NHL: 2012 Playoffs

tolosenc

3 horse race for the President's Trophy now. Rangers and Nucks on 107 with the Blues on 106. New York has more ROWs, so the Canucks need to pick up more points over the remaining 3 games.

Vancouver has the easiest run in, hosting Anaheim and Edmonton either side of a trip to the Saddledome. All 3 are out of the running for the playoffs.

St. Louis will do battle on home ice with Detroit and Phoenix before heading to Dallas on the last day of the season. Detroit will be looking to hold onto 4th in the conference, and lead this season's head to head 3-1. Phoenix and Dallas are 2 of the 5 teams scapping it out for the last 3 playoff spots in the West.

New York go to Pennsylvania for a game against each of that state's teams. Both playing well and fighting it out for home-ice in the opening round series they look destined to play. MSG hosts the Caps on the last day, with the Caps looking to secure the 8th spot in the East.

Preidction: Canucks to pick up 4 or 5 points. Blues to get 3 or 4 points. Rangers to get 3 or 4 points. Canucks to reclaim the Trophy.

Canucks fans might be interested to know that since the inception of the Trophy, 4 teams have won it two years in a row. None won the Cup the 1st year, but 3 did the second year. A caveat being that the team that didn't (96 Red Wings) were the only ones to lose in the SCF the first time around (albeit in a lockout shortened season).

COYW

tolosenc wrote: »

Canucks fans might be interested to know that since the inception of the Trophy, 4 teams have won it two years in a row. None won the Cup the 1st year, but 3 did the second year. A caveat being that the team that didn't (96 Red Wings) were the only ones to lose in the SCF the first time around (albeit in a lockout shortened season).

Canucks fans will not rest easy until they win the cup and I still think they will fall short this year. They have an awesome forecheck but are still missing that extra bit of graft that you need to get the job done when push comes to shove in the post season. The Pens are still my tip for the cup. Would love the Rangers to do it obviously but I can't see them beating the likes of the Pens or even the Canucks in the post season.

eire1

I agree, I think the Pens are going to win it this year.

MrJoeSoap

Provided the key men for the Pens all stay healthy, I can't see past them.

But that said, they'll have the Flyers in the first round and are 1-4 against them in the regular season (with one more game against them on Saturday) so it may be a case that their toughest challenge in the playoffs is their first one. I certainly won't be putting money on them.

MrJoeSoap

That time of year again!

The playoffs start in five days, on April 11th, and the matchups are almost complete. All 16 teams are confirmed and the final matchups will be clear by early Sunday morning. The current standings look like this:

East GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Home Road L10
1 xyz-New York Rangers 81 51 23 7 109 225 183 27-11-2 24-12-5 7-3-0
2 xy-Boston Bruins 81 48 29 4 100 265 199 23-14-3 25-15-1 7-2-1
3 x-Florida Panthers 81 37 26 18 92 199 226 20-9-11 17-17-7 2-3-5
4 x-Pittsburgh Penguins 81 50 25 6 106 278 219 28-10-2 22-15-4 6-4-0
5 x-Philadelphia Flyers 81 47 25 9 103 262 228 22-13-6 25-12-3 6-3-1
6 x-New Jersey Devils 81 47 28 6 100 224 207 23-13-4 24-15-2 6-3-1
7 x-Ottawa Senators 81 41 30 10 92 247 236 20-17-4 21-13-6 5-5-0
8 x-Washington Capitals 81 41 32 8 90 218 229 26-11-4 15-21-4 5-3-2
9 Buffalo Sabres 81 39 32 10 88 215 226 21-12-8 18-20-2 6-3-1
10 Winnipeg Jets 81 37 35 9 83 222 242 23-13-4 14-22-5 3-6-1
11 Tampa Bay Lightning 81 37 36 8 82 231 278 25-14-2 12-22-6 5-4-1
12 Carolina Hurricanes 81 33 32 16 82 212 239 20-14-7 13-18-9 6-3-1
13 Toronto Maple Leafs 81 35 36 10 80 230 260 18-16-7 17-20-3 4-4-2
14 New York Islanders 81 34 36 11 79 200 248 17-18-6 17-18-5 6-4-0
15 Montreal Canadiens 81 30 35 16 76 208 225 15-15-10 15-20-6 2-3-5

West GP W L OTL Pts GF GA Home Road L10
1 xy-Vancouver Canucks 81 50 22 9 109 246 198 26-10-4 24-12-5 7-2-1
2 xy-St. Louis Blues 80 48 21 11 107 206 159 30-5-5 18-16-6 3-3-4
3 x-Los Angeles Kings 81 40 27 14 94 192 176 22-14-5 18-13-9 6-2-2
4 x-Nashville Predators 81 47 26 8 102 231 209 26-10-5 21-16-3 6-4-0
5 x-Detroit Red Wings 81 48 28 5 101 246 200 31-7-2 17-21-3 4-4-2
6 x-Chicago Blackhawks 81 44 26 11 99 245 236 27-8-6 17-18-5 6-1-3
7 x-San Jose Sharks 81 42 29 10 94 225 208 25-12-3 17-17-7 6-4-0
8 x-Phoenix Coyotes 80 40 27 13 93 208 202 22-13-6 18-14-7 6-2-2
9 Dallas Stars 81 42 34 5 89 209 219 22-15-3 20-19-2 3-7-0
10 Calgary Flames 81 36 29 16 88 197 224 22-12-6 14-17-10 2-4-4
11 Colorado Avalanche 81 41 34 6 88 207 214 22-16-2 19-18-4 4-4-2
12 Minnesota Wild 81 35 35 11 81 176 222 20-16-4 15-19-7 6-3-1
13 Anaheim Ducks 81 34 35 12 80 202 226 21-18-2 13-17-10 4-5-1
14 Edmonton Oilers 81 32 39 10 74 212 236 18-17-6 14-22-4 4-3-3
15 Columbus Blue Jackets 81 28 46 7 63 195 259 16-21-3 12-25-4 6-4-0

The fact that the Flyers and Penguins are guaranteed to meet with the Penguins assured home ice advantage and one final regular season meeting to come on Saturday surely makes it the biggest playoff story for round one thus far. There is no shortage of bad blood between the two, and you can expect major sparks to fly.

Florida clinched their first playoff spot in twelve years last night, ending the longest playoff drought in NHL history. They need a point to guarantee third seed on Saturday, or need Washington to fail to win.

In the West, St Louis still have a shot at the top spot with a game more to play than the Canucks. Other than that it is pretty much as expected in the top eight, with Dallas, Calgary and Colorado missing out by a couple of games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICBGFB20sHE

tolosenc

COYW wrote: »

Canucks fans will not rest easy until they win the cup and I still think they will fall short this year. They have an awesome forecheck but are still missing that extra bit of graft that you need to get the job done when push comes to shove in the post season. The Pens are still my tip for the cup. Would love the Rangers to do it obviously but I can't see them beating the likes of the Pens or even the Canucks in the post season.

As a Canucks fan, I agree. We aren't the team we were last year. We simply aren't scoring enough goals. 3 wins by 3 goals or more in the last 2 months just doesn't scream dominance.

I can see Philly doing a number on the Pens, but if Pittsburgh come out of that one, I can see them winning it too. Although, they have blown a bit hot and cold of late. Jersey and Nashville are my two bolters, anyway.

smackbunnybaby

If Washington close out the deal tonight who knows that they could do.

Ovy is back in the mood and even Semin scored last night!

momentum guys...

MrJoeSoap

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

If Washington close out the deal tonight who knows that they could do.

Ovy is back in the mood and even Semin scored last night!

momentum guys...

They're not playing tonight, but they've got the Rangers tomorrow.

Washington will likely either end up playing the Rangers again in the playoffs, or New Jersey, and they have losing numbers against both in the regular season. In general, their record against the Atlantic division is pretty poor (7-8-4) but they're destroying the Northeast teams (14-6-0).

The only other team they could possibly face is the Bruins, and that could go any way. They're 3-1-0 against Boston this year.

Eastern Playoffs (numbers in bold are decided)

NY Rangers (1) v Florida/Ottawa/Washington (8)
Boston (2) v Ottawa/Washington (7)
Florida/Washington (3) v New Jersey (6)
Pittsburgh (4) v Philadelphia (5)

% Chance of facing each possible opponent

NY Rangers Boston Florida Pittsburgh Philadelphia New Jersey Ottawa Washington Buffalo
NY Rangers 10.5 9.5 80.0 No
Boston 90.5 9.5
Florida 10.5 No 89.5
Pittsburgh Yes No
Philadelphia No Yes No
New Jersey 89.5 No 10.5
Ottawa 9.5 90.5
Washington 80.0 9.5 No 10.5

MrJoeSoap

Possible Western Conference Matchups:

Vancouver/St.Louis (1) v San Jose/Los Angeles/Phoenix (8)
Vancouver/St.Louis (2) v San Jose/Los Angeles/Phoenix (7)
San Jose/Los Angeles/Phoenix (3) v Detroit/Chicago (6)
Nashville/Detroit (4) v Nashville/Detroit/Chicago (5)

What a mess! :cool:

Percentage chance of facing each possible opponent:

St. Louis Vancouver Nashville Detroit Chicago San Jose Los Angeles Phoenix Dallas Colorado
St. Louis 32.1 30.4 37.5 No No
Vancouver 30.5 34.6 34.9 No No
Nashville 71.6 28.4 No No No
Detroit 71.6 No 10.6 9.9 7.8
Chicago 28.4 No 26.8 25.1 19.8
San Jose 32.1 30.5 No 10.6 26.8
Los Angeles 30.4 34.6 No 9.9 25.1
Phoenix 37.5 34.9 No 7.8 19.8

tolosenc

After St. Louis effevtively gave up any claim to the West's #1 spot, here's how I reckon the Playoffs will look:

Vancouver (1) vs LA (8) - Canucks in 5.
St. Louis (2) vs San Jose (7) - Blues in 6.
Phoenix (3) vs Chicago (6) - Blackhawks in 7.
Nashville (4) vs Detroit (5) - Predators in 7.

---

New York (1) vs Washington (8) - Capitals in 7.
Boston (2) vs Ottawa (7) - Bruins in 5.
Florida (3) vs New Jersey (6) - Devils in 6.
Pittsburgh (4) vs Philadelphia (5) - Flyers in 7.

MrJoeSoap

So the final 16 are decided upon and the matchups are known. The schedule is being released at 6pm Irish time this evening and come Wednesday night we'll have Playoff hockey.

The matchups that look most interesting are Detroit v Nashville, Washington v Boston and Pittsburgh v Philladelphia, those three could easily go the distance. New York won't exactly be looking forward to playing Ottawa either, having lost 3-of-4 in the regular season...

tolosenc wrote: »

After St. Louis effevtively gave up any claim to the West's #1 spot, here's how I reckon the Playoffs will look:

Vancouver (1) vs LA (8) - Canucks in 5.
St. Louis (2) vs San Jose (7) - Blues in 6.
Phoenix (3) vs Chicago (6) - Blackhawks in 7.
Nashville (4) vs Detroit (5) - Predators in 7.

---

New York (1) vs Washington (8) - Capitals in 7.
Boston (2) vs Ottawa (7) - Bruins in 5.
Florida (3) vs New Jersey (6) - Devils in 6.
Pittsburgh (4) vs Philadelphia (5) - Flyers in 7.

Only one out, not a bad shout.

tolosenc

NHL channel did their preview just there. All 3 "experts" picked Van to win the West again, 2 of them said that we'd then lose in 7 to Pittsburgh, 1 said we'd beat NJ.

I'll be getting my playoff fix on Thursday from a mate of Sean Sherlock's, if anyone wants his details...

I reckon we'll see Van vs Chi and Blues vs Preds in the west, with Van vs Nash as the final. Pekka Rinne is made for the playoffs so I think people aren't taking Nashville seriously enough. Canucks to take it though.

NY vs Caps and Philly vs Jersey in the east, Devils beating the Rangers in the final.

Luongo vs Brodeur in the final. We all remember what happened at the Olympics.

MrJoeSoap

I'm going to rumble through the post-lockout playoff stats and see if there is anything interesting or worth betting on.

The NHL have announced the dates and times for the majority of the Q/F games now. Will be interesting to see how much coverage Setanta put on the free channel. As far as I know my Gamecenter subscription covers all the games.

East:

SERIES A TIME (ET) #1 NY Rangers vs. #8 Ottawa Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NHL Network, CBC
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa CBC, CNBC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Ottawa CBC, CNBC
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 7 p.m. Ottawa at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD NY Rangers at Ottawa TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Ottawa at NY Rangers TBD

SERIES B TIME (ET) #2 Boston vs. #7 Washington Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC Sports Network, CBC
Saturday, April 14, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC, CBC
Monday, April 16, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7:30 p.m. Boston at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at Boston NBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Boston at Washington TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Washington at Boston TBD

SERIES C TIME (ET) #3 Florida vs. #6 New Jersey Networks
Friday, April 13, 2012 7 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NHL Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NBC Sports Network, TSN
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey NHL Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 7 p.m. Florida at New Jersey NHL Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 6:30 p.m. New Jersey at Florida NHL Network, TSN
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Florida at New Jersey TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Florida TBD

SERIES D TIME (ET) #4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Philadelphia Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 15, 2012 3 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC, TSN
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Friday, April 20, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Pittsburgh at Philadelphia TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at Pittsburgh TBD

West:

SERIES E TIME (ET) #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Los Angeles Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver CBC, NBC Sports Network
Friday, April 13, 2012 10 p.m. Los Angeles at Vancouver CBC, NBC Sports Network
Sunday, April 15, 2012 10:30 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, CBC
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10 p.m. Vancouver at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Vancouver at Los Angeles TBD
*Thursday, April 26, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at Vancouver TBD

SERIES F TIME (ET) #2 St. Louis vs. #7 San Jose Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Monday, April 16, 2012 10 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC Sports Network, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 10:30 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD St. Louis at San Jose TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD San Jose at St. Louis TBD

SERIES G TIME (ET) #3 Phoenix vs. #6 Chicago Networks
Thursday, April 12, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Saturday, April 14, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 9 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago CNBC, TSN
Thursday, April 19, 2012 8 p.m. Phoenix at Chicago CNBC, TSN
*Saturday, April 21, 2012 10 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Monday, April 23, 2012 TBD Phoenix at Chicago TBD
*Wednesday, April 25, 2012 TBD Chicago at Phoenix TBD

SERIES H TIME (ET) #4 Nashville vs. #5 Detroit Networks
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
Friday, April 13, 2012 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
Sunday, April 15, 2012 Noon Nashville at Detroit NBC, CBC
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:30 p.m. Nashville at Detroit NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Friday, April 20, 2012 8 p.m. Detroit at Nashville CNBC, CBC
*Sunday, April 22, 2012 TBD Nashville at Detroit TBD
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 TBD Detroit at Nashville TBD

ancientoracle

Some interesting match ups there. Apart from Ourselves playing the Caps, the obvious standout is the Flyers v Pen's.

I would be feeli much more confident if our form hadn't been so patchy of late. Washington have been coming good lately and with Ovi on form, who knows what can happen. It"ll be a must to start well. Our form since January has been terrible, too inconsistent and spotting too many leads, we can't play like that now and expect to keep in this series.

D is going to decide this series, so if we can keep it tight, block those shots and let Timmy see those pucks, we might take it in 6.

Pens v Flyers is gonna be HUGE. I"ll watch as much of this as I can. The animosity that simmers here makes this as close to the final as it can get without actually being the final. Malkin and Sid have been riding a wave lately, they have complete confidence through all 4 lines, but will their arrogance be their downfall. I guess it all depends which Philly side shows up.

Dark horses in this postseason I think will be Ottawa and The Kings. Either way, NHL Gamecenter will be in overdrive for the next few weeks

MrJoeSoap

ancientoracle wrote: »

Pens v Flyers is gonna be HUGE. I"ll watch as much of this as I can. The animosity that simmers here makes this as close to the final as it can get without actually being the final. Malkin and Sid have been riding a wave lately, they have complete confidence through all 4 lines, but will their arrogance be their downfall. I guess it all depends which Philly side shows up.

I have to say I completely share your enthusiasm for this matchup. Having watched both teams countless times during the regular season (particularly against one another) there is a bitter rivalry there that is even bigger than before, and bigger than the Battle of Pennsylvania. The Talbot/Jagr effect is going to be huge, as is the simmering bad blood from the recent confrontation at the end of the regular season.

I've a feeling that this one is going to explode.

I'm due in work at 9am on Thursday morning, will have to try and get that re-arranged. Tomorrow night is going to be huge.

Some stats I've dug up from the past 15 years of Conference Q/Finals:

1st Seed Wins: 23 of 30 76.67%
2nd Seed Wins: 18 of 30 60.00%
3rd Seed Wins: 19 of 30 63.33%
4th Seed Wins: 19 of 30 63.33%
5th Seed Wins: 11 of 30 36.67%
6th Seed Wins: 11 of 30 36.67%
7th Seed Wins: 12 of 30 40.00%
8th Seed Wins: 7 of 30 23.33%


Most Common Matchup Scores:

4-0 13
4-1 19
4-2 33
4-3 14
3-4 14
2-4 14
1-4 9
0-4 4

Crapbag

tolosenc wrote: »

As a Canucks fan, I agree. We aren't the team we were last year. We simply aren't scoring enough goals. 3 wins by 3 goals or more in the last 2 months just doesn't scream dominance.

I can see Philly doing a number on the Pens, but if Pittsburgh come out of that one, I can see them winning it too. Although, they have blown a bit hot and cold of late. Jersey and Nashville are my two bolters, anyway.

Nucks fan here too. Totally agree, they were very flat this year. They just aren't playing with the same energy. Very different side. Depends on who we get in the 2nd round. I would hope they would get by LA with ease but they would need to come out hard to change my mind. Plus losing D Sedin for the first few games will definitely changes things. Although going by the last playoffs, they have probably already checked out for the season. Too many star players are not in top form.

Don't wanna see the Pens win it although they have been great to watch (at times). Im rooting for the Red wings if the Canucks get knocked out.

tolosenc

Crapbag wrote: »

Nucks fan here too. Totally agree, they were very flat this year. They just aren't playing with the same energy. Very different side. Depends on who we get in the 2nd round. I would hope they would get by LA with ease but they would need to come out hard to change my mind. Plus losing D Sedin for the first few games will definitely changes things. Although going by the last playoffs, they have probably already checked out for the season. Too many star players are not in top form.

Don't wanna see the Pens win it although they have been great to watch (at times). Im rooting for the Red wings if the Canucks get knocked out.

Kesler, for one, has just not been at the races.

Crapbag

Yep. I think Canucks to watch for will be Lapierre, Higgins, Edler. Im hoping the new signings step up physically because with the likes of Torres gone, there needs to be someone to generate some energy. Hope Volpatti becomes available and Weise needs to cause some trouble. They can't let the same thing happen again. Out muscled and out worked last year by a number of teams in playoffs.

MrJoeSoap

I watched game six of last years finals to get me in the mood. The team who got the first goal in every game in that series went on to win the game, playoff hockey could write a book in itself on sports psychology. Home advantage and good early starts are massive. On the way home from work now, DYING for the drop of the puck at 12.30am. I'm going to merge the above posts and this post with the playoff thread if thats ok with you guys? The playoff thread last year had a great vibe off it, hoping for more of the same this year.

tolosenc

Fine by me.

Just looking at the stats for Boston this year:

Before playing the Canucks in TD Gardens in January, they were 26W 10L 1O (+75 GD) for 53 pts, and since then, they are 23W 18L 3O (-8GD) for 49 pts. It seemed to be a more substantial loss of form than it actually was.

Shanannigan

sneaky setanta sports are showing the live playoff games on setanta sports 1 (the one you have to pay for) while showing repeats on setanta ireland.. that sucks

MrJoeSoap

Shanannigan wrote: »

sneaky setanta sports are showing the live playoff games on setanta sports 1 (the one you have to pay for) while showing repeats on setanta ireland.. that sucks

The worst part is that they're showing absolutely nothing of any use on Setanta Ireland. Surely the intensity of the playoffs in HD would get a big audience on the free channel...

Actually the worst part is having to explain why I'll need the TV, laptop and iPad for the night.

tolosenc

I'm going to sleep now and pick up the game tomorrow. Tempted to watch Flyers @ Pens, but I'll just wind up staying up and watching the Nucks game.

MrJoeSoap

BOOM! Two early goals from Sid and TK and it's a tough task for the Flyers now.

MrJoeSoap

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

BOOM! Two early goals from Sid and TK and it's a tough task for the Flyers now.

Went three up and it only got tougher, but an incredible comeback from the Flyers and an overtime winner means its theirs to lose now.

Briere's first goal was a clear foot offside though.

Time for bed...

scottmcb04

cant say im overly suprised by the result in vancouver last night, i would like to see the kings put out the canucks as they are a great team to watch... nucks need d sedin back if they are to win the series now, massive game friday night for them...

i dont think the winner was a lucky bounce either, lovely assisst...

the pens completely switched off after the first and just didnt have the same intensity, can see this 1 going the distance tho, flyers got lucky on first goal!

red wings - preds game was riddled with penalties, can def see this series going the distance....

MrJoeSoap

scottmcb04 wrote: »

red wings - preds game was riddled with penalties, can def see this period going the distance....

Just saw Shea Weber's assault on Zetterberg this morning, had the game on in the background last night.

Should definitely sit for at least five games after this, but Shanahan has already hinted that Playoff suspensions will be different to the regular season.

There isn't really any precedent for this type of incident since Shanahan took over either, so will be interesting to see what happens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyJB42HY_J0

PS - Vancouver had 27 minutes worth of penalties and gave up two PPG's. That has to stop if they want to have a chance.

Rented Mule

Should be interesting to see if there are any health issues with Zetterburg. That is going to be the biggest factor going forward with any discipline.

As I joked on Facebook last night 'Daniel Sedin is a no-go for the Canucks this evening. In other news, Duncan Keith is leading in the Conn Smythe voting'.

Rented Mule

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=392950

Predators captain Shea Weber has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for delivering a blow to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg in Nashville's 3-2 victory Wednesday night to open their Western Conference playoff series.

MrJoeSoap

Rented Mule wrote: »

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=392950

Predators captain Shea Weber has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for delivering a blow to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg in Nashville's 3-2 victory Wednesday night to open their Western Conference playoff series.

$30k for criticising officials, $2.5k for attempting to sucker an opponent and then drive their head into the glass... Riiiiight...

Rented Mule

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

$30k for criticising officials, $2.5k for attempting to sucker an opponent and then drive their head into the glass... Riiiiight...

That's the maximum fine allow under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. They raised it up from the $1000 that it used to be.

MrJoeSoap

Rented Mule wrote: »

That's the maximum fine allow under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. They raised it up from the $1000 that it used to be.

But surely the lack of suspension is outrageous? All this talk on headshots has really blown over.

Silver Clown

^^^Yep I agree with you Joe, he should have got a few games at least for that hit. I thought he would have gotten a suspension since Shanahan has been coming down hard on others who have targeted the head during the season. It was an intentional blow and seeing it was the end of the game there was no need whatsoever for it. He's lucky just to have been fined IMO.

scottmcb04

But surely the lack of suspension is outrageous?

I think its crazy that no suspension was issued here, luckily for the sake of the series, Zetterberg seems to be fit to play next match...

its bound to be a fiery encounter next match, weber will have to be careful for the rest of the preds run in the playoffs, but realistically should be banned now for at least 3 matches...

MrJoeSoap

scottmcb04 wrote: »

But surely the lack of suspension is outrageous?

I think its crazy that no suspension was issued here, luckily for the sake of the series, Zetterberg seems to be fit to play next match...

It is outrageous, definitely, the fine is a token gesture. But not entirely unexpected.

“The standard of what is illegal or legal doesn’t change. When you suspend a player during the regular season, you’re suspending him over 82 games,” Shanahan said at the meetings. “[In the playoffs], you’re looking at things in seven-game clumps. It’s a seven-game season each series.”

The fact that Zetterberg wasn't injured is almost definitely the reason that there was no suspension. If he had missed games, Weber would have too. No doubt about that. It's easier not to make the call than to make it.

The most worrying thing is the precedent it sets now, the NHL will have nobody to blame if there is a similar incident that causes a serious injury.

PS - Welcome to boards.ie

ancientoracle

No matter what the the timing of what part of the season the hit took place, he should have been suspended.

Just because it is the play offs should not matter, it was cynical, disgusting and not something I would have expected from Shea Weber. ( maybe Sean Avery )

Anyway it should not take away from what was a fantastic night of hockey. It had everything, upsets, comeback and the type of excitement that makes this sport so special.

Roll on tonight, this play-off season is gonna be epic.

COYW

Anybody, got the schedule for Setanta? Was hoping they would show the Rangers game tonight but it ain't gonna happen. Still think we will get by in 5-6 games with Hank in goal.

Pens lost last night to the Flyers. Wasn't expecting that, to be honest. Don't know what it is about the Flyers but they seem to pull out all the stops when it comes to the Pens.

tolosenc

Penalties killed us last night. Stupid stuff for most of them. We were the better team, comfortably, 5 on 5.

Frustrating. Daniel is a big loss.

ancientoracle

It's all bruins tonight, but the longer we go without scoring the nervous I am getting.

Gotta keep being patient and keep firing those pucks on net. Holtby has been good for the Caps so far, but I think we need to create some better screens, he is seeing to much.

scottmcb04

yeah i agree, alot of shots on goal but no really good chances in which they should have scored...

caps pk has been fantastic so far, ovi not getting a chance to show his stuff on the offence, should be an interesting 3rd!

tolosenc

How did the Caps fare in the end? Could they have won it?

It goes without saying that I'd really love to see Boston out early.

scottmcb04

tolosenc wrote: »

How did the Caps fare in the end? Could they have won it?

ah they could have won it yeah, were by far the better in the 3rd, had a couple decent chances, defence ruled the game on both sides...

if the caps keep defending and keep their pk at this intensity, no reason why they cant sneak a few wins and give themselves a good chance!

robby^5

Devils fan, first time posting here.

Getting excited for tonight, after missing out on the playoffs last season we're going into this years playoffs off the back of 6 straight wins. Zajac came back from his injury at just the right time, our first and second lines are looking really good going into this series.

Have to admit I'm rooting for the Bruins over Caps (who are close enough to my 2nd team) because that'll mean we're the lowest seeded team going into round two, which means we'll get the Rags. That'll be a pretty epic series and I'd fancy our chances against the Rangers a lot more than against Boston.

ancientoracle

I kinda got a feeling for the panthers in this one. I know the devils have been on a surge of late, but this will be a huge game from a Panthers point of view.

So long out of the playoffs, this game will be treated like a final for them, and they will be gunning from the start. I reckon Panthers tonight by 3-2.

tolosenc

I reckon NJ will go all the way to the final. Take this series in 5.

Canucks to bounce back tonight. Will take the series in 6 or 7.

MrJoeSoap

Not too dissimilar a situation in Game 2 of the Pens series, 3-1 at the end of 1. Only in the door but from the coverage it sounds like the Pens are really dominating.

MrJoeSoap

4-4 after two periods, definitely looking like the matchup of the first round. Two SHG's shared by Talbot and Giroux, each assisting on the others, two goals six seconds apart also for Giroux and Kunitz. Can't take your eyes off this one.

scottmcb04

jonathan quick and dustin brown rule the roost in vancouver, 2 0 lead back to LA... lovely, hope to see vancouver out, love watching kings, they just need to keep the pks working last night(2 shg) and they should win this series in 5 or 6...

hoping for a caps win this evening and hopefully see the bruins out early this campaign... be tough though, caps just need more play like the 3rd the last night and they could do it...

MrJoeSoap

Pretty devastating defeat for the Pens last night, great game though. They need two victories in Philly or that'll be that I reckon.

scottmcb04

yeah think the series could be over anyway, two very bad defeats, giving away way too many goals, poor defensively...

dont think the pens have beaten philly in pittsburgh this year yet(5 games)

cant afford to lose that many games at home to a rival!!!

tolosenc

Schneids to start Game 3. Very harsh on Luongo, he's getting no support. Kes in particular has been awful. Think we're as good as out anyway. The problems with scoring have been long standing.