NHL Hockey playoff Thread

[soniklife]

Wow. Seriously wow.

Is it really that hard to admit that a team got outplayed? I am not even a Montreal fan. Personally, I find a great deal of comedy watching Canadian teams lose because of how distraught the fans become and how crazy the Canadian hockey media reacts- as if were anything more than a game. I am not saying the Penguins are a bad team, lord no. They are very talented squad who will most likely win another cup or two before this decade. And yes on paper they are certainly a more skilled team but it doesn't change the fact that in this seven game series against the Montreal Canadiens they were absolutely outplayed. I know the rose tint in your glasses tell a different story but every hockey fan and every hockey media outlet outside of Pittsburgh will speak rather clearly of how the Penguins were outplayed.

Seriously, your argument of being fatigued from two consecutive trips to the finals is one of the weakest arguments I have ever heard. Yes, once again fatigue is a part of the game but you battle through it. When you want to win you push your body plain and simple. You think the Oilers and Islanders dynasty squads weren't fatigued? They found ways to win consecutively. And looking to the more modern era of the game the Red Wings have consistently been going deep into the playoffs and regardless of an aging roster where fatigue is factor they are back every year in some cases making it consecutively to the finals. And you make it sound like that every player just mulls around in the off season. A lot of players are invited to play in various tournaments, and this year were the Olympics where there was a ton of hockey crammed into a short period of time. Jaroslav Halak should probably barely be able to stand on his two feet as he certainly has played a lot of hockey this year. So by your rationale the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers will be battling for the cup next year because they were so well rested from being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs relatively early.

Being disciplined is more than just not taking penalties it is not taking bad penalties at key parts of the game. In Game 7 alone the Penguins took 3 poorly. Crosby takes a penalty less than a minute into the game (the "fake" boarding call. You Penguin fans really do see what you want to see as opposed to what really occurs on the ice) and then Matt Cooke takes a high sticking penalty 22 seconds later. And then in the third period they take a bench minor which leads to the Gionta goal which put the game out of reach. Sorry friend of friends that is text book undisciplined hockey.

As far as winning small battles create havoc around the net is exactly what the Canadiens did to even get goals that you were disputing ( "More like Fleury being STUPID and trying to play a puck behind the net while IN his crease, on his knees, then later a freak deflection off Letang in gm 4 and this series doesn't even go to gm 6") goals like that yeah are fluke in nature but are a result of creating pressure in the crease area. Especially in this era of hockey you will not have a shot a competing for the Cup if you don't get goals like that.

And how do I think Montreal played better defensively? Pretty simple, their top defense players shut down Pittsburgh's top offensive players to the point where they were almost non factors at times. Montreal's defense as well forwards playing solid two way hockey (something Mr.Malkin should look into...) were blocking shots and winning one on one battles which is something that Pittsburgh couldn't equal, especially on the defense end of things.

We can agree to disagree, and if you sleep better feeling as if the hockey Gods were simply unjust then so be it. But myself and the rest of the hockey world are of the belief that the Pittsburgh Penguins were out played by the 8th seed Montreal Canadiens. Plain and simple, you don't blow a 3 games to 2 series lead by outplaying a team-you blow a 3 games to 2 series lead by being outplayed. It seems as if everywhere but Pittsburgh is getting this memo.

As far as Fleury's last second save last year, most certainly that was skill but as someone who has been a goaltender at a competitive level in hockey as well as an All State team goaltender in Lacrosse, I know first hand that luck is also is huge part of the position. Luck is just as important as skill and timing.

[ZenLogikos]

I've been watching and playing hockey for 20+ years. Is that e-penis big enough for you?

Tell you what...Why don't you start coaching hockey. I can't wait for you to tell your team: "We want to outplay the other team, guys. Let's start by possessing the puck less than the opposition, and take fewer shots on goal. That's a base for strong fundamental hockey."

Fatigue was one, basic, underlying factor I mentioned, soniklife. I've said that it could have contributed to the series' result. At the same time, and more importantly, I've given reasons supporting my argument that the Pens outplayed the Canadiens. At this point I'd just be repeating myself.

Both of you(soniklife and Luke) seem to be arguing that every series in history has always ended with the best team winning. You are right - agree to disagree.

EDIT: Just read your last post, soniklife, and for the sake of clarity, I want to state my argument that the Pens outplayed the Habs refers to the series as a whole - which I know you disagree with. Game 7 however, I do believe the Pens were outplayed.

EDIT 2: As far as "rose-tinted" glasses...I can apply my logic to any series. Philly/Boston for example. I hate both teams. Philly has outplayed Boston in this SERIES in my opinion, regardless of who outplays whom tonight.

[soniklife]

Actually, I have coached kids hockey and I think not only have they had fun (which is most important) but I'd like to think that they have also learned some important lessons about the game, mainly that regardless of your skill level that you have to work hard to attain success not only in the game but everyday life. Which is important when working with young kids.

I never said that possessing the puck less is fundamental hockey, that is you putting words into my mouth sir.

I have no interest in getting into a dick measuring contest on message board about which team is better so certainly I am prone to agree to disagree on this. No one is saying that your Pittsburgh Penguins aren't the better team on paper but when it comes down to clearly they didn't bring the 100% required to advance past the second round. The better team may have not won but the hungrier team certainly did.

[ZenLogikos]

HELL of a series and game 7. Hartnell was always a guy I thought REALLY hurt his own team with shitty skill and stupid penalties and horrible awareness. At least in these playoffs, he looks pretty good. Good job Philly.

[vash23n]

Wow! What a game tonight between the Flyers and Bruins. We have all heard all the historic stuff, 3rd NHL team to come back from a 3-0 games deficit to win in game 7 of a 7 game series, but I think the best line I have heard is about how this kind of thing happening in a movie would be criticized as being too hokie. A team down 3 games to 0 wins 3 games in a row. In the 7th game, that team goes down 3-0 and then scores 4 points in a row to win. So weird. Great game Bruins no matter what everyone is saying. This was great hockey to watch. And the 3 guys who still think the Pens are going to win the cup... take your time .

[DaGamingMonkey]

when the Bruins scored their 3rd goal I had considered it over. Quite the comeback.

[Luke]

Bruins lead series 3-0
Bruins loses series 4-3

Bruins lead game 7, 3-0
Bruins lose game 7, 4-3

weird

[DaGamingMonkey]

Chicago takes game 1 in the Shark Tank 2-1 and Philly beats up on the habs 6-0.

Hoping Chicago moves on. Toss up on the east for me.

[Luke]

Yeah, I'm a huge Hawks fan, so I hope they can make it to the Cup. The early game was great. So few mistakes by each team, solid hockey. The Flyers/Habs game was a mess, but I wasn't surprised with the result.

[vash23n]

Yeah, I'm a huge Hawks fan, so I hope they can make it to the Cup. The early game was great. So few mistakes by each team, solid hockey. The Flyers/Habs game was a mess, but I wasn't surprised with the result.

The Sharks are my second favorite hockey team so I wish them well in the series. I would not, however, mind seeing the Blackhawks move forward as I have followed them ever since they stole Patrick Sharp from us. I can't even remember who we got in return... Matt Ellison? Where's he been?