2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Discussion Thread

[Gniwder]

If Tampa wins this series I can see it being like the Vancouver series in 2002 for Detroit, it wakes them up and they go on to win it all.

They'd still have to play the Caps, and Tampa doesn't handle physical play very well. As much as the regular season has turned into a speed and skill game, the playoffs are still very much physical play...

 

[plymouthmi]

I'm surprised by how so-so Hedman has looked in a lot of the TB series so far. Is he injured or something?

 

[TheOtherOne]

I don't really hate any teams anymore, even rivals. As I've gotten older I think I've relaxed on the animosity (though there's still individual players I can't stand that can affect how I feel about a team). I just don't want repeats. If my team is out of it I'd rather see someone new or someone who hasn't won in awhile win.

I've always felt like I'm friends with all hockey fans of any team. There are so few of us compared to other sports we have to support each other. And hockey is just great, no matter the team.

Except the Penguins. f*** the Penguins, now and forever.

 

[lhsgolf19]

We might have a chance to lock up Stevie Y quicker than expected lol

 

[jkutswings]

Tampa needs to get their heads on straight quickly. Even when it's not Detroit, watching this amount of talent go down 0-2 to a non-contender is frustrating.

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

Wow T bay is imploding quickly

 

[raymond23]

Yeesh Kucherov… what the hell man?

 

[raymond23]

Remember the Kronwall suspension? That Kucherov hit deserves 3 at least.

 

[ZDH]

Yea I'm expecting 1 game but he deserves 2. He would get 2-3 if this was regular season.

 

[obey86]

We might have a chance to lock up Stevie Y quicker than expected lol

Wouldn’t his contract run to a certain date rather than when TB is eliminated?

 

[Christien]

Kucherov turns into a dirty player when things aren’t going his way. Nothing new.

 

[Winger98]

For anyone who hasn't seen it:



To me it looks like he initiates the hit with the guy's front shoulder. It's a hard hit and the guy was in a bad position, but Kucherov didn't leave his feet or plough straight through the back of a guy's head like Kadri's hit. Ring him up for a penalty, I guess, but I don't have any real problem with it. Kucherov should remember to keep his head up when these two teams meet next regular season, though.

 

[HisNoodliness]

I'm surprised by how so-so Hedman has looked in a lot of the TB series so far. Is he injured or something?

He missed the last four games of the regular season with an "upper body injury" that was likely a concussion. He looks zoned out.

 

[lhsgolf19]

Wouldn’t his contract run to a certain date rather than when TB is eliminated?

It expires July 1 but I wouldn't be surprised once TB's season is over... the Wings officially asks for Permission to speak to him

 

[dragonballgtz]

Can you believe Columbus? I'm not sure what the odds were on them winning this series, but I would think they were the lowest.

Seems like they're feeding off Torts right now.... that a great peptalk

 

[AD1066]

I think Pittsburgh is in the same position we were around 2011-2012 or so. Excellent core players, but all on the wrong side of 30, and depth beginning to fall off. They'll still be a good team for a few more years, and still might win this series, but the aura is gone.

 

[Nut Upstrom]

I think Pittsburgh is in the same position we were around 2011-2012 or so. Excellent core players, but all on the wrong side of 30, and depth beginning to fall off. They'll still be a good team for a few more years, and still might win this series, but the aura is gone.

Yea, I was thinking the same thing, that we're seeing the beginnings of their downslide. Still, a dangerous team and I see that series going to a game 7 coin toss type scenario. Been a very entertaining series from what I've been able to see. Too many good games going on simultaneously and I am too locked in to CBJ, so I didn't get to see a whole lot of the Pitt game.

 

[Claypool]

We might have a chance to lock up Stevie Y quicker than expected lol

Can he sign as soon as Tampa is eliminated or do they need to wait until July 1?

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

I am cheering for Winnipeg

Not a better fanbase in the game

Go jets

 

[lhsgolf19]

Can he sign as soon as Tampa is eliminated or do they need to wait until July 1?

That's the million dollar question, I have no idea ha

 

[lhsgolf19]

Sharks should have traded for Jimmy Howard too... Jeez

 

[RedHawkDown]

Just an example for the tank crowd as to why just having the most amount of skill or having a bunch of top 3 picks isn't always what wins you games in the playoffs, even if you have the best freaking team in the league. Attitude, character, heart all matters a lot more than people realize. That Columbus team has got it. This Tampa team doesn't seem to.

 

[Gniwder]

For anyone who hasn't seen it:



To me it looks like he initiates the hit with the guy's front shoulder. It's a hard hit and the guy was in a bad position, but Kucherov didn't leave his feet or plough straight through the back of a guy's head like Kadri's hit. Ring him up for a penalty, I guess, but I don't have any real problem with it. Kucherov should remember to keep his head up when these two teams meet next regular season, though.

It's hockey not MMA you can't hit someone that's on their knees. There's no point in doing that except to injure. Should be 2 games. Dirty Russian.

Also, the only thing better than watching Tampa lose? Watching the Penguins lose.

 

[TheMule93]

Still wouldn't surprise me to see Tampa win the next game and steamroll the next three

 

[Winger98]

It's hockey not MMA you can't hit someone that's on their knees. There's no point in doing that except to injure. Should be 2 games. Dirty Russian.

Also, the only thing better than watching Tampa lose? Watching the Penguins lose.

No, being on your knees doesn't exempt you from being hit. It might not be clean, the guy throwing the hit might have to answer for it later, but it's not illegal. Don't want to be hit from there? Don't make a play for the puck while on your knees.