The NHL Thread

peter · May 11

thedove wrote: »

That was an interesting game 3. Panthers pushed back, though at times it seemed the Leafs were the team of destiny. I have been impressed how the Leafs are approaching each game. I see no intimidation or fear in their play. Woll let in one or two softies. Other than that the team played well.

Don Cherry always said game 4 was the crucial game. Can the Leafs respond and bounce back to take a 3-1 series lead?

The Jets bounce up and back can Hellebuyck come up big on the road after failing to do so in Round 1?

Definitely a strange game 3. Reilly tapped in two goals for the enemy. Shows how fast the game is… Tonight, I’m guessing, both Florida and Toronto will be more conservative with D playing huge roles.

Vegas claws their way back in the series against Edmonton. I have to believe that goes 6 or 7 games. I’m just not sure who moves on…

I don’t think Washington is deep enough to come from behind and take out the ‘Canes.

And I’d think the Jets fall to Dallas.

thedove · May 11

If Hellebuyck can buck the trend and get some confidence on the road, the Stars might be in tough.

Last_Rat_Standing · May 19

Sorry guys

peter · May 19

Last_Rat_Standing wrote: »

Sorry guys

Florida is a great team, built for the playoffs.

Toronto’s Core Four take up millions of dollars of our cap, and they take up time on the ice (because of the money being spent on them), and Berube and the organization can wax poetic about how this is a team game, but, let’s be real, if four players take 53% of the cap, you expect them to be the difference in series like these.

But as a collective, they have proved they can’t make a difference and they don’t.

Florida plays as a team.

When the pressure was on in Game 5 and 7, all the great, simple structure that Berube thumped into the Leafs, fell apart— especially in the second period last night.

Finally, it looks as is this very talented, yet very weak core will be broken up over the upcoming off-season (bye to Marner, and I don’t know if Tavares will be back either (let’s see if both sides are satisfied with a home town discount, and if that is successful, then stick him as a third line center (and go and shop for a legit number two who has bite)).

I have to believe it’ll be Florida vs Dallas in the finals.

I respect and admire Florida, and Maurice is one of the greatest coaches. If the Leafs were going down, I just wished they did with a fight or die mentality…but that’s not in their makeup (although Treliving is trying to build that type of team)…

Last_Rat_Standing · May 19

@peter. Great post and I feel for you. Marner will probably head to Chicago. I think Tavares stays unless he becomes a trade deadline acquisition if the Leafs stumble next year. They're still a good team and should return to the playoffs next season. I really hope we play Dallas since they're my second favorite team behind Florida due to spending 3 years in Texas during the Modano/Turco days in the Air Force. I couldn't stomach a repeat match up against Edmonton again

peter · May 19

Thanks for the kind words about the Leafs, @Last_Rat_Standing ... I'm definitely of the same mind, and with a few tweaks, we should be competitive for a few more years.

And there's something about Marner and Chicago, isn't there (Bedard and he would look pretty damn formidable).. .

But if Jon Cooper has any say, I think he'd kill to have Marner on his team in Tampa.

And then there are re-building teams like SJ and Anaheim...

One way or the other, Marner is getting the bag, lol!

I agree with you: another Oils vs Panthers would be a heart stopper for a Florida fan (I honestly can't stand McJesus, so I'd be all in on Florida -- even more than I already am).

Dallas vs Florida would be a a straight-up heavyweight match.

FoxRox · May 19

There are several teams that go to the playoffs almost every year - Maple Leafs, Stars, Hurricanes, Jets - that just keep coming up short over and over again, to where I just refuse to pick or trust them to win the Cup. I’d love for any of them to finally get over the hump, but I’ll need to see it to believe it. I think we’re going to get a Panthers-Oilers rematch for the Finals.

Last_Rat_Standing · May 19

I don't want Edmonton again. I still have ptsd from almost blowing the cup finals last year.

The parade was fun though

thedove · May 19

I hear ya @peter saw a post that stated our core four is supposed to be McDavids, MacKinnons, Crobsbys, etc. They were given huge contracts and everything they wanted without earning anything. Turns out these men are just but boys and can't or won't find a way to fight through the playoff style hockey that gets rewarded. I honestly thought when they came up in Game 6 against Ottawa and Game 6 against Florida that they had figured it out. Sadly I was wrong.

If I was in charge, here is what I would do, although no one asked.

Shanny, don't let the door hit you on the way out. You had 9 years to figure this out and you bet on the wrong horses time and time again.
Mitch, it was nice to have you and your wonderful regular season numbers. You will look weird in a Sharks, Blackhawks or Duck jersey next year. I don't see any contender giving him $13 million a year. If he takes a pay cut to play for a contender he will be presona non grata here.
I am offering Knies a fair and good contract. I am not giving him the "four core" treatment, he will need to earn no trade and other goodies.
JT I would love to have you back at a hometown discount. Otherwise thanks for your service to the team you love. We didn't always deserve you.
Morgan, thanks for your service, we will be looking for a trade to send you off to another team and a fresh start. You were clearly our worst Dman and we are paying you like our number 1 stud.
Coach and GM you are going to stay and help us navigate the waters ahead. We will listen to you and go forward accordingly.
Austin, I would love to remove the C from your jersey as I have not seen leadership from you. You called out "too many passengers" but didn't take any individual accountability. I will leave you with the C but we will call this a symbolic C for now.

Next year in the Atlantic we can expect Montreal to continue to make strides, Ottawa is hungry to build on this year. We will be in a dog fight!

Last_Rat_Standing · May 19

@thedove Throw Detroit into the mix too if they get Marner.

Tampa should take a year off to rebuild/retool. Boston should be in rebuild mode and Buffalo is Buffalo.

I still think Toronto gets back to the playoffs next year.

peter · May 19

@thedove , my friend, I cannot argue with one thing you listed. Shanahan has been the biggest disappointments. I loved him growing up. He was one of the toughest competitors. But as President, nothing but a wet napkin and lets the kids walk all over him.

Why the hell he didn’t order Matthews to be shut down in November, boggles the mind. Nope, they escorted him to Germany. He missed games and practices. He went to the 4Nations (!), where he missed a game and practices. At the very least, when he got home, they should have shelved him on LTIR (look what Florida did when they did this to Tkachuk — got Seth Jones. Tampa shut down Kutcherov, and he came back as a slayer and helped win the cup; same thing with Stone in Vegas. Matthews has been injured all year, they shoulda shelved him and used the cap space to pick up an assassin or two before the deadline)…

We are long suffering, Dove…

FoxRox · May 30

Well, we got the rematch I was expecting. The Oilers ought to be quite motivated to get revenge and end their drought, but the Panthers of course are no slouch and will want to become the latest dynasty in sports. All I can do is hope for a Game 7!

Last_Rat_Standing · May 30

Rematches don't favor the team who won the year before

thedove · May 31

I think it has the potential to be a good series. Can the goaltending of the Oilers stand up? Is Skinner able to provide the saves? My jury is still out on him. Bob has locked it in and looks to be ready for anything the Oil might throw at him.

Hyman out is a big loss for the Oil. Marchand being motivated to get another Cup might push the team more.

I predict Panthers in 6.

FoxRox · June 13

Heck of a series so far. Really couldn't say who I feel more comfortable with picking to win, but Game 7 indeed has a solid chance now.

Last_Rat_Standing · June 13

That sucked. Blew a lead in 3 of the 4 games so far. Could have lifted the cup last night again.

The series is 2-2 and I woke up this morning like they lost the series

thedove · June 14

I feel your pain @Last_Rat_Standing but sadly have never felt those feelings in a SCF! LOL!

I am torn between Canada reclaiming the Cup after so many years and Florida becoming a modern day dynasty. I still think the Panthers will take it but they are making it interesting. I think goaltending is where the difference between the two teams lands.

I do wonder about the philosophy of Maurice to prepare his team as the series is going 7. I wonder if somewhere that might impact the urgency to win it sooner? I think of the golfer who always thinks his ball will find water. Does thinking that the series will go seven somehow manifesting itself?

Last_Rat_Standing · June 14

@thedove . Believe me when I say that the stress isn't worth it. While it's been a fun 3 years, especially being a team with constant relocation rumors, these games are too much to handle.

I'll be at the arena watch party tomorrow night hoping for a 3-2 series lead

peter · June 14

Last_Rat_Standing wrote: »

@thedove . Believe me when I say that the stress isn't worth it. While it's been a fun 3 years, especially being a team with constant relocation rumors, these games are too much to handle.

I'll be at the arena watch party tomorrow night hoping for a 3-2 series lead

This Florida team though, it’s truly built for seven games unlike any team I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. Nothing rattles them. They prepare for seven games (and if they beat you prior to that, fine and great), and they don’t sweat anything. They drag teams out to the deep end and wear you down.

I saw this going no less than six games and more than likely seven. And Florida seemingly gets stronger and calmer the longer a series goes on. They’re fantastic.

I’m not sure if Edmonton has the survival skills to last against the Cats. I think they admirably came back, and I admire them (although still not a fan of McJesus (even though he is the fastest and most skilled player)), but I can’t see them inching past the assassins from Florida…

Nevertheless: great series.

thedove · June 18

Congratulations to the Florida Panthers and @Last_Rat_Standing I can't believe my prediction came true I should have laid some money down somewhere.

Random thoughts on the series:

a local reporter stated it best that this played out like a horse race. Two horses neck and neck at the start. But then Florida was a through-bred and pulled away after game 4. The Oilers had no answers and it showed in the scores.
you saw the DNA of the team when they raised the cup. The 10 first time winners went first, including a third string goalie who didn't see a minute of action in the playoffs.
Hockey is a true team sport. One or two can't do it alone. I think of basketball where a team lands a free agent and immediately jumps up the standings. Hockey needs all the players doing their roles. Will often beats skill in hockey.
McDavid has some interesting choices ahead. Does he wait to sign an extension? Or jump in and commit? The Oil need to address their goalie situation as Skinner and Pickard weren't enough in the end.
I felt for the fans and the team. The presentation of the trophies took forever while backdrops, fireworks and such were placed on the ice. I miss the old days of the commissioner coming out on a carpet and presenting the awards. I really dislike the corporate and PR stuff that comes with things now. Let the players get their hands on the prize sooner.
In the wrap up montage that Sportsnet did here in Canada I was struck by how long a haul this battle for the Cup is. It seems forever since the Canadiens, Senators and Golden Knights took to the ice. Seeing the Maple Leafs featured stung. LOL!

Now we await July 1st and the moving and shaking of rosters and players.

peter · June 18

Congrats, @Last_Rat_Standing ...Florida are stone cold killers. Assassins. If Edmonton played any other team for the Cup, they'd likely be back to back champs.

Florida is like an octopus, tentacles everywhere that strangle the opposition.

I think the past three years (with two cup wins), shows a team that's built for the long haul. Built for the battles. They are patient and calm and this alone wears down the other teams.

Just fascinating to watch these guys over the last three years.

What a team.

What an organization...

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