I bet you would. You'd probably ask me to return the favour, with a chocolate surprise.
- systemtool

Plus all their old guys are usually worn out by the time playoffs come and don't wanna play no more so a shortened season is perfect for them...... This could be their year finally
- Sheppy99

I actually had this discussion with a friend of mine. If there is any year for SJ its this year. Clowe hits UFA this summer, they finally have a decent defence with Stuart, and Niemi just has to find a way to make that big save when they need it.

Now if they can get Marleau and Thornton to start stopping on pucks in the playoffs they'll be in terrific shape. Freaking awful the number of times they'll just skate huge loops around guys with the puck instead of pressuring the guy/

2ND was played much better than the first.

Plus all their old guys are usually worn out by the time playoffs come and don't wanna play no more so a shortened season is perfect for them...... This could be their year finally
- Sheppy99

I don't think they have enough to make a Cup run but they can definitely surprise with a high seeding.

I actually had this discussion with a friend of mine. If there is any year for SJ its this year. Clowe hits UFA this summer, they finally have a decent defence with Stuart, and Niemi just has to find a way to make that big save when they need it.

Now if they can get Marleau and Thornton to start stopping on pucks in the playoffs they'll be in terrific shape. Freaking awful the number of times they'll just skate huge loops around guys with the puck instead of pressuring the guy/
- DTF69

I think Chicago is the team to beat this year.

2ND was played much better than the first.
- spitfire187

Our 1st period against Vancouver was sh1t as well... I hope Krueger and his psychological mind-(frank)ing techniques can change this.

I bet you would. You'd probably ask me to return the favour, with a chocolate surprise.
- systemtool

Sir Dumps-a-lot

I think Chicago is the team to beat this year.
- systemtool

I don't think they have enough depth on defence and god knows how Crawford will play. The guy probably has the worst hands of any starting goaltender in the league. He bats at pucks with his hands versus making an actual controlled save with them.

I don't think they have enough depth on defence and god knows how Crawford will play. The guy probably has the worst hands of any starting goaltender in the league. He bats at pucks with his hands versus making an actual controlled save with them.
- DTF69

Their offense can carry their team. Tons of depth, and most of them play solid at both ends of the ice.

Their offense can carry their team. Tons of depth, and most of them play solid at both ends of the ice.
- systemtool

Defence wins championships. No team scored their way to the cup the last couple years. They out defenced the other team. Systems play, blocked shots, goaltending. How many times do you see great offences get stifled in the playoffs? All the damn time.

How warm does it get in the summer? Just curious. Serious question

Defence wins championships. No team scored their way to the cup the last couple years. They out defenced the other team. Systems play, blocked shots, goaltending. How many times do you see great offences get stifled in the playoffs? All the damn time.
- DTF69

I find this to be the great crime of playoff hockey. And it's not just because teams tighten up or play harder, it's because the rules seem to magically change and refs swallow their whistles. I can't think of any sport where the regular season and playoff calls differ as greatly as the NHL.

How warm does it get in the summer? Just curious. Serious question
- Vukota

0 at best. Reeks havoc on my igloo.

Defence wins championships. No team scored their way to the cup the last couple years. They out defenced the other team. Systems play, blocked shots, goaltending. How many times do you see great offences get stifled in the playoffs? All the damn time.
- DTF69

Thats my point. They play a sound team D. Hence my comment that they play well at both ends of the ice.

Nice shot!

Nice shot Hall

I find this to be the great crime of playoff hockey. And it's not just because teams tighten up or play harder, it's because the rules seem to magically chance and refs swallow their whistles. I can't think of any sport where the regular season and playoff calls differ as greatly as the NHL.
- AlexF

It drives me insane. No other sport magically has a different rule book in the playoffs. Even the NBA becomes better officiated in the playoffs. Its just the worst. People say its because the "refs don't want to decide a series" well hard to say they're deciding a series by just doing their job normally.

Thats my point. They play a sound team D. Hence my comment that they play well at both ends of the ice.
- systemtool

But they're actual D is a pairing and a half deep.

Nice shot!
- MaximumBone

I've said it a million times and I'll say it again. Hall needs to play RW. The guy scores 80% of his goals from the right side of the ice. When he comes down the LW he usually just hits the goalies chest or rips it around the glass and out of the zone.

I like the response so far in third.

0 at best. Reeks havoc on my igloo.
- spitfire187

Seriously what temp does it get up to in the dog days of summer

Its essentially one horrid period of hockey.

I've said it a million times and I'll say it again. Hall needs to play RW. The guy scores 80% of his goals from the right side of the ice. When he comes down the LW he usually just hits the goalies chest or rips it around the glass and out of the zone.
- DTF69

Correct.

Ted Nugent-Hoppins

Seriously what temp does it get up to in the dog days of summer
- Vukota

above 30 C