It is that time again - two months' worth of great games, breakout performances, huge upsets, and hopefully not the usual Philly exit.

Here are the matchups for those of you living in caves:

Eastern Conference:
(1) Tampa Bay vs. (8) NY Islanders
(2) Boston vs. (7) Montreal
(3) Philadelphia vs. (6) New Jersey
(4) Toronto vs. (5) Ottawa

Western Conference:
(1) Detroit vs. (8) Nashville
(2) San Jose vs. (7) St. Louis
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Calgary
(4) Colorado vs. (5) Dallas

Let's roll with the predictions, shit talking, and gloating, eh?

Cyren/KayDee - Can we get a lock on this post? (Or at least until Philly, Toronto, Detroit, NYI, Montreal, and Boston lose?)

Oh, and Fuck Tie Domi. Let the games begin.

Philadelphia vs. New Jersey:

Philadelphia is as close to healthy as they have been all year, with the lone patient being Dennis Seidenberg. No big deal here, as we have stocked the blue line with veterans and now have a healthy Eric Desjardins.

Roenick and Primeau have both looked good in their limited return, and Hitch was smart to put Roenick with Gagne & Zhamnov to jump-start his game. The main concern with the offense is the power play. They finished the season ranked second, but on some kind of awful streak (3 for 60). It is imperative they get back to what worked at the beginning of the year - stop pussy-passing the puck and put it on net.

Goaltending - ah, now isn't this always the question this time of year? Esche gets the nod, and rightfully so in my opinion. He has looked less than effective in the last few games, but he did show me something in the end of Sunday's finale @ NYI. If the sky falls in on Esche's psyche, then Burke is there to pick up the pieces. And despite Burke's lack of playoff success, I have more faith this year than I have had in a long, long time.

New Jersey is missing it's heart & soul - Mr. Scott Stevens, who single-handedly sent Eric Lindros into post-Flyerdom four years ago. Also, Ken Daneyko has retired. Stevens and Daneyko were the mainstays on all three Cup teams. Do not overlook this.

Prediction: I think Esche steps up to the plate, er, net this year. New Jersey's lack of scoring will ultimately be their undoing, despite the uncomparable Martin Brodeur between the pipes. Philly will come up with the solution to the PP problems, especially with Desjardins back on the point.

Philly in 6 (And hopefully one of those wins is Saturday, 'cause I got tickets bitches!)

with Esche establishing himself in net, I'd love their chances against the Bruins in round two. But I'd be lying if I said I felt good going in, at this point with the Flyers they sort of have to win this thing before I can get too excited. Stevens not being there is the reason I think they can do it, although why am I getting a creeping feeling that he'll end up playing in this thing at some point? And Brodeur is still the best goalie in hockey. No predictions of a series victory here, I'll hold my breath and see what happens.

>Philadelphia vs. New Jersey:
>
>Philadelphia is as close to healthy as they have been all
>year, with the lone patient being Dennis Seidenberg. No big
>deal here, as we have stocked the blue line with veterans
>and now have a healthy Eric Desjardins.
>
>Roenick and Primeau have both looked good in their limited
>return, and Hitch was smart to put Roenick with Gagne &
>Zhamnov to jump-start his game. The main concern with the
>offense is the power play. They finished the season ranked
>second, but on some kind of awful streak (3 for 60). It is
>imperative they get back to what worked at the beginning of
>the year - stop pussy-passing the puck and put it on net.
>
>Goaltending - ah, now isn't this always the question this
>time of year? Esche gets the nod, and rightfully so in my
>opinion. He has looked less than effective in the last few
>games, but he did show me something in the end of Sunday's
>finale @ NYI. If the sky falls in on Esche's psyche, then
>Burke is there to pick up the pieces. And despite Burke's
>lack of playoff success, I have more faith this year than I
>have had in a long, long time.
>
>New Jersey is missing it's heart & soul - Mr. Scott Stevens,
>who single-handedly sent Eric Lindros into post-Flyerdom
>four years ago. Also, Ken Daneyko has retired. Stevens and
>Daneyko were the mainstays on all three Cup teams. Do not
>overlook this.
>
>Prediction: I think Esche steps up to the plate, er, net
>this year. New Jersey's lack of scoring will ultimately be
>their undoing, despite the uncomparable Martin Brodeur
>between the pipes. Philly will come up with the solution to
>the PP problems, especially with Desjardins back on the
>point.
>
>Philly in 6 (And hopefully one of those wins is Saturday,
>'cause I got tickets bitches!)

You might win this series. I don't think you will, but of course it's a possibility. But the bottom line is:

1.) You won't win a series after we're done with you.

2.) We have 7 home games this series. Your building is OUR building. Pass as many cutesy city ordinances you want. The Corel Centre is Leafs home ice.

Leafs are taking this in 5 or 6. I truly think the Senators are scared. The only thing they really got going for them is that they have nothing to lose, as everyone's counting them out.

Seven 'home games' for us is right. You gotta love it.
Don't City Councils have better things to do? Hilarious and pathetic all at once.

Go Leafs Go

>Leafs are taking this in 5 or 6. I truly think the Senators
>are scared. The only thing they really got going for them
>is that they have nothing to lose, as everyone's counting
>them out.

Who besides you and Z are counting them out? I think the Leafs will win the series, but I'm not going to be surprised if the Bitches win. A lot of pundants picked Ottawa to play for the Cup.

>Seven 'home games' for us is right. You gotta love it.
>Don't City Councils have better things to do? Hilarious and
>pathetic all at once.
>
>Go Leafs Go

Yeah, a lot of pundants did pick Ottawa to go the Finals, but that was at the start of the year. A lot of the media believes Toronto is going to win this.
At least you recognize the Senators Bitch status. That one is definitely not debatable.

>Yeah, a lot of pundants did pick Ottawa to go the Finals,
>but that was at the start of the year. A lot of the media
>believes Toronto is going to win this.
>At least you recognize the Senators Bitch status. That one
>is definitely not debatable.

A Leafs fan calling any team bitches is the definition of ironic. The Leafs complain the most in the entire league. Bunch of fucking babies.

>You might win this series. I don't think you will, but of
>course it's a possibility. But the bottom line is:
>
>1.) You won't win a series after we're done with you.

Right.

>2.) We have 7 home games this series. Your building is OUR
>building. Pass as many cutesy city ordinances you want. The
>Corel Centre is Leafs home ice.

Have you ever, ya know, actually been to the Corel Centre? I would say for Leafs/Sens games, it's 40/60 in favor of the Sens. The Leafs fans are just louder, and have had more to cheer about the last couple games. You watch Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final and tell me thats a Leafs crowd.

There will always be a certain amount of Leafs fans here because they weren't going to just drop their allegiances when a new team was established. That's fine.

P.S. 4-2, suck it.

Corel Centre? I
>would say for Leafs/Sens games, it's 40/60 in favor of the
>Sens. The Leafs fans are just louder, and have had more to
>cheer about the last couple games. You watch Game 7 of the
>Eastern Conference final and tell me thats a Leafs crowd.
>
>There will always be a certain amount of Leafs fans here
>because they weren't going to just drop their allegiances
>when a new team was established. That's fine.

Even if it's 40/60 in favour of Sens, that's a massive number of people cheering for the 'away' team. And the amount of noise they make, it definitely has a home ice feel, or at least home ice for both teams.

Yeah, there are a lot of Leafs fans from Ottawa at the games, but it's combined with a lot of fans who make the drive from Toronto because they can actually afford/find tickets to games at the Corel Centre as opposed to the ACC.

We're not losing this one. I know all these Pred fans have their hopes up... "Look at what happened last year! We can do it too!" Sorry holmes, ain't happening.

1) People keep comparing Nashville to the Ducks... but they're not the same team. Nashville doesn't have half the defense that the Ducks had last year.

2) Vokoun's #'s are lackluster compared to Jiggy's from last season pre-playoffs. He's a good goalie, not GREAT.

3) "But Nashville had your number earlier this year! Look at the season series! 3-3!" Yeah, they won the first 3 when the injury bug first hit us... but we've won the last 3... we have THEIR number.

4) We're HEALTHY. Draper, Lang, and Dandenault have all come back. Hatcher has been back. Woolley could be back by game freakin 2!

Let's take a look at one possible set of lines:

Thomas - Datsyuk - Hull
Holmstrom - Lang - Whitney
Shanahan - Yzerman - Zetterberg
McCarty - Draper - Maltby

Lidstrom - Hatcher
Schneider - Chelios
Fischer - Dandenault
Woolley and Rivers if needed.

5) We're HUNGRY after last year's first round sweep.

6) We're confident in our goalie (announced that it will be Legace for sure).

ANDDDDD... I may be at game 2 this Saturday.

It almost guarantees a win... you hear that Z?

So true!

I've only seen the Wings lose once in person!

The ACC or the Corel Centre? I mean, I know it's easier to get tickets to the Corel Centre, but the commute is a bitch.

If so, then you need to go to the ACC first. It's a lot more fun to celebrate a win with your team's fans. After that, it's up to you.

Now I don't know what the Dollars/Rubles exchange rate is, but I picked up tickets to the Philly game for $60 each. Leafs tickets can't be too much more.

>Now I don't know what the Dollars/Rubles exchange rate is,

Double HA!!!

Devils in 5.

As if I have 70 disposable dollars to spend on hockey tickets. I barely have 7 disposable dollars to spend on pizza pops.

There's always eBay, or a ticket broker. But if you ain't got the cheese, you ain't got the cheese.

My suggestion - save $5 a week, so that next year you can take your butt to a game.

That was way better than my plan of finding a sugar mama. Very clever indeed.

Hey, if you can find a Sugar Mama who buys you tickets to hockey games... tell me where you found her.

thats all you need to know

and you're all going to be asking yourselves why you didn't concur!

I was pretty confident last year... but i'm 2002 confident.

expected to win that series, didn't they come on strong later in the season, I kinda want Calgary to beat Vancover.(But don't mind my opinion what's the official analysis) I was just about to say then they can build on it next season(lockout next season is ambiguous).

people still sleep on their defence and goaltending. they're so due its not even funny. they haven't won a series since 1989.

the canucks have won 6 straight 7 straight after game 1 there on a super high right now...i say this series will go max 5 in favour of the canucks

_______________________

You heard it here first. None of you paid any attention to the Isles this season, but you'll all be paying attention after they dispatch of the Lightning.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

I'm with ya.

.... are going to hurt, especially since Blake is HUGE on the penalty-kill (4 shorthanded goals this year) but I still think the Isles will take the series.

Bill Clement predicts Tampa in five. I predict Bill Clement is a moron.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

If we all promise to admit we were wrong and that we overlooked the Islanders should they knock off the Lightning, will you promise to admit that you not only overestimated the greatness of your own team but underestimated Tampa's if they do not?

Why not?

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

are going to draft the next mario lemieux #1 overall, bitches.

enjoy ya'selves.

and it should really help the team when the NHL resumes play in 2007.

>and it should really help the team when the NHL resumes play
>in 2007.

.

Bruins in six.

Of course, this prediction is a lot different if Thornton's ineffective, but I like this group a lot if Joe's in the lineup. Better speed than two years ago and a much beter second line. The defense is also a lot better, with Boynton's continued improvement and the additions of Gonchar and Slegr. Raycroft can match Theodore, although him being a rookie does scare me a bit. I love his confidence, his ability to shake off a bad goal (which is a rare occurrence anyway) and his positioning.

If Joe can play (and he has been practicing, and says he's gonna go) the B's take this, and if his condition improves, they have a very good shot of winning a couple more rounds.

------------------------------
always representing the 603

www.dailyfreepress.com

Just because we're bereaved doesn't make us Saps!!

Goddamnit!!


Cuz no one hands out
medals for keepin it real,
They don't know what it means and they don't care how ya feel
--Kings of Nuthin

>it should really help the team when the NHL resumes play
>in 2007.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=79328&hubName=nhl

Oh Lord... while playing catch with his son! That's what you get for being a good father... he should of beat him with the metal plate instead of playing catch.

That or they were playing catch with a bowling ball.

Seriously, this hurts the Flyers chance to reclaim their powerplay dominance. He was the key guy on the point, and having him back would have been a huge boost. Look for Hitch to put Pitkanen back in the lineup and rotate him, Johnsson, and Kapanen on the point.

Man, Hitch sounds real bummed. Here's the link, I'm too lazy to copy/paste.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2004/news/story?id=1777465

Tampa vs. Islanders:
Tampa in 6. The Islanders can take out Tampa. They did win the last 3 games between the two. However, this Tampa team comes in with a bit more experience and they are better than the Islanders. I say New York goes up 2-0 to put a scare into the Lightning, and then Tampa dominates the next four.

Boston vs Montreal:
Montreal in 7. This will be a good series. Montreal always plays well against Boston, and this is a good team that should not be overlooked. If Thornton is injured, the Habs will definitely win.

Philly vs New Jersey:
Jersey in 6. Brodeur over Esche. Simple as that. Philly has some injury issues, as does Jersey, but Brodeur gives them the edge. Also, Gomez and Elias are hot and will provide scoring for the Devils.

Toronto vs Ottawa:
Ottawa in 7. Lalime will respond and shut everyone up. This will be a great series, and Ottawa will pull it out. They have more talent and are younger. The Leafs are hurting in some areas. More importantly, they are old. Of course, I could be very wrong, but this is what I see happening. On top of that, I think if Ottawa wins this series, contrary to what Zeno stated, Ottawa will go on to win the Cup. They will have so much confidence if they win this series.

Detroit vs Nashville:
Detroit in 5. This should be an easy series for Detroit, but you never know. Vokoun could steal a game or two. I think Detroit will win easily though.

San Jose vs St. Louis:
San Jose in 7. This should be a good series, as St. Louis is playing well and the Sharks are underrated. Nabokov gives the Sharks the edge. They have some good young scorers too and a solid defense.

Vancouver vs Calgary:
Calgary in 6. Without Bertuzzi, I don't see Vancouver doing anything. He is such a physical presence and is their second best scorer. Calgary is more physical if Bertuzzi is out. Iginla will not let this chance go by. He will play his ass off in this series and Miika Kiprusoff will be this year's Giguere.

Colorado vs Dallas:
Dallas in 5. That's right. Colorado is hurt right now and Dallas has emerged as a contender in the west. Turco will redeem himself after last year's playoff flop, whereas Aebischer will have a couple of shaky moments. What it comes down to is the Avs aren't at full strength.


-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

And it was almost 2-0 if it weren't for a missed penalty shot.

Come on, y'all.
______________________________________________
*The following sig has been formatted to fit this screen, edited for content, and edited to run in the time allotted.*

bad memories.

but... there's plenty of game left... and nashville isn't shutting us down like anaheim did last year.

plus, we're on a PP.

phew...

Thank you Draper and Holmstrom!

This could be a series after all. I didn't give the Preds a chance, but they've matched up well with Detroit throughout the season.

On a side note, Legace's helmet is one of the best in hockey.

>This could be a series after all. I didn't give the Preds a
>chance, but they've matched up well with Detroit throughout
>the season.

They are definitely giving us a scare. I knew they would be tough... I never thought it would be a sweep, but I still think we'll win.

>On a side note, Legace's helmet is one of the best in
>hockey.

Agreed.

Did you see that Lang goal? Holy shit... that's why we got him.

but shit I can make moves like that in my sleep, he was on one knee as well though.

Wings fans were probably shittin' their pants when it was 1-0 for a while.



peace

Lang's goal was sick - and I hate the Wings. Give the man some credit.

that's it though, just nice. The commentators were talking like it was spectacular but meh, again I could've done that ish left-handed.

How am I out of my mind?

Oh and Dejardins is out. Damn that hurts. Pitkanen's going to have to step up (well everybody will).



peace

Yeah... try making that move in a playoff game while a defender is hauling you down.

Then we'll talk about "aight" goals.

And... yes, I was on the brink of breaking things before we scored. I was having flashbacks of Anaheim... but we're fine now. All we needed was a confidence booster.

that Lang is about 6'3 and around 220. He brushed the defender off like a rag doll.

Vohkun is no Gigure, well he's not quite playing at his level in last years playoffs, he wasn't of this world.

Colorado is flying out there. Up 2-0 after the first. Peter the great indeed.



peace

>that Lang is about 6'3 and around 220. He brushed the
>defender off like a rag doll.

That's what made the goal even better.

>Vohkun is no Gigure, well he's not quite playing at his
>level in last years playoffs, he wasn't of this world.

Replace that with... No one is Giguere of last year. Vohkun is a solid goalie and made some terrific saves.

Bruins dominate every facet and win 3-0.

Raycroft was stellar. Thornton was playing like he's physically well. And our new guys Gonchar and Nylander both had a goal and assist.

18 year old phenom, Patrice Bergeron's assist on Knuble's goal was brilliant. He's 18.

Go Bruins!!!!!

.

.

so far so fucking good you punks.. BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

1 down.... 15 to go.

14 more to go

the dream is alive

life is ever changing.

.. oh how I wanna see us put the hurt on em...

that's playoff hockey... intense... dam... but after letting them tie the 4-0 lead we had in game 6 how could I honestly say we deserved to win game 7.. man I love hockey.. that was awesome... depressing but awesome.

WTF, mods gotta get on top of this.

I watched the Bruins yesterday and as I expected they are tough. They had a good year and brought some mo into the playoffs, they are gonna win this series easily which cant be said of most teams because there are a lot of tough matchups for the first round (the foremost of which being jersey-philly imho). i still see ottawa winning it but there are a number of contenders in the wales.

in the campbell i am sticking with san jose, i think they have the balance and tending to beat either detroit or colorado. vancouver is gonna win this series but that's it which is unfortunate since they are the most entertaining team to watch on a night to night basis i think.

I inboxed KayDee (don't know if that is protocall or not), so I guess we'll just wait and see.

You would think that with this being the last NHL season for a while (according to Bryan), we could get some love from the mods.

-->I inboxed KayDee (don't know if that is protocall or not)<--

just let us know...contrary to popular belief, we don't read every single post on this board...i anchored this post a soon as I saw the inbox (working nights this week, thus the delay).

GO FLYERS!

Det. & Col. will fall within the first 2 rounds, and the Blues will get all the way to the cup, only to lose in 7.
Continuing our only record.
Most trips to the post season then any other team in pro sports, without a fucking championship.
they sure give ya the Blues.

Colorado & Detroit will meet in the West Finals (if it's possible) & St. Louis aren't going anywhere. I picked them to get past the Sharks in 7 but they'll be lucky if they accomplish that.

You've gotta love Jeremy Roenick, tough isn't a strong enough adjective to describe him. I love how he set the tone by giving Brodeur a shot. That's what you have to do, fuck him up whenever possible.



peace

Your wrong in all your predictions.
Peace.

LOL I'm sorry man, I can't be rude like that.
we'll beat 'em in 6, then I don't know who we'll play, but it doesn't matter, we'll go to the big dance.
Osgood was lookin good last night, lets see if our Offense can step it up.

"we'll beat 'em in 6, then I don't know who we'll play, but it doesn't matter, we'll go to the big dance."

No. Fucking. Chance.

None.



peace

not the way we played the other day.
But we're home now and.........
seriously I don't believe the Cup is coming here, but I still need to hold out some kind of hope.
The bullshit game they played on Sat, is exactly the type of shit I've come to expect from Pronger, he is somewhat valuable on the team, but his anger needs to be curbed.

The funny thing is, when they dumped Quinnville, they paraded Mike Kitchen as this great disciplinarian to bring greatness to our team. Sure as hell didn't see that on Sat.

If only MacInnis were here.....

I heard he's till having problems with his vision. Damn when did that incident occur, it's been over a year now hasn't it? And he was at the top of his game when he left too, even at 39.

St. Louis can still win the series but they're playing with no discipline at all. Pronger's suppose to be leading them yet he's been the worst of the lot. I know he wants out of St. Louis, but that badly?

Nabakov is cold.


peace

>I heard he's till having problems with his vision. Damn when
>did that incident occur, it's been over a year now hasn't
>it? And he was at the top of his game when he left too, even
>at 39.

He's probably done. its a fucking DAMN shame too, I was really hoping to give him a ring.

>St. Louis can still win the series but they're playing with
>no discipline at all. Pronger's suppose to be leading them
>yet he's been the worst of the lot. I know he wants out of
>St. Louis, but that badly?

I think they thought this was gone be a brawlers series, and game 2 was not that at all. 10 Peanlties in 2 periods!!??!!
I hear all the time that people want Pronger gone, I have'nt heard his stance on it yet, but I think he's still a great player, just real dirty. We need a defender like Pronger tho, especially since our real defender is too old and injured.

>Nabakov is cold.

For real, This guy is really a good goalie, I am extremely impressed. Osgood was lookin okay at first, but these pen. are murderizin us. He was hurtin from some hits, and dude fell on his own leg. These Blues, I don't know.

I said it 2 years ago. "Only the St. Louis Blues can win the Presidents trophy, then be eliminated the first round."

>peace
Peace

I think we're starting to get to Nabokov
Tonight will be cool. I'll see first hand if we got what it takes.

Pronger was lookin better, and Thank Gawd Sillinger got the Hat trick, FUCK Marleau

Marian Hossa says 35 year olds can't beat the most talented team in the NHL. Boo-yah.

LOL.

Like I said, if Ottawa wins this series, they are taking the Cup.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

Ottawa winning the series is still a big 'if'. This series is far from over after 1 game. The Leafs will come back strong in Game 2.


>Like I said, if Ottawa wins this series, they are taking the
>Cup.
>

Of course. But surely as a Leafs fan you have to admit that Game 1 was an indication that this Sens team is not the same one that got pushed around and intimidated by the Leafs in 2001 and then again 2002. If the Leafs win the series, which they very well could because at their best these teams are pretty evenly matched, it won't be because the Sens didn't come to play. It will be because the Leafs were just better.

I would agree with that. I did think that the Sens were still a bit scared of the Leafs going into the game, but it really didn't show last night.
I definitely did not expect the Leafs to dominate and win 6-0. I knew the Sens would come ready to play. And they did. My dislike for them is as high as ever, but they played a solid game and took advantage when they had to.
You're right about them being evenly matched, and it's going to be a battle. By the time it's over, the best team will emerge. It's going to be fun to watch.

toronto better figure out a way to defend ottawa's speed.

a few leafs were completely invisible. roberts, domi and leetch were the ones who played decently. calle johansson was a joke.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

17 shots is not going to cut it, period. Defence is still the issue. We had no control on the power play and play in our own zone was horrendous. While I don't think anyone with half a brain saw Ottawa following up a 6-0 trouncing with another loss, that was a very unfortunate 60 minutes yesterday. Hopefully a huge wake-up call for Saturday...

Esche looked pretty damn good last night. Those 2 goals in a minute were forgivable considering the traffic he was facing in front. I'm still a little concerned about our defense - we looked great for two periods, and then seemed to be on our heels the entire 3rd period.

Keys to the game: Esche's play, NJ 0-4 PP, PHI 1-1 PP

And how about Primeau's nasty display of offensive capability?

And how about Roenick mixing it up, sans protective mask?

that game came down to Sami Kappanen's 2 big plays in the beginning of that game. when he got in the way of a shot and then came down ice and shot the weird angled shot on marty that produced the Gagne goal. Esche really impressed me but we will see if he can hold up. I don't see brodeur giving more than 2 a game from now on... devils in 6

and i agree fuck Tie Domi

Eric Cairns played for the Islanders. Hahahaha.

n/m



peace

He didn't have his best game last night.

lead the series 2-0

Lang is a beast... 2 goals and an assist in 2 games.

bye bye nashville!

the wings came out good in the beggining and then lost and then regained, great flukey goal to win by, i screamed loud when that goal barley went by.

Game one was an abberation. Cairns gave that game away single-handedly. But to those who watched game two, now you know how the Isles are capable of playing defense. And the kid DiPietro was GREAT.

Fuck Tampon Bay. Isles in 6.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

Obviously you have not watched this team AT ALL this year.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

...but if you've watched the Leafs' last two games, you can't say a damn thing negative about Domi. He's playing great hockey. Belfour looks stellar, the Sundin line got their act together (and Sundin punking Varada after that attempted knee-to-knee was hilarious), and the skyline, with the exception of a few dumb penalties, continues to impress. The first loss was a gimmie after that 6-0 embarrassment. Now we go up the 401 to our second home even-up with some solid play under our belts. I'm not worried.

>...but if you've watched the Leafs' last two games, you
>can't say a damn thing negative about Domi.

Well, I think he's kind of being suspect in that he can't fight due to a broken hand, yet still intigates shit. Then, when he walks away when someone like Neil stands up to him, his apologists (Cherry) say "oh he has a broken hand don't get on his back!"

> He's playing
>great hockey.

Absolutely. He looks quite energized. But he can't be their best player the way he was in game one. When Tie Domi is the best player on a team with six or seven Hall Of Famers, a team with a $50 million payroll, you got problems. But as a fourth line energy player, sent out to generate chances, he's been effective.

>(and Sundin punking Varada after that
>attempted knee-to-knee was hilarious)

Is there any Pat Quinn propaganda you don't buy? That was not a knee on knee hit. He went to nail Sundin, Sundin moved. Even Harry Neale, who collects a paycheque from the team, said so. That's not to say Varada isn't a dirty player, because he is, but this was not an example.

The Leafs need to stop complaining. The league isn't out to get them, the referees don't have a conspiracy against the organization, and the Sens aren't a dirty team.

It's a tough series. Quinn saying that Tucker's two black eyes is an indication the refs are out to get him is laughable. One of them was on that sick hit from Pothier, which was clean. You don't hear Jacques Martin say anything about that crushing Domi hit on Hossa because it was clean. Notice after the game, when asked about the refereeing, Alfredsson and the rest said that it was their fault because they got to adjust to the way the game is being called? The only Leaf who had the guts to say that after game one was Sundin. The rest bitched like little fucking girls.

And I do enjoy how Quinn bitched about the broken stick slashing penalty in game one, but didn't say one word about it when it went his way in game two.

>Now we go up the 401 to our second home even-up with some
>solid play under our belts. I'm not worried.

Ah, there's that Maple Leafs overconfidence we all love. You could win this series. At this point it could go either way. But if you think it's in the bag, which is the tone I get from this message, you're dillusional. The Leafs got smoked in game one, and I would say were outplayed in game two, though it was close. Belfour was the difference. It will be a long series and I think there are still concerns on both sides.

And just for reference, there won't be nearly as many Leafs fans in the Corel Centre for games three and four because the tickets went on sale and were sold out before this series was even finalized, so Leaf Nation didn't really know it would be their chance to shine. Still some, of course, but not the 60/40 ratio that's usually in effect. Leaf Nation should be out in full force for Game 6 though.

>Well, I think he's kind of being suspect in that he can't
>fight due to a broken hand, yet still intigates shit. Then,
>when he walks away when someone like Neil stands up to him,
>his apologists (Cherry) say "oh he has a broken hand don't
>get on his back!"

I don't know why he'd want to fight when he's got a two-goal lead, and I thought he stood up to Chara a fair bit last night. But I hear ya.

>Absolutely. He looks quite energized. But he can't be their
>best player the way he was in game one. When Tie Domi is the
>best player on a team with six or seven Hall Of Famers, a
>team with a $50 million payroll, you got problems. But as a
>fourth line energy player, sent out to generate chances,
>he's been effective.

No, last night was suitable though. Roberts, Sundin and Nieuwendyk were cleearly the best players on the ice, and Tie and Tucker both played roles, with Tie even going beyond and beyond, running breaks and generally being everywhere.

>Is there any Pat Quinn propaganda you don't buy? That was
>not a knee on knee hit. He went to nail Sundin, Sundin
>moved. Even Harry Neale, who collects a paycheque from the
>team, said so. That's not to say Varada isn't a dirty
>player, because he is, but this was not an example.

It wasn't a knee-to-knee hit because Sundin saw him and Varada missed. Should I be satisfied that the guy was so kind as to miss on an attempt to take out our star player?

>The Leafs need to stop complaining. The league isn't out to
>get them, the referees don't have a conspiracy against the
>organization, and the Sens aren't a dirty team.

Number one, the Sens may not be a "dirty" team but they aren't far off. Number two, I don't hear anyone complaining that much. Both players got 4 minutes in the Sundin-Varada incident. Well, Sundin got 2, then an additional 2 for humiliating the kid.

>It's a tough series. Quinn saying that Tucker's two black
>eyes is an indication the refs are out to get him is
>laughable. One of them was on that sick hit from Pothier,
>which was clean. You don't hear Jacques Martin say anything
>about that crushing Domi hit on Hossa because it was clean.
>Notice after the game, when asked about the refereeing,
>Alfredsson and the rest said that it was their fault because
>they got to adjust to the way the game is being called? The
>only Leaf who had the guts to say that after game one was
>Sundin. The rest bitched like little fucking girls.

I seem to recall the Leafs pretty much blaming themselves for their performance in Game 1. It all depends on what you pay attention to I suppose, the one or two comments about questionable calls or the fifty "we deserved to lose" comments. I find the latter more noteworthy. Pointing out Jacques Martin and Daniel Alfredsson as paragons of virtue is pretty laughable too.

>Ah, there's that Maple Leafs overconfidence we all love. You
>could win this series. At this point it could go either way.
>But if you think it's in the bag, which is the tone I get
>from this message, you're dillusional. The Leafs got smoked
>in game one, and I would say were outplayed in game two,
>though it was close. Belfour was the difference. It will be
>a long series and I think there are still concerns on both
>sides.

No, I don't think it's in the bag at all. I'm just not going to get all panicky over an iffy first game when we played as well as we did in the second, and we have the vastly superior playoff goalie. I don't think the Leafs were outplayed last night at all. You got a few more shots than us. Big deal. Possessions were pretty much even, we continuted to own the faceoff circle, and I never was under the impression that our two-goal lead was in jeopardy. Doesn't sound like outplaying to me. Maybe that's what passes for outplaying in Ottawa, where the goal seems to just be losing the to Leafs by less every year, but to me, I see a goalie and a bunch of solid lines that you're going to have a very very very tough time beating 3 times.

>And just for reference, there won't be nearly as many Leafs
>fans in the Corel Centre for games three and four because
>the tickets went on sale and were sold out before this
>series was even finalized, so Leaf Nation didn't really know
>it would be their chance to shine. Still some, of course,
>but not the 60/40 ratio that's usually in effect. Leaf
>Nation should be out in full force for Game 6 though.

What, 70/30? We'll still be louder anyways. Ottawa is Leafs' country, man. You should know that by now. If they're buying tickets, they're hockey fans, and if they're hockey fans in eastern Ontario, a lot of them are probably Leafs fans. Plus, the Ottawa-Toronto series was pretty easy to predict. I think the old Corel Centre favourite will be chanted a fair bit on Monday and Wednesday. Go Leafs Go...

great with Tie Domi...ever.

"Should I be satisfied that the guy was so kind as to miss on an attempt to take out our star player?"

Tucker didn't miss taking out Peca's knees two years ago though, did he? (I had to throw that in)



peace

fuck you tie.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

Say that shit all you want, but don't tell me you wouldn't want to have him on your team....same goes for Tucker.

no, i don't want two of the dirtiest players in the league on ottawa.

alfredsson does enough of that, we hardly need anymore.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

n/m



peace

there was a (knowledgeable) wings fan alive that didn't expect the preds to win this one.

back to back games... youth is going to be a huge advantage.

not to mention their first ever playoff game in their arena.

we outplayed them in the first period (and throughout most of the game) and they scored the first goal, it deflated us and we lost... i'm not complaining because we played well, just a couple stupid plays that cost us.

"there was a (knowledgeable) wings fan alive that didn't expect the preds to win this one."

A friend of mine is a Wings fan and he thought they'd win, so I guess he knows nothing. They'll win the series but you seem to be lacking confidence in your team, with good reason I suppose. They didn't deserve game 2, well not on that winning goal anyway (cause fans care how their team wins).

Oh and God DOESN'T love ugly.



peace

>"there was a (knowledgeable) wings fan alive that didn't
>expect the preds to win this one."
>
>A friend of mine is a Wings fan and he thought they'd win,
>so I guess he knows nothing.

Maybe he knows "something", but he was riding on the false impression that 'the wings will go 16-0'...

>They'll win the series but you
>seem to be lacking confidence in your team, with good reason
>I suppose.

Of course they'll win the series. I'm not lacking confidence at all... we'll win the series whether it takes 4, 5, 6, or 7 games... I'm just realistic that we're going to lose some games. I based my post on the fact that it was a back-to-back game in which we've played horrible in the second game ALL YEAR.

>They didn't deserve game 2, well not on that
>winning goal anyway (cause fans care how their team wins).

The team that wins always deserves it. It doesn't matter how you win... it doesn't have to be pretty (cause hockey fans know that).

>Oh and God DOESN'T love ugly.

Umm... zing?

Anyway, if all goes right... we'll meet with the Avs in the 2nd round and that will be a cakewalk compared to the Preds. Speed + Hot goaltender is the only thing giving us a problem. The Avs have neither as an advantage. Even Floppa can't save you now.

Maybe he knows "something", but he was riding on the false
>impression that 'the wings will go 16-0

Right because saying they'd beat the Preds in game 3 means he thinks they'll go 16-0. Sure.



>The team that wins always deserves it.

That's just and idiotic statement. I guess when it comes to your team you feel that way, and that's fine.




>
>>Oh and God DOESN'T love ugly.
>
>Umm... zing?


I was just stating a fact, not intended to be a zinger. Don't get upset. Emotions are fragile at this time of year I know, I should've taken that into consideration.

>
>Anyway, if all goes right... we'll meet with the Avs in the
>2nd round and that will be a cakewalk compared to the Preds.
>Speed + Hot goaltender is the only thing giving us a
>problem. The Avs have neither as an advantage. Even Floppa
>can't save you now.


You being? The Avs a cakewalk compared to the Preds eh? Hahahahahahahahaha, bwahahahahahahahahaha *pauses to catch breath* aaaaahahahahahahaha. Dumbest statement ever. I thought you knew more about hockey than that. I'll admit I was wrong, but hey we all are now and again. Maybe that's your brave front, maybe?

Cakewalk, ahahahahaha.



peace

>The team that wins always deserves it.
>
>That's just and idiotic statement. I guess when it comes to
>your team you feel that way, and that's fine.

Ummm... give me an example where a team won that didn't deserve it. I'd love to see how you prove this. *waits patiently* (I'll save you the trouble of mentioning the Dallas/Buffalo fiasco... which would be a good example if it wasn't still debated today)

>I was just stating a fact, not intended to be a zinger.
>Don't get upset. Emotions are fragile at this time of year I
>know, I should've taken that into consideration.

Whaaaa? Really, I love jokes. I love zingers. I love bickering back and forth over teams that we have no control over. But... what? haha, keep on smoking whatever you are.
>

>You being? The Avs a cakewalk compared to the Preds eh?
>Hahahahahahahahaha, bwahahahahahahahahaha *pauses to catch
>breath* aaaaahahahahahahaha. Dumbest statement ever. I
>thought you knew more about hockey than that. I'll admit I
>was wrong, but hey we all are now and again. Maybe that's
>your brave front, maybe?

I'll say it again... the Avs will be a cakewalk compared to the Preds. It would scare me more to play someone like Calgary or San Jose than the Avs next round. If the Avs had the Preds speed... I'd be scared shitless to play them. If you've watched the games... it's the Preds speed that is giving them all these breakaways and 2 on 1's and skating circles around our defenders. The Avs don't do that.


>Cakewalk, ahahahahaha.

Would you prefer easy as pie?

"Ummm... give me an example where a team won that didn't deserve it. I'd love to see how you prove this. *waits patiently* (I'll save you the trouble of mentioning the Dallas/Buffalo fiasco... which would be a good example if it wasn't still debated"

The Isles/Pens series in '93 when the Isles won in 7 with some of the worst calls ever (in the 7th game). Others would say the Lakers in '02 against the Kings (not I though). I really meant that they didn't deserve to win on that goal (yeah it happens all the time in, especially in the playoffs). Vohkun deserved better.

I haven't smoked weed in minute but to my knowledge it isn't laced with anything. Paranoid schizophrenia is common, right?

The Avs do have speed (c) Tanguay, Hejduk, Forsberg, Sakic, Kariya. Maybe as a team they're not as fast as the Preds but still they don't create that many chances on strength & puck movement alone.

If the Avs play the Wings it'll go no less than 6. I just can't believe you think they'll be easier than the Preds. You've obviously seen the way they play each other, especially in the post-season. Hatcher is without a doubt the key to your success (Legace as well), a great pickup by them. The thing is you can't key on just one player on the Avs. And the way Peter is playing is beyond another level. BY FAR the best player in the world (there's no debating that, well maybe the by far part).



peace

>The Isles/Pens series in '93 when the Isles won in 7 with
>some of the worst calls ever (in the 7th game). Others would
>say the Lakers in '02 against the Kings (not I though). I
>really meant that they didn't deserve to win on that goal
>(yeah it happens all the time in, especially in the
>playoffs). Vohkun deserved better.

Well, I was talking strictly in a hockey sense. But that's the thing... the calls were part of the game. If the players wouldn't of put themselves in a position to be called, then there would be no reason for the refs to even lift the whistle to their lips in the first place. And regardless of how terrible the call was, it is still the team's priority to either score on or stop the opposition. If the team scores... then they deserved it. They still had to put the puck in the net and the other team gave them the opportunity to do so. That's the way I see it. We've been fucked by the refs, the Avs have, and every other team as well... it doesn't mean you stop playing the game. Fluke goals happen all the time in the playoffs... Vokhun played outstanding, but he also kicked the puck into his own net! That wouldn't of happened if Schneider didn't take the point shot with the screen. *shrugs* it sucks when it happens to you, but it's the best when your team does it.

>I haven't smoked weed in minute but to my knowledge it isn't
>laced with anything. Paranoid schizophrenia is common,
>right?

Haha

>The Avs do have speed (c) Tanguay, Hejduk, Forsberg, Sakic,
>Kariya. Maybe as a team they're not as fast as the Preds but
>still they don't create that many chances on strength & puck
>movement alone.

I'm not saying the Avs aren't fast. But the Preds are some young fast motherfuckers (ex - on an icing, 2 of their players reached the puck in our zone by the time one of ours just got past the blueline)

>If the Avs play the Wings it'll go no less than 6. I just
>can't believe you think they'll be easier than the Preds.
>You've obviously seen the way they play each other,
>especially in the post-season. Hatcher is without a doubt
>the key to your success (Legace as well), a great pickup by
>them. The thing is you can't key on just one player on the
>Avs. And the way Peter is playing is beyond another level.
>BY FAR the best player in the world (there's no debating
>that, well maybe the by far part).

I know, I know. I guess by cakewalk, I just meant that we wouldn't struggle as much. The game would be wide-open back and forth type shtuff. I have a feeling when they play, it's going to come down to only goaltending, but not be 1-0 type games. The Preds are just a frustrating team... they make you second guess your plays because one mistake sends them down the ice on a 5 on 1. Forsberg is a beast, that is irrefutable. It's his health holding him back.

the series. It hasn't been the way. The Preds have been physical even with their lack of size. Their quickness is really taking away the Wings' efficiency on the powerplay, which is moving the puck to the point and getting a shot through traffic. They've forced the Wings to shoot from the sideboards.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

>the series. It hasn't been the way. The Preds have been
>physical even with their lack of size. Their quickness is
>really taking away the Wings' efficiency on the powerplay,
>which is moving the puck to the point and getting a shot
>through traffic. They've forced the Wings to shoot from the
>sideboards.

Alot of people don't realize the Preds are a physical team. Hell, Hartnell has taken out a few of our players over the last 2 years with injuries. That was expected... I was impressed with our physical play b/c we have been a pussy team all season in that department. I'm satisfied with the way the Wings have been playing except on the PP, that's where we're being shutdown, you're exactly right.

alot is not a word.

Commence with your zinging.



peace

you are not clever.

ZING!

(when exactly was I trying to be clever again?). Clearly you're clever though. Clearly.

I feel like I'm back in elementary school. Weeeeeeee (oh shit was that an attempt to be clever?).






peace

you are a poopy head.

That was a good one (I'm being serious). It was nothing personal but come on you honestly believe that the Avs will be easier than the Preds? I just can't see it. Then again who could've seen the Ducks going anywhere last year. Sorry that was low.

*hopng no one remembers I'm a Penguin fan*



peace

>That was a good one (I'm being serious). It was nothing
>personal but come on you honestly believe that the Avs will
>be easier than the Preds? I just can't see it. Then again
>who could've seen the Ducks going anywhere last year. Sorry
>that was low.

I'm not gonna lie, the reason I had to edit was because I originally said "I have 4 words for you"... then I did the math. I don't know how to put it. The Avs can be dangerous and I'm sure it would be a close series... but I'm just not scared of them anymore.

>*hopng no one remembers I'm a Penguin fan*

*writes that down*

Hell no.

If the Preds push it to 7 games then I'll be really surprised. I actually thought the Oilers would've given the Wings more trouble, especially the way they were playing down the stretch. What's Cujo's status? Not that they'd even consider him as of yet, just curious. Poor guy, he goes to Detroit to win a cup then gets sidetracked by Hasek & now? Poor, poor Cujo.



peace

I figured the Wings/Preds series would be close just because of the way the Preds played the Wings during the regular season. Some of those games were awesome and the Preds showed the wings no respect. I am still pretty sure the Wings will win in 6, but I won't be surprised if it goes to 7 or the Preds even win.
*waits for the Pens to pick second*

In-depth analysis coming tomorrow. I am way to tired and hung over to make sense right now.

I will say this though - that was the 2nd best sporting event I have ever attended. The crowd was electric, the Flyers played really well, the NJ fans were harassed all evening, and they started serving alcohol at 430pm.

What was #1 you ask? Eagles vs. Packers, 2003 Playoffs (4th & 26 Game)

but can i humbly request permission to come aboard for the ride? this flyers team is finally not playing scared or stupid.

You must put the words "I finally believe" in your sig. You don't even have to mention what you believe in - just the words will do.

Oh, and nice to have you on board.

Edit: And your "Scared & Stupid" comment is very true. Did you see Sami Kapanen (5'9", 180) lay out Tommy Albelin (6'2", 195) at center ice? That place got out of hand at that point. They are playing with the toughness that eluded them when Roenick and Primeau were out.

your avatar. That goal he scored in game 1 was nice, around Rafalski & then through Martin's legs.

Esche has been quite the surprise. I'm glad he's proving me wrong, outdueling Brodeur isn't the easiest of tasks.

The Flyers were up 3-1 against the Devils in the '00 Eastern Conference Final (your welcome for bringing back those oh so sweet memories) but that was with Scott Stevens. Without him there's just no fear. Niedermayer's a great defensemen but he's not that physical & with the Flyers size down low that spells trouble.



peace

without a doubt. And you hit the nail on the head - NJ without Stevens is just not the same team. Our physical play is a style that they cannot handle, and it's much easier for little Sami Kapanen to lay out their defensemen knowing there's no Daneyko or Stevens to deliver the payback.

Philly is going to close this one out Saturday. Look for the split in NJ and Philly to win the series at home.

(Oh, and the avi is just for Zeno. I love torturing him.)

"...knowing there's no Daneyko or Stevens to deliver the payback."

Big Kenny. He could barely move but when he hit you you'd be feeing it the next day.

You gotta love toruring Zeno. 37 years and counting...and counting.



peace

He'd probably put up Domi's mug for me to look at if he cared at all. I'm just easily amused, that's all.

I mean my WHOLE family are Leaf fans as well as most of my friends, doesn't change the fact that I really, really despise them. It's fun to tease.

I don't think you could fit Domi's head "into" an avatar, he's got the biggest noggin in the league. Literally.



peace

Esche continues to impress, especially on the PP where NJ has generated most of their scoring chances.

Good segwe into the next key, which is special teams. Philly has killed every NJ PP, and scored on their first two of the series. Saturday was especially heatbreaking for NJ, as Philly killed two penalties in the first 8 minutes, and then came back and scored :40 into their first PP. Nice.

I can't find an offical hit count, but if Philly didn't out-hit NJ at least 3-to-1, I would be very surprised. Philly has physically outplayed NJ in each game, which as we know from last year, can drain a team.

I wish I could get more detailed than this, but being half-cocked at the game doesn't allow me to see all the little stuff on the ice, nor hear the announcers take on the game.

Oh, and the Flyers quote of the week. When asked why he decided to take off his protective mask only 7 games into his return from the horrific injury he suffered, Jeremy Roenick responded (paraphrasing) "It's playoff time."

philly is outhitting NJ, but NJ is generally outplaying them...look at the shots...the difference is that NJ just can finish right now..

Esche really isnt THAT great right now, it is more that NJ hasnt been able to execute..and oddly enough, Brodeur has been sub-par..

I feel so far NJ has outplayed philly..that doesnt get them far enough...
i wanted Esche and Elias to throw down at the end of game 2..THAT would have been a gross fight..

>philly is outhitting NJ, but NJ is generally outplaying
>them...look at the shots...the difference is that NJ just
>can finish right now..

NJ has outshot Philly, but let's not equate that with out-playing them. As I said, most of NJ's chances have come on the PP. 5-on-5, NJ has been outplayed and outhit. Philly has given up 3-4 more PPs in two games, so you would expect the shots for NJ to be higher. And with Philly playing with the lead for most of the two games, you would expect to see NJ's total a bit higher.

And the fact that they can't finish could be a problem for them if they expect to win another game.

>Esche really isnt THAT great right now, it is more that NJ
>hasnt been able to execute..and oddly enough, Brodeur has
>been sub-par..

Brodeur has certainly been sub-par, which in years past may have been ok, because they had a team that could score goals and play defense much better than they can now. NJ has a bunch of puck-carrying defensemen, save for one or two, so they don't have that physical presence they had 4 years ago.

As for Esche, he has made some really nice saves so far. If you are comparing goalies, Esche has outplayed Brodeur by a bit in these two games. Am I putting a lot of stock in that yet? No. The fact is, he is a playoff rookie, so I won't start on the "Esche is the next coming of Parent" rant until he records a few playoff shutouts. Brodeur is playoff-tested, so one could reasonably expect him to turn in a few amazing games. I certainly hope that doesn't happen, but it could.

>I feel so far NJ has outplayed philly..that doesnt get them
>far enough...
>i wanted Esche and Elias to throw down at the end of game
>2..THAT would have been a gross fight..

Again, I will respectfully disagree with you on who is playing better. And as for Esche and Elias - Esche would have laid a quality ass-whooping on Elias.

Esche and Elias would be a gross fight...regardless of the outcome of this hypothetical fight, there would be NO "winner"..dont make it so easy for me to tag you as a standard philadelphia fan..

so NJ finally finishes off some plays tonight, brodeur comes up big on primeau (instead of looking really bad in game 1 against him) and NJ wins.

this series should be a battle...too bad they had to meet in the first round..too bad the Leafs/Sens had to meet in the first round too..Belfour is awesome, but not as awesome as the Avs offense..g'damn

and I detest the entire city of Montreal.

Raycroft was brilliant, but those damn refs need to take the whistle out of their mouths.

Ribeiro should get slammed around next game. And I look forward to it.

going after Thornton's ribs with every hit. I mean really freakin' hammering him (sure they don't really have a big hitter, still).



peace

and he did manage to give up a shitty ass goal on that rebound he let out of his glove with time running out in the period. nevertheless i was impressed with his poise in the third and OT. it was pointed out on the telecast that theodore "looked more rattled" but the goal that tied was pretty tough to stop, it doesnt get any more top-shelf than that (similar to cheecho's goal against stl in game 4). i thought theodore looked alright, but raycroft was in command down the stretch and then of course kovalev made the most unprofessional play i've seen in pro sports this year and bear in mind i followed the horrible nfl season pretty closely just like most of you.

That was one of the worst acts I've seen. Just embarresing. He's a good player who obviously doesn't need to be doing that ish whether he's trying to draw a penalty or not. Then he waits till he gets to the bench to call them on (Knuble anyway).

As for Kovalev what can you say except where the hell has that been? He's one of the most skilled guys (top 5) in the league. Unfortunately lackadaisical best describes him. When he feels like playing though there are very few better (offensively anyway). His 2nd goal was a beauty, no chance for Raycroft who played well again.


The series has just begun.



peace

Faking an inury while play is in the B's zone, stopping it then. Part of me wants Sully to put Doull in just so he can take a run at either Begin or Ribeiro or someone.

The B's are in huge trouble if Nylander is actually hurt.

The good thing about Razor is that he's not gonna be affected by the fans one bit. Kid's got ice water in the veins.

Huge game Tuesday. The B's need to respond to the Habs fire, and a win to make it 3-1, with Raycroft in net, and Thornton improving every game (he looked much better yesterday, even if he's still clearly not 100%), they win this series if it gets to 3-1. 2-2 will be a tossup.

------------------------------
always representing the 603

www.dailyfreepress.com

Just because we're bereaved doesn't make us Saps!!

Goddamnit!!


Cuz no one hands out
medals for keepin it real,
They don't know what it means and they don't care how ya feel
--Kings of Nuthin

I'd like to see Doul too. But, I'd much rather see a 3-1 advantage. Ribeiro is scrappy, but I don't see him being very tough.

Was it Ribeiro or Bejin that took a swing at Raycroft? That's the second punch of a goalie that I've seen this playoffs. That's not cool.

The writhing in pain bit followed by taunting the opposing bench is totally bush-league for a player of his calibre. The Bruins should handle him accordingly in Game 4, and I'm sure refs will be less than anxious to attend to him.

Can I get some hockey highlights inside the first 25 minutes of SportsCenter? That shit kills me. It's the friggin playoffs, and they're showing meaningless baseball and basketball highlights before they get to the games.

Hockey gets no love, even from their TV partner.

It's that bad.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

but anything else is just insulting. Who the fuck cares if Andy Roddick served up a 152mph bullet? Anyone besides SC? No, I didn't think so.

Another fine goaltending display in our building. I thought our fans really gave us a boost the whole game. HAH!

Maybe we'll start caring about that sometime in June, preferably after a big parade.

Yeah, Belfour was phenomenal. There should be substantially greater Leaf Nation presence for game 6 in our second home (as the matchups were set by the time those went on sale). Hopefully that won't be necessary and this can be finished in 5.

...for Ottawa fans to come at us with some "we outplayed you" shit again. Whatever ridiculous definition of "outplaying" these people have doesn't mean shit when you CAN'T SOLVE THE GOALIE. Lalime let in his usual easy one and the Sens looked totally demoralized. If Belfour keeps this up, and Quinn doesn't do anything stupid (ie. Bring back Aki fucking Berg), we could take it in 5.

i think most leaf fans realize they've been outplayed without sens fans saying anything about it.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

I mean, really...Solve our goalie then say a word to me about "outplayed". Our team found the net the past two games and yours didn't so I think we'll consider ourselves the superior hockey team.

Oh, and GREAT FAN NOISE last night. Really, all those "Go Sens Go" chants came reeeeal close to covering up the Leafs fans, and the building didn't 'completely' explode when Mats scored. What a sad, sad, sad city you live in.

Seriously though, it must be really frustrating to throw all that shit at our goalie and come away with sweet FA two games in a row. And to watch that little dribbler bounce through Lalime's 5-hole right when you thought you were making a charge? How more demoralizing can it get? And all this on top of the fact that you live in the city of Ottawa!

Score a fucking goal and talk shit to me.

umm, who was talking shit?

from what i've read at most other message boards, like tmlfans.ca, quite a few leaf fans know they've been outplayed. that doesn't mean i'm discounting the wins or the work belfour's done.

and again with the attendance. leaf fans really think the corel centre is their second home, don't they? like leaf games are the only ones that sell out in ottawa. please, get some facts on that end first. you sound like a fucking broken record.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

>from what i've read at most other message boards, like
>tmlfans.ca, quite a few leaf fans know they've been
>outplayed. that doesn't mean i'm discounting the wins or
>the work belfour's done.

Reading Leafs message boards, that's funny. You're a real superfan. Obviously I know the Sens have more shots on goal than the Leafs. I can grasp that from reading a box score, thanks. But that really doesn't mean shit to me when the Leafs are getting quality scoring chances, drawing penalties, playing pretty solid on the power play, etc etc with Belfour playing out of his friggin' mind. That's not "outplayed." That's just "had more shots on net."

>and again with the attendance. leaf fans really think the
>corel centre is their second home, don't they? like leaf
>games are the only ones that sell out in ottawa. please,
>get some facts on that end first. you sound like a fucking
>broken record.

The "Go Leafs Go" chants that you can hear on TV from the Corel Centre have kinda sounded like a broken record the past few years. And yes, the Habs sell out the Corel Centre too (Hah). But be honest here. Is it not just the least bit disheartening when the only noise your fans can muster are relatiations to the Leafs fans in attendance, and chating "Bel-four, Bel-four" when our goalie is putting up a 37-save masterpiece? Come on now, I know "fans" in Ottawa are disinterested, but are they really that dumb too?

If St. Louis holds on to win... i believe every series will be 2-1. A useless bit of info...

Anything to keep me from doing homework.

Fuck you, bitch.

Bad pinch by Foote. He has a tendency to do that. It was a wrong time to do it too.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

=====================================
Round 1 - Flyers vs. Devils
Game 1 - PHI 3, NJ 2 (Gagne, Roenick PP, Primeau)
Game 2 - PHI 3, NJ 2 (Recchi PP, Zhamnov, Timander)

Game 3 - NJ 4, PHI 2 (Elias 2, Martin, Gionta)

Philly and NJ both decide to score on the PP..The difference? NJ scored even strength as well, and Brodeur shuts the door.

Notable: 5ft 6inch Gionta hits the crossbar behind Esche from the neutral zone shortly before scoring to put Philly away.

Hey son - get you own sig, don't take to altering mine.

NJ finally found their PP, scoring on 3 of 5 chances. They are still having trouble on the PK, with Philly going 2 of 4.

NJ came out and played with the desparation that they lacked in Game 2, and once they had the lead, they clamped down defensively. The Devils are two different teams completely, depending upon whether they are ahead or behind.

As expected, the Devils also came out hitting after being called out by Burns for not playing physical. It almost cost them early, as they took a few bad penalities which the Flyers capitalized on. In the end, the Flyers out hit, out shot, and out chanced them, as well as winning the faceoff battle.

Two keys to NJ's win: 1) NJ's ability to make the last change, and not allowing Primeau's line to match up with the Gomez/Elias/Gionta line. Hitch said he liked the match up of NJ's top line vs. Roenick/Amonte/Zhamnov. I didn't like it too much. 2) NJ got the lucky bounces they needed. One goal off of Kim Johnsson's ass, and a second during a scrum in front, where a Flyer tried to sweep-clear the puck, hit a teammate's skate, sending the puck to Martin, who put it past a helpless Esche.

>Let's roll with the predictions, shit talking, and gloating,
>eh?

Okay, way late on this, but since everythings even at 2-1 right now, why not......

1st round:
Eastern Conference:
(1) Tampa Bay vs. (8) NY Islanders - Bolts in 5
(2) Boston vs. (7) Montreal - B's in 6
(3) Philadelphia vs. (6) New Jersey - Orange n Black in 6
(4) Toronto vs. (5) Ottawa - Sens in 7

Western Conference:
(1) Detroit vs. (8) Nashville - Wings in 5
(2) San Jose vs. (7) St. Louis - Sharks in 6
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Calgary - Calgary in 7
(4) Colorado vs. (5) Dallas - Stars in 7

2nd Round

East:
(1) Tampa Bay vs. (5) Ottawa - Ottawa in 6
(2) Boston vs. (3) Philadelphia - Flyers in 6

West:
(1) Detroit vs. (6) Calgary - Detroit in 6
(2) San Jose vs. (5) Dallas - San Jose in 7

Conference Finals
East
(3) Philadelphia vs. (5) Ottawa - Flyers in 7

West
(1) Detroit vs. (2) San Jose - Sharks in 7

Cup:

Flyers vs. Sharks - Flyers in 6

There it is... Philly homerism at its finest... but this is probably the best shot at seeing the cup come to the 215 anytime soon.

>Oh, and Fuck Tie Domi. Let the games begin.

word


***************************************
"yo a-ba-ba" - Tha Process 2000

"even at 2-1"

I think you did.

Fu**ing HAMMER Ohlund tonight.

That is all.



peace

damn, almost forgot about this game. the double header on cbc should be awesome tonight.

and yeah, i hope iginla rocks ohlund a few times.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

Every good playoff series has got to have a villain or two, now I've got mine. This dude feigns a seizure on the ice in game three and now comes out in game four and scores two goals on my Bruins. Please somebody get a nice clean hit on this guy and put his ass on the ice with some real pain.

I suppose I can settle for Quintal ...

horrible officiating.

holmstrom gets dragged down as he goes for a loose puck, slides on his knees towards the crease, vohkun punches him in the face... interference on holmstrom.

draper gets slashed in the face, blood gushing... no call.

then right after the blatant 4 minute penalty... wings get 3 penalties in a row.

but whatever... if we lose, we lose.

nashville isn't beating us at home, so if the series goes to 7 games... oh well.

Whine about it sooooooo much until the refs say, "You know what, Brett Hull? You're right. We missed that one and we're gonna make it up to you because you're just a classy guy." That usually works. ;)

but apparently whining to the refs during and after a game has no effect...

but it's brett friggin hull!

i guess you're supposed to finish a game even with bad calls... that's crazy... someone should tell the wings that.

...while I think the Wings will take this series, I know they didn't want it to go as far as it is going, and I don't think they expected it, which is shocking considering last year. These guys want no part of Vokoun right now. He's hungrier than hell.

I'm not really worried per se... just pissed.

We're doing the ol' take a billion useless shots and no real scoring chances routine a la last year.

What good is that? Well, not only does it frustrate our players, it makes the other goalie think he's unstoppable.

THe only worse place to live would be in COlorado.

Man these people got a team 6 years ago and they think they are diehard fans. Half of you guys don't even know the rules of hockey, and the other half are watching the game inbetween nascar races.


So Said the Pro-Black Prophet:

You are righteous, but a God fearing Devil.Saved by grace, but lost by humanity

The history of all hitherto existing society(2) is the history of class struggles-Karl Marx


``Bush couldn't debate a Cuban 9th-grader,''-Fidel Castro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.che-lives.com

Che-Lives: Greatest marixist community around


http://www.marxists.org

Marxist Internet Archive: Your Source for every Marxist writing ever created


www.sp-usa.org

Socialist Party of the USA: Greatest Political party on earth

REMEMBER REGIME CHANGE BEGINS AT HOME...VOTE!!!!

Walter Brown for President, the Socialist Party Candidate

http://www.waltbrownforpresident.org/


Vote Nader, Ralph Nader, the former Green Party Candidate, now running as an independent

http://www.votenader.com/


THE REDSTAR2000 Papers

http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com/

Written by my good friend and comrade Redstar2000. Check it out to get his take on some issues, from sex to the evils of capitalism

"You know what, Brett Hull? You're right. We missed that one and we're gonna make it up to you because you're just a classy guy."

Is way too funny. Hahahahaha.



peace

HOW COULD YOU NOT SEE THAT IT WENT IN? Anyway, review counted it with 22 seconds to go and we got bonus hockey!

i had to turn off the wings game... now i get some OT! woo!

There hasn't been near as much as last year, when there were overtime thrillers galore. I love it.

On another note, Ribeiro is showing why it was such a fucking shame that he has to be a bitch -- this guy can fucking play. And Kovalev is awake.

he never touched it. I seriously hate him, though.

What a way to finish. You gotta toughen up in the playoffs, dont be whining to look for a penalty. They looked real cool banging into each other, allowing murray to break in.

>horrible officiating.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

I dont'remember the lasrt time i watched a hockey game and got excited about it...

4-0 baby!!!!!!!!!!

Phenomenal game 6 Triple OT tonight. Should be a great 7th game.

Okay so it's 2-2 now, but from what I'm going to hear tomorrow you'd think they'd won the fucking cup.

You know why the Preds won? Because of Vokoun. Granted the Preds got some goals, but lets be honest, it would have atleast been 3-3 had some other goalie been in net for the preds. Thanks Legace...Cujo don't fuck up


So Said the Pro-Black Prophet:

You are righteous, but a God fearing Devil.Saved by grace, but lost by humanity

The history of all hitherto existing society(2) is the history of class struggles-Karl Marx


``Bush couldn't debate a Cuban 9th-grader,''-Fidel Castro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.che-lives.com

Che-Lives: Greatest marixist community around


http://www.marxists.org

Marxist Internet Archive: Your Source for every Marxist writing ever created


www.sp-usa.org

Socialist Party of the USA: Greatest Political party on earth

REMEMBER REGIME CHANGE BEGINS AT HOME...VOTE!!!!

Walter Brown for President, the Socialist Party Candidate

http://www.waltbrownforpresident.org/


Vote Nader, Ralph Nader, the former Green Party Candidate, now running as an independent

http://www.votenader.com/


THE REDSTAR2000 Papers

http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com/

Written by my good friend and comrade Redstar2000. Check it out to get his take on some issues, from sex to the evils of capitalism

You can't underestimate the rest of the team though. They've been playing well in front of Vokoun and scoring the timely goals but Vokoun is still the team's best player and if they're gonna go far into the playoffs, he has to carry this team on his back.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

Even if Detroit had me in net and Nashville had a second string goalie in, The Wings would still win. If i was on the preds team I'd do anything Cokoun wanted, they owe him.

So Said the Pro-Black Prophet:

You are righteous, but a God fearing Devil.Saved by grace, but lost by humanity

The history of all hitherto existing society(2) is the history of class struggles-Karl Marx


``Bush couldn't debate a Cuban 9th-grader,''-Fidel Castro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.che-lives.com

Che-Lives: Greatest marixist community around


http://www.marxists.org

Marxist Internet Archive: Your Source for every Marxist writing ever created


www.sp-usa.org

Socialist Party of the USA: Greatest Political party on earth

REMEMBER REGIME CHANGE BEGINS AT HOME...VOTE!!!!

Walter Brown for President, the Socialist Party Candidate

http://www.waltbrownforpresident.org/


Vote Nader, Ralph Nader, the former Green Party Candidate, now running as an independent

http://www.votenader.com/


THE REDSTAR2000 Papers

http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com/

Written by my good friend and comrade Redstar2000. Check it out to get his take on some issues, from sex to the evils of capitalism

>Even if Detroit had me in net and Nashville had a second
>string goalie in, The Wings would still win. If i was on the
>preds team I'd do anything Cokoun wanted, they owe him.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

.

Looked like a slash to me, but you can't give up on the play and look down like that. Absolutely brutal way to lose for the Habs. The Canadiens should have sealed it in the 3rd, Raycroft was huge.

whole buncha pussies out in montreal.

I can't believe this shit. 30 seconds from tying the series, and now we're down 3-1. This fucking sucks.

I can't really put any blame on Kovalev even though I agree that he gave up on the play, since he was by far the best player on the ice tonight not named Raycroft. He created so many plays, it's ridiculous. Besides...if Souray just skates around him, we don't have a problem.

What a sad fucking way to lose a game that we clearly deserved to win. Shit...the Habs could be up 3-1 the way they've played the last 3 games, but fucking Raycroft is standing on his head.

I don't think we have a hope in hell now, but stranger things have happened. The only positive is that we have outplayed Boston the last 3 games. Hopefully, our luck will change.

Kovalev, Koivu and Zednik are playing amazing right now, so that's encouraging.

Theo is giving me heart attacks on every shot now. I have no confidence in him right now.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

You're lucky to have won one game. I've never seen a bigger squad of pussies and chumps.

Get the fuck outta here with that.

Yes, Ribeiro pulled a bitch move in game 3, but you know what? He scored two in game 4. Yes, Kovalev gave up after the slash, but he was the best player on the ice all game.

Who else is a pussy? Souray? Begin? Please. Boston has a huge size advantage over us, and we are handling them physically. Thornton, Murray and Knuble have been manhandled by Koivu's line.

Boston has been the lucky team this series. They could easily be down 3-1.

Fuck them...even if they move on, they'll be swept in round 2. Bitches.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

Nobody has even manhandled the Thornton line. That kind of thought needs to be stopped right now.

Second...Ribeiro didnt score that first goal. Everybody knows that, and it was a fluke shot from the blue line. RIBEIRO NEVER TOUCHED IT.

The entire squad looks like a buncha 2-bit panzies, even the crowd! Whining and yelling for every infraction. It's the playoffs, bitches.

Yeah, like crying about a slash in 2OT is acceptable. That move ruined anything good Kovalev has done, and he will be viewed as an inferior "hockey" player from now till forever. The entire team has been embarassed in both games 3 and 4. What kind of hockey player writhes in pain, faking an injury...and then taunts the other team from the bench once there. That incident should be investigated by the leage, and heavy fines should be levied for tarnishing the game.

Nothing can be said to reverse or even diminish the mark left on the Canadians bye those two (three including souray) players.

I remember two years ago...whatever chump was the coach then...he was practically in tears after the McLaren hit. Is all of Montreal up in arms over Thorntons hit on Markov? 100% legit.

Also, in regard to Thronton (aka the best player in the game) - he has been hurt. Game 4 was the first game where he really stood out, which is a good sign.

This Canadians team will go down in history as the most shady, degenerate team in hockey history.

(and I haven't even mentioned the booing of the national anthem, since I personally don't care - but general consensus is that it isnt for political reason {which I'd support})

The most degenrate team in history? Okaaaaayyyyyy... I admit Ribeiro pulled a bitch move, and Kovalev should not have given up on that play, but that is nowhere near enough to justify the ridiculous statements you made in your post.

As for the Thornton line...manhandled was a poor choice of words on my part because it has more to do with physical play. What I meant to say is that the Koivu line has totally outplayed Boston's big line in this series. Total domination actually. You ask me if I watch hockey...if you watched the last 3 games of this series, there is no way you could say that Boston hasn't been outplayed.

Also, if Theo plays anywhere near the level he should be, this series isn't even close after game 1. He has let in several soft goals that have kept Boston in games or given them the lead.

Bottom line...Montreal has played better thsn Boston the last 3 games, but due to some bad breaks and a couple of stupid plays, we're down 3-1 instead of at least being tied. I don't think they will be able to come back now, especially since that goal seems to have delivered a bit of a blow to team chemistry.

As for Boston...if they intend to go far in the playoffs, they better step up their game big time, because they will not beat Toronto, Ottawa, Philly or Tampa in the next round.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

Andrew Raycroft, who would disagree with you on all points. And I think Nylander and his three goals, Bergeron's 5 points and Samsonov's 5 assists speak differently too. I repeat: ThORton was InjUred.

Outplayed ? Last 3 games? Yeah, that 3-1 game was real close...

you kill me.

Dude, what 3-1 game? You just showed how close you've been following this series. The last 3 games were decided by one goal. In each of those games, the Habs had more scoring chances than the Bruins. The fact that you bring up Raycroft just proves my point. If Raycroft doesn't stand on his head this series, the Habs are up 3-1. The Bruins have been outplayed, regardless of how many points Nylander and Samsonov have.

Let me review the series with you, since you seem to be pretty foggy about it. Game one was dominated by the Bruins. Case closed. They had 23 shots in the first period. Habs played like shit. Game 2, from the 2nd period on, the Habs were the better team, but couldn't beat Raycroft to take the lead. The game goes to overtime, and Theo lets in a softie. Game 3, the Habs dominated the first 2 periods and held on for the win. Game 4, the Habs dominated the first 2 periods and let in the tying goal with 30 seconds to go in the 3rd. They get way more quality scoring chances in overtime than the Bruins, but lose on a stupid play.

Does that clear things up for you. There is no way you can prove to me that Boston has outplayed Montreal the last 3 games. Flip flop the two goalies and you can flip flop how this series stands as well. Raycroft has been the best player on the ice, but that doesn't mean his team is outplaying the Habs.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

"Dude, what 3-1 game?"

Thornton the best player in the world, he's great but FUCK NO. The Habs have been outplaying the Bruins but why would you care at all since your team is up 3-1, I don't get it.

Theodore has been shaky at the best of times. I still can't believe he let that o.t. goal in by Patrice. Weak.

Attacking the Canadiens organization is just idiotic. But hey they are only the most storied franchise in hockey history. Good thing you don't take shit personal.



peace



peace

That doesn't mean they ain't a buncha assholes now. The way the last two games have ended is embarrasing, no? Eh?

And yes, I will stand by Joe being #1 in the game right now. He didn't have his best year, but he's a joy and privilege to watch, and I'm excited at the prospect of him being healthy the rest of the way...presumably against PHI in the second round.

that's what i get for rambling on. I merely mixed up games 1 and 2 - 3,0 and 2,1. Game two was the only game I didn't watch completely, but I caught the end on the radio.

Regardless, the canadians look pretty bad. And regardless, nobody thinks the Habs are even close to as talented as the Bruins. Fuck a storied franchise - they look stupid as hell, including their fans. The way they've played and acted is an embarasment to the game. I can't wait to finish them off tommorrow night. I'll be gloating in this post.

And Thornton is the best player in the game.

I in no way defend Ribeiro after his actions in game 3. I was watching the game at the bar I work at with a bunch of people, and as soon as he got up, I said he was a bastard. When I saw the replay, I laughed, because it was ludicrous. When he taunted the Bruins I felt bad, because he was acting like a jackass. That being said, Ribeiro does not represent the entire Canadiens organization. Everyone knows he's an immature, albeit very skilled, player. Koivu had a fight with him in a practice to keep him in line during the season. I doubt anyone in the dressing room was happy about what he did.

As for Kovalev...he gave up on the play...it was stupid, but I can't necessarily blame him. He played great, and honestly, when I saw the replay, the puck was about 10 feet away from him before Souray collided with him. Souray could have skated towards the puck. Anyways, I think Kovalev will have a good game 5.

As for the fans...if you mean the booing of the antherm...yeah, that shit has to stop. But you have to realize that it isn't all the fans doing it.

The Canadiens are a great organization, and since Bob Gainey has been GM, they have really been going in the right direction.

Boston might have more talented players, but Montreal plays a better team game and plays better defense.

As for Thornton, I think he is top 5, but I don't think he is the best...not yet. That title still belongs to a healthy Peter Forsberg.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

And I'm sure you understand my enthusiasm for nailing the Canadians for those two stupid plays. Considering they happened at the end of playff games, they will be remembered a lot more.

Also, if the game is out of reach for the Canadians late in Game 5. I hope nothing serious happens - I don't want to see any of our guys get hurt.

And not in the top five. Does he have the tools to be? Of course. But the guy disappears in the playoffs too often to be put into a class with Markus Naslund, Peter Forsberg, etc.

I realize he's the star player and star players get ridden pretty hard in the post season, but truly elite players are able to fight through it and produce at least a little. Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic do. Mario did. Wayne.

Now, you might say, they had/have better supporting casts than Joe, but I don't think so. He's got Glen Murray, a 30+ goal guy, and the second line is pretty potent.

and them booing the anthem: stupidity at its best. I'm not defending the fans of the team, you just can't.

I love Joe, he's an incredible player & the epitome of a beast. The hands, the reach, the shot, the physical play & finally he'll get to use it for Team Canada in September. The Bruins are more talented for sure but the Habs are still capable of winning the series. Do I think they will? Nope. Raycroft is seeing the puck before it's being shot (you know what I mean).



peace

the guy gave up on the play, blocked his own man from getting the puck, and gift wraped a double overtime game winner to allow his team to go down 3-1 in the series. A big time goal scorer when he's on, but an even bigger pussy.

for being slashed. He should've gotten the hell out of the way though. He was still the best skater on the ice, if Habs fans want to find some consolation. The penalty call in O.T. was a good one, Lapointe had both of his arms wrapped around Alexei. Too bad they coudln't capitalize.

Raycroft was good and really lucky. But you've got to be good to be lucky and vice-versa.

What a shitty way to lose.

peace

raycroft. stanly cup mvp.

I hope he enjoys that award, while Eddie Belfour takes home the real 'Stanley' Cup MVP award.

>raycroft. stanly cup mvp.

...... is obviously crucial for both teams. I expect the Isles to come out and play like their season is on the line (which it is, basically). They have to play with a real sense of urgency tonight, or it'll be all over way too quick.

Now, if only the Isles can figure out a way to beat Khabiboulin.

______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

make the lower seeds look good, since Montreal is an embarassment to the league.

alfredsson.

it's about damn time.

too bad the pk sucks, or ottawa might actually be leading the game.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

that Sundin is badly injured.


That is all.


peace

fantastic when one has to wish that the opposition's best player is hurt in order for their team to win the series.

Like there wouldn't be parties up and down Bay St. if Hossa or Alfredsson went down.

The Sens can win this series with the Leafs 100% healthy. Same goes for the Leafs. At this point it could go either way.

Hahahaha. Not even close. However I will cheer for anyone that is playing the leafs. Never say that ish again. Ottawa, that's good.

And yeah what he said, if any of the top players on the Sens got injured Leaf fans would be cheering as well. Plus I said YOU can only hope Sundin is badly injured. Maybe I shouldn't have said badly injured but injured nonetheless.



peace

I realize they're not your team. Your comment did however definitely summarize the hopes and aspirations of Senators fans, and that's what I was responding to.

Enjoy hating on the storied Leafs franchise though. Interesting to hate on a team that represents the Mecca of Hockey.

but the Leafs however are not.

This best of 5 series is going to be really good. The Leafs need Nieuy though. That back injury just isn't going away though. Why is Antropov in the line-up, just to throw a few dumb penalties in here and there? Dude CANNOT skate, has no shot, and is just a weak piece of crap.

That shot by Hossa was nasty, Eddie is still looking for it.



peace

...because he's big. And Ottawa is big. In case you haven't noticed, Bob Cole seems to be under the impression that Chara's first name is "Big." He's played well with Nieuwendyk (notice how much he sucked last night? Riiiight...) and we need to out there to muscle in front of the net. I'm not absolving Patty Quinn of all responsibility here. I thought a lot of the lines anmd matchups were iffy, and having Domi and Reichel on the power play is just mind-boggling. In fact, having Reichel in the game, period, with Stajan as a healthy scratch is just silly pig-headed old-school thinking. The kid's gotta take his playoff licks sometimes. Why not now, with friggin' old, slow-ass Reichel just killing our power play? I can't fault Patty for Antropov not coming through. He's just gotta work harder, and his linemates have to do their best to mimic Joey and work the puck themselves.

is garbage no matter who he's playing with...he's still Antropov. Karbele blows as well, no matter who he's partnered with. His defensive zone coverage is almost non-existent.

You can't say anything to defend those two, all the Leaf fans I know whole heartedly agree, and if you think differently then you're being foolish.

Straight garbage, both of them.



peace

>is garbage no matter who he's playing with...he's still
>Antropov.

This is an silly comment given the success he had with Joey and Ponikarovsky near the end of the season. You say he can't skate, eh? Brilliant observation. He's not out there to push the puck. Quinn has to find a way to take advantage of Nikolai's size with Nieuwendyk out of the lineup.

Karbele blows as well, no matter who he's
>partnered with. His defensive zone coverage is almost
>non-existent.

Kaberle is a disappointment.

>>is garbage no matter who he's playing with...he's still
>>Antropov.
>
>This is an silly comment given the success he had with Joey
>and Ponikarovsky near the end of the season. You say he
>can't skate, eh? Brilliant observation. He's not out there
>to push the puck. Quinn has to find a way to take advantage
>of Nikolai's size with Nieuwendyk out of the lineup.


Nope, he can't skate. He's so weak on his feet and on the puck. His size means nothing (reach maybe). Why is he out there anyways?





>
> Karbele blows as well, no matter who he's
>>partnered with. His defensive zone coverage is almost
>>non-existent.
>
>Kaberle is a disappointment.



He's horrible.



peace

>His size means nothing (reach maybe

Are you that dumb? He's 6'6, 230. Who else do you propose the Leafs put in front of the net with Chara around? Atropov was effective with Niewendyk and Ponikarovsky. This argument is retarded.

how big he is. You're right this argument is retarded...there is NO argument. Why do you keep telling me who he's been playing with? I said HE sucks. Funny that ALL the Leaf fans I know agree, funny indeed.

HE FU**KING SUCKS. End of discussion.



peace

Well all the Leafs fans I know agree with me. Let's have a fucking dance-off or something. Jackass.

Most of the Ottawa goals on Wednesday were a result of their ability to control the front of the net, create screens, keep Belfour from getting comfortable...So you're suggesting we adapt to this by taking out biggest player out of the lineup? The guy only got 13 minutes on Wednesday anyway. Tom Fitzgerald got 14. Robert Fucking Reichel got 19! I'm far more concerned about the 20 minutes Robert Reichel spent on the ice than this horseshit. Seriously, your level of stupidity is really boggling my mind on this one.

I mean, we shut your asses out two games out of four with him in the lineup, so I don't see why you care so much in the first place...

we need him to really, really step up now. He has been by far the most frustrating Leaf so far. He's not skating, taking those retarded penalties etc. I've been waiting for him to prove himself for so long now. Will he finally do it at the most important time? Let's freakin hope so.
About Reichel and Stajan, seriously, it's time to make that move. We have to create more chances, and (it's looking like) without Mats and Nieuwendyk, we're going to need as many people who can potentially do something on offence, on the ice. The Senators have put their kid in there, we should do the same.

should be in there. If only to inject some exuberence. Belfour's been taking it back to '91 but it's hard to see where any offense is going to come from.

What's Gilmour doing now?

n/m



peace

>I realize they're not your team. Your comment did however
>definitely summarize the hopes and aspirations of Senators
>fans, and that's what I was responding to.
>
>Enjoy hating on the storied Leafs franchise though.
>Interesting to hate on a team that represents the Mecca of
>Hockey.

The city of Toronto is certainly the top hockey market, but that franchise, and no Stanley Cups in 37 years, isn't anything to be THAT proud of. This isn't Detroit or Montreal or shit, even Edmonton or New Jersey.

Unless you were alive during those glory years then you've seen your team win as many Cups as I have, and at the end of the day, Cups are at all that matters. Not President's Trophy's or division titles or conference final appearances.

None of that negates what I said. I said that the Leafs franchise is storied, which it obviously is. And, I said that they represent Toronto, which is a great hockey city. Those two things aren't really debatable.
Yeah, there hasn't been a Cup since 1967, and as a result, I haven't witnessed any of them. This is even more reason for the Leafs to finally win one again. A great hockey city, with great tradition and loyal fans. We deserve a Cup more than anyone else.

I'm going to give the Sens a lot of credit for that win. Their size advantage on the blue line is paying dividends, and that's the only way they'll beat Belfour on a regular basis. Fine. We'll adapt to that and win the series, or we won't and we'll fight it out for three more games. Ottawa played well tonight and kept the Leafs from controlling the zone more than any other game this series.

But as for that backwoods fucking hick town of Ottawa, you do NOT boo the injury of a star in this league who hasn't done a fucking thing to lose the respect of the opposition. And no, what I'm saying does not apply to the intelligent Sens fans on this site. I know the Sens fans who fill the Corel Centre, small majority though they may be, idolize Toronto, ape everything Toronto does...But they need to understand that we don't boo Alfredsson because he's Swedish or because he scores goals. We boo Alfredsson because of this history of the rivalry between the Sens and the Leafs. And booing a player when he's hurt, let alone a team captain and all-star in the league, is some of the biggest bush-league horseshit I've ever seen. I wash my hands of that entire little hick town, and I'm confident that tonight was just another glimmer of hope that leads to more disppointment in Ottawa, just like you've had glimmers of hope the year before last, and the year before that...So that's my piece. You kids can go back to praying Nieuwendyk and Sundin don't come back.

Oh, and before I go to bed, Mick McGeough and Don Koharski can eat a fat dick. That was a shitty, shitty, shitty officiating job for both teams, and an absolute horseshit way to call a playoff hockey game. Without question the two worst officials in the league.

>I'm going to give the Sens a lot of credit for that win.

Wait, this isn't Zeno. Who has signed in under his name?

>But as for that backwoods fucking hick town of Ottawa

Ah, there ya go. Such anger.

>, you do NOT boo the injury of a star in this league who hasn't
>done a fucking thing to lose the respect of the opposition.

You cheer his injury? They booed because they thought he was faking it to stop a fast break up the ice the other way. Not something I would do, but there are idiots in every city. Ottawa, Toronto, fucking Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

>I know the Sens fans who fill the
>Corel Centre, small majority though they may be

You're still hung up on this, aren't you. I went to Game 4. I can tell you, first hand, the ratio was like 80:20 for Sens fans. I saw it with my own two eyes. Now, those 20% probably made more noise per person than the 80% Sens fan, but Leafs fans are obnoxiously loud. It's their thing. I only hate it when they win and I have to hear it as I'm walking to my car fighting back tears.

>But they need to
>understand that we don't boo Alfredsson because he's Swedish
>or because he scores goals. We boo Alfredsson because of
>this history of the rivalry between the Sens and the Leafs.
>And booing a player when he's hurt, let alone a team captain
>and all-star in the league, is some of the biggest
>bush-league horseshit I've ever seen.

Alfredsson is a team captain. Alfredsson is an all-star. He's very well respected in the league, considering he's a VP of the NHLPA, which is decided by other players. And if he got injured, lots of the Leafs fans would ejaculate all over each other. How is Sundin's situation different?

I don't have a problem with Alfredsson being booed, at all. It's part of the game, and he's paid a lot of money to play it, so the least he can do is deal with a bit of negative noise. But you act like if Alfredsson got hurt, it's okay to boo him because he made a joke about throwing a stick, which Sundin even said was blown way out of proportion?

>Oh, and before I go to bed, Mick McGeough and Don Koharski
>can eat a fat dick. That was a shitty, shitty, shitty
>officiating job for both teams, and an absolute horseshit
>way to call a playoff hockey game. Without question the two
>worst officials in the league.

Agreed. Very bad calls both ways.

They booed because they thought he was
>faking it to stop a fast break up the ice the other way. Not
>something I would do, but there are idiots in every city.

Yeah, and they were wrong, so I have the right to call them on being a dumb fucking crowd.

>You're still hung up on this, aren't you. I went to Game 4.
>I can tell you, first hand, the ratio was like 80:20 for
>Sens fans. I saw it with my own two eyes. Now, those 20%
>probably made more noise per person than the 80% Sens fan,
>but Leafs fans are obnoxiously loud. It's their thing. I
>only hate it when they win and I have to hear it as I'm
>walking to my car fighting back tears.

If 80% of the crowd is getting drowned out by Leafs fans, that's fucking sad and you should be ashamed. "Obnoxiously loud"? This is tennis all of a sudden? Fuck prissy fans.

>Alfredsson is a team captain. Alfredsson is an all-star.
>He's very well respected in the league, considering he's a
>VP of the NHLPA, which is decided by other players. And if
>he got injured, lots of the Leafs fans would ejaculate all
>over each other. How is Sundin's situation different?

The Sundin situation is different because Mats Sundin is a classy guy, and Mats Sundin never checked any Senator from behind during the playoffs and talked shit about it afterwards.

>I don't have a problem with Alfredsson being booed, at all.
>It's part of the game, and he's paid a lot of money to play
>it, so the least he can do is deal with a bit of negative
>noise. But you act like if Alfredsson got hurt, it's okay to
>boo him because he made a joke about throwing a stick, which
>Sundin even said was blown way out of proportion?

The stick-throwing shit was the icing on the cake. The Alfredsson booing goes back two years. I realize Ottawa fans probably can't remember that far back, or choose not to because if they do they'll recall yet another embarassing defeat. This is just further evidence that Senators fans have absolutely no idea why they're booing Sundin other than the standard Toronto penis-envy.

For someone who claims Ottawa has all this envy of Toronto, and to a certain extent I think it's true, you're pretty bitter towards the city of Ottawa. Take a Midol already.

It isn't. And they don't have the right to boo Mats Sundin.

They have the right to boo who ever they want when they buy a ticket.

>They booed because they thought he was
>>faking it to stop a fast break up the ice the other way. Not
>>something I would do, but there are idiots in every city.
>
>Yeah, and they were wrong, so I have the right to call them
>on being a dumb fucking crowd.

But I'm saying, it was the minority, and it's something that would happen in every city. Ottawa is not any less moral than Toronto. There are idiots everywhere. Stop being a fucking retard.

>If 80% of the crowd is getting drowned out by Leafs fans,
>that's fucking sad and you should be ashamed. "Obnoxiously
>loud"? This is tennis all of a sudden? Fuck prissy fans.

Getting drowned out? This is revisionist history. The cheers for the goals are not comparable. There are more Sens fans than Leafs fans in the Corel Centre. Period. Sens fans are not as loud as Leafs fans and I wish they were but what can you do. The ACC isn't a mecca of noise either, because the tickets are so damned expensive that it's more corporate than joe fan. I would say the Leafs fans in the Corel Centre are probably a better reflection of the average guy. And the obnoxiously loud comment was a joke. Jeez.

>The Sundin situation is different because Mats Sundin is a
>classy guy, and Mats Sundin never checked any Senator from
>behind during the playoffs and talked shit about it
>afterwards.

Talked shit? Remind me what me said because I can honestly, truly, not remember it. If he talked trash than surely you could dig up quotes or links to an article because he's pretty mellow and uninteresting in interviews so I doubt he would ruffle any feathers that way. And don't say "oh, I can't but I REMEMBER IT WELL" because you clearly have selective memory in everything else Leafs related.

And yes, it was a hit from behind. But the Leafs still went on to win the series, so why does it matter again?

>The stick-throwing shit was the icing on the cake. The
>Alfredsson booing goes back two years. I realize Ottawa
>fans probably can't remember that far back, or choose not to
>because if they do they'll recall yet another embarassing
>defeat. This is just further evidence that Senators fans
>have absolutely no idea why they're booing Sundin other than
>the standard Toronto penis-envy.

They boo him because he's the best player on the other team, by far, and do not want him to do well. Is this hard to understand? I think most Sens fans respect him as a player, the same way most Leafs fans (I would hope) respect say Marian Hossa. But they boo because they think it will get him off his game. Kinda like why all booing goes on.

Seriously, you're a little girl.

>But I'm saying, it was the minority, and it's something that
>would happen in every city. Ottawa is not any less moral
>than Toronto. There are idiots everywhere. Stop being a
>fucking retard.

Ottawa is not "less moral" than Toronto. Ottawa is, to say the absolute least, not as savvy as Toronto. Ottawa, to be more accurate, is demonstrating itself to be a bandwagon city that's taking Hockey Fan 101 from watching Leafs games without any sense whatsoever.

>Getting drowned out? This is revisionist history. The cheers
>for the goals are not comparable. There are more Sens fans
>than Leafs fans in the Corel Centre. Period. Sens fans are
>not as loud as Leafs fans and I wish they were but what can
>you do. The ACC isn't a mecca of noise either, because the
>tickets are so damned expensive that it's more corporate
>than joe fan. I would say the Leafs fans in the Corel Centre
>are probably a better reflection of the average guy. And the
>obnoxiously loud comment was a joke. Jeez.

Even the Bay Street Leafs fans seemed to be pretty loud tonight, no?

>Talked shit? Remind me what me said because I can honestly,
>truly, not remember it. If he talked trash than surely you
>could dig up quotes or links to an article because he's
>pretty mellow and uninteresting in interviews so I doubt he
>would ruffle any feathers that way. And don't say "oh, I
>can't but I REMEMBER IT WELL" because you clearly have
>selective memory in everything else Leafs related.
>
>And yes, it was a hit from behind. But the Leafs still went
>on to win the series, so why does it matter again?

That's more than Alfredsson said. I can't believe you consider Daniel Alfredsson mellow. He's a huge hothead. He makes idiotic loudmouth predictions. He claimed the Game 5 hit in 2002 was clean. It was not. If he'd done that to any player other than Darcy Tucker, he wouldn't have been around to see the Sens lose games 6 and 7.

>They boo him because he's the best player on the other team,
>by far, and do not want him to do well. Is this hard to
>understand? I think most Sens fans respect him as a player,
>the same way most Leafs fans (I would hope) respect say
>Marian Hossa. But they boo because they think it will get
>him off his game. Kinda like why all booing goes on.

I don't know what part of this you aren't understanding. I'm a Leafs fan. I know why the Leafs' fans boo Daniel Alfredsson. They never booed him every time he touches the puck before game 5 of 2002. Now they do. Simple as that.

>Seriously, you're a little girl.

And you're two days away from taking a well-deserved hiatus from this thread.

>Ottawa is not "less moral" than Toronto. Ottawa is, to say
>the absolute least, not as savvy as Toronto. Ottawa, to be
>more accurate, is demonstrating itself to be a bandwagon
>city that's taking Hockey Fan 101 from watching Leafs games
>without any sense whatsoever.

Well we all secretly want to live in Scarborough but alas cannot afford it.
>Even the Bay Street Leafs fans seemed to be pretty loud
>tonight, no?

Sure, they cheer when there is a goal, but doesn't everyone? My point was MLG and the ACC haven't been known as the loudest arenas either so a Leafs fan criticizing Sens fans for being pussy is kinda strange. Not that they're not, but I mean, a pussy calling someone else a pussy isn't really fair, is it?

>That's more than Alfredsson said. I can't believe you
>consider Daniel Alfredsson mellow. He's a huge hothead. He
>makes idiotic loudmouth predictions. He claimed the Game 5
>hit in 2002 was clean. It was not. If he'd done that to
>any player other than Darcy Tucker, he wouldn't have been
>around to see the Sens lose games 6 and 7.

Well what did you expect him to say? "Yes, that was a hit from behind"? It was not a proud moment but what can ya do? Dwelling on it just seems kinda, I dunno, pathetic. If the Sens woulda went on to win the series, then sure, you can bitch and moan about 'til the cows come home, but they didn't. The Leafs spanked them and all was right in the world was it not?

>I don't know what part of this you aren't understanding.
>I'm a Leafs fan. I know why the Leafs' fans boo Daniel
>Alfredsson. They never booed him every time he touches the
>puck before game 5 of 2002. Now they do. Simple as that.

They never really booed him before the stick throwing incident. At least not with this kind of anger.

Anyway, I just think think it's silly to boo someone because of something two years ago, that didn't end up meaning a thing, and a dumb, poorly timed joke. Just boo him because he's a great player for your rival. But please stop doing it in our building. It makes me sad.

>And you're two days away from taking a well-deserved hiatus
>from this thread.

Haha nah. I'm a hockey fan before I'm a Sens fan.

I could not see the game last night, but I will be honest the fact that this series is not over bothers me. I will be able to see the game tomorrow, but I'm not as confident as I had been about their ability to dominate this team.

On another note check out them Senators with the 3-1 lead in the third period, this might turn out to be one of the best series in this year's playoffs.

They have played surprisingly well. Their quickness has been their biggest asset against the Wings. They are limiting the Wings efficiency, especially on the PP. Hull, Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been quiet all series but I wouldn't count on it for long.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

So THAT'S why you were the 8th seed. Golf is fun too though.



peace

How the fuck can you get shut out three times in four games? This is embarrassing.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

"I told you so" If I knew who Mr. Jenkins was then maybe it'd be, but no. The Isles just have no offensive threat for the Bulin wall. Correct me if I'm wrong but you can't win if you can't score (c) the Sens in games 2 & 3.



peace

...what I told Turkeyleg would happen.

They've got 8 different players who have scored 20 or more goals in a season before. One would think at least one of those guys could beat Khabiboulin.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

but apparently we couldn't either.

PHI 1 - OTT 0
OTT 3 - PHI 0
OTT 3 - PHI 0
OTT 3 - PHI 0
OTT 2 - PHI 1

I still remember that series and smile. Smile at the faces of fucking gay Flyers fans.

expected the Isles to win the series (other then their fans of course). Peca hasn't been the same since that hit by Tucker a few years ago. And their other best player Yashin has no heart.

Tampa's firepower is no joke, and Vinnie hasn't even gotten it going yet.




peace

close them out a.s.a.p. & let Kariya get healthy.



peace

This kid has been injured all season long but he's shown a lot in two-three games he played in the regular season and four playoff games.

The Stars outplayed the Avs, no question, but Aebischer was magnificent in goal tonight. Scoring early has been key for them because their defense is still suspect.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

Looks like everyone is sleeping on the avs. Flip that switch in the playoffs.

Like my man King says:
http://www.salon.com/news/sports/col/kaufman/2004/04/14/wednesday/index.html

Unfortunately, I only got to see about 10 minutes of last night's game, as my girl returned from France. But I did tape it, so I'll be watching tonight.

Anyway, I did see enough to know that Esche stood on his head last night. The big fear after Game 3 was Brodeur - he always steals a game in a series with his big play, and that hadn't happened yet. Esche stole his thunder, making 35 saves for the shutout.

Now I always said Esche deserved the nod in the playoffs ahead of Burke, but I was reserved in my praise until I saw exactly how he handled the pressure. I have absolutely no reservations now. He is the steadiest backstop we've had since Hextall and is showing the poise and confidence that Cechmanek lacked.

Once again, Primeau was a force on the ice. He has racked up over 30 hits in the four games, plus he's scoring. Hitch's line shake-ups now make him look like a genius. Recchi/Primeau/LeClair and Gagne/Handzus/Kapanen are great combinations of speed, scoring touch, and power.

I predicted this series in 6; however, I wouldn't be surprised to see Philly wrap it up at home on Saturday.

P.S. Bryan, you can still sign up if you want.

He's officially off my hit list now. He actually matters out there this series. The last couple years his play was screaming "waive me". Got off the snide goalwise and is throwing his weight around in this series.





"I'm Rick James biatch! Enjoy yourself."

He speaks with his words and his play. He never takes a night off. He hits, kills penalties, and is always matched up against the other teams' best lines - usually shutting them down.

He doesn't score that much anymore, but when he does, they are usually big goals. Last night's goal was the nail in the coffin, and his goal in Game 1 was the eventual game winner.

Let's not sleep on Primeau. Everyone wanted him to score 30 goals a year since he "took the place" of Lindros, but that's not his game now. He's grown into his leadership position, and the Flyers are obviously not the same without him (see: Flyers' performance down the stretch)

yeah, i gotta give it up to primeau, he is playing well...as far as Esche..to me, he is still what Weekes was to Carolina in the first round of 2001...ridiculously lucky

nobody is stepping up for the devs..i thought langenbrunner, friesen or kozlov would do more than they are.

coulnt watch game 4 (it was blacked out in my area..#$&$!&*..), but i think it would have been too frustrating..why cant they get to rebounds..they make everything so difficult..instead, i sat amazed as dallas didnt win it in the first OT

i guess the devs do miss stevens..

and relax..i wasnt "sig-jacking"...just amending one

He had a great year, with numbers about identical to Brodeur's, minus the win total. His GAA & Save % would have been better than Broduer had he not had a dip at the end of the season. And had that dip happened in mid-season, no one would have the doubts about him that they do now.

And remember, he's not a rookie. He's a playoff rookie. He's been in the league for 5 years. The usually happy-go-lucky guy has taken a serious, almost stern approach to the playoffs. He is complete focused on the job and not caught up in the so-called "playoff pressure" he should be experiencing.

If anyone was lucky, it was NJ in Game 3 getting goals off asses and pin-ball clearing attempts in front of the net.

Let's not demean Esche by calling him "lucky".

oh, no doubt NJ got lucky in Game 3...as Philly has in all their wins.

This has been a strange series so far..we'll see what transpires.

I dont mean to say Esche is playing poorly by any means and saying he is lucky is not demeaning; when the Brylins and the Friesens shoot wide or are just out of the reach of juicy rebounds, the opposing goalie has been fortunate..

I feel like you zeal for phlyers hockey is not allowing you to see the game objectively...when pucks bounce of the endboards out in front of brodeur, and zhamnovs taps in pucks between his legs, not only is brodeur playing like ass...he is getting unlucky..

Fuck you Zednik. ANOTHER FLOPPER!!!

Ok, one flopper in a series is disgusting enough. But this time the refs wouldn't even call it.

And before that, LaPointe took 4-5 different crosschecks from different Canadians, over the course of perhaps 45 seconds of play...and only got one call.

But no longer can anyone defend the Canadians - as they've CONTINUED for the THIRD STRAIGHT GAME to whine and flop and dive and act and cry and generally, be a bunch of pussies.

And, for an update of Ribeiro - Yes. Taking Shots at sergei samsonov is manly.

this has gone beyond bullshit.

you flopping fucks.

just treated mike ribeiro like a little schoolgirl in the corner after period's end. this game needs some fights.

I find it absolutely hilarious.

in the playoffs especially. You do not flop on the ice and grab yourself in pain from a single bare fisted punch. That's bullshit. This is hockey, not baseball.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY?!?

As for all this flopping bullshit...stop it right now please. One...Bruins were getting ALL the calls most of the game up until Green took his stupid penalty in the 3rd while they were down 3-1. When Zednik went down, he had taken a cross check to the head, and there was no call. Whatever man. Zednik is not a flopper...he does not dive. As for Markov, that was a pretty good punch Thornton gave him, and it was completely unexpected. He got him square in the jaw.

As for the game itself...you may now attempt to prove to me that Boston deserves this series. 4 games in a row they have been outplayed. The difference between game 5 and game 4? Theo played well, and the Habs actually got some breaks/bounces. End result, they made the Bruins look like bitches. Boston hasn't shown anything since game 1, and they are now fucked. No way we lose at home in game 6. In a game 7, anything can happen, but you best believe the Bruins are shook now.

By the way, Kovalev had the game winner and the Koivu line produced more points in this game than Thornton's line has all series.

Raycroft is a pansy when it comes to traffic in front of the net too. He just takes it up the ass when people are in his way. He better learn how to get more aggressive on players.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

That "cross check" to Zednik was more like a "stick grazing." FLOP.

Thornton's been injured, give him an effing break. And "more points" shut the hell up! Like in the third period of 3-1 game, there should be consecutive 5 on 3's. And 4 minutes for that punch? FOUR MINUTES!!! Are you kidding me? How the hell did Montreal get all the calls when THORNTON GOT FOUR MINUTES?

And, I'm sure you know, that score was so lopsided because of the consecutive 5 on 3's, with a 5-4 in between. Coupled with that 4-minute call on Thornton carrying over 3 minutes...that was like 4.5-5.5 minutes of PK time in the first 11 minutes of the third period, because Green's penalty was called sometime just past the 10 minute mark.

Nobody's shook, since they realize that those final two goals came from some bullshit. And, what's this??? A Canadian fan calling Raycroft a "pansy?" Please.

Bruins in 6. Nobody's worried.

Just watch how he deals with guys in his way. He just lets them trip him up or get in his way. Look at a veteran goalie like Belfour, Brodeur, Roy. Those guys don't take that shit. Roy never did. Raycroft does not react well to traffic.

Thornton should have gotten 4 minutes. That punch came out of left field. Nobody's worried? The players were clearly frustrated that they were getting shit on, as they seemed completely disinterested in trying to get a goal to make it 3-2 and were more concerned with going after some of the Habs. By the way, the Habs didn't do anything on Thornton's penalty.

I don't care if he was injured. The fact is, that whole line has done squat. Koivu-Kovalev-Zednik are clicking like crazy. Kovalev's goal showed that.

If you honestly think Boston is winning the series in Montreal, I don't know what to say to you. You are clearly delusional. Boston needed a whole lot of luck to win game 4, and that shit won't happen again.

Just face the facts...your team has looked like crap the past 4 games. If Raycroft doesn't stand on his head, they aren't going to win this series.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

he's a rookie. you're acting like he's a 10 year vet!!! Considering he's a rookie, he's phenomenal.

The penalties was all bullshit. God, that's disgusting coming from a Habs fan. All you bastards do is whine for penalties...the team and the fans!

Your also acting like the Habs are some masters of getting penalties. The chumps on your team crosschecked the shit out of LaPointe looking for a retalliation...and nothing happened.

The indelible Barry Melrose says to expect things from the Bruins in game 6. And so do I.

That mullet-headed freak hasn't been relevant to the world of hockey in 11 years.

I actually could care less if the Habs get power plays, since they haven't done anything with the advantage anyways. Yes, they got a 5 on 3 goal tonight and a power play goal after it, but it did not affect the outcome of the game. The Habs' power play is brutal. They have played much better at even strength, so I don't mind them not getting calls.

Yes, Raycroft is amazing for a rookie, but what I am saying is that he better learn how to deal with traffic soon, because even if the Bruins win this series, he will be seeing much more in Round 2 if he faces Philly, Toronto or Ottawa.

The Bruins are going to have to turn it around big time in game 6 if they want to win. Nothing they have done in this series suggests to me that they will.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

Overcoming some of the dirtiest, pussy-ass hockey ever to win 3 games is doing something.

And there was two 5 on 3s in the third period. Green went in, then Gonchar - Montreal Scores and Green comes out, and then Thornton joined Gonchar in the box, gonchar comes out, Montreal Scores...back to even stregnth.

Do you honestly believe Boston has played better than the Habs in this series?

That's all I want to know.

And the Habs haven't played dirty. That would suggest they have put on dirty hits and such. They have been more disciplined than the Bruins. Especially last game. Those 5 on 3s were Boston's fault. Stupid penalties late in the game when they are trying to come back from a two goal deficit. Not smart hockey. Boston hasn't overcome shit. They've been lucky.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

been the better team in this series, no question. It's too bad a couple of players (c) Markov & a few fans are giving them a bad rep. I didn't see you rip Zednik for going down from taking a punch/cross-check to THE BACK OF THE HEAD! As Dr, Jeykll said he's not that kind of player.

Montreal's top line is just having their way with the Bruins. Their size sure isn't helping them at all.

Can't wait for game 6.



peace

I've never seen such gayness in the sportsboard.

I don't think it's been dominance. Each team has had their times of dominance and playing well.

And zednik's head was obviously over-exaggerated.

ALSO - "stupid penalties late in the game?" Two of those shouldnt have been called. Only the high stick, which is "mandatory." It's the playoffs, not tiddlywinks.

I agree with a few points and...nevermind.

Funny that you're talking about the Canadiens bitching and what not. Pssst, take a look in the mirror.

You need a tissue or some prozac.

That was fu**ing weak.



peace

Or Bruins fans, in general.

Fans in Montreal holler and whoop at every good hit by the B's. Diving is contagious.

Another great game by the Habs. Boston did play better than last game, but that isn't saying much. Samsonov was their best player, but he wasn't nearly enough.

After Thornton was challenged by the coach and GM, what did he do? He sucked, that's what he did.

The Koviu line impressed once again, and Begin showed how much heart he has. Good to see Langdon score as well. Perreault is also playing really well now. Gonchar looked bad.

The Habs will win this series.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

This is too scary for me. I'm not thinking about hockey until tommorow night.

Nashville is not beating the best home team... at home.

So if the series goes to 7 games... so be it.

Oh, and Cujo was in net!

Came pretty close in both games one and two, and realistically, the right bounce here and there, and they woulda won both. Of course, the same can be said for Detroit in Nashville.

This was the first game in the series where the team that won was actually the better team for 60 minutes.

Or at least, the ones that bothered to show up (how can there be that many empty seats for a possible playoff series clincher, with these two teams no less?!?)

Taking the high road and cheering all the way through the Canadian national anthem was a classy, classy move and sent a strong message to the assholes who booed the American national anthem in Montreal. Best believe, they were in the minority, and it's mostly confined to Quebec for various reasons that would take too long to get into, but regardless, I was thoroughly impressed.

It's too early to say that it's over for these folks, but it certainly don't look good.

I had Devils in 6 and Isles in 7. Shows what I know. Can't even be happy about the Devils, since I hate the Flyers more than the Devils.

Brodeur, step it the fuck up, man.

--Mo

.... it could finally be curtains for Milbury.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

I mean, should this team have won the Cup? I seriously don't think anyone thought they would except you maybe.

He's made some boneheaded decisions this season, but he has his whole tenure there, so at this point I don't see why this year is the final straw.

Islanders weren't even a playoff squad a few years ago, and at the least there's now a team that can reliably get into the first round. A team that can make a challenge around March and come through.

I dunno, if us Rangers are keeping that jackass Sather around ("Duh, of course we're making the playoffs... NOW LET'S GO TRADE LEETCH!!!!") I don't see why Milbury should be on his way out.

But, that's me.

--Mo

Well I think both Sather and Milbury need to lose their jobs, but I think they both needed to lose said jobs years ago and so anyone who says "Oh, now they need to fire " are being sorta silly because this year was no worse than any other disasterous affairs that have been the New York hockey franchises.

I guess with Milbury, three straight first round exits, and two straight years of barely getting into the playoffs and having to face the top team in the league, isn't very good, but neither was getting rid of Bertuzzi, Berard, Luongo, Redden, Brewer, etc. and he managed to keep his job through all that.

for alleged murder-for-hire scheme!

I'm too lazy to go find that link... I'll post it in a bit.

But that's just insane.

Nice series, Mr. Invisible. Way to lead this team, fucker.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

That's been his MO his entire career. Everyone knew that when you gave him a long term contract for nearly $10 million a year, and yet you did it anyway.

You can't blame me for having an idiot GM.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

such Hostility, i like Yashin....... on my NHL2003, that boy is clutch.

guaranteed to make u laugh.

Well actually idiot owner would be more accurate wouldn't it? I thought Milbury wanted to give him a three or four year deal but the owner, who was new at that point, wanted to send a message to the New York market that they were trying to win and basically backed up the Brinks truck into Carol Alt's frontyard for Alexei to roll around in.

.... three consecutive first-round bounces are unacceptable. Things MUST change. And it starts w/ Milbury.

I think DiPietro is a legit #1 goalie, and they've got two excellent defensive lines. But they gotta add a scorer this offseason. Guys like Parrish, Blake, Scatchard, Kvasha, Peca, etc. are nice complementary players, but they need a go-to scorer. A stud. They need the player that Yashin is supposed to be.

Fuck you, Yashin.

_______________________________________________________________________________

"I'm going to want to watch it, no question. But I'm also going to want to throw up."

-- Giants quarterback Kerry Collins on his back-up, Jesse Palmer, starring in "The Bachelor"

http://www.regeneratedheadpiece.com

Because no one else will take him.

Hmm...We didn't hear that anywhere a month ago...

You're a pal. Tie gives his sincerest appreciation.

A solid physical effort from the Buds. A lot of guys stepped up, not necessarily offensively but with a great deal of intensity. Good to see Niewendyk on the ice and contributing, and Kaberle working well as the playmaker Leafs fans have known him to be for the past few seasons. We can win this series without Mats, but we can't win the Cup without him.

GREAT to see Stajan in the lineup.

NOT GREAT to see Aki Berg in the lineup. Quinn needs to realize that Pilar is pretty okay, and Berg is abysmal.

Oh, and Daniel Alfredsson...This guy should be very, very, very careful. After his team gets shut out with a weak 21-shot performance, he thinks the best idea is to give the Leafs bulletin board material? From ALFREDSSON? Fuck that. Not a smart move.

what a disappointment. after 4 games where ottawa was damn good despite losing 2, they come up with that...atrocity.

no one was showing any spark. even fisher and hossa, you've been ottawa's best all series, were invisible. spezza taking stupid penalties...get him off the ice.

how does a team who has 2 shots in the first period, then goes 25 minutes without another shot still manage to win a game? there is no way ottawa should be letting that happen. at least if they had shot the puck a few times, and belfour was made to make a few tough saves, it would have been a little easier to take. zero shots on the powerplay? how exactly did this team have the best powerplay in the league this year?

on to toronto...what can be said about joe nieuwendyk? that guys been huge in the playoffs since he won his 1st cup 15 years ago.

sill impossible to figure out how game 6 will go. game 5 threw the whole series in a weird way for me. and i agree, i think alfie's played the guarantee card one too many times now. but if it works again, i'll be happy. :)

it's too damn frustrating and stressful being a sports fan at playoff time.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

in the playoffs thus far? I lean slightly toward saying the Koivu, Zednik, and Kovalev line, but it's probably a tie bet/w them and Martin St.Louis's line. And yes the numbers back up both of these selections. I'd like to hear legitimate other selections, but remember use your I'm a Hockey Fan mentality not I'm a whateverteamulike fan mentality. I love the RedWings but u don't see any of their lines here because quite honestly they haven't been dominant except for one game.(Might change today)

Forsberg's.



peace

Sundin's line has played well too.

Sakic's line (Svatos and Konowalchuk) has been chipping away each game in the series.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

Marty Turco, you're just not made for the playoffs.

Marek Svatos, bitch!

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

Alright, now that we shut Vokouns piehole...

Bring on Colorado or Calgary!

Mufucka gonna tell me Detroits goin down, bullshit. Briana and Ms. Plummer gonna get shit on too

So Said the Pro-Black Prophet:

You are righteous, but a God fearing Devil.Saved by grace, but lost by humanity

The history of all hitherto existing society(2) is the history of class struggles-Karl Marx


``Bush couldn't debate a Cuban 9th-grader,''-Fidel Castro

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

www.che-lives.com

Che-Lives: Greatest marixist community around


http://www.marxists.org

Marxist Internet Archive: Your Source for every Marxist writing ever created


www.sp-usa.org

Socialist Party of the USA: Greatest Political party on earth

REMEMBER REGIME CHANGE BEGINS AT HOME...VOTE!!!!

Walter Brown for President, the Socialist Party Candidate

http://www.waltbrownforpresident.org/


Vote Nader, Ralph Nader, the former Green Party Candidate, now running as an independent

http://www.votenader.com/


THE REDSTAR2000 Papers

http://www.redstar2000papers.vze.com/

Written by my good friend and comrade Redstar2000. Check it out to get his take on some issues, from sex to the evils of capitalism

Thought I'd get a two-day head start.

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYCROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFT
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYCROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFT

Certainly doesn't look good, but Boston still has enough firepower to beat Montreal under any circumstances. It's whether or not Thornton comes to play that will decide the game and ultimately the series, because if they can't, it's him who should be in the hot seat as much as Raycroft.

I know that top line has been manhandled and there have been blue line issues (Gonch in game 6), but Raycroft has to shoulder some of the blame. Cereffusion and Don Cherry can stop riding him so hard now.

And it's no sweat off my balls if the Bruins win, actually. I may prefer it. One, I don't think they're a threat to with the Cup. Two, depending on whether Khabibulin can continue being such a world-beater, the Lightning may be the preferred second-round matchup for the Buds, considering the 7-game bloodbath they had with Philly last year.

because you know who would then be throwing maple leaf bodies all over the ice in round 2.

But whatever. We'll have to beat all comers to take the Cup anyways. I don't really care whether our Primeau revenge comes in round 2 or 3.

Edit: Now, as a Flyers fan, do I want Boston - or do I want Toronto/Ottawa and the home ice in the series? I thinks I likes the home ice vs. Toronto.

Bring it on.

I
>thinks I likes the home ice vs. Toronto.

This is some disrespectful shit right here. Boston getting bitchslapped all over the ice by Montreal and you want us? Fuck that. Go Habs. I want Philly.

Cot-damn!!

Some of those goals are misleading, damnit. 1 empty netter, 2 during that travesty of three consecutive PPs for Montreal, and 1 when Thornton's stick was stolen by the damn referee!!!

We played a lot better in game 6. And, give me a break - Raycroft is impressive as shit for a rookie.

Get real. Raycroft's played well, but he's a rookie. Boston's getting outplayed and you're blind if you can't see that.

I would rather take a banged-up Leafs squad + home ice than a fairly healthy Bruins team (Thornton ?) on their ice for 4 games.

Philly@ home than going home.

ugh, i don't know what to think heading into this game tonight.

hopefully me pre-series prediction doesn't come true tonight. :(

that's all i've got.

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

Should be a real tough battle. I don't think Ottawa is ready to fold without a fight. That being said, I really hope (and think) that this thing ends tonight.
GO LEAFS GO

I hope the Flames pull it out. I mean it's been 15 years since they've won a playoff series! Tough loss last night in triple o.t.


Iginla's gotta have a huge game.



peace

Game 6 was such a heartbreaker for the Flames. They came back from a four-goal deficit only to lose in 30T.

The Flames cannot afford to let the game go out of hand like it did in Game 6 or take stupid penalties. They gave the 'Nucks at least 4-6 PP chances and the game was not even midway through the second period.

Game 7 should be a thriller. I'm expecting a tight defensive game and a lot of hits.

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

More on this Monday.

On a serious note, good luck to Pat Burns who today announced he has cancer and will start treatment immediately. Get well soon...

No doubt about it. Leafs in seven.

I'm not sure why. It's not like the Leafs have looked very good this series. At all. Ed Belfour has been sensational and they've had their spurts, but for the most part have been dominated in every game except two and five. Not to take anything away from them, because I sorta think that's their strategy. They know, especially with Sundin out, that they can't play a run and gun game with the Sens, so they play a defensively tight system knowing they got maybe the best goalitender in the world to bail them out, and they just pounce on whatever changes they get. And credit to them for that, because when it comes to finishing their chances, they have been good. But still. This kind of blind optimism seems slighty misguided.

Anyway, I would say it could go either way. The Sens really have the momentum, but the Leafs have home ice and I still think they're sorta in the Sens heads a little bit. Should be a fantastic game.

This is not blind optimism. You're right. I'm confident. You're losing tomorrow.

I just hope that if the Sens win (and notice I'm not making any ridiculous predictions?), you'll be as eager to admit you were wrong. Because, you know, this has been a pretty close series and so it's not inconceiveable that Ottawa will actually win. The same way they won last night, when you said it would be over.

Of course, I'm sure if that happens, you'll come back with "OH WELL WE BEAT YOU THREE YEARS IN A ROW BIG DEAL OTTAWA STINKS CHOKERS BOOO ALFREDSSON!!!", because a Leafs fan admitting being in the wrong to a Sens fan isn't very likely.

Because it is inconceivable that the Sens will win. The Leafs will win. There's nothing more to be said on the matter. The Leafs will win.

I mean, did you not say they would wrap the series up at home? Allow me to answer that for you: yes, you did. And so what's to say you're not wrong yet again? Blind optimism? Nah.

We are not losing tomorrow night at the Air Canada Centre. I'll be right here at 11:00 tomorrow night saying the same thing.

With Round 1 coming to an end, and the triple platinum status of this post becoming a pain to navigate, would all agree that making seperate posts for each series be better for Round 2 and on?

I agree with Cyren that this post is going to get out of hand for the next month if we continue on here, especially if (when) Toronto & Boston move on.

Thoughts?

make a round 2 post much like this?

Or just toss that out completely and make topics like "Detroit vs. Colorado, Round 2"?

I don't know how I feel about the latter, I like the gathering at one place to discuss, but I do agree when it reaches 300 posts, it's alotta loading/scrolling.

I think I share your sentiments about having one post - we need to keep it up though, because the powers that be have already stated that another anchor would not be granted.

It shouldn't be too hard considering some of the possible 2nd round matchups.

We'll wait for more to chime in, and make the decision on Wednesday morn.

I've been working, so I don't have time to reply - but I've been reading. I love the fact that the few Okay Hockey Fans have a place to discuss all the games. It's good to see what the fans from other cities are thinking. Let's keep the post consolidated by round.

With that being said, GO FLYERS!!!!!

Is Danny Markov gonna have to choke a bitch

ESPN.com swipe

VOORHEES, N.J. -- Philadelphia defenseman Kim Johnsson has a broken bone in his right hand but plans to play in the Flyers' second-round playoff series.

Johnsson was injured during Saturday's 3-1 series-clinching win over New Jersey in the opening round of the playoffs. He was hit by a puck and broke the bone connecting his ring finger to his wrist.

The Flyers' second-round opponent is yet to be determined.

If Boston beats Montreal in Game 7 on Monday night, the Bruins will meet the Flyers in the next round. But if Montreal wins, the Canadiens will play Tampa Bay, while Philadelphia faces the winner of the Toronto-Ottawa series. Game 7 of that series is Tuesday night.

"Kim has a chance to start this series," Flyers general manager Bob Clarke said Monday. "If he did and the fracture became displaced, we would have to put a couple of pins in his hand and he would be out at least two weeks."

Johnsson planned to practice Monday, and will wear extra padding to soften any blows to his hand.

He had one goal and five assists against New Jersey, and had 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points in the regular season.

The Flyers already are without defenseman Eric Desjardins, out for the playoffs with a forearm injury.



Edit: Fuck. It's not like he's our most physical defenseman, but he is one of our top two. Hopefully this won't hinder his play any...

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2004/04/19/its_time_for_thornton_to_get_hook_as_captain/

It's time for Thornton to get hook as captain

By Kevin Paul Dupont, Globe Staff  |  April 19, 2004

For the good of his team, Joe Thornton should surrender his "C" this morning as the Bruins captain. Truth is, the club's 24-year-old franchise player took one giant and curious step toward abdicating the prestigious position at 1:32 p.m. yesterday when he slinked out the back door of the club's dressing room to avoid addressing the media. While some 30 reporters, cameramen, and videographers awaited his thoughts and words, Thornton exited stage left, with less than 36 hours to go before his Bruins face the Canadiens tonight at the FleetCenter in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series.

For the record, Thornton was well aware of the media's presence, no fewer than two club employees underscoring the obvious to him: It's important for the media -- and, by extension, untold thousands of fans and maybe even the odd corporate sponsor or two -- to hear what he had to say.

Thornton's response: a quick pivot out the back door.

One out-of-town TV reporter crossed his path in the hallway, requested a comment, and later said that Thornton's only response was, "I'll talk tomorrow."

Good guy, Thornton, but who cares? Not the point here. The world's full of good guys, and none of them should be captain of the Bruins, either. The fact that he is usually affable and gregarious, as well as talented and still very young, does not matter one whit when the team that has entrusted him with that "C" relies on him to view the world through that "C" and not his own "I."

Thornton had to say something. Not much, but something. By passing on his shot, his silence spoke volumes about his suitability for the job.

A veteran Montreal print reporter, his mouth agape at Thornton's vanishing act, turned to a Boston acquaintance in the dressing room and said, "In Montreal, if Saku Koivu ever did that, we would kick his ass down St. Catherine's Steet!" He could have added: "And back -- or at least until the posse arrived."

A stand-up captain (Ray Bourque come to mind?) would have sauntered into the cordial horde and spoken of many things. For starters, Thornton could have noted how disappointing his own play has been thus far in the series (he has gone 0-0--0 in six games, and in Game 6 notched a dastardly minus-3). As follow-ups, he could have reached for the trusty bucket of cliches -- iced down, of course, so they wouldn't bounce -- about the need to dig down deeper, play with pride, crash the net, whistle Dixie, whatever.

Bourque was never great copy, but he was the ultimate ambassador, which said great things about him and about his team. The only time Bourque ever blew off the media came in the hours leading up to his trade to Colorado. Not knowing how his life's work and allegiance were about to play out, the dignified, respectful captain hustled past a small group of reporters and said, "Sorry, guys, no story." The media granted him that mulligan

Actually, the call here now for Thornton to do the right thing, surrender that weighty "C," has only a little to do with snubbing the media. Heck, in this town, there are those out there who would consider media dissing as grounds to make Thornton the new general manager.

In the two years that he has worn that "C," Thornton clearly has grown less and less comfortable with the consonant. There have been many games and practices in the past two years in which he has deliberately chosen, like yesterday, not to make himself available to the media. During these playoffs, he has been barely more visible to the media than he has been on the ice, which is another way of defining a glaring absence.

Thornton spoke following Saturday night's disaster in Montreal, but it was brief -- in part because the club was hustling to make a charter flight. But what he had to say was fine. A little bit of captain-speak goes a long way. No one expects Chaucer. Thornton isn't one to call attention to himself during such gigs, anyway, and there is no disputing that the world would be a far better place if more of us boasted a few extra ounces of his kind of humility.

But there comes the time to talk, for every captain, and yesterday was Thornton's time. Game 7 vs. the hated Habs requires a word or two from the captain. Thornton let down the media, his fans, his employers, himself, and that long line of Boston captains before him, dating back to Lionel Hitchman. The "C" still counts in hockey, even if Thornton doesn't believe that. His actions say he doesn't care about tradition, his "C" status, his place in time.

Every other member of the Bruins could have walked down that hallway yesterday, and though it might not have been respectful, it certainly wouldn't have been news. Again, for the record, your faithful correspondent had conversations outside the dressing room doors with the likes of Andrew Raycroft, Glen Murray, and Michael Nylander. All were accommodating. None appeared to have sustained injury in the process. A great number of reporters "worked the hallway" outside the dressing room, and by unofficial tally, no one was stiffed by any of Thornton's teammates.

Inside the dressing room, while Thornton was hatching his escape plot (go long, hook a left at the Caddy, and thread the needle by the Blazer), many of his teammates fulfilled their obligatory media duties. Travis Green on the challenged Boston power play: "People think it's easy to score in the playoffs, but it's not. We just get a bounce or two to go the right way, and then people think you've got five Mario Lemieuxs out there." Heck, one Charlie Simmer would be OK right now.

Indeed, these are challenging times for the Bruins. It could be that none of them ever again will play in a Game 7. For perhaps one or two, if the Bruins lose tonight, their NHL careers will be done. Others, no doubt, will exit via free agency, and still others will be traded. If we are about to witness a third straight one-and-done conclusion to the postseason, it doesn't take much of a leap to envision even Thornton being dealt. Lose tonight, and all bets are off, after management went out and juiced up the lineup with the likes of Sergei Gonchar and Nylander. These kicks to the teeth are getting a bit redundant, no?

More than any other time in the post-Bourque era, the Bruins need real on-the-ice and in-the-room leadership. It's the ice part of that equation that means the most, of course, and Thornton has been a profound disappointment there thus far. His struggles led to a Saturday headline in the Montreal Gazette that read: "Thornton MVP: for the Habs." Tough town. But as one former Bruins player noted in the days since that headline, someone should have stuck the Gazette in Thornton's locker. In fact, said the same ex-Bruin, teammates of years past would have rushed to the arena early, just to be the first to put it in the captain's locker. No one like an ex-player to know the motivation to be found in a headline.

Thornton is an elite NHLer, big and strong and skilled. For the most part, he has lived up to Harry Sinden's initial assessment: a hybrid of Eric Lindros and Mike Modano. But just as the best players don't often make the best coaches, Thornton is an odd, seemingly reluctant fit in that special "C" sweater. If he really wanted to wear it, if he felt the need and the desire and the responsibility, he would have lived up to all its conditions and mystique for one very important minute yesterday.

But that time passed, and now, so has Thornton's.

Give it up, Joe, this morning, and go out there tonight and play the game of your career. Unburdened by it all. For the good of the team, for your good, and for a fandom that expects and deserves the best from the best.

Here's why:

Nobody gives a fuck about the Bruins in Boston nor should they. Though pretty consistent they haven't made it anywhere in the playoffs in quite some while. When they have great regular seasons like this year and two years ago they choke in the playoffs. When the fans do start to get involved they let them down. The fans complain that the Bruins don't spend any money on keeping players, but then when they bring in Gonchar and Nylander they get booted from the playoffs just the same. This team is more skilled, more physical, and more tough than the Montreal Canadiens, yet they just got dominated in games 2,3,4,5 and 6. They deserved to lose the series and they deserve to lose any of the fans they may have gained in the last few months.

With that said the Canadiens are still a bunch of pussies and an embarrassment to the sport. Taking dives and feigning injury are a serious problem in the game and one can only hope that the league has a way to take care of it. The Canadiens may have outplayed the Bruins but they clearly didn't outclass them.

GET...THE FUCK...OUT!!!

USA, USA, USA ahahahahahahahaha. The worst chant I've ever heard. As I said before though golfing is fun too.

Bitches.



peace

Chanting "USA, USA, USA," still better than booing another nations anthem, faking seizures on the ice, and being french Canadien.

"...and being french Canadien"

Those silly frogs.



peace

.

and an inspired Joe Thornton in 2006.

As disgusted as I am right now, I'll be ready for next year whenever that may be.

Gah. Kill me.

in the paper, that Thornton should be stripped of his captaincy. He's out there with really sore ribs. They would';ve been what seed if it wasn't for him?

Kudos to Raycroft. He played incredible...for a 23 year-old rookie he played out of this *od forsaken world. On the goal tonight he had no chance, just two great players hooking up.



I see them beating Tampa in 6.





peace

The Bruins were never of any concern to me. If they didn't lose to the Habs, Philly woulda beaten them in 5 next round. All that Boston media talk of "We're better off with Gonchar than the Leafs are with Leetch" looks pretty damn silly now.

Thornton with 3 shots and a -2....ooooh, he wasn't a ghost this series....

I like this Komisarek kid for Montreal. He's really stepped up woth Quintal out of the lineup. They'll give Tampa all they can handle if Theodore continues to play solid.

Thornton was how hurt?

And Gonchar played great in game 7. He also was INTEGRAL during the playoff push for the two seed...if only .... we had the one....seed.

EAT SHIT CEREFFUSION!!! GOD DAMN HATER! HAHA!!! SHOULD HAVE SEEN MONTREAL'S STREETS TONIGHT! GONNA BE AN ALL OUT RIOT WHEN WE TEACH TAMPA A LESSON.......

yes, let's riot for winning one or two rounds in the playoffs. :D

d, representin' Ottawa

"It's hard to imagine meeting somebody so enormously important to the whole world, not only South Africa. Such an incredible, forgiving, obstinate and loving mind. I had given a donation to his foundation -- the fund focuses on food and education, but of course it deals with AIDS as well -- and it was a relatively generous contribution. He just said, "It's not enough. We need a lot more." He's not gonna fart around. So I gave him more, and he said thank you, and then my financial advisor said, "Ohhhh.""
- dave matthews on meeting nelson mandela

Montreal tends to riot a lot for whatever reasons.

I am rather amazed at how crazy the city got for moving on to the second round. I can'te even imagine what it would be like if it were Habs-Leafs in the conference final.

As for the series...the Habs won it 6-1. They were clearly the better team from game 2 to the end. Theo predicted a shutout in game 7 and did it. The Koivu line had 24 points to the 700-pound line's 5.

The Bruins ain't shit and Thornton, while he gets props for playing hurt, did not act like a true captain in this series. He disappeared on the ice, but his most important disappearance came after the games. The way he acted with the media pretty much showed how little confidence the team had.

Habs-Lightning should be an exciting series, as both teams have lots of speed.

I can't wait.

-----------------------------
Peace to the okay community!
-----------------------------

"I can't talk to YOU...you
don't even have a sig."
-bshelly

Just say no to sigs.

Well I know shit about hockey, but I know that Montreal is a city that likes to riot, and so I would think that when something as big as the institution of hockey there does well, there would be cars turning over. I've been to the city once, and half the local newspaper was hockey stories. Crazy.

riot for one round?

we will riot for one game.

you should been in the streets after game 6, it was nuts. Drunk fans directing traffic and making cops wait at green lights.

Last night as pretty nuts, anything more and it will start to get dangerous. Lots a fire works in the middle of the streets last night, a few broken windows.

Peace

Now that's how a playoff series should be played. Iginla may be the best player in the NHL. Oh yeah another thing, this wont be the last upset either. GO FLAMES GO

They're going to be tough to skate with for sure.

I expect Belfour to shine in this game.

What's Sundin's status?

Don't think-FEEEEEEEEEEEEEL! © Bruce Lee

Sundin is a game-time decision, but it looks like he most likely will not be playing.
We will win without him. Belfour will be huge, and the others will step it up.
Go Leafs Go!

Great game. Farewell Ottawa.
Bring on Philly. They don't want it with Eddie.

You

Will

Never

Beat

The

Leafs.

Never. Not a chance in Hell. It's simply not going to happen. This game was never in doubt. I'm sure you guys "outplayed" us again, or some horseshit like that. But three things became extremely clear tonight.

1.) I don't know when the next NHL season will take place, but when it does, the Patrick Lalime era/experiment is over. He's not a winner. He gave us two bad ones tonight, as opposed to his usual one. He's done. Prusek might be the guy there. He gives up some sketchy rebounds like a lot of young goalies do, but that can be worked on. Regardless, Lalime = loser. Ship him down south somewhere, he'll never win.

3.) Daniel "The Booing Doesn't Get To Me" Alfredsson was completely rattled. That was absolutely hilarious. What a bitch.

3.) Ottawa will never win the Stanley Cup if their bracket matches them up against the Leafs. To quote my favourite Neufie Mr. Robert Cole, "Again.....and again, and again and again." Ottawa: A second-rate city with a second-rate hockey team and, on a good day, second-rate fans.

Hilarious, and extremely accurate. Good shit.

Why?

Anyway, congratulations. If the Sens would have won I would have stormed into here and been quite abrassive about it, so I'm willing to take my lumps. It stings, very bad, but that's life.

Ultimately, it came down to goaltending. I think upfront the Sens were able to hang with the Leafs and often outplay them, but what matters is goals, and we couldn't score on the best goalie in the world right now. Meanwhile, our goalie, who had played very well this series, self-destructed on the worst possible night. I don't think it was a domination and I don't even think it's about heart as has been the case in the past. I know that's what people will say because it's the popular opinion on the Sens, but people like Alfredsson, Fisher, Hossa, Varada, Neil, Chara, Redden, Vermette, Pothier, Phillips battled. There were passengers, but there were passengers on both teams.

Jacques Martin has to go. He's done good things for this franchise, taking them from a joke to a playoff team to a contender, but he clearly isn't the guy to make them Stanley Cup champions. Larry Robinson is available and if I was Eugene Melnyk, I would place that call tonight. Local connections.

John Muckler may need to go as well. I'm still quite angry so maybe when I relax I'll rethink it, but he made some boneheaded moves. Peter Bondra was a bust with no goals in 16 games. Greg de Vries was a disaster as a guy who was supposed to be a top four defencemen. The fact that the New York Rangers thought this guy was worth almost $4 million shows just how out of wack the economics of the NHL is. He had a chance to get a goalie in here, whether it was Sean Burke or Olaf Kolzig, and he stuck with a guy who demonstrated all season that he was not an elite goaltender.

I still think all your hate for Alfredsson is unfounded, but alas whatever works for you. I know the guarantee thing was a big deal in Toronto, but he was just doing what captains should do and show confidence in his team. The Cup guarantee back in January with James Duthie was not a smart move, but the stuff about winning in game six and seven (and he never said guarantee but semantics is a bitch) was the right thing to do.

To Radek Bonk, Patrick Lalime, Peter Bondra, Greg de Vries, Jacques Martin, et al, get the fuck out of my city. Don't come back. Ever.

Anyway, I am going to get fucking drunk.

>I still think all your hate for Alfredsson is unfounded

Dude, he took a swing at Tucker. Everyone talks about how the Leafs are a dirty team...Alfredsson lost his cool and whiffed on an attempt to break Tucker's kneecaps. THE MAN IS A BITCH. This is a recurring pattern of bitchdom.

Break his kneecaps? You're being dramatic. And if he did it to Gary Roberts or Ken Klee or Mats Sundin or Ron Francis or Joe Nieuwendyk or Brian Leetch I might have sympathy but Tucker is at least as dirty as you say Alfredsson is and likely worse so boo friggin hoo.

Your team just won, you don't have to resort to such pettiness. That's usually reserved for the bitter fans who are angry their team got bounced.

Pettiness is getting down 3 goals and taking a swing at a guy when you're supposed to be a team leader. It's my fault that Alfredsson's a bitch? Geez, it's not like I have anything else to post about considering how open-and-shut this game, like all other deciding games between the Leafs and this punk-ass team, was.

How did this post come unanchored? There's about a month to go.

My favorite in the playoffs right now? The Leafs.

--Mo

They didn't want to anchor a post for 2 1/2 months. We're moving to a round-by-round posting format due to the size of this one.