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[Spl1nter]

I disagree. For a d-man jumping straight into the NHL from the draft, he looked very impressive (most of the time) to me.
Remember d-men take longer to develop than forwards. Hedman will be a great player.

Of course but its not like he was some stud dman who made the team that much better and you could depend upon. He still struggled at times. There D is really weak.

 

[lordoftherink]

Of course but its not like he was some stud dman who made the team that much better and you could depend upon. He still struggled at times. Their D is really weak.

Which likely made it even more difficult as there wasn't much time for him to learn the ropes, as it were. He was put in as a top 4 d-man on a struggling team without any prior experience playing North American hockey. Like pringles said, defensemen simply take longer to develop than forwards. Of course he was going to struggle, especially given the team he was playing for. That said, he was only a -3, which is better than most players on the Lightning were. I don't think anyone thought he alone could turn the team around, but once he has had time to develop he will be a very good defenseman in the NHL. Not everyone can make the jump like Drew Doughty did.

 

[Kapura]

I just saw in my paper that the Avalanche face the Sharks in the first round. I think the Avs can win (we won our last game against them) but the records don't lie...

 

[gregor7777]

So does anyone with the NHL Gamecenter streaming package know how it works for playoff games? I don't have CI this year so for those of us in the US will we be able to see the games that aren't on TV on gamecenter?

quoted for a new page...does anyone know?

 

[pringles]

Not everyone can make the jump like Drew Doughty did.

And he was a -17 in his rookie season. So if Hedman makes a similar improvement in his 2nd year he will be a lock for the Norris

 

[YakiSOBA]

Western Conference:
San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8) - San Jose in 4
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7) - Chicago in 5
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6) - Vancouver in 5
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5) - Detroit in 7

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8) - Washington in 4
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7) - New Jersey in 6
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6) - Buffalo in 6
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5) - Ottawa in 4

 

[KernelPanic]

Well the Sens are a genuine underdog against the Pens (who wouldn't be against the defending champ).

I'm so proud of the team considering many didn't expect us to make the playoffs, especially in 5th place. Losing Heatley was supposed to be a huge loss, and we've battled our fair share of injuries as well. IMHO the Sens get so little respect it's not funny, so I hope the Pens underestimate us.

Hopefully Cory Clouston gets nominated for the Jack Adams, he's done an amazing job in a relatively short time.

We've got a good, physical defense with the top 2 shot blockers in the league and Elliott is a #1 goalie in the making( 5 shutouts). Spezza, Alfie and Fisher have been great this year and we've got 4 good lines the Pens need to worry about.

I don't realistically expect anything other than making the Pens sweat for a series win (Pens in 7 games) but I feel we got a decent chance for an upset if the team plays well consistently and Elliott brings his A-game.

Can't wait til Wednesday ! It should be a terrific series regardless who wins.

 

[Kave_Man]

So apparently I'm going to the Red Wings/Coyotes game on Sunday with one of my friends.

They said they took pity on me for being a Leafs fan and wants to show me what playoff hockey is really like.

 

[Scrum]

Western Conference:
San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8) - San Jose in 4
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7) - Nashville in 7
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6) - Vancouver in 5
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5) - Phoenix in 7

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8) - Washington in 4
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7) - New Jersey in 5
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6) - Boston in 7
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5) - Pittsburgh in 6

 

[Spl1nter]

Which likely made it even more difficult as there wasn't much time for him to learn the ropes, as it were. He was put in as a top 4 d-man on a struggling team without any prior experience playing North American hockey. Like pringles said, defensemen simply take longer to develop than forwards. Of course he was going to struggle, especially given the team he was playing for.

I agree with all of this. All I was simply try to say from the beginning is that the Lightning are still a very weak team overall even though they have a good top 6 forward group. Hedman wasnt really impressive and he shouldnt be. Its just that Pringles lumped him in a group of Stamkos, St Louis etc.. when he isnt there yet.

 

[Alucard]

EAST:

Habs in 6 over Caps (Yep. Time to fold and watch Theodore crumble)
Flyers in 5 over Devils (F U. I hope they both demolish each other)
Sabres in 6 over Bruins (Do not really care)
Pens in 6 over Sens (Boom. I hate the Sens and they always play us hard. Bastards.)

WEST:

Sharks in 5 over Avs (Sharks will lose in the Conference or Cup Final this season)
Hawks in 5 over Preds (Sorry, sef)
Nucks in 6 over Kings (Why not)
Yotes in 7 over Wings (Most epic series of the first round)

 

[Jinaar]

Whats wrong with Versus?

VERSES Commentary. I cannot think of an analogy to express how it fails on so many levels at with so much consistency.

Obviously in the end, the hockey is all that matters. Enjoy the Playoffs! Nice to see VERSES got to showcase almost all the first round matches for the USA. More the merry to watch.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

So apparently I'm going to the Red Wings/Coyotes game on Sunday with one of my friends.

They said they took pity on me for being a Leafs fan and wants to show me what playoff hockey is really like.

You better be cheering for the Wings when you're there, if not I will find you and hunt you down.

 

[t0mp]

I wish my school didn't blow ass. we don't have TSN/Versus, so gotta watch these games through a stream :/

 

[Montresor]

So apparently I'm going to the Red Wings/Coyotes game on Sunday with one of my friends.

They said they took pity on me for being a Leafs fan and wants to show me what playoff hockey is really like.

It's alright, I'm there for you kave man. Next year I think will be a lot better. A full year of Komisarek, Bozak, Phaneuf and Kadri...and whatever other changes Burke makes. Should be nice.

 

[pringles]

Its just that Pringles lumped him in a group of Stamkos, St Louis etc.. when he isnt there yet.

Wasn't me, I only think he deserves mention among those players when you talk about their future.

 

[Fixed1979]

It's TIIIIME!!

Western Conference:
San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8) - San Jose in 6
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7) - Chicago in 4
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6) - Vancouver in 6
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5) - Detroit in 5

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8) - Washington in 6
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7) - Philadelphia in 6
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6) - Buffalo in 4
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5) - Ottawa in 6

 

[Marvie_3]

What did he do this season? Not being smarmy, I'm actually curious. His wikipedia page doesn't hint at anything overly remarkable except for the amount of time he's been playing.

If you actually watch him play and see how much he has to struggle to do something as simple as skating, you'd understand. Everything relating to hockey is so difficult for him that it makes it painful for anyone watching. Yet, he keeps trucking along....

Teemu has already won it anyway. Can't win it twice.

 

[X26]

I can only presume my month long ban was shortened so I could participate in this thread during the Canadiens miracle run to the SCF, where they will lose out in 7 games to the San Jose Sharks

San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8) - San Jose in 5
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7) - Chicago in 5
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6) - Kings in 7
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5) - Coyotes in 4

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8) - !!Montreal in 6!!
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7) - Devils in 4
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6) - Buffalo in 4
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5) - Ottawa in 4

 

[Marvie_3]

I can only presume my month long ban was shortened so I could participate in this thread during the Canadiens miracle run to the SCF, where they will lose out in 7 games to the San Jose Sharks

:lol

 

[SpacLock]

I want to make predictions, but I'm afraid I'll ruin the playoffs for everyone by being absolutely right.

 

[Phreak47]

Going to be at this one: Wednesday, April 21st|10:00 PM EST| Vancouver @ Los Angeles Game 4|CBC, VERSUS

You guys picking the Canucks (or deciding on the thread title) might have forgotten a certain team that lit them up for 8 goals recently?

DREWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Doughty for the pwn

 

[Dastardly Jerks]

If you actually watch him play and see how much he has to struggle to do something as simple as skating, you'd understand. Everything relating to hockey is so difficult for him that it makes it painful for anyone watching. Yet, he keeps trucking along....

Teemu has already won it anyway. Can't win it twice.

So when is Chris Chelios getting his nomination?

That's right, he did in 2006, but I always thought you could win it multiple times. Wonder why he even got nominated then, kinda pointless really..

Going to be at this one: Wednesday, April 21st|10:00 PM EST| Vancouver @ Los Angeles Game 4|CBC, VERSUS

You guys picking the Canucks (or deciding on the thread title) might have forgotten a certain team that lit them up for 8 goals recently?

DREWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Doughty for the pwn

A regular season game that wasn't cared about =/= Canucks playoff ability.

Surely the current Kings roster would know a thing or two with their large amount of postseason experience.

 

[Futureman]

Western Conference
San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8)
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7)
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6)
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5)

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8)
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7)
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6)
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5)

 

[Phreak47]

A regular season game that wasn't cared about =/= Canucks playoff ability.

Surely the current Kings roster would know a thing or two with their large amount of postseason experience.

How is a game on April 1st not cared about, with seeding all very much at stake?

Anyway, Scott Burnside agrees... Kings in 7

 

[lethial]

Looking forward to the bandwagon window flaggers here in Vancouver crying bitter tears when Luongo folds like he does every year.

 

[snack]

Western Conference
San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8)
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7)
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6)
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5)

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8)
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7)
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6)
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5)

 

[Marvie_3]

So when is Chris Chelios getting his nomination?

There's a big difference between overstaying your welcome by a decade and overcoming severe athletic deficiencies. Not to mention his horrific cracker injury.

 

[B-Rad Lascelle]

I'll be blindly rooting for my Bruins as always. Not going in with high expectations, but I'll take a first round upset of the Sabres, a decent 2nd round showing and the Leafs 1st overall draft pick as something to build on.

Also rooting for Chicago and San Jose.
Both teams are due.
Everyone else can go to hell.

 

[The Internet]

Looking forward to the bandwagon window flaggers here in Vancouver crying bitter tears when Luongo folds like he does every year.

Post of the thread, Smytty's greasy mullet will overpower Louuu and his band of misfits. Stolly will have at least 4 PP blasts in the series and Matty Greene will knock out Kesler with an open ice hit in Game 1 that will take him out of the entire series.

Of course none of this will happen and bishoptl and Mike Works will be quoting this when the Kings are dispatched in 5 games.

 

[Dastardly Jerks]

How is a game on April 1st not cared about, with seeding all very much at stake?

Canucks had already pretty much clinched the division by then, or were well on their way to. Only the Kings had much at stake still on April 1st.

There's a big difference between overstaying your welcome by a decade and overcoming severe athletic deficiencies. Not to mention his horrific cracker injury.

Didn't hear anything about his injuries. If previous winners are anything to go by, overcoming potentially crippling injuries gets you the trophy.

(Looks like Chelios already got a nomination for the Bill Masterson trophy anyway, last season apparently :lol)

Looking forward to the bandwagon window flaggers here in Vancouver ...

sup

 

[Marvie_3]

Didn't hear anything about his injuries. If previous winners are anything to go by, overcoming potentially crippling injuries gets you the trophy.

He wasn't injured. He's just so slow and awkward that it looks like he is. :lol

 

[apocalidiot]

Going to the first game of the Hawks/Preds Friday. I look forward to the beatdown.

 

[aidan]

You guys picking the Canucks (or deciding on the thread title) might have forgotten a certain team that lit them up for 8 goals recently?

DREWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Doughty for the pwn

If we forgot about that game, you must've forgotten about the rest of the season series.

 

[Marvie_3]

Going to the first game of the Hawks/Preds Friday. I look forward to the beatdown.

Sef isn't that tough.

 

[apocalidiot]

Sef isn't that tough.

I'm bringing my brass knuckles just in case.

 

[C-Jo]

Wow, this Souray article is brutal. :lol

Anyway, just like every year, I'm way too nervous about the playoffs for shit talk or predictions.

 

[Sibylus]

Wow, this Souray article is brutal. :lol

Anyway, just like every year, I'm way too nervous about the playoffs for shit talk or predictions.

Exactly my feelings. SHIT'S TOO TENSE FOR PREDICTIONS AND SMACK AAAAAAUGH

 

[OnPoint]

BUFFALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 

[Phthisis]

Post of the thread, Smytty's greasy mullet will overpower Louuu and his band of misfits. Stolly will have at least 4 PP blasts in the series and Matty Greene will knock out Kesler with an open ice hit in Game 1 that will take him out of the entire series.

Of course none of this will happen and bishoptl and Mike Works will be quoting this when the Kings are dispatched in 5 games.

Hey, can we keep the faith please? Series hasn't even started yet...

 

[SuperSonic1305]

Tiger Woods vs Toronto Maple Leafs - Leafs in 9

He won't be able to handle the truculence

 

[sefskillz]

(2) Chicago vs (7) Nashville - preds in 6

scissor knows whats up. BUT THAT IS NOTHING NEW

 

[ForzaItalia]

Since Jan 13, Theodore has allowed only 9 third period goals on 229 shots. That's a .961 SV%.

HEART!!!

 

[Futureman]

Since Jan 13, Theodore has allowed only 9 third period goals on 229 shots. That's a .961 SV%.

HEART!!!

Caps are such a monster team. I'm a Pens fan, but I'll readily admit that this year, it's the Caps' Cup to lose.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP OVY

 

[ForzaItalia]

Caps are such a monster team. I'm a Pens fan, but I'll readily admit that this year, it's the Caps' Cup to lose.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP OVY

Anything can happen dude. You need luck in the playoffs too. I remember the Caps up 2-0 in the series with game 3 in OT versus the Pens. Pens get a lucky deflection and get back into the series. Pens deserved their Cup but you still need luck on your side.

I see no "favourite" at all.

 

[The Internet]

Hey, can we keep the faith please? Series hasn't even started yet...

Sorry

How about this, it will be Dustin Brown's "introduction" into the League, as he will finally get to showcase his skills and he will end up scoring the Series winner during Game 6 in OT at the Staples Center...greatest Kings goal since Adam Deadmarsh against the Wings.

 

[Wolf]

Keeping it short n sweet boys.

Habs in 7 over Washington because I root for my team regardless of how big the mountain. I havent seen much of my Habs this year, but ive seen enough to know that its going to take Halak becoming a god of goaltenders to pull this through..Stats show that the Habs could hang with the Caps in the season, but those stats mean fuck all now so lets see what happens.

Not going to bother with the other predictions but I will say Vancouver wins the Cup because fuck are they a team full of win right now.

Cups coming back to Canada this year, and if it can't be the Habs than I don't have a problem with seeing Luongo celebrating the two biggest championships in Hockey in one year.

Cant wait for Thursday.

 

[ForzaItalia]

Stats show that the Habs could hang with the Caps in the season, but those stats mean fuck all now so lets see what happens.

Habs have the least amount of goals in the league 5 on 5 and the second worst home record of the playoff teams. Don't know what stats you're looking at.

Not saying Caps win because of this. Just saying that the only chance the Habs have is hoping the Caps take a lot of penalties so they can exploit their shitty PK with their #2 PP.

 

[Rainier]

Great thread title! Time for some regicide!

 

[Marty Chinn]

Western Conference
San Jose (1) vs Colorado (8)
Chicago (2) vs Nashville (7)*
Vancouver (3) vs Los Angeles (6)
Phoenix (4) vs Detroit (5)

Eastern Conference
Washington (1) vs Montreal (8)
New Jersey (2) vs Philadelphia (7)
Buffalo (3) vs Boston (6)
Pittsburgh (4) vs Ottawa (5)

*Only picking Nashville here so that we can beat the crap out of them in Round 2 to which I can laugh at sef, otherwise go Hawks =)