Every Which Way but (our) East - The Rest of the First Round

durandal1707

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Apr 18, 2007
6,131
Eight games seems light given Kadri's history. If the Avs advance (looking like a good chance they will) and he runs someone else, they need to ban him for the rest of the playoffs + a good chunk of next year. It's clear that he hasn't learned his lesson and is still trying to make reckless "statement" hits on people.
 

brienc

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Jul 26, 2005
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Shakedown Street
I have to admit that I was expecting disaster for the Islanders after seeing a bunch of Jets wearing their jerseys.

This series should be 3-1 Isles after today. I’ll never understand how Trotz didn’t pull Varlamov after the third goal the other night, but loyalty to veterans is hard wired into NHL coaches I guess.
 

McBride11

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Jul 15, 2005
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Has the NHL announced how they are going to approach the Canadian team once the semi finals roll around? Borders is still closed and I can't find anything on google that isn't a few weeks old.
 

Catcher Block

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Mar 7, 2006
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Avs complete their sweep of the Blues today. Somehow, a 4-0 sweep still seems closer than it was.

With a completely healthy roster, the Blues are a tier (or two) below Colorado, and weren't ever really in control of any of the games.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Nov 17, 2010
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I cant stand rooting for the Penguins, but I feel like that's a better matchup for the Bs than the Islanders.

Thoughts?
 

cshea

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Nov 15, 2006
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306, row 14
I'd probably prefer the Islanders, though there's pro's and cons to both.

I think the Bruins and Islanders play a similar brand of hockey. Defensive, low event hockey. The Bruins have the higher end talent so theoretically that should give them the advantage. But playing a bunch of tight games can lend itself to more randomness in a series. A bunch of 2-1 or 3-2 nail biters where the bounce of a puck is the difference is a scary proposition. We also struggled with Varlamov this year, though Varlamov got hurt and then sucked and right now it's Sorokin's net (and I assume if they get past Pittsburgh they'll stick with Sorokin).

Pittsburgh has the stars and fire power but are weaker in net and defensively. Those games could turn into track meets, and the Bruins have the fire power to match (if not have more). The Bruins have also matched up well against Pittsburgh in the Crosby/Malkin era. On the con side, Pittsburgh would have home ice.

Tough call. Honestly, I don't really care. I think the Bruins at their best are better than both Pittsburgh or the Islanders at their respective bests.
 

burstnbloom

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Jul 12, 2005
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I'd probably prefer the Islanders, though there's pro's and cons to both.

I think the Bruins and Islanders play a similar brand of hockey. Defensive, low event hockey. The Bruins have the higher end talent so theoretically that should give them the advantage. But playing a bunch of tight games can lend itself to more randomness in a series. A bunch of 2-1 or 3-2 nail biters where the bounce of a puck is the difference is a scary proposition. We also struggled with Varlamov this year, though Varlamov got hurt and then sucked and right now it's Sorokin's net (and I assume if they get past Pittsburgh they'll stick with Sorokin).

Pittsburgh has the stars and fire power but are weaker in net and defensively. Those games could turn into track meets, and the Bruins have the fire power to match (if not have more). The Bruins have also matched up well against Pittsburgh in the Crosby/Malkin era. On the con side, Pittsburgh would have home ice.

Tough call. Honestly, I don't really care. I think the Bruins at their best are better than both Pittsburgh or the Islanders at their respective bests.
I think this is right and said it before the playoffs started. The bruins are easily the best team in this division. It's up to them whether they make the third round. The isles and pens are both good teams and present different challenges but if the bruins play to their capabilities, they will win.
 

durandal1707

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Apr 18, 2007
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Not sure if the Pens or the Isles would be more annoying. The Pens would probably score a dozen on the Bruins' 4th line and 3rd pairing, but the Isles are a team that can get blown out on possession but "protect the house" well enough that they can win by cashing in their few opportunities.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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I'm getting a kick out of Spencer Knight already starting a playoff elimination game. Youngest ever.
 

durandal1707

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Apr 18, 2007
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Also just gotta say overtime playoff hockey is awesome. Especially when it's between the two potential next-round opponents.
 

McBride11

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Jul 15, 2005
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Durham, NC
What is the current thought on time off? Eg this goes 7 - the Bs will not have played a game for like 10 days at least. Too much time is a bad thing?
 

joe dokes

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Jul 18, 2005
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Islander radio pbp guy on the OT goal sounded like Bobby C falling off the Verrazano.
 
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