The Official NHL Thread

[Angrychris]

Can't believe the kings are doing so well.

[Sphere]

Can't believe the kings are doing so well.

Tough, physical teams over perform in the playoff's, fast, high skill teams struggle.

[Lord Rahl]

Yup, if you're in a 7 game series then it's more about grinding it, outplaying the opposition than having superior skill.

[Jakethe_Snake15]

Besides, the Kings underperformed if anything during the regular season. With the calibre of talent that they do have, they should have been a 5th seed at the very worst in the Western Conference, however, after some struggles offensively and a coaching change occurred, they managed to squeak in in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
And Rahl already summed it up - it's about outplaying, not out-skilling the opposition during playoffs.

[DekuTrash]

Like many other people, the lockout of yesteryear totally killed my interest in the NHL. But this years playoffs has pulled me back in, great stuff all around.

Also, I'm sure plenty have seen this...but for those who haven't.

[Jakethe_Snake15]

Wow...+rep
That made my day! I honestly hadn't seen the logos before (Gorton's yes, Islanders, no) but...awesome.

Unfortunately, we may be headed to another lock out... The CBA is up fairly soon, and there seems to be some issues coming between the owners and players again.

I doubt that we'd get another lock out so soon, but it might just happen if the right people get angry at the wrong moment.

[DekuTrash]

That would REALLY suck if that kind of crap went down again. I'd hate for there not to be a season just as I'm getting back into hockey again. I've gotten so nostalgic over the past couple of weeks I popped in NHL 2k5 the other day to look at the Avs franchise I had going. 17 Stanley Cups in a row and an Av winning every award.

[Achea]

Way to go LA! Glad the Canucks are gone. Hopefully the Sens can get 'er done tomorrow.

Three other ridiculous NHL jerseys:

The Burger King (LA third in the mid 90's)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Orchestra (St Louis third that thankfully got scrapped at the last minute)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Flying V (Anaheim third)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Lord Rahl]

Arizona Toughens Immigration Laws In Attempt To Rid State Of Phoenix Coyotes

PHOENIX—Arizona governor Jan Brewer signed legislation Thursday designed to finally expel the Phoenix Coyotes and other immigrants blamed for playing hockey in the state. "For too long, Arizona has been plagued by savage Canadian and European men seeping through our borders to engage in these lewd and violent activities," said Brewer, adding that police have found evidence of a facility in the Phoenix suburbs where such immigrants maintain a large sheet of ice. "It's time we send a message to these people that hockey is not welcome here. This crucial legislation empowers law enforcement to arrest the Coyotes and any other groups of Czechs found congregating on frozen water so they can be removed from our state as soon as possible." Arizona police have already made their first arrest under the law, apprehending Coyotes captain Shane Doan Thursday night for driving while under the influence of the metric system.

[DekuTrash]

You had me there for a second.



Wow, Shane Doan is still with the Coyotes? That's a true team player right there, I would have left Phoenix years ago.

[Ulyaoth]

Like many other people, the lockout of yesteryear totally killed my interest in the NHL. But this years playoffs has pulled me back in, great stuff all around.

Also, I'm sure plenty have seen this...but for those who haven't.

Hey the fisherman was awesome, I still have a few of those jerseys.

[Lord Rahl]

Well, there go the defending champs. Boston is one of the few teams outside of Calgary and Dallas that I'll root for. I used to like the Caps a lot more when Ovechkin was a beast but they haven't really dazzled me over the last few years.

[Achea]

That was a great series by the Caps. Proved that they can play tough, defensive hockey. We are now in a position that the bottom 4 seeds in the east may all advance.

[Ulyaoth]

Eh, no one left for me to bandwagon now, I hate every team left other than Phillie but they aren't going anywhere.

[Achea]

Eh, no one left for me to bandwagon now, I hate every team left other than Phillie but they aren't going anywhere.

Yeah, I don't like their chances against New York. If they are to make the finals, the Flyers are going to have to hope that the Caps upset the Rangers.

[Achea]

Wow, the Coyotes are really taking it to the Preds.

Now, alot of people are suggesting, including Edmonton sportswriters, that the Oilers trade the #1 pick for Luke Schenn, Nazem Kadri and the #5 pick from Toronto. The following is why this is ridiculous and should never, EVER happen.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I will start this at the 2009 draft, because anything after that is too hard to judge.

Year----1st Overall-----5th Overall-------Worth Kadri+Schenn+5th?
2009----Tavares-------B.Schenn------------------------No----------
2008----Stamkos-------L.Schenn------------------------No---------
2007------Kane----------Alzner-------------------------No---------
2006----E.Johnson-------Kessel------------------------Yes--------
2005-----Crosby---------Price--------------------------No---------
2004----Ovechkin------Wheeler------------------------No----------
2003----Fleury---------Vanek------------------------Arguable-----
2002----Nash----------Ry.Whitney---------------------No----------
2001---Kovalchuk-------Chistov------------------------No---------
2000----Dipietro---------Torres------------------------Yes-------

[So Much Fire]

Might watch the next Kings-Blues game with broom in hand. Hasn't been a sweep yet, it's bound to happen at least once every playoff run and we're due for one.

Should NJ and Rangers both advance, NJ is probably going to have a cakewalk into the finals if the regular season is any indication. Phoenix despite all the hate they get (and they still have some delusional fans who defend Torres) are one of the more interesting teams these playoffs, you wouldn't expect much out of them if it wasn't for Tippett.

I'm officially on the Kings bandwagon now until the Ducks make the playoffs next year

[Achea]

Honestly, if the WCF ends up LA/PHX I will be very happy.

[So Much Fire]

Bring out 'yer brooms!

The one sweep of the 2012 playoffs and I'm left smiling

[Sphere]

Wow NJ is a tough hardworking team.

NJ v. LA cup finals? It would be brutal.