NHL Playoffs 2014

[LHoffman]

@Young:

My Habs have one foot in the grave, unfortunately the team is playing with zero confidence in their young back up goalie Dustin Takarski (even though he has done everything needed to win, and has proven to be Montreal’s best player during the last 2 games). Incredible the difference an overtime goal in a game 4 makes, now they gotta win 3 in a row against Lundquist.

It certainly is possible. I do think New York is playing with an inordinate amount of luck and is but one real challenge away from reverting to their hollow and offensively uninspired ways. That challenge may not come this round, but it could have. Takarski is playing remarkably well and deserves a lot of credit.

[CWO Marc]

The local papers this morning were all complaining that Montreal’s biggest problem in this series has been their abysmal power play record.  One paper used the phrase “jeu d’impuissance”, which roughly translates as “impotence play”.

[General Veers]

The penalty kill is the strongest attribute the Rangers have, the second being team speed on the counterattack. I think the slower ice at MSG wreaked havoc with both teams, as there were many unpredictable bounces and rebounds. And Tokarski played the game of his life in Game 3, it looks like the Rangers are slowly figuring him out.

[Young Grasshopper]

A wild Habs win for sure… but I’m not gonna give myself a heart attack unless they force a game 7.

[Young Grasshopper]

Sucks when your 3rd string goalie is your best player during a conference final elimination game, oh well… that’s it then.

[LHoffman]

@Young:

Sucks when your 3rd string goalie is your best player during a conference final elimination game, oh well… that’s it then.

It sucks to play so well and then realize the next day that it is all over and you just have to climb all the way back up the hill next year. Been in that situation before.

[General Veers]

Tokarski was the reason the Rangers had to hustle the entire 3rd period since it was still a one-goal game. But it did look like the Habs were out of gas until they pulled the goalie. Got their best chances since the bonkers Lundqvist save with his blocker on Vanek.

[Young Grasshopper]

I honestly believe the turning point was game 2, that was Tokarsky’s first game and the Habs dominated the Rangers but still lost. After that it was hard to play well again even though #35 gave them every reason to trust him from game 3 on. As for game 6… the problem was both strategy and effort, the strategy to dump and chase was counter productive the team’s speed through the neutral zone (which was impassible to the Rangers credit), and the second problem (effort)… was essential for the first problem (strategy). The point of the dump in is to follow it with a strong forecheck, well… they had the dump in part right. The up hill climb next year when they try to get back to the conference final should be fun to watch… hopefully they can build on their success and start earning some… (you know what).

[axis_roll]

Wow.  Great series between LA and my Hawks.  The Kings proved they deserved to win and get to the Stanley Cup Finals.  Kudos to their team.

Sucks we’re out, but I doubt LA will lose in a seven game series to NY.

Kings in six.  Final game is a blow out (5-2).

[LHoffman]

While I would like to see the Rangers win, I don’t see how they can.

[Imperious Leader]

LA will win again, no doubt.

[Young Grasshopper]

LA should win of course, however… if NY can drive the net and take out Quick’s knee, the series will become a coin toss.

[General Veers]

I think Game 2 is the only loss the Habs can pin on losing Price. Tokarski was one of the team’s best players the rest of the series, which didn’t bode well since guys like Vanek disappeared. Grapes can’t be that sour.

[LHoffman]

@Young:

LA should win of course, however… if NY can drive the net and take out Quick’s knee, the series will become a coin toss.

:lol:

[General Veers]

That was a ghastly turnover by Girardi, it’s unfortunate since the Rangers had regained some form in OT after being dominated for two periods. Lundqvist kept them in the game after being bombarded in the third period. The Kings looked so flat in the first period, it had to be attributed to fatigue from the last series.

[Young Grasshopper]

Interesting that the King is playing against the Kings.

[LHoffman]

@Young:

Interesting that the King is playing against the Kings.

Or that King plays for the Kings…  :roll:

[axis_roll]

@Young:

LA should win of course, however… if NY can drive the net and take out Quick’s knee, the series will become a coin toss.

Nash tried to do so in Game #3 unsuccessfully.

Kings look unstoppable, not likely to lose 4 straight.

[LHoffman]

Yes, while I have counted out multiple teams this year who were are 3-0 or 3-1 deficits and been wrong… I really don’t think I could possibly be wrong here. LA will win, either tomorrow or the next game.

[General Veers]

Considering it’s happened five or six times in almost 90 years, you’re not exactly going out on a limb here.

If the Rangers let the Kings celebrate on their home ice it will totally destroy any good will they built up this spring. Brad Richards can’t be amnestied soon enough.