lol FA was right. Lucic fights guys 20 pounds lighter or non fighters. Every time he's stepped up and fought an actual fighter he's lost. Spilchuk will claim otherwise, but check his fight card on dropyourgloves.com or hockeyfights.com. Lucic is a notorious spot picker ala Chris Neil.

Orr is fun to watch because you know there's a chance either him or his opponent is getting knocked out.

Carcillo has been a bitch this year. His fights haven't been nearly as exciting.

Downie is meh, same as Biz Nasty

The two most exciting fighters in my opinion are Zenon Konopka who has had some amazing fights and probably Rick Rypien are far as non heavyweights go. Derek Dorsett is up there too.

Two most exciting heavyweights are Colton Orr for reason I explained and Steve Macintyre for the same reason as Orr.

The most boring fighter who fights alot is Can Janssen who has made a career of doing nothing for a minute until his opponent punches himself out.

It's a shame Riley Cote retired because he was ALOT of fun to watch. Jay Rosehill also has some exciting fights. His fights with Lessard and Lucic were great.

Yup Lucic is a total coward

Deryk Engelland also deserves recognition as a great fighter

In terms of lightweights Tyler Kennedy has awesome fights

Engelland has really come on this year.

Just checked Gerts PBP thread again and it made me really miss those mid and late 90s sabres teams.

lol Reimer has been outstanding tonight. The saves he's made have been incredible.

I miss Rick's calls on Rob Ray, Barnaby and May's fights.

Leafs out

Habs officially in

All in one night

Dunno about this article. I haven't heard this one. Admittedly I was fairly out of touch over the weekend but I'm 100% certain that Mark Madden would have this all over his radio show if it were true.

The talk of a "new original 6" makes me think it's a April Fools joke.

Reason #1 Why Not To Block A Chara Shot.

NEW YORK (AP)—Rangers’ second-leading scorer Ryan Callahan(notes) is out indefinitely because of a broken right leg, just as New York is making a final push for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The injury occurred when the fearless forward blocked a shot by 6-foot-9 defenseman Zdeno Chara(notes), who broke the league record for the hardest drive with a 105.9 mph blast at this year’s All-Star skills competition.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...rs-callahanout

A Carolina loss at any point in their last games locks them out. They need to win out, and have the Sabres lose out.

ah ha

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puc...urn=nhl-wp1867

Thats amazing.

And yes the NHL will most likely have a shitstorm over it.

Turco plays for the Hawks?

Habs fans probably called the cops on Turco.

Turco is the man!

Great of him to enjoy the game as "one of the guys". I'm sure it was a great experience for the fan.

Rick Rypien...even though he is not technically in the NHL right now.

Pound for pound, on Carcillo gives him a run for his money.

Dallas is in no way shape or form a playoff team. Although considering they could sneak in over the Hawks...

I'm torn.

In one hand, facing the Stars should be a pretty straight forward round 1 win

On the other hand, facing, and beating the Hawks will give that Nucks teams a huge morale boost. Such a boost that barring anymore injuries, will make the Nucks the hardest team to play against.

I love how my dream final is possible. Vancouver vs Montreal.

Almost every time, in any sport...

A potential free agent will tell the media he wants to stay with his current team. I am not saying Richards doesn't want to stay with the Stars, but he will never admit while his contract is still valid that he plans on skipping town at seasons end. Doesn't mean he wants to be a Leaf either. As a Canadian (PEI or otherwise) I am sure he has pride in his profession. He probably wants more than to just blend in. Maybe I am wrong...maybe he is content making his millions with minimal media pressure. Maybe he wants to carry a team on his back...

Anyway you slice it, Richards as a free agent is something I am really looking forward to this offseason.

I will literally shit a brick if he signs with the Rangers.

lol no it isn't

I'm sorry, can someone tell me what Gertner said. hard to hear someone talking from outside the bubble.

The Habs will be joining us real soon.

George Parros is awesome.

Depends on what Carcillo fights. He's been awfully hit or miss this year. I'd definitely put Konopka ahead of him

Aww, someone's bitter.

Lucic is a lot more than just a fighter though.

He's not going to go toe to toe with a player like Booreguard (whatever the spelling)

He's capable of 30+ goals 80+ points...and he can handle himself in a fight.

That's the X factor.

All in all, it doesn't matter what Lemuiex says right now...it matters what he does.

If Cooke plays another game in a Pens jersey, even I can't defend that.
Lemuiex has been trying to make a clean game since...forever.

If he backs Cooke, and lets him play again, "two face" is the best PG-13 word I can think of.

On the other hand, if Cooke is released/bought out...atleast Lemuiex's money is where his mouth is. Doesn't matter if you agree with what he's trying to do...or hate him because of it. As long as he's consistent,
no one can bitch.

Not like the Rangers really had a chance anyway....but I would have creamed myself to see a Nucks/Rangers final.

Yeah a guy who can score AND fight are premium players.

See: Getzlaf, Iggy, Downie.

When did Iggy get downs syndrome?

Probably screams flame me, but the Rangers are a rata bunch at best.

Naaah, nothing more than a finger shaking just to save face.

Guarantee you the NHL higher ups love this kinda thing...brings the fans closer to the players.

oooh Downie...now the whole retarded concept seems clear.

Doesn't matter if you finish 1st or 16th. Playoffs is a whole new beast. No one will argue with that.

Could be Nucks vs Philly

Could technically be the Flames vs the Canes

Nucks and Habs would be amazing...and I wouldnt be disappointed at any outcome so long as it was a good fair series.

Unfortunately I truly believe that Bettman would get involved...would do everything he could not to let that happen.

6 Canadian teams keep the NHL stable....we need a Canadian Commish.

Carcillo has a face that everyone likes to see get pounded. As entertaining as he is...I love it more when he's face down.

I was going to say, if you insulted Ryan fucking Getzlaf, we were going to have to have words.

Getzlaf is amazing...he just plays for the wrong team

What could Bettman do to stop an all Canadian final that wouldn't piss of its largest fanbase.

Everything possible...

He wouldn't have to do much since the current division setup always finds a way to reduce the number of Canadian teams by at least 1-4 teams per season since they are all bunched up in 2 divisions.

He's already prevented any expansion teams being Canadian if they take away from US teams (ex. Phoenix, Nashville) although a big rumor involves Atlanta loosing its team within the next 1-2 years.

Largest fan base or not...us Canadians are going to buy tickets next year, we're going to watch TV, we're going to buy jerseys...hell, if Kraft Dinner started making over sized hockey cards on the back of there boxes, I'd do it.

From a business stand point, there is no need to sell the game here. Every time us Canadian's buy a ticket...we're playing into Bettman's plans.

Honestly...we're all douche bags for supporting the NHL the way it is.

Just to add to that...

Doesn't matter if it's "my" team or "your" team.

Who cheers for the fucking Ducks?

Emiloooooooooooo

Goldberg>Hiller

As much as I love the Moose being the Nucks farm team, the MTS center holds 16,000+ fans. Not to mentions tickets will sell for more than 20 bucks like in the desert...

Isn't going to be a all Canadian team final. Not trying to put the Canucks down because they are a good team, but the President's Trophy usually equals choking early or losing in the Conference Championship.

I just want your guys opinion, would you yay or nay, continuous sudden death 4-on-4 overtime in place of a shootout?

It'll never happen. NBC would FREAK if a game went too long and screwed up the rest of their programming.

Also, I've put my helmet on before I'm making this statement..........I like the shootout. (Ducks for cover)

Adam Foote set to retire. Wow am I ever getting old lol

More like is he ever getting old.

Man, those amazing late 90s-early 2000s Avalanche teams are pretty much retired. Guys like Drury and Hejduk are really all I can think of still playing.

Milan Hejduk
Alex Tanguay
Chris Drury
Steven Reinprecht

last 4 remaining from the 2000-2001 champion Avalanche after Foote retires, and it looks like Reinprecht will be following Foote.

I don't get why people call the Presidents trophy a curse. There are 15 other teams that are playing just as hard.

When the playoffs start every team has a chance. Upsets happen in every sport every year. Home fans are an X factor. Not to mention the coach being able to match lines.

Would you really have your team finish 2nd or lower because of some "curse?"

You know what's a curse. Not making the playoffs for 7 straight years. My mom and I were talking. My dad was still alive the last time the Leafs made the playoffs. Hmmmm. My dad died and the Leafs haven't made the playoffs since. THE CURSE OF RICK DUFOUR!!!!!!

I like the shootout...but I don't like 3 point games. If the game is tied late in the 3rd, teams tend to play it safe, guarantee that 1 point. Take away the loser point and you will see teams weaker on shootouts play harder in those last minutes in regulation and during the overtime.
If you bring back ties were teams get 1 point each, the shootout becomes redundant, unless it's used to determine overall standings in case of a tie in points. It would be stupid to use the shootout for that considering there are no shootouts in the playoffs.

I really don't know how to eliminate 3 points games while keeping the shootout relevant.

-edit-

as far as the regular season goes, you can't have those marathon games. All teams at one point or another play back to back games. Imagine playing 2 full OT periods, getting on a plane, flying 2000km then playing again the next day...

how about 3-3 hockey? If 4-4 solves nothing, 5 more minutes of 3-3. Could be exciting.

I 100% agree. The 3 point games makes it next to impossible to catch anybody. It friggen killed my Leafs chances.

I still remember Selanne's rookie year where he torn the league up like it was yesterday. Blink twice, and these guys are old farts.

More to do with piss poor management than anything else.

I dont have a problem with shootouts, I dont want to see triple OT in the regular season. I would like to see it be a 10 minute 4 on 4 then the shootout.

And I agree, I hate the 3 point game. My solution? Either drop the point for losing in OT, or make wins count for 3 points.

And OT loss is not half as good as a win. It is much worse.

Also make the Tiebreaker Regulation wins, not total wins.

Increase the incentive to win in Regulation, and make wins count for more, and you remove the "Just get a point mentality".

There is no reason a team that is 0-0-82 should have as many points as a team that is 41-41-0

12-0-70 and that's a clinched playoff spot.


Hockey has turned from win in 60 mins to don't be losing in 60.

How about this one: win in regulation = 3 points, win in OT/shootout = 2 points, loss in OT/shootout = 1 point, loss in regulation = 0 points. That way EVERY game is worth 3 points, so no advantage for teams that go to OT lots.

Simply put, every game should be worth the same amount of points.

And honestly, whoever thought that a 3pt game is better then a point a piece tie is an idiot.

:'(

love him, but he's been hurt like all year.

The tie breaker is wins in regulation an OT, SO wins are not counted. Whic reates a fucked up system where a team can win the tie breaker despite having lost more games then the other team, the current sytem basically gives more value in a tie breaker system to shootout/OT losses then shootout wins.

Proof in my point:

Flyers lost in OT, so Pens and Flyers are tied.


Now normally it would come down to wins which would put the Pens up in 2nd in the East (they have 2 more wins then the Flyers) but with the new stupid tie breaker status the Flyers get to stay in first despite having actually lost more games then the Pens because SO wins don't count.

Fucking stupid, it should be # of wins, then if tied # of SO wins, right now if I get this right a shootout/OT loss is worth more than a shootout win in a tie breaker situation and that's idiotic

If you took away OT/SO loss points the Penguins would have clinched the division today

Rangers are in the same boat against Carolina but worse Rangers have 3 more wins then the Hurricanes but 4 more SO wins then the Canes so the Canes are in 8th now. Stupid stupid stupid

So now if the Rangers and Hurricanes both win their next game in regulation or OT, Canes make the playoffs, Rangers are out despite the Rangers having won more games. Essentially the Canes get in for having lost more games in shootouts/OT then the Rangers


BTW y'all should have seen the end of regulation of the Sabres/Flyers game, the Sabres just sat in their own zone and didn't even try to move the puck up ice because they knew win or lose the OT point would clinch a playoff spot and the Flyers hung back and let them because they knew as long as they got to OT win or lose they'd stay tops in their division. It was hilariously awful

Yeah, I wasnt thrilled with the way that one ended. Like its one thing to kill the clock and play for the point, but Philly didnt even forecheck and both just coasted the last minute.

Happy with the results, upset with the way it happened.

Then like right into the overtime period Thomas Vanek sealed the fucker closed. Vanek needs to so shit like that more. 3rd time he has won a game in OT this year with pretty much the same move....Charge the fucking net and blow by everyone.

Also - once the playoffs start I suggest you catch some Sabres game. Try watching NAthan Gerbe play and not like the guy.

Tim Thomas broke Hasek's old single-season saves percentage record after the 3-1 win against the Senators. Since he didn't allow another goal and Rask plays the season finale vs NJ, the record belongs to Thomas (57 games played).

Rangers locked up the 8th seed due to Hurricanes loosing 6-2 and Rangers winning 5-2.

Flyers won which means Bruins (#3) can't get #2 seed and Penguins becomes #4 in the East.

East Round 1:
Washington vs New York
Philadelphia vs Buffalo
Boston vs Montreal
Pittsburgh vs Tampa Bay

West still has some seeds on the line for the last game with only Vancouver as #1 seed locked.

AOh my, All excited about the 1st round.

Wash in 4
Philly in 5
Montreal in 7
Tampa in 6

hahaha Teemu Selanne got into a fight! Did pretty well. lol Fangel, the Habs are going to get crushed. That's a horrible match up for the Habs.

We will see.

If any team is getting crushed both figuratively and literally its Buffalo.

Nice goal by Detroit. Just smacking down the defending champs.

How often does it happen that the entire division makes the playoffs?

Blackhawks lost to Red Wings 3-4 and now have to wait to see if Dallas wins or looses for their playoff future.

Blackhawks have a 2 point lead but if Dallas wins in regulation or in OT, Dallas gets #8 seed in West. A Dallas loss (regulation, OT, or SO) or a shootout win and Chicago gets the #8 seed.

Wow that has to suck to have your season be dependent on what someone else does

Sabre are the best team in the east since December. 64 points. Chilly drew the long straw. Sabre are a beast of a 7 seed. Fuck philly...they are done.sabre have owned them this year

Don't play like shit or lose big games and you won't have to.

To the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks: FORGET YOU!

Going to game one of Canucks and Hawks, fucking JACKED!

This might be a case of "Be careful of what you wish for..." but I am excited for the Hawks in round 1. Dallas would have been 4-5 games, leaving the Nucks unprepared for round 2. If the Nucks win, they get a monkey off there back, a huge confidence boost, and will carry that through the playoffs no matter who they face. However if the Hawks win, Vigneult is gone and some major changes will need to take place. Doesn't matter how good your regular season was if you can't get out of the 1st round or beat a certain team.

Predictions time folks!

East:

Caps vs Rangers: <b>Caps in 5</b>

Flyers vs Sabres: <b>Sabres in 7</b> - Upset of Rd1, its Miller time.

Bruins vs Habs:<b> Bruins in 6</b> - Hope Im wrong in this prediction, either way it's going to be a great series. Montreal will riot if the Habs lose this on home ice.

Bolts vs Pens: <b>Bolts in 6</b>

West

Nucks vs Hawks: <b>Nucks in 4</b> - Fuck you Hawks. I know this probably wont be a sweep...but one can dream no?

Sharks vs Kings: <b>Sharks in 7</b> - LA is hurt, but Mitchell Doughty Handzus should be able to shut down Thorton and co.

Wings vs Coyotes: <b>Wings in 6</b>

Ducks vs Preds: <b>Ducks in 7</b> - Ducks have the best line in the NHL right now. Speed Size Skill. Weber has his work cut out for him.

I will make my avatar the Habs logo if they beat the Bruins.

Draft Lottery -

1. Edmonton Oilers
2. Colorado Avalanche
3. Florida Panthers
4. New Jersey Devils (Won Draft Lottery)
5. New York Islanders

I was telling people at work who are Caps fans (all 2 of them) that they will Choke again this year in the first round and neither believed me. They're 3-10 in the first round since 1992.

Stats like that are so fucking retarded. A more reasonable stat which is still meaningless is that the Caps are 1-2 in the first round in their last three seasons. At least the teams from the past 3 years have a lot of the same guys on them. Nobody who was on the Capitals in 1992 has anything to do with them now.

Edmonton with 1st overall again, willing to bet they take Hopkins.

They should take Larsson since their defence is shit, but RNH is a Western Canada boy, so they'll take him

Petry got that call up in the early season and has been great for them, so they might now have to take him.

Hall - Hopkins - Eberle

:drool:

East

Caps vs Rangers: Caps in 6
Flyers vs Sabres: Flyers in 7
Bruins vs Habs: Bruins in 5
Bolts vs Pens: Bolts in 7

West

Nucks vs Hawks: Canucks in 7
Sharks vs Kings: Kings in 6
Wings vs Coyotes: Coyotes in 6
Ducks vs Preds: Ducks in 5

No matter what teams we all root for, we all can agree on one thing. There is nothing like Playoff Hockey. Let the greatest playoffs in Sports begin.

Lou RAPED Campbell with only a few minutes left in the first. 2-0 Nucks after 20. F'n amazing game so far. Nucks are pumped...all 4 lines. Lapiere looking like he did for the Habs last year, Hansen makes Hossa look like a snail in a foot race.

Agreed.

I think this series will only last 5 games, but those are going to be some tough games. I look for one of the 'tards to run Luongo over in Game 3 or 4.

Hansen's goal was a beauty!!!! I just about jumped outta my chair, lol.

GO CANUCKS!!!!!!

Pens win 3-0. I feel bad that I loaded up on Tampa players in my work's playoff pool even though the Pens have always been my favorite team for 21 years. Guess this is what I get for doubting the Pens. :nono:

Love it!

Kesler is a fridge.