NHL Hockey

Boston's had a heck of a year. They are a very well-rounded team. Not many weaknesses, unlike the Caps.

I'd still pick NJ over them in a 7-game series but it could easily go either way.

Hey, how did you feel about this? (I like the choice of music)

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And how did you feel about this?

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Yea, they took out the streaking Devils on Sundays. I could definitely see the Bruins winning that matchup as well. Like I said, they have fewer weaknesses than basically any other team in the league. Only the Sharks and Devils are as complete.

As far as Thomas goes, that was a pretty flukey goal. Semin was tired and just rifled it in on net. He said as much after the game.

The funny part was he ripped a game winner from nearly the same angle and distance earlier in the season against Thomas. That goal was more legit though since he was in a little closer in and was ahead of the D. Much more often than not, Thomas and most other goalies would have stopped both of those. Semin does have a wicked shot though.

By the way, I went to college with Thomas and Martin St. Louis.

 

Laughlin is a massive homer so I can understand not liking him but Beninati announces so many games beyond just Caps games these days. As a result, he's pretty objective and gives props to players on every team no matter who's playing.

I actually don't like Beninati but not because he is a homer or anything. He just sounds stuck up when he talks. He seems to think announcing hockey games is like doing Shakespeare or something. He's too wordy and comes off as arrogant. I never liked him for that reason.

Laughlin to the Caps is like Drexler to the Rockets. They both often sound like idiots on air and say countless stupid things but both also have likable personalities and are fun to laugh at.

It's funny that you knock other broadcasters when the Bruins' guys our NOTORIOUS for being the biggest homers of them all.

As far as the teams most likely to win it all, I'd have the Caps much lower because of their weaknesses. This is my list:

1. Devils - can't say exactly why I put them above the other elite teams, it's just a gut feeling
2. Sharks - they've fizzled in recent postseasons but I feel like this may be their time, I wouldn't be surprised to see them and the Devils in the finals
3. Bruins - along with the Devils and Sharks, a complete team that will be very difficult to beat in a 7-game series, definitely could win it all
4. Red Wings - I know they have the experience and are coming off a Cup win but I just don't think they can suddenly mask what has been a porous defense and poor goaltending all season, if their defense does step up though, there is no more dangerous offense
5. Flames - great moves at the deadline, already a dangerous team before that
6. Blackhawks - I put them ahead of the Caps because of their superior defense, Kane and Toews need to take it to the next level if they want to make a serious run
7. Flyers - they have more than enough talent up front but for them to go deep, they'll need one, or both, of their goalies to step up big, they have great overall special teams (PP and PK) which could be a big factor in every series they play
8. Penguins - I hate to put them this high but they have once again added much needed help around Crosby and Malkin and their superstars got a lot of good experience during their run last season, some people may think I'm lame to put them ahead of the Caps but what do the Caps have that Pitt doesn't? they got Gonchar back who is their Mike Green with much more playoff experience, with the additions of Kunitz and Guerin, they now have more depth than the Caps, their 3rd line center was a 2nd overall pick for crying out loud and while Fleury has been up and down this year, he was great in the postseason last year and was a 1st overall pick for a reason
9. Capitals - will have to score a lot consistently to go deep, which they could do but they are like a lesser Red Wings as I see it because they aren't quite as dangerous/deep offensively while they have many of the same defensive issues, Theodore will have to make up for a lot of defensive lapses for them to make a deep run
10. Canucks - they've been hot recently but have been up and down all season, yes I know Luongo was out for a long time and Sundin wasn't helping much initially, I can just see them going through offensive droughts and possibly even inconsistency on D during the playoffs

 

I made a couple of tweaks to my original list. I couldn't edit for some reason until I rebooted. I bumped the Flyers up because of their grit, depth of forwards and strong special teams.

 

I hate the Flyers more than any other team in the league. I didn't give them props because I like them. I used to go to games at the Capitals Centre back in the 80s when Caps and Flyers fans would literally brawl in the stands. They've been one of our biggest rivals for decades. That BS goal by Lupul in OT of Game 7 last year still bites me.

I don't agree with you about the Caps though. They are no longer merely the Ovechkins much like the Cavs are no longer simply the LeBrons. Backstrom is one of the best up and coming centers in the league and Semin is one of the most skilled individual players, right there with Malkin, Datsyuk, etc... The only issue with Semin is the occasional lack of consistency and discipline. When he's on his game, he's actually better than Ovechkin. Ovechkin just brings it every night. And Green is arguably the best offensive defenseman in the league. He surpassed Bobby Orr and Mike O'Connell this season for the all-time record for goals in consecutive games by a D-man with 8. Despite missing about 15 games, he has 28 goals on the season, 2 away from being the first D-man to score 30 in a season in about 16 years. He's the only D-man in the league averaging over a point per game. A lot of people question his defensive skills but if you compare his advanced stats with those of Chara and Lidstrom and other elite D-men, he's actually as good or better in a lot of key defensive areas. He'll be nominated for the Norris but I think it'll go to Chara for sure because of the Bruins' overall superior defense and team, in general, much like the MVP in basketball often goes to the player on the best team, even if there is a more deserving player.

We also have some good vets in Fedorov, Kozlov and Nylander. Nylander has had an awful season but I am still clinging to hope that he steps up out of nowhere down the stretch and into the playoffs. He doesn't seem to fit well in Boudreau's system but he is a very skilled puckhandler and set up guy.

Having said all that, we aren't nearly as well-rounded as other top teams, particularly in terms of defense and overall grit. We don't clear our own crease well and we don't create enough traffic in front of the opposing goalie. We also don't forecheck well enough beyond our checking line.

We definitely agree about hoping the Rockets beat the Jazz down tomorrow. I'd love it to happen but we all know how tough it will be.

 

I can understand in a very general sense. There are things I don't like that a lot of other people do... like country music.

Either way, I grew up going to hockey games so I was hooked early. For me, it's actually the most exciting sport to watch because of the speed of the game, the hitting, the fighting, etc...

 

With the Florida loss tonight, the Caps and Jersey locked up playoff spots. Florida shot themselves in the foot for at least the second time in the past week by giving up a multiple goal lead late in the game. Props to the Sabres for not giving up.

The Pens continue on their tear by blanking Calgary.

The Canes also continue on their own tear by barely edging the red hot Sens.

As of now, nobody wants to face the Pens or Canes in the 1st round the way those two teams are playing. The Pens are a year removed from a finals appearance and the Canes have many of the same pieces they rode to a cup just a few years ago.

 

They were the hottest team in the league for about a month after the slow start. I watched that shilacking of the Rangers several weeks ago.

They kept it going after Morrow went down but losing Richards was too much. At this point, their playoff chances are slim but there are reasons to be plenty optimistic for next season. Neal and Eriksson are turning out to be two very good young players and Richards and Morrow will be back healthy next season.

 

Hah, true.

The Caps passed them on the last day of the season last season. That had to suck for Canes fans as much as it was glorious for Caps fans.

Lots of playoff ticket refunds for the Canes organization.