NHL Thread

[gkIrish]

I don't care how long the Rangers take to beat the Senators so long as the Flyers finish off the Penguins. The Rangers are 6-0 against the Flyers this season

 

[KPENN]

I don't care how long the Rangers take to beat the Senators so long as the Flyers finish off the Penguins. The Rangers are 6-0 against the Flyers this season

The rags will get the devils when they beat the panthers

 

[gkIrish]

The rags will get the devils when they beat the panthers

True. That's fine by me too

 

[aubeirish]

It's going to take a mighty effort for the Pens to come back from that. Philly are deep in their heads right now. You can't beat Philly at their own game. You have to be discipline. It doesn't seems like the pens are willing to make that sacrifice. They have been playing selfish hockey. This match up is the perfect example on how much the NHL playoffs resemble to a war. Mental toughness and paying the price are clichés, but they're so true.

Ottawa and Detroit have both stumbled on hot goalies. I think Detroit will win this one tonight. I love watching them play. To me Pavel Datsyuk is most beautiful player to watch in the game. Everything he does is so good, it's ridiculous. I played with a lot of theses guys back when I was a little younger and it takes a lot to impress me, but Datsyuk is just unbelievable. I think he's going to be the difference tonight.
For Ottawa, you have to keep doing what you're doing. It might not work, but it's the only way they win this.

 

[KPENN]

True. That's fine by me too

Just don't see the cats beating the devs. Although it wouldn't break my heart if they did. Also would be nice to watch sister banger get lit up like a Christmas tree

 

[gkIrish]

Just don't see the cats beating the devs. Although it wouldn't break my heart if they did. Also would be nice to watch sister banger get lit up like a Christmas tree

I wouldn't count the Capitals out yet either. The Flyers could end up playing the Devils

 

[KPENN]

It's going to take a mighty effort for the Pens to come back from that. Philly are deep in their heads right now. You can't beat Philly at their own game. You have to be discipline. It doesn't seems like the pens are willing to make that sacrifice. They have been playing selfish hockey. This match up is the perfect example on how much the NHL playoffs resemble to a war. Mental toughness is a cliché, but it's so true.

Best part is, a 19 year old rookie is flat out punking Malkenstein, just a beautiful thing to watch

 

[KPENN]

I wouldn't count the Capitals out yet either. The Flyers could end up playing the Devils

I wouldn't mind that but I think the Caps are toast now.

 

[aubeirish]

I just want to see Boston vs Philly at some point. That would be awesome.

 

[Grahambo]

I would love, love, love a Rangers-Devils matchup. You wanna talk about bad blood! Would also love to knock Marty out one final time before he hangs them up. As a Mets fan, kinda like the Chipper Jones to my squad.

The problem with Ottawa is depth. Outside of Michalek (whose been absent), Alfredson (who has a concussion), Karlsson (whose getting hammered), and Spezza, not a whole lot to hang your hats on. Game 4 will be crucial though for the Rangers especially being on the road.

 

[Grahambo]

As for the other matchups, sorry ACAMP but I can't wait for the Pens to lose. Gonna be tough for Philly to finish off though, won't be easy.

Kings knocking off Vancouver is pretty big too.

I hope Detroit can finish Nashville because I like Lidstrom and hope he goes far in the playoffs, but just not far enough. ;-)

 

[gkIrish]

Let's not forget that the Flyers came back from down 3-0 a few years ago. Wouldn't be all that surprising if the Penguins at least get it to 6-7 games

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Pens have the talent to come back, however do they have the heart? to be determined.

 

[aubeirish]

Pens have the talent to come back, however do they have the heart? to be determined.

They do, but I think that because they are playing Philly it is much harder. The flyers have their rookies playing like veterans. Everybody is stepping up. Like I said before, they are deep inside the pens' head right now. Also, they capitalize on momentum shift better than anybody. A very deep hole to climb indeed for the pens.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

For the love of God, will someone PLEASE light up Raffi Torres? Doesn't look like that's gonna happen though with suspensions looming.

 

[ChiRish]

For the love of God, will someone PLEASE light up Raffi Torres? Doesn't look like that's gonna happen though with suspensions looming.

Seriously. What a dirty, vicious, illegal hit by a dirty, vicious goon. He has no place in the game. Hope Hossa is ok. Hawks need to get it together.

 

[aubeirish]

Seriously. What a dirty, vicious, illegal hit by a dirty, vicious goon. He has no place in the game. Hope Hossa is ok. Hawks need to get it together.

Torres is actually a pretty good player. Tough and can put the puck in the net. That was a vicious hit because he didn't have the puck, but these things happen in hockey. The reason you see more and more of those is because the game has gotten faster in the last 5 years. I'm not sure what more they can do to prevent those hits without screwing the game. Maybe a little more consistency with the suspensions they are giving. I think that guys have to be more aware of their surroundings as well. Head has to be up at all time. Hockey is an emotional sport, especially in the playoffs. A guy with a head down is very attractive for any hockey player.

Obviously these points I am making are more directed to a play where the guy has the puck or has just passed it 1 or 2 sec earlier to the hit. Yesterday's hit was kind of random. It does happen though. Guys don't like each others.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Torres is actually a pretty good player. Tough and can put the puck in the net. That was a vicious hit, but these things happen in hockey. The reason you see more and more of those is because the game has gotten faster in the last 5 years. I'm not sure what more they can do to prevent those hits without screwing the game. Maybe a little more consistency with the suspensions they are giving. I think that guys have to be more aware of their surroundings as well. Head has to be up at all time. Hockey is an emotional sport, especially in the playoffs. A guy with a head down is very attractive for any hockey player.

I haven't seen the actual hit on Hossa. I am speaking in general.

Torres is a decent player, but his reputation for dirty play has preceded his reputation for being a well-rounded player. Torres launched himself (left his feet) at a defenseless player, and I think that's where the ire is coming from outside of the Hawks fanbase (look at SI article today where a journalist rips him apart).

 

[aubeirish]

Well last year's hit was much less a cheap shot than the one last night. Seabrook was playing with his head between his legs behind the net. As a defensemen, you never do stuff like that. The hit on Hossa was pretty bad. No puck around, a clear cheap shot. He clearly lost his composure. Also, this hit might have been ordered form the bench as well. Those things happen. He should be suspended for the rest of this serie. Shanahan is not being severe and consistent enough with his decisions. Shea Weber should have been suspended for the hit on Zetterberg in game 1. There is a star status protection, that is not fair either.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Well last year's hit was much less a cheap shot than the one last night. Seabrook was playing with his head between his legs behind the net. As a defensemen, you never do stuff like that. The hit on Hossa was pretty bad. No puck around, a clear cheap shot. He clearly lost his composure. Also, this hit might have been ordered form the bench as well. Those things happen. He should be suspended for the rest of this serie. Shanahan is not being severe and consistent enough with his decisions. Shea Weber should have been suspended for the hit on Zetterberg in game 1. There is a star status protection, that is not fair either.

To make matters worse, I had to watch the Yotes feed last night, and during pre-game the announcers said that Torres told them he planned on "knocking someone out." The pre-meditation should make the punishment worse.

 

[ChiRish]

Well last year's hit was much less a cheap shot than the one last night. Seabrook was playing with his head between his legs behind the net. As a defensemen, you never do stuff like that. The hit on Hossa was pretty bad. No puck around, a clear cheap shot. He clearly lost his composure. Also, this hit might have been ordered form the bench as well. Those things happen. He should be suspended for the rest of this serie. Shanahan is not being severe and consistent enough with his decisions. Shea Weber should have been suspended for the hit on Zetterberg in game 1. There is a star status protection, that is not fair either.

I agree with you that these types are a reflection of many different things, but looking at last night's hit by itself, there is no other explanation other than pure malicious intent. We don't need guys like that in the NHL, there's enough legal hitting as it stands now.

Torres may be a decent player, but he doesn't let his skill speak for itself. He's got a nasty reputation, and I have a feeling he's going to be punished accordingly today. If Andrew Shaw gets three games for a nonsense, debatable call, what could Torres, a repeat offender, get? I think 10 games minimum is appropriate. Send a message that this conduct is unacceptable.

Bad hits may be more frequent now, but the NHL could go a long way in sending a message that bad intentional and malicious hits are never acceptable.

 

[aubeirish]

They might send a message with Torres, as they should, because he is only a decent player. Consistency on suspensions has to be the message the NHL must send. Not sure if that is the case, but every suspension should be no pay for the time of the punishment, and fines should be given in the playoffs.

Hits to hurt is not new phenomena in the NHL. I mean, it's been there since the game exists. Guys just don't use their sticks to do it as much anymore, because the refs call it more. In the playoffs, the energy level is at it's highest. Every team has the same message. When you lay a hit, go as hard as you can. Hockey is such a momentum driven game that it wouldn't be as exciting without big hits. There are also so many hits and slashes in front of the net and in the corners that we don't notice during the game it's ridiculous. I used to have blue spots all over my body during the playoffs. I used to give a lot of those as well. Guys take pride to that. Teammates notice. Guys playing with broken ribs was common. It's a tough physical sport and that's the way it is.

I think the main thing here is that we have become more aware how the head is fragile. Guys are way more careful of their heads now. There are players in the NHL, especially average to lower class players, that have had over 30-50 concussions in their careers without anyone knowing about it. And let's face it, you look like a wuss when you come out of the ice after a hit. At least that was the mentality it's still there a little bit. A recent example would be Ian Laperrière loosing all his teeth and come back on the ice the next shift.
Anyways not disagreeing with you guys. Just pointing out some realities.

 

[ChiRish]

They might send a message with Torres, as they should, because he is only a decent player. Consistency on suspensions has to be the message the NHL must send. Not sure if that is the case, but every suspension should be no pay for the time of the punishment, and fines should be given in the playoffs.

Hits to hurt is not new phenomena in the NHL. I mean, it's been there since the game exists. Guys just don't use their sticks to do it as much anymore, because the refs call it more. In the playoffs, the energy level is at it's highest. Every team has the same message. When you lay a hit, go as hard as you can. Hockey is such a momentum driven game that it wouldn't be as exciting without big hits. There are also so many hits and slashes in front of the net and in the corners that we don't notice during the game it's ridiculous. I used to have blue spots all over my body during the playoffs. I used to give a lot of those as well. Guys take pride to that. Teammates notice. Guys playing with broken ribs was common. It's a tough physical sport and that's the way it is.

I think the main thing here is that we have become more aware how the head is fragile. Guys are way more careful of their heads now. There are players in the NHL, especially average to lower class players, that have had over 30-50 concussions in their careers without anyone knowing about it. And let's face it, you look like a wuss when you come out of the ice after a hit. At least that was the mentality it's still there a little bit. A recent example would be Ian Laperrière loosing all his teeth and come back on the ice the next shift.
Anyways not disagreeing with you guys. Just pointing out some realities.

Yeah I agree as well... I think a big problem lies with Shanahan and maintaining some consistency. Regardless Torres has been suspended indefinitely pending a hearing Friday in person. Oh boy.

 

[aubeirish]

Yeah I agree as well... I think a big problem lies with Shanahan and maintaining some consistency. Regardless Torres has been suspended indefinitely pending a hearing Friday in person. Oh boy.

Regarding Shanahan, he knows many of these guys personally. Sometime it's harder to give harsh suspensions to friends. Hockey is a small world. I personally think that someone outside of that circle would do a better job and would less likely be conflicted.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Torres suspended indefinitely. Won't have his hearing until Friday.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Philly sure does look tight!

 

[TDHeysus]

Is Henrik Sedin the Laverne or Shirley of the twins?

I dont like the canucks or the sedin's per se, but I have more respect for Henrik after getting steamrolled and then returning to the game. Dude was doing his best Mike Tyson-getting knocked-out-by-Buster-Douglas imitation and then stayed in the game.

They showed Kobe Bryant at the king's game on sunday......no way a basketball player get his bell rung like that, and comes back into the game.

 

[aubeirish]

Another impressive showing by Ottawa last night. Bear in mind that's a team that was supposed to finish near last place in the beginning of the season.

 

[Kingbish01]

Hope my Pens can pull this series out. I may just be a big homer, but I think we are going to spank them in game 5....win a close one in game 6...and spank them in game 7. LET'S GO PENS!! LET'S GO PENS!!

 

[ClausentoTate]

The Pens should've saved some goals for the next couple games!