NHL Playoffs 2011

[Cocktooth]

Anyone else enjoy the NHL playoffs as much as I do? Playoff hockey is so intense and enjoyable to watch if you enjoy the game. I'm a Blackhawks fan, but I could watch any team play for the next 3 months and be happy. If you watched the first period of the Hawks game last night, you would see what I mean. The hitting is harder. Shots are quicker and more frequent. Every team trying to impose their will on their opponent. I encourage you to check out a couple games. You will love it!

[Beebs]

Let's go Indian.

[Ironic Mustache]

Yeah I don't know if the Blackhawks are going to make it out of the first round this year. I don' like them in general, but Toews is awesome.

Fun fact about Ironic Mustache: I will be in the 8th row for Saturday's Sharks vs. Kings game.

[Cocktooth]

That series is going to be crazy. I liked the Sharks at the beginning of the year, but come April, their assholes tighten up something fierce.

I think the Hawks are fine. They were AWFUL that first period last night. Out hit, hussled, and flat outplayed from the start til about 3 minutes to go. I thought they played well in the 2nd and 3rd, but couldn't get a bounce to save their lives. Hit 5 posts, to go along with 2 dismal PP. I thought they drew some penalities in the first that weren't called, but I loved the way the game was called as a whole last night. They let them play. That's the way it should be in the playoffs. The big thing last night is that Chicago, once they got the ice opened up, played extremely well. The Canucks team speed can't keep up with a faced pace hockey game. Chicago will be fine at home, it's stealing that one away game they need to take the series. Vancouver was rocking last night early when the crowd was in it, but when the crown was heading back to the seats to start the 2nd, the Hawks stole the momentium away. If the Hawks can net one early on Friday, I expect Luango to see a much different team. If the Hawks struggle early again, they will be down 2-0, and need to play extremely well at home.
Side note. I thought Corey Crawford played incredible in net. A tip from the blue line and a Duncan Keith give away were the only two to find the back of the net. He made some huge saves that kept the Hawks within striking distance.

[Ironic Mustache]

Depending on the night, Vancouver is one of the fastest teams in the league.

As for the sharks, there is a bit of history in the choking department, but I'm staying optimistic.

[Cocktooth]

They looked fast for the first 17 minutes last night, but when Chicago spread the ice on them, they looked slow. Their young guys are fast, but their big play guys aren't. They made mistakes last night, that the Hawks just didn't capitolize on. In the last 3 months of the season, you never saw Chicago miss wide open attempts on net like they did last night. I think alot factors into them taking their foot off the pedal since they are in the playoffs as opposed to fighting for their life. I still think this could be a great series, but Chicago has to show life tomorrow.

[Ironic Mustache]

Heatley just set a franchise playoff record for fastest goal. 28 seconds. Suck on that LA.

*Edit - I'll admit to being a bit nervous at first, but Eager's inspiring beatdown of Clifford gave me hope that lasted until the over time win.

Suck on that LA.

^^ This.

[Cocktooth]

Big win for the Sharks. You lose that first game at home in OT, that would have been extremely demoralizing.

I'm going to vent here. Fuck ESPN and fuck VS. I don't get Vs. in my package through Dish Network. I have the 2nd package that they offer, but they don't have VS. in that. Last night, I had to watch the NHL Network, and wait around til they dropped into games every 10 minutes. It's complete bullshit. ESPN is missing the boat. Hockey is back as a mainstream sport, with attendence and tv numbers up drastically since they tried to put it on TV back in the late 90's. They need to get a piece of this pie, and buy out VS. so I can watch all games. Next year, I have to get the Home Ice package. I was looking forward to watching the late game last night, but ended up having to watch the highlights this morning.

Tonight, the Hawks come out strong and win 4-1, and take the series back to Chicago where they have to defend home ice!

[Ironic Mustache]

At first I wondered if the center ice package would be worth the money, but it totally was. I watch about 5 games a week, and never have to worry that a specific game wont be on. I highly recommend it.

[Cocktooth]

I wanted to get it, but we were still in the save all the money we can mode. I'm no longer in that mode and need my hockey!

[Cocktooth]

I stand corrected about the Canucks speed. The Hawks go to guys from last year are playing like shit. Kane Toews Hossa KEITH and Seabrook look awful. The only positive out of the last 2 games is that the Hawks future looks bright. They say a series doesn't start til the away team wins a game. If the Hawks hold serve at home, there is a chance. I'm still holding out hope. I do know my authentic Espisito jersey isn't bringing any luck!!!!

[Ironic Mustache]

Vancouver has been making a lot of teams look bad this year. They secured their playoff spot like 3 weeks before anyone else.

If you watch the Sharks game tonight, look for a sexy mother fucker in row 8 in the crowd. I'll probably be somewhere near him.

[Cocktooth]

I probably won't get to watch. I have to watch the NHL Network for live drop ins. It's going to be brutal after the Hawks get knocked out.

[Cocktooth]

Ended up going to the Hawks game last night. Paying for it this AM. Not great seats, but I was in the building. Hawks passing is awful. Decision making even worse. I don't see them winning a game.

Also, Vince Vaughn walked past me on Michigan. He was booking it to the Apple store which I just left. Wish I would have stayed a bit longer!

[Ugly Bastard]

Can we get a Shaw NHL playoff bracket up here please?

[Ironic Mustache]

Blackhawks are all but finished. The sharks game I went to was a fucking disaster (4-0), but the seats were sweet. I'll get around to posting a couple of pics eventually

[Ironic Mustache]

Backhawks showed up tonight, but it was a day late dollar short.

This is how the first round will end up (the way the NHL brackets work doesn't allow for team vs team predictions past this round):
West
Canucks over Blakckhawks
Sharks over Kings
Predators over Ducks
Detroit over Phoenix

East
Philly over Buffalo
Boston over Canadiens
Caps over Rangers
Pens over Tampa

Round two:
Blah blah blah sharks advance.

Finals:
Sharks win the cup.

[Ironic Mustache]

Jesus Christ this Sharks game is awful so far.

[Ironic Mustache]

WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW. Sharks went down 4-0 in the second period and came back to tie it 5-5?!?!?? Best playoff game EVER! 20 minutes left.

[Ironic Mustache]

Holy shit, sharks win sharks win!!!!!!!!!!!

[thekremlin]

Love the last three posts combined.

[Cocktooth]

I hate VS. I never get to watch any games besides the Blackhawks!! Luango is shook.

[angry pancake]

Originally Posted by Ironic Mustache

Holy shit, sharks win sharks win!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw the highlights on Sports Center. Nice comeback.

My only bitch with the NHL is that the playoffs are so fucking different from the regular season. I mean literally. There's none of this 4 on 4 five minute overtime shit and shootout stuff. I really don't know who is good and not good by the time the post season starts.

[Cocktooth]

The shootout was the best thing for the NHL. I hated sitting through regular season games that lasted forever. I'm the playoffs, a sudden death loss could mean the season. After going to the Hawks game the other day, playoff hockey is defiantely up there in top sporting events I have attended.

[angry pancake]

Originally Posted by Shaw

The shootout was the best thing for the NHL. I hated sitting through regular season games that lasted forever. I'm the playoffs, a sudden death loss could mean the season. After going to the Hawks game the other day, playoff hockey is defiantely up there in top sporting events I have attended.

Prior to the 4 on 4 and shootout, they played one period of sudden death OT and ties sometimes happened. A win was 2 points, a tie was 1 point, a loss was nothing.

I don't have a problem with the way te regular season is played. I might agree with you on this. My point is that the playoffs don't carry the same format. If they did the 4 on 4 and shootout in the playoff, I'd not bitch.

A team could get a high seed on in the playoffs based on acquired a few extra point from shootout performance. Vice-versa, a poor shootout team maybe a great grinding 5 on 5 overtime team lower seeded team.