Stanley Cup

[Bondo]

Well, watching the first period confirmed to me that Carolina doesn't have a chance, probably they won't win a game. ?They just haven't done anything offensively and as I noticed in Eastern Conference play, the Eastern teams tend to get more penalties, something that isn't a problem in the East where power plays suck, but Detoit's power play doesn't.

On the point of which Red Wing will win the Conn Smyth, Federov and Yzerman both look like probable candidates. ?IIRC the award is for the MVP of the playoffs, but also with the restriction that they had to play in the finals (or is it on the winning team?). ?Anyway, I think the clear MVP of the playoffs not considering those restrictions would be Peter Forsberg. ?He far and away led the league in points and all that without playing during the season. ?But since that can't happen, I'd say Yzerman depending on what happens during the four games of the finals.

[Jeb]

If i didn't have finals tomorrow, i'd be drunk and watching the stanley cup, just like so many canadians

[Ace]

Well, watching the first period confirmed to me that Carolina doesn't have a chance, probably they won't win a game.

Good call there.

As for your thoughts on MVP, you can't win the MVP if you don't make it to the Cup finals. There is no rule about this to my knowledge, but it's just not going to happen. Why you ask? Because the Stanley Cup playoffs are 100% about the team, and if your team doesn't make it to the Cup finals, you obviously weren't valuable enough. Based on what has happened so far, I would say that the goalies and captains have the best chance at winning the MVP.

[PsYcO aSsAsSiN]

Attention crack heads...Carolina wins game 1 3-2...

Even though I am rooting for the Wings, don't count out your enemy (Carolina) just yet unless you are a Lakers fan talking about the NBA finals...

[Grifter]

Ah yes, and Bondo shows his good judgement once again

I'd say that the Conn Smyth is still up for grabs. ?Both goalies are probably the number one contenders. ?But I doubt anyone is close to having it wrapped up just yet... a couple more shutouts would sow it up for Hassak... Carolina winning would probably set it up for Irbe... but there could be another dark horse out there to score a hat trick or two...

But, besides their play being outstanding, the goalies are always a good bet for MVP.

As for my prediction... I took the Wings in 6 in my pool. ?Carolina has absolutely nothing to lose, and that is always dangerous.

I'm sure Loudnotes is riding a high right now, and for good reason.

[Bondo]

I think the reason Carolina won tonight is because I made my post. ?Everyone knows I jinx like no other. ?Just look what happened after I said the chance of having a host everyone agrees on would be about as likely as the Red Wings beating the Avs.

Personally, I don't think Hasek deserves it, but maybe no one deserves it more.  The Red Wings have the problem of not really having one player who is standing out like Forsberg was for the Avs rather the whole team is just helping out.  But if the Canes win, Irbe gets it.  Still, no one will convince me that Forsberg wasn't the best player of the playoffs.

[Grifter]

The thing about the Wings is they know it's a team sport, and I'm sure would be glad to give up the Conn Smyth for Lord Stanley's Cup any day...  

Yes, the Wings while having many all star players play very much as a team (one more plus for Scotty's coaching skills).  Sakik has always reminded me of Yzermann (just shave 5 years off Stevie's career or so, and they've had the same style and leadership).  Forseburg reminds me of a younger Federov (Sergi was probably better offensivly when he first came in, but has given that up to play on both ends of the ice, where Forseburg played better defensivly, and keeps getting better on offense).  But all these stars still lay down on the ice to block shots, and always skate hard to beat that icing call.  The bigest difference is that the Av's had no "Grind Line"... a fourth line that actually can play with most teams first line.  The Av's have gotten away with that because Patrick Roy is such a rock... The Wings are just one of the few teams that can wear him down is all (not talking about just this year, but history).  

[Bondo]

Well, according to an article in the local paper, the Avs are looking to actually get free agents this year. ?Teemu Selane is one and I think he'd be a great winger to put on one of our top two lines. ?Anyway, just by adding a few players who are wing players the avs could move their Centers back into playing Center and it would really help make that grind line you speak of. ?Our 3 and 4 lines are extremely solid defensively as they are, but didn't do much offensively. ?It will be nice to see what the Avs can do with a completely healthy line-up though. ?I think Forsberg's coming back for the playoffs while helping the top lines, hurt the lower lines because it forced players down and broke up the lines.

[Grifter]

That's why Scotty changes the lines throught the season, especially near the end... so they all get to know each other.  Hell, he had something like 26 different combo's against the Av's one game... and that's just normal for Scotty.  When the Av's tried doing that in game 7, it cost them because they weren't used to it.

[†FiRE Infection]

As long as Carolina keeps the games close they have a better chance at winning them...I believe that was their 7th overtime win in the playoffs.

[Bondo]

Heh, way to be Mr. Obvious Infection  .

Carolina has a better chance at winning if they don't get behind than if they do.

[†FiRE Infection]

Heh, way to be Mr. Obvious Infection ?.

Carolina has a better chance at winning if they don't get behind than if they do.

Proud of it

I think they have a better chance of winning it the score is 2-2 and overtime then if they are winning 3-2 in the 2nd.

[jn.loudnotes]

I'm sure Loudnotes is riding a high right now, and for good reason.

Yup...and so I've decided to bring back my own cover of blackhand's hit song, "Dumbass"

Bondo...you are a DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS! DUMBASS!

[Brain]

you know, i'm actually not to suprized at that, infact i was wondering what took him so long

[Bondo]

Heh, all the thanks I give for giving my unbeatable jinx to the Red Wings.

[†FiRE Infection]

Heh loudnotes used that DUMBASS chant a lot in the Romeo and Juliet thread...mb Grift will start posting in blue and green again

[jn.loudnotes]

yeah...it's good to bring back a little of the old days of rainbow six every now and then.

I noticed even Bander posted yesterday

[Brain]

has anybody heard the story of the arena falily
they named their new baby boy joe lewis
joe  lewis arena, you think this kid is destined for hockey?

[Grifter]

I think that kid is going to get so mocked and beat up as he grows up, he'll turn out like Bondo... poor little guy.

[Bondo]

So, Joe Lewis Arena is going to be a brilliant person who is liked by everyone but a few assholes?  Sounds like a good life for him.