It is kind of funny how much talk there is of the importance of top 4 defenders going on in here when we have early exits from Tampa, Calgary, and Nashville. Dallas, who still plays Roman Polak and Ben Lovejoy, is off to round 2, beating one of the best defensive teams in the league... Having stars means nothing if they don't show up.
- mgriffen

Bishop has been the best goalie in the League the last while, you can ride a goalie a long way

Looking at you New York Islanders

The ratings for Islanders vs Hurricanes will be amazing.

god this is the most honest thing ever written on this site
- DoubleDown

it definitely is

The ratings for Islanders vs Hurricanes will be amazing.
- AdamFrench

You guys will never win with Babcock...and it looks like he will ruin Matthews. You guys had the better team and momentum but he is just a terrible coach who cannot adjust to the game. I don't know if it's a lack of vision or just stubborn pig headedness but it almost seems like he thinks he's smarter than everyone else yet is absolutely brutal.

Kadri for Pesce.... heck yah..

Maybe go bigger..

Kadri, Nylander, Liljegren and Brown for Jordan Staal, Pesce and Slavin.
- PatC80

But why would the canes do that?
They've gone deeper with the players they have. does this improve them?

This year is quickly proving to be the exception, not the rule. Give me all the best defenders and watch them win 9 times out of 10. This is the 1 time out of 10.
- JohnFergusonJr

Regarding Nashville, this wasn't a surprise to most Preds fans. You could see it coming since December. Something's off with the team and the famous defense we've come to know was absent. The most surprising thing this year is that they actually won the division because Winnipeg is playing as bad or worse than they did and St. Louis just ran out of games. The Blues are clearly the best in the Central.

I haven't read the blog, but let's keep in mind:

Babcock doesn't get to select his players.

It's not like he was sitting power forwards in favour of Willy Softlander.
- Atomic Wedgie

Should have swapped him out for Nic Petan.

Regarding Nashville, this wasn't a surprise to most Preds fans. You could see it coming since December. Something's off with the team and the famous defense we've come to know was absent. The most surprising thing this year is that they actually won the division because Winnipeg is playing as bad or worse than they did and St. Louis just ran out of games. The Blues are clearly the best in the Central.
- FoxMulder

Blues won with Tarasenko not playing great, if he gets going...

The ratings for Islanders vs Hurricanes will be amazing.
- AdamFrench

I hope the canes win, I think it was bufooglean ate me that said....Canes have no chance cuz Caps to good and experienced or something dumb like that

Regarding Nashville, this wasn't a surprise to most Preds fans. You could see it coming since December. Something's off with the team and the famous defense we've come to know was absent. The most surprising thing this year is that they actually won the division because Winnipeg is playing as bad or worse than they did and St. Louis just ran out of games. The Blues are clearly the best in the Central.
- FoxMulder

Maybe it's that some of your best players are missing 20-30 games.

Only 2 guys played 82 games.

A lot of times, the Cup winning team is usually the healthiest.

But why would the canes do that?
They've gone deeper with the players they have. does this improve them?
- Fakepartofme

Because.. Reasons... Any other questions?

Kadri for Turris, straight up.

- FoxMulder

hmmm....

how's about no

If the Canes were onboard with Hamilton for Kap or Nylander we should have really looked at it.

I know, it's easy to say that now.

I hope the canes win, I think it was bufooglean ate me that said....Canes have no chance cuz Caps to good and experienced or something dumb like that
- senstroll

How can you want BINGO to be happy? Sickening.

Maybe it's that some of your best players are missing 20-30 games.

Only 2 guys played 82 games.

A lot of times, the Cup winning team is usually the healthiest.
- JohnFergusonJr

We had most of our injuries the first half of the year, the gang was together for the most part since the all star break. It still wasn't good. They could barely win at home this year.

Regarding Nashville, this wasn't a surprise to most Preds fans. You could see it coming since December. Something's off with the team and the famous defense we've come to know was absent. The most surprising thing this year is that they actually won the division because Winnipeg is playing as bad or worse than they did and St. Louis just ran out of games. The Blues are clearly the best in the Central.
- FoxMulder

Probably Subban and his stupid (frank)ing hat, pretty sure that's HOHO's hat.

How can you want BINGO to be happy? Sickening.
- AdamFrench

personally, i enjoy a nice narrative crushing victory

I just took a stroll into Top line Centers "R" us and shelves are empty
- senstroll

(frank)ING NYLANDER, or did you not notice him either?

You guys will never win with Babcock...and it looks like he will ruin Matthews. You guys had the better team and momentum but he is just a terrible coach who cannot adjust to the game. I don't know if it's a lack of vision or just stubborn pig headedness but it almost seems like he thinks he's smarter than everyone else yet is absolutely brutal.
- shanerationX

as close as the series was... Babcock's inflexibility was not the only difference in the series.

you can believe Jack Edwards, or the NBC broadcast all you like - the series swung more on special teams than coaching... and even a passing glance at the penalty stats and the on ice behaviors tells a different story than the score line.

you can argue or discount it all you like - Chara's jump hit and elbow, Accari's cross check to Muzzin's face, Debrusk "inintended" knee on knee and Kadri's cross checks were all at a minimum Dept of Player Safety reviewable activities... and we all know the outcome...

that's a large discrepancy in the "judgement" department...

If the Bruin's don't get that kind of judgement in upcoming games - they won't be going anywhere.

This year is quickly proving to be the exception, not the rule. Give me all the best defenders and watch them win 9 times out of 10. This is the 1 time out of 10.
- JohnFergusonJr

yeah, not saying D is not important (I play D after all ), but it's funny that everyone is like rah rah rah, they didn't shore up the blueline! When Polak and Lovejoy are logging around 19 minutes a game going into round 2.

Is Machessault talking about the Kadri hit on DeBrusk here? Ripped on the refs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG0XEKcYWrg

The refs got the call wrong, Eakens should have gotten 2 min for cross-checking and Stasny 2 min for interference. So, 4 mins total.
Unfortunately, Pavelski was in a vulnerable position and landed awkwardly and that's what caused the injury.
However, wasn't the refs that let in 3 goals on the ensuing power play.
Suck it up Jonathan, the Leafs had to on a crappy call against Kadri.

There's always next year Leaf fans!

(frank)ING NYLANDER, or did you not notice him either?
- Garnie

he was there just floating around the entrance

personally, i enjoy a nice narrative crushing victory
- senstroll

If the Caps go out, at least we'll see some new stars shine.

Who are the marketable guys outside of San Jose left?

Tarasenko...Barzal?...Benn or Seguin?...MacKinnon?...Bergeron?