Offical 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

[alaskanpiper]

Pierre McGuire..... most annoying, nonsensical, Sydney Crosby knob gobbling, douche. He’s main reason I turn sound off on games. (I’m a B’s fan, but I’ll do the same listening to Jack Edwards) His dumb “so and so played in Saskatoon”, odd trivia, and weird fetish for Sydney Crosby, you can almost hear him orgasm every time he mentions #87.

Miss the banter between Mike Milbury and KEITH jones. He’ll, even Roenick was entertaining (if not almost always inebriated ?). Sharpe is too bland and Vanilla, and Anson doesn’t offer much either. A cool cat not playing, like P.K Subban would certainly be more interesting, or bring in Barry Melrose. Don Cherry would be great, but if CBC can’t handle him, then the current woke audience would certainly blow a gasket.
A bit tired of Doc Emerick and Eddie Olyceck too.
Heck, I’d settle for some New York flair with Al Trautwig.

Couldn’t agree more about Pierre. He is one of the most annoying, douchey, gamecallers in all of sports, and clearly gets a rock hard stiffy for certain players/teams. That guy calling the Tampa game yesterday had a big ol chub for the lightning too.

 

[americaman]

Guys, pray for @ssjones

 

[americaman]

Why does Tuukka Rask’s hair look like Ace Ventura’s?

 

[BarrelProof]

I was born in Chi town, but have been a lifelong B’s fan. Meeting Mr Bobby Orr (greatest NHLer in history... sorry Wayne, but Bobby did it all, Defense, offense (led the LEAGUE in scoring six seasons) and overall ambassador for the sport.
I’ve no beef with people picking a team, but it’s a bit obnoxious with all this “favorite” then “second favorite” etc. Or “I’m a fan of A, but since they’re out, I’ll root for B”. Nonsense. Pick a team and stick with em. A Rangers fan should NEVER root for the Devils, no self respecting hawks fan would ever utter the words “I guess I’ll cheer for Detroit, since my team is out”. And absolutely NO Canadian should even think “Well, they are in Canada, so I guess I’ll cheer for the Habs”!??

I’ve got a favorite team and a second favorite team. I grew up in NC and we never had a team. My aunt and uncle lived in Michigan when I was growing up and we’d visit them about once a year. Every year when we’d go up, my uncle would take us to the Joe to watch the Wings play. I’ve been a diehard fan ever since, so I guess around 30 years.

Fast forward to 97 and the Whalers came to town as the Hurricanes and I felt obligated to like them as I finally had a hometown. If they’re playing the Wings, they can go to hell. But if the Wings aren’t playing, I like the Canes.

 

[Aomalley27]

I’ve got a favorite team and a second favorite team. I grew up in NC and we never had a team. My aunt and uncle lived in Michigan when I was growing up and we’d visit them about once a year. Every year when we’d go up, my uncle would take us to the Joe to watch the Wings play. I’ve been a diehard fan ever since, so I guess around 30 years.

Fast forward to 97 and the Whalers came to town as the Hurricanes and I felt obligated to like them as I finally had a hometown. If they’re playing the Wings, they can go to hell. But if the Wings aren’t playing, I like the Canes.

That’s waffling. Pick a team and stick to em (Unless you’re a Sabres fan... life is ?enough in Buffalo without having to cheer on their mediocre hockey franchise?)

 

[Servant King]

That’s waffling. Pick a team and stick to em (Unless you’re a Sabres fan... life is ?enough in Buffalo without having to cheer on their mediocre hockey franchise?)

Watch what you say, dude. Rob Ray might see you on the street and sucker punch you like Sean Avery on angel dust...

 

[Aomalley27]

Ouch. Ehlers with the wrister off the face off and the Jets complete the comeback for a 5-4 OT victory. Oilers looked solid, as Draisaitle scored a pair, and they built a 4-1 lead into the third, but with 9 minutes left, Jets made their comeback. And later scored a pair of goals 16 seconds apart to knot it up at 4 and push to OT.
3-0 stranglehold on the series now, and a quick turnaround for game 4.

 

[Servant King]

View attachment 81362
Ouch. Ehlers with the wrister off the face off and the Jets complete the comeback for a 5-4 OT victory. Oilers looked solid, as Draisaitle scored a pair, and they built a 4-1 lead into the third, but with 9 minutes left, Jets made their comeback. And later scored a pair of goals 16 seconds apart to knot it up at 4 and push to OT.
3-0 stranglehold on the series now, and a quick turnaround for game 4.

"Ouch" is right! That's an absolutely demoralizing loss right there. Jets can't rest on their laurels, however; just ask the 2014 Sharks (sorry @jpmcwjr and @danimalia, NOT picking on you guys, just trying to make a point!). I remember what Mike Smith was like when he was with the Yotes. Any Jets planning on hanging out near the crease to create traffic should wear extra padding, preferably something built to withstand stick slashes. Just sayin'...

 

[OneGoodBulldog]

The Flames decided to start golf season early so my interest is lessened. I'd like to see Winnipeg do well but I'm not expecting much. I haven't followed hockey for awhile so I have no idea who is likely to win it.

 

[BarrelProof]

That’s waffling. Pick a team and stick to em (Unless you’re a Sabres fan... life is ?enough in Buffalo without having to cheer on their mediocre hockey franchise?)

Oh it’s hands down the Wings. Like I said, put both teams in the same building, same tournament, same anything, and the Canes can pound sand.

But, since they are from my home state, and showed up a little late to the dance, I’ll support them if the Wings aren’t involved.

 

[captainsousie]

Tonight I watched a college game. It was the Avs vs the Blues. Didn't realize they had been demoted.

On the other hand, the first several minutes of the Jets-Oilers game was riveting and almost as physical as I like to see hockey played.

 

[captainsousie]

I mean seriously, 2 empty net goals in the last minute? A double penalty for basically nothing (saw a lot of hooking and slashing that wasn't called and then they call high sticking if somebody picks their stick up off the ice?!!!!) was pretty dang sad in my opinion...and I'm an Avs fan!

 

[americaman]

Tonight I watched a college game. It was the Avs vs the Blues. Didn't realize they had been demoted.

On the other hand, the first several minutes of the Jets-Oilers game was riveting and almost as physical as I like to see hockey played.

This series any good? I know there’s only one more game (hehe), but maybe I should tune in.

 

[captainsousie]

This series any good? I know there’s only one more game (hehe), but maybe I should tune in.

If tonight's game was any indication, yes. It was at least a real game and I liked it a lot more than the other games I have watched recently...they were actually allowed to check against the boards.

 

[mikethompson]

Oh Jets.

On the plus side, if teams have come back from 3-0 before, why not Edmonton? If getting embarassed like that doesn't motivate a team, I don't know what will.

I don't like the back to back, but that's NHL scheduling for you.

 

[danimalia]

Here is my casual fan question.... Why hasn't Edmonton been better in the Connor McDavid era so far? They've advanced no further than the second round and even that was a few years ago... Are they just a pretty bad team outside of McDavid and Draisaitl? Seems having two perennial Hart Trophy candidates should get you a pretty high floor as a team, no?

Anyway, I have a bit of a soft spot for Edmonton and Winnipeg both, along with Calgary, as smaller market Canadian teams. That they exist is one of the charms of the NHL for me.

 

[danimalia]

"Ouch" is right! That's an absolutely demoralizing loss right there. Jets can't rest on their laurels, however; just ask the 2014 Sharks (sorry @jpmcwjr and @danimalia, NOT picking on you guys, just trying to make a point!). I remember what Mike Smith was like when he was with the Yotes. Any Jets planning on hanging out near the crease to create traffic should wear extra padding, preferably something built to withstand stick slashes. Just sayin'...

Yeah, man, teams coming back from 3-0 deficits in a best of 7... It, uh, has happened

Of course that scenario was also a major factor in one of the greatest sports stories I have ever seen. The Boston Red Sox coming back from a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees and going on to win their first World Series in 86 years. That was awesome. Maybe the only time I have ever rooted for a Boston team.

 

[mikethompson]

Why hasn't Edmonton been better in the Connor McDavid era so far?

How much time do you have?

 

[cigrmaster]

Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player in history and it isn't close. Check the stat +/ and you wil be absolutely amazed at what Orr'swas and what Gretzky's was. It isn't even close and that Orr was a defenseman. No one was ever close to Orr's best. 132 +/_ . No one will ever get that close ever again. He was unbeatable and his 3 best years were untouchable.
I grew up watching Orr play and only Orr could take the puck from behind hi snet and score a goal at the other teams net and not get touched. If he wasn't cheap shotted somany times he would have played 6 more years and the dirty plays used against him shortened his years to such a degree it was disgusting.

I watched hockey and he was tough as nails and if they had the rules today that they had back then, he would have played an extra 6 plus years. If the rules were like today he would have lasted so much longer.

If anyone knows hockey they will understand how great he was When it came to ragging a puck for 2 minutes on the defensive end, no one could do it like Orr, he was untouchable. I watched every game possible as I grew up in Boston.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Why hasn't Edmonton been better in the Connor McDavid era so far?

There are so many factors that play into NHL success in the playoffs. It's a game of momentum, both within a single game itself and on the season. It's all about getting hot at the right time, goaltending, and playing cohesively as a team. And then you need luck, officiating, health, and more to go your way as well. A couple superstars a cup winning team does not make.

It took the penguins 7 years (longer than McDavid has been in the league) to get their second cup of the Crosby/Malkin era even with perennial playoff experience and generally good goaltending.

Two years ago Tampa came in smoking hot as the heavy favorite and got swept in the first round.

Conversely in 2012 (I think?) the LA Kings fired their coach midseason, barely snuck into the playoffs as the lowest seed, and proceeded to dominate everybody losing only 4 games through the whole playoffs, going undefeated on the road, without home ice advantage in any series.

Things just have to come together in the right way at the right time. That is why many say it is the hardest trophy to win in all of organized professional sports. It takes a little bit of everything, right down to good old fashioned puck luck.