Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Avs killing me.... They were done before tonight IMO, but it sucks to show like this with percentage chance...

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

The way it looks now (I think I am reading it right)...

If the Hawks beat the Wings in regulation Saturday, they will be 5th and play the Preds in Round 1.

If the Hawks win in overime or lose, they will be 6th and play the winner of the Pacific division, which is still up for grabs with L.A., San Jose and Phoenix all having a shot (at least until the end of the L.A. - Sharks game tonight).

Would it be un-fan-like of me to root for an OT win by the Hawks rather than a regulation one? :lr

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Cant see Sharks winning if this goes to a shootout. Niemi has been fighting the puck a lot.
One hell of a game tonight.
I cant believe Clowe did that and got away with it.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Crazy L.A. - S.J. game! :wo

And they will do it again Saturday, maybe for the Pacific marbles, depending on Phoenix's games tomorrow and earlier Saturday.

Philly- Pittsburgh Satuday...a preview for a round one showdown that may be the most exciting one in the East.

Mike, could end up being Sharks - Hawks in round 1....that would be unbelievable!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

This Philly - Pittsburgh series is going to be one heckuva battle, usually is. As they say in Philly you may get through the Flyers in the playoffs, but you won't be the same team afterward. Could be brutal...but should be very fun to watch for all hockey fans! If I were Dan Bylsma, I may just call up the entire Wilkes Barre minor leauge team to play Saturday so that I can ensure no one gets hurt before it counts!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Wasn't as much as I expected, but both goalies were playing quite well, IMO. There were a few scrums, but nothing in the way that I expected. And the Wild pulled another one out! Looks like the wifey and I are going to the season finale with some friends tomorrow night.

We've been to quite a few games this year, and she even talked about getting season tix. :) Maybe we'll try to get partial season tix, or split with someone.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I agree Ken, should be a great series! Funny though, I have a different assessment of the two teams (shocker! :r). The Flyers have historically been the tough, "brutal" team to face, but generally they are less so this year, and much more skilled (and young...man are they young). If anything, I see the Pens as the more "brutal" team of the two. Sure, Hartnell still plays an aggressive/aggravating role, but he has been such a contributor offensively this year, that aspect of his game is much less prevalent. Couturier looked great against the Malkin line, but he's far from aggravating.

And, FWIW, the Pens were the aggressors and instigators on Sunday. Even the push by Schenn on Crosby was in retaliation to a couple of slashes Crosby got away with (including one that should have clearly been a penalty being he broke his stick in two). And I have no problem with it! That's hockey. :D

But Ken, the avatar...oh, the avatar. May have to switch mine to:

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile...127_2453_n.jpg

or

http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Sid...e98_339764.jpg

:hy

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

:r:r:r

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

You never know what will happen in the playoffs. Steve Sullivan may pull a Teamu and catch fire. My money is still on the Pens to come out of the first round.


I certainly hope not! We're going to that game. Have you seen what re-sale tickets are going for? They better not roll out the scrubs for "Shirts off our Backs day".

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Anybody catch John Tortorella's postgame interview after the Penguins game (5 minute major on Orpik for knee on knee)? Looked like he stuck is knee out to me...

Link to Penalty.

Link to Postgame Interview.

Glad it was another team's coach saying it. :D

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Yeah I did,you got to love Tortorella he tells it like it is.
The B's lost thanks to Latangs fake head whip the ref bought it gave the Pens a two man advantage and that was all she wrote.
Mike Millbury had to apologize to Crosby for calling him a punk,he must have been told to by the network?
It's going to be Pen's Flyers in the playoffs.
I hope Philly beats the bag off the Pens

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Yeah if Sharks win again against Kings and Yotes dont get it done tonight Sharks would take third. Interesting to see if the Sharks can solve Quick two games in a row. I think the Sharks have the best chance against the Hawks vs playing the Blues or Canucks. Either way this team needs to play out of its mind to get out of yhe 1st round.

Clowe is a beast and Havlat has dirty mitts. Love watching Havlat with the puck.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I did when he was on the Hawks.....

...for about 30 games a season. ;)

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Atleast hes consistent. :r

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Mike! WTF??? :lr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daaU4QCM5MY

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Yup I mentioned it last night.
I still cant believe it didmt get called.

Great time for the blues to have a bad night.
Now Sharks need to beat LA and hope Minn plays spoiler. Have to wonder if they want to help the Sharks.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Have to wonder if the Sharks want to play the Blackhawks. :noon ;s :r

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I think they would prefer the Hawks to the Canucks or Blues. none will be ideal.
Out of the three your goalie is the worse ;s

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Absolutely. But he may be better than Niemi. :r

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

If Phoenix beats Minnesota, it'a a moot point anyway.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

2-0 Yotes. :td

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Its alright this way I can still cheer for both teams and when the sharks go out against the Canucks im guessing I will just cheer for the Hawks.

Against the Wings of course. Rumor has it Stuart is looking to come home to San Jose to be with the wife and kids. Definetly wants to come to the west. Not going to be good if the Wings see stuart and the old man leave the blue line. Well it will be good for me. :r

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Don't sell the Sharks short, beat those Canuckleheads!! :tu

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

You have a Bruins fan here cheering for the Sharks.:tu

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Rangers lost to the Caps so the Canucks have their fate in their hands for the second game in a row. Anything other than a regulation loss to the Oilers tonight clinches the Presidents Trophy. If I read the sheet correctly we've already clinched the conference as a Blues win combined with a Canucks loss ties the teams at 109 and the Canucks hold the tie breaker on wins.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

:r so true!!!!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Wild just folding. Damn them!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Looks like Hawks - Yotes.

Can Clutterbuck please run Mike Smith for us? :lr

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Blackhawks re-signed Ray Emery for next season.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

friggin Sharks. No way they escape the first round.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

What a finish! End games still meaningful.

May the curse of the pres trophy be on the damn Canucks

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

:emo2004:O:O:noon

didn't see that happening.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

At least they're in....:(

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Oh Joel...

Had a feeling I would be hearing from you once you saw my avy...;)

I have been reading lately how the Pens are a dirty team. I haven't been able to catch every game this year, but I haven't seen much of that. I guess the Flyers just bring out the worst in them!

I was going to go with the avy below, but then I would just be putting myself in the tasteless class with most Philly fans...;)

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/...eeonflyers.jpg


GO PENS!!!

I feel a friendly wager coming on....PM incoming! :tu

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I was at the game yesterday, with GREAT seats. I don't know what it looked like on TV, but in person the Pens looked good against the Flyers. I know the playoffs are a whole different world but I like the Pens chances.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9...0407161020.jpg

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I thiink the Pens-Flyers will come down to goaltending, and my money is on Fleury based on his experience. The Flyers will sorely miss Grossman on the blue-line as well.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

We were at the game, and they looked pretty lifeless, for the most part. Just didn't seem to get anything going at all. At least I got to see the Wild debut of:
http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=...pg&w=715&h=477

http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.co...1129192844.jpg

I don't have to worry about the playoffs, but the future here is looking pretty bright. The paper here today even talked about how they've essentially stocked 4 years worth of prospects into the last 2, and a few of them have fairly high ceilings, it seems.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Ken, I couldn't agree more...GO PENS!!! :sl the XXXX out of those flyers!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

When Fleury is on he is money. Problem as of late from what I watched he has been allowing soft goals. I think Johnson played in the season finale this past Saturday. I certainly hope he steps up his game because when he is on and the offense is clicking the Pens are a hard team to contend with.

Should be a great series!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Johnson came in in a planned relief stint midway through the game to give Fleury a rest and get some ice time for Brent. He promptly gave up the tying goal, as Fleury left with a 2-1 lead.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I've heard the same thing. To be honest the Wings have some good young D-men coming up. Quincy was a good pickup but if Stewy leaves they'll need another top 4 D-man to replace him. If Lidstrom retires they'll need two. IMO Lidstrom will be back for one more year unless the Wings hoist the cup this year. Hopefully the Stuart situation will be resolved so we only need to replace on top 4 D-man at a time.

I agree, looked intentional on replay. Live, not so much, but in the replay you can see him change the angle of his leg.

:r:r

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Holy horse shoe up the a$% for Edmonton. 3 in a row!

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

If they can get some veteran D-man help and a good goalie, they should be in the mix soon.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Yeah wow rolls eyes. Guess they will just keep getting number one picks. There should be a limit it seems.


Geeked for the start tonight. I think the two nasty first round series are going to be pens philly and kings canucks. Pens Philly is getting the pub for the potential, but I think Kings Canucks could be much worse.

Kings a dirty team and the canucks have been known to bite, pull hair, (cant pass the oportunity to mention) dive, and love to do $hit after the whistle. I think this series could get very nasty. The Kings have no problem boarding star players. In fact I will be shocked if they dont board a canuck in this series given their recent play. Hopefully the sisters:tf have learned dont turn into the boards when they see someone coming like in the past. I think the Canucks take the series but not without some injuries.

A lot of people saying Hawks over Yotes and I think they have the skill advantage if everyone shows up. Problem is solving Smith.

Preds I think can take the wings. I give them the goalie andvantage. Both teams are skillbut the preds speed I say wins.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Looking at this first round I have no ability to pick teams without prejudice. So I'm making no picks other than the Wings in 6 and Jimmy Howard stands on his head :)

Oh and the Caps in 7 because that is my playoff team in that fantasy hockey playoff pool. Holtby for Conn Smythe trophy (for as long as the Wings win the cup though :))

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Pretty sure there is, I seem to recall reading no team can select 1st in 4 consecutive drafts but I can't find that reference so I might be imagining it.

I don't really see Vancouver-LA becoming a dirty series with lots of injuries. I think both teams are smart enough to realize that either of their potential opponents in the 2nd round are going to be very tough teams to face and I think you'll see that prevent a lot of stupidity for fear of injury hurting you in the future. I'm expecting to see a pretty boring and very defensive series.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Funny, everyone on NHL on XM is picking the Yotes. I don't see it.

Everyone there (14 of 16) is picking Nashville over Detroit. I think the Wings will be in it, and I pick them to win it.

Sharks-Blues could be the big upset. Elliott is day-to-day, I am not sold on Halak, and the Sharks have been to the dance before.

I pick the Canucks to beat Quick and LA, but would love to be wrong.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

I can see why a lot would pick the Yotes Tom. The goalie is red red hot. They have balanced scoring. As I said earlier they have the goalie advantage. If he steals a game or two then thats likely the series. I want the Hawks though so I cant pick against them.

As for Wings Preds they are really deep with recent moves and they have the goalie advantage. I think Peca steals a couple games and the series.

The Sharks Blues is tough if they can split the first two the blues youth and inexperience I think creeps in and sticks get gripped. As a whole though I just dont see the Sharks getting it done. While I know they stepped up at the end of the season when they had two, I just have seen them go ice cold to often this year.

Geoff I really think you are hoping it doesnt get nasty, but I am hoping it does ;) and can see it. You have to look at both teams recent history. I cant see it not happening looking at last years playoffs and this season.

Re: NHL '11 - '12 Thread
 

Berry Effing Melrose just predicted my Canucks will get beat by LA, suck it BM!