NHL Playoffs Thread

Like the good hockey fan I am, since my team, the Kings, choked by losing a million straight games just at the end of the season, I do not care who wins, but I have an inkling the stanley cup final will be between Detroit and NJ, that's if Rafalski and Stevens can come back in time to play in the playoffs; if they don't come back, then I like Toronto because of Belfour and the playoff experienced veterans they traded for this year, Francis and Leetch. Montreal has no chance I'm sorry to say .

Now that the MLB opening day is coming near, Spot how's your team been doing, other than playing better than my team in spring training :\ohwell:

Originally posted by Spotnick Well, I'm sorry to say, but the Habs have been one of the best teams in 2004, forget about 2003...We could surprise anyone, but with the recent streak, let's say my confidence is low.As for baseball, the Expos were doing fine until Nick Johnson got injured, it will be very hard to replace Javier Vasquez and Vladimir Guerrero, but I think we'll have a decent team for (again) the last year in Montréal

It's hard for me to think the Habs can succeed in the East when six teams have 100 pts or more and they are not one of those teams, plus you guys only have had three points in the last 6 games. But I like Koivu, so I'll be rooting for the Habs as long as they don't face my two favorite teams, Toronto and NJ.

talking about the dodgers, we acquired that cleveland OF, Milton Bradley (same name as the boardgame brand) who fought w/ his coach. Problem is the guy had fights with two players last year, and out allstar catcher LoDuca was one of them. The Dodgers tend to have great team chemistry , I hope Gagne will bean him with a fastball in practice if he starts acting up

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by Tristan Jayol > Originally posted by Spotnick> Well, I'm sorry to say, but the Habs have been one of the best teams in 2004, forget about 2003...> > We could surprise anyone, but with the recent streak, let's say my confidence is low.> > As for baseball, the Expos were doing fine until Nick Johnson got injured, it will be very hard to replace Javier Vasquez and Vladimir Guerrero, but I think we'll have a decent team for (again) the last year in Montréal

It's hard for me to think the Habs can succeed in the East when six teams have 100 pts or more and they are not one of those teams, plus you guys only have had three points in the last 6 games. But I like Koivu, so I'll be rooting for the Habs as long as they don't face my two favorite teams, Toronto and NJ.

Well, before those 4 games, the Habs had won 12 of their last 14 games, so don't worry, it's up and down, basically they should start a high just about now ;) The Habs need Roy back, they've done nothing since he left; too bad he retired, for I'd have liked to see him play w/ the current CO roster. They need a guy like Jacques Demers (sp?); he coached the '93 team to beat Gretzky, hence preventing LA from winning their first cup Better yet, they could bring Scotty Bowman out of retirement :D

Hey Nic, I watched your team lose 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks a month or so ago!

Is baseball just an adult name for rounders?

Vladimir Guerrero ? Is he part KGB part Gringo ?

Originally posted by Detweiler Vladimir Guerrero ? Is he part KGB part Gringo ?

Neither, he's Dominican, and a damn good one too. He averages, according to ESPN, 38 homers, 113 runs batted in, and a .323 batting avg per 162 games played.

Originally posted by Old Blue Hey Nic, I watched your team lose 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks a month or so ago!

I watched my team the Kings blow a 3-1 lead to the Sharks yesterday, meaning the Kings haven't won a game or tied for 11 straight.

Originally posted by Tristan Jayol > Originally posted by Detweiler> Vladimir Guerrero ? Is he part KGB part Gringo ?

Neither, he's Dominican, and a damn good one too. He averages, according to ESPN, 38 homers, 113 runs batted in, and a .323 batting avg per 162 games played.

What's that mean in English ?

Originally posted by Detweiler > Originally posted by Tristan Jayol > Originally posted by Detweiler> Vladimir Guerrero ? Is he part KGB part Gringo ?

Neither, he's Dominican, and a damn good one too. He averages, according to ESPN, 38 homers, 113 runs batted in, and a .323 batting avg per 162 games played.

What's that mean in English ? He's fucking awesome. He puts up such great numbers that people would not be suprised if he took steroids.

Like the 4th official who holds up 1 min when you are winning and 5 min when you are losing, that sort of putting up great numbers ?

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by Old Blue Hey Nic, I watched your team lose 4-3 to the San Jose Sharks a month or so ago!

That was the only game they lost in that sequence unfortunately for you, and the only one they lost in this road trip ;)

BTW Tristan, Jose Théodore was the MVP 2 years ago, he's still quite good, maybe not to the Roy level, but he's probably the 2nd best goalie in the east, so I have full confidence. Problem w/ Jose is he's not consistent; if he's on a good streak, then the Habs can do amazingly well in the playoffs. I'm just being hard on him since it's looking like he'll be facing a team I enjoy, and I don't want him to do well.

Originally posted by Detweiler Like the 4th official who holds up 1 min when you are winning and 5 min when you are losing, that sort of putting up great numbers ?

Yeah that good. Too bad baseball isn't time constrained.

I just found out the Canadiens will be playing Boston in the first round, so Nic I'll be rooting for your Habs.

Lets see if my Islanders can make it out of the first round this season. i think they do match up against tampa well. i also think the bruins remember what the habs did to them a couple of years back and i think boston with an unproven no. 1 goalie is in for more of the same, besides a montreal has been upsetting heavily favored boston teams for ages. i do think, even though i cant stand them, that if the leafs get hot they could come out of the east. i really really think that if the wings get outta nashville alive they will win the cup again. the preds can be tough though and vokoun is a very good goalie.

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Vladimir Guerrero ? Is he part KGB part Gringo ?

grin·go ( P ) Pronunciation Key (grngg) n. Offensive Slang pl. grin·gos Used as a disparaging term for a foreigner in Latin America, especially an American or English person

soviet? maybe. but, this guy doesn't look white to me...

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by frank smarra> Lets see if my Islanders can make it out of the first round this season. i think they do match up against tampa well. i also think the bruins remember what the habs did to them a couple of years back and i think boston with an unproven no. 1 goalie is in for more of the same, besides a montreal has been upsetting heavily favored boston teams for ages.> i do think, even though i cant stand them, that if the leafs get hot they could come out of the east.> i really really think that if the wings get outta nashville alive they will win the cup again. the preds can be tough though and vokoun is a very good goalie.

Don't underestimate Ottawa... I think they are due to eliminate the Leafs for once...

Otherwise, this will remain a running gag for ages.

Fortunately for us, the Maple Leafs are so old, if we face them in the 2nd round (which can happen only if the Isle and Flyers win), they will be tired.. very tired :p

Anyways, I don't get my hopes too high, it's already a miracle they made it where they are! Ottawa always seems to have a bunch of hype, but they neever seem to pull through; I think playoff hockey is too physical for their quick style.

I agree, the Leafs will be their nemesis. I would not be suprised to see a game-winning game 7 goal from Francis or Leetch to kill off the Sen.s. The Sen.s plyoff livelihood will depend on Lalime and co. like always.

I think we should talk about TB more and the brilliant French Canadian, Martin St. Louis.

Originally posted by Spotnick > Originally posted by Tristan Jayol I agree, the Leafs will be their nemesis. I would not be suprised to see a game-winning game 7 goal from Francis or Leetch to kill off the Sen.s. The Sen.s plyoff livelihood will depend on Lalime and co. like always.I think we should talk about TB more and the brilliant French Canadian, Martin St. Louis.

However, I'm concerned to see you can get the Art-Ross by only having 93 points.. I'm missing the 200+ points years of Gretzky and co...

I always thought that Jagr was going to be the next Lemieux, oh how wrong was I. The NHL needs to increase the width of the rink

There will never be another lemieux. and as far as the nhl goes we may never see somebody score over 105 Points in a season!, remember the 80's when there were like 20 guys with 120 Points! too many teams too many defensive minded coaches and not enough superstars to go around. but i am excited for the playoffs