Playoff Preview

[Mitchrapp]

A viewing party, lol.

 

[Mitchrapp]

the NHL and NBA playoffs are WAY too long. They start now and don't end until early June.

Another example.. Philly-Pitt just played game 3. Game 4 is on Wednesday (same city as game 3). Why so long away. Games on Saturday play Tuesday.

They need some back to back and no 2 off-days before a game.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Vegas sweeps LA

 

[Mitchrapp]

I watched the Capitals-BJ tonight. Exciting game except Caps won, I can't stand them.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Is it because the goat looks like he is 50 years old?

 

[biggunsbob]

I guess Vegas really has a shot to come out of the west. Dang.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Tatar played first 2 games than bench.

He just finished his worst full season in the NHL with 34 points.

Had a total of 2 points in last 10 games (counting the 2 playoffs).

Wonder if McPhee is regretting the trade yet.

Perhaps long term plan is some of the forwards leave in summer such as Perron and/or Neal.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Fedorov's CSKA Moskow lost to AK Bars in finals of Gagarin cup.

They defeated Datsyuk's SKA in the semifinals.

AK Bars is most notably known for their failure during the 04/05 season which featured 14 NHL players. Hence why last lockout khl has restriction of 3 NHL players.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Caps blow a 2 goal lead in the 3rd to lose game 1 vs Pens.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Holy shit, Vegas 7 - Shark 0

Plus they had a goal disallowed.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Caps blow a 2 goal lead in the 3rd to lose game 1 vs Pens.

I watched the 3rd period not sure why I hate both teams. Pen goalie made a really nice save with less than 3m left.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Well everyone hates the Pens for Crosby and Wings fans for the back to back cup finals.

Caps well, a lot of people hate Ovie (Sheep). For the past decade they have been up there during regular season and always falter in playoffs. At least they are consistent.

 

[biggunsbob]

They just do not lose. I can't believe I would root for Pittsburgh over Vegas if they meet in the finals maybe and I hate Pittsburgh. It just shouldn't be so easy to win in any sports.

 

[Mitchrapp]

They just do not lose. I can't believe I would root for Pittsburgh over Vegas if they meet in the finals maybe and I hate Pittsburgh. It just shouldn't be so easy to win in any sports.

Kind of the same way.. They're an expansion they should suck for years.. Though if they get to the finals I hope it's not Pittsburgh I hate those bastards.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Florida really did them a ton of favours.

Vegas picked off a pair of top 6 forwards from Florida in Smith and Marchesault. For the cost of a 4th round pick. Granted Marchesault was the expansion pick, Smith was traded to clear cap space. Both just had career seasons under their previous coach Gallant.

I know William Karlsson was good. But I though he's cap in 50-60 point range, never expected him to be a 40 goal scorer.


The other thing about the NHL, the best teams exploit entry level contracts (ELCs). The team is literally full of the.

Marshesault moves up to 5 million next season which is a ****ing steal if he continues to perform at that level.
Karlsson will get a massive pay raise.
Tuch isn't there yet, but he is showing he can dominate games. He's got 1 year left on his ELC.

Gallant really did a great job of using the talent he has available. And McPhee, despite his reputation for making some awful trades, did a great job of selecting the team.


We'll see if next season the team can repeat the same level of play. Its unknown if Perron and Neal will return but given how well the team played there is a decent chance one if not both are back.


Think the biggest surprise is how good their D has been. They played great even during those stretches early on when they had 3rd/4th string goaltenders in net.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Florida really did them a ton of favours.

Vegas picked off a pair of top 6 forwards from Florida in Smith and Marchesault. For the cost of a 4th round pick. Granted Marchesault was the expansion pick, Smith was traded to clear cap space. Both just had career seasons under their previous coach Gallant.

I know William Karlsson was good. But I though he's cap in 50-60 point range, never expected him to be a 40 goal scorer.


The other thing about the NHL, the best teams exploit entry level contracts (ELCs). The team is literally full of the.

Marshesault moves up to 5 million next season which is a ****ing steal if he continues to perform at that level.
Karlsson will get a massive pay raise.
Tuch isn't there yet, but he is showing he can dominate games. He's got 1 year left on his ELC.

Gallant really did a great job of using the talent he has available. And McPhee, despite his reputation for making some awful trades, did a great job of selecting the team.


We'll see if next season the team can repeat the same level of play. Its unknown if Perron and Neal will return but given how well the team played there is a decent chance one if not both are back.


Think the biggest surprise is how good their D has been. They played great even during those stretches early on when they had 3rd/4th string goaltenders in net.

They called me and said I was next in line to be goalie. I don't know how to skate but they said that was not a problem.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

That Nashville-Winnipeg series is so good. Too bad I can't watch the games.

 

[Polish-Hammer]

Vegas over San Jose
Caps finally defeated the Pens
Tampa over Boston

Nash/Jets are going to a game 7. That is a game you don't want to miss, both teams look fantastic.