I know this was discussed already multiple times, but I just can't let this go.

I have not kept a close eye on the Leafs/Lightning series so whoever underachieved or may have screwed up big time I'm not aware of that. With that said it is just a tough round one match up. Both teams are built well and deserve a deep run. Coming into this series regardless of the outcome just unfortunate you know one of the two teams always had to be eliminated so early. Both organizations and fan bases deserve a better run. The early exit for either team is just tough and a little unfair for whatever criticism whether it is fair or not comes out of it. The Leafs are a stacked team, made appropriate trade deadline deals, and have a good enough goaltender. Anyone would take that roster in a heartbeat. What else is their GM supposed to do? At the same time the same can be said with Tampa, of course they have a better goalie, but my point is that you can't build a better team, either Toronto or Tampa.

In the good ole days Toronto would have had Boston. I know there is history and the Bergeron line is still kicking, but Boston is obviously an easier team to face than Tampa, which had nearly identical regular season numbers as Toronto (points, goal differential, home record).

May 15, 2022 3:03:50 GMT Zappy said:

I know this was discussed already multiple times, but I just can't let this go.

I have not kept a close eye on the Leafs/Lightning series so whoever underachieved or may have screwed up big time I'm not aware of that. With that said it is just a tough round one match-up. Both teams are built well and deserve a deep run. Coming into this series regardless of the outcome is just unfortunate you know one of the two teams always had to be eliminated so early. Both organizations and fan bases deserve a better run. The early exit for either team is just tough and a little unfair for whatever criticism whether it is fair or not comes out of it. The Leafs are a stacked team, made appropriate trade deadline deals, and have a good enough goaltender. Anyone would take that roster in a heartbeat. What else is their GM supposed to do? At the same time, the same can be said with Tampa, of course, they have a better goalie, but my point is that you can't build a better team, either Toronto or Tampa.

In the good ole days, Toronto would have had Boston. I know there is history and the Bergeron line is still kicking, but Boston is obviously an easier team to face than Tampa, which had nearly identical regular-season numbers as Toronto (points, goal differential, home record).

Since you've shared your thoughts, I now feel free. I love hockey. HOWEVER! THIS IS THE FUCKING DUMBEST FORMAT IN THE HISTORY OF SPORTS! HEY, GARY, DO KNOW WHAT SOUNDS LIKE AN AMAZING IDEA?! HAVE THE BEST TEAMS PLAY EACH OTHER IN THE 1ST ROUND! FUCK STRATEGY, NAH! LET'S BE CLEVER & SHRINK THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THE BEST MATCHUPS LATER. THAT'S SO BORING! LET'S LIMIT THE BATTLE OF ALBERTA TO THE 2ND ROUND! WHAT A BAG A DICK THE NHL BRASS ARE FUCK THEM!

never before has a league had more influence than the players & coaches in the game.

Well, if there's one silver lining on the day, it's that the Oilers are on to Round 2.

May 15, 2022 4:47:40 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Well, if there's one silver lining on the day, it's that the Oilers are on to Round 2.

That makes it worse and you know it.

May 15, 2022 6:16:18 GMT RT said:

May 15, 2022 4:47:40 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Well, if there's one silver lining on the day, it's that the Oilers are on to Round 2.

That makes it worse and you know it.

But I want to see the Battle of Alberta in Round 2.  And we're halfway to it happening.

I posted it in the wrong thread but man the Maple Leafs are truly a horrifying franchise to be a fan of.

May 15, 2022 6:27:12 GMT CM Punk'd said:

May 15, 2022 6:16:18 GMT RT said:

That makes it worse and you know it.

But I want to see the Battle of Alberta in Round 2.  And we're halfway to it happening.

Yeah I guess. Watch Calgary fuck it up though.

Battle of Florida will be good too. Go Panthers. Maybe Joe gets a Cup finally. That would ease the pain a little.

May 15, 2022 13:41:09 GMT KING KID said:

I posted it in the wrong thread but man the Maple Leafs are truly a horrifying franchise to be a fan of.

Yes.

This year wouldn’t hurt nearly as bad if it weren’t for the last 2. They played like shit in the bubble season and couldn’t beat garbage ass Columbus, then last year choked a 3-1 lead to Montreal. Absolutely inexcusable.

This year they lose in 7 to the b2b champs and you’re supposed to be like well they tried, Tampa are the champs for a reason, but we can’t even do that because of their terrible, terrible past.

This team is so annoying.

Rooting for the Rangers and Flames tonight. I want Battle of Alberta and I want the Rangers to move on. Penguins had their time and NY is a way more entertaining team to watch.

I decide and announce whoever wins the Stanley cup this year will be my new favorite team for this year!

Go whoever!

May 15, 2022 18:59:00 GMT pduh said:

I decide and announce whoever wins the Stanley cup this year will be my new favorite team for this year!

Go whoever!

Smart.

Sorry to our Toronto bros, that is just brutal. 10 straight losses with the chance to clinch a playoff series, crazy/

Man I am so nervous and excited for this game tonight. I'm hoping since we haven't really seen it since G1 that Shesterkin has one of his vintage performances. Mika and Kreider finally answered the bell last time out, now it's Igor's turn.

If the Maple Leafs had beaten the Jackets or the Habs, losing to the Lighting this season wouldn't have been a big deal but Toronto hasn't given fans the benefit of the doubt.

Oh yeah Igor is here tonight!! A couple of huge saves in a net front scamble, and then Zibanejad & Kreider break up the other end and make it 1-0

LGR!!!

Dumb penalty taken by Trouba killed our momentum at the end of the period and gave Pittsburgh the opportunity to tie it up - but again it came after some obvious penalties weren't called on them. Need to dictate the play more in the second period.

That was pretty sick by Guentzel to kick the puck in the air to himself, but his stick was clearly above the bar. Of course when it's in their favour the call on the ice suddenly becomes relevant. Total bullshit.

That Rangers goal came out of nowhere. I couldn’t tell if they did it on purpose or if it was an accident.

This game is crazy.

Another come from behind win.  This game now it was just minutes away from the end of the season.  Wow.  Shesterkin stole this game for fucking sure.  Shesterkin was outstanding.  Unbelievable saves he made tonight.  Penguins could have easily had a 10 goal game.  Shesterkin may be the MVP of Game 7, but Lindgren is the Rangers MVP of the series.  I don't think the Rangers come back without him.  Lindgren not only providing much needed depth, but also playing hurt while being the fastest skater on the ice and going all out for every play.  If an injured Lindgren can do it for 25 minutes the rest of the roster has no excuse.  The Penguins were the better team tonight, but the Rangers still pulling out a win is pretty scary.  Just think if they actually put together a good effort.  Rangers had too much puck watching and not strong enough on the boards.  Not as much jump or intensity to their game. Ya know it is just a game seven fellas.  For whatever reason this Rangers team waits for the dramatics to play hard and get their game back.  Fox needs to get his shit together.  Not skating hard to the corner to retrieve the puck and then lets the puck go through his legs and he makes no effort to get to the net and defend.  Need a better effort by Fox and a majority of the Rangers if they want to go past Carolina.

Crosby very likely played injured tonight.  Jarry definitely played injured tonight.  Not much side to side movement and had trouble with shots that hit the Penguins logo.  At one point he was definitely skating around a little bit with the referee talking to him after a shot right at him became loose in the crease.  Maybe a fully healthy goaltender is a better option than a goaltender at less than 100 percent and has not played in a month?

This seemed like this happened a month ago, but in game 5 when the Penguins were up 3-1 in the series, I said this as soon as the Penguins had a full 2 minute 5 on 3 powerplay to start the game at MSG:  If the Penguins do not score, and lose the series in 7 this will be looked at as the major turning point in the series.  Yes plenty of hockey left in the game, but a hot Rangers crowd and doubt that was lingering at that point in the series such a horrible start to the game and a goal by Pittsburgh would have deflated the crowd, and possibly put immediate doubt in the Rangers.  Barely any mention of that moment in game 5 by anyone in the media maybe I'm right or wrong, but I'm sticking by that.  Penguins had a chance to put a dagger in the Rangers on that 5 on 3 powerplay.

I'm so looking forward to playing a tough and extremely fast Carolina Hurricanes.  They dominated the Rangers all season.  Rangers could not skate with them.  I hope they use that as motivation.

God that was so good. Amazing play by Miller to steal the puck with his patented poke check and drive to the net to earn the penalty, and I always had a feeling that Panarin would come up with the goods because he always delivers something even when he is playing poorly. Huge props to Zibanejad who bounced back from a really rough start to the series with six points in the final two games, and his faceoffs wins were huge tonight.

This team has so much fight. Lost a crusher in G1, put one of their worst performances of the entire season in G4 behind them, and then came back to win in three consecutive games facing elimination. Never say die!

May 16, 2022 2:53:06 GMT Zappy said:

Shesterkin may be the MVP of Game 7, but Lindgren is the Rangers MVP of the series.  I don't think the Rangers come back without him.  Lindgren not only providing much needed depth, but also playing hurt while being the fastest skater on the ice and going all out for every play.  If an injured Lindgren can do it for 25 minutes the rest of the roster has no excuse.  

Lindgren was great but honestly the biggest advantage he gives is no Nemeth in the lineup. He's a total liability.

Oettinger is seriously going to rob us of the Battle of Alberta single-handedly.

Shot are like 50-10 for the Flames and the game is tied.

May 16, 2022 4:15:09 GMT RT said:

Oettinger is seriously going to rob us of the Battle of Alberta single-handedly.

Shot are like 50-10 for the Flames and the game is tied.

This dude won't stop! This game could go all night.

edit: yeah that jinxed him. No more than Calgary deserved by the looks of it.

Please post semi finals predictions here. Short turn around new thread will be posted today.

RT , @admin , Lony , pduh , Ed , 🤯 , CM Punk'd

May 16, 2022 14:12:11 GMT Zappy said:

Please post semi finals predictions here. Short turn around new thread will be posted today.

RT , @admin , Lony , pduh , Ed , 🤯 , CM Punk'd

Panthers in 6
Rangers in 7
Avalanche in 6
Flames in 7

Panthers in 7
Rangers in 6
Avalanche in 7
Flames in 6

Quarterfinals Standings:

1. Ed & HR - 11
2. pduh - 10
3. Zappy, RT, cm punk'd, & Lony - 8
4. 𝓹𝓲 - 3

Notes:

1. Ed correctly predicted the bonus question, Kucherov 5 PPP.

Ed , @admin , pduh , RT , CM Punk'd , Lony , 🤯

This was the 1st round!!!!!!!!!!! there's nothing like the Stanley Cup playoffs!