Same went for the Rangers before 2016. Bouncing them was one of the best parts of that Cup. That euphoria I felt after that series is why I'm so excited and nervous for this one. - Victoro311
It's a little different for me this year. I'm kind of looking at this year as a bonus. Being B2B champs would make it a whole lot easier to take. Sure their trolls will come here puffing out their chests......and that will only last until they lose in round two (just like the last time). Meanwhile we'll all know we've got 5 cups since they won their only 2. Not to mention their cups were won before Disco music was all the rage.
It's a little different for me this year. I'm kind of looking at this year as a bonus. Being B2B champs would make it a whole lot easier to take. Sure their trolls will come here puffing out their chests......and that will only last until they lose in round two (just like the last time). Meanwhile we'll all know we've got 5 cups since they won their only 2. Not to mention their cups were won before Disco music was all the rage. - madmike71
Anyone else here old enough to have actually seen the Flyers win a Cup? On the day it happened, the big news story was the FBI looking for Patty Hearst and the Jackson 5 was at the top of the music charts.
Same went for the Rangers before 2016. Bouncing them was one of the best parts of that Cup. That euphoria I felt after that series is why I'm so excited and nervous for this one. - Victoro311
I must be in the minority and don't care for all the whining being done about what's fair or not. Real champions have to run a gauntlet regardless of how the format is set up. As a kid the playoffs were very clearly...win round one, win your division, win your conference, win the cup. We are as close to that we can get now with so many teams. I miss the time when win your division in the playoffs meant something. - taleisyreXIII
I completely agree with you! I don't get all the whining about format...but then again it is done by fans that have no actual faith in the team to produce no matter who the opponent is. I can guarantee you no Penguin player gives a poop about who they play.
Nothing is written in stone in the long grind that is the playoffs. All the bumps and bruises take a toll. Not to mention one key injury and you are screwed. Takes luck and lot's of it.
This series will come down to goal tending in some sense. Murray gives up too many rebounds and can't glove a puck to save his life. Maybe DeCasey will be the star to emerge when he falters. Who knows? I think we have a coach who is smart enough to do the right thing to win. That gives us some comfort, or at least it should. I don't think Philly's coach can think on his feet quickly like Sully can. That may turn out to be the difference.
I'd say the loser point rips teams off more then the divisional format for having the most deserving teams in. 2 wild cards is enough.
I like the focus on rivalries early so I don't mind the format although with wild cards it can throw that off. The best complaint IMO is there is always a match-up like Boston-Toronto or Pens-Jackets last year that happens too early.
I'd say the loser point rips teams off more then the divisional format for having the most deserving teams in. 2 wild cards is enough.
I like the focus on rivalries early so I don't mind the format although with wild cards it can throw that off. The best complaint IMO is there is always a match-up like Boston-Toronto or Pens-Jackets last year that happens too early. - Tojo.
Playoffs is always going to give you big games early due to the better teams not always being the best they can through 82.
Over here (& there's some that will like it & some that won't ), but in league & afl 2 of our biggest team sports there's a top 8 with top 4 getting a chance first round & bottom 4 playing sudden death. It gives the top teams a reward for being good through the season.
So in this scenario for the NHL, it would be conference seedlings 1 to 8. 1 v 4 & 2 v 3 play with the winners advancing to a preliminary final & the losers to play the winners of the bottom 4 - 5 v 8 & 6 v 7. Round 2 would then have the top 4 losers playing the bottom 4 winners. Then the winners of that play the round 1 top 4 winners. Then the conference final between the 2 winners. The way it is the top 4 winners can't play the same team from round 1 in the preliminary final. Adds an extra round but rewards the top teams & the 2 top 4 teams that win round 1.
Location: "Give him a chance" -Barnaby36, PA Joined: 06.25.2011
Apr 10 @ 7:27 AM ET
Playoffs is always going to give you big games early due to the better teams not always being the best they can through 82.
Over here (& there's some that will like it & some that won't ), but in league & afl 2 of our biggest team sports there's a top 8 with top 4 getting a chance first round & bottom 4 playing sudden death. It gives the top teams a reward for being good through the season.
So in this scenario for the NHL, it would be conference seedlings 1 to 8. 1 v 4 & 2 v 3 play with the winners advancing to a preliminary final & the losers to play the winners of the bottom 4 - 5 v 8 & 6 v 7. Round 2 would then have the top 4 losers playing the bottom 4 winners. Then the winners of that play the round 1 top 4 winners. Then the conference final between the 2 winners. The way it is the top 4 winners can't play the same team from round 1 in the preliminary final. Adds an extra round but rewards the top teams & the 2 top 4 teams that win round 1. - Aussiepenguin
Is that single game elimination for each game? - 668710
Finals are all single game yes. Both codes play 1 game a week for 26 weeks then finals (playoffs) start.
Hockey is insane with the amount of games these guys play. Also top $ for league & afl contracts probably tops out about $1.5m Australia, with an average of approx 200 -300k.
So it's going to be Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek against Geno's line. That's a lot to handle for 2 rookies. Especially if Phil slots up every once and a while.
I really hope Brass picks up where he left off. Hard to see that happening but in his off time he's been able to watch the play from up top and may have picked up a few things.
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF Joined: 12.12.2014
Apr 10 @ 9:55 AM ET
Just found out I'm going to Game 2 of the Knights/Kings series! - Rinosaur
Nice!
I really like watching the other series because there's zero anxiety involved in doing so haha...just awesome exciting hockey and the outcome matters not to me.
Location: ...serial abuser...and misuser...of the ellipsis , NF Joined: 12.12.2014
Apr 10 @ 9:56 AM ET
So it's going to be Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek against Geno's line. That's a lot to handle for 2 rookies. Especially if Phil slots up every once and a while.
I really hope Brass picks up where he left off. Hard to see that happening but in his off time he's been able to watch the play from up top and may have picked up a few things.
So it's going to be Lindblom-Patrick-Voracek against Geno's line. That's a lot to handle for 2 rookies. Especially if Phil slots up every once and a while.
I really hope Brass picks up where he left off. Hard to see that happening but in his off time he's been able to watch the play from up top and may have picked up a few things.
Tomorrow is gonna be a rough work day - Thorny87
Lindblom plays like a 5-year vet and Patrick, once he got healthy, has done the same (speaking to their defense). Voracek, not so much. That's gonna be some firewagon hockey when they're out against each other.
All that said, Malkin is arguably the toughest player to contain when he's on his game because of his size and skill combo.
Goosebumps. I know I am biased, hockey is my favourite sport by far. But there seems to me that there is so much more emotion to the SC playoffs than any other championship sporting event. In NA anyway.
Lindblom plays like a 5-year vet and Patrick, once he got healthy, has done the same (speaking to their defense). Voracek, not so much. That's gonna be some firewagon hockey when they're out against each other.
All that said, Malkin is arguably the toughest player to contain when he's on his game because of his size and skill combo. - jmatchett383
This is actually the safest I've felt about Malkin's line in a while because he has two of the team's most responsible wings on his line. Our 3rd line is probably more of a fire wagon line.
