[UNHrider]

the instigating penalty refers to dropping the gloves first to initiate a fight, so in this instance Chara technically instigated the fight.

I tried finding in the NHL rule book the definition of the instigator penalty, but couldnt, the only reference i could find when clicking the link, led to the explanation of cross-checking. However your def. cant be right as every fight would have an instigator penalty. Some one has to drop the gloves first after all. You just dont like chara, fair enough.

I dont think Chara is over rated either. the guy plays nearly half a game every night and continually shuts down opposing team's top lines day in and day out. Makes smart plays going forward, what more can you ask of a D-man?

Either way was a good series for the B's, the PP scored some goals and the PK killed every PP for buffalo, which I would say was the difference in the series.

 

[narlus]

the instigating penalty refers to dropping the gloves first to initiate a fight, so in this instance Chara technically instigated the fight.

didn't he leave his gloves on?

and yeah, an unprovoked two-handed slash isn't instigating.

 

[kickstand]

Kickstand, you are forgetting Yzerman, Hull and Fedorov...

Not so much forgetting them, they just weren't the muscle of the team, they were the finesse, the wings don't have the muscle behind their stars like they used to. In fact other than datsuk and zetterburg the wings don't have a lot of stars up front anymore, and lidstrom is either hurt or done, I can't tell which.

Cronwall is a big hitter, abdelkatur tries, and af ew others but I dont know that we have that feared big guy or a good grind line like we used to anymore.

I just feel like the wings are all finesse and have lost that grit that I think is needed in the playoffs. We'll see what happens tonight.

 

[UNHrider]

didn't he leave his gloves on?

and yeah, an unprovoked two-handed slash isn't instigating.

Charas gloves definitely came off, but im pretty sure so did gaustads at roughly the same time. Gaustad was also assessed a 2 minute minor for the slash as well.

pretty low of the sabres to be taking liberties like that in the closing moments of a game in hand, but thats playoff hockey.

 

[Inclag]

Not so much forgetting them, they just weren't the muscle of the team, they were the finesse, the wings don't have the muscle behind their stars like they used to. In fact other than datsuk and zetterburg the wings don't have a lot of stars up front anymore, and lidstrom is either hurt or done, I can't tell which.

Cronwall is a big hitter, abdelkatur tries, and af ew others but I dont know that we have that feared big guy or a good grind line like we used to anymore.

I just feel like the wings are all finesse and have lost that grit that I think is needed in the playoffs. We'll see what happens tonight.

Franzen?

Betuzzi, Cleary for toughness

As an outsider looking in, I'd say that Detroit is a darn tough team. Sure, they might not have Marty Lapointless (who won as many cups as Pavel Datsyuk) or everyone's favorite drunk/coke addict, but as far as team toughness and compete level, it's hard to find an organization that can compete with them on a year to year basis. The game has changed, and there aren't as many goons. I think the problem is that Detroit ran into a very under appreciated and very good Yote's team.

 

[MMcG]

Good win by Boston last night indeed. I bet it felt good for Satan to score a few key goals against a former club of his (then again he's played for a buncha clubs).

Halak was spectacular in net last night. Big surprise that the Habs won that one. But they looked calm under pressure at the end. Can they win three in a row though? Maybe.

That first period of the Hawks vs. Preds game was nuts! 7 goals in one period!

 

[narlus]

Good win by Boston last night indeed. I bet it felt good for Satan to score a few key goals against a former club of his (then again he's played for a buncha clubs).

the best was when Satan played for the Devils.

 

[kingbee]

And the wings hold on! They will have their hands full with the Sharks.

 

[MMcG]

Detroit was the better club last night. They deserved that win.

Can the Habs pull off a miracle tonight? Halak will have to be stellar again for that to happen. And can Ovechkin and Semin stay cold for another game? They seem to be trending that way.

 

[kingbee]

Can the Habs pull off a miracle tonight? Halak will have to be stellar again for that to happen. And can Ovechkin and Semin stay cold for another game? They seem to be trending that way.

I hope so!

 

[I Are Baboon]

Halak has stopped 90 of the last 92 shots he's faced. That is insane. I love the fact that a hot goalie can win a series on his own.

 

[kickstand]

Franzen?

Betuzzi, Cleary for toughness

As an outsider looking in, I'd say that Detroit is a darn tough team. Sure, they might not have Marty Lapointless (who won as many cups as Pavel Datsyuk) or everyone's favorite drunk/coke addict, but as far as team toughness and compete level, it's hard to find an organization that can compete with them on a year to year basis. The game has changed, and there aren't as many goons. I think the problem is that Detroit ran into a very under appreciated and very good Yote's team.

As an outsider looking in I guess you bring perspective to it for me. As a wings fan all we complain about his how bertuzzi doesn't look as tough as he should because he's afraid to get in trouble again, cleary is more a grinder, etc. But you're right, the wings are still a good tough team.

Wings played like we all hoped they would last night, 50 shots on goal, tons of hits, they just killed em last night.

As a fan of the game and sportsmanship I thought it was cool to see the 'yotes fans all stay to the end, even in a blow out, and the players and fans salute each others appreciation. And bizgolav or whatever his name is stood on his freakin head last night, even with 6 goals he played an outstanding game. Hat's off to him.

 

[Inclag]

Detroit was the better club last night. They deserved that win.

Can the Habs pull off a miracle tonight? Halak will have to be stellar again for that to happen. And can Ovechkin and Semin stay cold for another game? They seem to be trending that way.

Can someone riddle me this;

Why do ~50% of Montreal fans still believe that Price is the better goalie?

 

[JohnE]

...because they hate foreigners. Price may not be French Canadian, but he is still a Canadian.

Statement game by the Wings last night. They are still the team to beat IMHO.

 

[MMcG]

Can someone riddle me this;

Why do ~50% of Montreal fans still believe that Price is the better goalie?

I don't think they will if Halak play stupendously again tonight.

I visit the CBC web site and it seems that the majority of Habs fans are anti-price - where did you get your 50/50 number from?

 

[kickstand]

...because they hate foreigners. Price may not be French Canadian, but he is still a Canadian.

Statement game by the Wings last night. They are still the team to beat IMHO.

I hope you are correct. San Jose is no slouch team though, my questions about the wings toughness will come into play in this series. However if they can pass as crisply as they did last night, fire 50 shots at the net, and grind out long posessions in the san jose zone like they did last night, then they will be tough to beat.

Howard is going to have to play like he did last night too....I think he "can" do it, just like the wings proved they "can" play dominating hockey.

The question is "will" they do it?

 

[Inclag]

I hope you are correct. San Jose is no slouch team though, my questions about the wings toughness will come into play in this series. However if they can pass as crisply as they did last night, fire 50 shots at the net, and grind out long posessions in the san jose zone like they did last night, then they will be tough to beat.

Howard is going to have to play like he did last night too....I think he "can" do it, just like the wings proved they "can" play dominating hockey.

The question is "will" they do it?

Thornton, Marleau, Heatley....that team isn't going anywhere. They finally have a gamer in Pavelski, but those other guys are probably the most talented group of elite level complimentary players there are on the planet.

I watched Thornton night in and out as a Bruin and have followed him closely since he became a Shark and as an Olympian, and that leopard hasn't changed it's spots. Probably the greatest playmaker of the last couple decades, but he doesn't have that extra compete gear and plays around the perimeter. With that size and skillset, you just wish that he could do so much more.

I'd be shocked if the Wing's can't beat the Sharks.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Well the sports pundits are saying it and it's tough to argue: Alex Ovechkin = Tracy McGrady

 

[JohnE]

Habs take out Ovy...can they do the same to Syd?

I agree on Thornton. If someone could find a way to light a fire under him, he would be completely dominant. But until then...

 

[MMcG]

Wow - Montreal blocked something like 35 shots, and deflected probably a dozen more tonight. Crazy!

Bye Bye Ovy! He didn't play with his usual passion - looked defeated before the end of the 2nd period. Weird.

Bring on Round 2!!!!!

 

[Inclag]

Eh, I'm not sold on Ovie being a choker. The guy's an incredible talent, who plays on a team with absolutely no system or structure.

Buh Bye Bruce Boudreau.

They need to bring in an intelligent hockey mind that can instill a system of accountability. Not sure who's out there that will be available, and I'm not a fan of some of the current guard of coaches, but if I were them, I would be looking into Greg Cronin, Paul MacLean, Ron Francis.

Too bad about Pat Burns and his situation. I could have seen him being a great fit for this club.

 

[jsg04]

Ovechkin sucks. The Caps choke again.

I wonder if Ovechkin would like to take back his comment about Halak shaking when he was drinking out of his water bottle. It is funny how the hockey gods always come back to haunt you.

Let round 2 begin. Go Pens.

 

[jsg04]

Eh, I'm not sold on Ovie being a choker. The guy's an incredible talent, who plays on a team with absolutely no system or structure.

I can't see Ovechkin playing in a system. His game consists of shooting way too much, usually from crap angles and never playing d or backchecking. The dude thinks he is playing roller hockey.

As for him not being a choker. What has he won? Some scoring titles an MVP or two and a WJC championship. They were up 3-1 in this series and 2-0 against the Pens last year.

 

[Inclag]

Ovechkin sucks.

R u s3riuz? NO

The Caps choke again.

Eh, in 08 they were the division winners, but Philly had the better record. They were down 3-1 in their series, forced a game 7 and lost. Not really a choke in my eyes.

Last season they lost to the Pens. I hardly consider that a choke.

This season. Yep, they blew that one based on the talent that team has.

I wonder if Ovechkin would like to take back his comment about Halak shaking when he was drinking out of his water bottle. It is funny how the hockey gods always come back to haunt you.

Probably not. Unless he believes in jinxes and hockey deity's.

 

[Inclag]

I can't see Ovechkin playing in a system. His game consists of shooting way too much, usually from crap angles and never playing d or backchecking. The dude thinks he is playing roller hockey.

This is why there is this thing called coaching. If you think he's un-coachable, then so be it. I can't change that opinion.

As for him not being a choker. What has he won? Some scoring titles an MVP or two and a WJC championship. They were up 3-1 in this series and 2-0 against the Pens last year.

Am I really reading this? Does this mean all non champions are chokers? Is this not a team sport? I'm sorry but I'll start taking these type of childish generalizations more seriously when people can start pointing out a trend in how a player's play regresses in the playoffs and can cite consistent and specific examples of this...




....Oh, I see now. You're a Pen's fan.

 

[JohnE]

I can see the Caps going after Melrose or Olcyzk...someone Ovy can dictate the game to that gives a little livelier interveiw than Boudreau. And choker? I dont see it...but he needs some help. He plays with reckless abandon and brings alot of passion to his game. Not your standard stoic Soviet hockey product.

 

[jsg04]

Eh, in 08 they were the division winners, but Philly had the better record. They were down 3-1 in their series, forced a game 7 and lost. Not really a choke in my eyes.

Last season they lost to the Pens. I hardly consider that a choke.

This season. Yep, they blew that one based on the talent that team has.

There is more than just the last three years. Not too many second rounds here.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=washingtonpost

 

[jsg04]

Am I really reading this? Does this mean all non champions are chokers? Is this not a team sport? I'm sorry but I'll start taking these type of childish generalizations more seriously when people can start pointing out a trend in how a player's play regresses in the playoffs and can cite consistent and specific examples of this...




....Oh, I see now. You're a Pen's fan.

Where was he at the end of the game on the PP? Where was the big time goal? For being called by some the greatest player of his time why does he not put the team on his back? Three playoff apperences and one series win.

And yes my view is skewed.

Sharks or Wings tomorrow night?

 

[X3pilot]

Ovechkin sucks. The Caps choke again.

Typical statement from a Pens fan.

 

[X3pilot]

Where was he at the end of the game on the PP? Where was the big time goal? For being called by some the greatest player of his time why does he not put the team on his back? Three playoff apperences and one series win.

Did you ever here Ovy say that? You have him cofused for the Pens play that thinks HE deserves to be called the greatest player of his time.

Crosby wants to be the next Gretsky and Mario, Ovy just wants to be Ovy.

 

[kingbee]

I'm a huge Pens fan, but I'm also a realist. I hate the Ovi vs Sid comparisons. They are different players with different styles. Let them just play their game.

The Caps as a team choked IMO. Ovi isnt the only one that can score goals on their team. Where was Semin, Morrison, Laich, Knuble, etc? One guy isn't going to win the Stanley cup for you. The Pens proved that last year. Sid was hurt and barely played in the final game. Its about the team showing up, the Caps didn't.

Really looking forward to round 2!

 

[MMike]

 

[stevew]

since i have found out i had a great great grandmother who was canadian....i am conflicted in the flyers/habs series...

 

[Inclag]

since i have found out i had a great great grandmother who was canadian....i am conflicted in the flyers/habs series...

Well that should be easy then because the habs aren't playing the flyers

 

[kickstand]

Sharks or Wings tomorrow night?

I hope the wings will win, but I have a sneaking suspicion that game one will not be won by the wings, UNLESS they are still riding a HUGE wave of momentum from game 7, rather than having no legs under them. You will be able to tell in the first 2 minutes of the game which red wings show up, and if they will win or lose.

Well that should be easy then because the habs aren't playing the flyers

 

[stevew]

Well that should be easy then because the habs aren't playing the flyers

damn....could of swore it was the habs.

retard.

 

[MMcG]

So who goes tonight?

Sharks vs. Red Wings? Is that right?

Go Red Wings!!! (that'll surprise the crap out of IAB)

 

[brungeman]

Did you ever here Ovy say that? You have him cofused for the Pens play that thinks HE deserves to be called the greatest player of his time.

Crosby wants to be the next Gretsky and Mario, Ovy just wants to be Ovy.

No that douche bag Boudreau is the one calling Ovy the best player in the game. Unless you think his statements about Crosby being "the second best player in hockey" meaning something else? JSG's statement is supported. As is the fact that Ovy is very one dimensional in his game and is resistant to change his game. On the contrary when Syd looked at what the Pens needed from him he changed his game. Example? They needed a better face of guy... Syd worked his a$$ off and became great at faceoffs. This off season it was apparent that the team needed more production from him because his wingers weren't putting pucks in the net, so he changed his game to shoot more, work gritty infront of the net etc. He is still the same player, he has just improved his game.
He doesn't want to be anything other than a winner.

 

[tonyhawk]

Where was Semin

Skating around the perimeter trying not to wrinkle his skirt?

Go Red Wings!!! (that'll surprise the crap out of IAB)

Agreed.

 

[kickstand]

No that douche bag Boudreau is the one calling Ovy the best player in the game. Unless you think his statements about Crosby being "the second best player in hockey" meaning something else? JSG's statement is supported. As is the fact that Ovy is very one dimensional in his game and is resistant to change his game. On the contrary when Syd looked at what the Pens needed from him he changed his game. Example? They needed a better face of guy... Syd worked his a$$ off and became great at faceoffs. This off season it was apparent that the team needed more production from him because his wingers weren't putting pucks in the net, so he changed his game to shoot more, work gritty infront of the net etc. He is still the same player, he has just improved his game.
He doesn't want to be anything other than a winner.

as much as I despise how the nhl and gary betteman have decided to make syd the kid the poster child of the nhl, and I think he is a disrespectful whiny little bastard. I agree with you, he is an all around excellent player who continues to improve his game and help his team mates.