2013-13 NHL Season Thread.

[Zeoni]

Entertaining hockey at the very least. And very physical, nobody is allowed to play with puck without getting hit. Another great night of games with some shotty refing. Anyone catch the penalty at the beginning of the New Jersey / Florida game? Atrocious call! Pretty much fucked them from the get go to be down on a 4 minute PK, but I guess those are the types of calls you need to bounce back from to win games in the playoffs. Found myself switching to games based on commercials, all the games had their own value of entertainment for me. Watched the Vancouver game from start to finish and thought Jim Hughson bounced back nicely, wasn't unbearable to hear him. Some of the shit Craig Simpson was saying was ridiculous though. Lapierre clear dive when Doughty brushed the back of his jersey. "WOW NO PENALTY?" And him saying Schneider should start game 3. That is a big mistake if Canucks do that. The game would have been 6-1 without some of the saves he made.

I still think Vancouver is gonna take the series, it's not over until you're eliminated. They were very fortunate with some of those penalty calls imo. Can't keep blaming losing on not having Daniel, their other players have to start stepping up. Quick has been a damn wall and I think he still has a game to steal. King's best players have simply outplayed Vancouver's best players.

-I also don't think it's as big as an upset as people think. L.A. is a very good team with a fucking god in net. Their top 2 lines are extremely underrated and Richards is proving his worth. Doughty and Willie Mitchel are really solid on the back end as well. Daryl Sutter, on top of all this, is a great coach. He took a mediocre Calgary Flames team to the cup finals and arguably won it in 2004. Like I said before with Philadelphia, they're an amazing team also. They're basically running and gunning with the best offensive team in the league and schooling them at it. I understand the Crosby hate and I agree the media coverage he gets is ridiculous, but he's not overrated at all. Anyone who says that just isn't a fan of the guy. I personally don't like him as a person but he is an amazing player, his hockey sense and overall ability to make plays happen is incredible. Looking forward to a possible Philly / Boston 2nd round series though, not to look too far into the future!

[Criptos]

Please don't respond to trolls guys. he's been dealt with, but it makes it hard when people chime in.

Only started looking at this thread after each canuck game, whom are you talking about outta curiosity sake.

[Taros]

I'm pretty confident we'll beat Phoenix. I want Emery to get a start. I've got a good feeling. Don't get me wrong, Crawford was huge in game 1 but I really have a good feeling about Emery.

[Zeoni]

I don't think you should ever switch up goalies unless you are getting blown out. If you can't show any faith in a goalie in the first round, how do you expect to progress in the playoffs? Crawford played fine in game 1, they will not switch him out unless they drop 3+~ goals in the first period. The risk / reward isn't worth it. Hypothetically, let's say they do put Emery in (99% confident they won't) and he gets lit up. Series 2-0, Crawford doesn't have any confidence because the coach doesn't have confidence in him, ect ect. Phoenix won game 1, you can't risk handing them another victory at this point even if the reward is a solid goalie for the rest of the series. Not worth it at all.

[Taros]

I doubt Q will switch goalies at all, but I think Emery more than deserves to start a playoff game with the load he's carried as a "back up" this year. Not saying it should be the very next game, because yeah maybe that would put some doubt in Crawford, but I'm a big Emery fan and the guy deserves a crack at it.

[announced]

dunno wht to say tonight.. either the canucks are playing down to the derp lvl or kings are a better team than previously indicated (which losing to san jose is pretty bad) anyway.. that hit on Sedin smashing him into the net was dirty as fuck. shoulda thrown #23 outta the game for that bullshit. and lol@ the refs.. giving the nucks a penalty for defending that.

imo even though lou did ok.. they should still put Schneider in net for game #3 and see how he does

[Xevan]

LA is a good team. They're actually my favourite team in the league behind the Canucks, and I'd probably bandwagon them if the Canucks did lose.

They've got a extremely talented roster and are going to be a powerhouse in the west very soon. The roster is just too good for them to be meddling around 6/7/8 seeds.

[Taros]

LA is a good team. They're actually my favourite team in the league behind the Canucks, and I'd probably bandwagon them if the Canucks did lose.

They've got a extremely talented roster and are going to be a powerhouse in the west very soon. The roster is just too good for them to be meddling around 6/7/8 seeds.

Couldn't agree more.

[Fuzzzie]

Only started looking at this thread after each canuck game, whom are you talking about outta curiosity sake.

I removed the posts. Just keep this thread clean and fun guys. If someone is disruptive then just report the post. Don't reply. I'll clean it up and deal with the user.

[Zeoni]

dunno wht to say tonight.. either the canucks are playing down to the derp lvl or kings are a better team than previously indicated (which losing to san jose is pretty bad) anyway.. that hit on Sedin smashing him into the net was dirty as fuck. shoulda thrown #23 outta the game for that bullshit. and lol@ the refs.. giving the nucks a penalty for defending that.

imo even though lou did ok.. they should still put Schneider in net for game #3 and see how he does

The hit SMASHING Sedin into the net? Seriously? He took a whack at Quick and Brown pushed him. It literally happens every game more than once for any team. If they throw Brown out for that, then Kesler - Sedin - Burrows - Lapierre should be thrown out for embellishment. Unrealistic thinking. On that particular play there was the 2 offsetting penalties which is completely fine. Hansen (Hanson?) got the game misconduct because he just kept coming at Doughty and I'm thinking was disrespectful to the refs in some way. There's a point when the scrum is over and if you're not actually fighting that you're supposed to just back off. Anyways, the rough stuff isn't going to stop and it's happening for both sides. This is the playoffs. As each series gets deeper, there's going to be big scrums. It happens every year. I personally don't like them because half the shit is 2 on 1 and players grabbing random players. If someone physically hits the goalie (and not hit like Luongo getting brushed and flying back into his net in game 1) then there should be a small scrum to get people off the goalie.

It's a big mistake to put Schneider in for game 3. I'm calling it now, MAYBE game 4 if Vancouver gets blown out in g3. Luongo is your guy, he's the one with the big contract. Until he gives you a reason that he's not 100% invested and talented enough to give you the best chance at winning, you leave him in. I don't believe any of the goals so far have been his fault and honestly most goalies would have been beat there too. If Schneider loses game 3, it's over. The season is done and the Canuck's get to play golf. I know theres a chance this is his moment and he takes it and runs with it. Pulls a Cam Ward 2006 (or whatever year it was) but I don't think that's the case. L.A. is a good team and organization, I'm sure they have plenty of reports on Schneider. I highly doubt they'll switch it up in net, but you never know.

[flam]

I wonder if the fans in Vancouver will riot, flip cars, set fire to things, and rob stores if they get bounced out of the playoff's in the first round.... my money is on YES. Those Canadian's are a wild bunch :P

[Rivenda]

What a bloody awesome game yesterday. Flyvers are owning the shit out of Pitts.
L.A. please beat the shit out of Nucks, so we can get Hansen on the national team, and Hawks beat Coyotes so we also can get Bødker..
But really this playoff I've a sense is going to be really really good and fun to watch.

[EverFX]

Just chiming in here.

Weber was fined $2,500 because that's the maximum allowed by the CBA. (Coaches don't get the same royalty hence Tortorella suffering a lovely $20,000 fine.)
As for the Canucks, while the lack of Daniel was evident, the blue line and the defensive zone needs serious help. Even light forechecking was throwing the Canucks off their game.

[announced]

The hit SMASHING Sedin into the net? Seriously? He took a whack at Quick and Brown pushed him. It literally happens every game more than once for any team. If they throw Brown out for that, then Kesler - Sedin - Burrows - Lapierre should be thrown out for embellishment. Unrealistic thinking. On that particular play there was the 2 offsetting penalties which is completely fine. Hansen (Hanson?) got the game misconduct because he just kept coming at Doughty and I'm thinking was disrespectful to the refs in some way. There's a point when the scrum is over and if you're not actually fighting that you're supposed to just back off. Anyways, the rough stuff isn't going to stop and it's happening for both sides. This is the playoffs. As each series gets deeper, there's going to be big scrums. It happens every year. I personally don't like them because half the shit is 2 on 1 and players grabbing random players. If someone physically hits the goalie (and not hit like Luongo getting brushed and flying back into his net in game 1) then there should be a small scrum to get people off the goalie.

It's a big mistake to put Schneider in for game 3. I'm calling it now, MAYBE game 4 if Vancouver gets blown out in g3. Luongo is your guy, he's the one with the big contract. Until he gives you a reason that he's not 100% invested and talented enough to give you the best chance at winning, you leave him in. I don't believe any of the goals so far have been his fault and honestly most goalies would have been beat there too. If Schneider loses game 3, it's over. The season is done and the Canuck's get to play golf. I know theres a chance this is his moment and he takes it and runs with it. Pulls a Cam Ward 2006 (or whatever year it was) but I don't think that's the case. L.A. is a good team and organization, I'm sure they have plenty of reports on Schneider. I highly doubt they'll switch it up in net, but you never know.

look closely at the hit.. sedin was just chillin near the goal line he wasnt doing anything then that goon #23 smashed him right into the net for no reason.. he didnt hit anyone...
are the sedins usually an agressive bunch anyway? think about it lol.
i for one am a hater of dirty hits, everyone should have a clear idea of whats legal and what isnt, what Bitz did was fucking retarded to say the least... i dunno if he was dropped on his head as a kid or just recently but the point of hockey isnt boxing.. its scoring goals...
loungo is a head case.. sometimes hes good.. but sometimes hes just terrible... its eh.. iffy to say the least that our #1 goaltender isnt steady

I wonder if the fans in Vancouver will riot, flip cars, set fire to things, and rob stores if they get bounced out of the playoff's in the first round.... my money is on YES. Those Canadian's are a wild bunch :P

we only get upset when we make it to the finals and lose to a goon team like boston.. if its out in the first round who cares

[Commissarr]

Not looking good for Canucks... Will sucks to go out first round and it's looking like that may happen.

As for the Flyers Pens series... Well - It's shaping up to be by far the best series I've seen so far. The Flyers powerplay is absolutely amazing right now.

[Rennadrel]

Pittsburgh is showing just how horrible their defensive game is by allowing 8 goals in a playoff game, not that the Flyers are doing any better. Philadelphia has them completely dominated right now and it showed after their bounce back in game 1. I am happy the Canucks are losing, because LA being the under dog and having them take a series would be great not only as a troll to Canucks fans, but great for the young team.

[conscript]

Pittsburgh is showing just how horrible their defensive game is by allowing 8 goals in a playoff game, not that the Flyers are doing any better. Philadelphia has them completely dominated right now and it showed after their bounce back in game 1. I am happy the Canucks are losing, because LA being the under dog and having them take a series would be great not only as a troll to Canucks fans, but great for the young team.

Well everyone knows that Philly's defense is awful. If there was something that could stop them it would be their Pronger-less defense. He is really their only shutdown defensive defensman. I haven't watched more than snippets of their games because of the scheduling, but when their top players are putting up 3-6 points per game I think it is safe to assume that Letang, Orpik, Michalek, and Martin need to step up and earn their big contracts. The Flyers are so damn deep up front though it is insane. Grioux and Courtier didn't even get points in game one when they put up four goals. Simmonds doesn't have a single point yet. It is insane how they have scored 12 goals in two games and have got them largely from one source each game. It is almost impossible to fully shut them down since their forward lines are just so damn good.

If you're the Canucks I think it is time to hit the panic button. Lou has given up seven goals in two games. That isn't terrible (for playoff hockey) and they certainly can't be blamed on him fully plus he has looked damn good at times, but he isn't getting the job done (again) against an LA team that was anemic on offense for most of the season. I think you have to go to Schneider in game 3. Even if it is just to try and give your team a spark you have to make some mix up now. If they lose game three it is over and people are going to lose their jobs. If they get swept in the first round you can bet your ass there will be major shakeups beyond just being forced to decide between Schneider and Lou this offseason (Schneider. It isn't even a choice. He is better, way younger, and will be on a way more acceptable contract, they just need a trading partner for Lou which frankly won't be difficult if the asking price isn't astronomical as he is still a good goalie and certainly better than what most teams have).

[Asera]

I for one am very worried of the Pens getting eliminated... as i will lose 6 guys on my playoff pool at work...

[Rennadrel]

Well everyone knows that Philly's defense is awful. If there was something that could stop them it would be their Pronger-less defense. He is really their only shutdown defensive defensman. I haven't watched more than snippets of their games because of the scheduling, but when their top players are putting up 3-6 points per game I think it is safe to assume that Letang, Orpik, Michalek, and Martin need to step up and earn their big contracts. The Flyers are so damn deep up front though it is insane. Grioux and Courtier didn't even get points in game one when they put up four goals. Simmonds doesn't have a single point yet. It is insane how they have scored 12 goals in two games and have got them largely from one source each game. It is almost impossible to fully shut them down since their forward lines are just so damn good.

If you're the Canucks I think it is time to hit the panic button. Lou has given up seven goals in two games. That isn't terrible (for playoff hockey) and they certainly can't be blamed on him fully plus he has looked damn good at times, but he isn't getting the job done (again) against an LA team that was anemic on offense for most of the season. I think you have to go to Schneider in game 3. Even if it is just to try and give your team a spark you have to make some mix up now. If they lose game three it is over and people are going to lose their jobs. If they get swept in the first round you can bet your ass there will be major shakeups beyond just being forced to decide between Schneider and Lou this offseason (Schneider. It isn't even a choice. He is better, way younger, and will be on a way more acceptable contract, they just need a trading partner for Lou which frankly won't be difficult if the asking price isn't astronomical as he is still a good goalie and certainly better than what most teams have).

The Flyers with Pronger were a scary team, now that he is out and probably had his career ended, which they gave up quite a bit of their talent pool to get him, two years after their run to the finals they are going to struggle to make it. I think they have a great core and their goaltending shouldn't be an issue with a better defence, we have seen games of brilliance from Bryzgalov, yet at times he has looked like he can't take the pressure and flounders like a fish out of water by getting lit up. I think game 3 in that series decides who is going to ultimately move on, but with all their star power, Pittsburgh should have the series lead.

As for the Canucks, if they don't get out of the first round, they are pooched. I hear a lot of hockey analysts saying that not having Daniel Sedin in the lineup hurts the team, but honestly is his lack of presence really going to make that much of a difference that you can't beat a team that averaged less then 3 goals per game in the regular season and was the lowest scoring team in the league? The Canucks with all their talent should be out working LA both offensively, defensively as well as in the net, but that doesn't look to be the case.

Unfortunately for the Canucks too, they can't move Luongo's contract, so they are stuck with him till he retires while Schneider walks out the door to go to a team where he cab be a starter and make more money.

[Greeney]

Man, the upsets this year are pouring in...I'm loving the Kings smoking the Canucks and Philly just tearing into Pittsburgh. I'm sure it wont' be as good if PHX does the same to us though....

That's supposed to be Chicago's job in the playoffs though.

dunno wht to say tonight.. either the canucks are playing down to the derp lvl or kings are a better team than previously indicated (which losing to san jose is pretty bad) anyway.. that hit on Sedin smashing him into the net was dirty as fuck. shoulda thrown #23 outta the game for that bullshit. and lol@ the refs.. giving the nucks a penalty for defending that.

imo even though lou did ok.. they should still put Schneider in net for game #3 and see how he does

Nothing is quite as dirty as playing like Burrows or Lapierre.

It's a big mistake to put Schneider in for game 3. I'm calling it now, MAYBE game 4 if Vancouver gets blown out in g3. Luongo is your guy, he's the one with the big contract. Until he gives you a reason that he's not 100% invested and talented enough to give you the best chance at winning, you leave him in. I don't believe any of the goals so far have been his fault and honestly most goalies would have been beat there too. If Schneider loses game 3, it's over. The season is done and the Canuck's get to play golf. I know theres a chance this is his moment and he takes it and runs with it. Pulls a Cam Ward 2006 (or whatever year it was) but I don't think that's the case. L.A. is a good team and organization, I'm sure they have plenty of reports on Schneider. I highly doubt they'll switch it up in net, but you never know.

Luongo wasn't at fault for the loss, but Schneider plays better under pressure than Luongo.

If you're the Canucks I think it is time to hit the panic button. Lou has given up seven goals in two games. That isn't terrible (for playoff hockey) and they certainly can't be blamed on him fully plus he has looked damn good at times, but he isn't getting the job done (again) against an LA team that was anemic on offense for most of the season. I think you have to go to Schneider in game 3. Even if it is just to try and give your team a spark you have to make some mix up now. If they lose game three it is over and people are going to lose their jobs. If they get swept in the first round you can bet your ass there will be major shakeups beyond just being forced to decide between Schneider and Lou this offseason (Schneider. It isn't even a choice. He is better, way younger, and will be on a way more acceptable contract, they just need a trading partner for Lou which frankly won't be difficult if the asking price isn't astronomical as he is still a good goalie and certainly better than what most teams have).

Schneider is going to get offer sheeted.