Welcome to NHL Hockey!

[talloola]

the playoffs are on now, so intense and exciting.

for all of you who won't watch because the team doesn't have a Canadian city's name after it,
although teams full of Canadians, you are really missing great games, some of the best I've seen
to start off the playoffs.

all of these teams, (maybe Minnesota being an exception) are capable of going all the way, hence
they have started with an intensity I haven't seen this early before.

 

[darkbeaver]

The Stanley Cup will be consumned by Americaans, again.

 

[talloola]

The Stanley Cup will be consumned by Americaans, again.

the players are from everywhere, just a little less than 50% Canadians in the league, the
rest, americans, swedes, fins, Russians and others, its about the players, as they decide who
wins and loses each year.

it doesn't matter where the cup ends up, its just a game, and whomever plays the best when
the dust settles takes the cup home.

the cup travels with 'each' player during the summer to their home towns/cities for them to
celebrate with their people, its good, its really very simple and its not americans consuming
the cup, its 'each' player on the team.

some day in the future, americans will have the majority of players in the nhl, that is also just
numbers, as the American organizations improve and sell the game all over the country, and the population
they have, of course they will have the most players, but they don't yet, and even when they do, it
doesn't matter. same game, same outcome, same celebration with the cup during the summer.

 

[JLM]

When playoff games are played in Canada there is a huge economic spinoff. When a game is played in Montreal or Winnipeg or Vancouver how many jobs are created (times at least two) ? How many spinoff jobs, how much more beer, pop and hot dogs. Right now our country is missing out on several $million at a time when every additional job counts.

 

[talloola]

When playoff games are played in Canada there is a huge economic spinoff. When a game is played in Montreal or Winnipeg or Vancouver how many jobs are created (times at least two) ? How many spinoff jobs, how much more beer, pop and hot dogs. Right now our country is missing out on several $million at a time when every additional job counts.

well obviously that is all very true, and that includes 'all' of the American cities whos teams
did not make the playoffs as well.
.
I am a hockey person, love the game, I am watching the playoffs and enjoying them immensely,
so all of that economic stuff really doesn't have anything to do with my original post.
the games are terrific, the quality of hockey is at the highest level, many Canadian players,
it is the nhl playoffs, it is hockey at its best. I'm not going to ignore the games because
the teams have an American organization at the helm, I don't care about any of that.
if we want to talk the economics of the sport, fine, good for another thread I guess, doesn't
apply to this one.

if people are 'firstly' concerned with how much money Canadian cities are losing, or how many
teams are run by American organizations, then the love of the game isn't first in their minds,
as it is in mine, and I am very aware of all of the Canadian players playing in these playoffs,
and how all of their families here in Canada are glued to their tvs watching their sons/grandsons
play the game they love, and the facts of the situation is all of the nhl, all over north America,
is one, not two separate entities because of the border.

I'm sure there are many real hockey people here in Canada who are glued to their tvs watching these
playoffs, and I know there are because of all of the calls each day to hockey talk shows, it is
fun and exciting.

 

[Mowich]

I know it's only the end of the 2nd P but the way my Pens are playing right now, I do believe they will rap up the series today - and that with Fleury out and Murray - no slouch that kid - in net. They are leading the Rangers 6 - 2 going into the 3rd P.

It took Sullivan awhile after he took over as coach of the Penguins but what he has wrought since then is nothing short of a mini-miracle. This team has talent beyond the big names but the big names are also contributing in a big way.

GO PENS GO!!​

pitts are rolling pretty good right now, peaking for playoffs, could be dangerous, but fleury
usually sucks in playoffs, so we'll see how he does this time.

If Marc-Andre' does start to 'suck' at least we seem to have a fair replacement in Matt Murray.

THEY DID IT. THEY BEAT THE RANGERS! YAHOO! 6 - 3 final. Now onto the second round.

 

[talloola]

I know it's only the end of the 2nd P but the way my Pens are playing right now, I do believe they will rap up the series today - and that with Fleury out and Murray - no slouch that kid - in net. They are leading the Rangers 6 - 2 going into the 3rd P.

It took Sullivan awhile after he took over as coach of the Penguins but what he has wrought since then is nothing short of a mini-miracle. This team has talent beyond the big names but the big names are also contributing in a big way.

GO PENS GO!!​

yes, the team definitely began some time ago putting it all together, Crosby started flying as he use to and
the team together and peaked just in time for playoffs, so now they are a force to be reckoned with,
and should go a long way.
I'm not totally inspired by the islander/florida series, it is good for those two teams, but I don't
see the quality of hockey that I see in the west, and also with Washington, although for some reason
they have lost the last two games, but philly's goalie won the last game, stopped everything, philly
were outshot big time, he let in nothing, but I think Washington should overcome next game, they are
a much better team.

tampa bay are playing good hockey, have a real good team, even without stamkos.

I am putting my money on san jose, have cheered for them over l.a., and they did it, lots of real
high end players on that team, and along with the good goalkeeping, they are hard to beat.

Anaheim are now ahead of Nashville 3 games to 2, but started the series behind 2 games to 0, and now
have won 3 in a row, so they are flying again.

lots of real good teams in the playoffs, all of the right teams are in the playoffs, the wild card
method allows that to happen, so that is good.

we are watching Chicago/st. Louis right now, chic just went ahead 4-3 in this game, and if they win
series will be tied, but should they lose, they go home.

enjoy the playoffs, we certainly are. as well as the blue jays, they were awesome today.

 

[Mowich]

yes, the team definitely began some time ago putting it all together, Crosby started flying as he use to and
the team together and peaked just in time for playoffs, so now they are a force to be reckoned with,
and should go a long way.
I'm not totally inspired by the islander/florida series, it is good for those two teams, but I don't
see the quality of hockey that I see in the west, and also with Washington, although for some reason
they have lost the last two games, but philly's goalie won the last game, stopped everything, philly
were outshot big time, he let in nothing, but I think Washington should overcome next game, they are
a much better team.

tampa bay are playing good hockey, have a real good team, even without stamkos.

I am putting my money on san jose, have cheered for them over l.a., and they did it, lots of real
high end players on that team, and along with the good goalkeeping, they are hard to beat.

Anaheim are now ahead of Nashville 3 games to 2, but started the series behind 2 games to 0, and now
have won 3 in a row, so they are flying again.

lots of real good teams in the playoffs, all of the right teams are in the playoffs, the wild card
method allows that to happen, so that is good.

we are watching Chicago/st. Louis right now, chic just went ahead 4-3 in this game, and if they win
series will be tied, but should they lose, they go home.

enjoy the playoffs, we certainly are. as well as the blue jays, they were awesome today.

I can honestly say that with the Penguins into the second round, the play-offs just became that much more exciting for me, talloola. Last year with the Pens out, I was cheering for Chicago and was happy to see them hoist the Cup. I don't have the NHL package on my satellite feed so I rarely get to see the Pens play during the regular season and have to follow them in the news. Being able to watch them in the play-offs makes up for that especially when they are playing so well.

 

[EagleSmack]

Hockey Chirps are the best

 

[Kreskin]

I've been more into the NBA this year.

 

[talloola]

I can honestly say that with the Penguins into the second round, the play-offs just became that much more exciting for me, talloola. Last year with the Pens out, I was cheering for Chicago and was happy to see them hoist the Cup. I don't have the NHL package on my satellite feed so I rarely get to see the Pens play during the regular season and have to follow them in the news. Being able to watch them in the play-offs makes up for that especially when they are playing so well.

watched the islanders/florida game last night, islanders won again in 2nd overtime period, that is the 3rd overtime game they played in the playoffs, and one of my most favourite players, john Tavares, scored ,1st and overtime winner for his team, he is awesome, I have so much respect for him, he carries that team on his back, so
hopefully the management can find a couple more high end players for him to play with. they play t. bay next, don't give them much hope, but one never knows, sometimes playoffs take off in a direction least expected,
and Pittsburgh play Washington, that will be a battle, but penguins did peak for these playoffs, where they had not been playing well at all, previous to that, so that can give them momentum, and Washington is expected to win everything, and that is not a good omen to me, remembering the canucks, when they cruised thru the season without much competition at their level, just weren't battle ready when playoffs came.
tonight 'two' great games to watch, game 7 between Chicago/st. Louis, and game 6 between Anaheim/Nashville, and Nashville must win or they are gone.

and stroman it pitching for the jays tonight

 

[Mowich]

Pens vs Caps going to OT with score at 3 - 3.............fans getting their money's worth tonight and the game is living up to the hype.

all very good teams in the playoffs, last night watched Nashville/Anaheim, Nashville won the game in the first period, then Anaheim threw everything they had at Nashville, but they held out, and won the game 2-1
that was game 7, so Anaheim goes home, and Nashville plays san jose,
st. Louis will play dallas.

islanders defeated t. bay first game of 2nd round, t.b. came out and stunk the
place out in the first period, bishop also played badly, had to be pulled, so
islanders took that game, forget the score, maybe 4-3, tavaras again my hero.
but if t.bay play the way they did in the 3rd period next game, islanders will
have a very uphill climb.

 

[talloola]

Pens vs Caps going to OT with score at 3 - 3.............fans getting their money's worth tonight and the game is living up to the hype.

yep, game over, caps 4 pens 3, tj oshie was a horse tonight, so very talented.

 

[Mowich]

yep, game over, caps 4 pens 3, tj oshie was a horse tonight, so very talented.

Oshie was lights out last night, talloola..........what a talented player. Not the outcome I hoped for but I really didn't expect the Pens to win every game..........still I will be riveted to my seat for the next game - truly exciting hockey.

 

[spaminator]

 

[Mowich]

I'm really impressed with Matt Murray. He didn't have any action in the first, stood up in the second and slammed the door in the 3rd. Grace under pressure there. Nice win for my Pens especially in the Cap's arena, heh, heh, heh. The Caps were out to lunch in the first period but saved their best for last and came on hard in the third and that's when Matt got us the win stopping fourteen shots in the final period.

It wasn't a great game for the Penguins but I put a lot of that down to the excellent goal-tending of Braden Holtby - the kid was busy tonight - really busy as Pittsburgh didn't lack for SOGs but their PP was nonexistent.

The game was not without controversy that almost saw the Caps coach turfed. That came after a Cap's goal was disallowed due to goalie interference. Well duh............the Cap's player fell right on top of Matt flattening him to the ice - I'd call that interference. The ref caught it immediately and whistled the play dead. So I really don't know what all the foofurah was about other than sour grapes.

Thank you Universe. Thank you Penguins. :smile:

 

[talloola]

I'm really impressed with Matt Murray. He didn't have any action in the first, stood up in the second and slammed the door in the 3rd. Grace under pressure there. Nice win for my Pens especially in the Cap's arena, heh, heh, heh. The Caps were out to lunch in the first period but saved their best for last and came on hard in the third and that's when Matt got us the win stopping fourteen shots in the final period.

It wasn't a great game for the Penguins but I put a lot of that down to the excellent goal-tending of Braden Holtby - the kid was busy tonight - really busy as Pittsburgh didn't lack for SOGs but their PP was nonexistent.

The game was not without controversy that almost saw the Caps coach turfed. That came after a Cap's goal was disallowed due to goalie interference. Well duh............the Cap's player fell right on top of Matt flattening him to the ice - I'd call that interference. The ref caught it immediately and whistled the play dead. So I really don't know what all the foofurah was about other than sour grapes.

Thank you Universe. Thank you Penguins. :smile:

yep murrey played well. penguins, like tampa bay today, had to win this game, as neither team wants to
go to game 3, down 2 games to 0. and that goalie interference was so obvious, don't know
what all the fuss was about, saw it over and over, no doubt.

st. Louis/dallas, san jose/Nashville tomorrow, all top teams, should be good, i'll watch
some of it, not all, weather too good, need to take dogs to the lake for a good swim.

 

[Mowich]

Were it not for Murry saving 47 SOGs by the Caps, the Penguins may very well have lost this one - they did not have a good game and were excruciatingly bad in the 3rd when they allowed the Caps to come back and score 2 goals. Worse news is that they could lose Letang after he laid a dirty high hit on a Cap's player - wouldn't be surprised to hear he gets a game or two suspension. Final 3 - 2 and Pens lead the series 2 - 1 but they really have to smarten up and play every minute of the game.

 

[talloola]

Were it not for Murry saving 47 SOGs by the Caps, the Penguins may very well have lost this one - they did not have a good game and were excruciatingly bad in the 3rd when they allowed the Caps to come back and score 2 goals. Worse news is that they could lose Letang after he laid a dirty high hit on a Cap's player - wouldn't be surprised to hear he gets a game or two suspension. Final 3 - 2 and Pens lead the series 2 - 1 but they really have to smarten up and play every minute of the game.

yeah, I felt a bit sorry for caps tonight, this was their game by far, just couldn't penetrate murray.
I saw letang's hit, not a good one, but what about those dirty couple of hits in retaliation next
shift, the one guy jumped over letang while he was kneeling on the ice, and kneed him in the head.
nothing was done or said about them, something not quite right there in my opinion, and I hope the
league notices that.

caps seemed to have found their game now.

 

[Mowich]

yeah, I felt a bit sorry for caps tonight, this was their game by far, just couldn't penetrate murray.
I saw letang's hit, not a good one, but what about those dirty couple of hits in retaliation next
shift, the one guy jumped over letang while he was kneeling on the ice, and kneed him in the head.
nothing was done or said about them, something not quite right there in my opinion, and I hope the
league notices that.

caps seemed to have found their game now.

There were a few uncalled plays that could have ended in penalties last night but the refs didn't seem to notice or care. I don't think the head hit to Letang was much more than the Caps player trying not to hit his own player and getting Letang instead - not intentional at all. The Caps definitely found their groove last night...........hoping that they lose it again in the next game and that the Pens get theirs back. :smile: