Running Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

Somebody needs to tell the geniuses in the Tampa Bay marketing department that giving projectiles to your fans is a bad idea.

 

That wasn't smart. Then again, all of the "even 'em up" penalties the Bruins took/were called for (depending on your POV) in the second period weren't too smart either and Boston's rancid special teams are the reason this series isn't over.

 

Bingo.

It would be nice if they could get through the first minute and a half of a game without giving one up, too.

 

Should be a doozy in Boston. I'll take the Bruins because of home ice. Should be close though. Yzerman has done an outstanding job, as expected.

 

Ah yes, pay attention to the Giants, who have two winning records in six years and need a reserve outfielder to have the month of his life to wriggle your way through the playoffs behind a team with a very good pitching staff and wretched offense. By all means, yes, watch that every day. Because having zero balance whatsoever is the key to winning on a consistent basis.

 

Mark, the Canuck defence is far from average. They are the deepest defence corps in the league. They may not have a pairing like Weber and Suter, or Keith and Seabrook but they go 8 or 9 deep. Keith Ballard who averaged over 22 minutes a game last year in Florida and makes 4.2 a year is their 7th defenseman. Wait and see what Erhoff and Bieksa get as UFA’s this off-season. The Canuks defence is also encouraged to jump in the play; they all can skate and move the puck.

The Canucks third line dominated the Sharks and 4th lines are usually useless come playoff time.

 

The Bruins power play showed signs of life last night (the Krejci goal and their first one, which they controlled even though they didn't score). They just need to kill penalties.
Kaberle's just an expensive rental - if he gets big $ in the offseason, it won't be from Boston.
Just curious - do you stick Shawn Thornton back in somewhere for a jolt after he's sat the past four games? Maybe not in Seguin's spot, but they didn't exactly get a lot of intensity from Campbell or Paille on the fourth line last night. They could use a little hitting, a little energy.

 

I see your point, but do you want to risk the potential for more penalties? I checked the stats, and Thornton actually has just 2 PIM in 13 playoff games, but led the team (barely) during the regular season.

 

What a joke, all weekday games in vancouver to start at 5 local time. That's really fair to the fans of Vancouver who are already paying out their ass for tickets.

 

It's all about national TV. Same thing happened when Anaheim was in the Final in 2007, or any other West Coast team. NBA Finals in Los Angeles started at 6 p.m. local, only because basketball games generally don't take as long to play and there isn't a real threat of multiple overtimes.

This is simply the price you pay for seeking and getting a national TV contract.

 

At what time does that put the morning skate?

 

Is that such a big problem? I mean, are companies and bosses in Vancouver not going to let people leave by 4 p.m. on those three days?