NHL 2016 - 17

[Thumper]

Found the Ducks, they beat Edmonton in Game 7 to move on. Good series, sorry Parrot.
Pittsburgh wins an exciting series with Washington by also taking Game 7.

[Rommie]

That was a really exciting game to watch! Though seriously, I don't think Crosby should be playing.

I find it kinda hilarious that it's Predators vs Ducks now for the other team. If the Pens get to the finals I can't figure out which would be more entertaining to play, though I feel Ducks vs Penguins would take the cake.

[Parrothead]

Ducks vs Edmonton, that game that went to triple OT. What a game! Enjoyed the series. I don't really care which team wins, between Ottawa and Pittsburgh. Preds have been impressive, these playoffs. Ducks don't quit, the comebacks they have pulled off. Western final is what I'm mostly watching. I'll just hope whichever team takes the West, wins the Cup.

[Thumper]

Well, I'm kinda rooting for Ottawa because some guy I know is hoping for a Canadian team to make make it to the finals.
They blasted the Penguins last night, wow. Trying to watch the Ducks and the Predators but I can't tell them apart.

[Parrothead]

Preds move on to their first Cup Final. I really enjoyed that series against the Ducks. Gotta think Rinne will take the Conn Smythe award, the way he's been playing.

Pens could join them tonight.

[Thumper]

It was an exciting 3rd period last night. 2 empty net goals. Not sure what to make of the large catfish. Seems like the Predators had half a dozen guys on crutches or not dressed. Tough season.

[Thumper]

Great game last night in Ottawa. Penguins apparently owned the first half of the game but could not get anything on the board. I guess a large part of that was due to Anderson, I thought he was going to end up with 50 saves. I watched Crosby get pummeled so bad I almost felt sorry for him. They had a guy beating on him almost constantly. I also hadn't realized that the Penguins had pretty much made a permanent switch to Murray.

[Rommie]

I think they just never recovered from that series w Washington. And guess they won't rest for the finals now either.

[Parrothead]

And then there were two. Stanley Cup Final will feature Nashville vs. Pittsburgh. Game 1 in Pittsburgh, on Monday, May 29th. Preds have had time to rest. According to the schedule, the best of 7 series will be played: M, W, Sat., M, Th, Sun, W. (last three, if necessary). An extra night off when travelling between cities. All games start at 8 pm EDT.

Pittsburgh won Game 7 of their series with Ottawa, in 2 OT.

[Rommie]

I watched to the end! What an exciting overtime!

The final goal was so weird though I almost couldn't believe it ended so quickly. Looked like Ottawa couldn't believe it either.

Let's go Pens!

[Thumper]

So Pitt up 1-0. I wonder if the NHL world is pissed with the two teams in the final: Pennsylvania and Tennessee not really the cradle of hockey.

[Rommie]

My experience is the cradles of hockey are watching anyway!

[Thumper]

The Blue Jackets are certainly only spectators.

[Parrothead]

The Preds have made a series of it. Looking forward to tonight's game.

[SciFiFisher]

My experience is the cradles of hockey are watching anyway!

It's like football. If your team isn't playing or winning you can always hate some other team.

[Thumper]

We never stop hating Michigan...

[Parrothead]

Pens can clinch the Cup tonight. It would keep their streak alive of winning the Cup, on the road. Preds to win, need to do what they have done every series (not having home ice advantage) win one on the road. Given the dog of a series this has been, I'd love to see this series go the full seven games, these final two being close, rather than lopsided wins.

A week ago, through fan voting, the Top Ten NHL Teams were announced and on listed NHL.com. No real quibbles about the top 3, but I'd still give the 1976 - 77 Habs the edge. Regular season 60 wins, 8 losses and 12 ties. Only 2 losses in the playoffs. Dryden a 1.55 GAA. No surprise four of the 10 are Oilers teams of the 80's.

[Parrothead]

Congrats Pittsburgh Penguins! Back to back Stanley Cup Champions. Crosby wins the Conn Smythe two years in a row.

Gotta feel for Nashville on the disallowed goal. Whistle went before the puck went in, but the puck was free. Hate it when a bad call happens.

Cheers!


Go Leafs!

[Rommie]

Champions!!!

I felt bad for Nashville about that goal, and would be really frustrated by how that game went if I was a Preds fan, but honestly, the behavior of the Nashville fans during the presentation of the Cup was pretty disgraceful. I mean, I hadn't watched the final game in years, but pretty sure it's not normal to boo and jeer on the level they did. Didn't seem very sportsmanlike.

I will also confess that I am secretly relieved that hockey is done now. I mean it's obviously awesome when your team wins, but there's been a lot of hockey to watch lately so I'm kinda cool now that it's June to spend my evenings doing something else!

[Parrothead]

Actually the booing was quite normal. It wasn't the Pens they were booing, it was Bettman.

[Parrothead]

Was reading a story this morning. Once the Pens names are engraved on the Stanley Cup, it will be full again. The top band will be removed to make room for future winners. The band will join others in the Hockey Hall of Fame. The winners on the band to be removed:

1953-54, 54-55 Red Wings
1955-56 - 59-60 Habs.
1960-61 Blackhawks.
1961-62 - 63-64 Leafs.
1964-65 Habs.

Looking forward to 2030 - the band covering 1965-66 to 1977-78 will be removed - 8 Habs, 2 Bruins, 2 Flyers and 1 Leafs victories.

The removal of bands was decided to be the best option. At it's current size, the Stanley Cup is just shy of 36 inches in height and weighs 35 lbs. A pretty good size for lifting over the head (on skates).

Rommie: Left for this season - Awards Show before the end of the month and July 1st is the first day for signing free-agents, for next season.

[Thumper]

Yeah, I think there is universal hate for Bettman, maybe he and Goodell should compare notes. I read a story by a big Crosby hater who defended Crosby. Paraphrasing: "As much as I hate Crosby and everything he does and stands for, he does everything the league allows him to in order to win. You don't like what he does, blame Bettman and the league. You don't like goons, or fighting, Bettman says you do. Don't think your favorite guy isn't willing to claw and scratch (and take a dive) or do whatever he can get away with to be called a champion. Crosby didn't invent the game, he's just the best at playing hit how it's currently allowed to be played."