Official NHL 2014 Playoffs thread

[NutBucket]

Well the Western final is going to be down to three teams more than likely.

SJ or LA vs. Chicago.

Second round is likely going to be quick in the West unless Anaheim puts up a good fight.
Chicago should steamroll the Avs or Wild unless they decide to play well below their capabilities.

Agree to disagree....

 

[PingviN]

Really hoping that the Ducks bring it home now that the Red Wings is out of the playoffs. Unfinished business indeed.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Great hockey between the two teams for sure. I wish the refs would stop inserting themselves into the games sometimes, either through madeup penalties or missed ones. Seeing two different styles of hockey go against each other is fantastic.

I must admit, St. Louis is way more skilled then they have showed the last couple seasons. I was afraid that they would learn to actually play the game and with their physical nature its just brutal out there.

I can't count how many times early in the game a StL player was actually laying on top of a player from the hawks and no calls were made. Seemed like the hawks got whistled for everything early on. Still a satisfying end to the game.

 

[Zargon]

Let's not forget that the Wild took the lead on a shift where there was a blown slashing call, causing a broken stick. Now who is cherry picking calls because that certainly changed the outcome of the game. Avs wouldn't have been down in the first place.

And as for "shoving" the linesman, he barely even touched him. Passion's run rampant in the playoffs and you can find this in just about every game.

http://beta.thescore.com/news/490107

I have seen snowing in nearly every game and that was the only time it was called. You don't call that shit in the playoffs with 5 minutes left. Getzlaf did it twice to Lehtenon last night and wasn't called.

that's a weak shove call

Let's not forget that the Wild took the lead on a shift where there was a blown slashing call, causing a broken stick. Now who is cherry picking calls because that certainly changed the outcome of the game. Avs wouldn't have been down in the first place.

And as for "shoving" the linesman, he barely even touched him. Passion's run rampant in the playoffs and you can find this in just about every game.

http://beta.thescore.com/news/490107

I have seen snowing in nearly every game and that was the only time it was called. You don't call that shit in the playoffs with 5 minutes left. Getzlaf did it twice to Lehtenon last night and wasn't called.

I can't count how many times early in the game a StL player was actually laying on top of a player from the hawks and no calls were made. Seemed like the hawks got whistled for everything early on. Still a satisfying end to the game.

this. check towes and then lay on him was a play called very often yesterday. that and the endless cross checks to the back of kane and toews all series, of which 3 were called

not that it helped

shoulda done it to keith instead!

great to see them blows the doors off STL, gives me hope going into the next series

 

[Slew Foot]

No one gives the Ducks any respect. The Sharks will choke, either to LA or Anaheim. Chicago will probably find a way to beat any of the CA teams.

 

[AMDZen]

No one gives the Ducks any respect. The Sharks will choke, either to LA or Anaheim. Chicago will probably find a way to beat any of the CA teams.

I honestly think the Avs have a decent shot at Chicago if they get past Minnisota. They just match up well against them with all their speed. Anaheim can shut down speed and get past it like shown against Dallas because the Avs team is built A LOT like Dallas so I don't think the Avs can beat Anaheim. The difference is Varlamov.

Any way, can't believe MacKinnon leads in so many categories in this years playoffs. Kid is going to be a monster in 3-4-5 years when he is in his prime.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/statshome.htm?navid=nav-sts-main#

Leads in Points, assists and Plus minus

 

[NutBucket]

No one gives the Ducks any respect. The Sharks will choke, either to LA or Anaheim. Chicago will probably find a way to beat any of the CA teams.

That's OK. Being a front-runner rarely works out.

 

[Nemesis13]

I think the Rangers will close the series tomorrow. The flyers are playing terrible hockey.

 

[AMDZen]

I've picked the Ducks to win it all along with several people I know in various bracket challenges I am part of this year. I think the media doesn't respect them to win it all but within HFForums and among other hockey knowledgeable people I see a lot of people picking the Ducks to at least get to the WC Finals, if not the Stanley cup finals.

Its a lot more wide open in the west though, where as in the east the Bruins are the clear cut favorite almost across the board.

 

[twinrider1]

So freaking nervous. Really trying to get pumped up for the Blue Jackets but it feels like it's over. I hope the actual team has a better attitude that I do.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

haha they just said the team that scores first has lost all 5 games in the CBJ vs PIT series

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

haha they just said the team that scores first has lost all 5 games in the CBJ vs PIT series

and the pens score first!

 

[KK]

And second and third and fourth. Hope they dont blow it in the third

 

[raasco]

Go Blue Jackets!

 

[gorcorps]

Holy shit, what lucky timing and great shot by Stastny

 

[twinrider1]

I'm proud of the Blue Jackets.
They took another step this year. Building something solid.

 

[Slew Foot]

LOL, must be April/May, time for another choke job by the Sharks

 

[n7]

Agree to disagree....

Time will tell



And wow, the SJ vs. LA series!

Explosion of goals in the third puts the Kings up for another win, sending these two teams to a game 7.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Time will tell



And wow, the SJ vs. LA series!

Explosion of goals in the third puts the Kings up for another win, sending these two teams to a game 7.

I can't take this anymore

 

[n7]

I love the playoffs.

Some absolutely insane first round matchups.

To me the series worth watching have been STL vs. CHI and SJ vs. LA.

Just ridiculously good hockey.

 

[PingviN]

Oh, Sharks, you're in trouble now.

Hoping they can win game 7, rather see Anaheim play a Sharks team that's a bit shaken up than Kings coming with 4 in a row.

 

[z1ggy]

I was rooting for CBJ so hard last night. Only the Pens could give up 3 goals in the 3rd period, up by 4, in about 5 minutes.

It sucks for me though because the only team I liked out of the east was CBJ :-( Looks like I'll be rooting for the Kings now..

 

[Wingznut]

Justin Williams' goal last night - YouTube

This one shouldn't have counted.

In the event that a goalkeeper has been pushed into the net together with the puck by an attacking player after making a stop, the goal will be disallowed.

I guess one could argue that Stalock wasn't pushed in WITH the puck, but since Justin didn't even get his stick on the puck, I think the spirit of the rule applies.

And ex-ref Kerry Fraser agrees... (this may be the first time I've ever agreed with Fraser. )

What say the ATOT NHL fans?

 

[n7]

I'd need to read all the rules related to the play, but looked like a tough one.

'Course i was fine with it as i need LA to win for my pools :hmm:

 

[Wingznut]

There's also:

If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the goalkeeper is in his goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

Hard to argue against that one.