Phoenix Coyotes advance to the second bracket of the playoffs for the first time ever! Stanley Cup, Coyotes, 2012! It's gonna be like a Shonen fight for the Stanley Cup! I do have to say, though, without Mike Smith as our goalie, we'd be screwed.
I just saw a little bit of the Florida Panthers versus the New Jersey Devils game, and there were a surprising amount of people not in the seats. It could have been just the beginning of the period, or the fact that it was in Florida, but it's surprising that there are empty seats at game 7 of a playoff game. \_(^~^)_/
They've done that a lot these playoffs actually. The Coyotes have played 7 games, 6 of them went to overtime and they won 4 of them. It's kinda crazy.
On the other hand, they've been absolutely terrible at defending a lead at the end of the 3rd period. In this game too they allowed the tying goal with less than 5 minutes to go.
Yeah, I absolutely agree. This has happened with most of the games against the Chicago Blackhawks. They would do well the first and second periods and get a nice lead, but on the third period they lose it and get scored on. I mean, I know your motto is "Hockey the Hard Way", but it doesn't mean you should always take the game to overtime (-_-). They would not have gotten this far without Mike Smith though, the goalie. That guy's a beast!
Capitals vs. the Rangers tomorrow! I really do not know who to root for, because I like both of the teams. I probably end up rooting for the Rangers, since their my friend's favorite team and I have fond memories of Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey for the N64 as the Rangers. And if the Kings beat the Blues, that would be pretty cool!
The first PP in the Coyotes favor went pretty well, and I think they might have scored, but every single power play after that was pretty much a fail. The problem with the Coyotes is that they have a problem with zone entry at times, and then the Predators are good enough to where they won't let the Coyotes get into the groove of things, and then one mistake later, the puck is on the other side of the ice.
It's good that there are so many new teams in the playoffs this year. I'd like to think that it will help improve some of the smaller markets and improve NHL tv ratings.
It's good that there are so many new teams in the playoffs this year. I'd like to think that it will help improve some of the smaller markets and improve NHL tv ratings.
Yes, but it hurts the argument that the NHL needs to contract and get rid of some of these ridiculous teams if they keep winning! We need more of the old school teams to stop sucking. Looking at you Leafs!
They just moved the Thrashers to Canada. Besides, I'm not convicted the NHL needs to contract.
I can't think of a professional sport that doesn't need contraction. Even the NFL could drop or move a team or two. The way I see it, in professional sports every single team should be a big deal team. In the MLB you have teams like the Yankees who are a big deal, even though I hate them. At the same time you have Arizona Diamondbacks, yeah... In the NFL you have Packers, Giants, Steelers, and... Panthers? Buccanneers? In the NHL you have Redwings, Canadiens, Rangers, and... The Wild? The Bluejackets?
It's like there's a handful of minor league teams mixed in with the pros. I could accept that if there were relegation in the style of the UK football leagues.
In the NHL you have Redwings, Canadiens, Rangers, and... The Wild? The Bluejackets?
While I also think that the NHL should contract at least two teams (Phoenix is done any way, and the Blue Jackets are perhaps the worst run franchise in the history of professional sports) and perhaps move one team somewhere else (Florida to Seattle is what I hope for, if only Seattle had an NHL ready arena), mentioning the Wild here is beyond ridiculous. Minnesota is perhaps the best market for hockey in the U.S., and if not it is very close to the top. The Wild sold out 409 consecutive home games for a reason.
They may sell out, but who are they? They've only existed for twelve years. They have only three playoff appearances. Only one of those appearances was any good. They have no history. They aren't on the cup. They're a nothing franchise.
Professional sports should be about the battle of the legends. Goliath vs. Goliath. There's no room for David. Also, having fewer teams in any league means talent is spread more thickly, which means the quality of play rises across the board. When there are more good players to go around, and less spots to fill, you don't get as many, or any, crap teams. Looking at you Islanders (who I hate).
And when one of those teams inevitably wins it all, you want to see them waving the flag of one of the great kings of old. For example, Edmonton has been really crappy, but their franchise has a legacy. If they win it, you can respect it. You can watch them hoist the cup and shed a manly tear, even if they just beat your team. If the Wild win, Wild fans will be very happy. But people like me will be raising one eyebrow like WUT?!
Scott, that is a very, very narrow point of view. How is a team every going to build a legend if they are not permitted to actually persist and grow? If it were up to you, the NHL would have never expanded in 1967 and it would still be the Original Six and nothing else because there were plenty of people making that same ridiculous argument that you are making right now. If it were up to you, the WHA teams wouldn't have been allowed to join the league in 1979 and actually become one of the "great old kings".
The only reason to contract a franchise is because the franchise isn't economically viable, and the Wild are very, very viable (while Phoenix, Columbus and Florida are not). Your reasons based on ideological purity are ridiculous and complete horseshit, and would most certainly ruin a hockey league if it were up to you.
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Suck it Pittsburgh. The game by the Flyers tonight was an absolute clinic.
CRAZY TIMES
On the other hand, they've been absolutely terrible at defending a lead at the end of the 3rd period. In this game too they allowed the tying goal with less than 5 minutes to go.
Capitals vs. the Rangers tomorrow! I really do not know who to root for, because I like both of the teams. I probably end up rooting for the Rangers, since their my friend's favorite team and I have fond memories of Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey for the N64 as the Rangers. And if the Kings beat the Blues, that would be pretty cool!
At least the other series have actual teams.
It's like there's a handful of minor league teams mixed in with the pros. I could accept that if there were relegation in the style of the UK football leagues.
Professional sports should be about the battle of the legends. Goliath vs. Goliath. There's no room for David. Also, having fewer teams in any league means talent is spread more thickly, which means the quality of play rises across the board. When there are more good players to go around, and less spots to fill, you don't get as many, or any, crap teams. Looking at you Islanders (who I hate).
And when one of those teams inevitably wins it all, you want to see them waving the flag of one of the great kings of old. For example, Edmonton has been really crappy, but their franchise has a legacy. If they win it, you can respect it. You can watch them hoist the cup and shed a manly tear, even if they just beat your team. If the Wild win, Wild fans will be very happy. But people like me will be raising one eyebrow like WUT?!
OH YEAH HOW BOUT THEM CAPS!!!
The only reason to contract a franchise is because the franchise isn't economically viable, and the Wild are very, very viable (while Phoenix, Columbus and Florida are not). Your reasons based on ideological purity are ridiculous and complete horseshit, and would most certainly ruin a hockey league if it were up to you.