NHL Master Thread

[Yehuda57]

I'm a casual (Rangers) fan who definitely cannot argue or have that educated an opinion on who is more talented. But I feel hockey has a tremendous amount of luck involved, which probably evens out during the season, but makes the playoffs a complete crapshoot. (Billy Beane said about baseball playoffs, "My sh** doesn't work in the playoffs.")

Look at last night's rangers game for example. It was a tremendously close game. The Caps got lucky that the puck hit a defenders skate at a perfect angle a split second before the goalie's leg comes around, while the Rangers had more than a half dozen chances that could have just as easily been goals, but somehow missed the mark.

Last year the Kings beat the Rangers 4-1, implying they completely outclassed them. In reality, 3 of the 4 wins were in overtime, and each of those games could easily have gone the other way.

So yes, like most team sports, a playoff system means the best and most talented team will not always win. In soccer you'll have the winner of the league which is almost always, objectively, the best team. The winner of the FA Cup, on the other hand, is more often, objectively, not the best team.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

I'm a casual (Rangers) fan who definitely cannot argue or have that educated an opinion on who is more talented. But I feel hockey has a tremendous amount of luck involved, which probably evens out during the season, but makes the playoffs a complete crapshoot. (Billy Beane said about baseball playoffs, "My sh** doesn't work in the playoffs.")

A goalpost here and a crossbar there will make all the difference in the world. Most teams that win the SC have the breaks go their way during the playoffs.

[Yehuda57]

A goalpost here and a crossbar there will make all the difference in the world. Most teams that win the SC have the breaks go their way during the playoffs.

So what did you mean by:

Haven't we established that most talented team and best team in the playoffs have a lower than expected correlation?

Not that I have seen.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

So what did you mean by:

It would seem the best teams make their own breaks.

[Yehuda57]

It would seem the best teams make their own breaks.

By definition, that wouldn't be a break.

[rileywiles23]

Can the Hawks sweep this series ?!??

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Can the Hawks sweep this series ?!??

Can Kane be stopped?

[rileywiles23]

Can Kane be stopped?

If only we ranger fans can say the same in regards to nash !!!! The guy seems to do everything, but score in the playoffs....

[ChaimMoskowitz]

If only we ranger fans can say the same in regards to nash !!!! The guy seems to do everything, but score in the playoffs....

You should have kept Richards. 

[Sport]

Goal or no goal ?

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Goal or no goal ?

What did I miss?

[Sport]

What did I miss?

You were too busy celebrating ?
Calgary should have tied the game halfway through the 3rd but refs thought the replay was inconclusive.
They did score later with 19 seconds left.
And now we're on to the most exhilarating of all sports- play-off sudden death overtime.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

You were too busy celebrating ?

Not really. It just looks like to me they are finally finding their stride.

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Calgary should have tied the game halfway through the 3rd but refs thought the replay was inconclusive.
They did score later with 19 seconds left.
And now we're on to the most exhilarating of all sports- play-off sudden death overtime.

WOW so they pulled this one out of the fire.

[Sport]

WOW so they pulled this one out of the fire.

Yup, let's hope this turns into a series.

[keemster26]

Yup, let's hope this turns into a series.

Nope. Let's hope the ducks win the next game and finish off the flames already!

[ChaimMoskowitz]

Nope. Let's hope the ducks win the next game and finish off the flames already!

Then what?

[keemster26]

Then what?

Go to the next round!

[yuneeq]

I'm a casual (Rangers) fan who definitely cannot argue or have that educated an opinion on who is more talented. But I feel hockey has a tremendous amount of luck involved, which probably evens out during the season, but makes the playoffs a complete crapshoot. (Billy Beane said about baseball playoffs, "My sh** doesn't work in the playoffs.")

Look at last night's rangers game for example. It was a tremendously close game. The Caps got lucky that the puck hit a defenders skate at a perfect angle a split second before the goalie's leg comes around, while the Rangers had more than a half dozen chances that could have just as easily been goals, but somehow missed the mark.

Last year the Kings beat the Rangers 4-1, implying they completely outclassed them. In reality, 3 of the 4 wins were in overtime, and each of those games could easily have gone the other way.

So yes, like most team sports, a playoff system means the best and most talented team will not always win. In soccer you'll have the winner of the league which is almost always, objectively, the best team. The winner of the FA Cup, on the other hand, is more often, objectively, not the best team.

A game of hockey will always be affected by luck, but I believe that the best of 7 series exists exactly for that reason.
So what if the Rangers lost a game where they played better than their opponents.
If they continue to play as the better team, their skill will eventually help them win, and they will also get their lucky bounces.

Rangers vs Kings, I agree the series was close, but the Kings were more skilled and got the puck luck.
Combined, the Rangers had no chance.

[Yehuda57]

A game of hockey will always be affected by luck, but I believe that the best of 7 series exists exactly for that reason.

Do you really believe the best team in hockey wins the Stanley Cup every year?