The preds have a great shot at the cup. Their defense is one of if not the best in the league and their forwards are balanced if not superstars. Their goalie is world class. The AV;s did a great job this year and I love McKinnon. Alas, my leafs went down to the better team. AS for the cup, I think it will be the preds in the west and the pens in the east with crosby and the gang coming thru once again.
Full disclosure: I live in a town that is close to Nashville--only about 30 or 35 miles away--and I did live in Nashville for over 30 years. So I might not seem like the most unbiased person. Yet I am seriously trying to be analytical--not tendentious--as I am not, by nature, a cheerleader. The Predators are a much better team than they were last year. And yet, even last year, they made it to the finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I much prefer good skaters to roughnecks. Still, I suppose that the latter are necessary, in order to be a very good NHL team. And the Preds are quite replete with them. (Note: I am not at all sure just who will win this current series--the winner tonight will have the upper hand--especially if it is the visiting Jets--but the winner of this series could win it all, in my opinion.)
I know that "it ain't over 'till it's over", but at the end of the 2nd period in tonight's playoff game in Nashville with the Jets, the Jets lead 3-0. The Jets' ability to set up tactical passes and position their players exactly where they need to be is a thing of beauty! It was exactly the lack of being able to pass and keep people strategically-placed that hurt my Colorado Avalanche so much, but we did have some spectacular individual performances. But a team of coordinated people can beat a team of "lone-wolves" nearly all the time.... Even though the Preds are playing at home, with a very friendly "homer" crowd, in what is reputed to be the loudest 'house' in the NHL, Nashville looks clumsy and outclassed. But that's just one game... so far.
And the game has just ended.... Jets beat the Preds 4-1. I know it's just one game, but the Preds looked so outclassed, even though they were at home with the noisiest hockey fans (they say). Goaltenders? The Jets have an excellent one, even though he doesn't fill a two-car garage. In goaltenders 'size-matters', I've learned, but you've also got to be able to move. Super game!
It was a good game. The Preds dominated offensive zone puck possession and Hellebuyck had to stop 47 shots. I don't think the Jets can win 4 games like that. Can't wait for game two.
Exactly my thoughts. It's why Crosby is so great. He forces his team to win when it matters. It's why Washington is always screwed lol
Well, it is over now; and the Jets won Game One, 4-1. That should be a fairly substantial advantage for the Jets. The Preds must--must--now win Game Two; and even then, they will need to steal a game (preferably, rather quickly) in Winnipeg.
How about them Sharks?! They stood tall and handed the 'supernatural' Las Vegas 'Golden' Knights their first playoff defeat (who dreamed that name up...? ). And, they did it IN Las Vegas! But I must admit, the Knights had Playoff Game #2 stolen from them. That "goaltender interference" call was total bullshit! I've looked at the replays a dozen times. The goaltender was bumped-into by a Knight, but only after that Knight was bumped-into by a Shark. The Knight had no choice but to be forced into the Shark goaltender, who sprawled out backwards in the "blue area". But, then the same knight, several seconds later, swatted the loose puck into the net. It SHOULD have counted as a goal, but "Toronto" (the hockey 'overlords' who make all the important decisions) evidently had other ideas. Next? Who knows? The Knights have been truly astounding in this, their first season... but they'd better gut-up and start playing more aggressively than they did last night... and to please 'Toronto' they evidently must do this without so much as sneezing on an opponent's goaltender at any point during game play.
gotta admit its a head scratcher what that call is at times. But both sides have to deal with it and usually such things even out in a 7 game series. You're right. From how I saw the game, the Sharks were lucky for the win, but they did play way better than in game 1.
Two dramatically exciting games -- I watched both of them! And I was totally surprised to see the Caps down the Pens. I thought everybody was saying a month ago that the Penguins were going to take the Cup fairly easily. Oops. Oh, but how I enjoyed watching the Jets come back from being down 3 - 0 against the Preds, and then beating them soundly! So now it's back to Nashville's ear-splitting hockey arena, dead fish thrown on the ice, and the home court of what must surely be one of the most abusive, unsportsmanlike teams in the NHL. The Jets, however, are definitely on a roll and I hope they skate rings around Subban and the other injury-fakers and jive-artists on the Nashville team. It would be nice, though, if the Avalanche could somehow trade for Filip Forsberg and bring him up here to Colorado. Now, HE is a very high-quality, top-drawer player, indeed!
Subban is only a mediocre defender. He is prone to give aways and missed hits below the dots. One of the best in the offensive zone with a terrific shot from the point, but I think there are literally dozens of better defenders in the league. The Jets sure woke up in that game. Although I prefer Pittsburgh, I was happy to see Ovie get a big goal like that for the win. He needs a cup to ensure there isn't any tarnish on his HOF career. I'd be gobsmacked if he did it this year, though.
Well, the Predators extended the matchup, last night, to a Game 7, with a 4-0 victory over the Jets in Winnipeg. I would say that the Predators now have the home-ice advantage. But the visiting team has won four of the six games played, so far. So it may really be a home-ice disadvantage...
Yes, I would agree. I'm also rooting for the Caps solely because I think OV8 is a hall of famer and I think he's earned his chance. His team's defense and goal tending always kills his chances in the playoffs. It's his year! (Caps aren't even my team)
I was shocked that Pitt lost, but am happy for Ovie, also. Odd kind of playoffs this year. No real upsets (Vegas nothwithstanding). I haven't seen all the games but it seems to me that of the ones I watched there was a significant number of mediocre games mixed in with some real barnburners. Having fun even if my brackets are shot to hell.
I am unaware of any first-year expansion team--in any sport--winning it all. (That is because such teams are comprised solely of unprotected players; which is to say, the castoffs of other teams--and therefore, not their better players.)
Its wasn't just from drafting one player for each team. Management did one helluva job parlaying it into really solid team. They may not have the superstars, but they have a team whose "average" talent (from top to bottom) is definitely in the upper echelon. They play with discipline and they are really good at executing four or five set offensive zone plays at speed. Great coaching. That and a horrific tragedy that welded a bunch of newbie teammates into a team overnight. SEattle is supposed to have the same rules as vegas, but the pickings might be a little slimmer as the other gms, can prepare at little better knowing what to expect.
Even so, I would be for Las Vegas, if not for the fact that I live near Nashville--and actually lived in Nashville for almost 33 years.
I am absolutely ECSTATIC that the Preds were soundly and decisively beaten in the final game against Winnipeg which saw the Jets soar to victory! Now Nashville can take their penalty-baiting cleverness and their bully game-play, and their dead catfish, and watch some real champions of the game compete for the Cup with the rest of us. One thing, though -- I do wish that my team, the Colorado Avalanche, could somehow make a deal to get Filip Forsberg out of Nashville. He is an exceptionally high-quality hockey player, who surely deserves to be on a better team.... Go Jets! You'll be "in-tough" with the Golden Knights, but if you triumph over them, you may indeed become the NHL champions this season!
Way too Machiavellian for me. Sorry that the Aves had to clutch at home, I'm sure that was just as embarrassing as the Preds losing 3/4 home games in the series with Winnie folk.. Have to admit, that I am truly just a fair weather fan for the Preds. Their continued winning might have actually impacted a concert that I already have very expensive tickets to, sooo. I'm good that they are out. They, and the Jets were lightyears better than the rest of the league this year and it was a shame they had to meet before the actual cup round. Kind of like having to see Sreena and Venus play in the quarters... But oh well, best of luck on your building process.
