2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Sport]

I think you guys are right. I've watched the Blackhawks a lot all season and Byfuglien playing this way in the playoffs surprises me. It kind of reminds me of 06 when Fernando Pisani of all people came out of nowhere and blew up that postseason for the Oilers.

[The_Admiral]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

A lot of his goals came off turnovers and other defensive breakdowns. He had a bad game tonight. You've kinda strawmanned this whole Niemi thing, since nobody's ever claimed that he's Georges Vezina reborn, just a guy who's usually pretty good. That's all. Often above average. Oh well, at least as far as staking out the hill you want to die on, you're not blaming Marian Hossa like everyone else.

[MDC]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

Cool story bro.

One more win!

[dfwabel]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

Sounds very much like a Blues homer to me since CHI is one win away from a title.

[STL FANATIC]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

Sounds very much like a Blues homer to me since CHI is one win away from a title.

Duh.

On both counts.

[Viper]

One Two games away...

Fixed. The Hawks will win the Cup, but not in Philly. This thing's going the full seven.

Can't do it, Viper. I need this thing closed out in 6. I can't have the groomsmen MIA during my rehearsal dinner on Friday.

What, don't they believe in DVRs?

[rams80]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

I'm not sure which is more comical...your blasting of Niemi or your defenses of Pronger.

Probably the Pronger bit...he left town years ago and therefore by now forfeited all rights to St. Louis homer loyalty.

[Sport]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

I'm not sure which is more comical...your blasting of Niemi or your defenses of Pronger.

Probably the Pronger bit...he left town years ago and therefore by now forfeited all rights to St. Louis homer loyalty.

Once you're in the Blues family you're always in the Blues family. He is a Blue.

[rams80]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

I'm not sure which is more comical...your blasting of Niemi or your defenses of Pronger.

Probably the Pronger bit...he left town years ago and therefore by now forfeited all rights to St. Louis homer loyalty.

Once you're in the Blues family you're always in the Blues family. He is a Blue.

I thought that only happened if you died in a alcohol-related motorvehicle accident.

[Sodboy13]

Once you're in the Blues family you're always in the Blues family. He is a Blue.

I thought that only happened if you died in a alcohol-related motorvehicle accident.

Now now, in fairness, you can also die in your hotel room during a road trip. In fact, if you do that, it automatically makes you eligible for an ardent lobbying for the Hall of Fame.

[dfwabel]

Do the Hawks fans really not see the meh-ness of Niemi? He played like a stud for a lot of the playoffs, but they've by and large won in spite of him this series and their losses have a good chunk (not all of course) to do with him. He's one of the most poorly positioned goalies in hockey (outside of the fact that he's well positioned behind a powerhouse team).

(Can't be happy about the result, had to come up with something. But that point was extra apparent to me today--he was so frequently out of position.)

I'm not sure which is more comical...your blasting of Niemi or your defenses of Pronger.

Probably the Pronger bit...he left town years ago and therefore by now forfeited all rights to St. Louis homer loyalty.

Once you're in the Blues family you're always in the Blues family. He is a Blue.

I thought that only happened if you died in a alcohol-related motorvehicle accident.

They may not care as Pronger had is alcohol arrest issues as a minor and before he became a Blue.

[NJTank]

What has impressed me about Byfuglien is how many Game winning or Game Clinching goals he has scored in the postseason.

[NEW.ERA]

To all the Hawk supporters, Chris Pronger minus 5.

That is all.

[Still MIGHTY]

I'd agree in saying that Byfuglien is in the running for Conn Smythe.

Toews was the leader going into the Finals, but he hasn't been all that present. Niemi was up there too and he's been average in the Finals.

Is there really a frontrunner for the Smythe on either side at this point?

[Sodboy13]

To all the Hawk supporters, Chris Pronger minus 5.

That is all.

And he got called for a penalty!

[The_Admiral]

And that penalty led to a PPG. That'll wipe the gap-toothed smirk off his face.

While Toews hasn't had the best stats in this series, remember that he is the captain, and a Good Canadian Kid, which will do more for his consideration among the scribes than leading the playoffs in points will. Don't get me wrong, Byfuglien has been a force on the first line, but Toews or Hossa is the best player on this team.

[lost_limey]

I'd say the big Buff has been the best player on the ice for the 'Hawks in both the Sharks series and now in the SCF.

I'm rooting for the Blackhawks as they have the best looking sweaters remaining (the white nameplates on orange just kill the flyers for me), and because my beloved Caps couldn't get past Halak and the rest of the Montreal Canadiens (but mostly Halak)

[The_Admiral]

Dude, Pronger neutralized Byfuglien in the first four games. Why do you think they broke up that line?

[STL FANATIC]

Once you're in the Blues family you're always in the Blues family. He is a Blue.

I thought that only happened if you died in a alcohol-related motorvehicle accident.

Now now, in fairness, you can also die in your hotel room during a road trip. In fact, if you do that, it automatically makes you eligible for an ardent lobbying for the Hall of Fame.

It's great to see what you guys do with the grain of sands I give you. I don't think I've ever discussed Darryl Kile and the HOF. Course I never said your guys favorite quote either.

In any case, I like Pronger because he's the favorite enemy of my favorite enemy. And it's easy to like him again because I once liked him. That's pretty much the extent of that.

I go on about how bad Niemi is because, well, he's not very good. But on that note, is there any talk around the Hawks about what they'll do at the goaltending position next year or is next year just completely irrelevant at this current juncture (and I don't say that at all sarcastically--I understand if that's the case).

[DDR]

Once you're in the Blues family you're always in the Blues family. He is a Blue.

I thought that only happened if you died in a alcohol-related motorvehicle accident.

Now now, in fairness, you can also die in your hotel room during a road trip. In fact, if you do that, it automatically makes you eligible for an ardent lobbying for the Hall of Fame.

It's great to see what you guys do with the grain of sands I give you. I don't think I've ever discussed Darryl Kile and the HOF. Course I never said your guys favorite quote either.

In any case, I like Pronger because he's the favorite enemy of my favorite enemy. And it's easy to like him again because I once liked him. That's pretty much the extent of that.

I go on about how bad Niemi is because, well, he's not very good. But on that note, is there any talk around the Hawks about what they'll do at the goaltending position next year or is next year just completely irrelevant at this current juncture (and I don't say that at all sarcastically--I understand if that's the case).

Who gives a :censored: about next year?