2016 NHL Playoffs, Rite of Spring: "You thought God was an architect"

[Brian in Boston]

I don't know what it is about the NHL playoffs, but they're arrival certainly takes the animosity level out here to a whole new level. Let's dial down the personal attacks, folks.

Thank you.

[Morgan33]

On May 6, 2016 at 2:37 AM, SabresRule7361 said:

It's fascinating the contrast between how we view the NHL top seeds.

 

Dallas doesn't have that same pressure to win the Cup right now that Washington does

 

You don't feel like a 2nd round exit for the Stars would be as big a letdown as the Caps

 

It's most likely due to the Stars overachieving this year.  When you go from a non-playoff team to the top of the conference, in one season, it's hard to be viewed as a favourite.  Kind of like the 2014 Avalanche, though the Stars have nowhere to go but up.  When they fix the goaltending situation they will be a force to be reckoned with.

[Unocal]

1 hour ago, Morgo said:

 

It's most likely due to the Stars overachieving this year.  When you go from a non-playoff team to the top of the conference, in one season, it's hard to be viewed as a favourite.  Kind of like the 2014 Avalanche, though the Stars have nowhere to go but up.  When they fix the goaltending situation they will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

Some of the cogs on this team got their playoff feet wet a few years ago against Anaheim, so it's not like they went from 0 to 100.

[Morgan33]

Touche.  Forgot about their brief 2014 appearance.  

 

That was nice while it lasted Islanders...  At least you managed to break the playoff losing streak.

[Kramerica Industries]

I'm not saying the Lightning will beat the Pens or the Caps, but I highly doubt it's going to be a rollover. Underestimate Tampa at your own risk. I never thought they could win this series in five games with zero contribution from Anton Stralman, who should be back in time for the next round, btw.

[RyanMcD29]

Well that was fun while it lasted. Today sucked but hey, Islanders making the 2nd round was a nice little change of pace. We'll see what this offseason brings with all these contracts going up and trying to make a trade with Hamonic again, but at least for once it feels like the Isles have turned the corner a little bit.

 

And we'll always have our moments from this run, Honky.

[cmm]

5 hours ago, Kramerica Industries said:

I'm not saying the Lightning will beat the Pens or the Caps, but I highly doubt it's going to be a rollover. Underestimate Tampa at your own risk. I never thought they could win this series in five games with zero contribution from Anton Stralman, who should be back in time for the next round, btw.

I'm a man of my word. Go Thunderbug.

[RyanMcD29]

1 minute ago, cmm said:

I'm a man of my word. Go Thunderbug.

Oh yeah, if the Bolts make things as frustrating as they did for the Isles against the Pens, I'll be loving every minute of it. Caps.. eh, I'll still get a kick out of even though I want to see Ovi finally get to a final

[Crabcake]

I'm very scared about the prospect of playing the 'Ning right now. They look really, really good. And they have a hot goalie, and we all know how the Caps have dealt with those these playoffs!

 

But obviously, let's not get ahead of ourselves here, if I had money to put on tomorrow's game I'd be putting it on a 3-2 Pens victory. 

[RyanMcD29]

Game 7 in Dallas on Wednesday. This calls for another tasteless Dallas history #BANG photoshop!

 

[Unocal]

So... does Seguin come back for game 7?

[ninersdd]

Sharks took their foot off the gas and paid for it. Dumb idea to allow Wilson to be wide open on the tying goal.

[Cujo]

The Sharks grab defeat from the jaws of victory. So shocking.

[Alex Houston]

Well, it was there. Had a lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Jumped out to a 2 goal lead. Need to learn how to close that :censored: out. 

 

And oh look, same hacks on this thread slinging the same stale :censored: they always sling. Might I recommend a hobby? You know, something else you do besides troll some random sports blog engaging in schadenfreude.

[Unocal]

The Predators just won't die.

 

They ONLY play great it seems when their backs are against the wall.

 

Up 2-0 against Anaheim? Meh. Down 3-2 and 2-0? Play like their hair is on fire.

 

Cujo, be careful what you wish for in game 7- the Sharks will gave DAL/STL a better series. Nashville will be way too wiped out if they have two seven-game series AND all that travel? 2009 Hurricanes all over again.

[SFGiants58]

15 minutes ago, Cujo said:

The Sharks grab defeat from the jaws of victory. So shocking.

 

The elixir of numb will be in full force tonight! Oh bliss, bliss and heaven...

 

 

At least the Sharks slayed the Kings.

 

[Unocal]

Scary omen for the Sharks- Peter Laviolette has a phenomenal track record in game 7's.

 

Seriously, this would be so cruel for the Sharks. Not like this, against THAT team with basically a bunch of mediocre grinders and ugly uniforms.

 

Plus, I'll be damned if a team with James Neal and Mike Ribeiro are gonna get that close to the Cup.

 

I can't stomach the Preds at all. They are just so freaking annoying.

 

And quite frankly, this series SHOULD have ended on Saturday. Pavelski got jobbed.

[Kevin W.]

We are just two games away from a Blues-Predators WCF.

 

I'm going to go shoot myself. Good night, everyone.

[Cujo]

32 minutes ago, SabresRule7361 said:

Not like this, against THAT team with basically a bunch of mediocre grinders and ugly uniforms

 

[rams80]

1 hour ago, Alex Houston said:

Well, it was there. Had a lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Jumped out to a 2 goal lead. Need to learn how to close that out. 

 

And oh look, same hacks on this thread slinging the same stale they always sling. Might I recommend a hobby? You know, something else you do besides troll some random sports blog engaging in schadenfreude.

 

Come brother, join our support group.

 

/At least the Blues decided to remove any real chance for drama tonight.  (OH YOU THOUGHT THEY MIGHT HAVE TIED IT IN THE END?  NOPE.  KILLER INSTINCT OF A PANDA THIS BUNCH HAS.  WATCH THEM SLEEPWALK THROUGH PERIOD ONE ON WEDNESDAY!)