The 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

[heroincredible]

When forgetable teams like Tampa Bay who really weren't any good but just happaned to get hot at the right time win the cup, it waters down the league even more.

Now, we really need to get the Red Wings in the Eastern Conference so we can play Pittsburg on a regular basis (and Boston, New York, Toronto, Montreal). That would be so much better than play frickin Columbus and Nashville 16 times a season. I'm glad they booed Gary Bettman in Pittsburg too.

I agree with the second part of the post...but not the first. There is a reason why Tampa was 3 points behind Detroit for the President's Trophy that season. They started out great, had a mid-season slump, acquired Darryl Sydor in mid-January and only lost 8 games the rest of the season. They had a great team that year and deserved to win the Cup. Just because they are from a less than ideal locale doesn't mean they are any less worthy than other Cup winners.

 

[Bad Brains]

I only say they weren't any good as in meaning the organization, not necessarly that specific group of players. When you look at memorable championships in the NHL, Tampa Bay doesn't really top that list. Maybe it's just I wasn't watching Hockey at the time, but I always forget that Tampa Bay did indeed win a cup at one point.

 

[TheXym]

I saw the parade feed online, and great photos rjny36! I'll be having a Wings-themed party in the near future, and the local chocolatier is going to be making a chocolate Stanely Cup for it. It won't be lifesize, but he's already done one of those back when Mike Dunham won a cup he brought it to town and he used the actual cup for the template. I'll post pics once I have it.

 

[marcray]

an interesting read for anyone that questioned the referee's during the playoffs...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[burk48237]

an interesting read for anyone that questioned the referee's during the playoffs...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Yeah, I found that a little troubling too. Not only did the Wings not have any substantial 5 0n 3 time (which is rare in finals) but the Pens had three, two of which were substantial. When you consider some of the Pens penalties that weren't called, the Gordon hit on Franzien (should have been a suspension), the stick slashing of Lillia that led to the final pens goal, the Datsuk call, those were, blatant obvious missed calls. The Pens are a more physical team, and yet Detroit who had the puck more, spent more time in the Pens end, spent more time in the box. I'm not even going to talk about the goalie interference calls, that will probably be the subject of a rules committee meeting this summer.

 

[MJ5150]

Fellas.....let the bad officiating go already. Look, we can do this for pretty much any game in any sport. It benefits noone to sit here and complain about it still. Enjoy the game, and accept that the guys in stripes are human like the rest of us and will make mistakes.

Detroit was the better team, and they won the series. To me, that showed how great of a team they are when they were able to play through the adversity brought about by questionable officiating.

-Mike

 

[MJ5150]

So hey....do you guys think there is enough interest to start up an "NHL Offseason 2008" thread to talk about free agent moves, the draft, coaching changes, etc.? I'd be down for it considering how my Pens are going to probably be the most affected by free agency starting up here in about three weeks.

-Mike

 

[Quadruple Jay]

So hey....do you guys think there is enough interest to start up an "NHL Offseason 2008" thread to talk about free agent moves, the draft, coaching changes, etc.? I'd be down for it considering how my Pens are going to probably be the most affected by free agency starting up here in about three weeks.

-Mike

Do it up. The Sabres are having a pretty eventful off-season so far with a new AHL team and tons of great prospect signings. It would be great to chat some off-season stuff around here.

 

[marcray]

Fellas.....let the bad officiating go already. Look, we can do this for pretty much any game in any sport. It benefits noone to sit here and complain about it still. Enjoy the game, and accept that the guys in stripes are human like the rest of us and will make mistakes.

Detroit was the better team, and they won the series. To me, that showed how great of a team they are when they were able to play through the adversity brought about by questionable officiating.

-Mike

As much as I want to let it go, I don't think we should accept sub-standard. The officiating is so un-balanced right now that I long for the 1 ref system again and let the behind the play action be "self-governed". It worked. MJ5150, there are answers and they should be looked for not swept under the table. On the last two NHL hours with Gary Bettman (XM 204 or as an apple podcast download), officiating was glossed over ridiculously by Bill Clement and echo'd by Bettman. Callers brought up very very interesting points of which the commissioner of the NHL could only "go back to the tape".

All sports, respectfully, don't concern me. Other people can argue for that. I'm interested in the NHL and I want better officiating.

 

[MJ5150]

All sports, respectfully, don't concern me. Other people can argue for that. I'm interested in the NHL and I want better officiating.

I understand. I'm just saying that questionable officiating is not unique to the NHL. The refs are guys like us, and we all make mistakes too. I don't think there will ever be a time in the NHL or any sport where no one is complaining about officiating. Well, unless they can get robots to officiate games, which we kind of see with instant replay.

Personal biases play into the picture at some point as well. We all feel now and then that a player we really like or really dislike got a bogus call on or against them.

-Mike