-hockey we get.

[P-Siddy]

Eh, I've been having computer issues so I don't get a chance to write much.  But I'd have still chosen the Bolts over the Wings from what I've seen of them this year.  . I'll tell you my Cup choice after the last game's won.

Really dislike the Western Conference games starting "late" and then going into double overtime only for the team to lose and going to bed @1:30.  Fun times.