NHL Playoffs, Round 1!
April 11, 2016 8:32 AM Subscribe
It's playoff time in the NHL, and for the first time since 1970, no Canadian teams will be represented. In the Eastern Conference, the wild card Philadelphia Flyers take on the President's Trophy-winning Washington Capitals. The Flyers just lost team founder, owner, and chairman Ed Snider to cancer and the team has dedicated their postseason to him. The Detroit Red Wings just barely squeaked in, extending their playoff streak to 25 years. In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Wild are matched up with the team that used to be the Minnesota North Stars before relocating to Dallas in 1993, while the Battle of California rages on with a San Jose Shark-LA Kings series.
LET'S GO FLY-ERS.
You can take the boy out of Philly, but you can't take the Philly out of the boy.
posted by SansPoint at 8:35 AM on April 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
You can take the boy out of Philly, but you can't take the Philly out of the boy.
posted by SansPoint at 8:35 AM on April 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
I'm just going to stop by here to say good luck to all teams represented, congratulations to the Leafs on their last place finish, and fuck Gary Bettman.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:40 AM on April 11, 2016 [23 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:40 AM on April 11, 2016 [23 favorites]
LET'S GO FLY-ERS.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:41 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Drinky Die at 8:41 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'd love to see what the Canadian teevee ratings are without any Canadian teams in the playoffs, and whether the 'root for Canadian players' narrative catches or not (I suspect not).
Usually, us Canadians are torn between wanting to watch the playoffs, and finally being able to enjoy the outdoors. This year, we don't have that problem -- our teams are out, and there's no weather worth enjoying.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:41 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Usually, us Canadians are torn between wanting to watch the playoffs, and finally being able to enjoy the outdoors. This year, we don't have that problem -- our teams are out, and there's no weather worth enjoying.
posted by Capt. Renault at 8:41 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Usually, us Canadians are torn between wanting to watch the playoffs, and finally being able to enjoy the outdoors. This year, we don't have that problem -- our teams are out, and there's no weather worth enjoying.
Speak for yourself. The weather out west has actually been quite nice this spring, though I suspect we're still in for a snowstorm at some point.
posted by nubs at 8:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Speak for yourself. The weather out west has actually been quite nice this spring, though I suspect we're still in for a snowstorm at some point.
posted by nubs at 8:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
LET'S GO PENS
I am very, very anxious about the Pens' goalie situation right now. I don't blame Schenn for the incidental contact that injured Murray on Saturday and I don't blame Sullivan for starting him (I am convinced there must be some method to that madness, like he knew Fleury had to be 100% ready to go or he wouldn't have risked it) but the fact that they just called up wee 33-games-in-the-AHL Tristan Jarry ... well ... Fleury really better be okay, is what I'm saying.
Sorry, the Flyers fans in the comments meant I had to make it all about the Penguins for a second.
posted by none of these will bring disaster at 8:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
I am very, very anxious about the Pens' goalie situation right now. I don't blame Schenn for the incidental contact that injured Murray on Saturday and I don't blame Sullivan for starting him (I am convinced there must be some method to that madness, like he knew Fleury had to be 100% ready to go or he wouldn't have risked it) but the fact that they just called up wee 33-games-in-the-AHL Tristan Jarry ... well ... Fleury really better be okay, is what I'm saying.
Sorry, the Flyers fans in the comments meant I had to make it all about the Penguins for a second.
posted by none of these will bring disaster at 8:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [7 favorites]
Crosby sucks.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:48 AM on April 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Drinky Die at 8:48 AM on April 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Once again, the Saint Louis Blues are faced with the seemingly daunting task of making it past the first round of the playoffs. This year, they've got extra motivation to do so as they face off against the defending NHL champs, the Chicago Blackhawks.
posted by stannate at 8:48 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by stannate at 8:48 AM on April 11, 2016
Ugh Blues you have to do it, please knock Chicago out, do it for Steve Ott.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:52 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:52 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
No Canadian teams but most of these teams are 30%+ Canadians last time I checked. Some are 50%.
posted by GuyZero at 8:55 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by GuyZero at 8:55 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
You can take the boy out of Philly, but you can't take the Philly out of the boy.
I live in the DC suburbs so I'm either going to be very smug or very annoyed about this Capitals series.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:00 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I live in the DC suburbs so I'm either going to be very smug or very annoyed about this Capitals series.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 9:00 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Some of the chain restaurants here in Montreal (notably Subway) are running their annual big Stanley Cup Playoffs promotion. I can't help but wonder if someone at the marketing office should have reconsidered. I don't know any Montrealers who want to be reminded about the Stanley Cup on their lunch breaks this year.
posted by 256 at 9:05 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by 256 at 9:05 AM on April 11, 2016
TheWhiteSkull has the proper attitude. No matter who wins, the important thing is that the season has to end on the right note.
And that note is the traditional THUNDEROUS FUCKING BOOING of Gary Bettman.
posted by delfin at 9:07 AM on April 11, 2016 [16 favorites]
And that note is the traditional THUNDEROUS FUCKING BOOING of Gary Bettman.
posted by delfin at 9:07 AM on April 11, 2016 [16 favorites]
It's been years since I was really much of a hockey fan, but a small part of me still roots for the Islanders because they were my favourite team when I was a kid (during their run of four Cups in a row, MIKE BOSSY 4EVER) and I'll always remember getting up in the morning and running to the kitchen where my dad had written down the previous night's playoff scores for me.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:09 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:09 AM on April 11, 2016
Is there anyway in the US to watch all the playoff games without a cable subscription? I can't tell if NHL.tv is showing any playoff games live.
posted by nightwood at 9:12 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by nightwood at 9:12 AM on April 11, 2016
And that note is the traditional THUNDEROUS FUCKING BOOING of Gary Bettman.
When a visiting team wins the Cup, you can tell who the noobs are when they complain that the crowd is booing.
Haven't watched much hockey this year, but go Pens!
posted by dirigibleman at 9:17 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
When a visiting team wins the Cup, you can tell who the noobs are when they complain that the crowd is booing.
Haven't watched much hockey this year, but go Pens!
posted by dirigibleman at 9:17 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
When a visiting team wins the Cup, you can tell who the noobs are when they complain that the crowd is booing.
Yeah, one of the better traditions in the game is that even if the visiting team wins the Cup, the crowd stays to both boo the Bettman and then cheer the victors, even though the home team lost.
posted by nubs at 9:26 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yeah, one of the better traditions in the game is that even if the visiting team wins the Cup, the crowd stays to both boo the Bettman and then cheer the victors, even though the home team lost.
posted by nubs at 9:26 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
20 Years of Awkwardness: A Celebration of Gary Bettman Stanley Cup Presentations
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:32 AM on April 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:32 AM on April 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
Oh god my fear over the Penguins goaltending situation is on RED ALERT, which given that any post-season helmed by Fleury my goaltending fear is a solid orange, means that my stress levels are enormous. Luckily the Pens have been playing like a fucking train barrelling through the Metro division, so hopefully that keeps up. Malkin will be back soon too, which helps.
posted by hepta at 9:32 AM on April 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by hepta at 9:32 AM on April 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
Yeah, one of the better traditions in the game is that even if the visiting team wins the Cup, the crowd stays to both boo the Bettman and then cheer the victors, even though the home team lost.
Which is why I always root against the Devils. No class the last time they lost in their own building (2001?).
posted by dances with hamsters at 9:33 AM on April 11, 2016
Which is why I always root against the Devils. No class the last time they lost in their own building (2001?).
posted by dances with hamsters at 9:33 AM on April 11, 2016
Why the San Jose Sharks should be Canada's playoff team
posted by blob at 9:39 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by blob at 9:39 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I expect nothing this year -- NOTHING, I tell you, but LET'S GO RANGERS!!!!
posted by AJaffe at 9:40 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by AJaffe at 9:40 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I have no feeling for these playoffs. Washington seems likely to come out of the East, I guess, but the West is wide open. Florida looks as good as anyone else in the East, but I have trouble taking them seriously when they were picking first overall two years ago, and their best player is in his mid-40s. I'd just really like to see Chicago lose. Nothing personal; just tired of them. Kind of the same feelings about the Kings, especially since Milan Lucic now plays there.
I just got back from Minneapolis and ate at the Wild's airport restaurant, so I guess I'd like to see them do well. A lot of former Sabres there, too. But alas, I don't think they'll get far.
Gonna say Kings-Caps in the final, Caps win. Maybe Stars instead of Kings.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:41 AM on April 11, 2016
I just got back from Minneapolis and ate at the Wild's airport restaurant, so I guess I'd like to see them do well. A lot of former Sabres there, too. But alas, I don't think they'll get far.
Gonna say Kings-Caps in the final, Caps win. Maybe Stars instead of Kings.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:41 AM on April 11, 2016
I want to say Let's Go Flyers, but oof, I would have much rathered one more lottery pick. There's no way Steve Mason can hide all of our defense's faults against the capitals for half a dozen games. It's going to be brutal.
posted by lownote at 9:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lownote at 9:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Also, Pens fans: let's be honest, when haven't you feared for your goal tending situation in the playoffs?
posted by lownote at 9:47 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by lownote at 9:47 AM on April 11, 2016
Go Wings! Pavel Datsyuk deserves a kickass sendoff. A classier guy in hockey there ain't.
/is aware that the Wings are likely to get unceremoniously booted but so what.
posted by Existential Dread at 9:50 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
/is aware that the Wings are likely to get unceremoniously booted but so what.
posted by Existential Dread at 9:50 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
It's about time that the Sharks fustigate the Kings in the first round; that will be a start in erasing the horrible losses in their last playoff appearance and the 2015 Stadium Series game.
posted by JDC8 at 9:52 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by JDC8 at 9:52 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Are there any mefites who grow playoff beards? Despite spending almost my whole life in the American rust belt, I don't think I've ever encountered anybody who did.
posted by ardgedee at 9:56 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by ardgedee at 9:56 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Good news for Pens fans---Twitter reports that Fleury (and Maatta!) is on the ice practicing with the rest of the team today!
posted by pittcatt at 9:57 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by pittcatt at 9:57 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
There's a good number of stories I'd like to see happen in these playoffs.
I'd love to see Ovi win a Cup.
I'd love to see ol' Jumbo Joe win one for San Jose.
It would be cool if Jagr and the Panthers could get one. Imagine a 44-year-old winning the Conn Smythe? Also Bobby Lu!
I'd love to see Crosby win another so every idiot that calls him "Cindy Crysby" or whatever can go die.
And while we're on the subject of online hockey know-it-alls, I wouldn't mind seeing Anaheim go the distance after that brutal start.
But basically fuck the Kings and Hawks, though. Rangers, too -- can't buy your way outta Hank getting old, suckers! No strong feelings about the others but Dallas will at least be fun to watch and it would be great if Minnesota actually got something out of those ridiculous contracts they gave out before the lockout.
posted by Hoopo at 10:00 AM on April 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'd love to see Ovi win a Cup.
I'd love to see ol' Jumbo Joe win one for San Jose.
It would be cool if Jagr and the Panthers could get one. Imagine a 44-year-old winning the Conn Smythe? Also Bobby Lu!
I'd love to see Crosby win another so every idiot that calls him "Cindy Crysby" or whatever can go die.
And while we're on the subject of online hockey know-it-alls, I wouldn't mind seeing Anaheim go the distance after that brutal start.
But basically fuck the Kings and Hawks, though. Rangers, too -- can't buy your way outta Hank getting old, suckers! No strong feelings about the others but Dallas will at least be fun to watch and it would be great if Minnesota actually got something out of those ridiculous contracts they gave out before the lockout.
posted by Hoopo at 10:00 AM on April 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
I'm a huge Caps fan, and have been for a long while now. I'm going to the first playoff game with the Flyers on Thursday. (Yay! Hurrah for friends with season tickets!) I'm thrilled with the season the Capitals have put together, and yet I'm trying reeeeealllly hard to not get too excited. Too much past playoff heartache to allow myself to believe, sadly.
I was home in Sweden for a few weeks recently, only to see my hometown MoDo Hockey get relegated down to Allsvenskan from the Swedish Hockey League - in a total heartbreaker for the entire town. My one shimmering hope is that my hockey year will see a deep Stanley Cup playoff run for the second of my two favorite teams...
posted by gemmy at 10:02 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was home in Sweden for a few weeks recently, only to see my hometown MoDo Hockey get relegated down to Allsvenskan from the Swedish Hockey League - in a total heartbreaker for the entire town. My one shimmering hope is that my hockey year will see a deep Stanley Cup playoff run for the second of my two favorite teams...
posted by gemmy at 10:02 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Let's Go Fly-ers! (clap clap clapclapclap)
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:02 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:02 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I want to say Let's Go Flyers, but oof, I would have much rathered one more lottery pick.
Well, I hear there's a Philadelphia sports executive who specializes in implementing such strategies who is currently looking for work.
posted by Drinky Die at 10:07 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Well, I hear there's a Philadelphia sports executive who specializes in implementing such strategies who is currently looking for work.
posted by Drinky Die at 10:07 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
No Canadian teams but most of these teams are 30%+ Canadians last time I checked. Some are 50%.
"Oo hown de Chiefs?"
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:10 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
"Oo hown de Chiefs?"
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 10:10 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
No mention of my beloved Predators? Let me fix that.
GO PREDS.
We'll probably have our butts kicked by the Ducks, but we did eliminate the Red Wings in R1 a few years back.
posted by Twain Device at 10:12 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
GO PREDS.
We'll probably have our butts kicked by the Ducks, but we did eliminate the Red Wings in R1 a few years back.
posted by Twain Device at 10:12 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
argeedee, I tend to grow one, cos' why not? Last year, it was gone about five minutes after the Lightning knocked the Rangers out...
posted by AJaffe at 10:13 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by AJaffe at 10:13 AM on April 11, 2016
As a Minnesotan, Wild vs. Stars fascinates me, but it's been 23 years since the Stars left, and they've faced each other often enough to work out any lingering emotions.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:14 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:14 AM on April 11, 2016
... the team that used to be the Minnesota North Stars before relocating to Dallas in 1993...
*spit*
posted by wenestvedt at 10:17 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
*spit*
posted by wenestvedt at 10:17 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
No mention of my beloved Predators? Let me fix that
on the one hand you guys have Filip Forsberg, which is good. On the other hand, you have James Neal, which is not good. I am torn.
posted by Hoopo at 10:19 AM on April 11, 2016
on the one hand you guys have Filip Forsberg, which is good. On the other hand, you have James Neal, which is not good. I am torn.
posted by Hoopo at 10:19 AM on April 11, 2016
*spit*
Hey, I'm a Sabres fan. I'm not mentioning that team.
You'd think I'd hold a grudge against the Flyers, too, but nope! The Flyers are my second faves and I will be very upset if Shayne Gostisbehere doesn't win the Calder.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:23 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Hey, I'm a Sabres fan. I'm not mentioning that team.
You'd think I'd hold a grudge against the Flyers, too, but nope! The Flyers are my second faves and I will be very upset if Shayne Gostisbehere doesn't win the Calder.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:23 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
...we did eliminate the Red Wings in R1 a few years back.
Rage regarding Shea Weber's nasty hit on Zetterberg after the game's end slowly comes filtering back...
posted by Existential Dread at 10:23 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Rage regarding Shea Weber's nasty hit on Zetterberg after the game's end slowly comes filtering back...
posted by Existential Dread at 10:23 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
ardgedee: "Are there any mefites who grow playoff beards? Despite spending almost my whole life in the American rust belt, I don't think I've ever encountered anybody who did."
Pretty common here in Pittsburgh, at least among the techie crowd that I know.
posted by octothorpe at 10:25 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Pretty common here in Pittsburgh, at least among the techie crowd that I know.
posted by octothorpe at 10:25 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Are there any mefites who grow playoff beards? Despite spending almost my whole life in the American rust belt, I don't think I've ever encountered anybody who did.
I started doing it with the 2009 Blackhawks run but eventually I decided I liked the beard so much that I pretty much keep it all year long. I'll still try not to trim it this year, which has become my compromise position, although I'm not particularly enthused about this 'Hawks team for a whole bunch of reasons (mostly off-ice, although their on-ice performance hasn't exactly been inspiring).
posted by Copronymus at 10:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I started doing it with the 2009 Blackhawks run but eventually I decided I liked the beard so much that I pretty much keep it all year long. I'll still try not to trim it this year, which has become my compromise position, although I'm not particularly enthused about this 'Hawks team for a whole bunch of reasons (mostly off-ice, although their on-ice performance hasn't exactly been inspiring).
posted by Copronymus at 10:44 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I don't have super high hopes for the Predators this year but considering in December I was sure they wouldn't make the playoffs, I guess this is ok.
I'd also like to see Trotz have a good run with Washington this year since he seems like such a good dude.
3rd Choice: Anybody but Chicago.
posted by ghharr at 10:51 AM on April 11, 2016
I'd also like to see Trotz have a good run with Washington this year since he seems like such a good dude.
3rd Choice: Anybody but Chicago.
posted by ghharr at 10:51 AM on April 11, 2016
Crosby sucks.
Crosby is probably still the best hockey player in the world; such a bizarre empty slogan. I know, it's Philly so they pretty much have to say something.
posted by Hoopo at 10:52 AM on April 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
Crosby is probably still the best hockey player in the world; such a bizarre empty slogan. I know, it's Philly so they pretty much have to say something.
posted by Hoopo at 10:52 AM on April 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
All I want out of this playoff is that damn Rangers-Islanders series. Can't Bettman do anything right?
posted by saturday_morning at 10:58 AM on April 11, 2016
posted by saturday_morning at 10:58 AM on April 11, 2016
Crosby sucks.
Crosby is probably still the best hockey player in the world; such a bizarre empty slogan.
Nah, sucks.
posted by Drinky Die at 11:00 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Crosby is probably still the best hockey player in the world; such a bizarre empty slogan.
Nah, sucks.
posted by Drinky Die at 11:00 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Crosby plays an agitator's game knowing his role will keep him from having to drop the gloves. He's the little guy in the bar who is always picking fights and expecting his friends to bail him out.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:01 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 11:01 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Crosby sucks.
He's the little guy in the bar who is always picking fights and expecting his friends to bail him out.
Yes, also, he scores lots of goals which is the point of the game
posted by saturday_morning at 11:19 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
He's the little guy in the bar who is always picking fights and expecting his friends to bail him out.
Yes, also, he scores lots of goals which is the point of the game
posted by saturday_morning at 11:19 AM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I FEEL THAT CROSBY IS A WEAK CAPTAIN AND I WISH HE WOULD NOT SCORE SO MANY GOALS AGAINST MY TEAM BUT I BEGRUDGINGLY ADMIT THAT HE IS AN EXTREMELY TALENTED PLAYER AND PROBABLY A PERFECTLY NICE DUDE OFF THE ICE
posted by specialagentwebb at 11:37 AM on April 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by specialagentwebb at 11:37 AM on April 11, 2016 [6 favorites]
Yes, also, he scores lots of goals which is the point of the game
That, too.
Guys like Crosby are not supposed to fight. It is bad for their teams when they are in the box. The Penguins are worse when Crosby is off the ice. Same reason you don't see guys like Giroux and Voracek dropping the gloves regularly, actually, if we need to break this down further for Flyers fans. He's also definitely not an agitator. The main strategy teams employ against him is to have their agitators (guys like Dubinsky) follow him around and throw him off his game and make him do something dumb. Or...hack at his wrists and neck. And this is basically the entire justification for "enforcers", so that no one messes with your star players and they don't have to drop the gloves. Which is also pretty dumb IMO but here we are. Anyways, yeah. I don't remember many other guys that dominated like Crosby while getting called out for anything and everything like the does.
ANYWAYS. I actually kinda like the Flyers. Lately because Giroux is hilarious and does Canada Day in Ottawa right, and also 👻🐻 is fun to watch. Previously I liked them because Lindros, Leclair, and Brind'Amour.
posted by Hoopo at 11:46 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
That, too.
Guys like Crosby are not supposed to fight. It is bad for their teams when they are in the box. The Penguins are worse when Crosby is off the ice. Same reason you don't see guys like Giroux and Voracek dropping the gloves regularly, actually, if we need to break this down further for Flyers fans. He's also definitely not an agitator. The main strategy teams employ against him is to have their agitators (guys like Dubinsky) follow him around and throw him off his game and make him do something dumb. Or...hack at his wrists and neck. And this is basically the entire justification for "enforcers", so that no one messes with your star players and they don't have to drop the gloves. Which is also pretty dumb IMO but here we are. Anyways, yeah. I don't remember many other guys that dominated like Crosby while getting called out for anything and everything like the does.
ANYWAYS. I actually kinda like the Flyers. Lately because Giroux is hilarious and does Canada Day in Ottawa right, and also 👻🐻 is fun to watch. Previously I liked them because Lindros, Leclair, and Brind'Amour.
posted by Hoopo at 11:46 AM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Crosby plays an agitator's game knowing his role will keep him from having to drop the gloves.
Bobby Clarke scored a lot of goals and agitated the opposition as well, knowing he had dedicated fighters to back him up. The difference to me is the instigator rule, which makes it highly unlikely that someone would decide to just maul the shit out of Crosby when he gets careless with his stick, which he often does. I'm totally over fighting in hockey and wish they'd eliminate it from the game entirely, but as long as it exists in this in-between state where fighting is allowed as long as it's pointless, skilled players who take the occasional cheap shot will infuriate opposing fans and the only thing you can do about it is hack him back and hope he loses his cool first, as he did in the 2012 playoffs against the Flyers.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:50 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Bobby Clarke scored a lot of goals and agitated the opposition as well, knowing he had dedicated fighters to back him up. The difference to me is the instigator rule, which makes it highly unlikely that someone would decide to just maul the shit out of Crosby when he gets careless with his stick, which he often does. I'm totally over fighting in hockey and wish they'd eliminate it from the game entirely, but as long as it exists in this in-between state where fighting is allowed as long as it's pointless, skilled players who take the occasional cheap shot will infuriate opposing fans and the only thing you can do about it is hack him back and hope he loses his cool first, as he did in the 2012 playoffs against the Flyers.
posted by tonycpsu at 11:50 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Crosby the agitator is news to me.
That guy flops more than a La Liga striker. He's been called out on it by half the league. Here are some highlights. He's also a big fan of the cheap shots when players aren't looking.
Guys like Crosby are not supposed to fight
That's the point. You don't see guys like Toews, Tarasenko, Stamkos, Benn, or Zetterberg chirping behind the play.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:53 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
That guy flops more than a La Liga striker. He's been called out on it by half the league. Here are some highlights. He's also a big fan of the cheap shots when players aren't looking.
Guys like Crosby are not supposed to fight
That's the point. You don't see guys like Toews, Tarasenko, Stamkos, Benn, or Zetterberg chirping behind the play.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:53 AM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
My cousin plays for the Blues and would like to see him win the Cup, so I'll be pulling for them in the Western Conference. Technically, I'm a life-long Rangers fan* but I wish nothing but ill upon their current owners (lucky me that they Rangers won the cup in 1994 BEFORE the sale to Cablevision went through), so I'm taking a wait and see approach in the East.
*Deep in my heart, I will never stop missing the Hartford Whalers (and no the Hurricanes don't count). I will always love you, Pucky. Brass Bonanza forever!
posted by KingEdRa at 12:04 PM on April 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
*Deep in my heart, I will never stop missing the Hartford Whalers (and no the Hurricanes don't count). I will always love you, Pucky. Brass Bonanza forever!
posted by KingEdRa at 12:04 PM on April 11, 2016 [5 favorites]
You don't see guys like Toews, Tarasenko, Stamkos, Benn, or Zetterberg chirping behind the play.
You're...you're mad because he chirps?
posted by Hoopo at 12:22 PM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
You're...you're mad because he chirps?
posted by Hoopo at 12:22 PM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!
...sad about Brooks being traded to the Leafs, sad that Braden had to sit down for the last game (but that one I kind of understand), braced for a first round horror-show (because I've been a Caps fan for years and that's just how we seem to roll)...
posted by ersatzkat at 12:26 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
...sad about Brooks being traded to the Leafs, sad that Braden had to sit down for the last game (but that one I kind of understand), braced for a first round horror-show (because I've been a Caps fan for years and that's just how we seem to roll)...
posted by ersatzkat at 12:26 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Nobody's mad here. I'm saying he plays an agitator's game. You said that's news to me. I'm pointing out the cheap shots, dives, and chirps that are telltale sign of the yellow crested north american agitator.
posted by cmfletcher at 12:26 PM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by cmfletcher at 12:26 PM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Over a decade in the league, averaging something like 1.3 PPG over 700 games, 2 time MVP, 2 time scoring leader, 1 time Stanley Cup champion. And the highlight package of his diving includes 8 clips, fewer than 1 per season. Flyers and Caps fans talk about Sid more than Pens fans do.
ANYWAY. I think it's amazing that we could get 2 Florida teams matched up in the second round (right? is there any weird reseeding I'm forgetting?). I think a Pens/Caps matchup in the second round would be terrific for the league, and this Pens fan's opinion is that this will be the year Ovi gets over his hump and gets into the third round or deeper. I think it's terrific that two California teams are matched up in the playoffs. And for the love of Pete, will someone please beat Chicago in an early round?
posted by jermsplan at 12:29 PM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
ANYWAY. I think it's amazing that we could get 2 Florida teams matched up in the second round (right? is there any weird reseeding I'm forgetting?). I think a Pens/Caps matchup in the second round would be terrific for the league, and this Pens fan's opinion is that this will be the year Ovi gets over his hump and gets into the third round or deeper. I think it's terrific that two California teams are matched up in the playoffs. And for the love of Pete, will someone please beat Chicago in an early round?
posted by jermsplan at 12:29 PM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Giroux is hilarious and does Canada Day in Ottawa right
I see what you did there.
posted by cmfletcher at 12:31 PM on April 11, 2016
I see what you did there.
posted by cmfletcher at 12:31 PM on April 11, 2016
I can tell that the regular season has ended and the playoffs have begun because of that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The stress kicked in last night as it was confirmed the Sharks will play the Kings again this year. The expectation, the worry, the hope, the oh-my-god-I-can't-watch-but-I-also-can't-look-away feeling.
Trying so hard not to get my hopes up, keeping expectations low. Nobody else in the country is picking the Sharks for a deep cup run. But as hard as I try, I find myself having hope. I find myself thinking "Good, they won't know what hit 'em." as the Sharks flew under the radar. We're underdogs in this matchup, and the next one, and probably the next one too and if it comes to it, the final matchup.
We have a terrible home record ("But we're starting on the road!"), we still have depth issues ("But Joe Thornton is a possession monster who's scoring a point per game at the age of 36 and almost single-handedly dragging this team into the playoffs"), Brent Burns is still a liability on defense most nights ("But the steadying hands of veteran partner Paul Martin have greatly improved his defense in the latter half of the season while he's still in the conversation for the Norris"), Patrick Marleau is in decline ("But he's really just a streaky player and he's getting hot at the right time"), our goaltending is a question mark with our starter unproven in the playoffs ("But Martin Jones has been great this season and we have an outstanding backup in Reimer now").
I could go on. But after the collapse in 2014 - whose demons are to be exorcised - and the baffling over-reaction and wasted season in 2015, we've made smart moves this year, we've recovered and we're in a good place. We've got nothing to lose really and we're ready for this to be our year. I welcome the stress of the playoffs. I welcome every gut punch and every moment of euphoria. Bring it on.
posted by TwoWordReview at 12:56 PM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Trying so hard not to get my hopes up, keeping expectations low. Nobody else in the country is picking the Sharks for a deep cup run. But as hard as I try, I find myself having hope. I find myself thinking "Good, they won't know what hit 'em." as the Sharks flew under the radar. We're underdogs in this matchup, and the next one, and probably the next one too and if it comes to it, the final matchup.
We have a terrible home record ("But we're starting on the road!"), we still have depth issues ("But Joe Thornton is a possession monster who's scoring a point per game at the age of 36 and almost single-handedly dragging this team into the playoffs"), Brent Burns is still a liability on defense most nights ("But the steadying hands of veteran partner Paul Martin have greatly improved his defense in the latter half of the season while he's still in the conversation for the Norris"), Patrick Marleau is in decline ("But he's really just a streaky player and he's getting hot at the right time"), our goaltending is a question mark with our starter unproven in the playoffs ("But Martin Jones has been great this season and we have an outstanding backup in Reimer now").
I could go on. But after the collapse in 2014 - whose demons are to be exorcised - and the baffling over-reaction and wasted season in 2015, we've made smart moves this year, we've recovered and we're in a good place. We've got nothing to lose really and we're ready for this to be our year. I welcome the stress of the playoffs. I welcome every gut punch and every moment of euphoria. Bring it on.
posted by TwoWordReview at 12:56 PM on April 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'd like to see the Sharks win the Cup just to hear people talk about who should receive the Cup from Bettman. My vote is for Thornton, in part because it's never going to happen.
posted by kevinbelt at 1:20 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 1:20 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Burns will envelop it in his luxurious beard.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:43 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:43 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
You know that thing's prehensile.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:45 PM on April 11, 2016
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:45 PM on April 11, 2016
Is it the best beard in the NHL? It's not even the best beard in the Sharks. (That honor goes to Joe Thornton aswell, have I mentioned how great Thornton is recently?)
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:53 PM on April 11, 2016
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:53 PM on April 11, 2016
I am apparently behind on my Sharks beards! I feel like a Sharks Beard Power Ranking is just what this thread needs, TwoWordReview.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:56 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 1:56 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
And the highlight package of his diving includes 8 clips, fewer than 1 per season.
Yeah, I mean I'm pretty sure you've basically made it in the NHL when other teams' fans go scrounging the internet for footage of you doing something wrong on the ice once a year. Leafs fans did it for Alfredsson, the Bruins fans do it for the Sedins, the Canucks fans do it for ... the Bruins in general but mostly Marchand.
I'm saying he plays an agitator's game.
Yeah, that part, that's the part where you're like completely and utterly wrong.
I'm pointing out the cheap shots, dives, and chirps that are telltale sign of the yellow crested north american agitator.
cheap shots? Are you referring to the glove thing that they had to use to fill in the "almost-top-10-but-we'll call-it-10 dives"? Talking to Flyers fans feels like being on Reddit sometimes.
I see what you did there.
In case anyone's not following here, Giroux got arrested in Ottawa a couple summers ago because he repeatedly grabbed a (male) cop's ass while drunk on Canada Day. Getting arrested is actually kind of impressive considering the things cops will let slide on Canada Day.
posted by Hoopo at 2:24 PM on April 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
Yeah, I mean I'm pretty sure you've basically made it in the NHL when other teams' fans go scrounging the internet for footage of you doing something wrong on the ice once a year. Leafs fans did it for Alfredsson, the Bruins fans do it for the Sedins, the Canucks fans do it for ... the Bruins in general but mostly Marchand.
I'm saying he plays an agitator's game.
Yeah, that part, that's the part where you're like completely and utterly wrong.
I'm pointing out the cheap shots, dives, and chirps that are telltale sign of the yellow crested north american agitator.
cheap shots? Are you referring to the glove thing that they had to use to fill in the "almost-top-10-but-we'll call-it-10 dives"? Talking to Flyers fans feels like being on Reddit sometimes.
I see what you did there.
In case anyone's not following here, Giroux got arrested in Ottawa a couple summers ago because he repeatedly grabbed a (male) cop's ass while drunk on Canada Day. Getting arrested is actually kind of impressive considering the things cops will let slide on Canada Day.
posted by Hoopo at 2:24 PM on April 11, 2016 [4 favorites]
Eh, look. I can present a history and you can say not enough. I can present Tortorella, Don Cherry, Hank Lundquist, Jonathan Toews, Milbury, and Roenick all calling out a history of diving and we can go in circles for hours
Yeah, the guy scores a lot and every team wants a Sidney Crosby. You can be both a scorer and an agitator and it's the reason he's such a polarizing player. Scott Stevens was the greatest player or the most despised depending on which exit of the NJ turnpike you are at.
posted by cmfletcher at 2:49 PM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
Yeah, the guy scores a lot and every team wants a Sidney Crosby. You can be both a scorer and an agitator and it's the reason he's such a polarizing player. Scott Stevens was the greatest player or the most despised depending on which exit of the NJ turnpike you are at.
posted by cmfletcher at 2:49 PM on April 11, 2016 [3 favorites]
congratulations to the Leafs on their last place finish
At least Canadian fans have something to feel happy about.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:55 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
At least Canadian fans have something to feel happy about.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 2:55 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm in mourning over the Bruins. (But I will be in even deeper mourning if Claude Julien takes the blame for the team's downfall. It's not his fault.)
posted by sarcasticah at 3:28 PM on April 11, 2016
posted by sarcasticah at 3:28 PM on April 11, 2016
My feelings about the Red Wings making a 25th straight playoff appearance are very very mixed... but I guess good for them. #LGRW
posted by JoeXIII007 at 3:43 PM on April 11, 2016
posted by JoeXIII007 at 3:43 PM on April 11, 2016
> But basically fuck the Kings and Hawks, though. Rangers, too
You're a Canucks fan, aren't you?
Personally, I'd like to see the Kings do very very poorly, myself (Kesler, Bieksa).
A NHL team in Florida is a travesty, but the Jagr story is really compelling and I liked Luongo and Mitchell when they were in Vancouver.
posted by porpoise at 3:57 PM on April 11, 2016
You're a Canucks fan, aren't you?
Personally, I'd like to see the Kings do very very poorly, myself (Kesler, Bieksa).
A NHL team in Florida is a travesty, but the Jagr story is really compelling and I liked Luongo and Mitchell when they were in Vancouver.
posted by porpoise at 3:57 PM on April 11, 2016
Remember when Jarret Stoll broke the Canucks? That was in 2012.
Same playoffs Dustin Brown broke Henrik Sedin.
posted by notyou at 4:19 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Same playoffs Dustin Brown broke Henrik Sedin.
posted by notyou at 4:19 PM on April 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
You're a Canucks fan, aren't you?
Not really. I'm an Ottawa guy, then Montreal (hard to watch my childhood faves form a rivalry with the team I saw grow from one of the worst in NHL history to a Finals appearance). I just live here now. But basically I think there's more parity in the league than recent Championship finals suggests and I'd like things to stay as mini-dynasties at most instead of proper dynasties. Get some new faces and names on the Cup, I mean. Or else why have a salary cap and 30 teams?
I can present Tortorella yt , Don Cherry yt , Hank Lundquist yt , Jonathan Toews yt , Milbury, and Roenick yt all calling out a history of diving and we can go in circles for hours
I also wonder what Glen Healey thinks. Honestly other than Toews and Lundqvist, those are guys that get/got paid specifically to have "interesting opinions" on things.
Remember when Jarret Stoll broke the Canucks yt ? That was in 2012.
Vancouver fans' hopes were still alive at that point. It was the next season that killed it. I used to live in a neighbourhood near downtown and I could hear people in the sports bars and other buildings cheering when the Canucks did well. the TV in my place was off by a couple seconds too so I sorta knew when a goal was coming. That 2013 Sharks series...It was so quiet out there. But speaking of guys that get no respect, the Sedins are awesome.
posted by Hoopo at 9:44 PM on April 11, 2016
Not really. I'm an Ottawa guy, then Montreal (hard to watch my childhood faves form a rivalry with the team I saw grow from one of the worst in NHL history to a Finals appearance). I just live here now. But basically I think there's more parity in the league than recent Championship finals suggests and I'd like things to stay as mini-dynasties at most instead of proper dynasties. Get some new faces and names on the Cup, I mean. Or else why have a salary cap and 30 teams?
I can present Tortorella yt , Don Cherry yt , Hank Lundquist yt , Jonathan Toews yt , Milbury, and Roenick yt all calling out a history of diving and we can go in circles for hours
I also wonder what Glen Healey thinks. Honestly other than Toews and Lundqvist, those are guys that get/got paid specifically to have "interesting opinions" on things.
Remember when Jarret Stoll broke the Canucks yt ? That was in 2012.
Vancouver fans' hopes were still alive at that point. It was the next season that killed it. I used to live in a neighbourhood near downtown and I could hear people in the sports bars and other buildings cheering when the Canucks did well. the TV in my place was off by a couple seconds too so I sorta knew when a goal was coming. That 2013 Sharks series...It was so quiet out there. But speaking of guys that get no respect, the Sedins are awesome.
posted by Hoopo at 9:44 PM on April 11, 2016
San Jose's only got the Sharks and the Quakes as far as major league sports go, so LA had better now screw this one up for us. Or better yet, they'd better screw up, for us.
posted by Apocryphon at 9:09 AM on April 12, 2016
posted by Apocryphon at 9:09 AM on April 12, 2016
Personally, I'd like to see the Kings do very very poorly, myself (Kesler, Bieksa).
...Even though they're both Ducks?
posted by wats at 4:34 PM on April 12, 2016
...Even though they're both Ducks?
posted by wats at 4:34 PM on April 12, 2016
Oh man Andrew Shaw stepped in it last night, eh? Interesting to see how the NHL handles this one, given You Can Play and all that
posted by Hoopo at 11:04 AM on April 20, 2016
posted by Hoopo at 11:04 AM on April 20, 2016
Yeah, deeply not pleased with that whole situation. As someone on twitter pointed out, the fact that he forgot what he said really makes it clear that he does not understand the severity of the language if it's the kind of thing he forgets about.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 11:25 AM on April 20, 2016
posted by everybody had matching towels at 11:25 AM on April 20, 2016
Yeah, wow. I didn't catch any of the games last night; this is a pretty ugly moment. What is interesting to me is to see coverage of it plastered all over TSN and Sportsnet (not in terms of continually showing what was said, but in terms of Shaw's apology and the team and league response); it wasn't that long ago that Shaw's behaviour would have gone unremarked, and now the sports media is talking about the need for a strong stance against this.
posted by nubs at 12:03 PM on April 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by nubs at 12:03 PM on April 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Happy to see he got a fine (for the gesture) and a 1-game suspension for using a homophobic slur. The NHL is actually walking the walk on this one.
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:39 PM on April 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:39 PM on April 20, 2016 [1 favorite]
Good stuff and I am glad to see it; nice to see one aspect of the culture of the game getting some attention from the league.
posted by nubs at 2:47 PM on April 20, 2016
posted by nubs at 2:47 PM on April 20, 2016
And Ron and Don weigh in...and condemn Shaw's actions (at about the 3:40 mark), but, geez, maybe we shouldn't have cameras and microphones around the penalty box. Because that's just looking for trouble.
So Shaw was wrong, but so is the broadcaster for actually covering what happens in the game?
Gah. So very, very tired of these two.
posted by nubs at 7:32 AM on April 21, 2016
So Shaw was wrong, but so is the broadcaster for actually covering what happens in the game?
Gah. So very, very tired of these two.
posted by nubs at 7:32 AM on April 21, 2016
RIP this atrocious Blackhawks season. Maybe the extra month and a half will give management time to reflect on whether losing in the first round to a better team was worth all the effort they put into shielding the varyingly reprehensible actions of several players in the organization, but I wouldn't count on it. I would be a little surprised if Shaw comes back, though, just because of the required endless shuffling of non-core players for cap reasons.
posted by Copronymus at 10:11 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Copronymus at 10:11 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
I watched most of that game last night, and it was great hockey. But for two goalposts, that game goes to overtime, and maybe it is St. Louis talking about blowing up the team this morning.
posted by nubs at 10:14 AM on April 26, 2016
posted by nubs at 10:14 AM on April 26, 2016
I still can't believe Perds-Ducks is going to 7. Still can't.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:15 AM on April 26, 2016
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:15 AM on April 26, 2016
I still can't believe Perds-Ducks is going to 7. Still can't.
This is dream!
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:17 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is dream!
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:17 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Does anyone have a great need for a Round 2 post or can we just keep this one going?
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:22 AM on April 26, 2016
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:22 AM on April 26, 2016
This story about a guys reaction to watching playoff hockey for the first time pretty much mirrors my reaction to the Sharks-Stars quadruple-OT playoff game in 2008 when I first became a hockey fan. (He got a better result in the end though)
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:22 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by TwoWordReview at 10:22 AM on April 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
"The goalie just said fuck it and left?"
Awesome. For me - 1986 Flames/Oilers. Incredible hockey.
posted by nubs at 11:34 AM on April 26, 2016
Awesome. For me - 1986 Flames/Oilers. Incredible hockey.
posted by nubs at 11:34 AM on April 26, 2016
If you like dumb jokes and are reading this thread you will probably enjoy this tweet.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:47 AM on April 28, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by everybody had matching towels at 10:47 AM on April 28, 2016 [4 favorites]
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posted by everybody had matching towels at 8:34 AM on April 11, 2016