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The 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

#461
MJ5150 said:
...everytime the Pen's scored and showed all the fans with these "what do we do now, we're supposed to be winning" looks on their faces. Sad thing is, I think the Flyers feel the same way. They don't have any answers, or skills to beat the Pens.
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IMO-
I don't think the fans/Flyers felt "we should be winning". No doubt, the Pens have more skill...but I've seen a less skilled Flyers' team take almighty Edmonton to a game 7 back in '87 (Hextall was Conn Smythe winner).

Here's Wiki's summary-
"For the third straight year, the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers finished the regular season with the two best records in the NHL. While the Oilers success came from their vaunted offense, the Flyers relied on grit, defensive play, and solid goaltending from Vezina Trophy winner Ron Hextall.
The Oilers cruised into the Finals with relative ease, losing only two games in the process. They beat the Los Angeles Kings in five games, swept the Winnipeg Jets, and then beat the Detroit Red Wings in five to win the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl for the fourth time in five years. The Flyers, meanwhile, had a much harder road. It took them six games to knock off the New York Rangers, went the full seven against the New York Islanders, and then beat the Montreal Canadiens in six to claim their second Prince of Wales Trophy in three years".


The fans? Probably pissed that they spent big bucks for a 'bad' game.

...but what separates them (the Wings) from Ottawa, the Rangers, and the Flyers?
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Better goaltending, better defencemen, more playoff experience, No. 1 overall seed, etc.
 
#462
warwick.hoy said:
So I hope we are put out of our misery on Thursday. I can't take it anymore. This sucks
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At this time next week...the boys will be on the golf course, eh?

Anyway, I'm with you...they won 2 series against 'better' seeded teams (coulda had a sweep in both of them, too).
Biron has not looked as good in this series...Briere? Well, at least we now know that his wife is a better golfer than he is.
This experience + a couple of additions should help them out for next season.

Anthing was better than last year's debacle.
;)
 
#463
MJ5150 said:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was awesome. I love how the cameras scanned the crowd everytime the Pen's scored and showed all the fans with these "what do we do now, we're supposed to be winning" looks on their faces. Sad thing is, I think the Flyers feel the same way. They don't have any answers, or skills to beat the Pens.

I saw some quick whistles in that game. I saw some shady calls on both side of the...puck...I guess you would say here? But it looked pretty even to me, and the commentators even acknowledged that the players better get a good understanding how the refs are calling the game tonight. In a series with so much contention and hate between the rivals, I think the refs do need to keep tight control on the game play. I'm used to seeing that in NFL and college football games.

It looks like we will be moving on the the Finals. So to Burk and the other Wing fans, or guys who know the Wings.....what is different about the Red Wings that should make me nervous? I can obviously tell they are an excellent team...but what separates them from Ottawa, the Rangers, and the Flyers?

-Mike
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the difference you're going to find on the Wings is a team of vast experience, the utmost defensive responsibility in the league and an offense that has never gained the hype of Pitts, but is just as creative. Excellent coaching also. I honestly don't get to see too many RW games, but in my life I can't ever remember seeing the Wings "on their heels", they just keep coming at you and like Pitts, they are never out of a game and have the ability to turn it around in seconds.

Finally, you will be going up against a team that for the first time, is riding the same amount of momentum you are. Ottowa were beaten up, Rangers nerves got the better of them, Flyers, have had tough series to get thru, Wings are flying.

But hey, both series aren't over yet...
 
#464
canopener said:
The Pens talent overcame the crappy calls once again. I believe they are destined to win the Cup this year...(knock on wood). The anti-Pittsburgh love-fest that is going around the league right now is sickening.
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The "penalty" on Hatcher that led to the Pens first goal was a joke.

The Pens are a highly talented team, and they have clearly outplayed the Flyers in the series. But to suggest that that there is some sort of bias against the Pens among the officials is delusional.

JimK said:
IMO-
I don't think the fans/Flyers felt "we should be winning". No doubt, the Pens have more skill...
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I agree. I think that Philadelphia is proud of the Flyers for having made such a huge improvement (from last place in the league to competing in the conference finals) and for overcoming adversity (people seem to forget that the Flyers lost a huge talent early on this season in Simon Gagne and still had a successful season). They're hopeful that the Flyers will play competitively against the Pens, but realize that the Flyers' depleted defense corps is probably no match for Pittsburgh's offense.

Don't get me wrong. I'm rooting hard for the Flyers. But I also understand that at this point in the playoffs, we've already exceeded anyone's realistic expectations for what this team could do. Regardless of what happens tomorrow night or the rest of the season, it's been a very successful season for the Flyers, and while it's frustrating to watch the Flyers struggle against a better team after having come so far, I wouldn't say we feel like "we should be winning."
 
#465
I love the passion of hockey fans, love it. Philly guys can't stand Pittsburgh guys. I love it. I'm stuck in this thread having to fight off a bunch of ticked off Flyers and Rangers fans, and now the excuses are starting to fly. I love it! :D

But hey, you Philly guys still are better than us at baseball. I was at PNC a few weeks ago when the Phillies came in and kicked our butts. I was mad about that game. To me, it's never "OK" to lose to Philly in anything.

-Mike
 
#466
Something I just found out while reading about last nights game on TSN. This is the first time we won a game in Philly all year. Same deal when we played the Rangers, we had not won a game at MSG all season long.

It's a good thing we have the refs on our side, or there would be no way we could win a game in either city.

-Mike
 
#467
JimK said:
At this time next week...the boys will be on the golf course, eh?

Anthing was better than last year's debacle.
;)
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Same Place I will be,....and agreed.

Febs said:
The "penalty" on Hatcher that led to the Pens first goal was a joke.
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As were a few missed tripping calls, and a few offsides calls.

This season the officiating staff has been very lackadaisical concerning the Flyers. This has been the case ever since Downie took out McAmmond in the pre-season. The refs suck, as do the linesmen. I've seen linesmen get in the way of clearing attempts whilst they are 20 feet from the blue line into the zone. Get the **** out of the way.

MJ5150 said:
I love the passion of hockey fans, love it. Philly guys can't stand Pittsburgh guys. I love it. I'm stuck in this thread having to fight off a bunch of ticked off Flyers and Rangers fans, and now the excuses are starting to fly. I love it! :D

-Mike
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Hockey fans are the best in sports. I don't think any of us are ticked, or making excuses. I'm just calling it like I see it. I'm not going to gang up on you just because you like your hometown team. That's how it should be. I'm more impressed that you have taken the time to watch and learn the game. Something that not many people will do.

I'm a little disappointed with my Flyers, and for Biron especially:atoz:, but It's just a game, It's just a game.
 
#475
MJ5150 said:
Dangit! I forgot this game was on. I caught the last 60 seconds. That was exciting.

-Mike
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I only caught the last period.

I'm hoping this is a bit of a harbinger for the Philly/Pitts game tomorrow.

I've been talking like this is the end of these finals, but there have been instances where teams have come back from 3 game deficits. The odds may be stacked against the Flyers and the Stars, but one can always hold out hope.
 
#477
warwick.hoy said:
I've been talking like this is the end of these finals, but there have been instances where teams have come back from 3 game deficits. The odds may be stacked against the Flyers and the Stars, but one can always hold out hope.
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I agree. I have been reading about the Red Wings a little bit today, but we still need to win another game and finish off the Flyers. In reality, the Pens really haven't won anything yet besides a division title.

-Mike
 
#479
warwick.hoy said:
I only caught the last period.

I'm hoping this is a bit of a harbinger for the Philly/Pitts game tomorrow.

I've been talking like this is the end of these finals, but there have been instances where teams have come back from 3 game deficits. The odds may be stacked against the Flyers and the Stars, but one can always hold out hope.
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it's happened 3 times in hockey history, and one time was the Islanders coming back to beat the Penguins.

What was incredible to me last night was how hard the Red Wings came at the Stars with only 1:30 left and 2 goals down. Most teams heads would have dropped and game over, that game didn't feel like it was over until it was.
 
#480
While there were some egregiously bad calls in the game last night, imho particularly the no-goal and the trip on Rafalski when he lost an edge, I've got to give Turco credit for some GREAT saves. I was calling this for the Wings in 6, as I figured Turco had to be able to steal a game, and the Wings wouldn't show up like they needed to in a game. The Stars showed some heart, and while I do feel they had some help from the refs, they also for the most part, played the better game.

That said, I can't complain about yesterday - got a caption picked for Buccigross's column on ESPN yesterday (the Kerry Fraser reference) on my first try, and I got my van back from the repair shop for about $3000 less than I expected, which means I'll be able to get more bass goodies this summer ;)

I still think it's going to be a Wings-Pens final. And, both the Freep and the Detroit News mentioned Franzen is starting light workouts, which is a good sign.
 

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