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Hockey: News and Discussion Thread
06-07-2010, 10:27 AM
The sizzle in the Steak
Hawks took back control from the Flyers.....can the Flyers wrestle it back at home?
A great series that's for sure.
...and the Hossa curse:
That ain't working, that's the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free
Money for nothing and chicks for free
A great series that's for sure.
...and the Hossa curse:
That ain't working, that's the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free
Money for nothing and chicks for free
06-07-2010, 10:36 AM
Interesting. Interesting.
Not really. I guess if it goes to 7, then by definition it's a good series.
However, the overall level of play has been pretty bad. Other than a couple neat goals from Kane, the top lines of both teams have been invisible. There have been major defensive lapses on both ends. There have been bad turn-overs and sloppy passes. Special teams play on both sides has been shit. The one bright spot is that Niemi has made some pretty good saves at times.
edit: and Philly's defense in Game 4 was good.
However, the overall level of play has been pretty bad. Other than a couple neat goals from Kane, the top lines of both teams have been invisible. There have been major defensive lapses on both ends. There have been bad turn-overs and sloppy passes. Special teams play on both sides has been shit. The one bright spot is that Niemi has made some pretty good saves at times.
edit: and Philly's defense in Game 4 was good.
Last edited by wstevens; 06-07-2010 at 10:38 AM.
06-07-2010, 10:40 AM
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Perhaps "great" was over stated......but it's going at least 6 games...so that makes it a series worth watching IMHO.
06-07-2010, 11:09 AM
Senior Moderator
i saw a lot of sloppy playing too. and being someone who doesnt normally watch hockey games, I was really surprised. I mean, passing a puck diagonally to an open teammate on the drive is not rocket science, at least it should not be for this level of play. yet they missed these over and over again. maybe they're nervous? is this how they played during the season? (guessing the answer is 
)
)
06-07-2010, 11:16 AM
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06-07-2010, 12:24 PM
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He's totally worthless and has been proving it over and over for years, the guy always has a deccent reg season, but is non-existent when it counts
Great reference there, I think the flyers win game 6 to force game 7, gotta keep the ratings up 
06-08-2010, 09:14 AM
Senior Moderator
Game 6 - *Wednesday, June 9
at Philadelphia
7 p.m.
NBC
at Philadelphia
7 p.m.
NBC
06-08-2010, 09:19 AM
Senior Moderator
even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day.... 
06-08-2010, 11:28 AM
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06-08-2010, 12:48 PM
Three Wheelin'
CHI made some great moves mixing up the lines in Game 5. Hopefully the Flyers can solve that in game 6. I sure hope we can force a game 7 but then we have to figure out a way to win in CHI after. Our play there hasn't been pretty at all. Another question to stimulate posts: who do you think starts in goal for PHL - Leighton or Boucher and why?
(Laviolette knows but isn't saying).
(Laviolette knows but isn't saying).
06-08-2010, 12:57 PM
Senior Moderator
Is Ray Emery eligible?
06-08-2010, 02:43 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
Leighton you got stay with him.
06-08-2010, 02:46 PM
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Who's in goal for the Flyers???? (from The Hockey News)
Laviolette to go back to Leighton in goal for Game 6 of Cup final
2010-06-08 14:49:00
PHILADELPHIA - Michael Leighton will be back in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.
Coach Peter Laviolette at first declined to say which goalie he would go with Wednesday night when his Flyers face elimination for the first time against the Chicago Blackhawks.
He then added: ''our goaltender has the best numbers in the playoffs, I didn't think I'd have to announce it.''
That would be Leighton, who was pulled from a 7-4 loss in Game 5 in Chicago after allowing three first-period goals. He was also pulled in Game 1 in Chicago in favour of Brian Boucher.
There had been speculation that Laviolette was thinking about giving Boucher the start.
Leighton is 8-2 and has the NHL's best post-season goals-against average of 2.34 in 13 games. He also has a strong .918 save percentage.
''I'm very confident in Michael,'' Laviolette said Tuesday. ''He's played excellent in the playoffs. His numbers are terrific.''
Chicago leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can win its first Stanley Cup since 1961 with a victory in Game 6 at the Wachovia Center.
''It seems we've let the goaltending down on the road in a few instances,'' said Laviolette.
Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger will be looking to battle back from a rough Game 5 in which he was on the ice for six of Chicago's seven goals and was in the penalty box for the other.
''I've already started to focus on Game 6 and I'm not really worried about it,'' said Pronger.
''I don't know if you've watched much of the video but I have. There's not a whole lot you can do when a puck bounces off your shin pad and goes in the net – a couple of times. So I'm not worried. It could easily have gone the other way.''
Plus, Ken Campbell, Senior Writer for The Hockey News is calling Pronger the series MVP-win or lose.
Win or lose, Pronger is MVP
Even with a minus-5 rating in Game 5, Chris Pronger is still plus-2 in the Stanley Cup final. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ken Campbell
2010-06-07 17:35:00
PRONGER FOR MVP
Much was made of the fact Chris Pronger of the Flyers was minus-5 in Game 5, but when you play as much as Pronger does, you’re bound to be victimized when your team plays as badly as the Flyers did.
And while it would be easy to claim Dustin Byfuglien had Pronger for lunch for the first time in the series – we will acknowledge his hit on Pronger in the corner was a beauty – the fact is one of Byfuglien’s goals was scored when Pronger was in the penalty box and the other was an empty-netter.
Yes, Pronger has to be better, but so do a lot of other people.
“I think if we look just for Chris Pronger to do it, everybody will be in trouble,” Laviolette said. “We are a team that, by all accounts, we win together and it’s usually a team effort. And when we lose, well, we do it as a team. Everybody could have been a little better (in Game 5). I’m sure Chris will have a big game and lead the way. But others…we need to make sure we have all hands on deck.”
Unless something drastic happens in the next one or two games, my Conn Smythe vote will go to Pronger whether the Flyers win the Cup or not. He has undoubtedly been the MVP of the playoffs, just as he was in 2006 when Cam Ward won it instead.
Laviolette to go back to Leighton in goal for Game 6 of Cup final
2010-06-08 14:49:00
PHILADELPHIA - Michael Leighton will be back in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final.
Coach Peter Laviolette at first declined to say which goalie he would go with Wednesday night when his Flyers face elimination for the first time against the Chicago Blackhawks.
He then added: ''our goaltender has the best numbers in the playoffs, I didn't think I'd have to announce it.''
That would be Leighton, who was pulled from a 7-4 loss in Game 5 in Chicago after allowing three first-period goals. He was also pulled in Game 1 in Chicago in favour of Brian Boucher.
There had been speculation that Laviolette was thinking about giving Boucher the start.
Leighton is 8-2 and has the NHL's best post-season goals-against average of 2.34 in 13 games. He also has a strong .918 save percentage.
''I'm very confident in Michael,'' Laviolette said Tuesday. ''He's played excellent in the playoffs. His numbers are terrific.''
Chicago leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can win its first Stanley Cup since 1961 with a victory in Game 6 at the Wachovia Center.
''It seems we've let the goaltending down on the road in a few instances,'' said Laviolette.
Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger will be looking to battle back from a rough Game 5 in which he was on the ice for six of Chicago's seven goals and was in the penalty box for the other.
''I've already started to focus on Game 6 and I'm not really worried about it,'' said Pronger.
''I don't know if you've watched much of the video but I have. There's not a whole lot you can do when a puck bounces off your shin pad and goes in the net – a couple of times. So I'm not worried. It could easily have gone the other way.''
Plus, Ken Campbell, Senior Writer for The Hockey News is calling Pronger the series MVP-win or lose.
Win or lose, Pronger is MVP
Even with a minus-5 rating in Game 5, Chris Pronger is still plus-2 in the Stanley Cup final. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ken Campbell
2010-06-07 17:35:00
PRONGER FOR MVP
Much was made of the fact Chris Pronger of the Flyers was minus-5 in Game 5, but when you play as much as Pronger does, you’re bound to be victimized when your team plays as badly as the Flyers did.
And while it would be easy to claim Dustin Byfuglien had Pronger for lunch for the first time in the series – we will acknowledge his hit on Pronger in the corner was a beauty – the fact is one of Byfuglien’s goals was scored when Pronger was in the penalty box and the other was an empty-netter.
Yes, Pronger has to be better, but so do a lot of other people.
“I think if we look just for Chris Pronger to do it, everybody will be in trouble,” Laviolette said. “We are a team that, by all accounts, we win together and it’s usually a team effort. And when we lose, well, we do it as a team. Everybody could have been a little better (in Game 5). I’m sure Chris will have a big game and lead the way. But others…we need to make sure we have all hands on deck.”
Unless something drastic happens in the next one or two games, my Conn Smythe vote will go to Pronger whether the Flyers win the Cup or not. He has undoubtedly been the MVP of the playoffs, just as he was in 2006 when Cam Ward won it instead.
06-08-2010, 09:54 PM
Senior Moderator
I dunno...I think he's got more to offer than what you guys are saying. And the press (here's one example) agrees:
From CNNSI...
Has there ever been a better performance by a guy with a minus-3 in his stat line than the one authored by Marian Hossa on Sunday? That right there was the perfect argument for why that stat has to be taken in context. Hossa was consistently dynamic on both sides of the puck, a force on special teams, and he displayed terrific chemistry with new linemate Jonathan Toews. For my money, he was the best Hawks forward in the contest. Think he'll be motivated to end his three-year wait for the Cup on Wednesday?
06-08-2010, 10:00 PM
Senior Moderator
His hustle, defence are terrific...is he worth the $$$ Chicago threw at him? Probably not...but, still a much better player IMO than what you guys are saying. 
And no, this is not be over-the-top mancrushing on Toews talking.
And no, this is not be over-the-top mancrushing on Toews talking.
06-08-2010, 10:10 PM
Interesting. Interesting.
He's a good player, I just don't see what value he adds to the Hawks. They're paying him as if he's essential to the team's success. That's not the case. No way.
06-09-2010, 09:43 AM
Senior Moderator
I think signing him to that ridiculous contract was also to hurt Detroit. But totally agree, he's not worth the $8M (?) this year or next (I forget when it goes down)...But, he's not a useless player and in some nights, I'd say one of Chicago's better ones esp. with what he brings.
06-09-2010, 10:03 AM
Senior Moderator
I agree with what you're saying Yumchah. But, what I think is indisputable, the Hawks would be exactly where there are today (about to win the cup) with or without Hossa. Can't say that about Kane, Toews, Keith etc....
Jim Houhgson was on The Fan this morning and said that this could very well be the worst goal tending in Stanley Cup finals history. Did that make me fell better? You bet it did.
Jim Houhgson was on The Fan this morning and said that this could very well be the worst goal tending in Stanley Cup finals history. Did that make me fell better? You bet it did.
06-09-2010, 10:10 AM
Senior Moderator
I agree with what you're saying Yumchah. But, what I think is indisputable, the Hawks would be exactly where there are today (about to win the cup) with or without Hossa. Can't say that about Kane, Toews, Keith etc....
Jim Houhgson was on The Fan this morning and said that this could very well be the worst goal tending in Stanley Cup finals history. Did that make me fell better? You bet it did.
Jim Houhgson was on The Fan this morning and said that this could very well be the worst goal tending in Stanley Cup finals history. Did that make me fell better? You bet it did.
And yet, these no-namers beat out the name-brands to get to this point. So...yeah. Numbers are bad...but, they are here.
Besides, without Niemi, the Hawks would not have stolen 2 from the Sharks last round.
06-09-2010, 10:24 AM
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06-09-2010, 04:43 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
:crickets: in here on game day...hmmmmmm
06-09-2010, 05:00 PM
Senior Moderator
Not much to say.
I clown it up, and you guys complain.
So, not much from here. Just hope it's a good game and for me, hope Chicago comes out on top. But, I would not be surprised if it goes to Game 7...I hope not because I don't think my stomach can take it.
This is ulcer-inducing.
I clown it up, and you guys complain.
So, not much from here. Just hope it's a good game and for me, hope Chicago comes out on top. But, I would not be surprised if it goes to Game 7...I hope not because I don't think my stomach can take it.
This is ulcer-inducing.
06-09-2010, 05:36 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
Flake Retiring
Sharks captain Rob Blake is retiring from the NHL after 21 seasons, a source close to the situation has told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area exclusively.
The source said that Blake is waiting until the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals because he did not want to be a distraction while the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers are still playing.
An official announcement could come as early as next week. When contacted by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the Sharks declined to comment on the story. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area also reached out to Blake but he has not returned calls.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/06/09/10/E...=2539#SJSharks
The source said that Blake is waiting until the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals because he did not want to be a distraction while the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers are still playing.
An official announcement could come as early as next week. When contacted by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the Sharks declined to comment on the story. Comcast SportsNet Bay Area also reached out to Blake but he has not returned calls.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/06/09/10/E...=2539#SJSharks
06-09-2010, 06:28 PM
I feel the need...
06-09-2010, 06:30 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
Hey 
I like to quote the part that Sting sings too.
I like to quote the part that Sting sings too.
06-09-2010, 06:54 PM
The sizzle in the Steak
Maybe this will help tonight :wink:
06-09-2010, 07:17 PM
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OK, here we go!
06-09-2010, 07:37 PM
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I swear-Pronger is worse than Ciccarelli and Probert put together.....(along with any other idiot-goon you can think of).
06-09-2010, 07:56 PM
Senior Moderator
@ 2 straight penalties from Seabs and then Sopes...
06-09-2010, 09:36 PM
Goal!!!!!!!!!
06-09-2010, 09:50 PM
Senior Moderator
Why do they play conservative when protecting a lead...? 
Anyhow, I'm going to have an ulcer after this is all over.
What a game-saver by Niemi earlier, though. But, Chicago must pick it up again...
Anyhow, I'm going to have an ulcer after this is all over.
What a game-saver by Niemi earlier, though. But, Chicago must pick it up again...
06-09-2010, 09:52 PM
Interesting. Interesting.
I admire Philly's play in this game - especially the last 10 minutes of the third, but Chicago deserves to win the Cup. They should take it in overtime and I hope Yummy, Steven Bell et al. have fun celebrating.
06-09-2010, 09:55 PM
I hope it goes back to Chicago, it sucks losing at home & is better winning at home (assuming Philly does not win if there is a game 7)