Official NHL 2016-2017 Thread

[mikeyd23]

In most cases I'd agree with you, but because of the way the NHL does the playoff format, the defending champs have actually had the hardest road thus far, playing 2 teams that finished in the top 4 in the league during the regular season with the Pens being one of the other top four teams.

The Preds have played the #1 then #3 team.

You have a good point about the retarded playoff format the NHL is using...but, all things being equal Rinne has lost 1 game....with a 1.33 GA and .953 save percentage. Fleury GA is 2.40 and a .935 save percentage. Statistically it's not even close on the GA and the level of competition they've faced is for all intents and purposes 'even'.

I just think if there's a clear cut favorite to be touting right now Rinne would be it for me.

Well if you look at most points in the league during the regular season. The Caps were first overall and the Jackets were fourth overall, so I'm not even talking about Eastern Conference seeding, I'm talking about most points league wide in the regular season. Basically, the Metro had three teams in the top four.

All that being said, Rinne has been awesome, so I'd buy what you are selling.

[Rattlehead]

I'm still blown away by how Rinne allowed just 3 goals in 4 games against the Blackhawks. I'm totally with Gmiller on Rinne being the clear favorite right now.

[KevShmev]

I agree that Rinne is the clear cut Conn Smythe winner thus far. 

Also, the Pens winning last night just shows what a team sport hockey is, especially compared to other team sports.  Take away the best player from a football or basketball team in the playoffs and it would be a disaster. 

Speaking of which, I forgot to reply to this:

I agreed with the 5-minute major and game misconduct. It was, after all, a cross check to the head.  However, I do not think it was premeditated or anything like that.  Like has been said, it was a bang-bang play, and it was just bad timing for Crosby that he fell right at that exact moment.

Also, if the league started protecting players more by giving stiffer penalties, Crosby would pay as well. Remember that he jacked an opponent between his legs with his stick near the end of the season.  And no, this is not a "he deserved it" post, but I am not going to feel too terribly sorry for Crosby for suffering a bad hit when he does stuff like that.

Man, I was with you till the last part. 

It was bad timing. The league should protect the players more. That includes when Sid commits a penalty, totally agree. But let's not pretend like Sid is some dirty player. If you truly believe that, you haven't actually watched him play much at all. He's one of the classiest players out there, on and off the ice, he's just held under a bigger microscope than any other player. So when he does commit and penalty or get away with committing a penalty you just hear about it more, that's all.

Man, I'm really starting to sound like a Pen's fanboy here, sorry that's not my intention.

I never said Crosby was a dirty player; I correctly pointed out that he was the perpetrator of a very dirty hit at the end of the season.

One of the classiest players out there?  Uh, sure.    First off, there is no way to quantify that, but has Crosby ever won the Lady Byng? 

Lastly, Crosby is a fantastic player, one who is awesome to watch.  No need to get silly by acting like he's the epitome of class and grace.

[TAC]

I agree that Rinne is the clear cut Conn Smythe winner thus far. 

I literally cannot believe I'm typing this, but Eric Karlsson has to be in the conversation.

[gmillerdrake]

I agree that Rinne is the clear cut Conn Smythe winner thus far. 

I literally cannot believe I'm typing this, but Eric Karlsson has to be in the conversation.

Certainly in the conversation. I just think Rinne is the front runner at the moment.

[TAC]

No issue there. Rinne's had a great bounce back year.

[TheCountOfNYC]

And just like that the Rangers are back in it. Towards the end of the game the Ottawa players were getting chippy, almost as if they knew the series momentum was shifting away from them. The series still is far from over, but this Rangers team feels different than they did in the first two games against the Senators.

[cramx3]

Yea the end of that Rangers game you could tell that there was a lot of frustration on Ottawa's bench.  I love it.  Rangers dominated the last two games and have a lot of momentum.  They need to escape Ottawa with a win Saturday to keep that flowing.

[Nick]

Rangers are in control, and they were the favored team to begin with. It's only tied, but it's their series to lose.

[KevShmev]

The Blues PP sucks.

The end.

[gmillerdrake]

The Blues PP sucks.

The end.

Yeah. That was pathetic. Why in the  isnt Paryako ou there on that 5-3? He's about the only Blues player this series that actually looks like he's trying and wants to win, slick hands and great shot but they have Petrangelo out there who may hit the net 2-10 times he shoots.

They still have a chance to take advantage of the PP to start the period but I'm not holding my breath. I was hoping to see them come out with some fire but all it'll take is the Preds to score first and they'll crumble.

[gmillerdrake]

That moment you realize your team just....well....sucks.

[SystematicThought]

Don't worry. You could be a Senators fan

[KevShmev]

Eh, I do not agree that the team has no fire.  Then have had the better of the play, special teams notwithstanding.  It's just hard for either team to get good scoring chances right now, given how well both teams are playing defensively.

I do agree about Parayko.  Petrangelo CANNOT QB a PP.

[gmillerdrake]

Don't worry. You could be a Senators fan

There's no way it's worse than being a Blues fan. They're an alcoholic abuse boyfriend that repeatedly beats us....then apologizes with some flowers and a few weeks of great sex to win us back then rinse and repeat.

[gmillerdrake]

Eh, I do not agree that the team has no fire.  Then have had the better of the play, special teams notwithstanding.  It's just hard for either team to get good scoring chances right now, given how well both teams are playing defensively.

I do agree about Parayko.  Petrangelo CANNOT QB a PP.

Well thus far in the series Nashville has wanted it more plain and simple. Good to get the first goal here tonight though....we'll see how it goes.

[mikeyd23]

I agree that Rinne is the clear cut Conn Smythe winner thus far. 

Also, the Pens winning last night just shows what a team sport hockey is, especially compared to other team sports.  Take away the best player from a football or basketball team in the playoffs and it would be a disaster. 

Speaking of which, I forgot to reply to this:

I agreed with the 5-minute major and game misconduct. It was, after all, a cross check to the head.  However, I do not think it was premeditated or anything like that.  Like has been said, it was a bang-bang play, and it was just bad timing for Crosby that he fell right at that exact moment.

Also, if the league started protecting players more by giving stiffer penalties, Crosby would pay as well. Remember that he jacked an opponent between his legs with his stick near the end of the season.  And no, this is not a "he deserved it" post, but I am not going to feel too terribly sorry for Crosby for suffering a bad hit when he does stuff like that.

Man, I was with you till the last part. 

It was bad timing. The league should protect the players more. That includes when Sid commits a penalty, totally agree. But let's not pretend like Sid is some dirty player. If you truly believe that, you haven't actually watched him play much at all. He's one of the classiest players out there, on and off the ice, he's just held under a bigger microscope than any other player. So when he does commit and penalty or get away with committing a penalty you just hear about it more, that's all.

Man, I'm really starting to sound like a Pen's fanboy here, sorry that's not my intention.

I never said Crosby was a dirty player; I correctly pointed out that he was the perpetrator of a very dirty hit at the end of the season.

One of the classiest players out there?  Uh, sure.    First off, there is no way to quantify that, but has Crosby ever won the Lady Byng? 

Lastly, Crosby is a fantastic player, one who is awesome to watch.  No need to get silly by acting like he's the epitome of class and grace.

  Okay Kev

[KevShmev]

You have no retort; I get it. 

As for the Blues, never in doubt tonight.

[gmillerdrake]

You have no retort; I get it. 

As for the Blues, never in doubt tonight.

Gutsy win. More than capable of taking The road game Sunday. If we keep it 5 on 5 Nashville can't beat us. Their hot PP is what has them the series lead.

One game at a time though.

[TheCountOfNYC]

Wow. No two ways about it. Edmonton choked that game away. Being up 3-0 with three minutes left in the game and a chance to take a 3-2 series lead into your home stadium and then losing the game 4-3 in overtime is the very definition of heartbreaking. Anaheim is a great team but come on. Championship caliber teams close out these type of games (and I am saying that as a fan of a Rangers team that blew a two goal lead against the Senators with two minutes left two play in Game 2 of this round).

[KevShmev]

I think that was more of a great comeback than a choke, but there is always an element of both when these things happen, I suppose. I dozed off early last night, so I didn't see the end until this morning. Still kind of in shock over seeing that.  What a comeback!

[SchecterShredder]

After Edmonton's win in game 2, a game in which Talbot stole the win, i told some friends that we'll lose the next 4 straight of we keep playing like that night. That's exactly what's happening. The Ducks are good, but that 3rd period last night was pathetic from the Oil. I don't expect a game 7.

[Snow Dog]

Agreed about the Oilers. Caught the last half of the third period and saw they were up 3-0 late in the game. Thought they pretty much had it in the bag.  But when the Ducks scored that first goal, and especially the second very soon after, you just got a feeling that Edmonton was going to let it slip away. And sure enough... I'm not expecting a game seven either in this series. The Ducks have all the momentum right now. It's too bad since I've been cheering for any Canadian team in the playoffs now to take the Cup. Hard to believe it's been nearly a quarter century since it's been won by a Canadian club.

And on another note for the Oilers, is it just me, or does it seem Darnell Nurse been on the ice every time Edmonton gives up a big goal? I've watched that guy give up more pucks, lose his man, and allow more goals this series than nearly anybody else I've seen. He looks very uncomfortable handling the puck in his own end.

[KevShmev]

I wouldn't worry about momentum too much; that can change in an instance in hockey.

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Oilers why...

[mikeyd23]

You have no retort; I get it. 

As for the Blues, never in doubt tonight.

Ah, I do but I'm not sure it's worth the time. All was trying to say was that Sid was a classy player, but if you don't think we can make statements about players that aren't quantifiable I guess there's a lot taken off the discussion table, such as two things you just mentioned in the thread - momentum and guts. .   

Anywho, what about them Ducks, that was crazy fun playoff hockey!

[SchecterShredder]

And on another note for the Oilers, is it just me, or does it seem Darnell Nurse been on the ice every time Edmonton gives up a big goal? I've watched that guy give up more pucks, lose his man, and allow more goals this series than nearly anybody else I've seen. He looks very uncomfortable handling the puck in his own end.

Yeah, i wanted Darnell to spend this season in the AHL. One more year to get used to the pro game would have done him wonders. They over achieved this year anyway, so there was no need to rush him along.

[TheCountOfNYC]

That Ottawa goal shouldn't have counted due to being offsides. Oh well. The Rangers will just have to respond in game 6.

[gmillerdrake]

That Ottawa goal shouldn't have counted due to being offsides. Oh well. The Rangers will just have to respond in game 6.

I admire how calmly you handled that. I can safely say i would have had a more creative and hostile post had my team been shafted like that.

[TheCountOfNYC]

That Ottawa goal shouldn't have counted due to being offsides. Oh well. The Rangers will just have to respond in game 6.

I admire how calmly you handled that. I can safely say i would have had a more creative and hostile post had my team been shafted like that.

I had already gotten it out of my system before I posted here. I was in no mood to get banned lol.

[Jarlaxle]

If you have full control of the puck it doesn't matter. You can skate in backwards and it's still considered onside.

[TheCountOfNYC]

If you have full control of the puck it doesn't matter. You can skate in backwards and it's still considered onside.

Yup. Sure looks like full control of the puck to me. 

[Jarlaxle]

  He's stick handling. That's having full control of the puck. That will be correctly called onside 100% of the time.

[jingle.boy]

Yeah Count, you just made the case against yourself - that 1st screen shot is misleading ... Turris already had touched the puck and was stickhandling at this point - HE brought the puck over the line, which is legal. If it was the pass that crossed the blue line like that, THEN it would've been offsides.

[TAC]

Just can't kill those Senators!