steve.. Caps lose in the first round

[ACamp1900]

you can move this into the NHL thread later I guess.... sorry about the caps...

but this brings up a nice point... why should the Pres. Trophy winner not be honored (last two lost in the first round)??? To me the Pres. Trophy means more than the Stanley Cup when you look at what it takes to win either... yet because of a playoff loving society we regard the tourney winner as a greater display than the reg. season winner????....

I say Euro soccer and such does a better job on this issue than American sports leagues do... the reg. season title is the one you want to win... THAT is your championship... yet they still have a year of the year tourney in most countries that is also a much valued title yet not THE ONE... I'd love it if our pro sports did that personally.

 

[BestBIrish47]

Sorry Steve, I grow a playoff beard every year the Wings are alive. I don't shave it until they lose. I understand your passion, now you can root against your most hated team...that normally does me well!

 

[IrishinSyria]

Bah humbug.

Now, the NHL regular season is a long grueling test, arguably a more exacting one than the Playoffs. And it is my personal belief that it is at least 40 games to long...hockey is a much much more demanding sport than basketball and it makes absolutely no sense to try to play such a long season, it hugely detracts from the quality of play. But now that 82 is the established number, that's not going to change. So, given the mistake of an 82 game season, these are the reasons why the Stanley Cup is the only piece of hardware that matters:

1) Playoff intensity. Teams built to succeed in the regular season (Capitals, Sharks) tend to have tons of firepower and talent. These things help in the playoffs, but can be neutralized by teams playing their hearts out.

2) 7 game series. Nothing beats the NCAA tournament for unpredictability (in hockey or in basketball) Holy Cross. Butler. You name it. But it leaves a lot to chance and flukes. It is HARD to win 4 games in the playoffs. Teams have to earn it, and it tends to bring out the best on both sides.

3) Drama. The Capitals had the presidents trophy in hand for the last few weeks of the regular season. Imagine how disappointing it would have been if that was the climax of the year.

and last but not least,

4) Its the Stanley Freaking Cup. No prize in sports is more recognizable. No prize in sports is as tough to claim (I include you in that statement Olympic gold medal, world cup, and super bowl). The Caps will be haunted by their early exit this year, and will dedicate the next 364 days to getting in a position to get a step closer to Lord Stanley's prize.

also, if the regular season mattered that much then they'd have to rethink shootouts.

 

[KPENN]

Bah humbug.

Now, the NHL regular season is a long grueling test, arguably a more exacting one than the Playoffs. And it is my personal belief that it is at least 40 games to long...hockey is a much much more demanding sport than basketball and it makes absolutely no sense to try to play such a long season, it hugely detracts from the quality of play. But now that 82 is the established number, that's not going to change. So, given the mistake of an 82 game season, these are the reasons why the Stanley Cup is the only piece of hardware that matters:

1) Playoff intensity. Teams built to succeed in the regular season (Capitals, Sharks) tend to have tons of firepower and talent. These things help in the playoffs, but can be neutralized by teams playing their hearts out.

2) 7 game series. Nothing beats the NCAA tournament for unpredictability (in hockey or in basketball) Holy Cross. Butler. You name it. But it leaves a lot to chance and flukes. It is HARD to win 4 games in the playoffs. Teams have to earn it, and it tends to bring out the best on both sides.

3) Drama. The Capitals had the presidents trophy in hand for the last few weeks of the regular season. Imagine how disappointing it would have been if that was the climax of the year.

and last but not least,

4) Its the Stanley Freaking Cup. No prize in sports is more recognizable. No prize in sports is as tough to claim (I include you in that statement Olympic gold medal, world cup, and super bowl). The Caps will be haunted by their early exit this year, and will dedicate the next 364 days to getting in a position to get a step closer to Lord Stanley's prize.

also, if the regular season mattered that much then they'd have to rethink shootouts.

Well said

 

[ACamp1900]

Bah humbug.

Now, the NHL regular season is a long grueling test, arguably a more exacting one than the Playoffs. And it is my personal belief that it is at least 40 games to long...hockey is a much much more demanding sport than basketball and it makes absolutely no sense to try to play such a long season, it hugely detracts from the quality of play. But now that 82 is the established number, that's not going to change. So, given the mistake of an 82 game season, these are the reasons why the Stanley Cup is the only piece of hardware that matters:

1) Playoff intensity. Teams built to succeed in the regular season (Capitals, Sharks) tend to have tons of firepower and talent. These things help in the playoffs, but can be neutralized by teams playing their hearts out.

2) 7 game series. Nothing beats the NCAA tournament for unpredictability (in hockey or in basketball) Holy Cross. Butler. You name it. But it leaves a lot to chance and flukes. It is HARD to win 4 games in the playoffs. Teams have to earn it, and it tends to bring out the best on both sides.

3) Drama. The Capitals had the presidents trophy in hand for the last few weeks of the regular season. Imagine how disappointing it would have been if that was the climax of the year.

and last but not least,

4) Its the Stanley Freaking Cup. No prize in sports is more recognizable. No prize in sports is as tough to claim (I include you in that statement Olympic gold medal, world cup, and super bowl). The Caps will be haunted by their early exit this year, and will dedicate the next 364 days to getting in a position to get a step closer to Lord Stanley's prize.

also, if the regular season mattered that much then they'd have to rethink shootouts.

you're logic is so bassackwards....

1.) you're basically saying 82 games is too long so it shouldn't matter... yet lose four games and your whole year is rightfully fucked????... you're kidding right???... you MUST see how stupid that sounds despite being programed to think "playoffs matter more."

The larger sample should be the greater determination of who the best team is....

PERIOD.

2.)Hard to win four games yet you spit on 82???... that's funny and NCAA basketball is completely destroyed by a stupid playoff... Duke/Carolina is the sports biggest rivalry yet has anyone here sat through a game between the two in the last fifteen years??? No one cares about the reg. season and that is a shame... EVERY GAME SHOUDL MATTER... playoffs kill that aspect. and I can't believe you typed "teams have to earn it" in regards to a seven game crap shoot yet you clearly state the best record over 82 games doesn't matter.... the playoff thumpers mind just wows me sometimes... seriously

3.) THAT is the only reason we have playoffs... not b/c it's fair... not b/c it gives us true champions who earned it... it's for A.D.D. fans who wouldn't watch otherwise... BUT the reg. season is still a better barometer of greatness... there is no debating that... also you say the reg. season would have been boring... think of how much more attention it would have gotten if it were the main end all??? and do you think teams like Detriot, Pittsburgh this year... Anaheim last year and MANY MANY others would have had the attitude of... "eh, we can turn it on later, get any spot in the playoffs, turn it on and make a run then."??? which MANY teams have done in years past... that view of the reg. season really bothers me...

4.) they should rethink shootouts... and my point is not that the reg. season does matter much... that is and always has been my point on playoffs, they take away from the REAL season and make some month long tourney more important... it's retarded, and completely insulting to the idea of a yearly champion when in most cases 4/5ths of what happened that year does not matter

Well said

really???... lol

 

[KPENN]

really???... lol

His way of thinking is a hell of a lot better then yours. The capitals have 24 games against non playoffs teams. They play in the weakest division in the sports, but yet they should get a bigger reward for that? They got rewarded with the presidents trophy and home ice throughout. Pretty nice reward considering the shit division they are in. 16 teams earned there way into the playoffs all regular season. So its a combination of a year long schedule and the playoffs. The capitals have a good regular season team but not a good playoff team.

 

[ACamp1900]

His way of thinking is a hell of a lot better then yours. Pretty nice reward considering the shit division they are in. 16 teams earned there way into the playoffs all regular season. So its a combination of a year long schedule and the playoffs. The capitals have a good regular season team but not a good playoff team.

okay, you actually think and playoff is a better sample than a complete reg. season??? because that is my logic and you stated its a "hell of a lot worse than his"......................

and divisons should have nothing to do with it... divisons are a construct of a playoff based system... before we started expanding playoffs in every league there were no divisons... listen, by your great logic a team can finish fifth in their division yet be crowed the greatest team in the sport if they get hot during the playoffs... you must see what's wrong with that... seriously if crap shoot playoffs are the way to go then do we why even have reg. seasons???... just have a preseason, rank the teams and have every team involved..... and non games against playoff teams should be considered for a title... in fact this comment makes my point pretty well, thanks for it... EVERY game should matter

 

[KPENN]

okay, you actually think and playoff is a better sample than a complete reg. season??? because that is my logic and you stated its a "hell of a lot worse than his"......................

and divisons should have nothing to do with it... divisons are a construct of a playoff based system... before we started expanding playoffs in every league there were no divisons... listen, by your great logic a team can finish fifth in their division yet be crowed the greatest team in the sport if they get hot during the playoffs... you must see what's wrong with that... seriously if crap shoot playoffs are the way to go then do we why even have reg. seasons???... just have a preseason, rank the teams and have every team involved.....

Can you not read? I said its a combination of the regular season and playoffs. Teams earn there way into the playoffs through the regular season. And my point about the division thing is that the caps play in the worse division in hockey and that they have already been rewarded for there regular season.

 

[ACamp1900]

Can you not read? I said its a combination of the regular season and playoffs. Teams earn there way into the playoffs through the regular season. And my point about the division thing is that the caps play in the worse division in hockey and that they have already been rewarded for there regular season.

I like the fact that hockey at least gives something for it, but my point was no one cares... and since you went there... can you not think???.... because it's NOT a combination of the reg. season and the playoffs... it's JUST the playoffs... since the team who wins that could have had the 16th best record (or even lower) yet could be crowned champion for the enitre year while the fifteen (or maybe even more) teams who finished higher get nothing. get it? THAT is why I would like to see sports honor the best reg. season mark (something we sadly do not give two shits about anymore) more than we do now, hence my mention of world wide soccer.

 

[KPENN]

I like the fact that hockey at least gives something for it, but my point was no one cares... and since you went there... can you not think???.... because it's NOT a combination of the reg. season and the playoffs... it's JUST the playoffs... since the team who wins that could have had the 16th best record (or even lower) yet could be crowned champion while the fifteen (or maybe even more) teams who finished higher get nothing. get it?

They earned there right to get into the playoffs through the regular season and the best 16 teams advance. I dont see why its so tough to get that point across. Higher seeded teams earn home ice. And chances are if the caps cant put away the canadiens after being up 3-1 they are not the best team in the league.

 

[ACamp1900]

They earned there right to get into the playoffs through the regular season and the best 16 teams advance. I dont see why its so tough to get that point across. Higher seeded teams earn home ice. And chances are if the caps cant put away the canadiens after being up 3-1 they are not the best team in the league.

hung yourself right there (correct use of the word "there" btw). My point that you apparently have such issue with is that the reg. season doesn't matter as much as is should and the playoffs matter FAR FAR too much considering how much more of a sample is involved in a reg. season... yet you combat that with logic that states losing games three in a row rightfully nullifies the entire regular season... again, please just sit back, ponder that for a while... then post a response.

 

[mlcspinner]

all this talk is a waste of time... The Bruins are bring the Cup back to Bean Town this year

 

[KPENN]

all this talk is a waste of time... The Bruins are bring the Cup back to Bean Town this year

Nah the orange and black have got this

 

[ACamp1900]

Red Sox Suck...




sup spinner, hey did you ever consider that maybe they called Boston "Bean Town" is because all you people smell like farts???.... just wondering

 

[KPENN]

Red Sox Suck...




sup spinner, hey did you ever consider that maybe they called Boston "Bean Town" is because all you people smell like farts???.... just wondering

Nice

 

[ACamp1900]

Nah the orange and black have got this

actually coming from a Pens fan this could shock you.... but I think I'd go for the Flyers if it came down to Boston/Philly in the Conf. finals


sorry spinner, love ya

 

[KPENN]

actually coming from a Pens fan this could shock you.... but I think I'd go for the Flyers if it came down to Boston/Philly in the Conf. finals


sorry spinner, love ya

Wow that is surprising. I'm hoping to hell we get another flyers vs pens conference final.

 

[ACamp1900]

Wow that is surprising. I'm hoping to hell we get another flyers vs pens conference final.

that would be great!!... plus if the Pens lose I don't have to hear shit from anyone... I basically live in Los Angeles, the average person out here doesn't even know who the fuck the Flyers are... lol

 

[IrishinSyria]

you're logic is so bassackwards....

1.) you're basically saying 82 games is too long so it shouldn't matter... yet lose four games and your whole year is rightfully fucked????... you're kidding right???... you MUST see how stupid that sounds despite being programed to think "playoffs matter more."

The larger sample should be the greater determination of who the best team is....

PERIOD.

2.)Hard to win four games yet you spit on 82???... that's funny and NCAA basketball is completely destroyed by a stupid playoff... Duke/Carolina is the sports biggest rivalry yet has anyone here sat through a game between the two in the last fifteen years??? No one cares about the reg. season and that is a shame... EVERY GAME SHOUDL MATTER... playoffs kill that aspect. and I can't believe you typed "teams have to earn it" in regards to a seven game crap shoot yet you clearly state the best record over 82 games doesn't matter.... the playoff thumpers mind just wows me sometimes... seriously

3.) THAT is the only reason we have playoffs... not b/c it's fair... not b/c it gives us true champions who earned it... it's for A.D.D. fans who wouldn't watch otherwise... BUT the reg. season is still a better barometer of greatness... there is no debating that... also you say the reg. season would have been boring... think of how much more attention it would have gotten if it were the main end all??? and do you think teams like Detriot, Pittsburgh this year... Anaheim last year and MANY MANY others would have had the attitude of... "eh, we can turn it on later, get any spot in the playoffs, turn it on and make a run then."??? which MANY teams have done in years past... that view of the reg. season really bothers me...

4.) they should rethink shootouts... and my point is not that the reg. season does matter much... that is and always has been my point on playoffs, they take away from the REAL season and make some month long tourney more important... it's retarded, and completely insulting to the idea of a yearly champion when in most cases 4/5ths of what happened that year does not matter



really???... lol

Not to kick a kicked horse but

I see your point, but it is impossible to play at playoff intensity over the course of an 82 games season. Impossible. Sure, a few teams like the Red Wings might try harder or have a bigger incentive to find young guys if the season was the big Kahuna, but for the most part these guys are hockey players and do what they can every day. Its just that when you're on the 7th game of a 9 game road trip and its the middle of the season and your knee is killing from that shot you blocked last game, never mind your back, its kind of tough to "bring it". Never mind the question of schedule strength.

The playoffs consistently result in the best hockey. The Olympics are fun, and a close second, but they lack the grinder factor that makes hockey the best damn sport on earth. And for me, the quality of playoff hockey, its ability to draw the best out of the best players, is the bottom line.

As a side note, I think the Capitals should be proud of their season this year. It was not "wasted". But they should also be disappointed. And I'm excited/scared to see what they bring to the table next year, that team has to work out its tender issues, get a little more stable on D, and just learn to relax a little bit when the pressure is on and they have nowhere but up to go.