Official 09-10 Playoffs thread

[philou21]

I was only 7 years old back in that final and I wasn't interest in hockey at all, but darn I wish I could have assist at that moment, my Nords take the cup as their first year in Denver. LOL And it was looking more than easy.



Sorry to maybe disappoint you Batdad but.....the little frenchie in me don't understand that english expression....

[Malone_is_AmericanFinesse]

Sorry to maybe disappoint you Batdad but.....the little frenchie in me don't understand that english expression....

Not sure if you're serious or just being sarcastic (new here)...and I'm not a French speaker really by any stretch of the imagination...but "to put a hex on" might be the verb "maudire" if that means "to put a curse on" as opposed to merely meaning "to say a curse"

[philou21]

No no I was serious. Thanks for the answer! There's always place to learn.

When I will be sarcastic you will make the difference. Even if I put that smiley everywhere.

[joehelmer]

The BlackHawks has proceeded to the Conference Finals after 5-1 against Vancouver and 4-2 in games. So who do you think will proceed to the Stanley Cup-final, Chicago or San Jose?

Personally I would love to see Chicago there, they have a young and talented team and maybe it's their turn to finally win Stanley Cup again.

[The Hutch]

The BlackHawks has proceeded to the Conference Finals after 5-1 against Vancouver and 4-2 in games. So who do you think will proceed to the Stanley Cup-final, Chicago or San Jose?

Personally I would love to see Chicago there, they have a young and talented team and maybe it's their turn to finally win Stanley Cup again.

Depends on what game plan Chicago can run with. I can't see them having as much free reign at the crease against San Jose's defense, or being able to fend over San Jose's bigger forwards. I think the real question is who's going to have the energy left to win the Cup, when they make it through this series?

Both teams have a lot to play for this season. Chicago will have to make significant roster changes in order to fit the cap next season, while San Jose has been underachieving for far too long. It's a fantastic case of make or break with both of these teams, which is going to make for some very exciting hockey.

While it'd be great to hope for an original six final, San Jose has been through a lot of ups and downs since coming into the league. It would be nice to see the Sharks finally get a crack at the Cup. On the more personal level, I wouldn't want to see the Blackhawks win it all. If they take it, then the title of longest drought without a Cup falls into the lap of my beloved Leafs

[Laker2415]

I'd like to see Chicago advance to take on either Montreal or Boston.

[CeeBee]

San Jose will be a lot tougher than Vancouver was. The Hawks won't have the luxury of playing against a mostly AHL quality defence next round.

[philou21]

I think the Hawks can have it easy if they continu to play to way they did. Toews is awesome so far and he lead the team like no one else in the league.

I will watch the Habs game for sure tonight! I hope it's gonna be a real good game and if the Habs won, then congratulation to them, they will one more time mistaken me, if the Pens wins, the logic is respected.

[batdad]

It will be interesting to watch the Hawks try and play against a team with real NHL defensemen (at least more than two of them like the Canucks). I think the Sharks have things figured out, so...it should be an interesting series.

As for tonight. Boston 9 Philadelphia 0. MOntreal 2 Pittsburgh 4 (Crosby scores all 4)

[Círyatan]

I have to say I am really disappointed with both the result and the Nucks' play, though maybe disappointed is not the right word. I'm just sad.

Hawks are a superior team right now, just like last year, and that's the truth. There's no denying the fact that the better team won, and I don't begrudge them the victory. Even if the Vancouver defensive corps wasn't in such a dismal state, they would have had it extremely difficult against the Hawks' forwards. Maybe if we had Mitchell... but still, very, very unlikely.

What I missed was the ambition, the determination, the drive... I was hoping for more of that. Maybe next year. Still, congratulations to Chicago.

This team doesn't need a shakeup. I don't want to see Vigneault fired or Bieksa traded. What this team needs is adding up to what we already have and building from that. So far I'm rather happy with how Gillis handles the matters, so let's hope it continues.

An Original Six final would be something great to see, eh? So let's hope it's Bruins vs. Hawks. I would go with a Canadian team, but I really don't think Habs deserve it this year.

[batdad]

Motchell would not have made enough of a difference. The problem with this team lies in the fact that even with Mitchell...

Mitchell-Salo
Edler-Bieksa
Erhoff-O'Brien

is not got enough. Bieksa is too mistake prone (he played all of a good 20 minutes in each playoff round) and too inconsistent. And the depth is pathetic.

Vigneault goes nowhere. Bieksa needed to be dealt last season when he still had some value. The boy is directly responsible for both the 2nd goal last night and Kane's game clincher in the third. O'Brien gets the hit for the 1st one.

The Canucks lose the Demitra deal $4mill and the Mitchell deal $3.75. So...they have some $ left over to spend, even after resigning Kesler, Luongo.

But...Bobby Lou (Greasy Bob), Loseongo, must give up the captaincy. He focused too much time (not game 5 or 6) on referees and what was going on with the team. This cost the Canucks big time. He just needs to stop pucks and give back the "C" which Ryan Kesler should be wearing anyway.

Also, Kesler has some kind of shoulder injury...which explains his lack of visibility in the Chicago series (but is not an excuse).

Daniel and Henrik...not good enough boys. You have to be better. Same for Samuelsson, Burrows, Raymond. Have to be better. Grabner was the best of all of you at times vs Chicago. Same for Hansen. This is not good.

[Círyatan]

True, batdad. The current defense lineup is not enough, and let's not mention the depth; there wasn't any to speak of.

As for Bieksa... I don't know, I still remember his upsides better than his downsides. Maybe I'm fooling myself. He has been extremely mistake-prone recently, no denying that. To be honest, I just don't see how would it be possible for us to get somebody who would be a substantial improvement over him. And he still can be good, we would just want to see it more often.

The Canucks lose the Demitra deal $4mill and the Mitchell deal $3.75. So...they have some $ left over to spend, even after resigning Kesler, Luongo.

Mitchell's contract is at $3.5M, Bieksa's getting $3.75M. Not much difference, though. I still would prefer Mitchell to get resigned, but I'm starting to doubt that's gonna happen. Demitra's as good as gone, and I'm really happy about that. And Luongo's cap hit is in fact getting lower next year.

But...Bobby Lou (Greasy Bob), Loseongo, must give up the captaincy. He focused too much time (not game 5 or 6) on referees and what was going on with the team. This cost the Canucks big time. He just needs to stop pucks and give back the "C" which Ryan Kesler should be wearing anyway

It's really hard to tell, the captaincy issues, not being in the locker room with the lads. But who knows? Maybe it really is a distraction for Lou, and Kes sure can handle the responsibility. Maybe Hodgson can make it, though his injury problems really are worrying.

Awaiting next year. Hope we draft well. I trust Gillis not to make anything too stupid. As I said, I'm just sad today. It'll be over tomorrow.

[The Hutch]

Luongo definetly needs to drop the "C" and focus on why that team brought him there in the first place. First season aside, I would argue that he hasn't lived up to expectations. He's been touted as one of the best in the world, and paid accordingly.

But he hasn't made enough of a difference when it counts, and the team has been no better off than when they had Cloutier. He needs to be winning and stealing games, not being outperformed and outclassed by guys making millions of dollars less per season.

He needs to maintain his focus, it seems far too much (Captaincy included) on and off the ice can mess with his concentration. Once Chicago got in his head, that was it.

Probably could stand to talk to his defensemen more. Communication is vital between the goalie and the back pair.

And for the love of puck, work on your puckhandling!

[batdad]

No wellwood either. Bernier? Not sure about him.

But...Bieksa has been mistake prone since his first tendon slice injury. Dude was good before it, and has been horrible since it. Time for him to go.

Also..do not be too surprised if Sami Salo calls it a career pretty soon. Too many iffy injuries.

Luongo is a whiner. No way he should be captain. Whine whine whine. Even the team has come out and said (before game 5) that they have to stop whining about the refs and worrying about stuff. The Canucks whine too much about goalie bumps and everything on the ice. That is a reflection of their leader...the man in the net. This must stop. Must.

[The Hutch]

Luongo is a whiner. No way he should be captain. Whine whine whine. Even the team has come out and said (before game 5) that they have to stop whining about the refs and worrying about stuff. The Canucks whine too much about goalie bumps and everything on the ice. That is a reflection of their leader...the man in the net. This must stop. Must.

A fact I all too often have to point out when the most frustrating of fans (Canucks or otherwise) point a sole finger at Crosby for the exact same behaviour.

[batdad]

Completely different. Crosby whines alot too. But...he does not have to focus for 60 minutes. He can whine, go sit on the bench and get over it. Lebongo whines and then BOOM shot from the blueline, off Buffy's fat arse. Rebound on the stick of Kane, and in off Buffy's even fatter head. You have to be more focused as a goalie. Crosby can whine all he wants and still play well. Lebongo has not learned even from back what...3 or 4 years ago when he looked at the ref and Niedermeyer put the OT winner in the net? Jeez Robbie ...

[Círyatan]

All true. Lou's still one of the best, that's of course when he remembers it. Wish he would every night and every period. And consistency... yeah, the more I think about it the more I like the idea of giving the C to Kesler. He seems up to the job, and that would leave Lou with just the pucks to care for.

Welly hasn't actually been playing that bad recently. If he's gone, we need another centre, or we hope Hodgson is up to it, and in a far more physical league. As for Bernier... if somebody wants him, we let him go. Who would, that's the question.

Salo's definitely gone when next season folds, though I wouldn't be surprised if he calls it quits sooner than that.

It will be interesting to watch the Nucks revamp during the offseason. I wonder if they go for Hamhuis, there's been some talk of that recently...

[The Hutch]

Completely different. Crosby whines alot too. But...he does not have to focus for 60 minutes. He can whine, go sit on the bench and get over it. Lebongo whines and then BOOM shot from the blueline, off Buffy's fat arse. Rebound on the stick of Kane, and in off Buffy's even fatter head. You have to be more focused as a goalie. Crosby can whine all he wants and still play well. Lebongo has not learned even from back what...3 or 4 years ago when he looked at the ref and Niedermeyer put the OT winner in the net? Jeez Robbie ...

Good point. I actually almost forgot about the Niedermeyer goal. Classic.

[philou21]

I didn't watch the game Hawks/Nucks last night but what I've seen on TV this morning looks horrible, Luongo was looking not focus at all to me and most of the goals were garbage to me.

[DJP19]

Pittsburg 5 Montreal 1, crosby has a hatrick.

[batdad]

Lets see...2 breakaway goals. 2 two on one goals. Hmm...yeah Lebongo was horrible. Jesus. Not anything to do with Bieksa, O'Brien or Demitra.

[Laker2415]

Luongo is a whiner. No way he should be captain.

Finally, I can agree with something you say! I'm only kidding with that statement. But, it all seriousness, what do most captains do before the game, they are vocal in the locker room, motivating the boys, etc. Don Cherry said the other night on Coach's Corner, you watch Luongo in the dressing room. He says nothing. He doesn't walk around and tap teammates on the shin guards, nothing. How can a team, with their season on life support, possibly get motivated with a guy that says nothing?

[Laker2415]

Lets see...2 breakaway goals. 2 two on one goals. Hmm...yeah Lebongo was horrible. Jesus. Not anything to do with Bieksa, O'Brien or Demitra.

Well, the breakaway goal that made it 3-0 should NEVER have occurred. What the heck were Wellwood and Demitra doing passing the puck 2 feet from each other, near the blue line, with Bolland able to find out what they had for a pre-game meal?

That puck should've been sent deep into the zone. Instead, Bolland goes 120 feet and buries the puck and the Canucks at the same time.

So much for my Cup pick

[philou21]

Lets see...2 breakaway goals. 2 two on one goals. Hmm...yeah Lebongo was horrible. Jesus. Not anything to do with Bieksa, O'Brien or Demitra.

Ok he wasn't advantage on those goals but they way they enter the net he should have stop a couple of them, he doesn't look good to me. I didn't mention the work of the other guy no....but I didn't watch the game, it certainly doen'st help when your team let you down that's sure.

[CeeBee]

Batdad and Hutch pretty much said it all! Kesler should be the captain, Lou should only concentrate on stopping pucks, Bieksa should be gone, especially at his salary. Mitchell should only be back if he resigns at half the price. Salo should probably retire. Edler's the only keeper in the bunch though O'Brien is ok if he's a 5th/6th guy. Gillis has his work cut out for him as there's no help for the backend on the farm. I suspect the canucks will be pretty active this summer in the trade and FA department.