The most exciting score...NIL NIL!
- AdamFrench

FIFA is going to have a real problem next year with the World Cup.

Most football fans need a full two years after the Euros to forget how franking boring the game is.

Myself included, of course.

FIFA is going to have a real problem next year with the World Cup.

Most football fans need a full two years after the Euros to forget how franking boring the game is.

Myself included, of course.
- Atomic Wedgie

I've sent this message to the people of South America. I expect to hear about how you were skinned alive and had your testicles shoved down your throat in the next 1-2 weeks.

I guess its a difference in philosophy. I am not a fan of the New Jersey teams that used the rules at the time to clutch and grab and basically eliminate skilled plays significantly and left it up to Brodeur to save the day when an opportunity materialized. The league has made changes to the reduce the clutching grabbing, boarding in the regular season, but not so much in the playoffs. As a result of inconsistencies in rule enforcement between regular season and playoffs, the teams that are more skill driven than others have issues competing. Some teams are just not good at great defensive cross-checks.
- winsix

It continues to baffle me how a league that can't make significant headway in attracting new audiences believes that allowing less-skilled teams in the playoffs an advantage is a good business model.

I've sent this message to the people of South America. I expect to hear about how you were skinned alive and had your testicles shoved down your throat in the next 1-2 weeks.
- AdamFrench

If they get within 10 meters of me, I'm going to drop and roll around on the ground like they skinned me alive and shoved my testicles down my throat.

I guess its a difference in philosophy. I am not a fan of the New Jersey teams that used the rules at the time to clutch and grab and basically eliminate skilled plays significantly and left it up to Brodeur to save the day when an opportunity materialized. The league has made changes to the reduce the clutching grabbing, boarding in the regular season, but not so much in the playoffs. As a result of inconsistencies in rule enforcement between regular season and playoffs, the teams that are more skill driven than others have issues competing. Some teams are just not good at great defensive cross-checks.
- winsix

For what it's worth, I also wish the rules were actually applied the way they are supposed to.

But until that change happens, having a big, physical defense (that can still skate mind you) is working.

And I know he's not your favorite player but Chiarot is doing a hell of a job once again this postseason. Worth every $ of that 3.5M contract. Guy is sent on the ice for over 25min each game and still battles his heart out every shift.

We miss Petry though.

How the frank would you know how many alts that D-bag has?

- Nasty_Duck

Because its the same guy.

I guess its a difference in philosophy. I am not a fan of the New Jersey teams that used the rules at the time to clutch and grab and basically eliminate skilled plays significantly and left it up to Brodeur to save the day when an opportunity materialized. The league has made changes to the reduce the clutching grabbing, boarding in the regular season, but not so much in the playoffs. As a result of inconsistencies in rule enforcement between regular season and playoffs, the teams that are more skill driven than others have issues competing. Some teams are just not good at great defensive cross-checks.
- winsix

I still believe the Detroit Red Wings are to blame for the Dead Puck era. If they'd swept NJ in the '95 SCF teams would've emulated speed and skill like the Red Wings. But since NJ won with clutching, grabbing, water skiing, trapping... teams copied that. At least this is how I still justify the Red Wings massive choke job that season.

Look at how the Florida Panthers reached the SCF in '96. Same style really only they were swept by Colorado.

It continues to baffle me how a league that can't make significant headway in attracting new audiences believes that allowing less-skilled teams in the playoffs an advantage is a good business model.
- Atomic Wedgie

none of Mcdavid, Mackinnon, Matthews being in the final 4 is bad for hockey.

Ovi and Crosby out 1st round.

Kane rotting away in a Chicago team refusing to rebuild.

Its not a great scenario.

It continues to baffle me how a league that can't make significant headway in attracting new audiences believes that allowing less-skilled teams in the playoffs an advantage is a good business model.
- Atomic Wedgie

Meh, aside from Montreal, 3 teams in the final four are amongst the highest scoring teams in the league this season.

You still need skill to win, Montreal might not have any high end scorer (although Toffoli is what.... 5th in goals scored this year?) but they do have 4 lines that can contribute, and that's a big part of winning.

none of Mcdavid, Mackinnon, Matthews not being in the final 4 is bad for hockey.

Ovi and Crosby out 1st round.

Kane rotting away in a Chicago team refusing to rebuild.

Its not a great scenario.
- Santo_44

I think Kucherov, Stamkos, Point, Barzal, Stone, Price, Fleury, etc. are exciting enough.

If they get within 10 meters of me, I'm going to drop and roll around on the ground like they skinned me alive and shoved my testicles down my throat.
- Atomic Wedgie

That's basically what Dylan Larkin does at least once a game.

I think Kucherov, Stamkos, Point, Barzal, Stone, Price, Fleury, etc. are exciting enough.
- Scabeh

I knew you would be defending that and I understand since your team is still in it.

But no, the Isles, MTL, Tampa, VGK is not an ideal final 4.

TB was there last year so yay? The rest no. I want the best players in the world in the final stage.

Stone is pretty sweet.

- senstroll

It’s the process not the results that matter.

How was his Caresi?

I knew you would be defending that and I understand since your team is still in it.

But no, the Isles, MTL, Tampa, VGK is not an ideal final 4.

TB was there last year so yay? The rest no. I want the best players in the world in the final stage.
- Santo_44

Well that's on them to find a way to win with whatever team they play for no?

No one is going to give them that spot in the final 4.

I knew you would be defending that and I understand since your team is still in it.

But no, the Isles, MTL, Tampa, VGK is not an ideal final 4.

TB was there last year so yay? The rest no. I want the best players in the world in the final stage.

Stone is pretty sweet.
- Santo_44

A certain Lightning has 53 points in his last 37 playoff games.

A certain Lightning has 53 points in his last 37 playoff games.
- AdamFrench

"TB was there last year so yay?"

A certain Lightning has 53 points in his last 37 playoff games.
- AdamFrench

He was there last year! BORING!

A certain Lightning has 53 points in his last 37 playoff games.
- AdamFrench

Kucherov is probably the best player in the league...maybe 2nd to McD.

Well that's on them to find a way to win with whatever team they play for no?

No one is going to give them that spot in the final 4.
- Scabeh

Didn't say they they should be given it.

Just that it sucks and its bad for hockey not having one of those guys in it.

Kucherov is probably the best player in the league...maybe 2nd to McD.
- Garnie

An absolute beast for sure.

Both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Also plays for a great team so.... the stars are aligned to see him shine.

A certain Lightning has 53 points in his last 37 playoff games.
- AdamFrench

but he didn't play this season

An absolute beast for sure.

Both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Also plays for a great team so.... the stars are aligned to see him shine.
- Scabeh

I clear my schedule every night to watch him play against the Islanders.

Should I pick the under again?

An absolute beast for sure.

Both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Also plays for a great team so.... the stars are aligned to see him shine.
- Scabeh

Also dirty as hell

Also dirty as hell
- BINGO!

The complete package.

An absolute beast for sure.

Both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Also plays for a great team so.... the stars are aligned to see him shine.
- Scabeh

He don’t take no poop either, no one needs to ride shotgun for him.