2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[BBTV]

Since we're doing all this jinx talk, here's this: I'm having a lot of trouble seeing how either one of these East teams can win four games in the Final. The Blackhawks figured out the Predators' defensive system which bears considerable resemblance to Philly and Montreal (grind, catch a mistake, score, hang back and turtle), they solved the gold medal goalie in Vancouver, and they beat the first place team in four straight games. Close games, but nonetheless four straight games. I'll say that Leighton, Niemi, and Halak are pretty much on even footing, but the Hawks have the best depth (Kris Versteeg is on the checking line; John Madden is on the fourth; Tomas Kopecky has 13 goals/12 assists and he's a healthy scratch), speed that the East teams have yet to deal with, and a much-overlooked defensive corps.

Looking at the regular season standings, this series is going to match a 52-win 112-point team against an 88-point team. If I'm not mistaken, 34 points is the largest differential between finalists. If the Blackhawks don't win the Stanley Cup, it'll be one of the biggest chokejobs in the history of sport. I might burn some Cubs paraphernalia just in case.

Chicago will certainly be favored, as well they should be. However, your equation of margin of point differential equaling level of chokejob isn't really fair. The Flyers went through one of the worst stretches that I can remember a "non-horrible" team going through. Then they fired their coach, and eventually things started turning around. It's a very long season, but really, only the last couple of months are relative, and momentum is huge. Your other points still stand though.

[BigEd76]

Philly beat Chicago on a last-second goal by Pronger a couple of months ago. It's not going to be a blowout like everyone thinks...

[The_Admiral]

That was during a stretch largely considered to be the Hawks' nadir--who themselves had a horrible stretch for a non-horrible team--and they scored it on Cristobal Huet, who is renowned for sucking. I don't doubt that the Flyers can steal a game or two, but they really shouldn't prevail in a best of seven, should they?

oh and yeah I guess the Habs technically aren't eliminated yet. Now those guys would have to be the '85 Patriots.

[charger77]

So Toews avoided the Campbell bowl like it was radioactive. Personally, I don't like this practice. I don't know how we got to the point where touching the conference championship trophies equals contentedness with not winning the stanley cup. You don't have to celebrate around it like they do in the NFL or like the Kings did in 93, but picking it up and smiling for a photo would be enough. Winning your conference championship is worth at least that much and in no way means that you don't want to win the stanley cup.

Does anyone know who started this whole thing?

Superstition.

Okay. Scott Stevens picked it up three times and didn't touch it once. The one time he didn't the Devils lost in the finals. Crosby didn't touch it the first time and did the second. Lindros didn't touch it and lost to the Red Wings. The Capitals a year later carried it around like buffoons and lost to the Red Wings. Yzerman touched it both of those years. Lidstrom's touched it both times. There is enough evidence on either side to disprove any sort of superstitious event surrounding the conference champions trophies and winning the stanley cup.

I say pick it up. If you win the Stanley cup then great, if you lose in the finals then it was because the other team not because you touched the prince of wales/clarence campbell bowl.

Actually, Zetterberg accepted the trophy in 2009 and did not touch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l5YBoHS5Ys

Yzerman had a team pic taken with it in 1995 and we all know how that wound up .

-Dan

[BBTV]

That was during a stretch largely considered to be the Hawks' nadir--who themselves had a horrible stretch for a non-horrible team--and they scored it on Cristobal Huet, who is renowned for sucking. I don't doubt that the Flyers can steal a game or two, but they really shouldn't prevail in a best of seven, should they?

oh and yeah I guess the Habs technically aren't eliminated yet. Now those guys would have to be the '85 Patriots.

Of course not. I'm just saying that if they did, it wouldn't be "one of the biggest chokejobs in the history of sport."

[RedRenesis]

Well look at who isnt getting shutout tonight.

[The_Admiral]

I wonder if Martin can turtle for 59:01.

EDIT: that is the stupidest thing i have ever seen

[BigEd76]

awesome SH goal

[Davey]

Wow, the Habs cannot loose a game from that. That was a big mistake for Halak to come out. Your in the lead, why risk it !

[habsfan1]

[Shumway]

Yzerman had a team pic taken with it in 1995 and we all know how that wound up .

-Dan

It wound up in his hands several more times, along with Mr. Stanley.

(You are a Leafs fan, correct? )

[The_Admiral]

nah

[Shumway]

nah

Well, to be fair, in Philly stop signs are merely a suggestion. The roll-through is generally the way things go in town.

[BigEd76]

WOOOO 3-1

[Still MIGHTY]

For the trophy-touching argument:

2003 - Mighty Ducks - Paul Kariya did not touch it, Ducks lost in 7 to New Jersey.

2007 - Ducks - Scott Niedermayer did not touch it, Ducks won in 5 over Ottawa.

So it's an interesting superstition, and gives people something to talk about for a little while, but its silly.

As for today's game thus far, what the hell was Halak doing? lol

[NEW.ERA]

If the Flyers are able to close the series out tonight the Finals will begin Saturday.

[habsfan1]

Not going down without a fight: it's now 3-2 plus a 4 minute PP for Montreal. Interesting...

[JACK IS CONSTRUCTION]

So Blackhawks against the Flyers, should be a very good series. And to see a couple new teams in the finals, is nice.

[FiddySicks]

And Philly wins it 4-2. It hurt watching the Sharks play like a bunch of little girls, but this just about makes up for it. GO FLYERS.

[NEW.ERA]

Flyers are back in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1997.

I can't wait for this series to begin.

Congrats to the Canadiens no one expected them to be here and I mean no one including Hab supporters, They took that City on a magical ride.