NHL: 2012 Playoffs

robby^5

Marty came up big on a few occasions last night, Clarksons deflected goal was a beauty. Both teams a lot more physical than game 1.

That was a much needed win going into our home games, in a good position to take control of this series now but it'll be a battle.

Edit. John Tortorella just has no time for the media!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlWAPmkJiK4

MrJoeSoap

Barring a major miracle it is going to be the Kings in the Stanley Cup finals for only the 2nd time in their 45 year history, and a chance to win their first.

COYW

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Barring a major miracle it is going to be the Kings in the Stanley Cup finals for only the 2nd time in their 45 year history, and a chance to win their first.

They really do look unstoppable at the moment. I think a clean sweep is a near certainty myself.

robby^5

F*ck me Lundqvist is so good. This felt a lot like game 1, Devils piling on the pressure in the first 40 mins but the Rangers putting us away in the third. Rangers PK was rock solid, Devils offence has to step it up again and a bit of luck with those posts and the broken sticks would be nice!

ancientoracle

Coyotes holding the fort tonight, they're gonna need something special to get anything out of this.

MrJoeSoap

I'd love to know the stats on shutouts in these playoffs, it's been far more goaltender dominated than any other playoff I can remember. With the notable exception of the Flyers Penguins series, of course.

COYW

robby^5 wrote: »

F*ck me Lundqvist is so good. This felt a lot like game 1, Devils piling on the pressure in the first 40 mins but the Rangers putting us away in the third. Rangers PK was rock solid, Devils offence has to step it up again and a bit of luck with those posts and the broken sticks would be nice!

I thought we looked like a tired hockey team in the first period, just like game 2 and I feared the worst. Thankfully, we got the lead goal early in the 3rd. Just like game 1, I thought 3-0 flattered us but will gladly take it. Henrik was unreal last night, 2 SOs in 3 play-off games. That is incredible.

robby^5

COYW wrote: »

I thought we looked like a tired hockey team in the first period, just like game 2 and I feared the worst. Thankfully, we got the lead goal early in the 3rd. Just like game 1, I thought 3-0 flattered us but will gladly take it. Henrik was unreal last night, 2 SOs in 3 play-off games. That is incredible.

It's a bit like the rope-a-dope. Devils coming out all cylinders firing and we're tired by the third leading to a string of Rangers goals, which were absolutely clinical it has to be said. 2-0 would have been an accurate portrayal of the game, the third goal was awful for us. Our D just let Callahan walk right up to an empty net.

Coyotes have given us both hope that LA can be beaten at least, but no way they'll hold out for 3 more games.

scottmcb04

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

I'd love to know the stats on shutouts in these playoffs, it's been far more goaltender dominated than any other playoff I can remember. With the notable exception of the Flyers Penguins series, of course.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20112012&gameType=3&team=&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=summary#?navid=nav-sts-indiv

look here, shows all stats for all players in playoffs this year...

13 shutouts this year (so far), ya can go through the years and compare!

its perhaps the save percentages which are unbelivable from top goalies this year compared to other years!

MrJoeSoap

scottmcb04 wrote: »

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?season=20112012&gameType=3&team=&position=G&country=&status=&viewName=summary#?navid=nav-sts-indiv

look here, shows all stats for all players in playoffs this year...

13 shutouts this year (so far), ya can go through the years and compare!

its perhaps the save percentages which are unbelivable from top goalies this year compared to other years!

If I get a few hours free I'll take a look. I'm actually in the process of building a hockey database (post-lockout) so will be interesting to see.

Rented Mule

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

I'd love to know the stats on shutouts in these playoffs, it's been far more goaltender dominated than any other playoff I can remember. With the notable exception of the Flyers Penguins series, of course.

Pre-lockout (in the days of the trap), you saw a lot more shutouts.

shefellover93

Marty comes up big again in a clutch game! Feel my prediction of Kings in 5 and Devs in 7 might hold up!

robby^5

Salvador got a handy deflection for the first goal and I think that just gave the boys the confidence they needed to beat Lundqvist and keep the goals coming. Cant understand Rupp's behaviour given he won the cup with us.

Kings through anyway, at least the Coyotes prevented the sweep.

ancientoracle

I said at the start of these playoffs that the Kings would be dark horses and they have. But not only that, they have been dominant. Great to see them in the final now, not matter who makes it between NJ and the Rangers, it's on na shape up to be a good final series.

COYW

Time for Brad Richards to step up to the plate tonight and justify that big contract that Sather gave. I have little doubt that Hank will do his stuff in the net but I seriously believe that we cannot afford to play cat and mouse tonight against the Devils. Time for Torts to drop his defensive mindset and let the team play hard offensive hockey, one shift at a time.

MrJoeSoap

Devils win it in OT.

Kings-Devils for the cup. Time for sleep.

shefellover93

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Devils win it in OT.

Kings-Devils for the cup. Time for sleep.

Awh yeeeeeeeah . Henrique was outstanding, Marty came up big and that second goal was a work of art, thought Zajac played well too. Nodded off for the last part of the third and was hoping OT wouldn't go on for too long when I woke back up. Goal just shows the benefits of digging away after a rebound. Nice to meet again, Lord Stanley

allonboard

Great to see the Devils win Eastern Conference final. Hopefully they can win 4 more games now. I've been supporting them for 4 seasons now since I first gained an interest in ice hockey. Delighted for Brodeur, people were writing him off. Kovy has been great for us too, well worth the price tag. That power play goal was picture perfect. Home ice advantage is huge, even though L.A. have been perfect on the road. I think the likes of Kovy, Parise and Greene really deserve a Cup for what they've done in their careers. To see Elias getting another Cup would be great, he's been the best player for NJ over the last 12 years. There's a bright future for NJ with the likes of Zajac, Henrique, Josefson and Larsson taking over from the old guard.

MrJoeSoap

allonboard wrote: »

Kovy has been great for us too, well worth the price tag.

Doesn't matter how many cups he wins, he'll never be worth that contract.

Rented Mule

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Doesn't matter how many cups he wins, he'll never be worth that contract.

That's a very ironic statement coming from a Rangers fan :P I can think of a dozen insane (and irresponsible) contracts given out by Smith and Sather in recent memory.

If they win the Stanley Cup, he'll be worth every penny that they paid for him. That's why they traded for him in the first place.

MrJoeSoap

Rented Mule wrote: »

That's a very ironic statement coming from a Rangers fan :P I can think of a dozen insane (and irresponsible) contracts given out by Smith and Sather in recent memory.

If they win the Stanley Cup, he'll be worth every penny that they paid for him. That's why they traded for him in the first place.

I'm not a Rangers fan?

Rented Mule

My apologies. I thought you were a Rangers fan.

COYW

Just about over the disappointment of the exit now, gutted to be honest. I think the team ran out of steam to a certain extent but the Devils played well. To be fair, at the start of the season I said that I would have been happy to make the post season with a bit to spare, progressing from the last day scramble of the previous year and we did that and then some!

We are a young side and with some good outs and ins we can come back stronger next season. I hope the likes of Rupp, Bickel, Scott, Woywitka are shipped out and personally I think Dubinsky had a horrible season. We really need to get a goal scorer or powerplay specialist in.

robby^5

Cannot wait for the puck to drop tonight, first time watching the Devils in the finals!

ancientoracle

Looking forward to this game tonight, I think has the makings of a great final.

Very hard to call, both teams were not expected to be here at all at the end of the regular season, as a neutral I hope both teams continue in the form they have been in.

Gonna go out on a limb and pick the Devils to start off the series with a win tonight.

3-2 Devils.

MrJoeSoap

Can't wait! Lets go already....

spiralism

Kings on the road.... not gone against them yet, won't do it now. 2-1 LA

Kings in 6. Quick for Conn Smythe.

shefellover93

LETS GO DEVILS!!

MrJoeSoap

Brodeur the first to "crack". Only 2 shots in the first 10 minutes and the goal followed shorty after. The forecheck proving to be crucial, as predicted. Will LA's road streak continue?

MrJoeSoap

LA dominating the face-offs, 12-5 ahead after the first. Thought the penalty on Brown was harsh but otherwise a very close first period.