NHL 2010/2011 season....

[DeafPoet]

I know this is probably a dead horse, but why is the NHL using wins without shootout wins as a tiebreaker? Why push the shootout on us if you aren't going to take it seriously enough when push comes to shove?

It actually makes sense to provide motivation to win it regulation or failing that, OT. As the game progresses, the win becomes less valuable, owing to the fact that the game was ostensibly evenly matched.

Regulation Win: Bully for you! 2 points.

OT Win: 2 points! But maybe you just coughed up one to a divisional rival.

SO Win: 2 points, but the above remains true and also your 2 points aren't as valuable now.

Makes sense to me.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Adam Foote has announced his retirement after 19 seasons in the NHL. He is the last player to have played for the Nordiques to retire.

Thanks for the memories, Footer. You'll be missed.

 

[The Fatman]

The Sabres' new owner Terry Pegula flew in 85 alumni last night for "Fan Appreciation Night" to watch the team clinch a playoff spot against the Flyers.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article388530.ece

I am not deluded enough to think the Sabres have a chance to win it all this year... Ryan Miller has been too inconsistant and our defense is soft as hell. That said, it's extremely exciting to come back from last place in the league before Christmas to possibly getting the 6th seed. Between that and the new owner, it's an exciting time to be a fan here in Buffalo.

 

[tomalak301]

I hope this is just a bump in the road for the Sharks and not the way they will play in the postseason. They've looked awful thier last two games, and while they did win the pacific, I would think the second seed is better than the third. Hopefully they can snatch it up tonight, before Detroit plays Chicago tomorrow.

 

[BigFoot]

So for the first time this season, Canucks will ice their best defensive core. While they may not have a true #1 D, the following pairs don't look too bad:
Edler / Ehrhoff
Hamhuis / Bieksa
Ballard / Salo

Edler and Ehrhoff are both capable of scoring 50 points in a season (Ehrhoff currently has 49 points, Edler was on pace for 50 before he got injured). And Hamhuis and Bieksa are a pretty solid shutdown pairing. And I think any team in the league would be happy with Ballard and Salo as their third pairing.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

East is set, I believe:

#1 Capitals vs. #8 Rangers
#2 Flyers vs. #7 Sabres
#3 Bruins vs. #6 Canadiens (For the 2,475th time. Yeesh.)
#4 Penguins vs. #5 Lightning


The off ice spectacle during that Habs-Bruins series is going to get ugly, to say nothing of the on ice one.

 

[tomalak301]

Sharks are the 2nd seed and won't be playing the Ducks. Thank you god for that. Hopefully they don't play Chicago either so I'm fine with either LA or Phoenix.

 

[DeafPoet]

Sharks are the 2nd seed and won't be playing the Ducks. Thank you god for that. Hopefully they don't play Chicago either so I'm fine with either LA or Phoenix.

My woman's an unreserved LA fan and she's pretty disappointed that it's probably going to be the Sharks. She doesn't like their chances. Personally, I'm rooting for you guys. She's a fucking blasphemer

 

[BigFoot]

If the Blackhawks win tonight, the Kings will be playing the Canucks. I'd be cool with that.

 

[DeafPoet]

Hell, me too. Either way, it's not looking good for the Kings.

 

[Skywalker]

Of course the Bruins and the Canadiens get matched up.

DeafPoet, why is your ladyfriend a blasphemer for liking LA? Pardon my ignorance, I'm still learning.

 

[BigFoot]

^ I presume because Gretzky got traded from Edmonton to LA.

 

[DeafPoet]

That and she's like a third cousin or something to Luke Robitaille and met him as a kid. I dunno, I don't get it personally

 

[tomalak301]

According to local SJ Mercury News Writer David Pollack, Here are the playoff senarios for the Sharks and the big game today between Detroit and Chicago:

Nothing more pathetic than a bunch of sports writers — and PR types, I might add — trying to wrap their brains around the complexities of the NHL tiebreaker system and cover a game at the same time.

I’ll cut to the chase. After consulting with the league office, the Sharks came up wit these four different scenarios that will determine which team San Jose will face in the first round based on the result of the Chicago-Detroit match-up that starts at 9:30 a.m. PDT:

If Blackhawks win in regulation or OT, Sharks play Phoenix.

If Blackhawks win in a shootout, Sharks play Nashville.

If Blackhawks lose in OT or a shootout, Sharks play Chicago.

If Blackhawks lose in regulation, Sharks play Los Angeles.

So with this in mind, Go Detroit (And that makes me feel dirty for saying that). Hopefully the game doesn't go to OT, but if it does, go Chicago for the Shootout. Don't want to play Chicago in the first round either.

 

[Timby]

Well, Detroit / Chicago has become quite the shootout in the 3rd period.

 

[Gil T.Azell]

Come on Dallas beat those pesky Wild and the Hawks are out.

 

[Timby]

Come on Dallas beat those pesky Wild and the Hawks are out.

I beg your pardon, sir.

 

[tomalak301]

The Sharks are playing the Kings. Should be a fun series, and history had shown me never to underestimate any team. I'm not sure who I'm rooting for in this current game, but I have a feeling I might get a one day ban by Timby if I don't root for the Wild.

 

[Timby]

I'm not sure who I'm rooting for in this current game, but I have a feeling I might get a one day ban by Timby if I don't root for the Wild.

Oh, come on, I would never do something like that.

It'd be a week.

 

[Skywalker]

So do we get any classic Timby rants in here like we do in the NFL threads? Or are the Blackhawks more competent than the Bears? Yes, yes, I know they won the Stanley Cup last year, but that doesn't mean squat to this season.