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2018-2019 NHL Hockey Thread

Redress said:
Sparks is 25. Give him a couple years to finish developing. There is real potential there.
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Dubas made the decision that if Sparks was left unprotected he'd be claimed and that no one would claim McIllaney and I've forgotted the other guy, but both were claimed and have played well for their new teams, much better than Sparks has played for Toronto. And Babcock doesn't like/trust him. I don't believe he'll play for the Leafs again as long as Babcock is coach, but that's not to say that Babcock will be with the organization longer than Sparks.
 
Dragonfly said:
Can anybody beat Tampa Bay this year? :shock:
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President's Trophy winning teams rarely win the Cup - not sure why, but just look at Washington who couldn't win as the best team in the regular season and then won last year when a lower seed. Tampa might be the exception though, since they don't seem to have many flaws. They are not unbeatable, however.
 
For what it's worth, I'll take:

Tampa to beat Columbus in 5
Toronto to beat Boston in 6
Washington to beat Carolina in 7
NY Islanders to beat Pittsburgh in 5

Calgary to beat Colorado in 5
San Jose to beat Vegas in 5
Nashville to beat Dallas in 7
St. Louis to beat Winnipeg in 6
 
CanadaJohn said:
President's Trophy winning teams rarely win the Cup - not sure why, but just look at Washington who couldn't win as the best team in the regular season and then won last year when a lower seed. Tampa might be the exception though, since they don't seem to have many flaws. They are not unbeatable, however.
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Which would be a more colossal implosion:

Bruins winning first three games against the Flyers, only to lose the series 4-3, with a 3 goal lead in game 7, then losing?

or

Tampa Bay get's eliminated in 2019 playoff series at any time?

It's just hard to NOT think this is Tampa's year.

I know it's rare, but so was the entire season for Tampa.
 
CanadaJohn said:
President's Trophy winning teams rarely win the Cup - not sure why, but just look at Washington who couldn't win as the best team in the regular season and then won last year when a lower seed. Tampa might be the exception though, since they don't seem to have many flaws. They are not unbeatable, however.
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The President's cup team does have the best odds, but a 1 in 4ish chance is still not good odds.

And my picks, which are notoriously bad:

Tampa over Columbus: the Captain Obvious pick
Boston over Toronto: good defense beats good offense, plus Boston are more natural divers
Washington over Carolina: should be a fun series, Carolina is better than people think
Islanders over Penguins: my head says experience wins, but my heart is all Isles. Going with my heart

Calgary over Avs: Avs losing is always a good thing. They made the playoffs, and have the best odds for the lottery...
Vegas over San Jose: I can't explain why, but that is what I think
Nashville over Dallas: Fun series, but Nashville has more talent
Blues over Thrashers: one ended the season hot, one, not so much

Tampa over Nashville in the finals.
 
Dragonfly said:
Boston Toronto game is entertaining.

Rooting for Toronto!!!!
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I'm switching back and forth with the Mets. I can't stand either team so its hard to watch because I'm not rooting for anything. Marner looks likes he's 15.
 
Hari Seldon said:
I'm switching back and forth with the Mets. I can't stand either team so its hard to watch because I'm not rooting for anything. Marner looks likes he's 15.
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I hate the Islanders, but I'll gladly dance a happy dance to help them beat the Penguins!!!

Between the Leafs and the Bruins, I'll take the Leafs.
SCORE!!!!
 
Dragonfly said:
I hate the Islanders, but I'll gladly dance a happy dance to help them beat the Penguins!!!

Between the Leafs and the Bruins, I'll take the Leafs.
SCORE!!!!
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I guess I am rooting for the Leafs as the Isles matchup better against them than Boston. I'm am really surprised at the score. Thought Boston would smoke them. Taveras no dice on a breakaway.
 
Hari Seldon said:
I guess I am rooting for the Leafs as the Isles matchup better against them than Boston. I'm am really surprised at the score. Thought Boston would smoke them. Taveras no dice on a breakaway.
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At end of second, Boston is lucky to not be down 5-1.
 
Can't ask for a better road game from the Leafs - they played pretty much a perfect game. Best game for the Leafs all year. Truly telling was how slow Boston looked against so much Leafs' speed, and Chara looked like a statue most of the night.

It's only one game, but I've known the Leafs can play this well and it's been disappointing that they haven't played this well consistently most of the year. Hopefully, the Leafs won't get caught up in the excitement of one good game and the veterans can bring some calm and stability.

Beautiful move by Tavares to score the empty net sealer - awesome.

Good start!!
 
Carolina making a comeback. Down 3 - 2 in the third but going on the PP.
 
Hari Seldon said:
I'm switching back and forth with the Mets. I can't stand either team so its hard to watch because I'm not rooting for anything. Marner looks likes he's 15.
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Same thing with the Toronto/Boston series. Two teams I really dislike, and thankfully lots of other games to watch.

And how about those Islanders!
 
Hari Seldon said:
Carolina making a comeback. Down 3 - 2 in the third but going on the PP.
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Carolina made a good showing, but Washington has too much talent and experience. I predict Carolina will go deep in the playoffs soon, within a couple years, but not yet.
 
Redress said:
Same thing with the Toronto/Boston series. Two teams I really dislike, and thankfully lots of other games to watch.

And how about those Islanders!
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Isles played great. A couple of posts/cross bars, a called back goal on an off side, a late goal with an empty net and they still won. The barn is rockin! Looking forward to tomorrow.
 
Nassau is rocking again tonight!
 
That was a fun game. And Tampa is in trouble, though it seems like we have seen this with Columbus winning the first two before...
 
Sharks/Knights is insane! Vegas up 3-0 in less than 10 minutes, by the end of the period, it is tied. 1 period, 6 goals, 8 penalties, 2 5 on 3s...
 
Redress said:
That was a fun game. And Tampa is in trouble, though it seems like we have seen this with Columbus winning the first two before...
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Kucherov is a dirty player. He did similar bullsit when the Isles were smoking them 6 - 1 in the regular season. Yes, Yes, Yes, go Isles!!!

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 
Lots of surprises thus far... playoff hockey isn’t regular season hockey.

Been following Columbus all season... tracking Hannikainen’s progress. Looks like Duschene and Panarin are gelling a’la Panarin/Kane. If that continues... Ooooooo.... they’re deadly.
 
Kadri with an intentional cross check to the head. Done for the game, could be for the series. Another dirty player. Game 3 should be fun. Boston and Toronto look like they really hate each other.
 
Hari Seldon said:
Kadri with an intentional cross check to the head. Done for the game, could be for the series. Another dirty player. Game 3 should be fun. Boston and Toronto look like they really hate each other.
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Didn't see the play - after the first period, I stopped watching in disgust. I've seen too many games this year where the officiating is non-existing and disgraceful. You talk about Kadri being a dirty player, but Boston is full of dirty players and for whatever reason the officials called nothing. I'm used to it all year, with the Leafs being the team with the fewest power plays in the league all year, so I knew from the first period it was going to be one of those games where the Bruins were allowed to do whatever they wanted without fear of the Leafs going on the power play. As Mike Babcock stated once earlier this year, the Leafs aren't built to be a dirty/rough team - their defense against dirty play is pocketing power play goals - and if the league or the individual referees decide to ignore blatant penalties, the Leafs will lose that battle. We'll never know, but the officials in last night's game should receive league discipline and, additionally, not see the ice the rest of the playoffs.

Boston is a better team in a no rules NHL and they showed it last night - Leafs are a far more skilled hockey team - it's been said that the league is trying to move past its dirty hockey era, protecting its skilled players and promoting what they do best. Seems they haven't yet carried that to the playoffs. As one wag said after the game, Kadri would have been better off dropping his gloves and fighting instead of crosschecking the guy because the refs wouldn't have called a penalty for fighting. When I review the play later today, I'll be sure to watch the Bruin hit on Marleau that led to the Kadri crosscheck. From what I saw of the first period, it was a Boston strategy to maul Kadri all night, as long as the officials let them get away with it. I assume frustration finally set in, but Kadri should know better.
 
CanadaJohn said:
Didn't see the play - after the first period, I stopped watching in disgust. I've seen too many games this year where the officiating is non-existing and disgraceful. You talk about Kadri being a dirty player, but Boston is full of dirty players and for whatever reason the officials called nothing. I'm used to it all year, with the Leafs being the team with the fewest power plays in the league all year, so I knew from the first period it was going to be one of those games where the Bruins were allowed to do whatever they wanted without fear of the Leafs going on the power play. As Mike Babcock stated once earlier this year, the Leafs aren't built to be a dirty/rough team - their defense against dirty play is pocketing power play goals - and if the league or the individual referees decide to ignore blatant penalties, the Leafs will lose that battle. We'll never know, but the officials in last night's game should receive league discipline and, additionally, not see the ice the rest of the playoffs.

Boston is a better team in a no rules NHL and they showed it last night - Leafs are a far more skilled hockey team - it's been said that the league is trying to move past its dirty hockey era, protecting its skilled players and promoting what they do best. Seems they haven't yet carried that to the playoffs. As one wag said after the game, Kadri would have been better off dropping his gloves and fighting instead of crosschecking the guy because the refs wouldn't have called a penalty for fighting. When I review the play later today, I'll be sure to watch the Bruin hit on Marleau that led to the Kadri crosscheck. From what I saw of the first period, it was a Boston strategy to maul Kadri all night, as long as the officials let them get away with it. I assume frustration finally set in, but Kadri should know better.
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Now hold on CJ. I have seen the video, and Kadri is going to be suspended. In fact, they are offering him an in person hearing, so expect more than 1 game. DeBrusk should be suspended too, for his knee on knee on Kadri that the refs missed. But the refs where not the reason Toronto lost, nor are they the reason Kadri will be suspended. The hit on Marloue(SP?) was nasty, but not illegal. One of those where the player(Debrusk again) should have given up the hit, but didn't. I so wish that players would just not drive others into the boards at that spot.




But again, the problem for the Leafs was not the refs. Kukla's Korner Hockey - Kukla's Korner
 
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