[NHL] 2011-2012 Season is Over (Kings take the Cup)

[Vrii]

Two reactions to this.

First, good. Torres keeps doing it, he keeps claiming that he sees no problem with it, and effectively says in interviews that he's going to keep doing it. Maybe 25 games will make him reconsider.

Second, is this hit really any worse than the other 5-10 questionable plays in the playoffs so far? Is it worse than Weber smashing someone's face into the glass? Hagelin elbowing Alfie in the head? Any of 15 or 20 plays in the Pitts/Philly series? I'm not sure it is.

 

[Timmus]

It's the easiest thing in the world to throw the book at Raffi Torres, not that he doesn't deserve it.

 

[checkeredhat]

I have to agree, I don't think it's really any worse than a lot of the other hits I've seen. The incidents you referenced immediately come to my mind as well.

But, it ended up with Hossa on a stretcher which got the NHL exactly the kind of media attention it DOESN'T want south of the border, so they're going to be a lot more reactionary to this. And, Torres is such a repeat offender, I say good call.
But I agree, they've been woefully inconsistent (At least they do that consistently?)

 

[checkeredhat]

OH GOD I'M SO PUMPED NOW:


I'M GOING TO GO PICK A FIGHT WITH A TANK.

 

[HCGLNS]

I hope Chicago wins the series then and Torres is out some real money.

 

[Vrii]

Spezza! And Washington won - if all the teams who are ahead right now finish out their series, Ottawa would draw Florida in round 2. I don't think there's a better possible matchup!

Hopefully they can close it out at home!

 

[jwhouk]

A story came out from the post-game after game five against the Red Wings.

Apparently, a (obviously inebriated) Red Wings fan was antagonizing other fans during the game, and in the plaza outside of Bridgestone Arena after the game he got involved in an altercation with some other fans. The police, who were out in force during the post-game celebration, arrested the gentleman.

The Wings fan was wearing a Wings jersey - obviously - but would you care to guess whose jersey it was?

Well, it was...





...wait for it...





...a Brendan Shanahan jersey.

No word from the League office if the gentleman will be fined $2,500 for impersonating a league official.

 

[checkeredhat]

MAn, last night's games didn't really go how I expected.

I just don't see San Jose digging themselves out of this funk. I think St. Louis will take it tonight, but it's going to be another close one. Their whole series has been pretty tight, really. Other than game 2.

I was correct. San Jose kept it close right till the end when an empty netter sealed their doom.

Chicago I have a feeling will force game 6.

I was right about this one too, and glad about it.


In the East;

I'm going to go with Boston again like usual.

How I felt when I heard the score:

Ottawa/ New York has really been a remarkably even series so far, but I 'm going to bet safe tonight and say New York

I was wrong about this one, but glad to be wrong in this case. Keep it up, Ottawa.

And then there's New Jersey/ Florida. This kind of depends on who's in net for NJ. But if I've got to pick one, I'm going to say New Jersey tonight. Don't really know why. I still think Florida's going to take this series, but I think it'll have to go to 7 games to do it.

Well, instead of rock solid "He's still got it!" Marty Brodeur, we got flakey "Can't string together two good performances" Marty Brodeur, and Florida walked away with a shut out. So I was wrong about last night, but it looks good for my overall prediction of Florida taking the series.


I hope Pittsburgh can come back from this 4-1 game, (Just cause them forcing a game 7 would make a hell of a story, and I'd get to go to the bar on Tuesday) but it's not looking good.

As far as Boston/Washington later today: Obviously I'm going to say Boston


And LA's going to send Vancouver packing as well.

 

[checkeredhat]

Damn you, Ovechkin. I hate you.

*EDIT* YES! Boston/ Washington going to game 7.

 

[checkeredhat]

Spezza! And Washington won - if all the teams who are ahead right now finish out their series, Ottawa would draw Florida in round 2. I don't think there's a better possible matchup!

Hopefully they can close it out at home!

THere's talk Alfredsson may be back for the next game. If that happens, I think Ottawa's got it. Good chance with or without him, though.

 

[jwhouk]

Another handshake line today. Goodbye, Sidney. Goodbye, Evgeni. Goodbye, Marc-Andre.

Can the Kings make it the first two-handshakes night of the playoffs?

 

[Timmus]

I think those nuckleheads can force a game six.

 

[checkeredhat]

It's goign to be a tough game, but hopefully LA's learned from the last one, and can control the Sedins.

 

[Timmus]

And if they do I hope Ryan Kesler wakes the fuck up.

 

[jwhouk]

...sorry, I'm not gonna go for the obvious shot there.

 

[Mathias]

Another handshake line today. Goodbye, Sidney. Goodbye, Evgeni. Goodbye, Marc-Andre.

Can the Kings make it the first two-handshakes night of the playoffs?

 

[checkeredhat]

Kings won't do it if they don't stop taking stupid penalties...

 

[jwhouk]

Ohhhhhvertime.

 

[jwhouk]

Dumbest commercial ever: The "75 years ago" Geico commercials. Makes you long for the days of the Caveman driving the Zamboni.

 

[HCGLNS]

And overtime is...over!

 

[jwhouk]

So... is Vancouver burning yet?

 

[jwhouk]

It's now settled in the West:

Saint Louis will host the Kings in the one semifinal, while either Phoenix will host the Preds, or the Preds will host Chicago in the other series.

Blues/Kings could go OT every single game. I'm thinking Blues in seven.

 

[HCGLNS]

I am thinking that who ever survives the East will be little more than broken bones by the time it's over.

 

[checkeredhat]

And there it is.

 

[checkeredhat]

Dumbest commercial ever: The "75 years ago" Geico commercials. Makes you long for the days of the Caveman driving the Zamboni.

I do really like the Visa one though.

 

[HCGLNS]

Thank goodness for home ice advantage! Being able to get the matchups you want on the ice is a crucial advantage to going deep in the playoffs.

 

[jwhouk]

Do I wanna admit that I'm hoping the next two games in Chicago and Phoenix go to overtime, too?

 

[HCGLNS]

Overtime periods that last longer than 5 minutes are what make the post season special! We all remember (sort of) the games that go into huge amounts of extra time. It's the extra bonus for being a fan. Nothing better than dozing off in the middle of the 3rd OT and waking up in the 4th OT.

 

[checkeredhat]

It's now settled in the West:

Saint Louis will host the Kings in the one semifinal, while either Phoenix will host the Preds, or the Preds will host Chicago in the other series.

Blues/Kings could go OT every single game. I'm thinking Blues in seven.

Whether its's Chicago or Phoenix next round, I think the west is going to come down to St. Louis and Nashville either way. Preds honestly have a pretty good shot this year of making it to the final.

 

[checkeredhat]

A great idea has struck me.

Next year, we start a Halforums hockey pool.

 

[HCGLNS]

A great idea has struck me.

Next year, we start a Halforums hockey pool.

We can start with the next round of the play offs! Yes lets all ignore my publicly stated predictions for the first round.

Is it wrong that I have switched and now want Washington to win based on how Dale Hunter is coaching? I don't think so.

 

[checkeredhat]

We gotta schedule a day to do our draft, which I imagine we'll have to do on HalChat. Next series will be starting on Thursday (Not sure when game 1 will actually be though), since Ottawa and Phoenix are both going to win tonight, Florida will win tomorrow and Boston is going to win on Wednesday.
So given the time contraints I figure just doing one for next seaosn would be easier. Unless there's a lot of demand for a playoff one that starts in round 2.... But somebody else you can organize it then.

 

[HCGLNS]

Playoff Pools are a bit easier
Once series are decided and before the first game
Pick the series winner - 3 pts
Pick the number of games - 2 pts
Pick the number of OT games - 1 pt

Continue for the semis and the finals and viola tally the pts and determine the winner!

Winner gets fantastic prizes and glory!

 

[checkeredhat]

That makes a whole lot more sense than what I was thinking.

 

[Vrii]

Works for me!