NEWC - The Semis

The Napkin

wise ass al kaprielian
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Jul 13, 2002
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right here
Tampa Bay Lightning (3) vs New York Islanders (4)

Game 1: Sun. June 13: Islanders at Lightning, 3 p.m. ET (NBC)
Game 2: Tues. June 15: Islanders at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Game 3: Thurs. June 17: Lightning at Islanders, 8 p.m. ET (USA Network)
Game 4: Sat. June 19: Lightning at Islanders, 8 p.m. ET (USA Network)
*Game 5: Mon. June 21: Islanders at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
*Game 6: Wed. June 23: Lightning at Islanders, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
*Game 7: Fri. June 25: Islanders at Lightning, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

Vegas Golden Knights (2) vs Montreal Canadiens (4)

Game 1: Mon., June 14
: Canadiens at Golden Knights, 9 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Game 2: Wed. June 16: Canadiens at Golden Knights, 9 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Game 3: Fri. June 18: Golden Knights at Canadiens, 8 p.m. ET (USA Network)
Game 4: Sun. June 20: Golden Knights at Canadiens, 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
*Game 5: Tues. June 22: Canadiens at Golden Knights, 9 p.m ET (NBCSN)
*Game 6: Thurs. June 24: Golden Knights at Canadiens, 8 p.m. ET (USA Network)
*Game 7: Sat. June 26: Canadiens at Golden Knights, 8 p.m ET (NBCSN)
 
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amfox1

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Aug 6, 2003
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VGK, definitely. They're the only top 2 divisional seed to make the semis. Can't root for any of the other three teams. I was in Vegas during their inaugural Stanley Cup run; that place was nuts.
 

Zososoxfan

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Jul 30, 2009
9,208
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It's TB for me by a mile and not just because I'm a resident. The Habs are a no because obviously. The Islanders have NY fans which is a big strike, but they also just don't seem that good to me. Deep and with some talent--sure, but not worthy of a SCF. And Vegas is definitely likable but they're more of a physical team than the Lightning's O show. If you wanna see the most skilled hockey as long as possible, it's TBL. TBL-VGK would be a fun SCF.
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
I can’t figure out a rooting interest here
I'm with you. As hard as it is to believe, the Canadiens might be the most likeable team left in the draw.
Islanders fan base is insufferable (as is obviously the Canadiens base). They might have been a decent choice, but I'm too salty from the loss and knowing that NBC is going to pound the "great old barn" theme into our heads.
Tampa and it's $100M roster is a no go.
Vegas with their ugly ass uniforms, "long time fans" and exemption from the expansion draft make them difficult to root for.
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
Why is how long a team that hasn't existed had fans a criteria?
I don't know, why is Original Six still a thing? Maybe it's because I'm a jerk that wants other fans to go through multiple years of heartbreak before they can experience a championship. Actually, that isn't a maybe.
 

j44thor

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Aug 1, 2006
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It's TB for me by a mile and not just because I'm a resident. The Habs are a no because obviously. The Islanders have NY fans which is a big strike, but they also just don't seem that good to me. Deep and with some talent--sure, but not worthy of a SCF. And Vegas is definitely likable but they're more of a physical team than the Lightning's O show. If you wanna see the most skilled hockey as long as possible, it's TBL. TBL-VGK would be a fun SCF.
Gee I wonder how they did that, oh right they operate with a different salary cap than the rest of the league. I wonder what BOS could have done with an extra 20M in cap space. TBL should be stripped of multiple first round draft picks. It is an absolute joke what they did to circumvent the cap. They didn't even hide it with Kutcherov practicing without a non-contact jersey because he doesn't like the color red.
 

kenneycb

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I don't know, why is Original Six still a thing? Maybe it's because I'm a jerk that wants other fans to go through multiple years of heartbreak before they can experience a championship. Actually, that isn't a maybe.
Misery does love company. I personally want to see the Vegas shows that are the pre-game festivities. Like being on drugs while sober.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Gee I wonder how they did that, oh right they operate with a different salary cap than the rest of the league. I wonder what BOS could have done with an extra 20M in cap space. TBL should be stripped of multiple first round draft picks. It is an absolute joke what they did to circumvent the cap. They didn't even hide it with Kutcherov practicing without a non-contact jersey because he doesn't like the color red.
Every team plays with the same rules, any other team could have taken advantage of the same rules.
 

j44thor

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Every team plays with the same rules, any other team could have taken advantage of the same rules.
The rules also say when players are able to come off LTIR they have to come off. TB flaunted this part of the rule leaving Kutcherov and Stamkos on LTIR when they were clearly healthy hence my comment about Kutcherov practicing without a non-contact jersey with the team while "on LTIR". It is a joke how they circumvented the cap. Those weren't how the rules were intended.
 

RIFan

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durandal1707

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It's Vegas for me and no other team is particularly close. Especially not the cap cheats over in Tampa Bay, and while I don't have the same animosity for the Islanders that I normally have for a team following a playoff series, screw them. The Habs have the underdog mantle, but y'know, Montreal.

I don't get the hatred for a recent expansion team having success. Sure the expansion draft was generous but Vegas made the best of their picks, signings, and trades. Good for them.

Edit: Very curious to see how the refs manage the TB-NYI series. Someone's going to have to die on the ice for a call to happen.
 

MiracleOfO2704

not AWOL
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Jul 12, 2005
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The Island
I’m about there, with the caveat that an Islanders win means I might get to see the Cup in my town. Vegas may be the top team remaining, but it’s a better story than Tampa, and when it comes to Montreal, not even once.
 

kenneycb

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Dec 2, 2006
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I just hope we get Vegas and Tampa. Them and Colorado were the three clear best teams and I like how Vegas and Tampa's styles match up. Isles-Habs would be a snoozer.
 

MattysDaddy

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Sep 1, 2007
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No, they should wait the approximately 30-35 years I did from when I first started watching the Bruins. Once they do that I will feel they have paid their fan dues and earned my respect which I know the entire state of Nevada is so anxious to receive.
Heh, I get it. I just find that Vegas is the only team worth rooting for at this point, and I do want to root for someone in playoff hockey.
 

Sausage in Section 17

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Mar 17, 2004
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Why is how long a team that hasn't existed had fans a criteria?

C'mon, man! Any Red Sox fan should be able to appreciate the rationale here. Like, if the Rays had won a WS title before the Sox broke the Curse? That would've made me throw up in my mouth. I struggle to respect any fan base that hasn't gone through years of disappointment or heartache. Do those people even know what winning a championship really means?

This is why I am most comfortable rooting for the Orioles out of all the AL East opponents. Long suffering fanbase, with real devotees to the team who show up even when they suck for 10 years.

Therefore, I throw my secondary rooting energy toward teams or fan bases that I feel are deserving of victory. When the season is over, it's nice to feel like you can vicariously enjoy the winner's celebration rather than shut off the TV because those jerks from ...wherever...don't deserve a celebration.

Yes, I'm a petty person.
 

Cotillion

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Jun 11, 2019
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It's Vegas for me and no other team is particularly close. Especially not the cap cheats over in Tampa Bay, and while I don't have the same animosity for the Islanders that I normally have for a team following a playoff series, screw them. The Habs have the underdog mantle, but y'know, Montreal.

I don't get the hatred for a recent expansion team having success. Sure the expansion draft was generous but Vegas made the best of their picks, signings, and trades. Good for them.

Edit: Very curious to see how the refs manage the TB-NYI series. Someone's going to have to die on the ice for a call to happen.
It'll be fun watching the first ever double embellishment call as a lightning and islander both act as if they were shot after going into a corner together...
 

TheRealness

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Feb 8, 2006
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Pretty easily Vegas for me, but I would be surprised if anyone beat Tampa. They are clearly the best team to me. I don’t want to root for them though because I don’t really like them. The cap stuff is what it is. It’s ”legal”, so that’s on the NHL, not them. The Islanders just beat us so fuck them, and seriously, fuck Montreal. I hope they get swept.
 

NYCSox

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I’m about there, with the caveat that an Islanders win means I might get to see the Cup in my town. Vegas may be the top team remaining, but it’s a better story than Tampa, and when it comes to Montreal, not even once.
Vegas for me for that reason. Well that and not wanting the other three to win. :)
 

54thMA

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Aug 15, 2012
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I can't get behind any of the four remaining teams, none of them do it for me.

Vegas and their shitty uniforms, Montreal because fuck them, Tampa=Bucs=Brady=Rays so no thanks, last but least the Islanders and the story about how they're closing down their historic shithole of an arena. Why is there a team that always have a story in the SC playoffs.

I'd be ok with Vegas/Tampa in the final only because in my mind it would be high level, up and down exciting hockey as opposed to the tedious style the Islanders play vs a franchise that has denied the Bruins 5 Stanley Cup wins, 1971 along with the Scottish game and the 86 WS are losses I'll never get over.
 

mwonow

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Sep 4, 2005
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C'mon, man! Any Red Sox fan should be able to appreciate the rationale here. Like, if the Rays had won a WS title before the Sox broke the Curse? That would've made me throw up in my mouth. I struggle to respect any fan base that hasn't gone through years of disappointment or heartache. Do those people even know what winning a championship really means?

This is why I am most comfortable rooting for the Orioles out of all the AL East opponents. Long suffering fanbase, with real devotees to the team who show up even when they suck for 10 years.

Therefore, I throw my secondary rooting energy toward teams or fan bases that I feel are deserving of victory. When the season is over, it's nice to feel like you can vicariously enjoy the winner's celebration rather than shut off the TV because those jerks from ...wherever...don't deserve a celebration.

Yes, I'm a petty person.
I'm with you. I lived in Toronto when the Jays won in 92 and 93, and I was sickened - they hadn't suffered enough, damnit!

But I got over it for the Raps, and will for Vegas if that's how things shake. If it comes down to the fan bases who would love this the most, it's Montreal by a mile, but who wants happy Habs fans? Right down there with Leafs fans with hope.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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How long has it been since the Habs have been a true rival? I would rather them win it than Toronto, Phili, Tampa, Washington, Vancouver, The Rags, and the penguins.
 

TSC

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Oct 25, 2007
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This seems like the easiest question ever. Vegas is the only team I could and will root for.
Montreal--never. Literally never, same as the MFYs and the Lakers. I'm shocked that a Bruins fan could even consider them anything but the sworn enemy.
Yup. I have no idea how any one could cheer for any one other than Vegas.

You don't like their uniforms? Come on.

Fuck Montreal. Fuck Tampa. and Fuck New York.
 

Haunted

The Man in the Box
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Aug 23, 2006
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Yeah, I’m all in on Vegas. I was all in on them over Nashville too.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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So this was game thread, not a news thread? (judged by the title)

Apologies for making a thread.