Hockey - Frozen Four and Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[utenation]

On 5/14/2024 at 9:30 AM, Iam4wyo said:

Going to be tough for the NYR to overcome the momentum swing, especially if they skate like they did last night (they looked roofied or on ludes in the 3rd).  

I also think the Av's are done for this post season - no way can that broken locker room survives the (barf) Stars.  I will go out on a limb and say that the Stars look like a lock for the finals as well.  Neither Edmonton nor Vancouver can skate with the Stars.

I called for the Avs to beat the Stars before it started. I agree Colorado is done. 

[Iam4wyo]

On 5/14/2024 at 9:36 AM, utenation said:

I called for the Avs to beat the Stars before it started. I agree Colorado is done. 

I had the Avs in the finals against Vancouver on that side - and now it looks like neither will make the final based on what the Stars look like.  Regardless, whether Florida, Carolina, or the NYR, (Boston is done IMO) not sure the Stars can keep up with the Eastern Conference this year in the finals.  Either way, there is nothing like playoff hockey!

[NorthWestCowboy]

On 5/14/2024 at 8:36 AM, utenation said:

I called for the Avs to beat the Stars before it started. I agree Colorado is done. 

 

On 5/14/2024 at 9:39 AM, Iam4wyo said:

I had the Avs in the finals against Vancouver on that side - and now it looks like neither will make the final based on what the Stars look like.  Regardless, whether Florida, Carolina, or the NYR, (Boston is done IMO) not sure the Stars can keep up with the Eastern Conference this year in the finals.  Either way, there is nothing like playoff hockey!

I took Dallas to the finals in my bracket primarily because they have such deep scoring depth on the roster with 8 players with 20 or more goals.  I hated picking Dallas as I was born and raised a North Stars fan and I loathe Dallas.  In the East I picked Carolina.  They've seized the momentum but still I think the Rangers get it done as the Hurricanes dug too deep of a hole.  Florida is taking care of business and at this point I see them winning the East.

[NorthWestCowboy]

On 5/11/2024 at 7:34 PM, utenation said:

So how big of a deal is home ice? Doesn’t seem like it’s as big in other sports like college hoops or football. 
 

Players don’t seem to draw energy from the crowd as much. 

Colorado has a crazy stupid home record this season at 31-9-1.  Elevation is a factor but it still takes a damn good team to rack up that home record.  I don't think home ice is all that big of a deal in the playoffs as all the teams are very good.

[utenation]

Damn, Colorado playing like they don’t want to go home yet. 
 

Lot of time left but great game tonight. 

[utenation]

Two questions. 
 

1. When the goalie gets out of his box and goes behind the net to set the puck up for his player, why can’t they be smashed/checked like any other player?  Sometimes there’s a lot of players in the area swiping at the puck. 
 

2. When it looks like a team has a good play going on with 2-3 guys across the opponents’s blue line. Many times they end up whipping the the puck around the back of the ice 20 yards ahead for no play on the goal.  Why is this? The plays I’m referring to don’t look like offsides. 

[utenation]

Heard an interesting stat tonight. Teams leading the series are 0-4 in close out games in the second round. 
 

I guess momentum isn’t a huge factor in the playoffs. 

[masterfrog]

Every game has its own momentum. 

[Iam4wyo]

On 5/15/2024 at 7:37 PM, utenation said:

Two questions. 
 

1. When the goalie gets out of his box and goes behind the net to set the puck up for his player, why can’t they be smashed/checked like any other player?  Sometimes there’s a lot of players in the area swiping at the puck. 
 

2. When it looks like a team has a good play going on with 2-3 guys across the opponents’s blue line. Many times they end up whipping the the puck around the back of the ice 20 yards ahead for no play on the goal.  Why is this? The plays I’m referring to don’t look like offsides. 

•Goalies are generally protected from most contact.  Including outside of their crease.  That said, there can be incidental contact, if players are making a play on the puck, both in and out of the crease.

•Several reasons.  Dump and chase being one (a strategy to get the puck in the zone, without any issue of off sides, and to out race the opponent to the puck.  In addition, could be a line change situation, where the team with the puck is trying to change up and buy some time, with the puck being in the opponent zone and not having any risk of an odd man rush the other way.  It can also be a strategy to get the puck to the other side of the ice, without giving up possession by passing in the middle of the ice.  There are other reasons, but those are the primaries.  

[utenation]

On 5/16/2024 at 3:15 PM, Iam4wyo said:

•Goalies are generally protected from most contact.  Including outside of their crease.  That said, there can be incidental contact, if players are making a play on the puck, both in and out of the crease.

•Several reasons.  Dump and chase being one (a strategy to get the puck in the zone, without any issue of off sides, and to out race the opponent to the puck.  In addition, could be a line change situation, where the team with the puck is trying to change up and buy some time, with the puck being in the opponent zone and not having any risk of an odd man rush the other way.  It can also be a strategy to get the puck to the other side of the ice, without giving up possession by passing in the middle of the ice.  There are other reasons, but those are the primaries.  

Thank you sir.  I was kind of thinking last night about line changes to your point. 
 

And on the goalie. Seems like a fine line on contract sometimes. Many times there ends up being 3-4 guys twisted up in the net on some shots. lol. 

[Iam4wyo]

On 5/16/2024 at 3:30 PM, utenation said:

Than you sir.  I was kind of thinking last night about line changes to your point. 
 

And on the goalie. Seems like a fine line on contract sometimes. Many times there ends up being 3-4 guys twisted up in the net on some shots. lol. 

You are right on that assessment, very fine line.  NYR game 2 featured a hit on Shesty from Svechnikov (with his stick between Shesty's legs, essentially flipping the goalie over).  Svechnikov was assessed a 2 minute minor (tripping I think), and it was close to an all out brawl, but the refs diffused it pretty well.  Could have gotten very ugly, but that isn't the style of the NYR this year.  

[utenation]

On 5/16/2024 at 4:01 PM, Iam4wyo said:

You are right on that assessment, very fine line.  NYR game 2 featured a hit on Shesty from Svechnikov (with his stick between Shesty's legs, essentially flipping the goalie over).  Svechnikov was assessed a 2 minute minor (tripping I think), and it was close to an all out brawl, but the refs diffused it pretty well.  Could have gotten very ugly, but that isn't the style of the NYR this year.  

Holy shit. This Rangers game is awesome. 10 minutes ago they looked dead in the water. 

[Iam4wyo]

On 5/16/2024 at 7:33 PM, utenation said:

Holy shit. This Rangers game is awesome. 10 minutes ago they looked dead in the water. 

That 3rd period defines the team this year.  Kreid or Die!  

[NorthWestCowboy]

Dallas was robbed!  100% a goal at 7:20 of 1st OT.  Dallas player never entered the crease.  Dallas player never initiated contact.  Contact was made outside of the crease and Makar forced the defender into Georgiev.  Either the crease actually means something or it doesn't.  If it doesn't then it is a waste of blue paint.  Boo!

 

Edit: At least justice was served with the Stars winning in double OT.

[NorthWestCowboy]

Three series down, one to go.  The Rangers, Panthers and Stars have all advanced to the conference finals.  I'd perfer Dallas not advance to the cup finals but it's highly likely they will as the deepest scoring roster in the playoffs.  Edmonton, in particular the best player in the world, Connor McDavid is not playing well.  Connor always stands out when on the ice and right now I am thinking he must have an injury as he is not skating with speed or power.  I think the Canucks finish the series tonight.  Vancouver has been an intriguing team this season and certainly in the playoffs.  I'd love to see the Canucks vs Rangers in the final as both teams have large US born playof rosters with Vancouver having 11 and NY having 13.

 

[RSF]

Van/Edm go to a Game 7 as the Oilers smoke the Canucks 5-1.

[NorthWestCowboy]

On 5/18/2024 at 8:16 PM, RSF said:

Van/Edm go to a Game 7 as the Oilers smoke the Canucks 5-1.

Oilers really showed up.  Hoping game 7 in Vancouver will be intense.

[Iam4wyo]

Here we go...the ECF is going to be a rocker, should be some of the best spectator sports action this entire year.
 

NHL playoffs schedule 2024

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference: (M1) New York Rangers vs. (A1) Florida Panthers

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	TV Channel/Result
1	Wednesday, May 22	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
2	Friday, May 24	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
3	Sunday, May 26	at Florida	3 p.m.	ABC, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
4	Tuesday, May 28	at Florida	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
5*	Thursday, May 30	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
6*	Saturday, June 1	at Florida	8 p.m.	ABC, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
7*	Monday, June 3	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS

Western Conference: (C1) Dallas Stars vs. (P2) Edmonton Oilers

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	TV Channel/Result
1	Thursday, May 23	at Dallas	8:30 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
2	Saturday, May 25	at Dallas	8 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
3	Monday, May 27	at Edmonton	8:30 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
4	Wednesday, May 29	at Edmonton	8:30 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
5*	Friday, May 31	at Dallas	TBD	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, TVAS
6*	Sunday, June 2	at Edmonton	TBD	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, TVAS
7*	Tuesday, June 4	at Dallas	TBD	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS

[NorthWestCowboy]

On 5/22/2024 at 11:28 AM, Iam4wyo said:

Here we go...the ECF is going to be a rocker, should be some of the best spectator sports action this entire year.
 

NHL playoffs schedule 2024

Conference Finals

Eastern Conference: (M1) New York Rangers vs. (A1) Florida Panthers

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	TV Channel/Result
1	Wednesday, May 22	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
2	Friday, May 24	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
3	Sunday, May 26	at Florida	3 p.m.	ABC, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
4	Tuesday, May 28	at Florida	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
5*	Thursday, May 30	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
6*	Saturday, June 1	at Florida	8 p.m.	ABC, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS
7*	Monday, June 3	at New York	8 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, SN, CBC, TVAS

Western Conference: (C1) Dallas Stars vs. (P2) Edmonton Oilers

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	TV Channel/Result
1	Thursday, May 23	at Dallas	8:30 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
2	Saturday, May 25	at Dallas	8 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
3	Monday, May 27	at Edmonton	8:30 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
4	Wednesday, May 29	at Edmonton	8:30 p.m.	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS
5*	Friday, May 31	at Dallas	TBD	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, TVAS
6*	Sunday, June 2	at Edmonton	TBD	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, TVAS
7*	Tuesday, June 4	at Dallas	TBD	TNT, truTV, Sling, SN, CBC, TVAS

I predict FLA and NYR beat each other up going to a game 7 in the East while DAL cruises to a win in 5-6 games ove EDM and has the advantage in the Cup Final vs whomever emerges as the bloddied and beaten Eastern conference representative.  Gawd I hate Dallas!

[Iam4wyo]

On 5/22/2024 at 2:07 PM, NorthWestCowboy said:

I predict FLA and NYR beat each other up going to a game 7 in the East while DAL cruises to a win in 5-6 games ove EDM and has the advantage in the Cup Final vs whomever emerges as the bloddied and beaten Eastern conference representative.  Gawd I hate Dallas!

I am right there with you, Dallas fans are, well, Dallas fans.  They think every time the puck is shot at the net, it is a goal.  Florida & the NYR series is one to watch, likely better than the cup finals, regardless who makes it.