[OT-NHL] The Annual NHL Playoffs Thread: 2003

[Agamon]

Re: Leafs all the way!

Go Leafs Go!

But before all the Leafs-Haters jump down my throat (Ottawa, I'm looking in your direction...), realize that I'm also cheering for all the other Canadian teams to go far. If it comes down to any head-to-head matchup I'll cheer for the Leafs, but if say an Ottawa-Vancouver final came about I wouldn't be too sad at all.

Sad the Leafs got knocked out, but happy as could be for two hard-working, high-skilled Canadian teams to get to the promised land.

Not sure I get the "yay Canadian team" thing. Half the players on the teams aren't Canadian; the playoff-bound Canadian teams' best players are Sundin, Hossa, Naslund and Salo. Some of the Canadian teams' owners aren't Canadian. The only reason I could see is that success means there's less chance of the team moving to the States (of course, there's no chance of that for the Leafs). Don't get me wrong, I'm all Go Canada GO in the international tournaments, but if the Leafs were to make the final, I'd be cheering for whoever came from the West.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Re: Re: Leafs all the way!

Not sure I get the "yay Canadian team" thing. Half the players on the teams aren't Canadian; the playoff-bound Canadian teams' best players are...Naslund...

Ask most people in Vancouver and they'll tell you Todd Bertuzzi (Canadian) is considered "The Man" here. Marcus Naslund is team captain (and more power to him) because he came into his own earlier than Todd.

Bertuzzi is much more of a Canadian style player (and I think my fellow Canucks know what I mean)...big numbers+Big hits+Big Chip on his shoulder.

I have nothing but quiet respect for Marcus Naslund; but Todd Betuzzi is the future of the Canucks...or at least the future of a Canucks team that I want to watch.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Actually, that came off sounding a little harsh towards Marcus Naslund, and it wasn't meant to. The guy is a world-class player and Vancouver is unimaginably lucky to have him.

But check this out. Here's Naslund...

Here's Bertuzzi...

Now, gven that their numbers are virtually identical, which of them would you say looks like a menacing, mean-streaked, brutal thug nicknamed "The Raging Bull"?, and which one would you say looks like a well mannered, clean-cut sportsman nicknamed, um ..."Nazzy"

I know who my favorite guy is

I'm not sure about the point of this post.

Forgive the babble.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Hmm...10 minutes to game time and it looks like The Mulhorand Sage and i got our wish.

Mats Lindgren out...Brandon Reid in in his place

Reid will be placed on Vancouver's Energy Line

• Matt Cooke
• Trevor Letowski
• Mats Lindgren(replaced by Brandon Reid)

I think Mulhorand Sage would've preferred Letowski to be gone, and I'd have preferred Henrik Sedin...but I think we can both agree that eid in the lineup=good.

 

[MulhorandSage]

Actually, that came off sounding a little harsh towards Marcus Naslund, and it wasn't meant to. The guy is a world-class player and Vancouver is unimaginably lucky to have him.

But check this out. Here's Naslund...

Here's Bertuzzi...

Now, gven that their numbers are virtually identical, which of them would you say looks like a menacing, brutal thug nicknamed "The Raging Bull"?, and which one would you say looks like a well mannered, clean-cut sportsman nicknamed, um ..."Nazzy"

I know who my favorite guy is

I'm not sure about the point of this post.

Forgive the babble.

I like 'em both, Billy, though I prefer Nazzy. Bert's a great player and I love his passion, but he takes too many cheap shots (all part of being a power forward, I know, but...) and he's too whiny.

Mind you, I prefer a more skill oriented, less Don Cherry game than you.

But what makes them both truly great is that they're a classic ying-yang combo. They're a perfect complement to each other.

Which is part of the reason Vancouver's got a shot this year.

And having Reid in the line-up bodes well.


Scott Bennie

 

[Teflon Billy]

I like 'em both, Billy, though I prefer Nazzy. Bert's a great player and I love his passion, but he takes too many cheap shots (all part of being a power forward, I know, but...) and he's too whiny...

Too whiny? Are we talking about the same guy who, when an opposing team's coach went to the league, begging them to force the refs to pay more attention to Bertuzzi, announced to the press that he didn't care what they did (or didn't do) They could keep trying and stop him, but in all seriousness there was no real hope of doing so.

I just about laughed out loud. There was no bluster, no belligerence...just a "sleepwalking murderer" stare and a resignation.

 

[Teflon Billy]

I'll be damned.

Alex Auld is the backup goalie?

Where's Peter Skudra???

 

[Quickbeam]

Crazy happenings in the opening games of the first round so far.

Hats off to the Ducks and especially J.S. Giguere! They hung tough all night, and with the help of a few crazy (see lucky) bounces, pulled out the 3OT win. Looks like they'll be some added excitement in the coming weeks.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Ok, screw this.

It's the beginning of the 2nd period, and the St. Louis Blues are making the Canucks look like amateur beer-leaguers. It's 3-0, and the Canucks don't look capable of getting their act together.

I'm going out to see the rest of this travesty in a bar.

Congrats to the Blues fans on the board; your team looks like a professional, well-oiled, machine.

Mine's making me wonder how we fit all those clowns into that tiny little car.

 

[Nightfall]

Don't worry Billy it's only the first game. At least that's what I keep telling myself too.