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

[Tom Cashel]

You have my sympathies, Dieter...I was at the game. But I wouldn't quite say the better team won. The Caps dominated in shots, and in most other ways, for the whole game. The officiating was horrendous. Seems like the Dolts had carte blanche to rough, obstruct, and hold the stick of Jagr, just because he's Jagr. Rob Schick--go back to Hockey School, ya moron!!

One thing I will say about the Caps...if they ever want to win another playoff series they'd better learn to throw a hit more than once in a while.

Damn it...who the hell do I root for now??

 

[Harlock]

Well, I have had a long weekend away fromt he computer and with my family in front of the TV in the evenings to watch some hockey and let me say a few things. First off, Woohoo! Dallas beat Edmonton. Great series. Lots of chippy play that I think the refs should have been a little more picky about (like I've seen in some other series) but Laraque and Hatcher never really got into it. Much. Sorry Edmonton fans, that was a great series though, so thanks and I hope there's still a team in the playoffs left for you to cheer for. If not, try the Stars.

Apok... I hope that sweater can hold a little salt and pepper. Seems a terrible thing to waste a Bruins jersey though... I rather cherish mine.

Paragon, when are you getting tickets for Ducks vs. Stars? We need you in the arena apparently. Although I think Guerin and or Turgeon can help some in that regard as well. Will the Ducks cool down some over this long break? The Wings weren't as physical as I think Dallas is bound to be. We'll see how that goes.

Caps lost... and that's all I have to say about them. Congrats out to T-Bay for finally getting past the second round!

Blues vs. Canucks in a game 7. Heh, wow. This is how those #4 vs. #5 series are supposed to go I guess. Unless the Avs screw up big time I do not suspect this series will even mean too much in the end.

I think the Avs will put the Wild away tonight. Roy's best games of this playoffs thusfar have come at Minnesota and that's where they play. I dunno if the Flyers can string three in a row together against the Leafs. I expect this one to come back to Philly. Anyway, to all you fans out there, I hope you still have a team to yell at the refs about and to cheer for. If you were saving an octopus, well, just cook it up I guess. I prefer squid...

 

[Dieter]

I definitely agree that the Caps needed to be more aggressive in their checks. However, if you factor in the crummy officiating, most of the Caps' bench would be in the Penalty Box if they actually did throw a few more elbows.

The Caps' owner (Ted Leonsis FYI) was clearly p.o'ed by the 3OT too-many-on-ice penalty and I'm sure Coach Cassidy's head may be one of many on the post-season chopping block.

Root for the Leafs, since they're the last of the Original Six to stiil be in the running.

 

[Welverin]

No problem!

DEVILS TRIPLE-SUCK!

Thanks!

Damn it...who the hell do I root for now??

Well as a Rangers fan I would expect who ever is playing againts the Devils or Flyers, but if that's not good enough try the Canucks.

 

[Paragon]

This series should be good. Dallas has to be physical, crash the net, and pounce on rebounds. The Ducks were hard charging to the post season but I think where the Wings failed was in the physical play.
And we have tickets through the end of the second round. Unfortunatly I'm not a rich man so the Western Conference and Cup finals will be right out.
Thursday my brother will be taking my niece to that game so I have no control if they win or lose. But they will win. trust me


GO STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paragon

 

[Teflon Billy]

Man, that Canucks/Blues game last night was a nail-biter.

I'm really unclear on how my beloved Canucks can look like an unstoppable force in the second period, but can't manage to properly defend a three goal lead in the third. It's baffling.

I'm far from an expert, but as near as I can figure the Canucks are an offense based team...when they go out and crash and bang, go to the net and shoot they have success...lots of success.

When they try and play defensively (which has been the accepted wisdom league-wide for years now as it allows untalented teams to be competitve), they fail.

I wish after a period where they score two goals--and could easily have scored more had a couple of bounces gone their way--they would just come back out and stick with the plan. When they try and protect any kind of lead they just start looking foolish: running around in their own end, having trouble clearing etc.

The Canucks version of "protecting a lead" should consist of exactly the same plan as achieving the lead: run-and-gun offense heavy hockey.

I hope they get with that plan ion game seven or it won't matter if they figure it out.

I really worry about the competitve chances of a team that can't stay 3 goals ahead once they get there against a team of nauseous, feverish injured guys with it's captain missing .

Win or lose, this has been an awesome series to watch...I have a new respect for St. Louis in general and Doug Weight in particular.

 

[MulhorandSage]

i agree with you on the excitement of the series, which can be said of the playoffs in general so far: I can't believe the Avs lost tonight. Tomorrow's going to be *very* interesting.

Scott Bennie

 

[Nightfall]

Yeah it gets more interesting each time doesn't it? While I won't lay the loss on Cechmanak (that lost glove thing aside), I will say the Leafs were the better team. (For once.) Mainly because they had the passion and drive there. The Flyers were just DAMN lucky that Roenick bailed their butts out of it. I counted about five guys on the Flyers' side that were active at all. Roenick, the Primeau, Gagne, Williams line, and to a degree, Kapanen. Otherwise it was pretty much Toronto all the time. I mean come on! OT Power Play! They could have won it! (Well maybe if they had Martin St. Louis...) But instead the Leafs just almost shelled Cechmanek. Pretty pathetic. In any case game 7, here's hoping the Flyers find a way to win...and ANOTHER replacemant D-man. (Poor Vandy probably STILL thinks the Flyers are ahead in the series!)

 

[Broken Fang]

The Avs going into game 7 AGAIN...five consecutive playoff series where they have had to go to game 7! I can't believe they lost tonight...outplayed for 56:30 of the game and then to come back and score twice in the last three and a half minutes against the defensive Wild. Then they don't even get a shot on goal in OT. Man I thought I was going to barf!

Oh well...it's going to make for some great games tomorrow night. Looks like I'll be parking myself in front of the TV starting around 5 MST and watching hockey all night long (but thats not a bad thing is it)?

 

[PowerWordDumb]

Game Seven!

Yay Leafs! Woo woo! Game seven, baby!

Now, if only my heart can resume its regular rhythms before tomorrow night...