NJDfan1711

Whoops, that's right. I thought there was another team that made it this year who didn't last year....CGY. I knew it started with a C

Wow, you may murder the field. I can't believe I have 26 points lol.

Right. That was basically my issue with it. I don't think anyone is arguing semantics - we can all take things literally for what they are. Yes, the Caps lost yesterday - that much is obvious to anyone with a set of working eyeballs. But to call them losers in the sense of painting their entire franchise and history with a broad brush of mediocrity and/or failure I don't think is really fair. Sure they had a long history of not winning a Cup prior to last year, and yes, they did just get knocked out yesterday, but it's hard to win the Cup, and they're only 365 days from being removed from that. There have only been two teams in the last 22 years to repeat Cup wins, and you could even make the argument that it's pretty hard to make the playoffs in general with all of the parity in the league (just look at the teams this year - STL, NYI, DAL, CAR, CBJ - none made it last year), so Washington getting knocked out in the first round isn't some reason to call them losers if you ask me. Now Tampa on the other hand? I think getting SWEPT in the first round after the season they had and tying the league record for wins is much more of a reason to call a team a bunch of losers.

I agree with both you guys. Washington losing to Carolina is a bit shocking, though Carolina is surprising a lot of people, and they're not half bad, so it's not exactly the world's biggest upset. Also, the last 5 years, the defending Cup champs have lost in the first round, all in Game 7's too - so they're not the only ones to suffer this fate. As much as I am a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately person, I don't think it's fair to pretend like the Caps Cup win is ancient history.

Awesome game last night. All I care about is seeing entertaining and competitive hockey, and that's what we got. Doesn't get better than multiple overtimes. I had a feeling the Canes would win it as it went longer and longer - Washington just didn't seem to have many chances and wasn't as aggressive. Canes/Isles should be a pretty good matchup - I feel like both teams play somewhat similar styles - pretty solid defense, average goaltenders, and a few playmakers up front. Look for the Islanders to play the Canes game against them - strong forecheck and minimal turnovers - if they can stay out of the box and get continued good play from Lehner, I think they take it in 6 or 7, but it wouldn't shock me if it went the other way either. I think it's going to be close no matter who wins. I see at least a few games in this series going to OT.

Yeah I mean, I don't really see how that's a major at all. Two minute cross-checking penalty seems perfectly just. But, all things considered, that was a hell of a finish - good on the Sharks to rally like that and not give up. I still have a feeling they'll somehow lose next round (Avs are rolling, and their top line is incredibly dangerous), but it's a nice story and moments like this are certainly attracting people to the playoffs because of how exciting it's been so far, which is good.

Blue Jackets having a scrimmage today amongst themselves to stay sharp while they wait for their next opponent. Bobrovsky sitting this one out. Kinaid sighting on the ice.

Not at all surprised that the Blues knocked off the Jets - hot team down the stretch still playing strong. Not surprised Leafs/Bruins is going 7, same for Vegas/Sharks - I picked both of those to go the distance. Colorado looks strong - early on their top line and main 3 guys were on fire at the start of this season, then they cooled off, and now it seems like they're back to being dominant. I'm not that surprised that the Caps murdered the Canes at home last game, and part of my thinks they'll get the job done tonight on the road, but I wouldn't be too surprised if the Canes force Game 7 as well, and if they do, I think it could still be a toss up. Also, every year I always wonder if this is the year that the Cup goes back "home" to Canada. I mean, the sport was started there, and Canadians have so much pride in their teams, yet none of their teams have won since 1993. Before Winnipeg came back, there was 6 teams out of the then 30 in the league, so math would suggest there would be an average chance of one of them winning every 5 years. Pretty remarkable that it's been 25. With 3 Canadian teams makin the post season this year you'd figure that's a pretty decent chance one of them may make a decent run at bringing the Cup back there, especially with Calgary being one of the front-runners, yet here we are and nearly all 3 of them could be knocked out in the first round. I love it.

Every ounce of my body wanted to spell it "Andersen", but I held back...

sh!t, I knew I was forgetting someone. I actually like Anderson quite a bit, and seems like he might have potential. I feel better about that 4th line now.

Agreed. The best thing he did for us last season was provide an unintentional meme that will live on in infamy. True. For me, it was a combination of not realizing I was misspelling it, and also him not being significant enough on the team yet to know (or care) that I was misspelling it

I don't like Rooney much, but I forgot about Bastian - he seemed to play pretty well down the stretch in the limited time and opportunity he had. He seemed hungry too, and like he wanted to make the most of his chance. I wouldn't mind seeing him on the 4th line for opening night next season. Yikes. Relative of yours?

If our team looks something like this next season up front, I don't see how they aren't at least in the conversation for a wildcard spot, if not even better: Hall - Hischier - Palmieri Bratt - Hughes - FA Wood - Zacha - Coleman Agostini - Zajac - Q I think we need to go after a solid right wing in free agency. We lack some serious depth at that position. I'm not sure I bump Zajac all the way down to the 4th line, but I think at this point Zacha needs to be getting some regular minutes, and with how much Zajac still plays on the PK, cutting down his even strength minutes may not be the end of the world. Only other issue I have is Agostini and/or Q - I'm not really sold on Agostini, and Q is what he is. Neither of those spots really worry me much though, as they're both pretty replaceable with any serviceable AHLer that we see fit to call up. Ideally it'd be nice if we could acquire a cheap free agent in the summer to take over one of those spots though.

Also, the guy who said you're a fraud to root for another team in the playoffs is a moron. When your favorite team is out, if you're a hockey fan, there's no reason why you can't cheer another team on, for whatever reason it might be. This year for me is kinda odd, for the following reasons: - Lightning: I live in Tampa, and prior to last night, I was pulling for them because I've been here for 20 years, and was at Game 7 in 04 - Islanders: I wouldn't mind the Isles winning, for the reasons mentioned in my prior post - Blue Jackets: A good buddy of mine sells corporate suites for Columbus, just started with them a few months ago - Hurricanes: My brother recently moved to Raleigh and is having his first baby in a few weeks. For all of those reasons, I wouldn't really mind if any of those teams won the Cup. Probably would if the Blue Jackets did, because we kinda hate them and we always suck against them, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. It's not like the Rags or Flyers winning the Cup. But with all of that in mind, I wouldn't say I'm "rooting" for any of those teams. I just like to see good playoff hockey.

No real issues with them. I grew up on Long Island and my grandmother has lived in Uniondale for nearly 60 years, 5 minutes from the Coliseum. She's a diehard fan to this day, and I'd be happy for her if they won one more time while she's still around to witness it. I also have another good friend who's a big Islander fan who I'd be happy for as well. Other than that, I don't go out of my way to root for them because they're one of our rivals. I don't find their team, or fanbase, to be annoying though in any respect. So for the most part, I'd say I'm indifferent to them.