2014-2015 NHL Season and 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Fortitud3]

Starts October 8th.

Looking forward to the Capitals being a bottom 5 team after signing Niskanen and Orpik, but the Islanders are a top team in the east because they got Boychuk and Leddy and this is all because Ovechkin is a selfish Russian.

Hoping for both Ovechkin and Malkin to have monster years to shove it in TSNs faces for ranking them 12th and 8th respectively.

 

[Average American]

Fortitud3,
I was lookin' @ VegasInsider's preseason Stanley Cup odds.. they have the Caps in the middle of the pack (as a 35-1 prospect).
'Hawks are their preseason favorite @ 6/1.. followed by Kings, Bruins, & Ducks. Makes sense to me, 3 of their top 4 are from the West. West is lookin' good, and after last year's killer playoffs I'm lookin' forward to this season. Youthful Chicago & LA squads are starting have dynastic feels & potential to them..

 

[Fortitud3]

So far looks like Bellemare, Duclair, and Robbins are the only blacks added to the league.

Also, as typical Robbins wife was shown and she was of course white. Can go down the list of recent and current NHLers with white wives... Laraque, Malhotra, Kane, Okposo, Simmonds, and, Byfuglien.

 

[Average American]

Patrick Kane, one of my favorites in the game right now, gets his 500th point last night.
Congrats..

And I saw that Kane made a brief cameo in a McDonalds commercial a few weeks ago.. If you blink at the end you miss him, but.. it's cool to see an NHL guy get some national face time.

 

[Fortitud3]

Ovechkin with the puck on his stick in OT with a good chance to get the hat trick, instead the referee takes several seconds to decide after Backstrom being tripped and falling on the offending players stick is holding.

 

[Fortitud3]

Washington and Florida have a 20 round shootout. Holtby let in 5 goals after his team scored with a chance to win.

Also somehow managed to allow one in between his blocker and body from the right face off dot hit the back post. Terribad goaltending, but at least he is pro-gay unlike Varlamov right?

 

[Don Wassall]

It's been 30 years since Mario Lemieux came to Pittsburgh as the first overall pick of the 1984 NHL Draft, the most heralded young hockey player since Wayne Gretzky, as an 18 year old who spoke only French.

Mario has always had a regal bearing and is intensely private. He found Pittsburgh to his liking and of course eventually became the co-owner of what has become one of the NHL's showcase franchises.

At his best Lemieux was as good as if not better than anyone who's ever played the sport of hockey, the ultimate test of speed, hand-eye coordination and toughness. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently ran an eight-part series on Mario and his history with the Penguins and Pittsburgh. For those interested check it out: http://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/lemieux/long.php

 

[Matra2]

The Winter Classic's ratings were pretty bad this year (Chicago @ Washington). The hockey is rarely all that good but it was a bit of an event for a few years until the NHL ruined it by having way too many outdoor games last year. So predictable.

Incidentally, in Canada the IHFF (International Ice Hockey Federation) World Junior's championship, currently being held in Toronto/Montreal, is destroying the NHL in the Canadian TV ratings again this year.

 

[Liverlips]

Attendance at the Classic seemed pretty good on TV.

 

[Don Wassall]

The attendance is always good for all the outdoor games, but the novelty has worn off and it's really just another regular season game for everyone else outside the two cities whose teams are playing. I don't watch regular season NHL games unless they involve the Penguins, but once the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin I watch as many as I can as there's no better competition in sports.

 

[Average American]

The Winter Classic's ratings were pretty bad this year (Chicago @ Washington)...

This year's Winter Classic did post it's lowest rating , but the previous year was it's highest rating. It's a small, early sampling of Classics; I think it's too early to determine it's ultimate fate as a future success, or failure.
The NHL knows what they're up against, Jan. 1 is historically the biggest day in college football. Picture the NBA launching a regular season game against the NFL's Thanksgiving Day tradition.. January 1st is an uphill battle for hockey, and this year they were starting against a good, competitive Outback Bowl. I think they're doing well all things considered.. and the live crowds are huge turn-outs for NHL.

I'm optimistic about the Classic, and it's nice having an alternative during the college football slate. My sole personal complaint, was the distant camera view.

 

[Don Wassall]

Patrick Kane was tied for the scoring lead before fracturing his clavicle during a game a week ago. He may be back sometime during Chicago's playoff run.

There are a dozen players within 6 points of the NHL scoring lead. Looks like no one will score 100 points, but Alex Ovechkin is a cinch for over 50 goals as he already has 43. He and teammate Nicklas Backstrom are currently tied for the scoring lead with 67 points. The league needs to tweak some rules to bring back offense, too many games are on the boring side this season.

The great goalie Martin Brodeur retired during CF's downtime. He may not have been the best goalie ever but he's certainly in the conversation, especially given his durability.

The Stanley Cup playoffs aren't far off now, the greatest test in sports, can't wait. Lots of very good teams but no clear favorite to win the Cup.

 

[Jack Reacher]

I agree with Don regarding the need for some tweaking in the rules dept. to lift things offensively.

Yes, the playoffs are not far off, and being out here in the land of the Kings, I'm still stunned to have seen the local boys take Lord Stanley's cup twice in three seasons. To be honest, it didn't sit well with my relatives (I'm originally from the heart of darkness in the Midwest: Detroit) who claim "fix" whenever the topic comes up.

 

[Fortitud3]

The problem isn't just rules, its also the coaches.

They all seem to see themselves in these try hard players that aren't that good. Ovechkin is an incredible player, but somehow Jay Beagle keeps on worming his way onto playing on the same line as Ovechkin even though it causes Ovechkin to get less shots and the overall shot attempts takes a massive hit.

Whereas Burakovsky, gets sent to the AHL. This of course in spite of the fact Ovechkin and Backstrom play best with him on their line. Their possession numbers get a massive spike and they allow fewer goals against, but apparently Trotz thinks they play the wrong way and need Beagle to show them the right way.

 

[Tannehill17]

Being here in South Florida (not exactly a hockey hotbed) and as someone who goes to about half of the Panthers games, I have to say Aaron Ekblad has been a treat to watch. The Panthers have some of the absolute worst marketing people in the league (if you're not a hockey fan, you like don't even know they exist) and being that the team has sucked for 15 years thanks to penny pinching Jew owners (new owner Vinnie Viola seems to be trying to fix this) I'm usually watching the team in front of half empty arena's. Tis a shame too. If the Panthers marketing people were smart, they would put Ekblad on billboards all throughout South Florida. This guy is good looking, marketable, and could be the superstar to bring the fans back into the building

 

[Fortitud3]

Every time I watch the Predators, I can't help, but to get a petulant crybaby vibe from Weber. Just watched him crosscheck a guy in the arm because he was mad he got dangled.

 

[Matra2]

In the time CT was down there was drama in Winnipeg (a rarity in itself) with black player Evander Kane being traded to Buffalo. Kane had been involved in a confrontation with his teammates.

He’s been rumored to not pay his bills at restaurant, show up late to team meetings and not follow the dress code. Here’s what we know what this past week’s events. Kane didn’t wear the appropriate clothes to a meeting. (Apparently not the first time it’s happened). His teammates didn’t like it and they allegedly threw the track suit he had worn into the shower. Kane was scratched against the Canucks and was asked not to go to the arena.

http://thehockeywriters.com/exploring-the-idea-of-evander-kane-to-the-oilers/

Meanwhile in Toronto Arab Muslim Nazem Khadri was suspended by his coach, then hung out to dry by the Leaf organisation. Officially he was suspended for not showing up in time for a meeting but no one in Toronto's sports media believes that and the Leafs have all but admitted it. Khadri has off-ice issues the team is annoyed about and the consensus is that Khadri, like Kane, thinks rules don't apply to him.

This is reminiscent of the "it's all about me" mentality so prevalent among blacks in
the NFL and European soccer.

 

[Average American]

Last night Ovechkin (surpassed Bondra), becoming Washington's all-time leading goal scorer.

Congrats,.. and (barring significant injuries) looks like OV could still have many productive years ahead of him.

 

[Don Wassall]

The defending champion Kings are once again engaging in their annual ritual of just squeaking into the playoffs. They're battling Calgary and Winnipeg for the 8th and last spot in the Western Conference playoff seedings.

In the East, the Penguins have been pretty woeful for the past four-plus months and are also struggling just to make it as the 7th or 8th seed. They have a huge game in Ottawa tomorrow against the Senators, who along with the Bruins and Pens are fighting for their playoff lives.

If Los Angeles gets in, they'll be hard to knock off in a best of seven as they're built to wear teams down with their size and grit. The Penguins however won't be favored to go anywhere this year if they get in. Maybe that means they'll actually overachieve in the playoffs for once instead of their annual flops since winning the Cup in '09, but I highly doubt it. I adopted the Kings as my second favorite team last year, although they also look "off" from previous seasons but may yet prove tough to dethrone.

 

[Freethinker]

This year, it's a New York Rangers world and everyone else is just living in it.

If the Rangers and Islanders meet in the second round (or later depending how seeding shakes out), the New York Tri-State area will go hockey crazy. With the local basketball teams walking dead, hopefully hockey's popularity will continue to grow here. An exciting 7 game series between bitter, local rivals would do wonders for that hope.

It's great seeing all the young White fans wearing their favorite Ranger's player's jersey around here come playoff time. Despite the media's blackout, there are still countless kids getting into hockey and loving the sport. Not all fathers are DWFs I guess.

 

[celticdb15]

This year, it's a New York Rangers world and everyone else is just living in it.

If the Rangers and Islanders meet in the second round (or later depending how seeding shakes out), the New York Tri-State area will go hockey crazy. With the local basketball teams walking dead, hopefully hockey's popularity will continue to grow here. An exciting 7 game series between bitter, local rivals would do wonders for that hope.

It's great seeing all the young White fans wearing their favorite Ranger's player's jersey around here come playoff time. Despite the media's blackout, there are still countless kids getting into hockey and loving the sport. Not all fathers are DWFs I guess.

I'm in the process of converting to a hockey fan I've always followed football,baseball, and basketball fanatically, but it gets old with caste let down after let Down. Hockey takes a lot of skill,hand eyecoordination,grit ,and toughness. Besides who doesn't love a good old fashioned brawl on occasion?!

 

[Average American]

their favorite Ranger's player..

Free, I'm not a Rangers fan.. but I like Lundqvist a lot. This guy has been damn near lights-out over the last few years. He's moved into 3rd best save % all-time, & 2nd amongst active goaltenders (behind Rask).

Sport fans accurately talk up & acknowledge the importance of NFL QBs, but I put NHL net-minders right up there behind 'em: a dominant goalie carries a team a long way. Lundqvist's an active NY legend. In my mind, with Jeter retired, only Eli is higher in active NY sports stature now. Hope Lundqvist gets a Cup to solidify his legacy/greatness.

I'm curious, which Ranger jersey do u see the most around town ?

 

[Freethinker]

Free, I'm not a Rangers fan.. but I like Lundqvist a lot. This guy has been damn near lights-out over the last few years. He's moved into 3rd best save % all-time, & 2nd amongst active goaltenders (behind Rask).

Sport fans accurately talk up & acknowledge the importance of NFL QBs, but I put NHL net-minders right up there behind 'em: a dominant goalie carries a team a long way. Lundqvist's an active NY legend. In my mind, with Jeter retired, only Eli is higher in active NY sports stature now. Hope Lundqvist gets a Cup to solidify his legacy/greatness.

I'm curious, which Ranger jersey do u see the most around town ?

Agreed on Hank. A Cup could make him "Sports King of NY" and put him in conversation with NYR legend Mike Richter. It's ironic that the Rangers went on a huge run with him injured this year. Cam Talbot played lights out. For the playoffs this could be good, as Hank will be better rested than any other season.

Out of current players, Lundqvist, McDonagh, Nash and Staal are probably the most seen. Zuccarello has quite a few fans as well. Still see lots of Ryan Callahan jerseys. He was immensely popular. Of course many Richter, Leech, Graves and Messier jerseys for the throwback wearing types.

 

[Average American]

Cam Talbot played lights out..

You're right, Talbot's done a killer job filling in for Lundqvist this year. I saw Talbot the other night, his work in the net was Lundqvist'ian. Just checked Talbot's 2014-15 stats, he's 21-9 as a starter, and stopping almost 93% of opponents' shots.
Rangers will be going into the playoffs w/a stout goaltending corps. I wanna see 'em get a Cup for Lundqvist, but the West has been real strong recently (winning 6 of the last 8 Cups)..

Lookin' forward to it.

 

[Matra2]

The Habs are leading Ottawa 4-3 in the 3rd because of some bad goaltending by Binghampton call-up Andrew Hammond - who did a great job helping the Sens get to the playoffs. However, PK Subban put his team in a jam early by getting a game misconduct call for a two handed slash on Mark Stone. It didn't look that bad but Subban didn't need to do it so he's only got himself to blame. When Stone temporarily returned to the game Subban threw a temper tantrum at the door. The commentators said Stone has gone for examination but I thought I just saw him back on the bench. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see if there's a suspension.

Edit: Stone is back in the game but not looking 100%.