97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Hawks really pulled one out of their ass late, I'm sure Yummy was clutching his chest in the fetal position when it happened. I knew when they showed the stat about them not being shut out in X playoff games that the game wasn't over. Good and entertaining game

Yumcha

The Bolts tried the same game-plan employed against the Rangers -- get a lead and then play prevent-D...

It almost worked but Chicago also is pretty deep offensively (per black label's fave Finlandian guy and Vermicelli and Sharp on the 3rd line)...

mvp2765

iTrader: (1)

After that first period, Hawks really put the pressure on. It was only a matter of time before one or two of those dropped! Go Hawks!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yep, prevent doesn't usually work with a 1 goal lead

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

The second I saw that it was the Fin who scored, I started cracking up

Yumcha

Whoa...MOAR HAWKS FANS!


I'm not so ronery anymore!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

They always show up this time of year

Yumcha

Leave me all to myself to defend myself about no-name goalies.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I could make fun of Cabby some more

black label

He stole the puck and got the primary assist on the game winner too. All those canadian superstar hockey studs and look who they rely on to actually get the job done when it matters most

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yumcha

I was pretty sure black label started playing the Finland national anthem and stood in salute when Teuvo scored.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Probably

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I tell you what, that backhand no look redirect goal by Killorn sure was sick though

Yumcha

Fixed.

Yumcha

Yup...made highlight reels on all the sports shows last night. Crazy goal.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Congrats Yummi! 3 more please!!!!!

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

0& stunna?

face!

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

New York Rangers: Injured beyond a broken heart
New York Rangers: Injured beyond a broken heart | isportsweb

This article is a salute to all those with the determination of a hockey player, not just a New York Ranger.

For many years, teams in the National Hockey League have kept themselves quiet during the playoffs, especially when it comes to injuries. Nothing gets discussed outside the locker room. Rarely is the media informed that a player is injured let alone where on his body is he feeling pain. If opposing teams knew where to hit the hardest, then the rest of the series would change completely. Not only would the series be unfair, but it could lead to an even worse injury than originally sustained.

The New York Rangers, in the most “Cup or bust” season they’ve had in the last 21 years, were quieter than a pin dropping in Amalie Arena during a regular season game against the Florida Panthers. Throughout the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there was absolutely no indication whatsoever that any of their players were injured at all, with the exception of Mats Zuccarello, who was obviously seen taking a puck to the helmet. Little did anyone know that the Rangers went the entire playoffs with Jesper Fast as well as their top four defensemen all injured. These weren’t just bumps, cuts or bruises, either. These were injuries that, during the regular season, would easily sideline a player for 2-5+ weeks. They would sideline the normal human five months or forever, depending on who you talk to.

Now that the Rangers are eliminated from Cup contention, they have revealed all of the injuries that their players sustained over the last six weeks, much like a poker player shows his cards after all the betting is done. Captain Ryan McDonagh suffered a broken right foot in game 2 of the Tampa Bay series. Marc Staal had a hairline fracture in his ankle that he had been playing on as of a couple of games before the playoffs started. Dan Girardi had a grade 1 MCL sprain, much like Martin St. Louis had earlier this season, and Girardi sustained it in game 4 against Tampa Bay. Keith Yandle suffered a sprained AC joint in his shoulder after being hit into the boards during game 2 of the series against Pittsburgh, however he was reported to be fine by the time the Eastern Conference Final started. Jesper Fast had been playing with a spinal contusion, which is a fancier way of saying he had a bruise. However, if it really wasn’t a significant injury, then they wouldn’t have said anything, as all of the players on the team must have had bruises. Finally, while everyone thought Mats Zuccarello had a simple concussion, it was much worse. He had a small fracture in his skull, blood heading to the brain, and for the first four days he was reportedly unable to move his arms or talk. Now those who were hoping he could maybe “grind it out and play” are probably feeling a little guilty.

No wonder the Rangers lost that series. It’s actually amazing that they even brought it to a game 7. Imagine how much better they would have been if the team was fully healthy. They probably could’ve beat Tampa Bay in 5 games. The only injury reported from their side so far, as they must have more, was a small injury that Matt Carle sustained in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final, and that could have been a blessing in disguise as he’s their worst defensive defenseman. Even if the Rangers had won game 7, there’s no way that they would’ve been able to win the cup with all their injuries. Their bodies were literally being held together with tape. In spite of these injuries, anyone that knows anything about sports knows that there aren’t players on this earth tougher than hockey players.

Even though baseball is the national pastime of this country, the players can be absolute wusses. We’re in a league with no salary cap paying you more money than any hockey player will ever make in their lives, and you have to miss 3 weeks because you pulled your hamstring? You have to be joking. Consider actually stretching before you get out there. Basketball isn’t any better. It’s hard to remember the last time a hockey player stopped the game to have three people carry him off the ice because of a cramp in his leg. In fact, these players are in such tremendous shape that it’s hard to remember the last time any hockey player has ever missed a game because of something as minuscule as a cramp. In hockey, the players are so tough that they could probably almost die on the bench, get revived, and then ask when their next shift is — oh wait, that did happen (tons of respect for Rich Peverley). A hockey player is so tough that he could also play the Stanley Cup Finals with a broken rib, torn cartilage, torn muscle tissue, a separated shoulder and a punctured lung and still get in front of a shot to try to block it (Patrice Bergeron is a god amongst hockey players amongst regular people). It was almost a good thing for the Boston Bruins that the Chicago Blackhawks scored two goals in 17 seconds to win the 2013 Stanley Cup in game six because it’s hard to really know how many organs Patrice Bergeron would’ve had left if they played a seventh game. Meanwhile, in basketball:

lebron james

Compared to hockey:

Therefore, all we can do is tip our caps to those that gave it their all. Those that gave quite literally all of it. While we appreciate the effort and commitment of the Rangers’ blue-liners, was it really a good idea to let them play? Probably not. No, wait — definitely not. There’s no way they should have played. These weren’t simple injuries that could easily be shaken off. Had any of them got hit in the wrong places, they could’ve suffered permanent damage, which is more important than winning the Cup this season. The New York Rangers organization has to keep in mind the future of their players. With this said, here come the people asking the question, “but at some point, they can’t work for the future anymore but have to work for now, right?” Yes, but now doesn’t mean one or two years. Now can be within the next four, five, or even six years.

While that sounds strange, think of it this way. Throughout the last ten years, the Rangers’ realistic goal was making it to the playoffs and winning either a series or two. They knew the Cup was too far beyond reach. Now they’re beyond hoping to make the playoffs. They have the players they need for a while, and this is when they expect to make the playoffs, the Finals, and win, rather than simply hope. As much as they probably insisted on playing, the team had to put their foot down and keep them in the press box. The Rangers will have the vast majority of their team back next year, and are capable of contending for at least the next five, six, or even seven years (when does the King’s contract expire?). However, if a player like McDonagh shatters his foot and his career with it when he really shouldn’t have played on it, then everything is thrown out the window. The Rangers have cleverly been built from the ground up. Henrik Lundqvist is the base, above him is the phenomenally stable defensive core, and above them are the forwards. If you’ve ever played Jenga, rarely are you capable of removing something from the middle without everything else crumbling with it (unless you’re too good at the game). The same thing applies here. Luckily enough, they didn’t injure themselves even more than they already have and they are on the road to recovery (knock on wood).

black label

So what's the deal with these western conference teams? Why do they so quickly resort to biting people once they make it to the finals?

Yumcha

Shaw is a passionate guy.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

No one feeds them?

black label

And Burrows?

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Shaw!!!

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Trevainen!!!

black label

Who?

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

It's hard to spell

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Teravainen.

k?

0k.

Yumcha

Hawks need to play better defensively.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Seabrook!!

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

dammit!

Yumcha

The Bolts weren't going to roll over...expected them to play well in a near must-win Game 2.

But, I'm pretty happy that the Hawks got the split in Tampa. So, let's see now what happens with it returns to the United Center next week.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Sorry Yummy, a split is good.

Yumcha

Yeah...they hung in there...until 2 straight penalties by Patrick Sharp cost the game.

black label

Brand name goalie coulda helped

Yumcha

From Finlandia?

Yumcha

Blame Coach Q for being racist and keeping only NA goalies when he had a perfectly Arian-esque Raanta available.

black label

I read an article recently about how European goalie prospects seem to be better draft selections. The rankings don't reflect reality vs Canadian goalies and historically, goalies selected from Europe have had more success at the NHL level as well as been picked in higher rounds.

Carey Price 5th pick, Marc Andre Fluery 1st pick. Henrick Lundquist 205th pick Jaroslav Halak 271st pick.

It was an interesting read but if you don't draft a canadian goalie in the first round they are much less likely to make it in the NHL. The European goalie selected with picks 80 and beyond have quite a bit of NHL success.

https://bluebulletreport.wordpress.c...draft-goalies/

Yumcha

I do agree that Quebec isn't the goalie factory it used to be. Finland appears to be that place now.