NHL Master Thread

[JTZ]

I think it is good for hockey to have some new blood. Really looking forward to the Caps/Pens series.

[yuneeq]

I think it is good for hockey to have some new blood. Really looking forward to the Caps/Pens series.

So let it be that all teams play in the playoffs.
Maybe give the Oilers and Hurricanes a shot at the cup, because why not.

If you ask me, the Pens are the exciting new blood, so are the Sharks, Blues, and Stars.
Don't think anyone is excited to see the beat up Bolts play the Fish Tanks.

[JTZ]

By new blood I meant it will not be the Hawks or Kings this year.

[myi]

Sick game tonight with the new york islanders ! Grt shot in the last few seconds with the break apart,with the puck 

[springles]

caps-pens has been great.  The caps dominated the game yesterday but still lost. 

[yuneeq]

caps-pens has been great.  The caps dominated the game yesterday but still lost.

I love watching but the dirtiness is ruining it a bit.
Every game there's another dirty hit or 2 that warrants a suspension or a fine.

Also although the Caps dominated the shots totals I think the Pens had the better chances.

[JTZ]

You would think after a three game suspension they would get the hint.

At least this guy understands it was wrong but will he learn?
"It was a bad hit," Orpik said Monday. "It was intended to be a hard hit, definitely not at his head but I don't think there is anything that you can argue that it was definitely late. I think that was pretty black and white."

[springles]

Also although the Caps dominated the shots totals I think the Pens had the better chances.

really? I disagree.  Caps had many golden chances and near misses.  Pens had some great chances too but they were non existent in the 3rd.  And caps dominated on puck possession and offensive zone %. 

[yuneeq]

really? I disagree.  Caps had many golden chances and near misses.  Pens had some great chances too but they were non existent in the 3rd.  And caps dominated on puck possession and offensive zone %.

Score effects have lot to do with the Pens play in the 3rd. When you're leading you take less shots and less chances. When the game was still close the Pens looked like they were getting the better chances. I was actually able to say out loud "the pens gonna score now" for their last 2 goals.

[springles]

Score effects have lot to do with the Pens play in the 3rd. When you're leading you take less shots and less chances. When the game was still close the Pens looked like they were getting the better chances. I was actually able to say out loud "the pens gonna score now" for their last 2 goals.

they did have moments of prolonged pressure in the first 2 periods, I still think Caps had way more pressure and more chances though.   And while the score definitely dictated the 3rd period stats the Pens offense was non existent, not just weak.  The 2nd goal was a fluky one and the 3rd came after a giveaway.  I did feel like the Pens were in the middle of good shifts and pressure when the goals occurred though so I agree with that.

Either way, I thought it was a fun game.  I watched much of the 1st game replay and it was a great game.  2nd game was very entertaining too. 

[yuneeq]

Stars are my fav western team for years but I don't believe their bad defense and mediocre goaltending can get them the cup.

Re: the caps, I believe they are more talented than last year but I think they made a mistake in getting rid of Brouwer and Ward. Those are 2 tough cookies that are important in playoff games as opposed to washed out Mike Richards and an overrated skills competition master tj Oshie who has done nothing in the playoffs and doesn't add any toughness.

Ward and Brouwer both coming up big in the playoffs, still think caps would play better with them vs Oshie and Richards, especially in a gritty series like this.

[springles]

Ward and Brouwer both coming up big in the playoffs, still think caps would play better with them vs Oshie and Richards, especially in a gritty series like this.

Oshie might disagree with you regarding this, especially when discussing game 1.
But I agree with your overall point

[JTZ]

What did Brouwer do against the Hawks besides needing two swings at an open net goal?

[yuneeq]

Oshie might disagree with you regarding this, especially when discussing game 1.
But I agree with your overall point

He is pointless in 4 of the last 5 games, though that 1 game he was a monster.

[yuneeq]

What did Brouwer do against the Hawks besides needing two swings at an open net goal?

Brouwer scored the biggest goal of the Hawks series.
He crashes the net and scores the garbage goals, I love that.
He's been really noticeable vs the Stars, no surprise he has 4 points in that series so far.

[JTZ]

I guess you say that because it was game seven. He was all alone with an open net and missed on the first attempt. Good thing for him he got a second whack at it. I watched the whole series and really didn't do much except hit everyone. Unfortunately I haven't seen much of the Dal/Stl series.

[springles]

another great pens caps game.
can caps come back from 3-1?

[yuneeq]

another great pens caps game.
can caps come back from 3-1?

Caps would struggle with a 3-1 series lead, down 3-1 they are toast.

[springles]

Caps would struggle with a 3-1 series lead, down 3-1 they are toast.

i probably agree with you but the series has been so even, maybe tilting towards the caps if anything. 

[JTZ]

Caps would struggle with a 3-1 series lead, down 3-1 they are toast.

Caps have to prove themselves before they get my vote.