NHL '11-'12 BS thread - Page 35

mike570 · #**511** 05-18-2012, 11:01 AM

All good points, Jim. And yes, the fat lady has yet to sing.
I'm just viewing this mostly from the standpoint that the Kings seem fairly well rested and healthy while our teams are pretty beat up.
And I give the Canucks a tad more credit than you. Yes when he's off Lou does literally stink on ice but I think he was okay in a couple of those games.
Yeah, a well-rested injury free Devils or Rangers team might give them lots of problems but we're banged up pretty bad.
And I hate to say it but Marty has let in a small handfull of bad goals too.
I will also say it again: Quick deserves the Vezina hands down!

**jim777** · #**512** 05-18-2012, 11:46 AM

My point with the Canucks is that they had a poisonous distraction pop up right in the middle of a playoff series, not that they're incapable of winning a few games.

doriangrey · #**513** 05-18-2012, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

My point with the Canucks is that they had a poisonous distraction pop up right in the middle of a playoff series, not that they're incapable of winning a few games.

...a poisonous distraction - I think you're right...I'm looking forward to our post Luongo era here...

as far as the cup goes - in the words of Jim Morrison "the west is the best" ;o)

mike570 · #**514** 05-18-2012, 01:31 PM

Another good point. All the same, the Canucks were doing well going into the playoffs, no? The Kings were bouncing between 3rd, 7th, 8th nd went as low as 11th in the west just immediately prior to getting in. Distractions are one thing but I think there is something to be said for getting one's s**t together.

The Dogs do have some talent I think. They got some kind of bad mindset after melting down in game 2 versus the Kings. The Kings do have the scoring talent and the physical play I think to get around NJ's defence, Marty, Lunqvist, and (yes) even the body blocking Rangers team in their entirety.
Time will tell, though. That's the great thing about this sport - anything can happen.

**jim777** · #**515** 05-22-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike570

Distractions are one thing but I think there is something to be said for getting one's s**t together.

Certainly if you are the team without the distractions (controversy, injury to your #1` goalie, etc.) you get an automatic benefit. Luck won't get you the Cup by itself, but it sure don't hurt!

So.........., what do Anisimov, Gaborik, Stepan & Richards have in common?

mike570 · #**516** 05-22-2012, 06:45 PM

They haven't gotten a goal?

**jim777** · #**517** 05-22-2012, 10:30 PM

They are the four Rangers forwards with more assists this post season than Brodeur

mike570 · #**518** 05-23-2012, 06:43 AM

Yeah, the Rangers not scoring is a problem. I think Torts' body-blocking strategy is backfiring too. You can only block so many shots before they take a toll I'm guessing.
Kings are in! One of my two favorite teams in the finals! I don't know what I'll do if the Rangers get past the Devils. Of course I'd like to see NY win but it would be really cool to see LA get their first.

**jim777** · #**519** 05-23-2012, 08:53 AM

The Kings deserved to win this one. the coyotesd played well the last two games, but I thought they were being outplayed last night even whenthey were up. Sort of like the Rangers; they've looked outplayed the whole series.

Like this quote from Ed Fraser of 'The the Hockey News' yesterday:

Game 4, my hockey-loving friends, was the New Jersey Devils at their very best. The Rangers undoubtedly were sluggish, but this lop-sided affair was much, much more about the Devils tenacious forecheck than it was New York's output.

When the Devils put together this type of effort, not the Rangers, nor the Kings (or, to be fair, the Coyotes) can hang in. It’s simply demoralizing for an opponent to be pinned down so prolifically and prodigiously. If you didn’t watch the game, know this: The 4-1 scoreline unfairly reflected the game’s domination. If not for royalty between the Rangers’ pipes, it would have been much worse.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...efensemen.html

Would love to see the Devils win tonite, as I will be on the road for a Hockey tourney in Mass on Friday.

mike570 · #**520** 05-23-2012, 09:48 AM

Sorry, I disagree. Quick is playing better in goal right now than Lunqvist OR Marty.
NY was still making bad turnovers at the blueline.
The Kings look much better than the Rangers and, in my opinion, better than NJ too.
Time will tell.

Also, LA is also resting yet again as they wait for their next opponent.

**jim777** · #**521** 05-23-2012, 11:32 AM

Well, you're disagreeing with The Hockey News, which is fine by me. LA isn't unbeatable though. Finals schedule has been posted: nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=632441&navid=DL|NHL|home" target="_blank">http://www.<a href="http://www.jemsi...id=DL|NHL|home

mike570 · #**522** 05-23-2012, 12:05 PM

No, LA is not unbeatabale by any measure.
I usually proceed from a standpoint that it is best to respect your opponents; in most things in life in general. I have lots of friends who are Devils fans and my wife is from Tom's River - and she nudges me a little and grins when the Rangers lose.
Honestly, I can understand why Torts does things the way he does but I'm a little disappointed with some of the things he's done and some of his behavior. I thought him and DeBoer were going to go at it last game.
I just call a spade a spade. I want the Rangers to win but I've noted NJ could beat NY or DC during their series. I'm giving LA a good shot at beating your Devils if they make it through; my major reasons being they have a few days more to let the cuts and bruises heal and the talent on the King's bench.

mike570 · #**523** 05-24-2012, 06:29 AM

Well, the Rangers looked ridiculously bad early on but we clawed back to tie. Jersey ultimately came out on top. Brodeur did get some lucky saves before NJ scored that 4th goal; like the one that bounced off the top of his stick shaft behind him. I bet even he thought that went in.
One or (hopefully) two games left before the finals!

doriangrey · #**524** 05-24-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

They are the four Rangers forwards with more assists this post season than Brodeur

nice ;o) I haven't seen as much of the games as I would like due to the 5:00 PST start times (I don't usually get home from work until 7:00 ish) but the Devils look like the better team to me... and I'm kind of anti Ranger right now becasue I can't stand coach Tortellini and I do not want to see him win anything...

mike570 · #**525** 05-26-2012, 01:08 AM

Well, the Rangers season is over. I will say that was a great performance by Brodeur. He really kept his team in the game. Congrats to the Devils for making the finals.
Los Angeles vs New Jersey for the Cup!