OT - Sunday NHL Open Thread
Wings/Preds at 12:00 PM EST today on NBC (also on CBC) - Flyers/Penguins to follow at 3:00 PM EST on NBC.
Panthers/Devils at 7:30 PM EST on NBCSN, and Kings/Canucks in the nightcap at 10:30 PM EST on NBCSN (on CBC).
For a NHL bracket listing all the first round playoff game times, click here.
Besides the Wings game, who are you watching? Of the other three series, who needs a win the most (Pittsburgh, Florida, or Vancouver)?
Wings give up about 2 shots in the 3rd and still give up a goal. Unbelievable. Disappointing loss after completely dominating the game starting half way through the second.
I'm not so sure about Tuesday...if Rinne stands on his head again (and he does that often against Detroit) we are just banging our heads against a wall. The shots in this game were 41-19, and we lost. A hot goalie is a dangerous thing in hockey. UM v. Air Force, anyone?
It's not really just a case of Rinne getting hot. He's probably one of the top 5 goalies in the league. Plus Nashville does a good job defensively making sure the Wings don't get too many high-quality chances. How many times this game did the Wings have what looked like a fantastic opportunity only to have a Nashville player block the shot or knock the puck away? It's really the settling 40-foot wrist shots and expecting to score on a goalie as good as Rinne is that's banging your head against a wall.
Bring in Farmington HS alumnus Brent Johnson
It's really more mostly the defense's fault than MAF or Bryz. Both team defenders have no fucking idea what they're doing. Whoever wins this series (almost assured to be Philly now) is going to get their asses kicked in the second round.
What a hit by Schenn. Dirty retaliation from Ashum, probably gone for the game.
As a Devil's fan I hate both of these teams, however I probably hate the Flyers more. That said, this series has been great from a neutral standpoint. Neither goalie has been good and it is by far the most physical series in the playoffs. The skill being shown has been great as well. The Pens look done, but I hope this one goes 7 just so I can watch.
Well Neal just made those guys look silly.
You have to pull FLeury at this point, right?
What a wierd game, Pitt/Philly. The dynamice here is amazing...But as a Pens fan, not looking good.
The Penguins must really hate their backup goalie. If for no other reason, the Pens need a jolt.
I think they just hate him. The first goal Johnson let in, the dense just stood there watching the puck go by.
This game is crazy. Sweet shot by Neal, but Ilya has got to keep his stick on the ice when he goes down.
We want...moooooooooooooore goals...
This game...this series...is ridiculous. I don't think I have I seen results so lopsided, but games so fun to watch.
This game has to be really tough to watch if you are a fan of either of the teams. The combination of offensive skill and momentary goaltender incompetence on both sides is mind boggling.
Corey Schneider is getting the nod in game 3 over Luongo.
This HAS to be the beginning of the end of that relationship between Vancouver and Luongo. He's a great goalie, but I don't know what it is about him and the playoffs sometimes.
Wow. Just wow. This has to end any talk of Luongo being one of the best ever right? Can you imagine Roy not getting a start in the playoffs? Personally speaking, I know Brodeur has had his ups and downs in the playoffs recently, but I sure as hell want him starting every playoff game. And it's not like Luongo has been awful this year. Nothing he could do about most of those goals.
Maybe it's just me, but I feel like when you have a future Hall of Famer in your net, you ride him out. Give him a chance to carry the team.
Is it just me or are some/quite a few, not all, the goals he's allowing really not on him. I feel like the Pens team has given Philly many opportunities and they're cashing in on them. Meaning, Fleury on many of these goals hasn't had a choice but to "flail" and pray some of the shots miss, and they haven't (for 3 games now). I'm not defending Fleury 100%, he's definitely not on his game, but the rest of the Pens haven't been helping much, in my mind anyway.
Annnnnnnd Johnson gives one up...not great to be a Pens fan, right about now. Though again, not reallllly his fault...
I agree that the Flyers are doing some pretty nasty things out there, but Fleury has given up several goals that had absolutely no business going in. The last two he let in were perfect shots. But a couple in the first period were pretty soft. In the context of the game I would have pulled him in the first intermission to try to spark the team.
Thoughts on James Neal? He's playing like a pissed off 12 year old right now.
He palyed great until he made those two hits toward the end of the game. Just put a sour note on his otherwise great game.
Nobody loves this brand of "hockey" more than Philly fans.
Game 4 is going to get out of hand, especially if the Flyers geta lead. The refs are not controlling this like they should. I realize I don't hate Crosby like almost everyone else here, but I have been a little impressed by him stepping into the middle of the fray a couple times today. I was under the impression he avoided that stuff.
He picks fights knowing his whole team will swarm when the other guy goes after him.
That's how any of the scrums he was in tonight happened. I don't want to be "all homer-like", being a Pens fan, but he held his own, on his own, today. I personally think most of it was frustration garbage and I wasn't a fan of much of the fighting and bickering that happened today; so by saying he held his own, I didn't condone or agree with how much of it went down. But to say he started something and just waited for the cavlary to arrive and bow out, isn't true. I think if the guy really wanted to go at someone, he could probably hold his own. He may be portrayed as a pu**y, but I don't think he is; more-so clever and "beneficial".
Edit: By saying much of that it sounds like I dissapprove of fighting in hockey. Not the case. But when your team is down, and about to be down 3-0 in a series, to see a bunch of harmful frustration like that when the team is in the game, it's hard to "like" or enjoy...even though it was entertaining as hell.
Happening now, one guy at a time.
Well I've seen him fight once today and saw the refs break up another fight he was going to get into. And teammates have always swarmed to protect the skill players.
THUGS! CRIMINALS! ALL NHL PLAYERS!!
I caught up with Kendall Fuller and asked him about him visit. http://mgorecruiting.blogspot.com/ Go Blue
How does Mr. Fuller feel about the NHL games today?
Final count: 133 penalty minutes. Over/Under for game 4, anyone?