NHL '14/'15 Thread
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Rangers stood steady late and O open up a big can of whop ass for a 7-2 win.
Prez cup implications game and Cam Talbot proving once again big in Hendrik Lundqvist absence.
Lundqvist back mid this coming week and agree with the NBCSN talking heads about chemistry with Talbot this far in the season.
Prez cup implications game and Cam Talbot proving once again big in Hendrik Lundqvist absence.
Lundqvist back mid this coming week and agree with the NBCSN talking heads about chemistry with Talbot this far in the season.
That would be a great final. I can feel disagreement brewing before I even type this, but I don't think that St. Louis will make it to the Finals with Brian Elliott as their starting goaltender. Or even Jake Allen if they choose to go with him at some point. I would say that they have every other necessary piece in place to be a championship team (although I would say that they need to get Kevin Shattenkirk back ASAP). Look, Elliott has good numbers and he's had good numbers for a few years now, but when I think of championship-calibre goaltenders he's not a guy who comes to mind. The West is too deep and too good and scores too many goals.
I am rooting for Montreal in the Finals no matter what and they're going to be there and they're going to win because they're heroes and Carey Price is playing like a god of goaltending this season. They don't score a lot of goals (which is why Carey Price should get every last vote for MVP this season), but that's not such a bad sign for the playoffs. There's always less scoring in the playoffs and the importance of goaltending is amplified to exponential levels. Personally, I would most like to see them face Winnipeg in the Finals, but I think that's unlikely. I would NEVER root for the Flames or Canucks, so I agree that a St. Louis/Montreal Finals would be the best way to go.
As much as it hurts to type this, I don't think anyone gets past the Rangers in the East. I think they would still be challenging for the President's Cup even if I were in goal. They are playing such solid hockey, and the goalies, when required, are standing on their heads.
Jagger69
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
I don't disagree with your assessment of Brian Elliott. He is a good, not great, goaltender who tends to play as well as his defensemen do. If you need him to stand on his head to steal you a playoff game, he's probably not that guy. However, it's been proven that it doesn't take a world-class goaltender to win the Stanley Cup (i.e. Corey Crawford) even though it damn-sure helps! My concern for the Blues in the playoffs has little to do with their goaltending however (Jake Allen is a solid backup....has a really bright future). I just don't think they have the personnel to overcome Chicago or LA (if they even make the playoffs....I mean, what the hell is wrong here??). Even Minnesota, Nashville and Winnipeg give the Blues fits and would make for tough playoff matchups. The Blues are the epitome of a really good team who just can't seem to reach greatness no matter what they do. I agree we need Shattenkirk back in the worst way....he's likely the most underrated D-man in the league. I liked our moves at the trade deadline....we got bigger and more aggressive on the blueline but I still don't think it's going to be enough. Do I sound like a jaded Blues fan? Is there any other kind??
:crying:
Jagger69
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
The huge comeback win by St. Louis last night on the road against Pittsburgh would have been much bigger had Nashville lost to Montreal. To the Predators' credit, however, they came back from a 2-1 third period deficit to beat the Habs in OT. That made the difference between a single point and three points separating them and the Blues and with Chicago waiting in the weeds with two games in hand, this is still anyone's division out of the top three teams. Correspondingly, tonight I will be the world's biggest Flyers fan. A first round pairing of Nashville/Chicago sounds really good to me.
Jagger69
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
Don't look now but the surging Wild (terrible name but I love their team) are breathing down Chicago's neck for 3rd in the Central Division. Plus, the Jets are only 4 points behind the Hawks. Some really big games today as the Preds/Caps, Rangers/Bruins, Ducks/Isles, Sens/Leafs, Panthers/Canadiens and Kings/Wild all face off in crucial battles for playoff position. The Blues take on a heated-up Blue Jacket squad tonight at Scottrade in hopes of moving back into the top spot in the Central. Columbus has been no pushover in recent days having whipped both Anaheim and Chicago this week....the win against the Hawks on the road in convincing style last night at the Madhouse by a 5-2 score. I sure hope the boys wearing the note won't be taking them lightly as we need this win at home to keep pace with a suddenly-resurgent Nashville team. Man, what a final 2 weeks this is going to be!
Jagger69
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
Yep, although I really don't know how they allowed Lucic's first goal after the ref waved it off. Anyway, the Bruins are still alive. The Panthers face a must-win scenario tonight in Montreal. The Preds appear to be back on track. We'll see what happens tonight with the remainder of the schedule. Some key games on tap!
Jagger69
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
Man, Columbus has got to be the absolute best team in the league that isn't making the playoffs! They've won 8 road games in a row (an incredible feat) and easily (and I do mean easily) have beaten Anaheim, Chicago and St. Louis over their past 3 games. This is a team to look for next year.....these guys are loaded with young talent.
Jagger69
Three lullabies in an ancient tongue
The Bruins OT win today was huge for them. Coupled with the Ottawa loss to the Panthers (who are still in the race....they have 2 games left on the schedule against Boston) puts them 3 points up. However, the race is tighter than that since Ottawa has a game in hand so we'll see how that plays out. The Wild Card race in the East is going to be a dogfight. Meanwhile, after Minnesota beat LA last night and Calgary beat the Predators this afternoon, it puts a whole new spin on things in the West. The Blues are 3 points down after their loss to Columbus last night but they now hold 2 games in hand so the opportunity is there if they can grab it. Also, Minnesota remains absolutely on fire and moves ahead of Chicago for 3rd in the Central even though the Hawks hold 2 games in hand so they can also take it back if they win those games. My God....what a season it has been and what a final 2 weeks this is going to be! Sitting on the edge of my seat for almost every game now....man, hockey just fucking rocks!!!
kings @ hawks on nbcsc tonight.
seen tickets at $53 for nose bleeds and tempted.
seen tickets at $53 for nose bleeds and tempted.
1-1 after the 1st at the UC.
Quick is impressive with 15 saves as the Hawks are controlling the puck.
Quick is impressive with 15 saves as the Hawks are controlling the puck.
Hawks up 3-1 
artysml:
Kieth and Hjalmarsson score a minute apart early in the 2nd.
artysml:Kieth and Hjalmarsson score a minute apart early in the 2nd.
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