I agree completely, the officiating this post season has been the worst I've seen in a very long time. There has been zero consistency.Quote:
Originally Posted by Recon
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I agree completely, the officiating this post season has been the worst I've seen in a very long time. There has been zero consistency.Quote:
Originally Posted by Recon
That's an interesting matchup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabby
For the mostpart, I think that the 'Pens are a team of destiny this year. After a tough learning experiencer last year at the hands of Ottawa... I think that the 'Pens are ready. It usually takes a tough experience to prime a team for a championship. And I think that this is "The Next One's" coming out party.
I thought that after basically being a dynasty in the 90's that Detroits time in the spotlight had passed. A few years of disappointing losses early in the playoffs for a few consequetive years seemed to reinforce this to me. Years of success resulted in years of having a poor position in the draft. Years of picking up temporary players for a playoff run resulted in years of giving away draft picks. In the post lockout era with a salary cap... I thought Detroit to be done... with zero prospects in their system and having to flat out release players.
Much to my surprise, and chagrin... they have succeeded. I was actually shocked last year when they made it past Calgary and went all the way to the conference finals only to lose to the Ducks (the eventual Stanley Cup winners... and seemingly the team of destiny that year). That year... to me... it seemed like Datsyuk and Zetterburg finally grew up and matched their good seasons with good post seasons. Finding those gems in late rounds in the draft is what has kept Detroit afloat. Along with smart moves such as leeting guys like Schnieder go and actually upgrading them with guys like Rafalski. Picking up Brad Stuart for very little... who I think is a gem who simply never really fit in well with LA or Calgary was a coup. Detroit is STILL the example of a very smart run team... which post strike I am surprised at.
(I used to think that they just threw money around to solve their problems)
So even though I feel like Pittsburgh is a team of destiny this year... part of me has a nagging feeling that Detroit very well could play spoiler. Which I hate to see as I dislike Detroit from their throwing money around in the 90's liek the New York Yankees of hockey.
I agree. I think that Fleury maybe represents a new superstar goalie... in terms of potential. I think that Osgood and Hasek aren't that good and are a weak point with Detroit. Detroit has been good enough of a team where this hasn't really affected them yet. Osgood has been facing very few shots, and few really good opportunities because of Detroit's good scheme.Quote:
I think the pens have the goaltending edge but the Wings have Holmstrom, which all goalies hate.
And Holmstrom is a guy that any team would love to have. His contribution goes far beyond his stats.
I think that Pittsburgh could have just as good of a version if they used Laraque in that same capacity. I don't think that Laraque's hands are near as good as Holmstrom's... but at 255lbs... he's an immoveable object. He could be such a disruption in front of the net.
As far as the bad officiating comments go... I'm amazed that the refs have let him get away with what he has gotten away with in Turco's (who I hate to come to bat for because I hate) crease. The flipside of this is the refs turning a blind eye when Turco is tripping players.Quote:
I'd slash him in the back of the leg if I were a goalie in the NHL. He's been in Turco's kitchen this entire series and throwing his game off.
This is fundamental hockey 101. I am stunned that more teams just don't do this. So incredibly basic... and so effective. I hate when teams play an "umbrella" offense and simply pass around the puck on the periphery trying to score on long, unobstructed shots. I hope that the 'Pens don't do this and take a page out of Detroit's playbook.Quote:
I like the Wings offense. Drop someone in front of the goalie and pound the puck to the net, simply and effective.
And I think zero consistency is really the worst kind.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabby
This is what the Avs failed miserably against the Red Wings. What the Avs did is dump the puck deep onto the boards then try and fight for the puck against the Wings. This DOESNT work against a physical team like the Wings are. Also, the Avs NEVER had anyone in front of the net, they were always on the boards playing chicken with the puck and being idiots. The most effective tactic in hockey is to ALWAYS have someone in front of the net when your in the opposing teams zone. That way you can do one-timers, get rebounds, screens, whatever else. This is what the Wings do and what every team should do if they want to win.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard
Also I have noticed Zetterberg the most on the Wings. He catches my eye the most because of the pressure he puts on opposing teams. He never stops skating at 110% and is always right on the puck. Good luck to the Pens I don't see them winning this unless the Wings D fails miserably.
Which is REALLY confusing. Because they have one of the best in Ryan Smyth.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakespy
Not really, it just simply proves that one man can't do it all and goaltending is crucial in the playoffs. As soon as Theodore's play went down the tube so did the Avs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard
Well... I wasn't trying to insinuate that Ryan Smyth is a one man wrecking crew...Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabby
Just that as far as going in and screening the opponent goalie and creating general havok in front of the net... that Ryan Smyth is one of the best in the business. And if Colorado was using him right... he'd be doing that near every powerplay.
They gave him a much bigger contract than Edmonton was willing to give him... I'm surprised that they didn't use all of his talents to the full potential.
After last night, I can now *officially* beg to differ on all points.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabby
Did you watch, Spanky? Your fave Hatcher took some shots to the head from a fired-up Ryan Malone and was forced to beat the **** out of him. It was glorious.
ps- Timmonen is possible for game 5.:eek:
Im pretty sure he was injured at the time. The Avs had 4 of our starters injured for the Wings playoff games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard
I like being wrong. Especially with this. I don't think Dallas nor Philly can keep up in the end but it will be nice to see them put up a fight.Quote:
Originally Posted by r'aggro
I didn't see the game. I hate the US network coverage of the NHL.Quote:
Originally Posted by r'aggro
(shakes his fist at the tv gods!)
But I always check on the score online. And I look for the fighting stats.
I saw that Hatcher had a fight with Malone. So I was curious to see how big Malone was. He is a big boy... but is still 1 inch shorter and 10lbs lighter than Hatcher. Still significant. And from your own words... it sounds like Malone had to basically force him into it.
Ergo... yet once again Hatcher only fought someone smaller than him. Though this time, at least it was someone who was in the same general ballpark.
If Georges Laraque comes knocking, rest assured that Hatcher will absolutely, 100% positively not fight him and will puss out.
Hatcher doesn't do as big, or bigger than him. It just doesn't happen.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away... Hatcher fought Lindros. That was the closest thing that I have ever seen to Hatcher not being a complete wuss when picking an opponent. And everybody knows that Lindros was never a scrapper and had a well documented history of head injuries (i.e. would fight tentatively).
No, no, no...Quote:
Originally Posted by Spank_Me_Hard
Lindros fought lots, he was a scrappy guy. People forget that many years before the Scott Stevens hit that marked the turning point in his career, Lindros destroyed Stevens on multiple occations (including a fight). Lindros was a badass in every sense of the word, including fights. He had a mile-wide mean streak to go with his immense skill.
Hatcher is one to pick his spots, but remember that until more recently he was a consistent #1 or 2 d-man, and that's not a position you want rotting in the penalty box when he has important work to do.
I'll see if a youtube is up later, but what happened last night was a response to Jordan Staal getting smoked by Scotty Upshall. Both teams came together and Malone was wildly just throwing fists around trying to get revenge. Hatcher simply chose to put an end to his little tantrum.
I also don't buy the rationale that size is the deciding factor in who should fight who. Remember Tie Domi? He's only like 5'10 but could tangle with anyone. Earlier this year, Steve Downie beat up Hugh Jessiman who is like 8 inches taller.
I saw Lindros in more than a few fights... but he was never a "fighter"... he was the teams superstar and they couldn't afford him to be taking "goon" minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by r'aggro
He was very scrappy! But a lot of it was pushing and shoving... not nessessarily fighting.
I don't think that was the turning point. I remember that night. I watched it live. It was Lindros 1st game back after the previous major concusion. There was still very much a lot of fear about his health in the air.Quote:
People forget that many years before the Scott Stevens hit that marked the turning point in his career, Lindros destroyed Stevens on multiple occations (including a fight).
I can't remember who gave Lindros his 1st concusion... maybe it was Kasparitis? But I'd say after the 1st... definitely after the 2nd... that it's a turning point for a player.
He did. And to this day outside of Philly still has a reputation as a cheap shot artist. I don't know that I agree with it... but he does have that rep.Quote:
Lindros was a badass in every sense of the word, including fights. He had a mile-wide mean streak to go with his immense skill.
I'm not saying that Hatcher has to take on all challengers... but his choice of him "picking his spots" is oddly consistent with him being much bigger than his chosen foes. As I said... Lindros is the only player his size or bigger that I've ever seen him fight.Quote:
Hatcher is one to pick his spots, but remember that until more recently he was a consistent #1 or 2 d-man, and that's not a position you want rotting in the penalty box when he has important work to do.
LOL! Thats funny! I'll have to chack it out...Quote:
Both teams came together and Malone was wildly just throwing fists around trying to get revenge. Hatcher simply chose to put an end to his little tantrum.
Normally, it's not.Quote:
I also don't buy the rationale that size is the deciding factor in who should fight who.
For Hatcher it is.
Most hockey players who engage in fights have a code of honour... that you generally only fight someone your general size... or bigger. Smaller guys will challenge bigger guys... but that's their own perogative and it takes two to tango.
Not by accident, Hatcher never picks a fight with someone bigger. Lindros being the one and only exception that I can think of and that being ages ago.
Laraque has issued the challenge to Hatcher maybe five times that I have seen. Probably more that I haven't seen. And every time Hatcher has yipped like a chiuahah but ultimately turned tail and ran where with anyone smaller he would have fought on the drop of a dime.
He fought Iginla for crying out loud who is about 5 inches shorter, 20 pounds lighter, and is the ONLY scoring superstar of the Calgary Flames. Hatcher didn't hesitate dropping the gloves with him for a New York second.
Until I see Hatcher drop the gloves with someone worthy of his size... he is just one big puss. And Laraque himself has noticed it.
Hatcher is also a cheap shot artist. Not on the same plane as a Claude Lemieux or an Ulf Samuelson... but a cheap shot artist none the less. I have seen him engage in some cheap shot material behind the play.
Hatcher will throw a cheap shot for sure. Every team should have a couple of guys who will! It's not really surprising that he won't fight Laraque, though. Laraque was probably the best fighter in the league, and maybe still is.
He's not above a cheap shot either, especially when he gets frustrated that nobody will fight him. Earlier this year he took an intentional skate-first slide right into Biron for just that reason.
The argument is pointless. The odds of seeing Hatcher and Laraque out at the same time are slim to none. Hatcher is one of Philly's shutdown guys and is on against the likes of Malkin and Crosby.