e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I prefer Newgelino.

lol

Moog-Type-S

The more I see of the Yotes, the more I have come to the conclusion that they should not be here.

It should have been Kings V Hawks in the Conf. Finals.

Yotes are not a good team. Hawks are by far the better team, but Crawford lost it for them.

Smith is good, but not brilliant. Their offense is nonexistent. Their defense is average.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

How 'bout team USA????? Beat the Swiss 5-2!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Good luck with that

Yumcha

Yeah, it's unfortunate...would've been entertaining to see Chicago go up against the Kings.

But, the Hawks probably would've lost to LA anyhow in the series after what I've seen. Aside from sub-par goaltending, the defense is not good at clearing traffic, and the team has a very bad habit of trying to revert to a run-and-gun format that does NOT work in the playoffs.

There are whispers that Kane may be on the trading block...maybe, just maybe, his trade can be turned into getting a crease-clearer and a solid #2 center...?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Taxi drivers beware

Moog-Type-S

Pancakes for El Douche?

Moog-Type-S

is300eater

I don't get it, a city with 3 professional teams in the playoffs at the same time, and what do you expect? You want the the news to talk about the cat that got stuck in the tree? Why wouldn't they talk about it?

Moog-Type-S

^^ They talk about 2 of the 3 teams.

"One of these things is not like the other"

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Those kept showing up and several times the camera went to them and abruptly moved away.


lol

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Discuss:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...nse/index.html

Rangers get no points for style

Does anyone get the feeling that this is 2004 all over again? It's the Stanley Cup playoffs, the pinnacle of NHL competition, yet there is such an unsettled feeling to this year's proceedings -- as was the case eight years ago. The similarities as I see them are: a collective bargaining agreement about to expire, unforeseen playoff runs by unlikely teams, and much ado about a boring brand of hockey. Let's debate, shall we...

By '04, the lack of offensive flow spawned the term "obstruction" as players away from the puck were non-factors due to defensive tactics that eliminated them as passing options for the puck-carrier. Now here we are in the spring of the blocked shot, as all five players pack in around their net, stay in shooting lanes and deny any clear shots on goal. The New York Rangers have taken the shot-block mentality to new heights, to where that aspect of the game has come to define them. Leading the Eastern Conference during the regular season and reaching the conference final serves to validate the Rangers' commitment to BS (blocked shot abbreviation... among other things).

HACKEL: Shotblocking trend draws fire

Hockey Night in Canada opened the ECF with their fine panel discussing the numbers. PJ Stock recited that the Rangers have blocked "467 shots." His point had to do with the toll that tactic exacts and the concern about that style of play possibly wearing on them over the course of their series against the New Jersey Devils.

Well, it hasn't slowed New York's success yet and, in fact, the Washington Capitals, the team the Rangers defeated in seven games in the second round, went to much the same game plan -- leaving us lauding Alex Ovechkin for his "sacrifice" as he awkwardly blocked a few shots from the point. Once known for his breathtaking open-ice forays and bone-crunching checks, the "Great 8" fell in line, dropped to the ice as one of eighteen. "I was asked to be a plumber, so I was a plumber."

I know, Caps coach-at-the-time Dale Hunter needed 100 percent buy-in from everyone. He needed to change the culture in the Caps' locker room and prove what it takes to win in the postseason. He espoused the "uplifting effect theory" when explaining the importance of having the captain and best player committing to the unselfish act of blocking shots. And Hunter and the Caps came close to advancing.

So, again, you cannot fault the coach and you have to applaud the players' conviction to do whatever it takes to win the Stanley Cup. But this playoff season has the look of a slowed-down game due to all the muck and mire along the boards and in front of the net.

Look, I love what Darryl Sutter and his Los Angeles Kings are doing. And I know this sounds like so much complaining to those who have a rooting interest in the Rangers, Devils, Kings and Coyotes. To all of you, the action is riveting. To too many observers, though, close is not necessarily compelling. The endless board scrums of six or more players at a time and the crease pile-ups with the occasional puck making it through to the goaltender aren't exciting enough on their own -- especially to the degree that we're seeing this spring. The balance of play in the open ice and the play in the trenches -- both necessary components in the proper amounts to show the game at its best -- is tipping too much towards the trenches.

Not that any of the current participants care, especially John Tortorella and his Rangers. The feisty coach is unapologetic by nature anyway. He could care less if his body-blocking, puck-stopping Blueshirts stifle the Devils to the point of frustration. As a matter of fact, Tortorella hopes this postseason run turns out just like it did in 2004 when he led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup.

He knows very well that style points don't factor into winning.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1v48njdqM

Yumcha

^ Well, if the NHL is cringing about the battle in the trenches, well, wake up...that's what is needed to win. Defense wins the Cup...My fave team didn't do a great job with it and that's why they are out. It takes total commitment by the entire roster.

If they want the free-flowing run and gun approach? Well, my initial thoughts are to make the rinks larger...but, that's going to be very hard to do.

And honestly, I'm fine with the way it is right now.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Except when they get into ice ballet/icecapades mode and make 15 passes, then lose the puck and never take a shot, I am pleased with the ranger system.

Moog-Type-S

Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has been suspended one game for his hit on Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 of their Western Conference Final series Tuesday night.

The incident occurred at 11:01 of the third period. Hanzal was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct on the play.

Hanzal will sit out Game 3 of the series, which is slated for Thursday night in Los Angeles (TSN, 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt). The Kings lead the series 2-0.

Coyotes forward Shane Doan was not suspended for his hit on Kings forward Trevor Lewis and defenceman Derek Morris was not suspended for his knee-on-knee hit with Rob Scuderi.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=396086


Pretty much expected.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

And not even a mention of Smith hitting Brown?

Expected but BS.

Moog-Type-S

^^ Goaltenders are sacred cows.

If a Forward or D-man swung their stick at the back of the knees of another player like Smith did, they would get fined and/or suspended.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Yup and with that big stick it is brutal and they are agreeing with us on the pre game right now.

dom

Moog happier than a pig in shit. But can the kings do it without Kerry Frasor this time?

Moog-Type-S

^^ Well, we didn't do it last time....so I dunno what you are talking about.

We have not done since year one.

dom

dom

I meant make the final knucklehead... If it wasn't obvious.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I have searched & searched and find virtually no mention of Dubinsky.

Where the hell is he?

Pizza ordered, ready for the game.

Moog-Type-S

Moog-Type-S

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uswy18taOWQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Don't piss off the Kings fans....we're a nasty bunch

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

Jeebus another freaking Ranger nail biter.

Can we pleeeeeze decline the "power play"?

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

God forbid they could win a game 2.

Yumcha

Hey, I was just reading about how your Leaves traded the pick that would've eventually be Scott Niedermayer for Tom Kurvers. WHAT A GREAT TRADE.

How does that feel after all these years...?

Moog-Type-S

Well, we have a series on the East coast.

Good job Torts, you benched one of your best guys and lost the game.

That'll learn 'em, eh?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Don't worry, I'm sure he'll blame the other coach or the media for it instead

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

At least Kreider tied an obscure record.

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/bgNsx?u...w-york-rangers

Kreider went straight from the NCAA to the NHL playoffs, which by itself is a rarity, but he accomplished something even more unusual on Wednesday. Eddie Mazur is the only other player in the history of the NHL to net four playoff goals before making his regular season debut. The difference is that Mazur took part in three postseason runs before he finally cracked the Montreal Canadiens’ lineup in a regular season contest.

And I got my WC jersey.

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

This is a much better/closer game.

dom

WTF is with these Kings?

dom

One of many blunders. Like water off a ducks back, or a Canada Goose off Fibo's windshield at this point.

Yumcha

The Yotes are being who we thought they were (i.e. their bubble burst) partially and the Kings are playing really good.

khannie112

Are the Devils and Rangers just playiing for 2nd place? Those Kings actually looked kind of beatable yesterday (one of the few closer games)....but still dangerous

jupitersolo

Kings have only lost, what, one game?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Nothing, Yummy is just secretly rooting for the yotes, that should explain everything

e30cabrio

iTrader: (6)

I think only one.

The Kings are playing consistent solid hockey. But every series has it's differences and only time will tell who hoists the cup.

Rounder

kings are 11-1. come get your Conn Smythe, Jonny Quick.