As a Wings fan, I must say it's odd to be done with hockey prior to April. I was in early high school when they started making the playoffs ('91), I'm 39 now. Unfortunately, this streak should have ended a couple years ago to allow proper rebuilding to begin, but the powers that be thought keeping the streak alive was more important, even if everybody and their brother knew they wouldn't make it past the 1st round of the playoffs.

I'm not sure who my playoff allegiance should go to. Any suggestions? I could be talked into every team except the Av's and Pittsburgh.

Watch a Leafs playoff game. They are an exciting team to watch. Very fast paced lots of young players.

But know that they will likely do something stupid to blow the series.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I haven't watched much this year but the Bruins are actually a fun team for once, Cassidy is playing the kids and letting them go through their growing pains. Lots of prospects in the pipeline so while this season is a loss and Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Rask and Chara aren't getting any younger I'm actually somewhat optimistic about their future.

Toronto is a good young team that'll just get better, their rookies have been as good as advertised. Matthews went through a bit of a lull, probably a bit of a rookie wall, but he's since picked it back up and he looks legit. He and Eichel are battling for the 1B spot behind McDavid, who's just unreal - another goal and assist last night, he just doesn't slow down. So much young talent in the NHL right now. Oh and speaking of which, he goes under the radar too much but Pastrnak has to be in that conversation with the other 20 year olds, he's just two months older than Eichel, almost PPG this season with 32 goals and is the most dynamic player on the Bruins.

Playoffs: give me an exciting round for the B's (win or lose), Penguins and Canadiens out early, Blackhawks not in the finals and I'll be happy. I'd love to see the Caps win and Ovechkin finally get his due, too much playoff disappointment for him.

Oh and Colorado: very strange, two years ago they were everyone's pick to be an emerging powerhouse, Duchene, MacKinnon, Landeskog, ROR, EJ, Barrie, Varlamov and Pickard...they still have almost all that talent, what the hell happened?!?

The PDO for Minnesota flat out tanked!! That's what happens when you have a .07 shooting% and .870 save% for a month.

That being said, we have played 3 solid games in a row now and have held our opponents to 58 shots combined in those three games. Finally got a win. If that continues this weekend, I will be excited for the playoffs again.

We brought our #3 goalie up last night to give Duby a rest and #2 is basically only still here because they can't get rid of him at this point. #3 played lights out. I hope they ride him for a few games and give Duby a chance to hard reset and then be ready for the playoffs. If he can find the form that he had in December we will be very difficult to beat.

It'll be Caps v. Habs in the East.
Claude Julien, who for the past few years was only qualified to coach bums undertaking organized hobo fights, has suddenly grown on me and has re-discovered his inner genius.

I agree with you on Chicago, I'm a little tired of seeing them win, but I don't see anyone stopping them. I'm excited to see Edmonton finally reaching their potential. They are going to be a team to watch for the next few years. Edmonton may want to dig out their parachute pants and Michael Jackson 'Thriller' jackets because the 80's seem to be coming back to town.

As for the bRuins and Maple Laffs. I predict TOR will get up 3-1 in games, then BOS will tie it up a 3-3 and in Game 7, TOR will be up by 3 before BOS ties it up. Then in the dying seconds of the game, Zdeno Chara will get the puck at centre ice, a little scrum will happen and then,out of nowhere... CRACK.... The jumbo-tron will fall and on both teams like in a Will E. Coyote cartoon.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

It does bring a tear to my eye. Man, those mid-90's teams and playoffs were spectacular. I'll never forget the joy and celebration with my high school friends when Yzerman put the Blues away in double OT in '98 with his blue line goal. Epic. It's strange to see the era gone, but man what an era it was.

http://sports.yahoo.com/...video-010656078.html

Dan Weise recorded the quickest Gordie Howe hat trick [8:28] in any NHL game since Nov. 27, 1985 when Kevin Dineen recorded one in 7:32 for Hartford.

Wayne Simmons completed his just before the first period was done [19:53]

First occasion in team history for two Gordie Howe hat tricks in one period; third occasion in team history for two Gordie Howe hat tricks in one game [others: Jan. 9, 1972 -- Bob Clarke, Gary Dornhoefer and Jan. 5, 1985 -- Lindsay Carson, Rick Tocchet]

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"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

The RedWings of the 90's/2000's were one of the great dynasties of pro-sports.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

The deepest regret of my life so far was not dropping the $750 in cash I had in my pocket to see the Stanley Cup winning game in 2002. I hesitated, hoping I'd find one more ticket a little cheaper, didn't find any more being sold. It would have been a lot for a student to drop on a ticket, but I'm sure I blew the cash on something far less memorable. I did get to go to game 2 in 2008, which was awesome but not as awesome as a clincher would have been.

Pick the Wild. We sometimes do things like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2JJPkYvdM8

Weareinweareinwearein.

City is going nuts. I'm not a fan of the orange - but I can't afford to go to a game anyways, so I guess it doesn't matter.

I'm jealous. I ended watching a replay of Flyers v Oilers 1987 Stanley cup two nights ago. Phili sports are terrible right now and the Sixers are an embarrassment to sports.

Enjoy the playoffs.

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"I think I've cracked the code. double letters are cheaters except for perfect squares (a, d, i, p and y). So Leddy isn't a cheater... "

Agree on Bruins prospects, plenty to look forward to with McAvoy signed (I've seen him a play a few times at BU, he's the real deal), plus solid drafts in the past few years with Anton Bjork, Ryan Donato and Jakob Forbacka-Karlsson among others looking to crack the lineup in the next year or so. This year's roster is not built for a long playoff run; still some holes on defense, inconsistent players (Vatrano, Spooner, Backes) and bad contracts (Hayes, Beleskey). Bergeron is still among the best all-around players in the game, Marchand having a career year and in the mix for the Hart trophy and Pastrnak is a blast to watch, but they can't rely on just those three and do not have the four-line depth that the did when they won in 2011 and came close in 2013. Despite what the talk radio nitwits say, Rask has carried the team this year; 24 games this season alone where he has allowed one goal or fewer, resulting in 44 of the team's 88 points so far.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

The amazing thing is how deep that prospect pool runs. Add the much-maligned (wrongly) Senyshyn, Lauzon and Zboril, Lindgren, Heinen's had a big year, Gabrielle looks so god damn impressive. Just a TON of talent and depth, maybe they don't have an Eichel or Matthews or McDavid but they'll get at least 2 legit top-6 forwards, 2 top-4 D out of this crop plus some depth.

Agreed, it's all sensational nonsense, but that's nothing new from the idiots on the radio. I remember when the season started they were saying 'who's playing D? Chara's old, CArlo's a rookie, Krug's a defensive liability, the rest are young and unproven'. Well, that's exactly what their defense has been this year and yet they're tail-end of the top-10 in GA/G this year. Rask is fine and he's played a shitload this year, they just need more D.

Hawks!

That is all.

p.s. Mathews is pretty good. Pretty cool to see him pass Wendel's team record for goals. Not quite Kane's level, but still not bad for a 'murican.

Every Dam year I say the Caps are not going to suck me in, but they did it again. They look stronger and deeper than I can remember. Though the game they played against Minnesota they other day reminded me of past post season folds.
Sigh, maybe this is the year they don't fold.

Too much talk about Toronto and the stinking Bruins in this thread because the Lightning are going to sneak in as the wild-card and one of these two are going to be out (probably the Bruins)! The Lightning have been devastated with injuries but Stamkos is apparently about to come back this weekend, and hopefully Tyler Johnson will be back soon too. The Lightning play both Bos and Tor the last week of the season so it should come down to the wire.

I'm happy for Toronto and hope they can make it as I like to watch them play. They are definitely set for the future with all their young talent. Unfortunately, they'll probably have the usual growing pains in the playoffs this year as most young teams do.

Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Zaitsev, Brown...

I am jizzed about the future. As for the present? Anything that happens in the playoffs is pure gravy at this point (assuming they don't pull a Toronto Maple Leafs and implode next week).

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I have zero faith in your Caps. Sorry.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Lighting can be exciting, but I think their best shot was when they lost to Chicago. I was very nervous going into that series. Injuries and lack of depth this year will make it tough them in the best of 7 format.

As a Norris Division, Campbell Conference fan, I'm mostly indifferent to the Bruins, Habs, Leafs, etc (glad Detroit is out, tho. Good riddance, but eff Bettman for busting that rivalry).

However, I can't stand Julien. I mean I really despite that SOB. So I hope that both his current and immediately former teams flame out and fast. (but neither team scares me as a Hawks fan).

Minny is a good team, but their goaltending is suspect and I believe will let them down. Mighty Schmucks are goons with little offensive talent, and the Sharks are soft.

Caps have emotional issues, but they are a really good team. Pens too, if healthy, are good but they also have goaltending issues.

Should be fun, as always.

Fuck you

And you

Not you

Buck the Fackhawks.

Sigh, maybe this is the year they don't fold.

You're starting to get a sense of the feeling in Toronto for the past 49 years. You've only been in the league for 42 years, you have to pace yourself...

As for Toronto, just making the playoffs is a big jump from the past 3 years. However after their loss to the Bruins in 2013, there was a lot of talk about how young and promising they were, only to proceed to miss the playoffs for the next 3 years. It's getting hard to get too excited when you only make the playoffs, in a league where 16 teams qualify. They have to win a round of the playoffs, for it to be a successful season.

And you

That was an epic, David vs. Goliath series.

There is a massive difference between the team that blew the 4-1 lead against Boston and this team.

Fun fact: The Leafs this season have played Boston 4 times. In each game they have held a 4-1 lead at some point. They have also won each of those games.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

What would ever make you think something like that?

Women's World's tonight. USA 2 Canada 0. Good game.

I thought USA was boycotting because the ladies wanted more money.

They gots paid.

{insert raining money gif here}

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Different team, different coach, 8 rookies two of which are only 19. No one expected them to be where they are in the standings so it's all gravy now, if they make it great if not so be it, it's been a lot of fun to watch.

I've been making fun of the leafs, and leaf fans, since I first saw good old doug Gilmore in a chunky soup commercial.

I'm glad they're finally on the upswing. It's nice to see a Canadian team on the way up for once.

As a Canucks fan I haven't been able to follow the sport for a few years now. Just too painful and pointless. I won't watch another game until the sedins are gone and we are done paying luongos contract!!

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Long Chile was a silly place.

Watch a Leafs playoff game. They are an exciting team to watch. Very fast paced lots of young players.


The BIG difference with the Leafs this year, is the hustle, and not giving up. Agreed that there has been a talent injection, but the rest of it is mental, and I think that is a big part of what Coach Babcock has brought to the team.

I've watched a few games this year where the leafs have got behind early 2-0, even 3-0, and even though they have gone on to lose, they have battled and never quit until the final whistle - That's a BIG difference from past teams that would have just rolled over, and played it out.

Lifelong Leaf fan (it's personal), and will be happy to see them back in the playoffs. That never-give-up, grit, really helps in these best-of-7 series play off series.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I'm a Bruins fan I wouldn't say I hate the Leafs.They're young, talented and fun to watch, and I actually appreciate that there is an exciting divisional race for the playoffs.

As far as the B's, they're also pretty fun to watch most of the time, although the inconsistency from game to game is frustrating. I guess that's what happens when you have a lot of young players and a new coach, but after 10 years of watching the Julien style of squashing any and all offensive talent, I think it's a fair trade. I agree with everyone else that they're not poised for a deep run this year but I'm pretty stoked for next season and the prospects they're developing. I'll be bummed if they don't make the playoffs this season but mainly because they didn't fire Julien sooner.

Leafs are winning again. Bruins won again. Solid battle for 3rd.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

Finland 4 Canada 3. (the womens)

Great game. Big surprise.

How could you tell?

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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Emery's Third Coast Triathlon | Tri Wisconsin Triathlon Team | Push Endurance | GLWR

You have to admire Leaf's fans faith. Let's just hope they don't go another 50 yrs. without a Stanley Cup.

Leafs at 97% chance at the playoffs. Senators falling fast without Erik Karlsson.

Leafs 2nd in the Atlantic. Sens could be passed by Bruins. Tough game for the Bruins today. Chicago after playing yesterday.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Leafs have the toughest remaining schedule of those three. Should be a good test to see what they're really made of.

Khudobin just absolutely stole a huge win for the B's. I like your original prediction of the Leafs and B's finishing 2-3 (or vice-versa) and meeting in the first round, with the Sens dropping to the last wildcard.

Damn you Bruins. Just go away already!

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Agree, this is what was expected from Khudobin when they re-signed him in the off-season but his play in net had been spotty all season. Good solid road win.

As a general aside, always a treat seeing a Blackhawks home game on TV to see Jim Cornielsen belt out the anthem and hear everyone sing along with Chelsea Dagger. Would love to catch a game there someday.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

This is getting interesting. Leafs now down to the second wildcard spot with their loss last night. Now that Tampa is out they won't have much to play for against the Leafs tomorrow night, but the real challenge is back-to-back games against Pitt and Columbus to end the season. With the B's playing Ottawa tomorrow this is going to be a scramble right to the end to see who plays Washington in the first round.

Tampa is not out. They can still catch the Leafs and the Sens, however unlikely it may seem.

Leafs are one point back of Boston with a game in hand still. GO SENS GO!!!

As for the Bruins, they should play their last two games without Marchand. Should. Lets see if the NHL has the nuts to suspend him. I doubt it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

It is a blast

I think they will (and should) suspend him for the last two games where he's a repeat offender and that was a stupid and unnecessary penalty he took last night. Fortunately they were able to kill off the five-minute major but that could have been disastrous had Tampa been able to score and potentially change the outcome of the game. As much as the rest of his game has evolved, I still hate that element of Marchand's game and he keeps saying that he's moved on from the agitator role.

Aside from that, fun game to watch last night with playoff intensity, plenty of hitting on both sides and Rask having a solid game in net. These last few days will be interesting to see who gets the final playoff spots and where each team ends up seeding-wise.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

He had two slew foots this year with no suspension. I'll believe it when I see it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

We (Preds) will likely get the Suckhawks in the first round. Bring it on.

I made it to 40 out of 41 home games this year and two pre-season games. Can't wait for the playoffs. It will be interesting to see what the Wild and the Sharks do since both seem to be on the downswing.

Toronto will be good in year or two. And the Islanders have a young kid (Ho-Sang) who can skate.

I'm hoping to get to a game in Miami and Tampa Bay next year. I've been to Washington DC, San Jose and the LA Kings barns to see the Preds. Luckily I can do my work travel schedule to coincide with the Pred's game schedule.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

The Wild have started to find their game again. This easy run in should help with confidence.

That being said, I have been a fan of MN sports for long enough to know that nothing good ever happens. Yeo and the Blues will probably beat us in 6.

You're right, my bad. For some reason I thought they were eliminated last night.

Tomorrow night is a huge game vs the Sens, can't wait to watch.

As much as I hate to admit it I agree on Marchand. It's frustrating to see someone with so much talent keep doing stupid, undisciplined shit. I can't imagine the league won't suspend him given his history.

Agree on Marchand, the unfortunate thing is he's largely cleaned that part of his game up--he's still a pest, doing all the little things to get under opponents skins, but it's the dirty shit that I always hated and this was the 'old' Marchand. Unnecessary, potentially very costly to the team, dangerous...it's sad because he's become such a dangerous, complete hockey player and rightly is being talked about as a potential MVP finalist.

At least the B's won, now we know they'll be playing the postseason, goal at this point is avoiding Washington. Tomorrow nights game is HUGE, Ottawa's lost 5 of 6 and 9 of 11, the B's have to take care of them on home ice. NHL should (rightfully) suspend Marchand, but I still like the B's in that one. Then a lot depends on which of Toronto's opponents play their full lineup and which rest guys, cause Pittsburgh and Columbus really don't have anything to play for.

Wow, Kris Letang out with herniated disc in neck and having surgery. Tough blow for the Pens

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

Just saw that. Too bad for the Pens.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

Tons of injuries for the Pens this year.

But I refuse to feel bad for them, ever. They lucked into two generational talents in back-to-back drafts (hell, they lucked into FOUR of the past six or seven generational players the past thirty years), and I'll never forget them consistently backing that POS Matt Cooke, who ended Savard's career. The Pens were one of my favorite teams growing up with Jagr and Lemieux but I can't stand them now.

Not excusing the cheap ball and dick shot by Marchmont, but, Sidney Crosby has a track record for the cheap stuff as well and he didn't get suspended for his latest ball and dick shot a couple weeks ago....just sayin


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE-F31HqhnE

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

I know, the NHL does not like to discipline it's stars. I don't think that Crosbys was as bad as Marchands. I would have been ok with a 5 minute penalty on Crosby with no suspension.

Marchands was much worse.

Did Crosby even get a penalty? Or did the refs miss it?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

To me, Crosby's is way more deliberate, the guy is right in front of him, he could have hacked him on any spot on his body, but he went right for the nuts. on Marchmont's the 2 players are kinda side by each, he's not directly looking at him and he kind of just turns and spears him, with I'd assume an educated guess that he's gonna hit him in the balls.

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

So the only distinction that you see is that Crosby was looking? I would argue that Crosby's was more of a slash where Marchand's is a true spear. Marchand leads with the toe of his blade, if he doesn't hit him between the legs, he likely hits him in the stomach which would be much worse considering the lack of protection in that area.

Marchand has a looooooonnnnngggg history of being a dirty player. He doesn't deserve any leniency because of his goal scoring status. He has skated by without much punishment this year when he slewfooted players two times within a couple weeks. That is bullshit.

I think you need to watch it again.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

And just for fun lets look at some of the other nasty stuff Marchand has done!



And the slewfoots...





And for those who hate him, here are the top 10 hits on Marchand. Some clean. Some... less clean.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

yes, that is the distinction I am making. Crosby was looking right at him and went right for the nuts. To me that is more egregious than 2 guy's engaged in front of the net battling for position. Holy Fook, I'm starting to sound like Jack Edwards....

Both plays are worthy of suspension. I'd argue that Crosby's "history of being a dirty player" while not as substantial as Marchmont's, is substantial none the less.

Blep, yup agree, a deplorable play.

ETA....the slewfoots I can live with out too. I am not defending him, I just pointed out that another player hit a guy in the dick and balls with a flat out cheapshot and didn't get suspended.

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

And lets not forget these beauties.

5 games for clipping Sami Salo



Another slew foot



Yet another slew foot



And finally an elbow to the back of RJ Umbergers head.



He's a repeat offender. He should get about 5-7 games but he'll get 2 at most because the playoffs are looming.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

You are missing the intent to injure part. Crosby used the flat of his blade. Yeah it's going to be painful but unless he is winding up with both hands, he is very unlikely to injure the player by doing that. I think it should be a penalty and probably a fine, but not a suspension.

Marchand spears the guy. I honestly think he is aiming for the belly and missed low. That action has a much higher chance to injure some body and looks much more likely to be a deliberate action to injure. With his storied history, he should miss playoff time but he won't.

Point taken on Marchand. Don't agree on Crosby. He flat out zooms in on the guys nut sack, he could hit him with the stick any other part of the body, but consciously hits him in the nuts. How is that not intent to injure?

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

Because he uses the flat of his blade. Like I said, he knew it was going to be painful, but unless he wound up and was trying to crush his nuts, he is not going to be seriously injured. In my mind, there is a difference between being in pain and being injured. Maybe that is just me. I don't think Crosby should have gotten away with no punishment though.

Who gives a shit if it's slashing or spearing? Is one inherently worse or more dangerous that than the other (hint: no)? Getting someone in the nuts from behind when they have no idea you're even there is one of the cheapest, most spineless things a hockey player can do, period. That play from Crosby was absolutely worthy of a suspension. And FYI, according to Dotchin Marchand got him in the stomach.

I agree Marchand doesn't deserve any leniency from the league. He has a long history of dirty plays. But so does Crosby, and he gets plenty of leniency because of his scoring status. A little consistency in enforcement would be nice.

I'm not too worried about the Salo hit...big guy bearing down on a little guy looking to knock him into the cheap seats, the little guy stays low...

Clipping is a penalty in the sport of ice hockey. It is generally recognized as hitting an opposing player at or below the other player's knees.

And in true Vancouver Canucks form, Salo stays on the ice writhing in pain like he's been knee capped....and then gets up and skates away like nothing happened....

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

Um. Elbowing is also a penalty. And guess what? Players can also be suspended for it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Bring the Hate baby, it's time for some fahkking PLAYOFF HOCKEY.

Hope the Leafs and the Bolts make it love their style of play, hope the Sens don't ...

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"one eye doubles my eyesight, so things don't look half bad" John Hiatt

Apparently the NHL does because they have separate penalties for each. Spearing with contact is an automatic match penalty probably because it is seen as far more dangerous and not a hockey play compared to slashing.

I have not once defended Crosby, that play is not okay with me. It's just not suspension worthy either. Maybe a fine but definitely not a suspension.

Spearing is more dangerous. Typically a slash allows the force to be spread from a larger area (the shaft of the stick) through a larger part of the body. A spear or butt-end focuses all the force from a smaller area of the stick into a smaller part of the body. There is way more potential for serious injury from a spear or butt-end. The spear / butt-end also have a better chance of finding a gap between pieces of equipment.

I have been on the receiving end of all of them. I have no lasting effects from any slashes. I still have a scar from being speared 22 years ago.

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Starting from scratch...

Though the last official dynasty team (cups wins) are the Oilers!!!! Should the Hawks win this year then they will be held in that hallowed fame too.

Funny thing I heard on NHL Network Radio today -

-We will see the Oilers play in HD (first time ever)

-If the Leafs win the cup it would be the first time in color

Go OILERS!!!

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------------------------------------------------------------
"PAIN is nothing compared to what it feels like to QUIT"

Two games for Marchand. NHL discipline committee is full of pussies.

Good news for you is Karlsson is out tonight.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

So you kept insisting that they wouldn't have the guts to suspend him, but when they do they are a bunch of pussies. Sounds right

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

Prior to this no NHL player has ever been suspended for spearing (at least that's what I heard on the radio yesterday). It would've been a pretty big leap to go from no suspensions to 2 regular season games plus X playoff games. I think the suspension is warranted and two games seems appropriate.

I thought they wouldn't suspend him. True.

I think that he deserves at least one playoff game and that they are not willing to do that because they are pussies.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Nyquist got 6 games this year for spearing Spurgeon in the face. The NHL called it "high sticking".

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Right. The call on the ice was high sticking and presumably part of the reason the league stuck with that classification is because there is a much broader precedent for suspension vs. spearing. Also, that was way WAY more egregious than than Marchand thing. Like, WAY.

It was more egregious. It was also a spear.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

White knuckle time for the Leafs.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

"If the leafs win the cup..."

That is the most hilarious thing I have heard in a long time

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===============
Proud member of the MSF (Maple Syrup Mafia)

How's your team doing?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

There's certainly room for some overlap between the two infractions, and you can argue that you would've called it differently if you were the ref. But you weren't, so my original point stands. Prior to the Marchand incident, no player had been suspended for spearing.

Which is, of course, absurd. Not that they haven't done it, I believe that. But that they haven't done it... Ridiculous.

NHL DPS live in their own bubble world.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Tough losses for both Boston and Toronto last night. IMO not having Marchand was huge, as was losing Krug in the first period. That's two thirds of the B's best 3-on-3 line and it showed in OT.

I agree it's strange, I was pretty shocked to hear it. Seems like an easy one to issue suspensions over.

The Leafs had nothing all night last night. Tampa looked like the REALLY REALLY wanted that win while the Leafs looked like they only kind of sort of wanted the win.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The only team that can knock the Leafs out of the playoffs is Tampa. Lightning is playing the Habs today. I wanna hear you root for those Habs!

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

Go Lightning.

I'm actually indifferent, I think both are fairly good teams that are just as deserving of a playoff spot. As for my Bruins, it sounds like if they beat the Caps on Sunday they don't play Washington in the first round, if they lose they do. Seems like decent motivation to win on Sunday!

Incorrect. The Islanders can too.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

My team is ABL. They aren't doing as well as I'd like.

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Proud member of the MSF (Maple Syrup Mafia)

The Leafs had nothing all night last night. Tampa looked like the REALLY REALLY wanted that win while the Leafs looked like they only kind of sort of wanted the win.


What is the calculus on the in/out now for the Leafs?

I thought they had this more or less locked up ( a playoff spot). Must admit that I was not really paying attention the past couple of weeks.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

If the Leafs win tonight or tomorrow they are in.

If leafs lose both games and Islanders win both of their games, they are in.

If Leafs lose both, Islanders lose one and Tampa wins their last game Tampa is in.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The Leafs can lock up a playoff spot if they win today. Technically both Tampa and the Islanders can catch them if they lose both of their remaining games. Montreal and Ottawa have the top two division spots locked up and the Bruins are in, but whoever finishes in the last spot plays the Capitals in the first round...almost certain doom.

Oh yeah. If leafs lose both games and Islanders and Tampa both lose a game Leafs back door in.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Yawn ... Hawks are best team in the west and resting guys.

but whoever finishes in the last spot plays the Capitals in the first round...almost certain doom.


Usually, yes.

But often they prove interesting match-ups, the 1 and 8 seeds, and are more lively and go for more games than you think - 4-0 blow-out.

The higher ranked team perhaps resting a bit too much on the laurels and the lower ranked team playing like under-dogs with nothing to lose.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

I think a few teams are probably worried right now that Tampa will make it in. They are playing pretty good, and some of their injured stars could be healthy enough to play in the first round.

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Starting from scratch...

SURE!! Love to talk some stick....my 6 yrold daughter opened her Spring 4:4 season this afternoon with a dominant 10 goals in two games performance!!! Too strong to play with girls plus I love seeing the look on all Dads (both teammates and opponents ) when they see a girl school their little boys! Its GOTTA hurt:))

LEAFS BABY!!!!

It's all gravy from here on.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Huge win for the Leafs today. I am done. Blood pressure was through the roof.

I really wanted these guys just to make the playoffs and get that experience. Washington can smoke us, whatever, doesn't matter. But most of all I really wanted the Leafs to punch their own ticket. They won a game and didn't have to back their way in. (And tomorrow I can relax!)

Bring on the playoffs!!!

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Congrats on having the Leafs achieve the acme of all Leaf fans dreams: they snuck into the playoffs.

Now the Habs get to eliminate either them or the Sens in round two. Sweet.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

Year one of the rebuild and they make the playoffs. I know you're just being snarky because this team scares the shit out of you.

As for who they play it will either be Washington (if Leafs lose today) or Ottawa (if the Lesfs get a point today).

Leafs-Habs can only happen in the second round if the Leafs get a point today then beat the Sens in round one. They could also play the Habs if they beat Washington first round then beat the winner of Columbus Pittsburgh in round two.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

The leafs will find a way to fuck it up. They always do.

"Rebuilding" since 1968

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Actually that's not true, there were a couple of times we dumped a few players changed the GM and coach but this team has never been rebuilt like this before. Mngmnt replaced. coaches replaced, players dumped and replaced, this was a total gutting from top to bottom, to make the playoffs in the first year of adding the players with 8 rookies two of which are only 19 is a major accomplishment to say the least. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they make some noise in the playoffs.

Haters gonna hate.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Facts have no place in this discussion

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Leafs... snatching defeat from the jaws of victory since 1968

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Swimming Workout of the Day:

Favourite Swim Sets:

2020 National Masters Champion - M50-54 - 50m Butterfly

Not last light baby!!!

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

 

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Proud member of the MSF (Maple Syrup Mafia)

We're riding high and it's killing you. I get it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Honestly, don't care much.

I stopped giving the NHL any money or time when the lockout happened in 2012. Decided to permanently give it a pass. Too bad, because I do love the game. Big money has sucked the fun out of it for me. Have not watched a pro game since.

Somehow I still hate the leafs though ;)

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Proud member of the MSF (Maple Syrup Mafia)

Understood. I will always hate the Habs. Regardless of how much I watch the Leafs (ie, last year almost never)

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

to make the playoffs in the first year of adding the players with 8 rookies two of which are only 19 is a major accomplishment to say the least.


The Leafs turned a disastrous season last year into a decent one this year but with 16 teams making the playoffs, I'm not sure that would qualify as a major accomplishment.

For this club it is...lol Seriously though after not making the playoffs in 13 years, (2013 was a short year I don't count) it is a pretty big deal.

For this club it is...lol Seriously though after not making the playoffs in 13 years, (2013 was a short year I don't count) it is a pretty big deal.


Yeah, I know how it is in Toronto. I lived in the area for 40 years and with a few in-laws die hard fans, you'd think they just won the Stanley Cup.

I'm not a Leaf's fan, do appreciate the young talent they have. It's a similar story in Edmonton and Winnipeg, lots of good young players coming up. I guess all those lean years where the Canadian teams struggled is starting to pay off with some good draft picks.


For Vancouver, there's always next year...

And so it begins. What is going to be the best first round match up and who do you have winning?


Caps
Blue Jackets (I think Bob is going to steal it)
Canadiens (same reason)
Sens
Fackhawks
Wild(maybe a bit hopefully)
Ducks
Sharks(this one is a toss up I think)

I'm mostly with you on the picks, just flipping my Bruins with the Sens and your SJ-Edm toss-up.

A lot depends on the health of Krug and how McAvoy plays (first NHL game tonight, paired with Chara...welcome to the show kid!), but I think the B's have just enough playmaking ability to squeak by. My favorite matchup is SJ - EDM, mostly for McDavid and that top line of Edmonton. He's unreal, I'm excited to see whether he can carry his team through a series, hell can he carry them multiple series?

In a similar vein I'm interested in Caps-Leafs, I think Washington has no problem rolling in the series but how do the young guns on Toronto handle the pressure? Toronto hasn't had a good team in forever, the weight of the world is on these kids even if there's no real expectations this year. Will be interesting to see how Matthews, Marner, Nylander and company respond.

Caps
Blue Jackets
Canadiens
Bruins
Hawks
Wild
Ducks
Oilers

Nicely done. I don't acknowledge the 2013 playoffs either. Pretty sure there were no playoffs that year.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Tonite its ON! Bring it!
We got our playoff beard and hair. We got the best goalie in hockey. The NYR have an old Swedish meatball (...I do like him, just nor when he's playing the Habs)

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

No disrespect but that series is probably the one I'm interested in the least. There are pretty good matchups and intriguing players up and down the eight matchups, I'm just not seeing it with Montreal and NY, neither team gets me all that excited tbh. I'm sure many/most would say Bos-Ott is the worst matchup and I'd agree with them, but I happen to be a B's fan :)

What's the word on Weber, is he a go for tonight, for the series? He's a bigger loss (if he's not skating) than Krug for the Bruins, better two-way game obviously.

Canadiens
Bruins (this is my homer pick and mainly because it would be unreal to see them play Montreal in the 2nd round, but I agree that it largely depends on how effectively their D can move the puck through the Sens irritating trap. I can see this one going either way.)
Capitals
Penguins
Blackhawks
Wild
Flames (my dark horse pick)
Oilers

Agreed. Two great goal-tending units, and ho-hum everything else. I expect there to be some 1:0 games.

But the prospect of the Habs meeting and dispatching the rival B's or Sens in round is exciting. I only wish the Habs drew the Leafs in round one.

For excitement I'll be watching the Edmonton McDavids vs. SJ Snarks and maybe the PENS/CBJ games.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

Pretty sure Weber is skating tonight.

https://www.nhl.com/...663342?tid=287341416

I think Karlsson being out for the Sens is a bigger loss than Krug/Carlo, he drives their offense with his ability to move the puck out of the zone. Ottawa's trap (the same 1-3-1 that Boucher used in Tampa) stifles any flow/creativity through the neutral zone when it is working, so the Bruins forwards have to be one their game, which is a challenge where guys like Spooner and Vatrano have been so inconsistent and not playing well in 5-on-5 situations. I'm very excited about McAvoy, he's the real deal and has shown both in college and international play (WJC) that he can step it up in big-game situations.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

Here's my picks. I'd like to see the Leafs and Oilers get through but it's a tall order for Toronto.

Chicago
St. Louis
Anaheim
Edmonton

Montreal
Boston
Washington
Pittsburgh

Rask stole tonight's game, played out of his head for 60 minutes. McAvoy with an impressive debut, looked very poised for a 19-yr old kid and played a solid game, also made two big plays to keep the puck alive and in the zone on the long shift where Marchand eventually got the game winner.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

Charlie F'n McAvoy!

Couple of insanely impressive passes, one to break Bergeron that fizzled and the second a rocket from inside his own goal line to catch Ottawa off balance in the third. The awareness to pinch during the shift that led to Marchand's goal was fantastic too, not only because he kept the puck in but it was the smart play in that situation.

This is a good article/recap on his first game:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/...NguOVcW6L/story.html

I think the Subban comparisons are off-base, though. PK is far more athletic and dynamic than McAvoy, I think Charlie is more like Doughty or Shattenkirk, the size, physicality and awareness to be solid in the D zone but also fantastic on breakouts, great passer, gifted offensively. It's one game but I get the sense McAvoy won't be seeing the AHL again, and he, Carlo and Krug will form the backbone of this D for the foreseeable future.

Also Rask stood on his head, especially in that horrid second period. Great W, the big question mark now is the health of their D-men, now three guys out so it'd be nice if either Carlo or Krug are able to go, and news on Krejci too...I'm optimistic now but getting some of these injured guys back would be big.

uggghhh. Allen absolutely robbed the Wild last night.

Very difficult this morning to not feel hard done by after last night's game. Wild outplayed the Blues for most of that game, but could not get any sort of luck. Blues first goal was just a night mare scenario of unlucky plays.

Give credit to Allen and the Blues defense though. They cleaned up the garbage well and didn't give the middle of the ice very easily. But GOD DAMMIT!!!

51 saves?!? Holy hell, I just browsed the box scores this morning but had no idea the Wild put up that many shots. Looks like a similar box score to the SJ-Edm game except the team that dominated possession, special teams and shots in that one won the game.

Never good to give away home advantage in that first game, and goalies can sometimes stand on their heads and steal a series, but on the plus side the team that dominates play usually winds up winning the series, even if a game or two is stolen like this one seems to have been.

I agree. I just don't think we will out play them like that again unfortunately.

I noticed this problem when we played the Fackhawks early this year. We didn't have the killer instinct to bury the chances we had. The hawks did. In my mind, that is what makes a team elite. We had multiple Grade A chances last night we couldn't bury. Until we bury those, I don't think we go far.

Well I think one problem generally with a team like the Wild is the lack of stars/finishers. It's a strong team top-to-bottom but lacks that elite line and elite scorer, Staal is a little past his prime, Parise is more a complete two-way guy than a scorer and Granlund is the closest they have but ideally he'd be more of a secondary option. Looking at past Stanley Cup champs there's a pretty clear thread (imo): elite goalie (Wild certainly have that), elite d-man (who's strong both offensively and defensively), at least one elite scorer and one two-way dominant player.

2016 - Letang was healthy, and Sid/Geno certainly tick the boxes. Murray stood on his head
2015/13/10 - Crawford, Keith, Kane, Toews
2014/12 - Quick, Doughty, Kopitar, Carter - probably the closest to a Wild-type team, but Carter proved to be a HUGE mid-season pickup in '14
2011 - Thomas, Chara, Bergeron, Krejci

The 'burying the chances' to me is more a product of guys who CAN bury the chances in the playoffs, and I think in a lot of respects it's the elite goal scorers and playmakers that carry teams in the postseason. You need depth and role players as well, but it's largely the guys I listed above that dominate during a SC run...the question is whether Granlund, Parise, Staal can be that level of player for Minnesota.

I would agree with that assessment. I think the biggest gripe about the Wild is that they don't have a true star goalscorer to score the big goals for them. Granny is a tremendous playmaker but isn't a tremendous shooter. His passing ability is second to none though. The goal we scored last night he finally got some space and picked the Blues apart 6 on 5.

Since the Wild don't have that type of proven star player though I think they need other guys to chip in with big goals. Haula can, but missed a big chance early on. Nino, Coyle, Zucker are all capable of scoring goals and all had chances last night that they couldn't convert. If we are going to advance, those guys have to score on some of those chances. We will see what Allen looks like tomorrow night.

And don't forget that despite all his regular season success your coach has only made it past the 2nd round once.

I really have no idea what that means but it's not a good thing.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I agree, but digging in to his notorious game 7 history a little bit, I don't know how it can be all on him. His goalies have something like a .860 save percentage in game 7's. I don't know how the coach is supposed to stop pucks from the bench.

Agreed and that's why I said that I don't really know what it means. Lots of bad luck?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

What it means is that he fits right in at MN where the only thing we win is Baseball in the 90's....

Yeah but we can't ever take this away from you.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Nor this.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

What a game, What a series. Dammit why can't we win anything else! Puckett pretty much drug the team to victory that game and then ornery Jack Morris did the rest in game 7.

Thanks. I needed that to spoil my pity party.

I understand. Every once in a while I look this up...

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Ha I love that Joe Carter HR! I was just getting serious about sports at the time (13 y.o.), and the night of that game I was over a friends house watching Cujo - it was a week before Halloween so of course we were watching a scary movie. When the movie was over we flipped over to the World Series ( we were Red Sox fans so didn't really care much beyond liking baseball), it was like the fifth inning so we wanted to watch the rest of the game. It didn't end until almost midnight and I had to walk home alone, like two hours after my curfew. I was TERRIFIED, as scared as I've ever been in my life that night after watching Cujo. But we did stay up and see Carter win the World Series, it was an awesome game.

Go blue jackets. After over 15 years of really bad hockey we were treated with a great season. Don't let it end in round 1......please,.....pretty please. I will be in the arena for games 3 and 4. Last time (3 years ago) the place was so loud it hurt...can't wait.

Blackhawks warm up round starts tonight

How's that warmup going?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Nashville and Toronto look good so far tonite. Are they being taken lightly, if so Big mistake in the sc playoffs, good way to get your ass handed to you

...and just as I say it, brain fart by Toronto goalie....

I don't think that caps are taking them lightly. I think the caps are playing nervous.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

McAvoy looked legit last night. Regardless of what happens this year in the playoffs, I'm stoked about the next few years for the B's, especially on defense. The shift towards a skilled, fast, puck moving defensive core is pretty exciting after 10 years of Julien's stay-at-home system. Krug, Colin Miller, McAvoy, Carlo, either Kevan Miller or Adam McQuaid, and a few of the prospects down in Providence seems like a solid start.

Not a brain fart. He lost the puck. It happens. It's sucks when you don't know where the puck is. Can't feel it. You feel helpless

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I'm watching the game thinking I can't believe how good the Leafs are playing against the best team in the league, then I think, I didn't think they would make the playoffs this year, so why the hell not play this good....lol GO LEAFS!!!!

Happened to me last night in our championship game. Fortunately I got a quick whistle.

I am not surprised. They are good. Better than their record indicates. They lost a few games late. But lately they've learned how to hold third period leads.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

OT is upon us. Pick a player. One player.

Give me Auston Matthews.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I have no idea, Kadri? How about Martin...lol The way this team has played this year it could be anyone, and I predict it will be double overtime.

Hawks played meh but the officiating was garbage. . . .Biggest missed call was a delay of game off of a face off that would have given the Blackhawks 5-3 for close to two minutes. . . .Have not lost faith.

Best warm up a little harder.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

You really think the Preds win the series. . . .That's what I thought.

Hawks were flat. That is all. Coming off long road trip when they rested players, it's common in the first home game for a team to come out flat. Anisimov was clearly rusty and I thought Keith was at times as well.

I thought Nashville played one of their better games, and a full solid 60 minutes. But it still was only 1-0 and Hawks carried much of the play. Definitely a miss on the delay of game penalty. That should be reviewable.

I'm not worried. Hawks have lost 5 in a row, though, I think. So it's time to stop fucking around and take care of business.

Game on. Go jackets !

Oilers kick ass in game 2. What a performance ! Almost 11 years since Edmonton won a playoff game. Off to San Jose for game 3.

OT is upon us. Pick a player. One player.


It must be say that the Leafs acquitted themselves very well in the first game. A bit of a let down to let Washington back into the game, and then, really one of those unfortunate hail-mary types of shots at the goal that, 1 out every couple of hundred go in, for Washington to win in OT.

There are those that were saying the Leafs would be out 4-0, but if the Leafs keep playing like this, it may get stretched to 6 games.

As is sometimes the case, in these 1-8 match-ups, the Caps, came out a bit flat, and perhaps a bit over confident, and the Leafs played like true under-dogs with nothing to lose. What you got was a very close game. The bad news for the Leafs is that Washington likely got a big wake-up call, and that from here on in, the Leafs will have to play minimal to no-mistake hockey to stay in the game.

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Steve Fleck @stevefleck | Blog

Freakin Phaneuf.

Good stuff. Suck it Bruins.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Anyone but the Sens or Habs!

Hawks are killing me

Several missed opportunities in the final minutes here in DC. Great action.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

Great game. Loving this shiz. Zach Hyman in OT to win!

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

That's the worst misspelling of T.J. Oshie I've ever seen.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

What are the Hawks excuses tonight???

Yea.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

There is none. Someone needs to coat their asses with sterno and light it on fire with a blowtorch

Brutal. Just embarrassing. Darling starts G 3.

I didn't realize Crawford was responsible for the offense too. I mean you can do it for a jolt, but not getting a goal in two games in pathetic. They don't shoot, want to make the extra pass and the extra pass isn't crisp.

Sick assist on the game inner for the Leafs.

Pretty sure I meant to say Kapenen from Boyle and Martin.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Sweet!! They're right back in it. And sooner or later Matthews is going to find the scoreboard.

The bad news is I went to watch the replay on PVR and notta. I was recording overtime for my 9 year old son. Dammit!

B Bryan Boyle comes through with the pass of the game.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I called that in the first OT. After Boyle got his penalty, figured he would be responsible for the win.

Canadian teams are 4-4 in game two after going 0-5 in game one. Now its up to the Flames to finish it off.

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Starting from scratch...

They're at 2s now. I might just keep watching this one. No way I am sleeping now.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I may be divorced before the first round ends. TV has been on hockey since noon today (nine hours or so). Two full games yesterday as well. And her relatives are here for the weekend.

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Starting from scratch...

The really bad news is that we'll likely have our 7tg and 8th defensman playing in game #3.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Admit it. You're nervous now...

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Yes, hard to win if you don't score. Need a spark. There also were moments when crow could have a made a play to keep the game close, and he missed each time. Even the first goal was not great. Yes he was screened, but the shot was in the middle of the net and he moved himself out of position.

I also give credit to Nashville. They're beating our ass. But it takes four.

No words for what I witnessed last night, these kids are not playing like 19 and 20 year old's, wow, just wow. GO LEAFS!!!

Similar story here where Bruins having to go to their 9th defenseman tomorrow night where McQuaid likely out with a concussion, fourth straight game yesterday that a d-man has been injured. Lack of depth showed on the game winner as they were about to kill off Chara's stupid delay of game penalty (he seems to do that quite a bit) and Joe Morrow ( a healthy scratch since January) made a bad clearing attempt up the middle and the Sens were able to keep it in the zone and score.

Karlsson's cycle to set up the tying goal was sick.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

I bet Zaitsev plays on Monday. If I'm wrong, the Leafs are in trouble.

It's up to the Dr and they are very careful with concussions these days.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Flyers fan, only follow the Caps due to proximity.

That setup was masterful. Can't complain about that.

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

No words for what I witnessed last night, these kids are not playing like 19 and 20 year old's, wow, just wow. GO LEAFS!!!

I've been very impressed with a lot of the hockey this post-season. Very entertaining and high quality. I really like the look of the Leafs and the Oilers, both exciting and have some incredible young talent. For the long-suffering Leafs fans, this is exactly what they need, a good young team that can play with anyone on a given night.

This is as good as it gets.

Another great game in the Leafs Caps series. 3-3 going into the third.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

That was a great game!

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Don't hold back

Finally a PP chance for the Buds.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

OT in Toronto.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

BUDS. ALL. DAY.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Same ol' Caps.

Go Flyers!

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The devil made me do it the first time, second time I done it on my own - W

YEEEHAAAAAW!!! GO LEAFS!!!!

Edit: Yeah the Caps look shell shocked, here we go again...lol

Holy frak. These kids are something else.

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A false humanity is used to impose its opposite, by people whose cruelty is equalled only by their arrogance

Buds all day, brah. Buds all day.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Suban needs a stick broken across his face

Achey breaky heart after a goal? Lame.

Fucking game one and now game three these officials lick donkey ass

Go Leafs!!! This has been a fun series to watch so far. Lots of hustle and no quit. Probably helps that my kids are old enough to watch too. They really don't remember the Leafs in the playoffs.

Fucking hosed twice. The fact the Hawks aren't clicking on all cylinders is not helping but two BLOWN calls are part of the reason they're down to a bunch a punk bitches. Suban needs a stick on the back of his neck.

Typical loser Hawk bandwagoner.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I hate to blame the officials but they messed up big last night; you know it's bad when Pierre McGuire gets all over them on the NBC feed about the penalty called in OT last night that gave Ottawa a power play where they ultimately scored the game winner. Need to be consistent and call matching penalties where they did it earlier late in the third (and even that one was questionable) to let the players decide the game.

That said, Bruins came out flat at home in the first in front of a fired up Patriots Day crowd and were able to dig out of a huge hole and come back from a three goal deficit. They have to come out flying tomorrow.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

I didn't see that game so I don't know the penalty but I would agree that they need to be more consistent but I hate "let the players decide the game". They should be consistent. All game. Every game. A penalty in the first period is a penalty in OT. When you "let the players decide the game" the game gets sloppy and players get away with murder.

In the Leafs game #2 the refs swallowed the whistles, until they didn't. Nylander was hooked and taken down in OT, no call. Ok, I disagree but whatever. A few minutes later (because they are "letting the players decide the game") Boyle blatantly trips a Capital and now the refs call it. Now, I agree, it was a penalty. But so was the trip on Nylander earlier.

Consistency. That's all I want. From the first whistle to the end of the game. Call it consistent and the players will learn what they can and cannot do. And they will stop doing what they can't do and the game will be better for it.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Fuck you I've been going to games since they were in the Stadium

Agree on needing to be consistent (also what McGuire was ranting about on NBCSN). What initially happened was a late third period bump after the whistle between Marc Methot and Noel Acciari; everyone moves in and Methot punches Tim Schaller square in the face, and then gets a second jab in after the linesmen move in. Both go for matching roughing calls even though Methot could have easily gone alone. Fast forward to OT and Riley Nash loses an edge along the boards and is down on one knee in an awkward position; Bobby Ryan goes in to finish his hit anyway and catches Nash hard in the head/upper body. Nash retaliates with a jab but gets called for the only penalty, and Sens score on the subsequent PP. If the refs are going to call matching minors late in the game in a borderline situation, they need to be consistent and call it again when it was more obvious. Ref was looking at the play the whole time as Nash had the puck along the boards, so it wasn't like it was something that happened behind the play and he only saw the retaliation.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

One thing that bothered me last night was Washington took a penalty. The ref has his arm up and the Leafs had the puck, then a Washington player really blatantly hauls down a Leaf. It really should have been two penalties.

They completely ignored the second infraction because heaven forbid you call both penalties and give the Leafs a 5-3 late in the game. It was two penalties. They should have called both.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Well, you're among the minority. At least those Hawk fans who come here to get shitfaced stupid drunk and stumble around in the streets.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

uggh game 1 we got screwed so hard. We got called for a holding the stick penalty that was way behind the play and didn't really affect anything. OK, that's fine, its by the book. On the ensuing PK we had 2 guys get sticks slashed in half and a blatant diving trip when we were on a break as the PP expired. All no calls.

Like others have said, I just want consistency. I don't care if you call a super tight game or a super loose game just keep it consistent.

Being from MN, I am not allowed to say anything about refs because apparently all we do is blame them.

As far as this series has gone, I can't say that I am very surprised. Down the stretch, any team that could block out the middle of the offensive zone was beating us pretty easily. The Blues have done that very well. Add that to the fact that Jake Allen is playing like he wants to hoist a cup and we are in for a bad time. Really disappointing after the season that we have had. Parise is the only guy that has shown up at his best when it matters.

No that is a Hawks fan of any vintage but I do hate the bandwagon assholes that wouldn't know WTF I was talking about if I said Campbell conference and have the flags shirts etc. I used to listen to games on the radio under the covers because home games weren't on TV.

Who was it that assaulted the Caps player laying on the ice with his stick with the ref watching like paid to watch the assault?

When? Last night?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Damn. That Leafs game was good.
It pains me but I'm cheering for them. I hope the Habs and Leafs meet up in the Eastern Final for some 'ol timey magic.

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Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's

Or the ones who strut around saying, "We've won 3 Cups!" Got on that wagon after the first 3 I guess.
Maybe your boys will partake of some of our nightlife tonight.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I've been telling you idiots all year that these guys can play. Now maybe you'll listen to me.

No word from Captain Caveman lately. This must be eating him alive.

Anyway, I will root for the Habs for as long as the dream of a Leafs habs series still exists. If we go out this round then screw the Habs.

For what it's worth I predicted Caps in 7 for this series. Might still happen, Leafs did have Lady Luck on their side last night.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

What the actual fuck Bruins?

If not for that turnover would have been OT and an epic comeback, oh well best 2 out of 3 now. GO LEAFS!!

We were really sloppy in that game. If we play like that we're done. Need to clean it up.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

Ugly...the trap is no excuse, there was enough zone time to do something. Marchand is snake-bit, the big guns are getting chances but not capitalizing. Krejci looks like crap, he's not right and it's hurting the team imo. Rask played well again, he's been very solid but the offense didn't give him anything (literally).

I think they're the better team still, just not sure they're three straight games better. Friday is the biggie: if they win in Ottawa they're back in Boston for game 6 and then who knows in a game 7. but they've gotta start burying some ofthese chances.

Oh and McAvoy is the real deal. There are times when he's the best player on the ice, he's constantly making that perfect two-zone pass, pinching at the right time, and his defense has been solid. If nothing else this series has shown us that we can add him to Carlo and Pastrnak as the next wave of core Bruins.

phewwww. Well at least we didn't get slept. Played some ugly hockey last night, but Dooby was really sharp. Game 5 is at home. Win 2 in a row and get some momentum going and who knows what could happen.

Not having cable means no watching the games, but glad to see the wild picked up a win. The blues goal tender is showing a few cracks at least.

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Pactimo brand ambassador, ask me about promo codes

I did have to laugh that the first 5 on 5 goal we scored in 4 games happened when the goaltender was not even in the crease.

We need to be more ruthless with our chances. That game could have been 3 or 4 to nothing if we could have scored on any of the open looks we had.

Marchand has definitely been snake bitten in close (Pastrnak too) where they haven't been able to bury second chances. The past two games it has appeared to me at times that Marchand may be trying to do too much where he'll rush down the wing with a flurry of moves and then stops to wait for Bergeron/Backes, pausing just long enough to draw 2-3 guys on him and then not being able to finish the play.

Spooner has done nothing this series, I'd put him upstairs and put JFK in his spot to try to generate some offense for that line at this point. Seems like a waste where the front office is burning the first year of his entry level deal by having him be a healthy scratch.

Agree on McAvoy, saw him several times at BU and happy to see him playing so well in this series.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

Well that was a fucking pleasure!!!!

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

That was a fucking abomination

Weird series. Nashville is not that good. Hawks are not that bad. So much turnover in the roster. Our blue liners looked old and slow.

Lots of decisions for next year. Unfortunately, with the cap and our contracts, I'm not optimistic.

As for Nashville, I think their fans will be surprised in the next round. Playoffs should not be that easy.

But can you imagine, stl/min vs Nashville. Unwatchable. NHL and Nbc can't be happy.

Suck it Bettman and NBC. And yes, we know it will just get harder. But hey, we're still playing.

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clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com

I don't understand how they lost. All I hear is how valuable "leadership" is and we all know that nobody leaders better than Toews. So how is this possible? Was he not leadering hard enough?

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

HAHA!

I love Toews, wouldn't ever fault him for what the media has done but it's insane how much he's felated on national broadcasts.

I didn't see any of the series, did Rinne just stand on his head or was it fantastic team defense? Pretty shocking that the Blackhawks were swept in a series they scored a grand total of three goals.

Oh and it's always fun to look back 10 days and see how remarkably dumb I am:
Caps (series tied 2-2)
Blue Jackets (HA!)
Canadiens (down 3-2)
Bruins (down 3-1)
Hawks (HA!)
Wild (down 3-1)
Ducks (yay)
Oilers (up 3-2)

Embarassing...

LET'S GO BRUINS!!!

Who the hell knows.

Anyone happen to be watching the Caps v Maple Leafs Wednesday night and notice during the break when they showed Blues and Wild players entering St Louis arena ? It looked like at the players entrance security was collecting all their cell phones. At first I thought maybe it was a metal detector thing. But when they paned back the players were dropping them in plastic trays and walking in a door. Curious if that is a NHL rule ?

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"I think I've cracked the code. double letters are cheaters except for perfect squares (a, d, i, p and y). So Leddy isn't a cheater... "

The media felates all sorts of dumb things. Toews is fine but give me a break with the leadership garbage. The media also thinks that faceoffs are the most important thing ever. Here's what they don't tell you... there is no correlation between being a Stanley Cup contender and having a good faceoff %. None. Never has been.

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How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

I am not doing any better.

Caps Still likely
Blue Jackets (I think Bob is going to steal it) That turned out well...
Canadiens (same reason) Welp...
Sens Not celebrating yet
Fackhawks Celebrating my failure
Wild(maybe a bit hopefully) I did say hopefully...
Ducks On the board!
Sharks(this one is a toss up I think) Can they just keep scoring 7 a game?

Big win in 2OT for the Bruins, Kuraly with a huge night with his first NHL goal to tie it and then getting the winner after replacing Ryan Spooner (free agent after this year, likely played his last game as a Bruin) in the lineup. Garden should be rockin' Sunday afternoon. Kuraly played with a lot of jump in his game and also threw his weight around. McAvoy with another huge game, setting up the game winner and continuing to make smart plays, also with a huge hit. Fun to see the kids step in and make an immediate impact.

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"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler