I'm starting to like Lu more. It's a side of him he never shows to the media, although his poetry reading a few years back was pretty funny.
- AlexF

He's a meadia Whore now

I feel ya man....just don't know what it is...but the last 2 and a half rounds have been boring.
- I-own_da-Northwest

For me it's been the sting of the Nucks losing, but also the claustrophobic trap play that painfully passes off as "smart hockey" or, even worse, "good coaching." Hopefully this year is just an anomaly. The last time hockey got this boring they had to change the rules.

For me it's been the sting of the Nucks losing, but also the claustrophobic trap play that painfully passes off as "smart hockey" or, even worse, "good coaching." Hopefully this year is just an anomaly. The last time hockey got this boring they had to change the rules.
- AlexF

Yep, worst part is I could see it creeping back into the game a good 15 games before the playoffs. I truly believe AV saw it as well and attempted to adapt to the trap.....only to fail miserably

Yep, worst part is I could see it creeping back into the game a good 15 games before the playoffs. I truly believe AV saw it as well and attempted to adapt to the trap.....only to fail miserably
- Whiskey-Tango

NHLs answer to concusion,slow the game down and let them clutch and hold.Avoid massive Lawsuit.

For me it's been the sting of the Nucks losing, but also the claustrophobic trap play that painfully passes off as "smart hockey" or, even worse, "good coaching." Hopefully this year is just an anomaly. The last time hockey got this boring they had to change the rules.
- AlexF

I'd just like the NHL to enforce the rules PROPERLY when it comes to hooks and holds and tripping. The amount of stuff that people get away with now, compared to like before the All-Star break is staggering.

I just wanted to get one last game in, hopefully LA can pull it off tonight and end this terrible playoff season
- LeftCoaster

If you're just tuning in, surprise, surprise, you haven't missed much.

If you're just tuning in, surprise, surprise, you haven't missed much.
- IanEsplen

Is there a game tonight?

If you're just tuning in, surprise, surprise, you haven't missed much.
- IanEsplen

Since the first round I haven't watched any games until this game and the last game.

Yep, worst part is I could see it creeping back into the game a good 15 games before the playoffs. I truly believe AV saw it as well and attempted to adapt to the trap.....only to fail miserably
- Whiskey-Tango

Agreed.

I did watch the World Championships in Finland though. MUCH more enjoyable hockey on display, where skill players actually stood out with the extra ice to move around. I'm almost convinced that in order for the NHL to improve, they need to move to international rink sizing. Players are bigger, faster, goalie pads wider, than those days (early 90s and before) when the rink looked so big. Gretzky would be half the player in this day and age.

Is there a game tonight?
- VANTEL

Love to see the smile on Mitchell's face if and when he gets to hoist the Cup.

I'd just like the NHL to enforce the rules PROPERLY when it comes to hooks and holds and tripping. The amount of stuff that people get away with now, compared to like before the All-Star break is staggering.
- DariusKnight

That is so true. To Vantel's point, my money's on all the concussions for the reason of that change.

Agreed.

I did watch the World Championships in Finland though. MUCH more enjoyable hockey on display, where skill players actually stood out with the extra ice to move around. I'm almost convinced that in order for the NHL to improve, they need to move to international rink sizing. Players are bigger, faster, goalie pads wider, than those days (early 90s and before) when the rink looked so big. Gretzky would be half the player in this day and age.
- AlexF

I may be old school, but I like the rink the way it is. They've stopped calling penalties plain and simple! I think the NHL is trying to purposely slow the game down to reduce the number of concussions.

Simon Gagne is having a heck of a game!

I may be old school, but I like the rink the way it is. They've stopped calling penalties plain and simple! I think the NHL is trying to purposely slow the game down to reduce the number of concussions.
- LeftCoaster

If they really want to reduce concussions, make it illegal to hit anyone in the neutral zone. I'm not advocating taking out bodychecking, but if you want to bodycheck it has to be against the boards and strictly to separate a player from the puck. Do that and the only concussions you'll have will be from bad luck, not from bad/questionable hits.

My wish list from Florida

Gudbranson, Kulikov, Upshall, Versteeg, Huberdeau, Howden, McFarland, Petrovic, Theodore, and Bradley

more on each of them in tomorrows blog
- IanEsplen

No bjugstad? He's exactly what gillis is looking for. Big 6'5 smart two way center with skill.

The ideal Florida trade would be

To van Bjugstad, Versteeg and the 23rd pick

To Florida Luongo, Raymond and Sauve

No bjugstad? He's exactly what gillis is looking for. Big 6'5 smart two way center with skill.

The ideal Florida trade would be

To van Bjugstad, Versteeg and the 23rd pick

To Florida Luongo, Raymond and Sauve
- Boinker

That would be ok

Finally a goal. Elias with a goal...

Doughty evens it up! What a BS penalty!!!!!!!

Finally a goal. Elias with a goal...
- LeftCoaster

I think that'll do it for this game, NJ will go in dive in front of any puck, clog up the neutral zone and not go past the red line from now on. LA hasn't been able to set up any sort of forecheck so I don't see them being able to tie it up.

EDIT: My bad... lol

No bjugstad? He's exactly what gillis is looking for. Big 6'5 smart two way center with skill.

The ideal Florida trade would be

To van Bjugstad, Versteeg and the 23rd pick

To Florida Luongo, Raymond and Sauve
- Boinker

Tallon probably has Versteeg and Bjugstad as untouchables in a Luongo trade. I know Gillis likes Gudbranson, but I'd be shocked if we got him either. Same goes for Huberdeau as an absolute untouchable. Don't think Gillis likes Howdon too much since he made the Ballard deal and dealt that pick away with Howdon on the board.


My best guess: Theodore, Jovo and a prospect like Petrovic/McFarland and maybe a pick(not a first) for Lu and a depth player/prospect.

Alan Strachan‏@winsford99

Btw for anyone looking for an off day story. Roy turned down two years at 1.2 million to open the door for Therrien.

Tallon probably has Versteeg and Bjugstad as untouchables in a Luongo trade. I know Gillis likes Gudbranson, but I'd be shocked if we got him either. Same goes for Huberdeau as an absolute untouchable. Don't think Gillis likes Howdon too much since he made the Ballard deal and dealt that pick away with Howdon on the board.


My best guess: Theodore, Jovo and a prospect like Petrovic/McFarland and maybe a pick(not a first) for Lu and a depth player/prospect.
- Nucker101

Mediocre deal I'd think, but then again I don't know Petrovic or McFarland. Others here are high on them.

DAMN...Penner could have ended this

Mediocre deal I'd think, but then again I don't know Petrovic or McFarland. Others here are high on them.
- AlexF

I just don't think we'll get more than that from Toronto or Florida, if we do then I'd be pleasantly surprised.



Nice win for NJ.

I would love nothing more than this series to go 7 games... and NJ to win. I just hate LA... and now their fans