97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Nice to see the Bs out, up next the Flyers

Yumcha

Yeah, tough to say how Boston would've done if their starter was in. But, that being said, Halak has a good track record and in some ways, he was their 1B in net.

Tampa, even without Stamkos, is scary deep.


I am thinking NYI will advance and that series, will be close but ultimately, talent will win out even if the Isles' checking system is jaw-dropping. I think it's the Bolts vs. Knights in the Final. Avs had a nice elimination game to salvage their series but I am unsure they can win 2 more games against the Stars.

Yumcha

Since most of us in here have no horses in the playoffs (not counting @CCColtsicehockey and @imj0257 ), here's TSN's "hot stove" for possible trade candidates. Some big names.

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-winnip...oard-1.1517697

CCColtsicehockey

Getting really sick of the Pavelski, Benn, and Perry dives in this series and the refs actually calling it. That said our goaltending has been atrocious.

I will just leave this here.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Perry doing what Perry does best. I will admit I hate the dude, but I'm glad he's doing it while on our team rather than against us. Benn just playing physical.. not seeing any dives from him or Pavelski. They are all experienced and know how to get calls.

However I hate the NBC broadcast crew. They are all over the Avalanche's dicks. Stars up 3-0? Mackinnon is the best player. Stars kill a penalty? Great job by Colorado creating chances. Stars win? Colorado is the best team and can easily come back stronger next game. Seriously... get the fuck off the Avalanche's dicks and call praise where it is deserved. They seem to think the Avalanche are still the better team and are beating themselves rather than the Stars beating them. Douchefucks.

Yumcha

Panthers have a new GM: Zito.

Yumcha

Trade: Blues trade Allen to Habs.

https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-canadien...lues-1.1518205

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Perry definitely embellished there, but that definitely was interference. Should have taken them both

Yumcha

Perry's gonna Perry. He's a very agitating player to watch but in the playoffs, you kinda need that Pepe Lemieux (remember him?) antics to work.

Every Cup winner had one at least.

Kadri is sorta that version for the Avs but he's prone to dumb penalties that get caught more often than not.

Yumcha

Pens get a new assistant coach: https://www.tsn.ca/pittsburgh-pengui...oach-1.1518178

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Joneill44

I mean that play was filthy

Yumcha

Holy fawk at the Game 7s forced.


I still think the Knights will pull through but I'm impressed by the Cansucks.

CCColtsicehockey

I hate the NBC feed. I wish I could just watch a game feed with not extra commentary besides calling the plays. I don't need them to add to it I just want game info. It is amusing to hear announcers though for the Avs for the first time in a long time but I agree with you even as an Avs fan it is a bit over the top.

Someone told me there is a way to sync radio feeds to tv broadcasts and really one of these days I need to look into that.

CCColtsicehockey

Oh and WTF NHL at a 4PM EST pick drop in a Friday for a game 7. Like seriously you fucked this up.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

I know WHAT THE FUCK?

I understand that a potential game 7 between Canucks/Knights was already scheduled for Friday and I understand they share the same ice as the Stars/Avs so there needs to be time in between one game and another. But 3pm?

NBC has fucked the Stars fans over all playoffs with games starting at 9 pm local time and now they fuck us over again with a 3 pm game. Why not have the game at 7 pm local time and so the Canucks/Knights game would be scheduled for 8 pm Pacific time.

NBC majorly fucked this up...

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

And Vegas/Canucks playing a back to back for game 7

Yumcha

The Sportsnet (Canada) feed isn't bad. It's the HNIC crew and Cuthbert/Debrusk are pretty good.

Yumcha

@ North Stars vs. Nordiques game.

OT!

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Congrats Stars.

OT hattrick & moving on uppppp!

Yumcha

Congrats, Dallas.

Another Game 7 shortly.

Yumcha

So, some of the NHL's biggest stars are all out of the playoffs:

No Sid, Kane, Matthews, Nate Mac, and McDavid. The only team with some recognizable star power is the Bolts with Kucherov.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Was a great Stars/Avs series. The most exciting series in quite a while.

Props to the Avs for always playing hard. Mackinnon will get a lot more chances in future postseasons, but glad NBC will shut the fuck up about him now.

Looking forward to the Stars/Knights series.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Fuck you Flyers!!!!

CCColtsicehockey

Wish I could get this feed on a regular basis. I watch it with the NHL package when I can for Avs games.

CCColtsicehockey

It was definitely a good down to the wire series. I was honestly just happy we pushed it to 7 games with how many injuries we had. Without top two goalies, two top 6 forwards, 3C, and second-best D who is also best PK D what can you do.

Yumcha

Word on the street is Babs is returning as coach of the Caps...? Hrm...not sure why he is held in that high esteem.

But, whatever.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

Good game 3, Stars played much better than game 2 (which I thought Vegas would win anyways).

Yumcha

I'm impressed with what I've seen of the Stars but they clung on barely in the 3rd yesterday.

LV's dominance on the zone time and shots is pretty impressive. They are still my pick to rep the West.

Yumcha

Trade: Pens move Bjugstad to Wild.

https://www.tsn.ca/minnesota-wild-ac...uins-1.1522981

Yumcha

@ Stars...

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Congrats Dallas!

ADIOS VEGAS.

Yumcha

Congrats, Dallas!

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

CCColtsicehockey

@ Stars making it. No offense @imj0257 I definitely didn't see that one coming. Congrats on your team making it to the cup finals.

I guess maybe if they win it there is consolation in the fact the Avs lost to the champs. Nope, nevermind there is no consolation in losing period.

Hockeyman

Stars!

Yumcha

Yeah, I did not pick the Stars to advance this far and they've been sneaky good.

Also, with a backup goaler. Which again proves that goaltending is no magic formula. The scoring in the LV/Stars series was 9-8 in favor of Dallas so, it was freaking close. Also, the fact Dallas somehow weathered the storms of some insane 3rd periods owned by the GKs is something related to puck luck and just how the playoffs can go. I will admit Vegas (and the Avs) were my 2 picks to rep the West.

If it's Dallas and assuming the Bolts clean up the Isles, I think Tampa gets their second Cup.

imj0257

iTrader: (1)

We knew we had a solid team, but I don't think anybody expected the team to get this far.

We knew we had a great defense (and now one that can score a lot) and solid goaltending; we think of it more as two #1 goalies rather than Dobby being a backup. He has played great alongside Bishop the past couple seasons. Yes, Benn has started to score this series, but in the previous two series our top forwards were not scoring much. But throughout they have all stepped up in other ways like shot blocking, playing D, and making critical or great plays. It also helps that youngsters like Gurianov and Kiviranta are helping in the scoring department.

But most of all, and I know it sounds stupid, this team truly never quits. They have come from behind soooo many times. If we are down a couple of goals with half a period remaining, I actually don't think it's game over... I wouldn't have said the same last season.

And of course it has been a fucking thrill-ride this postseason... they have to easily be the most dramatic team this year: Coach is fired, play great all season until they lose 6 straight before the season comes to a halt, suck ass and cannot score at all during the round robin, 'find their scoring' during the Calgary series and scoring 7 straight after down 0-3, ridiculous back and forth high scoring games vs the Avs, Kivi's game 7 OT hat-trick, and finally back to their defense style of play vs the Knights to make it to the Cup Final.


Yes the Stars have had some lucky goals this postseason, but luck is part of it. And I will say that yea.. Vegas did dominate the series in so many ways such as shot attempts, but lots of those were weak ass attempts that were blocked by players or were from way outside. If you look at legit scoring chances, the number is far fewer and you gotta credit the Stars D and Dobby.


I think we all agree that Tampa will probably win vs the Isles. That means the Stars will yet again be picked to lose in 5 or 6 games just like they have every single series this postseason, and that just makes them more eager to keep winning.


Going to be a great Cup final!



And now time for the Pierre McGuire hot sports call of the night: "this guy is a playoff player"

Yumcha

It was noted on Sportsnet up here that Benn got really good after Calgary lost Tkachuk. Keith's kid sure was in his head and affected his play. Once Dallas moved past the Flames, Benn really found his focus and played physical and within the boundaries and not making dumb plays. Vegas, while big and talented, did not have the sandpaper to throw your captain off his game which was a benefit. The combo of kids and vets for the Stars has been a really good mixture and I always thought getting Pavelski was a coup...Perry has also fit in nicely and given he's no longer asked to be the primary scorer, has slotted himself really nicely into the lineup.

I love the Dallas D...Klingberg, Miro, et al...yeesh, I wish the Hawks' prospects on the blueline pans out like this.

While I'll admit to not being a Stars fan dating back to when they were in Minny and now as Central Division rivals to Chicago, my pick of likely the Bolts over them is because of just depth and talent. And that's even without Stamkos playing for TB. They are just deeper in net (better really with Vas) and blueline if we were to say the forwards were a wash. Even then, I like the Bolts' 3rd and 4th line alot. Picking up Coleman at the trade deadline really shored up the roster and gave them that physicality that helps in the playoffs.

Hopefully it's just a close series. If TB closes it tonight, the Cup Final should be Thursday?

Yumcha

Caps hire Laviolette as coach: https://www.tsn.ca/washington-capita...oach-1.1524514