2014-2015 NHL Season and 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Don Wassall]

The Rangers offense has totally flatlined in the playoffs. Nash has disappeared again. Looks like they'll be exiting soon. I predict they'll win game 5 but lose game 6.

Holtby has played very well for the Caps. Seems like when he's on his game he's one of the elite goaltenders. I wonder why he doesn't always perform at a high level?

A Capitals vs Lightning Eastern Finals would be a series that not many people saw coming.

Holtby's been doing a great impression of Lundqvist. With NY's supposed goalie advantage neutralized, the Capitals are bigger and stronger than the smallish Rangers, and as fast or almost as fast. Can't see the Rangers coming back from 1-3 like they did to the Penguins last year.

It's looking like Washington-Tampa in the East and Anaheim-Chicago in the West barring a near miracle by the Rangers or Flames, who were lucky to win Game 3 in OT at home.

 

[Don Wassall]

The Rangers force a Game 7 back in Madison Square Garden. Washington fell behind 4-1 in Game 6 at home midway in the third period before making it 4-3 and exerting tremendous sustained pressure in a failed attempt to tie the game. Game 7 could be a classic.

 

[Freethinker]

The Rangers force a Game 7 back in Madison Square Garden. Washington fell behind 4-1 in Game 6 at home midway in the third period before making it 4-3 and exerting tremendous sustained pressure in a failed attempt to tie the game. Game 7 could be a classic.

That final 10 minutes plus was some of the most stressful hockey I've ever watched.

Overall, the NHL playoffs have been very exciting so far. The Western round 2 matchups not included. In the East the Rangers have stormed back and it seems like the momentum has swung to Montreal in the other series. That could go 7 games as well.

 

[Matra2]

Chicago v NY Rangers final would be the NHL's dream. An Anaheim v Tampa (maybe even Washington) would be a ratings disaster. I'm not sure what appeal the Canadiens would have in the US but they have more fans than any team in the league. I don't think they'll come back though as they are just too reliant on Carey Price. He'd have to stand on his head a la Patrick Roy in 1993 for the rest of the playoffs.

 

[Matra2]

The Canadiens had nothing left in the tank as Tampa dispatched them in six games. No Stanley Cup appearance for PK Subban this year.

Tonight game seven at MSG between the Rangers and Capitals.

 

[FootballDad]

Tonight game seven at MSG between the Rangers and Capitals.

NIce hard-fought 1-1 tie in the third period. Nice to watch a pro sports game bereft of supa-affletes.

 

[Don Wassall]

Rangers prevail in OT in Game 7 after being down three games to one, all seven games were decided by one goal. Really tough one for Washington to lose as the teams were so evenly matched, I remember well how I felt last year at this time when NY rallied from down 1-3 to knock off the Penguins.

Tampa is playing really well; they have a nice mix of dynamic young forwards to go with Stamkos and some good defensemen. Should be a great Eastern Conference final, and of course Anaheim-Chicago in the West should be awesome.

 

[FootballDad]

It was a great game to watch. As noted here before, the Rangers had a bit more speed and skill, the Capitols a bit more size, and near equal skill. I'm glad the Rangers won as it will be a better ratings draw than the Washington team, and we won't have to have the constant camera shots of the lone negro on the Capitols.

 

[Fortitud3]

Jew Bettman got his way. No proud patriotic Russian supporting his country against the Jewish agenda advancing.

Capitals won this series 4-1, besides of course the fact that apparently GI is being pushed into the goalie outside the crease. And the losers on NBCSN get to bash Ovechkin, even though he was the one who stole the puck along the boards creating the goal that would of won them Game 5.

Oh well... Hopefully Ovechkin can light a fire under the asses of Russia in the World Championships if they pass Sweden in their first elimination game.

 

[Freethinker]

Rangers prevail in OT in Game 7 after being down three games to one, all seven games were decided by one goal. Really tough one for Washington to lose as the teams were so evenly matched, I remember well how I felt last year at this time when NY rallied from down 1-3 to knock off the Penguins.

Tampa is playing really well; they have a nice mix of dynamic young forwards to go with Stamkos and some good defensemen. Should be a great Eastern Conference final, and of course Anaheim-Chicago in the West should be awesome.

The Rangers are not a team for those with cardiac problems. All 12 of their playoff games so far have been decided by 1 goal. Another interesting tidbit is that out of their 8 playoff wins, 6 were by a score of 2-1.

The Caps were a great team but the Rangers seem to play their best when their backs are up against the wall. They have alot of heart. Henrik was MVP as there is no way they advance without him making great saves each game.

I'm really looking forward to the Rangers facing off against former captain, Ryan Callahan, and the Lightning. Callahan was one of the most popular Rangers during his stint with the team. A tough-nose kid from upstate NY who played a physical, gritty style which the fans just loved. It was tough to see him go. The Lightning also have recent Rangers Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman. Overall I'm happy for their success but I'll be predicting the Rangers in 7 (probably all by a 1 goal margin).

As an aside, the Rangers are the only all-White team remaining for those who care. The Ducks have Emerson Etem, the Blackhawks have Johnny Oduya and the Lighting have J.T. Brown.

 

[Matra2]

Oh well... Hopefully Ovechkin can light a fire under the asses of Russia in the World Championships if they pass Sweden in their first elimination game.

He'll play for Russia against the USA on Saturday evening - 1.15pm. Canada has by far the best team in the tournament. If they don't win it'll look like a major choke given their superiority.

 

[Fortitud3]

He'll play for Russia against the USA on Saturday evening - 1.15pm. Canada has by far the best team in the tournament. If they don't win it'll look like a major choke given their superiority.

Yep, hoping for Ovechkin-Tikhonov-Plotnikov to be reunited like they were last year. Both of those guys want to come to the NHL and the Capitals need to replace both Fehr and Ward.

 

[yuri malenkov]

Hopefully Russia destroys commie Canada in the 2015 IIHF gold medal game on sunday.

 

[Matra2]

Those Canadian commies in Crimea and Donetsk

 

[Matra2]

As for the hockey Canada has been by far the best team throughout the tournament. It would be a surprise if Russia won it but if their goalie is hot then anything can happen.

Jaromir Jagr, now 43, has been sensational in this tournament.

 

[Matra2]

Canada 4 Russia 0 after two periods. Canada too skilful, too fast, and too tough for the Russkies. The Canadians are putting on a clinic. The Russians have that deer in headlights look. But they are also known for lightning fast comebacks so Canada can't relax. Yevgeny Malkin is making a fool of himself out there. The guy's lack of professionalism stands in stark contrast to never say die Ovechkin's.

The no look pass from Giroux to Seguin:

[video=youtube;dSMHA9AatY0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSMHA9AatY0[/video]

 

[Don Wassall]

Malkin was beyond bad the last part of the regular season and the playoffs. Like he completely forgot how to play hockey, I've never seen anything like it. He's always been prone to making bad passes and taking dumb penalties, but it was like he was playing without a brain.

 

[Fortitud3]

Too many people look at the forwards of Russia and forget about the defense. Every other major hockey nation has multiple #1 dmen for the national team and guys that can carry the puck up the ice, Russian's have Markov and Voynov. #3s..

 

[Matra2]

The lack of depth in the Russian defence might have flattered Canada a bit. But the same thing happened at the 2010 Olympics, the last time they played best on best. The Russians collapsed as soon as the Canadian onslaught began. Both Russia and the Czech Republic seem to be lagging the other main powers when it comes to developing defensive players.

In fairness to Malkin he was one of the handful of Russian players, including Ovechkin, Kulikov, and a couple of others who did not break protocol and stayed out waiting for the winner's national anthem. The classless Ilya Kovalchuk, the captain, was to blame:

http://deadspin.com/russia-will-be-punished-for-skipping-canadian-national-1705256899

Speaking of...there have been constant rumours and reports about Kovalchuk returning to the NHL - always denied by the Russian KHL where he currently plays. Because he already officially retired from the NHL there is some complication to him returning.

Game 2 Tampa@NY coming up. I hope it is not another 2-1 game as I'd like to see a few more goals once in a while. So far 9 of 13 Rangers games have ended with that score.

 

[Average American]

I'd like to see a few more goals once in a while..

This kid Tyler Johnson is having a Joe Flacco-like playoff run for Tampa. 7 minutes left in the third, and he's already put together a hat trick (including a 3-on-5 shortie,.. not something you see often). Johnson's currently leading the league in postseason goals.

 

[Phall]

The game last night between Chicago and Anaheim was the best one I've seen in all year (of course I've only tallied ten or so altogether). The playoffs always seem to bring out the best from squads where a timely run of form or a stonewall goalie separates two equal rosters.

One of the Chicago players, Shaw, head butted the puck into the goal during the second overtime. I knew skates were off-limits, but never have I ever seen such a brainy play! Replay disallowed it, and the home fans went home happy about an hour later.

So:
Chicago, Anaheim, New York, Tampa

Apparently they're all about evenly matched. Anaheim is the tough guy team, and New York has the best/hottest goalie (who got lit up for six the other night). I think I saw an arab named 'Saad' on Anaheim... not a deal breaker for me personally. Just funny that even those guys are floating around there

 

[Matra2]

Presumably Brandon Saad of Chicago. His bio says he's originally from Pittsburgh and of Syrian descent. Probably of Christian background.

The Red Wings also have Justin Abdelkader. He doesn't look Arab at all. Wikipedia says he's half Arab half Polish.

The Senators have a player called Zibanejad. That's an Iranian name.

Then there's the annoying Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri touted loudly by the media as the first Muslim to play for the Maple Leafs, a team of significant historical importance in Anglo-Canada. Now that he's widely disliked by fans I doubt the media will mention his "groundbreaking" background again.

 

[Don Wassall]

Had no time to watch game 4 of the Ducks-Blackhawks series, tuned in with about 12 minutes left in the third period, only to see Chicago immediately score to make it 3-1 Hawks. Shortly thereafter Anaheim responded with 3 goals in 37 seconds to make it 4-3 in their favor! Left and saw that with about 7 minutes left Chicago had scored to make it 4-4, and see now that the Blackhawks won in the second overtime period to square the series at two. Must have been an unbelievable up and down night for Blackhawks fans as it's highly unlikely they could come back from 3-1 down to Anaheim if they had lost.

The three period OT game between those two teams the other night was as good as it gets. Non-stop offensive chances by supremely talented teams, thwarted by even better goaltending. The Stanley Cup playoffs never disappoint.

 

[Jack Reacher]

Had no time to watch game 4 of the Ducks-Blackhawks series, tuned in with about 12 minutes left in the third period, only to see Chicago immediately score to make it 3-1 Hawks. Shortly thereafter Anaheim responded with 3 goals in 37 seconds to make it 4-3 in their favor! Left and saw that with about 7 minutes left Chicago had scored to make it 4-4, and see now that the Blackhawks won in the second overtime period to square the series at two. Must have been an unbelievable up and down night for Blackhawks fans as it's highly unlikely they could come back from 3-1 down to Anaheim if they had lost.

The three period OT game between those two teams the other night was as good as it gets. Non-stop offensive chances by supremely talented teams, thwarted by even better goaltending. The Stanley Cup playoffs never disappoint.

The NHL playoffs are consistently provide the most thrilling playoff series games in all of sports.

 

[FootballDad]

The NHL playoffs are consistently provide the most thrilling playoff series games in all of sports.

The level of skill and athleticism, not to mention toughness, is truly awesome. And almost 100% white. The MSM always tries to downplay the NHL, while attempting to prop up "black" sports like the NBA simply because of this fact. Then the DWFs always trot out the line that "all of the best black athletes play football, basketball, run track". In Canada and the inner cities in the northern US, blacks are encouraged and subsidized to play hockey. They either are not good/athletic enough (gasp!) or they don't have the mental toughness to learn. No other lame excuses.