And away we go NHL thread!!!!

[atomic charvel guy]

i'd take pleasure in that, but i have this feeling they're still the team to beat
no matter what the caps did this regular season.

[Spivonious]

Just saw this on NHL.com http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=525286

0% chance that the Flyers win the cup

[Hellbat]

My team's defence is too beat up for me to do any boastful trash talking. I hope they do well, but my expectations are low because Luongo has been pretty ordinary since (hell even during) the olympics.

[atomic charvel guy]

rubbish. they can crunch all the data and numbers they want and it won't account for even one possible flukey bounce of a puck, or fight, or weak ass penalty called on someone that can change a whole series around.
Honestly, my pick for the cup final is Detroit and Pittsburgh again.
They're both in a good position with not as much pressure as last year on either team
since they're both not supposed to make it that far, makes for a dangerous environment playing either of them.

[atomic charvel guy]

now, having said that, what I want to see is the Coyotes play the Flyers, something crazy and out of left field, then again, something like that could bankrupt the league
from the lack of revenue and interest. I say that will all due respect to the flyers, i know they'd at least fill the seats no matter what at their home games. Phoenix or Nashville? I'm not so sure.

[T@rgetDrone]

I confess, I am more than biased. Being a (damn near forever) Caps fan, I will be glued to the playoff coverage again this year. They do have the horses to finally win the Holy Grail. But their penalty kill and lack of defense are glaring weak spots. I use to think it was iffy goal tending but have realized that their D is always out of position, making it a goalie's nightmare. Both of their net minders are plenty good enough.

After all of the teams successes, this will sound more than cliche. Detroit still amazes me. They've plugged along with so many key injuries this season and still got it done. If they continue to field a healthy playoff team, they are going to go far. Coming from a Caps fan, this may sound strange but.... I never get tired of watching Pavel Datsyuk. Would be a wet dream to have him, Backstram and Ovechkin on the same line. At least for power plays.

This is pretty cool. Datsyuk highlights.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9wBJ7o9Boc

Can't wait to see Pittsburgh tonight. Hopefully they will choke. I respect their talent but am completely sick of the entire Crosby spotlight. He is highly skilled but the NHL is not about glamor. The NHL has taken full advantage of marketing his (supposedly) goodie goodie two shoes image. They went too far by trying to go GQ with his ugly ass.

[Shawn Lutz]

Just saw this on NHL.com http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=525286

0% chance that the Flyers win the cup

guess I can skip watchin the playoffs now...lol

[Shawn Lutz]

T@rgetDrone I don't get tired of seeing Pavel Datsyuk 82 times a season and whatever playoff games they play. I'm a fan of the game first, team second. I appreciate all great players regardless of the color sweater they wear

The Caps have a potent offense but the key to playoffs is defense and goaltending both weak links for Washington imho. Since D isn't as big of focus in the East (sans NJ) as the West the caps may be able to blow by teams if they jump on them early. Playoff hockey is so much different than regular season hockey so you never know, teams may focus on D and play the match game and have shutdown personnel assigned to the big guns.

I'm so READY for the playoffs to start...going to be fun couple of months

[clifffclaven]

Sorry shawn, pavel and the rest of the euro/wings bore the shit outa me. Great team, boring hockey, just like new jersey.

Lets go yotes. And, as an aside, if its a det/pit final again? No chance i will watch even one game.

[atomic charvel guy]

turning out to be a good night so far, pens lose, devils are on the ropes against the flyers, i just love when those two teams lose.

[clifffclaven]

Well, i can quit watching the yotes/ "wings" series. Lmfao. Same ol typical michael jordan bullshit.

[atomic charvel guy]

i thought the wings-phoenix fukkin' coyotes game was a great one to watch.
and the sharks promptly tank again in the tank. weeeee heeeee heeee heeeee!!!!!
that team just loves to fukk itself over every year.
3 of the 4 road dogs win tonight.

[Rupe]

I want to see the Penguins get routed.

I want to see the Pens play the Flyers so they can get some rest prior to the finals

Essentially upsets across the board last night...strange opening day to the playoffs :think:

If it was a skating/hitting/passing exhibition the Pens would have ruled the night...unfortunately the reality is you need to play D and have a goalie who keeps his head in the game. I think Fleury was thinking about the latest Spongebob episode or something...no concentration.

[Shawn Lutz]

interesting first night, all upsets

WIngs shot themselves in the foot. Phoenix played well but you can't go 1-6 on the PP and then give up 3 outta 4 on the PKU. Wings had ample opportunity to bury the Yotes on the PP when they had a 2-1 lead and couldnt convert.

[Jack Napalm]

It was still a fun game to watch. Should be a good series. Most of the first round series should be pretty good.