black label

It's a new tie breaking format this year. Apparently some of the purists were pissed about a team that made the playoffs based on a huge amount of shoot out wins so they made the switch.

Personally I have issues with the new post regulation rules and point give aways. When they first made a change and went to 4 on 4 and gave each team a point at the start of OT and a bonus point to the winner (pre shoot out) I liked it. Teams had become to play to not lose in overtime and the OT periods had become boring. This gave them the incentive to go out and win the game instead of going out and trying not to lose.

Now that we have the shoot out and all games will be decided with a winner, why not go back to 5 on 5 OT. No one gets a point until OT is over, if you win you get 2 if you lose you get nothing. Tie after OT each team gets a point. Shoot out winner gets a bonus point.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Thinking at 6-2 with under 2 minutes the Rangers are safe to be humiliated.

lol

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Thanks Lightning!

They did pretty well against Washington, especially the last three times they met.

Yumcha

Who said I was crowning the Hawks with anything...?

Just noted that Chicago matches up well with Detroit...both are fast-skating teams. Teams that Chicago poorly matches up against are typically Tampa, Boston, and Nashville...

So...relax. No one here is saying your team sucks...if you noticed, I did say they likely have a good chance of being at the final dance earlier. But, I do hate your Wings with a borderline obsession (see also the Packers, Vikings, and also St. Louis Cards). So, deal with it.

I like what I like and hate what I hate.

Fibonacci

Oh, I'm relaxed dude. Perhaps you should take some of your own advice Mr. Irrational Hatred.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I hate Peggy & his sh*tty credit card!

dom

ooofff.. that loss has to hurt.

Suicide watch anyone?

If this means no more Yumchah posts about Toews and the Hawks until Oct I'll be damcing in the streets

Very entertaining game.

sixsixfour

Playoffs!!!!!

jupitersolo

You mean rioting in the streets, you are from Toronto...

dom

I was out of the country for that summit last year but I could have sworn I heard most of the rioters were from the US.

Yumcha

Very disappointed that the Hawks lost...but, wow...what an atmosphere at the United Center. Wonderful experience...and it was an entertaining game. That 1 minute glitch in the 2nd was back-breaking.



So, now I need to cheer for the Wild.




At least the Bulls made the playoffs.

Yumcha

Thank-you, Wild!


Canucks: Just. Bring it.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I feel better about the Rangers backing into the post season.

Congrats Blackhawks!

Fibonacci

dom

Damn.

Yumcha

Don't worry, I don't have Cup aspirations this year for Chicago. But, I do have aspirations the Prez Trophy winners won't go far.




Just don't go into the NBA thread. You may shoot yourself.

Yumcha

@ Wild's page: "By the Way, Chicago … You're Welcome.''

wstevens

Canucks over Blackhawks in 4
Wings over Coyotes in 4
Kings over Sharks in 4
Ducks over Preds in 4
Rangers over Caps in 4
Bruins over Habs in 4
Flyers over Sabres in 4
Pens over Bolts in 4

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Moog-Type-S

Nice to see the Hawks made it in by the skin of their teeth.

Anyone want to teach power play 101 to the Kings?

Dustin Penner = the new Froloaf

Jonesi

This is why i'm superstitious..... Boy did they not scared hawks get abused for loss.

Jonesi

wings suck!

Rounder

East



#1 Capitals vs #8 Rangers

Rangers manage to pull off an upset in 6. Lundqvist can steal 2 games, and this is an off-year for Ovechkin and company. Goaltending is more than suspect. Their best Dman is injured as well which doesn't help.



#2 Philly vs #7 Sabres

Philly is just too deep with their scoring, they can run 4 lines, and all buffalo has is Ryan Miller, which won't be enough. Even with a rookie goalie, they get the job done versus Buffalo. Philly in 6, miller manages to steal a game in buffalo or this would be over in 5.



#3 Boston vs #6 Montreal

This will be a great series, going the distance. Boston pulls it out in 7. tim thomas and chara will be tough to handle, and the habs don't have much scoring up front.



#4 Penguins vs #5 Tampa

Even with Crosby and Malkin out, the Pens will gut this series out and win in 6 games if they can keep stamkos and st. louis off the score sheet.





West



#1 Vancouver vs #8 Chicago

Hawks squeaked into the playoffs, but this isn't their year. Vancouver has the goaltending, the sedins and all around play to get it done in 6.



#2 San Jose vs #7 Kings

This would have been the series to watch out west, but late injuries to LA's top line has killed their playoff hopes. Sharks in 5.



#3 Wings vs #6 Phoenix

Cinderella story ends here for Phoenix. Detroit has what it takes to advance, even without Zetterberg. Wings in 6.



#4 Ducks vs #5 Predators

An interesting matchup, but the preds don't have the scoring to keep up with Anaheim. Perry-Getzlaf-Ryan is one of the top lines in the game. Ducks in 5.

Jonesi

fixed.

Rounder

hehe

hey, gotta pick a few upsets.

Jonesi

My prediction Hawks sweep all series for 2nd cup. And Pens lose in first round. Caps vs. Hawks final!

Jonesi

Your only upset pick is the Caps losing in first round..

Shift_Acura

Canucks in 5...maybe 6

Rounder

all the low seeds suck.

Jonesi

except the Rangers of course

Rounder

I just have a feeling. Plus I'd like to see a local playoff game, hahahaha. (pens/rags final...but that will never happen).

Moog-Type-S

Pass the pipe!

Rounder

stat of the day:

Crosby 41 games played, 32 goals... Ovechkin 79 games played, 32 goals.

Moog-Type-S

Canucks over Blackhawks in 6
Red Wings over Coyotes in 5
Kings over Sharks in 6
Predators over Ducks in 6
Capitals over Rangers in 5
Bruins over Habs in 5
Flyers over Sabres in 4
Lightning over Penguins in 6

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Rounder

no way we lose to tampa. what is wrong with you guys???

Jonesi

Did you watch the game they eliminated the Canes? They looked really fuckin good. really good.

Moog-Type-S

myopic much?

Rounder

^ says the guy that thinks the kings will beat the sharkies without their top line.

Moog-Type-S

Williams will be back for game one, and word is Scott Parse may make it into the line-up as well.

So in the end the Kings loose Kopitar, but gain Parse.

With that line-up, it's not that off the deep end to think the Kings can win it in six.


...give the Lightning more credit...they are an excellent team.