Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
While we wait for the Sharks, Wings, Predators and Canucks to finally settle who’ll play in the Western Conference Finals, we already know who will go at it in the east. Both the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning swept their way into the ECF, the Bruins knocking off Philadelphia in four games and the Lightning doing the same to the top-seed Washington Capitals.
It was the first time a number-one seed had been swept in a playoff series since the current conference-based format began in 1994.
Boston entered into the postseason as the third seed and Tampa Bay fifth, but both had identical 46-25-11 records and 103 points. That was good enough for the Bruins to win the Northeast Division crown and for the Bolts to finish second in the Southeast.
Tampa Bay’s 247 goals were one more than Boston tallied, but the Bs only gave up 195 goals while the Lightning allowed 240.
The Bruins took three of the four games played between the two. On November 11 the Lightning won 3-1 and December 2 the Boston pounded the Bolts 8-1. Then on 28th of December Mark Recchi scored a power play goal with 19.7 seconds left in the third period to give his team a 4-3 victory and last March 3 it was Milan Lucic scoring with 3:42 remaining in regulation time as the Bruins won 2-1.
Your pick in the ECF
- Boston Bruins (74%, 403 Votes)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (26%, 140 Votes)
Total Voters: 543
Loading ...Lucic, who led the Bruins with 30 goals this past season, did not score a goal in the last ten regular season games and failed to find the net in the first ten playoff matches. However, he potted a pair in the 5-1 game-four win over the Flyers last Friday.
After snapping out of his scoring drought, he was quick to give thanks to his teammates for their support.
“My teammates, especially my linemates with Krejci and Horton, we’ve been able to create so much chemistry here”, he said. “They always have my back, and even for them, times were tough this year. I had to lift them up, and just tell them to relax, and that was the same sort of thing.”
“They had my back, and they just told me, ‘It’s going to come. Just keep sticking with it.’”
Tampa Bay, who trailed Washington for only 26 minutes and 15 seconds during the four game sweep, comes into this series riding a seven game winning streak. Boston has won five consecutive and eight of their last nine after falling behind the Montreal Canadiens two games to none in the opening round.
Both teams have gotten outstanding performance in goal during the postseason. Tim Thomas is 8-3 with a 2.03 GAA and .937 SV%. However, Tampa Bay’s Dwayne Roloson has been just a tad better statistically, 8-3 with 2.01 GAA, .941 SV% and 1 SO.
While I’m sure the Bolts’ skaters appreciate what Roloson has done for them this spring, he has nothing but praise for them as well.
“You call it whatever you want, relentlessness, willpower, desire, whatever word you want to use, but what I think it just comes down to is not being afraid to lose”, the 41-year old netminder said of his teammates. “The guys are not afraid, they are going out, they are playing and putting everything on the line day in and day out.”
“When you do that, it makes for a tough [team] to play against.”
Patrice Bergeron , who leads the Bruins with 12 overall points in the playoffs, will miss one possible two games with a concussion. This means rookie Tyler Seguin will see his first ever NHL playoff action. Brad Marchand, Davis Krejci and Nathan Horton each have 5 goals. And defenseman Zdeno Chara is a +11 and averaging a team-high 28:41 TOI.
Martin St. Louis leads team with 13 overall points, 6 goals 7 assists. Sean Bergeneim’s 7 goals leads the Bolts, Vinny Lecavalier has 5 goals and 7 assists, Steven Downie is a +9 while defenseman Eric Brewer’s 26:09 TOI leads the Bolts.
As for the outcome of this series, the only thing I’m really sure of is that it’s unlikely to end in the fashion both teams experienced in the second round…a sweep. This once should be fun to watch with plenty of action and will probably go deep, six or seven games.
I’ll go with the Bruins to win in six. If I’m right we’ll then get a chance to see former Thrasher Rich Peverley, who was traded to Boston in February, perform in the Stanley Cup Finals.
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139 comments Add your comment
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
9:15 am
Red Light-I think the Broones are going to miss Bergeron a great deal. Cheap shot will keep him out of the series. Bolts have goaltending – unlike the cheap shot Flyers.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
9:17 am
I owe Marty St. Louis an apology-I said he was not worthy of an extension for several more years in September. The little guy proved me wrong, as he did to so many hockey folks early in his career. He’s the real Mickey Mouse.
litz
May 9th, 2011
9:39 am
I’ll go opposite Rawhide and pick TBL in six …
hockeygoon79
May 9th, 2011
9:41 am
Bolts in seven.
So let it be written, so let it be done.
Baldheaded Thrasher Fan
May 9th, 2011
9:59 am
With Bergeron out I’m going with the Bolts in six!
Hope that Nashville can take the west to make it a Southern finals,but my best guess is the Canucks.
Jeremy
May 9th, 2011
10:01 am
I’m going with the bolts in 6. This is going to be a great series no matter who wins.
David Cox
May 9th, 2011
10:51 am
Bolts in five. With Bergeron out I don’t see Boston winning either of the first two games.
Rawhide
May 9th, 2011
10:59 am
Baldhead Thrasher Fan & David Cox – I can understand why Bergeron being out would swing your vote toward the Bolts. I even thought about that myself. However the Bruins are a pretty balanced bunch and should be able to weather his absence for a game or two. It’ll be a problem if he’s out longer.
Either way, this should be a fun one to watch.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
10:59 am
Bolts in 5
Don’t really like the Broones (dislike the Flyers more)
Atlanta Flames Fan
May 9th, 2011
11:11 am
Every time I see St. Louis hit in the face with a stick, I think that the rules should be changed that a high-sticking penalty should not be called when the hit-ee is 5′8″ or shorter (lol).
(He is listed at 5-8, but I doubt he is that tall!)
moriler
May 9th, 2011
11:22 am
One up, one down. Stupid Flyers. Bolts in six for this one — they can’t sneak up on anyone anymore, but the Brooyuns are way too banged up to hang in there if Tampa wants to go fast.
hockeymom92
May 9th, 2011
11:26 am
Bolts in 5. Still crossing fingers and toes for Preds….
Kenneth Williams
May 9th, 2011
11:29 am
Under normal circumstances I’d take Boston due to their defense and goal tending. Tampa Bay and Roloson can match the play between the pipes, he was a game changer when picked up by the Lightning.
I will go with them over the Bruins in seven wonder to watch games.
Mr. Heat Miser
May 9th, 2011
11:35 am
The mere thought of the remote possibility of Shane Hnidy getting his name on the Cup makes me queasy.
Tom Lysiak
May 9th, 2011
12:06 pm
Hmmm, hate ‘em both. Guess I’ll have to pull for Pevs to score the series winner in the 3rd period of OT, 7th game.
Eagle man
May 9th, 2011
12:07 pm
Bolts in 4 I dont take anything away from boston they are a good team but I never seen the bolts more hungry for this and yes it will awsome to watch lets hope the refs call a fare game that has not been there strong suit this year
ben
May 9th, 2011
12:29 pm
I’m so busy, I truly don’t care. But I’d like to see the Bruins in the Stanley Cup. (If I had time to watch it that is.
DOM
May 9th, 2011
12:32 pm
Bruins in 6!
Goal tending should be the difference and the 2011 vezna trophy winner “to be” will prevail! Chicago took care of business last year, and this year it’s the bruins turn! The “B’S”fans have waited along time and are ready for a champion!
Mat"T"
May 9th, 2011
12:34 pm
Bolts.
Joe Friday
May 9th, 2011
12:35 pm
they’re still playing hockey?
Rawhide
May 9th, 2011
12:36 pm
DOM – My pre-playoff prediction was that the Bruins would skate the Cup this year. I see no reason to alter that now.
Been a long time coming for Bs fans, that’s for sure.
Red Light
May 9th, 2011
12:50 pm
This is simply a tremendous match-up as both teams have an older veteran goalie, four very capable lines and even the defensive pairings are similar. The Bergeron injury could be a factor, but as it is a slight concussion I am not as worried as I might normally be. In addition, Gagne and Kubina are still a bit banged up for Tampa, so I call it a wash right now.
The Lightning are 9-18-1 against the Bruins since 2003-04, which was the last time they won the season series vs. the Bruins. In fact, I believe that the Lightning have only ever won five games in Boston since their inaugural season and Lecavalier, St. Louis, Kubina, Stamkos and Malone are a collective -32 in 173 career games vs. the Bruins.
Tim Thomas is 10-4 lifetime against the Lightning but Roloson has been even better against the Bruins but he hasn’t played many times against them. But, if I am Boucher, I have serious concerns about which line and which defensive pair is going to face Lucic, Horton and Krecji. On the flip side, of course we all know Chara and Seidenberg will see Vinny, Marty and Stamkos a bunch in the series, and since Julien gets the last line change as the home team in four of the seven games, that could be a factor. The Bruins also have been better in the faceoff circle than the Bolts too.
The biggest concern facing Boston is that their power play has been brutal and Tampa’s PK unit has been sensational. And if the Bruins don’t stay out of the box, the Lightning will dominate because the Bolts’ special teams have carried them through the first two playoff series. Clearly, the Bruins have been decidedly better at even strength than any team in the playoffs. And, I love the fact they are 4-0 in overtime so far, and two of the wins came on the road.
I have to stick to my guns and side with the Bruins, although I wouldn’t mind seeing Tampa Bay advance. The Bruins will prevail in a hard-fought seven-game series, and two of their four wins will come in overtime. The long layoff really helps the Bruins top pair who are averaging more than 28 minutes per game, and maybe they’ll get Bergeron back earlier than expected.
Boston in 7.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
1:18 pm
Broones aren’t going to get the cheap goals they recvd in the Philly series. I think our boy Bergenheim is going to stay on pace for that nice contract he’s looking for. I think the Bolts’ 3rd line is going to play a big part in this series. Nathan Horton has had a few days to read his press clipping too- order him a bigger helmet.
This series could ultimately hing on the play of Milan Lucic. He showed signs of waking up after the Flyers were pretty much dead. he could swing things and force the Bolts into more line matchups.
Bergeron’s injury will force some line shuffling, showing us how Claude Julien will adapt to the loss.
alex
May 9th, 2011
1:28 pm
good to be thrashers player, instead of taking brutal beating on hockey ring, just fish, women and and beaches, by the way i fell sorry for don, usually because he in this time not in playoff he on travel to Europe for world champ. to do his scouting on behalf of thrashers (results is huge, see thrashers record). i believe he missed Europe this time. are dud here?
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
1:31 pm
Also, the events of the past week make one thing very clear-that the Bolts are now the team to beat in the Southeast Division going into next fall. Caps are now looking up at the Bolts with some major decisions to make on their roster. Semin is untradeable with his one year deal and reputation for hiding under a rock.
Holmes
May 9th, 2011
1:34 pm
Didn’t the B’s whoop the Bolts all regular season long? And Tim Thomas is playing out of his mind?
B’s in 5
Sage of Bluesland
May 9th, 2011
1:39 pm
Am pulling for the team Cornsheep has sworn up and down all year was overrated and that the lowly, pathetic Thrashers were ‘better’ than: Tampa Bay Lightning.
Yeah, sure. Any alleged credibility lost on that constant bleating….which has turned out to be utterly laughable and unforgettable….
Go Bolts. To the team which was worse than us upon the inception of Don’s first “Five-Year Plan”…Got better–to the point of winning a title–in his second “Five-Year Plan”…Got worse again–and have now built up yet again…during Don’s third “Five-Year Plan”.
Sense a pattern here, folks? Never let it be said I didn’t tell you so. However, are any of you even listening?
(Not based on the continued hopeful, yet laughably misplaced, optimism…)
Hoof Arted
May 9th, 2011
2:23 pm
This is a tough one. I want the Bolts to win but I really think it’ll be the Bruins. I’ll go with Boston winning it in the third OT period of game seven.
Pack a lunch gang, this ones going to be fun.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
3:02 pm
Sage-playoffs have not been the same without your revolving input-welcome back.
I am not a Jeremy Roenick fan, but I have to say he has been OK for VS, so far in the post season. A big thanks to JR for calling out Marleau last night-called him “gutless” -totally and completely right on. Shoulda tossed in lazy loafer too. The Euroes in this series are skating rings around the Canadian Marleau. Kronwall needs to deck Marleau too, but he might go back to the bench and cry. Waiting for Don Cherry to chime in, should be fun.
Brendan
May 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
I’m 6-4 right now. And I could go 0-4 for the 2nd round, if SJ and Vancouver don’t closeout. That said, I trail Red Light and Rawhide by 3 series, with 3 left. I can’t catch them by AGREEING with their picks. So, in George Costanza-like fashion, I will do the “Opposite.” (I never do well on the picks, anyways, avergaging 8.6 wins and 6.4 losses per year.)
My head tells me that defense still wins Championships in hockey, and that Rask/Thomas is better than anything TB can muster in net. The regular season GA tells me that Boston should win the series. That ’should’ be the end of the analysis.
But, knowing the NHL as I do, the worst possible TV-ratings matchups tend to be what happens in the Finals. It’s been tremendously fortunate, recently, for the NHL to have the Red Wings in the Finals in 2008 and 2009, along with a mighty return for the Chicago Blackhawks, after years of futility. The best possible scenario is a Boston-Detroit Finals. The worst is a TBL vs. SJS/Nashville Finals.
The Southeast Division has actually done fairly well over the last 14 seasons, in terms of sending a team to the Finals. This would be Year 15, upcoming, and five (5) SE division teams have made it in. Those were the Panthers in 1996, the Capitals in 1998, the Hurricanes in 2002 & 2006, and Tampa Bay in 2004. That’s about one-third (1/3) of the time. The SE Division has been shutout for the past four seasons running, so … I could see that, perhaps, the SE Division is due for another appearance in the Finals.
But here are a few reasons why I think the Tampa Bay Lightning just might really do it. “The 3-Year Rule.” What, duh? Yes. The “3-Year Rule.” In 2001, the Bolts were DEAD LAST. By 2004, they won the Cup. Carolina was DEAD LAST in 2003. By 2006, they won the Cup. In 2007, Philly was DEAD LAST. By 2010, they reached the Finals. Philly lost the draft lottery in 2007 to Chicago, who “3-years later” won the Cup. Now, it’s not a hard and fast rule. Washington was DEAD LAST in 2004. They did not reach the Finals in 2007, nor have they in the four years that followed 2007. The St. Louis Blues were last in 2006. They haven’t reached the Finals, either. But Tampa Bay was DEAD LAST in 2008. They selected Stamkos. They picked up Hedman, 2nd overall, in 2009. They retained St. Louis, Lecavalier from their Title year. They added Simon Gagne, Dwayne Roloson. They have committed ownership, a good GM, and a good coach. This all adds up to success. I’m a bit surprised just how well it came together for the Lightning this season, but the results are certainly there.
But, it’s not just the “3-year rule,” and “The NHL never gets the TV-ratings matchups it needs.” Or that “TBL drafted well.” For me, it’s this little nugget. Coming into the playoffs, and even as far back as PRESEASON, I had the two teams to beat in the East as (1) Washington and (2) Pittsburgh. How did the Lightning get here?? Answer: Via Pittsburgh, trailed 3-1, in the series, and Washington, whom they swept. Flukes?? I wouldn’t say that. By the time a team wins the 4th game of a series, the losing team is plum out of excuses for it.
So, let me ask you bloggers, are the Tampa Bay Lightning merely “this year’s Montreal Canadiens?” That is, someone who knocked off top challengers Washington and Pittsburgh, only to meet their doom in the CF? I can respect that argument. That’s exactly how Montreal got to the CF last season. I just think there’s something special about this Bolts team. They win on the road. They don’t appear ‘nervous.’ They’re a solid bunch. So, if Roloson’s goaltending can carry them, who knows how far they’ll go? Imagine if it’s TBL vs. Vancouver, and the Lightning stick it to Canada again, just like in ‘04?
Now, I’ll admit that, on paper, Boston is the better team. Some of the most relevant stats favor Boston. They won the regular season series. The GA is far, far better for Boston. Bruins have home ice. Statistically speaking, the Bruins haven’t reach the CF since 1990, so they’re overdue. They haven’t won a Cup since the Bobby Orr-era, in ‘72. I won’t cry if the Bruins win. I’ll be happy for them. They’ve been a # 1 seed fairly recently (2008), and in the playoffs consistently, and in the CSF consistently. Boston ought to be rewarded for their efforts, driven to show last year’s collapse vs. Philly was an aberration. The NHL would benefit by a Bruins appearance in the Finals. As far as “Power Rankings,” I probably would have put Boston 3rd in the East, behind Washington and Pittsburgh. So, with those clubs eliminated, Boston does sort of become the “heir apparent” for the East.
Pick: Bolts take Game Seven in Boston. We’re left to scratch our heads, from our preseason picks, and utter, “might as well use ‘coin flips’ to determine the winners of these series, because they’re just not PREDICTABLE.”
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
3:31 pm
bRUINS WILL KILL THEY AREN’T ALL bERGERON! Lucic will kick butt and b’s will win
B’s in 5
Riff
May 9th, 2011
3:34 pm
Speed Kills.
Bolts in 6…
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
3:35 pm
Savard is done. His career is over, But i bet the b’s will dress seguin in Bergerons place. With all the injuries to boston tampa WOULD have an advantage… but the bruins have the best goalie, wings, and d in the league, not to mention they owned tampa all season.
And to all atlanta fans
Thanks for peverly
kracker
May 9th, 2011
3:38 pm
I take Bruins because of Peverley. Plus, it’s difficult to root for a div rival, especially TB.
Old Time Hockey
May 9th, 2011
3:40 pm
It all depends on Roleson. If he continues this kind of stand-on-your-head play, they will be tough to beat. He was the best player in the playoffs a few years ago until his playoff knee injury. Thomas has been good, but…..
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
3:50 pm
Old time hockey,
Roleson STINKS compared to thomas. Bolts have st louis, stamkos and lecalvelier but they cant score on thomas they are all -34 scince 04
Flagstaff
May 9th, 2011
3:56 pm
b’s DIE HARD: Roloson doesn’t stink at all. Not in the playoffs, anyway. He’s the main reason they were even able to clear Round One.
That being said, Boston is my second team, and I hate Tampa, so I’m picking them in 6. Here’s hoping Rich has a great showing.
PatHenry52
May 9th, 2011
4:06 pm
Bruins in 5
Split the first two, middle 2 wins in OT.
glovesave29
May 9th, 2011
4:07 pm
Not sure I would go so far as to say Roloson stinks…remember, it was Thomas that was on the trading block last summer. BOS fans were ready to throw him onto the scrap heap and ride Raask for the next decade. B’s are certainly stronger in the net, but the loss of Bergeron cannot be understated. The Bruins do possess the superior roster, but the Bolts are playing great, team hockey right now. Hard to see this going anything but the full 7 games. But the Bruins will wear them down and make it to the SCF.
Before you go about gloating over the acquisition of Peverley, you need to remember that Wheeler FAR out performed him after the trade was made. The added pieces of Stuart for Valabik tilts the trade pretty strongly in our favor. That being said, Pevs was a HUGE fan favorite down here, and I cannot wish the man ANYTHING but all the success. It would make this fan pretty happy to see him get to lift the cup. But with VAN, DET, and SJ looming in the west, I can’t see it happening – but stranger things have happened.
glovesave29
May 9th, 2011
4:09 pm
Someone please go shut CViv up…he’s just spoon feeding the Winnipeg / Canadian media hype. What is he doing? Is this his audition for a new gig in Manitoba?
JohnBoy
May 9th, 2011
4:19 pm
CHARRAAAAAAAAA
Zombie Steve
May 9th, 2011
4:24 pm
Was a Looch/B’s fan before earlier this year when Milan got owned (cleanly) by Freddy Meyer and decided to pitch a fit about it. I’ll go with the Bolts in 7.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
4:25 pm
Glovesave-thank you and thensome.
What happens in Phoenix means very little here, if anything at all.
Just give the idiots in Winnipeg and expansion team and let them stink for 5 years (or more) like we did. Then we will see what a great hockey town Winnipeg is.
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
4:38 pm
Flagstaff: Didnt say he stunk, just thomas is superior
And to Glove save: Seguin is well ready to play in bergerons place after seeing no ice time so far he’ll be eager to play
like i said before Bs in 5
2 ot game winners 1 by Pevs 1 by Rechi
glovesave29
May 9th, 2011
4:43 pm
WBF – even that report on TSN.ca last summer gave Winnipeg a hard time saying that when times were lean with the Jets, the fans stayed home in droves. This massive passion for the NHL is revisionist history. Let us remember the Jets made the playoffs in 11 of 17 seasons. This was in the era of 16 of the 21 teams qualifying for the post season. They made it with point totals like 59, 73, 74, 78…numbers that today would have them eliminated by February. Let’s see how much enthusiasm there is in Manitoba to plunk down $150 per seat for a game vs. Florida in late March. In today’s NHL – they would have likely made the playoffs just twice…with 96 and 88 points.
The cries of being pawns in this game coming from Winnipeg are getting laughable. The Winnipeg and Canadian media are the sole source of these stories’ origins. No owner has come out and said that Winnipeg was an option. All have expressed desires to stay in their current homes. The league (save a comment by Bill Daly in February – and he was quickly silenced) has said the same…stay put. Players are coming out and saying they do not wish to play there. It’s not a bad town…but that is just it…Winnipeg is a town and the players are used to cities. Demographically speaking it is perfect size for the AHL. Their metro population as of the 2006 census is about equal to that of metro Atlanta…in 1930!
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
4:44 pm
Glovesave, who’s your pick in the west??????
I say Boston and San Jose
det cant battle back
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
4:50 pm
glovesave i agree
Canada gets credit for all the great teams but when was the last canadien teem to win the cup?
Wonder if the b’s could get zetterberg for savard hes dun anyway
b'S DIE HARD
May 9th, 2011
4:53 pm
Any1 there?
Hockey Biltong
May 9th, 2011
5:30 pm
Kill the midget!
Red Light
May 9th, 2011
5:38 pm
There is an inherent problem with blogs, not this one, but many of them that litter the Internet. When you read an article, a post or an opinion and there is absolutely no attribution from other people discussing the subject (such as direct quotes or terms like, according to …), then you can surmise that it is only an opinion, not a fact-based piece.
Personally, I welcome the introduction of a fact-based, attribution laden article about the entire Winnipeg-Phoenix-Atlanta saga. Until I see one with updated comments made within the past few days of when anything is posted, rather than citing comments and BS from earlier in the season, etc., and hear directly from someone at True North that they are committed to working out a deal with the Coyotes or the Thrashers, I will continue to ignore the pink elephant in the room until negotiations begin in earnest.
So much has been written (space wasted) about this subject that it has become tiresome, redundant and has become nothing more than writers, bloggers, etc. preying upon the fans in all three cities who want real answers.
If someone truly knows what is going on, it would be nice to hear it, rather than the constant conjecture we have been subjected to over the past year or more. I’m sure the Coyotes and Jets fans feel the same way.
The 27
May 9th, 2011
6:26 pm
Bolts in 6. Hate the Bruins can’t root for them.
Fan from Carolina
May 9th, 2011
6:48 pm
Please, enough with the +/- stats. PLEASE!! It is so misleading. For heavens sakes, Roloson didn’t even play the Bruins as a Lightning this season. It was ‘light em up’ Ellis and Smith in net. Even Bobby Orr would have been minus. Isn’t St Louis minus something in the playoffs? Is there anyone out there that doesn’t want him on their club? Enough!
Now back to the series. I picked Boston from the beginning but still haven’t picked the Lightning yet against either the Pens or Caps. I might as well keep my record going and pick the Bruins. Malone and Downie will help negate some of the pummeling that the Lightning experienced against Lucic and Boychuk. I believe they missed a few regular season games due to lengthy injuries. I also feel that Thomas will steal enough games to win the series. The Bruins will struggle to score most nights as they soon find out this isn’t the woeful Flyers goalies in net.
SOB, your reasoning for picking the Lightning is hilarious and right on the money.
HookyBob
May 9th, 2011
6:48 pm
In my mind the Bolts possess an intangible, much like the Blackhawks did last year. That intangible would be the ability to adapt, grow, and challenge veteran teams.
I’m thinking the Bolts may go down to the Bruins early but come back strong. They also have the “youth factor” over the Bruins (although I really like Marchand).
Bolts also play a wide, cross-ice game which could be problematic for Thomas.
Bolts on to the finals in 6.
Out west, I’m not picking any winners,… but first choice would be the Predators, then Canucks, to advance to the SCF.
ZAvalanche
May 9th, 2011
7:06 pm
bDH – It would be rough for Detroit to battle back, but never count them out.
Just the facts
May 9th, 2011
9:19 pm
The only facts regrding the Thrshers are this:
They have lost over 100 Million, they are for sale but no one is interested in the asking price. Atendance is terrble and the team is not likely to make the playoffs for years. Other than that everything is conjecture. Oh and Tampa beats the Bruins in 5.
Player to be named later
May 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
Just the Facts-you seem to have left out allotta facts that have lead to the current state of the Thrashers.
1. Lost $100M? That happens when you fail to INVEST in your product.
2. Attendence is terrible? See #1 for your reasons.
3. Won’t make the playoffs for years? Again, see #1
ZAvalanche
May 9th, 2011
9:34 pm
I am picking Tampa to close it out at home in 6 games, though if they do lose the series it will be due to Thomas. You have to imagine every team other than Vancouver is hoping to have their second round series pushed to 7 with a Nash win tonight. That would be game 7 series in a row for ‘Nucks and their opponents aren’t getting any easier.
ZAvalanche
May 9th, 2011
9:35 pm
I stand by my assertion that if Thrashy gets 2 stay at home D, move Buffy up, they make the playoffs.
World Be Free
May 9th, 2011
9:37 pm
Glovesave, once again you hit the nail on the head when truly describing the situation in Winnipeg, add Quebec City to the same description. This is all about the Canadian media’s obsession with stealing franchises from the South and taking back home to Canada. Truthfully, the people of Winnipeg deserve better than the BS they are getting from the Canadian media.
R/L we know we won’t get the facts from Vivlamore.
Red Light
May 9th, 2011
11:18 pm
Bill and I (a few others too I believe) are now 10-1 in the playoffs after the Canucks take out the Preds in 6 games. Bill pegged the # of games too, while I had it going 7 games. Preds finish without a home win in the series and that’s too bad.
Red Light
May 9th, 2011
11:20 pm
Glad to be going head-to-head tomorrow night in Game 6 with our esteemed host at the Joe. This means War, Bill!
Brendan
May 9th, 2011
11:33 pm
Finally, I have won a series in the CSF! Up to 7-4. The worst I can do now is 7-8 for the playoffs. One more win, and I match my “average.”
Nashville has nothing of which to be ashamed. They played well. They won road games. They just couldn’t win at home. For their ownership, Nashville earned $12 million in PURE PROFITS by hosting six playoff games. That’s excellent return on investment (ROI).
Trouble for Nashville? The only one I see is … they’ve raised the bar … to the point where FAILURE TO RETURN to the CSF constitutes a backwards step. And failure to reach the CF … means the Preds are not continuing to advance themselves. Such are the pressures that accompany success and patient building. I still say that Nashville is somewhat of a model franchise, for clubs trying to do it in a fiscally responsible manner. But there’s a time to spend … and for Nashville … I think that’s now. They must continue to advance their club. Tweak it a bit at the draft and free agency. They’re now close enough to a Cup … to justify sacrificing picks to get the players they need to win the Cup.
Rawhide
May 9th, 2011
11:41 pm
Red Light – That’s right…it’s on! An 11-1 record in the postseason predictions is on the line!
Go Wings!!!
(Good Gawd-almighty, I cannot believe I just said that)
Brendan
May 9th, 2011
11:49 pm
Eric Boulton is doing “On The Fly” tonight! Who knew?!!
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
7:32 am
Brendan: Seeing how the Preds had only ever won two playoff games in any one season, the fact that they won six games this year is a step forward. Now, they must lock up Shea Weber as he is due a new contract. Look for a very long deal at a lower cap hit then we might imagine, but he’s going to have to earn more than Byfuglien, so Nashville is probably looking at $30 million over five years…minimum.
Ward, Sullivan, Goc (injured) and O’Brien are the only others whose contracts have expired, so they have plenty of room to reward Weber. But, I don’t see them going much past the new floor ($47 million) next season.
Fan from Carolina
May 10th, 2011
7:41 am
As half the Thrashers nation asks, “What’s ‘On The Fly’?” LOL! Nah, most Thrashers posters are not even reading this stuff anymore. When the regular season ended they were long gone, off to Braves country.
By the way, even though I picked the Bruins I still want the Lightning to win for the Southeast division. Canadian markets can’t stand it. There are still Maple Leafs fans who will swear up and down that their Leafs teams were BETTER than the Canes and Lightning teams that won the Stanley Cup. Denial is a strange thing.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
7:47 am
Leafs fans now have had 44 straight years of denial, and that streak is likely to continue at least for another three seasons.
World Be Free
May 10th, 2011
8:12 am
R/L – poor Loafs-breaks my heart
Melissa
May 10th, 2011
8:37 am
B’s will not win this cup…they will fall apart just like they always do year after year! And I will enjoy torturing all my friends the way they tortured me when the Habs went down! Might I add that Bruins fans…most of them around me…are not only jumping on the bandwagon for the playoffs, are not true hockey fans and never give any credit to the players of other teams with great players when they make great plays. The B’s have not won a cup while I have been breathing and god willing they wont win one til Im dead…but still a lot of GREAT hockey to watch…
World Be Free
May 10th, 2011
9:34 am
melissa-tonight’s game will be great!
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
9:59 am
I’d be very surprised if Detroit didn’t force Game 7. Sharks had their chance and you never give a good veteran team a second opportunity to get back into a series.
Fan from Carolina
May 10th, 2011
10:51 am
RL, I believe you are right. For Sharks fans, this is really nail-biting time. Maybe I was premature in thinking there wouldn’t be a Stevie Y – Red Wings finale. No way the Canucks advance. Kesler is a one man wrecking crew and he alone just won’t be enough against either the Sharks or Red Wings. I really think he was born in Canada. Not sure I have seen an American work so hard to get the Cup.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
11:07 am
Fan from Carolina
Interesting point. Chris Drury in 2001 leaps to my mind, Kane last year, Orpik in 2009 and Rafalski in 2008, but did you know that only one American-born player has won the Conn Smythe Trophy since it was first awarded in 1965?
1994: The Rangers Brian Leetch, who was born in Dallas and reared in Connecticut.
ZAvalanche
May 10th, 2011
11:22 am
Like have always said that Detroit, no matter how far down, can not be discounted. They may not have the best players (but some damn good ones) but their system is top notch. lets see, I picked Tampa and Boston, and SJ and Van. I hope SJ gets their crap in order.
And Rawhide, you need some soap in your mouth (or on your keyboard or something) for rooting for the Big Red Borg. Though, understand I don’t blame you as it is a reasonable pick.
Tonight’s game. Datsyuk may not play and that could be the deciding factor. SJ has a history of choking and Detroit has, well, a history of winning. Are the tides turning? I can see a game 7 coming with a Det win but I am hoping against it.
Also, what are your peoples thoughts on JR’s lambasting of former teammate Patrick Marleau?
ZAvalanche
May 10th, 2011
11:25 am
FFC – The way Vancouver is playing right now I think they could take SJ or Det, but it will go 7 if they advance to face the Bolts.
ZAvalanche
May 10th, 2011
11:38 am
SJ is 2-7 in the Conference Semi’s. Detroit is 8-5 in the Semi’s for the same number of years going back to ‘92. Uhoh SJ.
World Be Free
May 10th, 2011
12:20 pm
ZAvs-totally agree with JR lambasting Marleau, his unfavorable review is long overdue. The Sedins get dumped on by the Candian media (and fans) when they don’t produce while Marleau gets a free pass by Don Cherry and rest of the CBC clowns.
Odd that the heart, sole and core of the Red Wings is largely European. Their character is based on Kronwal, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, The Mule and Pavel The Man. Toss in guys like Filpilla and Hudler too. Pavel Datsuyk is the best player in the world right now in every facet of the game. His absense tonight would be a shame. Kesler is a close 2nd to The Man.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
May 10th, 2011
12:33 pm
AJC hockey blogs-the tale of 2 philosophies-
Rawhide talking hockey and playoffs and Chick Little Viv feeding the trolls.
Keep up the good work Rawhide
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
12:45 pm
To continue the Datsyuk Man-Crush, I would simply say this:
When I watch this guy play, I think of Jean Ratelle, a Hockey Hall of Famer and one of my favorite players of all-time. That is the highest compliment I can give.
HockeyNorth
May 10th, 2011
1:28 pm
Bruins all the way. Not willing to put up money to back it though. Lost too much last year going with my heart vs Flyers. And about JR spouting off and suggesting Marleau doesn’t earn his paycheck and those other nasty names he shot out there. Very ironic as I recall his last few years coasting around on his “retirement” contract in Phoenix. He checked out about two years before he actually sent in his retirement papers. I guess the mouth never slowed down though. NHL should send a bill to Versus for allowing him to audition for 2 years at the ‘Yotes expense
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
1:48 pm
In fairness, Roenick was injured and never played a complete season after 2002-03, but I was never a fan of his on- or off-the-ice. Once a Flyer, always a pr–k.
Brendan
May 10th, 2011
1:55 pm
Red Light, if the Predators don’t realize that they stand at the precipice of playoff dominance, then they don’t deserve to win. Failure to make that recognition, on the part of GM Poile and the Predators ownership group, means that the team will step backwards, at $47 million. While there are no guarantees of anything by spending, it sure does help to buy the thoroughbreds that will carry the dogsled across the frozen tundra, in lieu of rounding up strays for the same voyage. If the Predators don’t have a $51 million “Opening Night” budget, they need to issue their fans an apology and a refund. To not spend at least this much, really does speak to intent. Do the Nashville Predators want to win the Stanley Cup, or not? If it’s an affirmative answer, they should increase their coffers and sacrifice some picks to go get whatever they’ve identified as their weakness, from these playoffs. That’s what an organization committed to winning would do. Poile knows what to do. Unshackle the man, and let him do his thing. It should begin at the Draft. Then continue during the Frenzy. I’m not suggesting the Preds be flush against the Cap. But I am saying that they need to at least reach something resembling the mid-point of the cap, if they’re going to make it to the CF next season.
Brendan
May 10th, 2011
1:56 pm
Jean Ratelle was a fantastic hockey player.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
2:13 pm
Brendan:
I don’t disagree, but if you have just won six playoff games and you need to win another 10 to win a Cup (remember Lombardi didn’t play for 80 games plus the playoffs), the financial realities of a small arena and a small TV market doesn’t allow them to start spending willy-nilly when they clearly have one of the best recipes for limited success in the entire league. You can’t chase a Cup with money (as Glen Sather is keenly aware) but you can bolster what you have done with key acquisitions (Kostitsyn for example) that will reap dividends. With Fisher in the fold, having to re-sign Weber, not sure Poile will make too big a splash in free agency because his young farmhands continue to pay off. But you’re right, $50-$51 million is more logical than what I posted earlier this week.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
2:14 pm
Reply to Brendan is a floater!
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
May 10th, 2011
2:30 pm
Red LIght-nice Jean Ratelle reference, still have no idea why the Rangers EVER traded him especially to Boston! Ratelle was not as physical as Datsyuk; I still think Pavel is more like Bryan Trottier. I know he’s a former Islander but you have to give Trotts his due.
Preds are a real good team, one issue I have with them is the lack of speed with their forwards. They have good size, but lack the breakout speed through there forwards needed to keep teams honest in the neutral zone. Just a thought.
Roenick took too many shots to the head-it shows in most (not all) the things he says today. He’s a future Cherry clone without the silly suits.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
2:48 pm
Cherry has a huge heart, Roenick is still looking for his transplant!
World Be Free
May 10th, 2011
2:57 pm
I turn off the VS intermission reports.
Hoof Arted
May 10th, 2011
3:16 pm
I bet the Wings at least force a game seven. The Sharks very well may have blown their chance the other night.
moriler
May 10th, 2011
4:55 pm
The time to win for San Jose was when they had a chance at a sweep. Missing the first chance put a little life back in the Wings’ legs, but it wasn’t so bad since the series was headed back to SJ. Missing the chance to put it away at home… well… the Wings might be old, but that just means they don’t have to imagine what it’ll be like to win — they can just _remember_. And they can remember what it takes to win, too.
Now SJ has to try to win it on the road, or face a Game 7 against a team with roughly twice as much experience _winning_ out of that particular situation. If I was SJ, I’d leave everything on the ice for Game 6 — Game 7 may be in front of their home crowd but that’s no gimme by a long shot.
Fan from Carolina
May 10th, 2011
5:10 pm
Red Light, I can’t believe I forgot Drury. Shame on me. Kane had a fine supporting cast, including big Buff, so I feel Kesler is doing more. Too many Canucks are invisible. The others you mention are defensemen and as great as they were in their respective years, not quite the ‘animal’ that Kesler is displaying right now. the position has alot to do with it. I also liked Ratelle back in the day but he wasn’t a beast as I remember, more of an Adam Oates type. Kesler, although not as big, is reminding me of Keith Primeau back in the ‘03 -’04 playoffs, just an unstoppable, determined beast, but even then he couldn’t carry the club all by himself, falling just short of the Cup finals.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
6:12 pm
At long last, they have released the Conference Finals schedule, and lo and behold, the Lightning finally get a weekend home game for the first time, but it is at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 14 at Boston, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS
Tuesday, May 17 at Boston, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS
Thursday, May 19 at Tampa Bay, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS
Saturday, May 21 at Tampa Bay, 1:30 p.m. NBC
Monday, May 23 at Boston, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS
Wed., May 25 at Tampa Bay, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS
Friday, May 27 at Boston, 8:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Brendan
May 10th, 2011
6:13 pm
Red Light, a well reasoned reply. I do wonder, however, at what point will Nashville stop trying to be “slightly above average” with “limited resources” to one that makes a commitment, with a nice 2-4 year window, to make a run at a Cup. I, personally, believe that teams ebb and flow. Keep payroll low during rebuilding. Keep it high, as you challenge for the Cup. I would categorically reject any notion of trying to be the 15th-best team in the NHL, on an annual basis, and just hope one of those years produces a “miracle” run to the Finals.
If you’re saying that Nashville can’t afford to be within $5 million of the cap, then doesn’t that speak to how over-inflated the cap is? I mean, the global concept here, of the cap, is to “level the ice surfaces” between the haves and the have nots. When we have teams that cannot afford the FLOOR of the cap, without being arficially propped up by revenue-sharing dollars, then the cap is broken and needs to be fixed. And what does this cap really achieve, in terms of reigning in the big spenders, when they can just “stash” players in the minors, or “loan them” overseas? This system, as a financial institution, is broken. It needs to be fixed. Again. I still say, back in 2006, if the league just mandated that, “every year, for the next six years, the Cap will be $50 million,” that everything would have just fine. Instead, it went from $39, to $44. Then to $47. Then to $53. Then $56. And then $59. It grew $20 million. In the next Lockout, the issues of “stashing” and “cap circumvention schemes,” like Kovalchuk’s contract and Hossa’s contract, need to be better refined. In fact, they just need to be eliminated, period. Whatever you pay the player is the cap hit. No more dollar cost averaging. That fixes everything. And this way, the Nashvilles of the league wouldn’t have to scheme how close to the floor they can be, yet still make the playoffs.
Fan from Carolina
May 10th, 2011
6:57 pm
Wow, that’s another quick turnaround in Tampa again, almost like the Caps series on back to back nights. I understand the NHL wants the Canucks on HNIC on Saturday night but the Lightining and Roloson sure get the short end of the stick again.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
9:08 pm
Tampa had an arena conflict with Disney on Ice from the 19th to the 22nd so I guess the kiddies will be a little disappointed with the schedule as is.
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
9:19 pm
Brendan: The cap is a sham. Still favors big market clubs and no way should it have escalated as much and as quickly as it has. Player revenue sharing has dictated the rise and the floor and cap should be narrowed next time around.
It will be re-written next time and will address a bunch of the crap that has come up as you mentioned. Something has to give!
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
9:21 pm
Shots on Goal: Detroit 24, San Jose 11 through 9 minutes of the 2nd and it’s still 0-0.
Advantage San Jose?
Rawhide
May 10th, 2011
10:40 pm
Advantage San Jose?
Red Light – Looks like the answer to your question is….no.
So, there will be a game seven Thursday night to decide the Sharks/Red Wings series. It’ll also decide which one of us goes 11-1 overall in our postseason picks.
Care to put something on it to make it intersting…say an adult beverage or two at Timothy Johns?
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
10:40 pm
How about a Game 7 Bill?
Shootout at the Shark Tank, with the emphasis on “tank.”
Red Light
May 10th, 2011
10:41 pm
Cold pint at TJ’s? Sure, anytime.
Rawhide
May 10th, 2011
10:48 pm
Rotes Licht – Sehr gut dann, mein freund.
R. Stroz
May 10th, 2011
11:17 pm
Heartless Joe Thornton, Gutless Dany Heatley, and Trade Me Don’t Waive Me Dan Boyle have a big lump in their collective throats.
World Be Free
May 11th, 2011
7:42 am
Stroz-and you know the coach will get the blame if the Sharks complete the collapse. Another coach takes the bullet for players that can’t put out the effort. Toss in Marleau, my buddy.
They can’t move on the ice cuz they are toting their fat contracts.
Notice that none of the guys you named are European?
Red Light
May 11th, 2011
8:01 am
Red Wings clearly outplayed San Jose all night and if weren’t for Niemi’s performance through the first 50 minutes, the game would have been out of reach. Tough way to try to win a game when you get outshot 18-6 in the first, 14-7 in the second and 13-12 in the third period.
Sharks announcers were commenting that Datsyuk’s injury was BS, and it looked like they were right.
JT from Columbus
May 11th, 2011
8:52 am
Any news on how the vote went in PHX last night for the 25 mil for the NHL?
Hockey Biltong
May 11th, 2011
9:15 am
Red Wings win to die another day. What a game…..I’m still rooting for the Sharks.
This is hard to say, but I want Tampa to beat Boston, keeping the SE DIv. looking strong and I want the Cup to go to them so we can whip them next year…
Hockey Biltong
May 11th, 2011
9:16 am
JT- Arizona will barf up the bucks.
ZAvalanche
May 11th, 2011
11:13 am
NHL.com is posting that Glendale voted to keep them another year.
Man, that Detroit team doesn’t know the meaning of “panic”. Dangit, I knew this would happen.
glovesave29
May 11th, 2011
12:18 pm
Glendale is offering $25M, and the league says the team lost $37M last year. The NHL is willing to take $12M in losses to keep the market as they see that it has potential.
Still think Atlanta is going to be left out in the cold? I am thinking no.
ZAvalanche
May 11th, 2011
12:44 pm
Glove, I agree. The NHL knows that both Glendale and Atlanta has a lot of northern transplants. Pretty sure you don’t take the expansion risk lightly and they did a TON of statistical demographic analysis (maybe RL did it) before they moved a team here. 5+ million people in Atl vs 600k + in the Peg. Not even a comparison as far as revenue potential – the product has just been marketed poorly.
Final thought (well, not FINAL, I post all the time) – Despite my pick, Damn the Big Red Borg, common Sharks! If Det wins I will be 11-1 through the first 2 rounds.
ZAvalanche
May 11th, 2011
12:52 pm
Err, I am wrong on my picks. I went back to a previous blog and saw that I picked Washington to make it through round 2. Don’t know why the hell I did that. If Det wins I will be 10-2.
ZAvalanche
May 11th, 2011
12:58 pm
Also, for the record, I am picking Tampa to make it to the Finals. They showed me a lot in the Caps series. Man, that top line can move. That being said, if Timmy is in top form it is going to be a long series.
ZAvalanche
May 11th, 2011
1:03 pm
As for the West, I really can’t venture a guess. Vancouver has been very inconsistent but I think they have proven they can play physical. Detroit has two of the best, as far as skill and hockey sense, forwards in Datsyuk and Zet. But I am pretty sure that Datsyuk’s wrist is in a mess – he only took one face-off in the last game. Kesler is on fire and is going to cause some major problems for either team’s defense. SJ is all grit and if they get the nod, they will prove, either way, if Van can handle a blue collar team.
Red Light
May 11th, 2011
3:31 pm
Few seem to care in the US about the World Championships and it was buried alive here…but
“We didn’t play that well as in the previous games. We had a little bit of luck,” said Jagr, whose team has a perfect record at the tournament, in great part due to goaltender Ondrej Pavelec. “Ondrej was great and had several great saves in the first period. We looked a bit sleepy,”
Pavelec stopped 29 shots for the shutout of the U.S.
Tom
May 11th, 2011
3:55 pm
RL, regarding the World Championships and Pavelec, I am concerned. He may really be a world class goalie stuck behind a mediocre to piss poor defense. If that is the case he will be doing everything he can to get out of ATL unless we invest in a better d-line.
Red Light
May 11th, 2011
4:08 pm
Defense is a six-person effort, not just two defensemen and a goalie. Therein lies the problem IMO Tom.
Good news for the Islanders, sort of, as it will take another vote…
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=562517&navid=mod-rr-headlines
Hejduk re-signs with the Avs, and I’m sure ZAvs will have a smallish smile on his face as a result.
Red Light
May 11th, 2011
4:21 pm
More on Pavelec
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=562529
Tom
May 11th, 2011
4:27 pm
Great point on the 6 person effort. We need to improve our back end to keep a goalie that can perform like Pav’s can. He has been dominant at the Worlds.
Red Light
May 11th, 2011
4:57 pm
From 1976 to 2009 once a team took a 3-0 series lead, that series ended prior to going to a Game 7 112 straight times. In the span of 12 months, three teams have forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 and of course, the Flyers beat the Bruins last year, while the Hawks took the Canucks to seven and now the Wings have done the same to the Sharks. Three other teams, prior to the Blackhawks this season, forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in the series but lost.
So, that means the teams that were trailing 3-0 are now 3-4 in Game 7s prior to tomorrow night’s clash.
ZAvalanche
May 11th, 2011
5:31 pm
RL – that is a good bit of stats on game 7’s. And yes, I have more than a smallish smile on my face for The Duke resigning. He has some pretty serious skills, even at his age.
Keep The Trashers
May 11th, 2011
10:51 pm
Had a call from a good source that the Thrashers announcement is coming within 24 to 48 hours. The news may not be good. I cannot ignore this source, but I hope they are wrong. See HockeyBuzz post on this FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/KeepTheThrashers/188894621145432
Here is our call to action by ATL leaders – a call that may be too late now that they sat on their hands for three months:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/videokeepthrashersATL.html
Many “confirmed sources” have been wrong on this story – so it may not be bad, but again I would not ignore the news in the next 48 hours.
Keep The Thrashers
May 11th, 2011
10:56 pm
Had a call from a good source that the Thrashers announcement is coming within 24 to 48 hours. The news may not be good. I cannot ignore this source, but I hope they are wrong. See HockeyBuzz post on this FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/KeepTheThrashers/188894621145432
R. Stroz
May 11th, 2011
11:17 pm
If the team is moved, the ASG owners better be prepared for a really revealing present.
Say Ahh?
May 12th, 2011
8:48 am
No concerts, no Hawks games, no special events until these morons are run out of town!
Russ
May 12th, 2011
9:02 am
Red Light – As the unofficial blog statistician, I have an assignment for you. If you need something to do??? All four of the conference finalists this season will have already faced a game 7 within the first two rounds of the playoffs. How often has this happened in the past? Just curious.
EA
May 12th, 2011
9:05 am
Rawhide, any “inside” information on what is going on with the Thrashers? It is time for a new blog.
Was the Team Sold Months Ago? You Decide
May 12th, 2011
9:14 am
While this is still in the rumor stage, if this deal goes through you have to ask these questions (use link). We hope the media asks the NHL and ASG about this:
http://www.keepthethrashers.com/winnipeg.html
GO THRASHERS!
Rawhide
May 12th, 2011
10:20 am
EA – Yes, it shuld be time for a new blog…and I actually drafted one up last night. But once it was done it was rendered moot given the latest rumor to break about a “24-48″ timeframe for some sort of announcement.
Really there’s nothing more to add by me above and beyond what C-Viv and others in the media are reporting. They are the ones who can shed any insight and anything I could add is simply speculation at this point.
So I’m taking a wait and see position. Either this is just another baseless rumor, much like all of the others or the AS, LLC are exactly what so many of us have suspected all along…the biggest sack of lying human debris ever.
I plan on posting a Western Conference Finals Predictions blog after a winner is determined between San Jose and Detroit tonight. If you wish to opine on the on-going saga that has fallen uon Thrasherville, Vivlamore has this blog to do so.
JT from Columbus
May 12th, 2011
10:46 am
Just cannot believe this is happening!! Looks like it’s a done deal.
ZAvalanche
May 12th, 2011
11:00 am
I won’t count it a done deal until they actually say it is over and the team is gone. Surprised we haven’t seen the trolls yet……
Hockey Biltong
May 12th, 2011
1:37 pm
troll,troll troll troll.
trolling,trolling,trolling,
move ‘em up head ‘em out, Rawhide…
Zombie Steve
May 12th, 2011
3:35 pm
R.I.P Atlanta Thrashers….. and to the collective ownership, the Atlanta Spirit Group LLC, I wish you nothing but pain, misery, and misfortune for lying to fans, running this team into the ground, and allowing a second NHL hockey team to leave Atlanta.
EA
May 12th, 2011
3:41 pm
Thanks Rawhide.
rusty
May 12th, 2011
10:47 pm
Will there still be this blog if the Thrashers do leave?
Brendan
May 12th, 2011
11:56 pm
Marleau, with the winner!! Sharks win! Sharks win!! Sharks win!!
(But I don’t gain any ground on Red Light. And that really blows.)
I up my mark, with a 2-2 CSF, to 8-4.
Haven’t decided who to pick in the Western CF. First thoughts say … San Jose is making back-to-back trips to the CF, and are there for the 3rd time since 2004. The Sharks have made the playoffs every year under the CBA. The Sharks have been cup contenders, but couldn’t win with Ron Wilson behind the bench. The Marty Schottenheimer of hockey is gone now. Their Coach comes from the Red Wing organization. Heatley, Marleau, Thornton, Boyle, Niemi. It’s very tempting to take the Sharks.
Then again, why wouldn’t it be tempting to take the Canucks? President’s Trophy winners. Luongo is a world-class goalie. Their defense is large and in charge. They’ve got depth. The only knock on Vancouver is … they haven’t been dominant, by any stretch, in the playoffs. They cannot close a series early. Up 3-0 to Chicago, it took overtime of Game Seven to win. Up 3-1 on Nashville, they couldn’t close until Game Six. The 2011 Playoffs are favoring the road teams. So, who will win their home games? Vancouver or San Jose? If the roadies win every game, then it’s the Sharks moving on to the Finals.
If it’s San Jose vs. Tampa Bay for the Cup, I think back to expansion in the early 1990’s. San Jose entered the league in 1991. It was an awful 39-point season, that saw just 17 wins and 359 goals scored against them. It got worse the next year, when the Sharks gave up a STAGGERING 414 goals. In 1992, the Tampa Bay Lightning came into existence. They had a 59-point season, with 23 wins. They gave up 332 goals against.
Atlanta Spirit Sucks
May 13th, 2011
12:29 am
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Spirit-Sucks/114671988618038
Fan from Carolina
May 13th, 2011
7:22 am
Hey Brendan, A SJ-TB finale would be something to see, especially with Boyle against his old team. The only problem would be the TV ratings. Of course all the die-hard NHL fans will be watching but not too many others. In any event we are ’stuck’ with either SJ or Vancouver which makes for some late night viewing. Good thing Marleau scored or he would have been thrown under the team bus. I think that was his first point of the series. Brutal!
ZAvalanche
May 13th, 2011
9:02 am
I guess Marleau listened to JR’s thrashing of him on TV. That was an exciting game. So glad to see Detroit out of it! 10-2 so far for me. I missed Anaheim in the first round and Detroit in the 2nd.
I am going with a Vancouver – Tampa Finals. Those are going to be some long plane flights……
Rawhide
May 13th, 2011
9:19 am
This is your 10-minute Ranallo Warning.
Yes I know it’s been a few days, but now that the WCF is finally set it’s time to make your predictions. New blog will be posted at 9:30am.