NHL 2014~15

[skyknight]

How about the money that the Leafs dumped on Babcock?

[Nintendork666]

Goodbye Babs. =/

[Josh]

Ridiculous money. I think he'll be out by the the 5th year (when he has an out clause) and Detroit will still be better than the Leafs. Unless they completely blow it up and trade Kessel/Phaneuf for picks and major prospects, the Leafs aren't going anywhere and the media will make it worse for everyone.

That being said, if the Leafs DO go anywhere in the next five years, Shanahan is going to go down as the best thing that's happened to Toronto since either the Leafs run to the Conference Finals in '93, the Blue Jays World Series wins, or Drake. Leaning towards Drake.

[skyknight]

Game 7 on both sides!

Tonite, can the Bolts make history by beating the Blue Shirts at MSG for a Game 7 win?

Tomorrow, which bird will soar higher?

[Luke]

Wow. That was one silent crowd. "The 'Ning" certainly made a statement game.

[Josh]

I am so excited for this Bolts team. Definitely went into MSG with their backs against the wall and just silenced EVERYONE. Couldn't be prouder.

Hopefully if the money works and I have the time off I can get over to Tampa for one of the SCF home games, since Student Rush usually gives you lower bowl tickets for SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than regular pricing. Ridiculous how expensive tickets are, but I guess when the opponent is Chicago...

[Luke]

Am I nuts or...wait, don't answer that.

Did the Blackhawks intentionally miss a few empty netters as a sign of respect last night? Haven't seen that amount of class since the 90's.

[skyknight]

Well the truth is two really good offensive teams will be going against each other, and each goalies have been able to clutch at the right time; so it would not surprise me if one game goes 4-3 OT and the next goes 6-3.

The Blackhawks does have the upper-hand in experience, but I do wonder if their blueline can still holdup; the Bolts, they are young and a bit inconsistent, but have stepped up at the right time.

I am predicting a 7-game series, with the Bolts hoisting the Cup (against my common sense) - and Stevie Y winning GM of Year (Sather should not even been nominated.)

[Luke]

Anyone want to explain why Goalies still have a crease? As much as I hate the rule change of allowing cherry picking and allowing two line passes, I super-hate that you can score with a foot in the crease. Why even have the crease?

And if somehow you've stumbled onto this thread and don't know much about hockey, the crease is that blue area that is near the netminder. Years back it was heavily enforced that was essentially the goalie's "bubble" and you weren't allowed in it. Now, you can get in there, screen the goalie, taunt the goalie, poke the goalie, and generally try to smash the puck over him.

Luckily hockey is a sport that generally polices itself. But still, why keep the crease if it is useless?

[Josh]

If I had to guess it's probably used to keep defending players out (if a defenseman covers the puck in the crease, it's an automatic penalty shot for the offensive team) and for goalie interference calls on goals. Though as we've learned, if you're Carey Price, it doesn't matter how far out of the crease you are, if someone hits you, it's still goalie interference.