The 2013~14 NHL thread

[skyknight]

Only a few days away from the Olympic games along with the NHL freeze.

I am comfortable with my Wild sits - I was sure they would be the 3rd best team in the Central, didn't expect the Avs to be this good this season.

I just wish the Ryan Miller trade rumors would die down; and I would NOT like to see the team give up young players for Thomas Vanek just to have him before Free Agency (unless that Islanders are really that dumb to swap him for Heatley - then Snow should really get fired).

What about the rest of you guys? Anyone looking forward to the Olympics?

[Luke]

The new Carolina Hurricanes (away) sweaters are boss.

[EllertMichael]

Claude Julien definitely fell asleep on the beach in Tampa with his sunglasses on.

[EllertMichael]

So... the Bruins are now the first team to clinch a playoff spot, are first in the league in wins, tied in points with St. Louis Blues, and tonight backup goalie Chad Johnson just endured 5 MINUTES (!) of 6 on 5 hockey to shutout the Colorado Avalanche (the only team in the NHL that hadn't been shut out all season) in their 11th straight win.

There are also rumblings of a certain German defenceman returning in time for the playoffs...

Exciting times.

Bonus infographic on recent Bruins winning streak

[cha cha]

@ that graphic.

Everyone knows by now the Sabres are tanking on purpose, is there any need for other fanbases to brag over being better than them?

As despicable as the practice of tanking a season (and likely next) to get top draft talent is... No one is disrespecting the Pens, Hawks, Kings or Avs now, when they did the EXACT same thing to get where they are. So the holier than thou attitude from those fanbases about the Sabres is really such a hypocritical joke. (Also what a joke that the GMs of those very teams are voting to try and stop other teams from benefiting from tanking to gain the best overall picks, now that they aren't the beneficiaries of the practice!)

As a Sabres fan, all I can say is "F off other NHL fans who hate, you worship the very franchises that exploited this BS and benefited from it." aaannddd

McDavid 2015!!! (or Eichel as a constellation prize... or BOTH!)

[Luke]

These Hawks losses are heartbreaking.

But tonight at the United Center ...

[Luke]

Way to dispose of garbage Boston!

Hopefully the Hawks will put the Blues to sleep this afternoon.

[skyknight]

Well, I don't know why some teams like the Blues and Sharks never able to move over the hump, while some team like the Hawks and Bruins are able to rebuild and win the Cup, and others remain in oblivion like forever.

[Luke]

Considering how the Flyers started out this year, I'm surprised they made it as far as they did. Not surprised how many fights broke out in the stands at Philly home games though.

So the Hawks get the red hot Wild. Momentum means a lot in hockey, so I hope the Hawks open with a statement game.

Man, did the Sharks fold like an envelope or what? Collapsed like an air mattress they did. But good on the Kings, and especially Quick deserves a nod for some incredible net minding.

[pierrot]

Fucking Habs— Jesus. What I want to know is how many lambs they sacrificed to win that game. It wasn't won on skill alone; It was witchcraft. /bitter