Playoffs!

[madmax-im]

Sittin here in NJ I am rooting for the Devils and my 2nd choice is NY but they do have some issues...can they overcome those? They could... that remains to be seen...at this point anything is possible

[Big Daddy Funk]

NJ/Carolina is the series to watch

The NJ/Carolina game was great. 1 - 0 Devils. Brodeur was his usual magical self. Ward would have been equally good but for one rebound.
Pittsburg failed to show up for their game against Philly. 3-0
Detroit of course takes CBJ 4 straight

[65oldsboy]

The Devils/Canes game was the best 1-0 game that I have ever seen. 86 total shots on goal combined and only 1 found its way in. Marty was amazing. Ward was excellent also. I'm hoping the Devs can wrap up the series in Carolina on Sunday. I don't want to have to go to a game 7.

I only saw highlights of the Philly/Pitt and Detroit/Columbus games. Philly is trying to make it tough on the Pens. I'm thinking Pens in game 6. Congrats to the Wings. THat looked like one hell of a game. Too bad it had to end because of a stupid line change penalty. I would have rather seen it settled in OT.

I fell asleep on the Ducks/Sharks game after the 2nd period. But from what I saw, the Ducks are just scary good. The Wings better be ready for them in the 2nd round unless San Jose gets a miracle and comes back from 3-1.

[65oldsboy]

Sittin here in NJ I am rooting for the Devils and my 2nd choice is NY but they do have some issues...can they overcome those? They could... that remains to be seen...at this point anything is possible

Rooting for the Devils and Rangers? That is just plain wrong.

[Big Daddy Funk]

West Is Set-East probably won't matter

Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks-This should be good. Advantage to Vancouver due to rest and experience
Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks-This should be great. Advantage to Detroit because they are Detroit. These teams will probably play this series like it is the final.
Boston in-looking strong. Pittsburg in-looking not so strong
New Jersey/Carolina - Both struggling
New York/Washington- Suprised me NY is having trouble and Washington getting stronger.
Boston is probably the only eastern team that has something for the west. I'm guessing (not hoping)that may be the Wings.
Certainly injuries and goal tending are a major factor, as Calgary found out once again. Time for a new plan for the Flames.
Lots of great hockey coming up. Between my bike in the daytime and hockey at night my wife has just given up. Rick

[65oldsboy]

Lots of great hockey so far. 2 game 7's tonight. I think the Rangers are done. Washington has really dominated the play, especially lately. Lundqvist stole a few games early but got pulled the last 2 games. He might be due for another good game by now though. He's never been pulled 2 games in a row before.

Devils/Carolina is a toss-up tonight. Devils have home ice tonight and everybody should be healthy again. However, in the last 2 games combined, the Devs have only scored a total of 1 goal. Marty better have his good stuff tonight and somebody had better step up and score some goals. Shutting down Staal would be a good idea also.

Since the Devs are still in the 1st round, I haven't thought too much about the 2nd round. The Wings had better look out for the Ducks. They are playing like they did when they won the Cup a few years ago.

[Big Daddy Funk]

NHL Officiating

My condolances to all the Devil fans out there. I really thought NJ would be able to weather the late 3rd period storm. Unreal finish.
Rangers added a second blow to NY state fan base. That one wasn't as much of a surprise. Torts and Avery are not two of my favorites. Brashear is lucky he's not facing criminal charges for his sneak attack. His attack was more deliberate than McSorely's was on him. McSorely was charged, ending a really great career.
Overall I am not impressed with the quality of the officiating. A lot of missed calls in penalties and even off sides. You can charge in late, elbow up, head shot,against the glass... but don't tap anyones glove with your stick or touch anyone with a free hand.
There is more intent to injure than I have ever seen before. I love fast tough hockey. A good body check will knock the wind out of a player and "send a message" without putting him out for the season, which cheats us all out of seeing the best hockey.
Hopefully, officiating improves as the series narrows, allowing senior referees to handle the games.

[The Lorax]

I agree whole heartedly on the officiating, let them lay, but not with intent to do bodily harm. hopefully, I'll be able to watch some of the second round, I missed most of the first round due to some significant life issues (it's been a tumultuous month to say the least) I got to see some bits here and there, but missed almost all of it, had to catch the highlights on sportcenter. I'm pulling for the Wings, but Anaheim is playing like they're possessed, should be a good hard hitting series, hopefully, no inappropriate shinnanigans on either side. I also was surprised with the ending of the Devils/Canes series, dude gave up TWO goals in 80 seconds?! the Rangers/Caps seies was a bit of a surprise as well, early on, thought sure as hell the Rangers would take that series but no, not this year. Canucks/Hawks should be worthwhile, I work with a guy that's a huge Blackhawks fan, hasn't had much to be happy about the last few years or so. all in all, should be some good hockey still to come. have a nice day and ride safe GO WINGS

[65oldsboy]

I've had a day too cool off after the Devils' loss on Tuesday night. How the heck (expletive deleted) could they just roll over after giving up the tying goal? I have never seen anything like it. All effort stopped. It was as if the tying goal was the winning goal in an overtime game. I'm totally disappointed. I feel like a Sharks fan. Play well through the regular season then get bounced in the 1st round or 2 in the playoffs every year. After Brodeur came back from his injury, it looked like the Devs were the team to beat in the NHL. THey played amazing hockey. WHat happened?????? I guess I'm a Bruins/Ducks fan for the rest of the playoffs.

[DJinNH]

OK hockey fans and possibly weather fans......anyone want to let the Carolina Hurricanes in on a little secret?

I notice they wear a patch on their sleeve with a red flag/black square. Ummm, that's a storm warning flag, not "Hurricane". For a Hurricane, the USCG or NOAA flies two of those flags, one flies for a "storm".

Just figured I'd mention that....and yes, I am bored.





Don, irritated licensed boat captain.

[Big Daddy Funk]

Wow, Wow, Wow

Carolina just defeated the Bruins Near the end of the 1st OT! of game 7
That series gets my vote as the best for this round.
Detroit beats the Ducks in the last minute of game 7
Chicago sits waiting for Pittsburg who finished off Washington in Game seven
Caolina vs Pittsburg, For the Eastern Conference
Detroit vs Chicago for the wester conference

Any Predictions? and how many games It will take.?

[65oldsboy]

Any Predictions? and how many games It will take.?

Since every one of my predictions for round 2 was incorrect, I don't think that anyone wants my opinion. But here goes:

The Wings will take Chicago in 5. They have owned the Blackhawks this season. I really HATE Carolina and I never thought they would beat Boston or my Devils but I think they can beat the Pens in 7. This only means that you should take out a 2nd mortgage on your house and put all of your money on Chicago and Pittsburgh.

[Fix]

I'm just so happy Detroit won. I'm doubly happy this series isn't against a west coast team. Those game starting at 10pm were killing me.

[DJinNH]

I'm bumming about the Bruins losing but life goes on. Congrats to the Hurricanes and their fans and good luck with Pittsburgh.

Don

[rman]

Great finishes

I have been bummed ever since the Flyers were ousted in the first round. But there has been some great playoff hockey!!
I enjoyed the Pittsburgh vs Crapitols series, and the Detroit vs Anaheim, last night both games had great finishes.

Got to love Playoff Hockey!!!