0 cups, 0 finals appearances. Plan the parade!
- RogerRoeper

And that folks is a perfect example of selective justification by Roger Ramjet. Isles didn't win the Cup so they suck. I must've lost track. Did the Isles get eliminated last night? Rog?

Isles just got the split in Tampa. Now they're heading back home. Great position to be in.
- gergeswillems

Sure. They have a chance to get past Tampa but they are the clear underdogs in this series.

If Vegas manages to take down the Habs, they'll be the clear underdogs in the Cup Finals too.

Congratulations to the Islanders for playing boring as (frank) hockey and embracing the grinding, low-event, bullpoop game that has managed to put them into the Conference Finals again this year.

There's always a chance they win, but I would argue it isn't particularly favourable.

Could be the 67 Leafs. Last season with the Original 6. Didn't have to win nearly as many playoff games back then. I remember the Red Wings having a 4th line of Robitaille-Larionov-Holmstrom in the 2002 SCF. Oh the pre cap days...
- gergeswillems

Didn't have to win as many games, but less dilution of talent pool over six teams instead of 31. More talent available these days, but lots of players currently in the NHL now that would probably have been bench warmers is in the AHL pre-67

So what is Keefe's job then, if it isn't to get the max out of his players? I don't think Bowman would have given 1st line minutes for lousy performance.
- winsix

getting max out of your players and players being scared of their own shadow is not the same thing

From what I saw of the game, the high skill team didn’t have that much trouble with the low skill team last night. What seemed interesting is that it looked like they changed up their system and had skilled guy dumping pucks, forechecking and creating turnovers.

That’s what AM/MM refused to do against Montreal because who needs to change what worked all year. The question about the core is not the money but can they, with the right guys, play this game. If Dubas and gang think Marner can do this, keep him, find the guys, reset the lines and play that game all season. That’s the priority, because that’s maximizing your core asset. If they decide Marner can’t elevate his game, cut him loose and bring in a big time power forward.

The only reason to go shopping for D is if they conclude they can’t extend Rielly.
- Canada Cup

That's the only reason?

Didn't have to win as many games, but less dilution of talent pool over six teams instead of 31. More talent available these days, but lots of players currently in the NHL now that would probably have been bench warmers is in the AHL pre-67
- winsix

Players who played in the minors back then must shake their heads. Knowing they would have been NHLers if there were more teams. But it really wasn't best on best. No Euro players. It was basically the National Canadian Hockey league.

Sure. They have a chance to get past Tampa but they are the clear underdogs in this series.

If Vegas manages to take down the Habs, they'll be the clear underdogs in the Cup Finals too.

Congratulations to the Islanders for playing boring as (frank) hockey and embracing the grinding, low-event, bullpoop game that has managed to put them into the Conference Finals again this year.

There's always a chance they win, but I would argue it isn't particularly favourable.
- mjones242

At least they give themselves a chance and their fans some fun. We can only wish, we might have spent too much on too little.

And that folks is a perfect example of selective justification by Roger Ramjet. Isles didn't win the Cup so they suck. I must've lost track. Did the Isles get eliminated last night? Rog?
- gergeswillems

They cup is all that matters. Bragging over 'Most rounds won" without a single finals appearance is silly,

Sure. They have a chance to get past Tampa but they are the clear underdogs in this series.

If Vegas manages to take down the Habs, they'll be the clear underdogs in the Cup Finals too.

Congratulations to the Islanders for playing boring as (frank) hockey and embracing the grinding, low-event, bullpoop game that has managed to put them into the Conference Finals again this year.

There's always a chance they win, but I would argue it isn't particularly favourable.
- mjones242

Well no one cared when Detroit was being swept by the Devils in the 95 SCF from water skiing, trapping, holding, punching, etc. So I don't really have any sympathy for so called skill teams losing to the Isles. "It's part of the game" is what I was told."

Same as when the Oilers trapped the Red Wings to death in the 2006 playoffs. It's part of the game. That was 15 years ago. I don't see anything changing. NHL loves parity.

If Tampa wins again it'llbe 2 straight years the most talented team won the cup.

Well no one cared when Detroit was being swept by the Devils in the 95 SCF from water skiing, trapping, holding, punching, etc. So I don't really have any sympathy for so called skill teams losing to the Isles. "It's part of the game is what I was told."

Same as when the Oilers trapped the Red Wings to death in the 2006 playoffs. It's part of the game. That was 15 years ago. I don't see anything changing. NHL loves parity.
- gergeswillems

NHL is selling their own game so horribly. Imagine the NBA allowing Lebron to be knocked around in the playoffs like what happened to McDavid.

If Tampa wins again it'llbe 2 straight years the most talented team won the cup.
- RogerRoeper

But I thought the Leafs were the most talented team? That's what you've said the past 4 years.

getting max out of your players and players being scared of their own shadow is not the same thing
- PatC80

No it isn't. Letting players have a cowardly approach without addressing it is entirely on the coach.

NHL is selling their own game so horribly. Imagine the NBA allowing Lebron to be knocked around in the playoffs like what happened to McDavid.
- RogerRoeper

I agree with you about this.

They cup is all that matters. Bragging over 'Most rounds won" without a single finals appearance is silly,
- RogerRoeper

Bragging about the Leafs is what then?

Bragging about the Leafs is what then?
- Garnie

NHL is selling their own game so horribly. Imagine the NBA allowing Lebron to be knocked around in the playoffs like what happened to McDavid.
- RogerRoeper

I think they should just play 82 games and then have the 4 most popular players' (as voted on twitter and tik-tok) teams be in the Conference Semi-Finals and let those losers play to reach them.

Yeah it evened out really. Trotz is just doing what all coaches do after playoff games. Trying to get calls for the next game. Why? Because it works. Scotty Bowman did it ALL the time in Detroit. And it worked.
- gergeswillems

Oh I get it. Cassidy did same thing.

Can't recall a year where the reffing was as bad as it has been in 2021 - including regular season. Was it this year Refs messed up on a goal in Columbus? The off-side review fiasco?

I think they should just play 82 games and then have the 4 most popular players' (as voted on twitter and tik-tok) teams be in the Conference Semi-Finals and let those losers play to reach them.
- AdamFrench

🤣

Bragging about the Leafs is what then?
- Garnie

Psychosis

Oh I get it. Cassidy did same thing.

Can't recall a year where the reffing was as bad as it has been in 2021 - including regular season. Was it this year Refs messed up on a goal in Columbus? The off-side review fiasco?
- Nasty_Duck

https://youtu.be/48yWclXITpw

Sure. They have a chance to get past Tampa but they are the clear underdogs in this series.

If Vegas manages to take down the Habs, they'll be the clear underdogs in the Cup Finals too.

Congratulations to the Islanders for playing boring as (frank) hockey and embracing the grinding, low-event, bullpoop game that has managed to put them into the Conference Finals again this year.

There's always a chance they win, but I would argue it isn't particularly favourable.
- mjones242

How do you figure Vegas would be "clear" underdogs? They Beat the other "favourite" to make it this far. They are big enough and fast enough to make life difficult for TB. Whatever Isle are doing to TB, Vegas can do it better.

Psychosis
- Steven_Seagull

Only 1 team is allowed to cheer and brag each year.

Sorry Hab fans, give back your happiness from the 1st 2 rounds.

How do you figure Vegas would be "clear" underdogs? They Beat the other "favourite" to make it this far. They are big enough and fast enough to make life difficult for TB. Whatever Isle are doing to TB, Vegas can do it better.
- Nasty_Duck

Agree, and Vegas, besides being big mean and dirty is a well coached team with a really good goalie. Vegas is dismissed regularly but they are exceptional defensively. Great top four defensive group plus Fleury. Stone is also about as under rated a forward as there is in the NHL.

https://youtu.be/48yWclXITpw
- gergeswillems

Yup - that's the one. NHL was a complete laughing stock. They'd have to try really hard to mess that up more than they did. It was astounding.