2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (predictions and discussions)

I said it was epic, that is what makes it so difficult. You know what the last team that blew a 3-0 lead did the year after? They won the Stanley Cup. They also need a game 7 overtime to get oot of the first round. The difference between winning and losing is so miniscule.

They play in the toughest division in hockey so I doubt that will happen but please tell me the moves to make that will enable this. The first one I would make is trying not face Jonathan Quick in the playoffs.

Edit: Thanks Michael

 

With all due respect HanS, JC agreed it was epic. And I do, as well.

 

Bang on correct.

 

I haven't looked up years past, but from my memory the one consistent piece of all the Sharks' failures is that the power play just vanishes in the playoffs. That suggests coaching to me.

McLellan seemed very unsure of himself during this series. Shuffling lines all over the place, going from Niemi to Stalock and then back to Niemi, etc.

 

Point to the gentlemen. But what's missing in San Jose, to have the losses year after year? In a way, I am calling for change for changes sake, I know, but it's frustrating.

EDIT: Good point by LTL as well.

 

The history of teams which make major changes following a bad playoff loss in all sports contains more unhappy results than happy ones by far.

 

Coaching is certainly an issue, but the big knock on them year after year is their top forwards, while incredibly talented, some of the best in the league, lack that fire, that drive come playoff time, that they aren't physical enough. It's not a tear it down situation, but they need an injection of life up there. When I look at cup winning teams, even if that team isn't physically intimidating throughout the lineup, each and everyone of them have at least one shitdisturber, someone who can get under the skin of the other team's best players and who can provide an emotional spark for a team when they start slumping. San Jose does not have that.

I have been a big Niemi fan since his days in Chicago, but even I am starting to question whether he can get the job done and get them over the hump — is he just going to turn into another Evgeni Nabokov in in San Jose: a guy who put up terrific regular season numbers but struggled in the post season. And I say that knowing he played well in Chicago's first Cup. But it is something to consider. Maybe they go all in on Miller, but I don't think he's an answer either.

 

Niemi was pretty bad during the Blackhawks' first Cup run.

He had like one good series (the San Jose series, coincidentally enough), but otherwise they just scored 6 whenever he gave up 5.

 

St. Louis fans feel that pain too. Hitchcock isn't going to get the axe but I agree with JC, and maybe LTL is on board as well, that McClellan is probably fired.

BTW, I saw Bill King on the NFL Network's Top 10 "Voices." I think he was No. 6.

 

First couple of rounds he was shaky but he was terrific against San Jose and solid against Philly in the final, when it counted most. His numbers were average, but he certainly wasn't outplayed like he was in the first round this year.

 

More excuse making on my part but they also played without their #1 dman in Vlasic.

 

He wasn't outplayed because he faced maybe the worst goaltending the Final has ever seen. Niemi was not good in the Final.