National Hockey League 2007-08 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Matrix XII]

I understand what you're saying, the reason why I thought they were overrated is because Montreal is a good example of a great regular season team. They weren't on top for the majority of the regular season but their players were playing really well, perhaps better than they should be playing. If you were into pre-season analytics the Habs weren't even slated to make the playoffs, or around 7-8th in the East.

They have a rookie goalie, I really don't think they have a very strong set of forwards, and they aren't big and physical enough as a team to win the cup. When you live in the West, everyone is always talking about TO or MTL in the East, and they get way more press coverage and the general population of Canada lives in those two areas and it gets tiring because they believe that their team is better than they are. (Note TO thought they had a chance to make the playoffs with around 12 games left, LOL)

Montreal is a great team, I just thought even before the playoffs they'd have a tough time in a playoff series because I don't feel they are physical enough. The hit counts may be in their favour, but I believe Philly has been more physical in this series, perhaps why you view them as bullies.

I predicted they'd go out in round 2 because of these reasons.

Edited May 2, 2008 by Matrix XII

[Elezibeth]

Hey guys, long time huh?

What can I say, Detroit/Colorado... I almost feel bad for the Avs, it was like watching a reply of the 7-0 playoff massacre a few years back...

Now the Wings just need to hold things together and keep their intensity level up for the finals, and then bring the Cup back to Hockeytown!

[Tokar]

Montreal IS outplaying and outchancing Philly. We're winning in goalposts about 8-2. :p

I'm not liking the style of hockey played by the Flyers. They have a couple of great players who are doing their scoring, but the rest seem like a team of thugs. Boston played with far more class in that series. In the end of course, it all boils down to who wins. Philly is winning and will most likely go on to win the series, unless the Habs can pull off a repeat of 4 years ago.

How is the team with the most GA, the best PP and the almost best PK overrated? Seems like a silly thing to say. Anything can happen in the playoffs to make the regular season stats look out of place; why would this now seem odd to any of you?

*yawn*... 3-1...

The style of play by the Flyers is the way hockey was meant to be played. This is why the Caps/Flyers series was the most exciting in the first round out of all the 8 series. It was a series of inches, battles on the boards, puck battles, very hard fought and physical. Flyers had just enough to outmuscle the Caps and win in game 7.

I dont think the Habs are overrated like the other poster had said, but I do agree with the notion that Montreal lives and dies by the PP. I watch all the postgame stuff on TSN.ca website and the one guy keeps saying "The Habs strength has become their weakness. Yes, they scored those 2 PP goals on that 5 min major, but overall their PP is just abysmal."

They are getting outmuscled and outplayed when it matters most to them - while on their PP. Flyers seem to block their shots, Biron is on his game, and the defense never lets a rebound really kill them...they are always at the puck to clear it.

On the other end, Montreal's PK has been poor as well. Flyers are 4 for 11 on the power play this series (36.3%)...Habs therefore are 63.7% on the PK - that is rather bad. 4 power play goes are not many in four games, but its four goals on just 11 PP's.

Considering that Montreal has an advantage in the PP department (15, with two 5-3's and a 5min major, to 11, with only one 5-3), you would expect them to be doing better. Yes, the math shows 4 PP goals in 15 chances for a 26.7% efficiency rate, but take out the 5min major and the 2 goals from that single powerplay (had it been a 4 min double minor, the Habs would have only scored a single PP goal since the Flyers killed off the first two and a half mins of the major before the first goal) and it becomes 2 goals in 14 chances, or 13.3% (or 3 in 15, for 20.0%, if you look at it from a double minor standpoint). Not exactly something to write home about.

[gigapixels Veteran]

... What the hell happened to my Avs? Seriously, it was like they were sleeping the whole time.

/me cries.

[mikebiacsi]

8-2...oh dear :no: Not much else i can say on that really.....

[Cara Veteran]

... What the hell happened to my Avs? Seriously, it was like they were sleeping the whole time.

/me cries.

What can I say, the Wings are back. :)

About time they play like the champions that they are.

[bayrider]

*yawn*... 3-1...

The style of play by the Flyers is the way hockey was meant to be played. This is why the Caps/Flyers series was the most exciting in the first round out of all the 8 series. It was a series of inches, battles on the boards, puck battles, very hard fought and physical. Flyers had just enough to outmuscle the Caps and win in game 7.

I dont think the Habs are overrated like the other poster had said, but I do agree with the notion that Montreal lives and dies by the PP. I watch all the postgame stuff on TSN.ca website and the one guy keeps saying "The Habs strength has become their weakness. Yes, they scored those 2 PP goals on that 5 min major, but overall their PP is just abysmal."

They are getting outmuscled and outplayed when it matters most to them - while on their PP. Flyers seem to block their shots, Biron is on his game, and the defense never lets a rebound really kill them...they are always at the puck to clear it.

On the other end, Montreal's PK has been poor as well. Flyers are 4 for 11 on the power play this series (36.3%)...Habs therefore are 63.7% on the PK - that is rather bad. 4 power play goes are not many in four games, but its four goals on just 11 PP's.

Considering that Montreal has an advantage in the PP department (15, with two 5-3's and a 5min major, to 11, with only one 5-3), you would expect them to be doing better. Yes, the math shows 4 PP goals in 15 chances for a 26.7% efficiency rate, but take out the 5min major and the 2 goals from that single powerplay (had it been a 4 min double minor, the Habs would have only scored a single PP goal since the Flyers killed off the first two and a half mins of the major before the first goal) and it becomes 2 goals in 14 chances, or 13.3% (or 3 in 15, for 20.0%, if you look at it from a double minor standpoint). Not exactly something to write home about.

That's a pretty fair assessment. Despite Montreal getting a lot more scoring chances, shots on goal and puck possession time, Philly has done a great job of keeping Montreal to the perimeter, playing strong on the puck and the boards, clogging up the front of the net to sweep away rebounds and pressuring the pointmen. Now what Philly has done with the little chances it has had is what Montreal isn't doing: capitalizing on opportunities. Ya, it seems like Philly got at least 1 freebie goal a game, but Montreal needs to take advantage of opportunities given to them. All those posts simply means Montreal didn't score. How many open nets did guys like Higgins and Kovalev flake on? If you can't do that in the playoffs, you don't belong. Our defense has been awful in the playoffs and other than Koivu I don't see many players playing with determination, heart and urgency in their game.

As for Philly being built for the playoffs, I wouldn't agree with that statement. They're playing alright, but they need to do better in limiting the opposition presence in their zone. They're not nearly as physical as they should be. Don't use Montreal as an example because Montreal is not that tough either. I've been keeping a close eye on the Penguins and I feel that they're the most "built for the playoffs" in the East. They fight non stop for territory and puck possession, they seldom play soft on the puck, their defense has really picked it up in the playoffs as has their goaltending, and of course you got all offense that can expose you like no other. I wouldn't want to give ateam like Pittsburgh 38 SOG like you did Montreal.

[Joel]

The style of play by the Flyers is the way hockey was meant to be played. This is why the Caps/Flyers series was the most exciting in the first round out of all the 8 series. It was a series of inches, battles on the boards, puck battles, very hard fought and physical. Flyers had just enough to outmuscle the Caps and win in game 7.

I'm not exactly saying they're winning something by being cheap, because that would take away from the way Biron has played. But there's something else in the mix that IS about HOW they play that's bugging me. I don't know what it is, and it very well may be just that they've worked out how to stifle Montreal's offense, I don't know. The uncalled-for hits by a bunch of guys that look like they were drafted in a bar doesn't appeal to me though, and the officiating has stunk it up the last 2 games for sure. It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow night.

When you live in the West, everyone is always talking about TO or MTL in the East, and they get way more press coverage and the general population of Canada lives in those two areas and it gets tiring because they believe that their team is better than they are. (Note TO thought they had a chance to make the playoffs with around 12 games left, LOL)

That's because the CBC count on the Maple Laughs as their primary market team. Montreal is their sloppy seconds when the Leafs choke.

If the teams in the East aren't better, where are the teams in Western Canada right now that should be on the news? They should be winning their series, no? Nope, they're playing golf already. Yes, we may join them in a few days, but that's longer than the other so-called "stronger" teams from the mighty West spent in the playoffs this year. ;)

[rajputwarrior]

That's because the CBC count on the Maple Laughs as their primary market team. Montreal is their sloppy seconds when the Leafs choke.

If the teams in the East aren't better, where are the teams in Western Canada right now that should be on the news? They should be winning their series, no? Nope, they're playing golf already. Yes, we may join them in a few days, but that's longer than the other so-called "stronger" teams from the mighty West spent in the playoffs this year. ;)

absolutely, you are spot on!

[Matrix XII]

True, but the Northwest is the toughest division in hockey.

[gregb0b]

NA NA NA NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HEY HEY HEY GOOD BYEEEEEEEEEEE

Nice job philly!

[Matrix XII]

Habs are done, anyone listen to Don Cherry after the game? Said Montreal got worn down because of their size.

I guess you guys still don't think your team is overrated. :p

[Lewism]

Golf Habs Golf! :s

[NEVER85]

See you next season, Habs.

Habs are done, anyone listen to Don Cherry after the game? Said Montreal got worn down because of their size.

I guess you guys still don't think your team is overrated. :p

The Habs aren't overrated, although I can't say the same about your crybaby goalie Luongo.

[Matrix XII]

Naww they're just #1 seed in the east, could barely beat Boston and lost in 5 games in the second round.

[Joel]

It was a much better game tonight by both teams, much more actual hockey. They wwnt over 6 minutes without a whistle at one point. I can't believe they allowed the goal that was deflected from the hand, but it wasn't the factor in the win. They also missed a blatant high stick call. Biron wasn't as solid as he's been but he was still pretty damn good.

Why would they be overrated? Underrated teams can win too. And they just did. Pittsburgh will eat them up (well, they should, anyway). Stop being bitter about the Canucks being eliminated from the playoffs already. ;)

[SLeeM@N]

Flyers were lucky ... all games was advantage Montreal, we just miss too much chances. Anyways Flyers has no chance in third round...

Well done Canadiens great season! see ya next season :)

[Another Canuck]

It was a much better game tonight by both teams, much more actual hockey. They wwnt over 6 minutes without a whistle at one point. I can't believe they allowed the goal that was deflected from the hand, but it wasn't the factor in the win. They also missed a blatant high stick call. Biron wasn't as solid as he's been but he was still pretty damn good.

I still don't understand that goal either, really. I mean, they were debating it for about 5 minutes, then they come to the conclusion that he didn't deflect the puck, yet the give him the goal anyways?? :| And yeah, that miss on the high-sticking kinda grinds my gears a little. Either way though, you are right that they didn't really contribute to the outcome of the game.

See ya next year Habs :(

(I still blame part of this on Begin's pointless foul in the final minutes of the previous game on Thursday. Had he not done that, Philly wouldn't have gotten a power play and most likely would not have gotten that goal in the end, bringing the game into OT, owel.)

[Matrix XII]

It was a much better game tonight by both teams, much more actual hockey. They wwnt over 6 minutes without a whistle at one point. I can't believe they allowed the goal that was deflected from the hand, but it wasn't the factor in the win. They also missed a blatant high stick call. Biron wasn't as solid as he's been but he was still pretty damn good.

Why would they be overrated? Underrated teams can win too. And they just did. Pittsburgh will eat them up (well, they should, anyway). Stop being bitter about the Canucks being eliminated from the playoffs already. ;)

I'm not the least bit bitter about the Canucks not making the playoffs, we needed that for a shakeup. I'm just talking hockey and giving my opinions, that's all :p

[kylejn]

PENS WIN! WOOOOOOOOOO!

[Matrix XII]

Yay Pens! I've been cheering for them all playoffs, hopefully they win the cup :)

I think Crosby's ankle is acting up though, he doesn't look the same.

[Cara Veteran]

Yay Pens! I've been cheering for them all playoffs, hopefully they win the cup :)

I think Crosby's ankle is acting up though, he doesn't look the same.

Anyone else have the feeling this could be shaping up to be a Wings / Pens cup round?

[mikebiacsi]

Anyone else have the feeling this could be shaping up to be a Wings / Pens cup round?

That would be a good series :yes:

[Cara Veteran]

I agree, I do feel (biased) that Detroit has more depth than the Pens, however, they have sure looked like the team of Destiny this year!

Game ON! ;)

[Matrix XII]

I really don't want the Wings to win the cup, but I think they have the best chance right now. The Pens are probably 2nd to them right now. I really like watching them play, they're very entertaining and have such explosive forwards :)