The Official Neowin NHL Playoff Thread

[CatnipOligarchy]

Yeah, the Minnesota wild fans accepted the result when Colorado beat them for the series win :shifty:

:happy: ...yeah...some of them seem to be in denial though...they are all saying they are going to see game 4 tonight..

[neowin_hipster]

Maybe some people are in denial because the nhl is being shaken. All the crappy teams are doing well in the nhl, tampa bay, anaheim, vancouver, minnesota. It seems multi-million dollar powerhouse teams are way overpriced. If anaheim were crappy cheaters how come they only lost 1 game so far. Come-on. Anaheim has been screwed a few times by bad reffing. Game 1 for example. Had to go to 5th overtime for them to regain that lost goal.

Anaheim deserves credit. If you guys finally pull that high-and-mighty stick out of your ass maybe you'll finally see why.

[djlethal01]

Well im ashamed of my team.. They are falling apart right in front of my eyes. The nicest guy in the organization, Glen Metropolit wants out cause they have been treating him like ish. Morale from ECHL to NHL is **** poor. The coach is a moron, playing terrible players like Ciernik.. Atlanta wouldnt even play him. As for the playoffs.. I hope its Ottawa/Anaheim. Bettman would be really happy with 2 small markets playing for the cup :p. Im really pulling for Anaheim because I am a big Oates fan, definatley the best passer in the league's history, and u gotta feel good for Steve Rucchin whos brother, a player in Europe died this past summer. Chistov imo, can bloom in to a star like Kovalchuk who actually can play Defense. On another note could anyone imagine New Jesery/Philly series? OMG that would be a bloodbath like no other with the stakes being so high. But as for the Stars its time to write them off :D.. thats what they get for beating the Oilers.

[-Clark-]

flyers shutout ottawa 1-0 :whistle:

[mimeryme]

Yeah, I'm so sure none of you would feel that way if your team was in Dallas' position. High and mighty? Look in the mirror.

Now, I'll just watch what I can in peace.

[bayrider]

i think this is all a ploy to prove to the league and such that players dont need $10million + yearly contracts to play in this league... let them go back to minor leagues, russia or europe and play for a fraction of what they make in the NHL....

[axis]

I love this, I love the Ducks making all this noise. It shows you what happens when you are coached well, stick to a system and that a defense first mentality always works. Anaheim wins by mistakes they generate in the nuetral zone. I just can't believe everyone thinks it is only a goalie thing here though, you don't beat the two best teams in the west without solid defense. Why can't people get off this 'lucky' BS, whatever happen to talent and hard work, I hate jealous people. We all know that Dallas will not beat Giguere three games in a row, even Dallas knows that, Modano is setting up his golf schedule and Hatcher already talking about which team he wants to sign with next season.

If anything, there is a conspiracy to get the Ducks out of the playoffs, if you watched game four with an unbias approach, you would have seen the horrible calls going Dallas' way. And whoever said that the Arnott cross-check wasn't a penalty, let me board you into the boards, see if you get up complaining. Arnott knew it was and so did everyone on the Dallas bench. Anaheim will beat whoever makes it to the confrence finals and play New Jersey in the finals. It will be a 6-7 game series with Martin Broduer outplaying Giguere. The Devils will not loose, Scott Stevens will see to that. Don't be suprsied if Giguere still wins the Conn Smythe if they loose, that is how damn amazing he is this year.

[CatnipOligarchy]

Yeah, I'm so sure none of you would feel that way if your team was in Dallas' position. High and mighty? Look in the mirror.

i would be more than happy to have my team in dallas's position...2nd round of the playoffs...down 3-1 or not....i would love for my team to even make the playoffs...dallas has had a great season...and they still have a decent shot at coming back and winning this series...but there is no reason to start whining and calling the other team cheaters...just accept the situation and deal with it

[xpablo]

Just the thought of Anaheim in the playoffs make me sick.

It would be accepted if this team were called a different name maybe, I grant it that they have a few talented players with Kariya and Oates and Sykora and not too mention the hot goaltending

of Giguere which is the only reason the defeated Detroit.

I would just like to see Anaheim lose, I cant stand the thought of them making it to the playoffs.

But that call last night, was the whole series as that Blow Tart Cherry said tonite.

GO CANUCKS !!!

[Cara Veteran]

Ok, I'm kinda bad guys.

I'll side with the majority, the Ducks suck and rely on cheap goals to win. Can't be argued.

As for the stats, I'm wiping them tonight and will correct them when I get a minute. :)

[axis]

Can we define 'cheap goals'? You mean one-timers from Oates to Rucchin or Sykora, or ones where they are banging away at the loose change in front of the net? You have no clue what your talking about. You want cheap goals, look at what Dallas scored on in game 3, deflections off of shin guards. Know what your talking about before talking, jesus, the majority is mindless front runners. Pick your home team and shut up, you bring that crap to Montreal and they lynch your ass.

[Cara Veteran]

Can we define 'cheap goals'? You mean one-timers from Oates to Rucchin or Sykora, or ones where they are banging away at the loose change in front of the net? You have no clue what your talking about. You want cheap goals, look at what Dallas scored on in game 3, deflections off of shin guards. Know what your talking about before talking, jesus, the majority is mindless front runners. Pick your home team and shut up, you bring that crap to Montreal and they lynch your ass.

There is nothing more insufferable than a rookie trying to critique a hockey game...

:rolleyes:

You go back though the ducks playoff series and tell me that the TEAM has been playing good. If you can do that, then you're either insane or a flat lier. :p How many shots on goal did Detroit get?

There is a position in Hockey known as 'DEFENSEMAN' who's job is to defend his goalie... Hrm, when the other team is getting over 100 shots on goal the team is not even playing, the goalie is covering the team.

It's said by every single one of the commentators on ESPN's payroll that the second the ducks goalie realizes he isn't as good as he's playing, the team will dry up and die a quick, painful death.

When facing a team like Detroit or Dallas, the ducks have no consistent depth. A rag tag group of New York Ranger rejects and rookies who throw everything they can at the net and make cheap shots at hitting the opposing goalie in order to try and make themselves appear to be hockey players.

The ducks are playing a 'Hit them and hope you knock out their Stars before they can get close' style of game. That is called, spell this with me, 'D - I - R - T - Y.'

Yes, the teams facing them aren't taking them serious and it's causing their own downfall, but a quick look at the mascot for the ducks would also cause me to loose focus in a fit of mass hysteria.

The ducks are like the 'canes were last year. One shot wonders who are pretending to be Hockey players for a short time before they realize they have to go back to work at their real jobs, the Drive-In at Carl's Jr.

As for taking that to Montreal, try taking your crap to Detroit and, granted, they won't lynch you, but they will have extreme pity on you.

[xpablo]

Cara says:

There is nothing more insufferable than a rookie trying to critique a hockey game...

Right on, You Rock Cara ! :yes: :rofl:

[-Clark-]

I'll side with the majority, the Ducks suck and rely on cheap goals to win. Can't be argued.

you mean the wings did, game 4, federovs goal to force ot :rofl:

and the only dirty team is ottawa.

[bayrider]

Just the thought of Anaheim in the playoffs make me sick.

It would be accepted if this team were called a different name maybe, I grant it that they have a few talented players with Kariya and Oates and Sykora and not too mention the hot goaltending

of Giguere which is the only reason the defeated Detroit.

I would just like to see Anaheim lose, I cant stand the thought of them making it to the playoffs.

But that call last night, was the whole series as that Blow Tart Cherry said tonite.

GO CANUCKS !!!

you're a retard, have some respect, theyre actually trying hard. And you acknowledge that, yet u beleive just because they've never gone this far in the playoffs they're a disgrace to hockey?

[neowin_hipster]

from someone who's actually played at a high level of hockey.... (no rookie here)

I can tell you that it takes 3 things to win, hard work, skill, and determination. Tell me the ducks don't have any of those three. Granted they may not be million dollar all stars but they got great goaltending and their offence seem to be creating and capitalizing on their chances. If you look at how the canucks did last game, we got something like 13 shots on net but won 3:2. It was a boring style hockey but it gave us the chances we needed to win. We played ahead all game.

And hitting is an enormous part of the game. It's not dirty at all. It's how you slow the other team down and win battles for the puck. Any one who's ever played hockey can tell you this. You fight hard in the corners and you fight hard in front of the net. Chances will happen that way.

As my name suggests, i'm a goalie. I have had lots of experience beating teams that were technically better than us. Goaltending does have a lot to do with it but it's not the only thing. You still need to generate offence. What good goaltending can do is save you a goal or two every game and many times change the gameplay and entirely eliminate scoring chances in the defencive zone. Good Defence can also help out the entire situation as well. This is turnign out to be really helpfull for the ducks.

[axis]

Don't call me a rookie fool, I play hockey at a high level. And from the Red Wings and Dallas, I would hope they get 100 shots on goal a night, there payroll is in the stars. Not ever shot is quality, alot are from the sides of the circles, others are in the slot and Giguere is so technically sound that he is in the right position every time. You do not go 7-1 against the two best teams on luck, so pull your head out of your a$$. They wont be a one year wonder like the 'Canes, Teemu Selanne will be back with Anaheim next year as will most of this team. All that's gonna happen is they will repeat as confrence champs.

Let me take you out on the rink just once, ill do that little hit them thing your talking about. Dallas is so much bigger then Anaheim, so don't try to say anything like that. They just aggresivley forecheck and creat turnovers. Watch the game without a biased opinion. I have been a hardcore Ducks fan since there inception, I watch every game like that.

And Giguere isn't as good as he is playing? Someone delete this guys account. Did you see the shutout streek he put on earlier this season, the longest in the modern era I believe. It was over 4 games long, you have no idea what you are talking about. Look at his GAA and Save %, he is that good, he was that good last season too. Seeing the name 'Mighty Ducks' on the Stanley Cup is kind of bad, but it is over shadowed by seeing the names Paul Kariya and Steve Rucchin. So yea, we will see Vancouver in the next round and beat them. Then lose to New Jersey in the finals. I am done arguing with stupid people, I will lose, you obviously have more practice.

[CatnipOligarchy]

It's said by every single one of the commentators on ESPN's payroll that the second the ducks goalie realizes he isn't as good as he's playing, the team will dry up and die a quick, painful death.

that might be true...but he is almost halfway to his goal...so even if he is playing better than he is...if he can win 9 more games this season he will have his name on the cup...and thats all that really matters in the end.

[Cara Veteran]

Don't call me a rookie fool, I play hockey at a high level. And from the Red Wings and Dallas, I would hope they get 100 shots on goal a night, there payroll is in the stars. Not ever shot is quality, alot are from the sides of the circles, others are in the slot and Giguere is so technically sound that he is in the right position every time. You do not go 7-1 against the two best teams on luck, so pull your head out of your a$$. They wont be a one year wonder like the 'Canes, Teemu Selanne will be back with Anaheim next year as will most of this team. All that's gonna happen is they will repeat as confrence champs.

Let me take you out on the rink just once, ill do that little hit them thing your talking about. Dallas is so much bigger then Anaheim, so don't try to say anything like that. They just aggresivley forecheck and creat turnovers. Watch the game without a biased opinion. I have been a hardcore Ducks fan since there inception, I watch every game like that.

And Giguere isn't as good as he is playing? Someone delete this guys account. Did you see the shutout streek he put on earlier this season, the longest in the modern era I believe. It was over 4 games long, you have no idea what you are talking about. Look at his GAA and Save %, he is that good, he was that good last season too. Seeing the name 'Mighty Ducks' on the Stanley Cup is kind of bad, but it is over shadowed by seeing the names Paul Kariya and Steve Rucchin. So yea, we will see Vancouver in the next round and beat them. Then lose to New Jersey in the finals. I am done arguing with stupid people, I will lose, you obviously have more practice.

First off, check your Private Messages and read that one really, really carefully...

Second, I'm only going to address two statements from your propaganda letter...

Watch the game without a biased opinion. I have been a hardcore Ducks fan since there inception, I watch every game like that.

So you want others to look at the ducks with an unbiased opinion like you do yet you say that you watch every game as a "hardcore Ducks fan." Your reasoning just shot itself in the foot right there.

And Giguere isn't as good as he is playing?

If you actually take the time to read the thread, I'm sure you will see people are saying he is playing good, what we are saying is he isn't really as good as he's playing. It's a fluke/rush which is keeping him going right now which will not hold. If it takes them to the cup round, fine. But thats a long break between cup round and season restarting to give the ducks to return to their normal 7th place team standings.

People have the right to their opinion without you getting your underwear in a knot because they feel your precious team is a fluke. Get use to it, Red Wings fans put up with the fact everyone thinks they are overdone every year while almost no one mentions the First National Bank of the NHL (NY Ranger).

Now, read that PM I sent you, carefully consider it, and go chill out before you get yourself in trouble with that attitude.

[Cara Veteran]

that might be true...but he is almost halfway to his goal...so even if he is playing better than he is...if he can win 9 more games this season he will have his name on the cup...and thats all that really matters in the end.

That is very true, though what people are saying is the reality of the situation will sink in if they are make it to the Cup Round. They will stop and think, "Oh hell, we don't belong here." and even a moment of doubt can be the deciding factor for a team on a hot streak.

If they can take it all the way?

Well then all I can say is the next team to get the cup will need to put it though decontamination for a few months before touching it. ;)

[BroChaos Veteran]

giguere is getting by on luck??? he's not playing as good as he really is? that's kinda stretching it. he hasn't had a gaa above 3 since the 98-99 season, and he hardly played then. his save % has been above .91 since then too. those are respectable numbers. he's not some chump wannabe. don't forget to consider that the team he was on wasn't that good either.

great poast Goalie_CA.

anyone who thinks the ducks suck and are relying on dirty play and luck are completely out of their mind. if you know anything about hockey (read Goalie's post) you will know that you don't go 7-1 on the two best teams in the confernce on those qualities. are the people who are saying this stuff even play hockey??? (yes, i do play btw)

these comments sound like they are coming from people who's only experience with hockey is in front of the tv.

[Cara Veteran]

Might surprise you guys to know until recently (Which I am looking to get back into it) I played Hockey in a league myself (Was sponsored by Price Management Company back East Ways.)

So my Hockey Knowledge is more than just your couch potato point of view, I'm saying it how I see it from the perspective of a Center who was on a team that could score like no tomorrow yet had a very, very weak defense.

In my experience most (good) Goalies can and often will make up the slack in a weak defense, but if your offense is scoring 1 chance goal a game (Granted, Ducks have had a few more goals than that but the majority of their game winners are not quality chances) a goalie can only pull your fat from the fire so many times.

I can't say how many times our team would go out there and do a little bit of corner play to generate scoring chances, yes, that is part of hockey. But the amount of uncalled tripping, roughing, high sticking, and even boarding calls the ducks are getting away with would make Colorado blush.

You can't race in and hit the guy in-front of you if he's behind the play, that is called a penalty. The ducks consistently fall back on the play, allow the opposition to carry it in before flat-lining the blue line defense while the play is in the deep corner, that is NOT good Hockey.

A scrum in defense of the puck or attempting to recover the puck is, as you've said, part of Hockey, but nothing bugs me more than to see gooning hockey being played at the blueline by one team.

I've said it before, I'll say it again.

The ducks are a fluke who will be one of those teams we won't see again at this level for about 3-5 years. Once some of their younger players mature into their own, yes, we might see them back in the second/third round of the playoffs, but luck can only carry you so far in a series consistently.

If the ducks are to succeed, they must develop into a more robust and aligned team instead of, in the words of Darren Pang, "Have all their skill on the first line and throw chance to the wind with the rest."

[Edit : I do think it is mildly funny how it seems the ducks only defenders are from California while the rest of the league seem to be in (somewhat) agreement of their skills. ;)]

[djlethal01]

You guys have to admit the ducks are on Role.. Giguere is in his zone, its not like he had a poor regular season, he has just turned it up another notch. The only thing that worries about them is I dont know how much longer Carney could hold up because he wont get any help from Ozolinsh. Also Steve Thomas has basically revived his career, playing like he did in Toronto and earlier. But i dont think It's luck, I think its just all the pieces and I mean all the pieces have fallen perfectly into place. On the other hand Minnesota beat Colorado because they have one of the best Coaches in the NHL in Lemaire, and have a balance of having no superstars at any position, so they play as a team, consisting of mainly grinders and a few finesse players such as gaborik, dupuis, ronning and brunnette. I dont really care who wins what series as long as its not Tampa, i have my favorites but not too strong.. Ill watch either way, cause its the best time of the year.

[Cara Veteran]

On the other hand Minnesota beat Colorado because they have one of the best Coaches in the NHL in Lemaire, and have a balance of having no superstars at any position, so they play as a team, consisting of mainly grinders and a few finesse players such as gaborik, dupuis, ronning and brunnette. I dont really care who wins what series as long as its not Tampa, i have my favorites but not too strong.. Ill watch either way, cause its the best time of the year.

Now there is a team for discussion...

The Minnesota Wild.

Could anyone ask more of a recent expansion team? Dear God! The press was against them from the start yet, from what I saw, they went out there and played to have fun. They didn't figure they'd win so they went out there to enjoy their playoff exposure...

Look what happened, they downed (arguably) the First/Second best team in the NHL.

The Wild continue to impressive me with their balanced lines, exceptional coaching, and stand out players from a lineup of unknowns...

This is Minnesota's dream season, and for being so young, the Hockey world is seeming to be starting to take note that they could be a contending force in the years ahead with this type of play so early.

[HyakuMan]

[Edit : I do think it is mildly funny how it seems the ducks only defenders are from California while the rest of the league seem to be in (somewhat) agreement of their skills. ;)]

Actually, I'm from Canada and I'm backing the ducks. Even though I would've loved to see the Oilers make it all the way in the West, I believe the Ducks have performed excellent throughout the playoffs. Dallas is an formiddable team, and they certainly know what they're doing, but there are so many nae-sayer's when it comes to a team like Anaheim that finally makes it somewhere in the playoffs for the first time. Give them a little credit, they're a hard working team and they deserve every goal they get!

Also, its sickening to REAL hockey fans to hear people complaining that the "BIG" teams are the only teams worthy of playoff hockey... Are you sad cuz your team lost? Are you mad because the underdogs won? Well, GET OVER IT and starting talking with an unbiased opinion if you want to contribute anything that people will actually respect!