Official™ 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk

Post by **batdad** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:24 am

Real soon. Like now!

Staple Smoke and Sopel..Bulis-Mo-Hansen must be one of the fastest lines in the NHL...and it is working. But darn...NOW!!!!

Post by **CatchUp** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:35 am

29 seconds left...it would be nice for the Canucks to score on Turco. He doesn't need the confidence boost heading back to Dallas.

Post by **batdad** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:01 am

OH well...noone said it would be a sweep

But Van better get smart, and healthy fast.

I am not liking the way many of the d-men: Sopel, Ohlund, Bieksa and Krajicek played tonite. But 1 game..is 1 game.

Bieksa's shot on Barnes at the end was pathetic and stupid. Lucky it was not as hard as it looked like it would have been if he had not slowed up. Poor Loser on that one. I no likey that. Smarten up Kevin...cause I like the way you play most of the time.

Kekkonen · Post by **Kekkonen** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:06 am

Turks was nothing short of brilliant tonight. Or this morning, as it is my time.

Thundercleese · Post by **Thundercleese** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:16 am

Who cares where Langkow gets his points from? The fact is, they're coming. Players don't go out all by themselves against five guys--they need their teammates regardless of if they're Joe Sakic or Scott Nichol. Most of your takes are good, batdad (even if I disagree), but this is a bad take. If Langkow couldn't score 30 goals and (almost) 80 points with another team it doesn't matter because he plays for the Flames. By virtue of the numbers, he's a 1A center (notice that it's him out there on the power play with Iggy rather than Conroy...). You don't need to be a superstar to be a productive top-line guy and there's only so many Forsbergs and Jokinens to go around.

PS - Sutter has ALWAYS said that it's not about finding a guy to make Iginla better, it's about Iginla making the guys around him better. Where did you hear he was going after Forsberg (insofar as really EVERY team was interested, but I've never heard anything to suggest that he made a concerted effort)? Getting Conroy was cheap and it kept the team's top player happy. Other than that, he just wanted depth: Wayne Primeau.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 3:01 pm

Sorry BatDad, but my Western team just beaten up yours

BTW, my Eastern one is Buffalo

Post by **batdad** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:20 pm

T-cleese. No sweat. I guess what I was saying was that Langkow is not a prototype of what you want at #1 centre position. He could be like Morrison was here, a 1A centre, as you say. I would agree and say it was a bad take on my part, but I can't do that. Cause that would be no fun. ANd cause I don' tthink so.
Langkow is a good hockey player, and plays alright where he is, and yep 1A because of the situation he is in. But don't think for a second that if you were to move him you would get a top line player back.
He plays 1st line in Calgary because he has to. Think about what people would give up for Langkow, versus what people would give up for Morrison. ABout the same? higher? lower? I feel it is about the same. That leaves me thinking that Langkow is not a TRUE #1 centre, and is doing the role in Calgary because they have a hole in that slot. Plus if Iggy had a true #1 centre, would he care if Conroy was back or not? Nope.

Post by **Shadd666** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:50 pm

I mostly agree with batdad that Langkow isn't a true n°1 center. However, i'll never say he's a n°2 center. He's something like a n°1.5 center: could play on the top-line with ease, but won't dominate on it. And the fact he had 77 pts doesn't make him a n°1 center at all. How many points for Crosby or Thornton this season? And well, having only about 40 assists when you play with guys like Iggy, Tanguay, or Huselius, is a bit low to be considered a top center IMO.

However, he's a very good hockey player and is a solid member of the team, as part of its identity. But not an unquestionnable n°1 center.

Back on the playoffs, congrats to the Ducks, who are the first team to have a 2-0 lead in their series. The Wild aren't wild enough actually to beat them... They'll have to change this at home if they want to avoid the sweep!

In the Nucks-Stars series...wow! So Turco really can make good things in the playoffs? Like a shutout? Sure, the Nucks don't have the best offense of the league, but it remains a playoffs shutout! The Nucks are in danger now, forced to get a win in Dallas if they don't want to trail 1-3 in the series before coming home again...

Sharks were dominated by the Preds, but they made a good job by winning game 1. Now they have to be strong at home to take a 3-1 lead, while the Preds would better win one of those two games in San Jose...

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:43 pm

I don't know if anyone on here has said Langkow is that all-star centerman.

You don't always need a "true #1 center" when you already have a #1 LW and a franchise RW.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:46 pm

Systemfel wrote:I don't know if anyone on here has said Langkow is that all-star centerman.

You don't always need a "true #1 center" when you already have a #1 LW and a franchise RW.

And a top notch Goaltender and a young and already solid D-man

Thundercleese · Post by **Thundercleese** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:19 am

That's pretty much what I'm saying, is Langkow is a 1.5/1A centerman. I'm not delusional enough to think he would command the kind of value that a guy like Forsberg does....of course the idiocy of NHL owners coupled with arbitration may mean that a guy of Langkow's calibre becomes worth 5 mil a season, no joke. If he puts up another season equal to, or better than, this one, he's going to command a very high price on the market, either as trade bait or as an UFA.

When we picked up Conroy I thought that might make Langkow expendable if Connie/Iggy recaptured their old magic right off the bat. I can see a veteran guy who's defensively responsible and offensively capable going to a team like the Devils for a defenseman and a pick. But it's speculation, so it's worthless. The thing about #1 vs. #2 is each time has a different concept of what that should mean, because different teams play different styles of hockey--Wes Walz spends time as a #1 center in Minnesota, for example. My point is that if a guy succeeds in the role he is given on the team he plays for, he IS that role. If a guy like Lee Stempniak is a top-liner for the Blues but would be a third liner for the Preds, it's ultimately irrelevant, because he fits the role he's given on the team he plays for. Langkow might not be a traditional top-line center, but he's been given the role in Calgary and has excelled...if he scored 10 goals and 20 points all year, I'd agree with the "not #1" prognosis, but he's earned his spot by doing what's been asked of him.

Post by **batdad** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:18 am

Oh hell yeah in terms of the team he is on Langkow has earned his spot. No question. He has been alot better this season in Calgary, than anywhere else at any time. No doubt. I just would not want him to be the #1 guy in Vancouver. Mainly because I feel that other than goalie, Centre is the MOST important position in the game. Ahead of defense. D can only do the job properly in their own end if the C is doing the job properly. If I were a GM I would always want to have THE TOP NOTCH centre. No matter what. So I guess...I would end up like Bobby Clarke...cept I might have a goalie.

Anyway, back to the topic...Anything exciting in the games today? Missed em all as was at that darned baseball field. All day again tomorrow. Arggh. Sometimes my kid makes my life miserable. Why couldn't he be old, lazy and fat like me? Why does he have to be a jock?

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:51 am

batdad wrote: Anyway, back to the topic...Anything exciting in the games today? Missed em all as was at that darned baseball field. All day again tomorrow. Arggh. Sometimes my kid makes my life miserable. Why couldn't he be old, lazy and fat like me? Why does he have to be a jock?

I've seen a bit of TB-NJ game. St-Louis goal what awesome to see, he nearly shot from the right corner, straight into Marty net

Former Habs Jason Ward also had his share of glory. Torto played alot his Big Three, I didn't the numbers but I think St-Louis was like half the time on the ice. Hope they get enough fuel to end this series... winning.

The NJ offensive is really straight forward to watch: always left-wing rush or so... Vinny also did a cheap shot on Gionta. They ranted a bit at each other and 2 sec later when G. was facing the other side, Vinny hitted him on the heel....

Kekkonen · Post by **Kekkonen** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:00 am

I watched some of the Rangers - Thrashers game... looks like the Thrashers' first post-season appearance won't be a long one.

I was really surprised to see the Isles win one against the Sabres. I was wondering how that was possible and then, looking at the recap on ESPN, I saw this:

Islanders captain Alexei Yashin was benched for most of the final two periods, and finished with a team-low 7:07 of ice time.

Ted Nolan, I love you.

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:14 am

montreal should get yashin to make an historic line like the french connection.. samsonov-yashin-kovalev.. called the lazy russian bench warmers

Post by **Shadd666** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:56 am

Yashin benched? That explain why the Isles win, no doubt!

The return of DiPietro in net might have helped a bit too...

Nice win for the baby-Pens!

With Crosby scoring the winnin-goal, and a really spectacular game from Fleury!

In the Thrashers game, the first Rags goal is hilarous! Maybe not for Hedberg though...

And i double holydogg: St. Louis' goal was awesome!

Western Conference playoffs tonight... Calgary and Minnesota have to wake up, while Vancouver and Nashville are under pressure... Let's drop the puck!

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:31 pm

jackknife77 wrote:montreal should get yashin to make an historic line like the french connection.. samsonov-yashin-kovalev.. called the lazy russian bench warmers

14 millions worth pack of laziness

Post by **batdad** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:12 pm

Yashin! YAshin! Yashin! I heard he played all of 7 minutes. Ted Nolan is a god!

saw the Avery goal...That happens sometimes. Not the fault of Hedberg. Bad Luck. ALmost happened to Turco the other nite.

That line of your's jackknife would win every trophy the ECHL has to offer.

Kekkonen · Post by **Kekkonen** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:40 am

The Detroit - Calgary -series is two games old, and the Wings already have 101 shots on goal.

The Flames? 35.

Thundercleese · Post by **Thundercleese** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:29 am

The scorekeepers at the Joe are notorious for inflated shot totals for the Wings, so I don't know how accurate 101 shots really is. That's not to say the Flames have been anything other than awful. There were some spots in game 2 in which I had a little bit of hope, but if this doesn't turn 180 on Tuesday it's gonna be a sweep.

I REALLY underestimated the Sens. I didn't think they had a prayer in this series, but they're showing me up. Alfredsson is leading like a captain should, physically, responsibly and with key goals at key times. Philips and Volchenkov are making Crosby look average at best and Fleury should spend a few hours in Emery's classroom. How is Gonchar, the most experienced d-man on the team, making such consistently stupid plays? Very impressive, Senators.

I agree with the notion that a center is key to the defense doing their jobs properly, but how many number one centers actually care? The aforementioned Yashin is the perfect example--ostensibly a #1 center, but he ends up glued to the bench because he doesn't live up to that expectation (the only reason for this, of course, is Ted Nolan is a superhero). If defensive responsibility is part of the criteria for evaluating a great center, the Selke talk around Langkow just reinforces my original point.

Post by **Shadd666** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:54 pm

Yashin isn't a n°1 center

Well, he can be so some nights, when he doesn't know what to do else, while some other nights he's just a second or third line center. Sometimes he just doesn't show what's needed to play in the NHL and get benched. Too casual to be a n°1 at any position.

For Langkow, if he was a true n°1 center, Iggy would have over 100pts, no question about that. He doesn't, because Langkow isn't a true n°1 center. He's a very good center, can play on the Flames top line and put decent numbers, but he is NOT a TRUE n°1 center. Point.

For the Wings-Flames series...as T-cleese mentionned, if nothing changes in tuesday's game, it will be a sweep, or an end in 5 at best. If i'm right, it's the 8th consecutive lost game for the Flames, no? Very awful...less than in game 1, but still awful.

While T-cleese underestimated the Sens, i clearly overestimated the Wild...and now they should have holidays very soon. Bäckström is doing the job, but he's really all alone to do so.

Nucks and Stars seem to love playing each other, with another overtime in the basket...and another 2-1 final score between those teams this season. Really good win for the Nucks, who needed it asap. This series should go to game 7 finally...

I wonder if the Isles will win tonight... It would be a huge surprise to see Buffalo trailing 1-2 in the series! But if Yashin is benched, everything's possible for the Isles!

Post by **batdad** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:37 pm

Actually Shadd, Iggy does not have 100 pts, because he was hurt for some of the year. But that is beside the point.

Did Naslund and Alfredsson have a chat before the playoffs? Becuase both of them are doing what neither has ever done before. I think Nazzy has something like 10 or 11 hits in the 3 games so far. Me thinks that is more than all of this reg season and last season combined. The man is possessed, as is Alfie. Ottawa is a better team than anyone gave em credit for. And Emery looks solid in net. Could cause serious trouble for some other teams.

The Wild are clearly struggling alot more with the physical beatdown than I Thought they would from Anaheim. I should have known better...Demitra, Gaborik, Nummelin, Burns, Bouchard...these are all guys who have not played well when getting hit in the past. Gaborik is completely MIA.

And have I mentioned...Nashville...just not good enough. But where was Thornton in the last game? Clearly, should be a fourth liner.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:49 pm

batdad wrote: The Wild are clearly struggling alot more with the physical beatdown than I Thought they would from Anaheim. I should have known better...Demitra, Gaborik, Nummelin, Burns, Bouchard...these are all guys who have not played well when getting hit in the past. Gaborik is completely MIA.

They are needing a Dale Hunter or a Claude Lemieux

Thundercleese · Post by **Thundercleese** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:35 pm

It's six losses in a row, after six wins in a row.

batdad's right: based on Iggy's points per game, he would be easily over 100 points if he didn't miss 12 games. Of course that means very little given the 2 shots in two games he's produced when it counts.

I said a little while ago that I like the Isles to go deep (of course I predicted the series for Buffalo), I hope they do. It's really too bad that it took Ted Nolan so long to get back into the league and Garth Snow looks like a genius all of a sudden. DiPietro might just steal this series...but probably not.

Alfie's always been able to hit, he just a) doesn't look like he can, resembling a cocker spaniel more than anything and b) doesn't do it all that often, but he's laid a few good ones in his career.

Post by **batdad** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:34 pm

By doing what they have never done before, I mean Nazzy and Alfie are involved in all aspects of the game, at all points in time. Not just when the mood strikes them. It is odd, that they both decide to do this for the first time, at the same time. Odd, but just coincidence.

Isles? Deep? No chance. And I will eat my words if they do...