So, let's talk about how crazy this post-season has been. Does anyone else feel like everything that you think should happen isn't and it's like we're in an alternate universe where the remaining teams are not the ones you expected? We think it's awesome that teams like the Kings and the Devils and the Coyotes are representing in the second round.
But it's a little strange, right? It's like we're in the Twilight Zone.
Discuss amongst yourselves, ladies.
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- We found this video and article on Puck Daddy and we couldn't stop laughing. It's new to us because admittedly we either run errands or mute the television during intermissions on NBC. So bad.
Keith Jones does not like Alex Radulov. And it's freaking hilarious.
- And now Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn are both suspended from Game Three for violating team rules. Go figure.
- It looks like the Blues have to run with Brian Elliott because Jaroslav Halak is not ready to play in this series. Probably not good news for the Blues.
- The Devils will be without Ilya Kovalchuk tonight due to an injury. Also not good news but rookie Adam Larsson is set to make his playoff debut. Maybe that will be the jump that the Devils need to win a game.
Other News:
- We suggest that you bookmark this for a busy July, it's the comprehensive list of all the Unrestricted Free Agents this offseason.
- Daniel Alfredsson is pondering retirement. We figure this is going to be a Scott Niedermayer/Teemu Selanne/Mats Sundin situation.
World Championships news:
- The rosters have been set for the 2012 World Championships.
- PK Subban was injured in a pre-Worlds game after taking a hit from Luca Sbisa.
- Alex Burrows and Matt Hackett were added to Team Canada's roster. Zdeno Chara joined Slovakia.
- With Canada down by one goal to Switzerland and an extra attacker on the ice, Jordan Eberle tipped a Duncan Keith shot with 0.8 seconds left to tie the game. Of course it was him. Then he scored the winner in the shootout. Of course.
- Here is the full schedule...games start on Friday.
5 comments:
I am elated to see all these fresh new beardasses in the thickery of the playoffs. It's driving NBC bonkers, which is icing on the cake! :) The League chortles on and on about parity. Well - here it is!!! And enjoy!!!
Yes, Keith Jones hates Rad. But generally, it can be said that the entire NBC analyst crew hates Russian players. Mostly just 'cuz, but also a lot of their harsh criticism is unfortunately warranted. With the always awesome exception of Pavel Datsyuk, the defensive weaknesses of a lot of the elite Russian players (some of whom have been stars with the KHL and in international competition) is up-front-and-center in these playoffs and totally without cover-up. For example, given what was discussed between periods and post-game after the Flyers beat the Devils, I am not at all surprised that Upchuck suddenly has an "undisclosed injury." If you catch my drift. The fact that he's eating so fricking much cap space is only making matters worse for the Devils. And look at how Dale Hunter has finagled his line-ups to work around the fact that O-Felch and Semin are defensive liabilities most of the time; his tweaking in favor of less-blingy but more focused, well rounded guys like Wardo and Brouwer seems to be working like a charm for the time being, but still... The truth hurts. It takes more to play in the NHL than flashy puck handling and a sparkly cape.
Finally, as for Rad, he knew the score - pardon the pun - coming in the way he did. Trotz has had juicy offensive line-up options since the trade deadline. The deal was Rad would have to belly up to the bar or he would have to contend with the humiliation of being healthy scratched as well - KHL All-Star or not. Everybody knew it would be an adjustment for him just to come back, let alone adjusting to playoff hockey with no lead time. He's adjusting to the game and to living in America again. I think with Rad it's a combination of lifestyle and playing style issues, and AK just needs to lay off the hookers like everybody knew he would. Y'know - the usual. Meanwhile, Matt Halischuk, Willy, Toots and Bob Smith can turn the Preds ship back on track like it was before all these newbies came on board and upset the apple cart.
one extra piece of news: HBO's 24/7 is coming back for Wings/Leafs! Get ready for all the Brian Burke you could ever want (I hope)!
On the UFA list, they are missing one name, Justin Schultz. At one point, Bob McKenzie called him the 3rd best available UFA for this summer, behind Parise and Suter. Yes, it's slightly possible that he stays at Wisconsin one more year, maybe to play the outdoor game at Solider Field (now confirmed). But it's more likely he takes his chances on the NHL.
Now, Ducks fans will probably hate him with a passion since the team drafted him, but I guess he doesn't want to play for Boudreau, because he still remains unsigned. For him this means he can basically pick which team he wants to play for since most teams will likely approach him. For all NHL teams, it means they can get a very good defenseman (should have been a Hobey Baker finalist) for under $1M. I don't know about you, but I've been begging him via Twitter, to sign with the Flyers for months.
McKenzie listed his most likely destinations as: Vancouver (near his hometown), Toronto (where his old linemate Gardiner plays), and Edmonton (because they don't have enough young talent - jk).
Anyway, sorry for the boring post, just wanted to pass along that info.
I've been telling everyone who watches hockey and who doesn't that this playoff has a been as though I am living in some sort of alternate universe.. lol. Apparently I am not the only one to come to this conclusion. Validation...at last. lol. I'm surprised, or maybe not at the euro (specifically russian bashing here). Have to say, it's rude and quite frankly ignorant, but it's not like I'll be changing anyone's mind so I'll just say I want more ovs and less stroms. No offense of course to the swedes. My team's chock full of them but, our early exit was due in part to the buid of it and as previously noted... it's like the swedish eliete league over there (except that it's the SEL from like 10 yrs ago)... anywho... WTH? Phoenix is going to advance to the conference final, the year before they relocate??? That's going to be a bitter pill to swallow in Glendale. Oy. also... Team Parise FTW!!! I got no love for the Flyers or Devs, but Zach Parise....all day! Also props to Ovie for being Ovie. I know he's a popular whipping boy but he's electrifying to watch, even if he is scoring goals on Mr. Lundqvist. Whaaaat??? Gahhh. War Ovie. War Parise. War Russian hockey dudes(except Radulov) OUT.
@Marjoram - With all due respect, the only thing that's rude and ignorant is when players party and violate curfew/rules that apply to the entire team DURING THE PLAYOFFS. Absolutely unacceptable, unprofessional and stupid. If this type of behavior flies in Russia during the KHL playoffs, well good on them.
If it sounds like I'm especially disappointed in many of the Russian elite players it's because I am. I'm sick of people going on and on about how awesome this guy is to watch or what a power player another one is, etc. etc. All that power, finesse and talent is useless without focus and work ethic. I like to poke fun at a lot of the Swedish players because they are often boring - on and off the ice - but I would rather watch a boring guy who plays really well respects his gig than somebody flopping around doing troika moves or - even worse - a guy who just isn't even showing up when he's being paid MILLIONS and considerable effort was expended for him to do so.
Some of my favorite players are and have been Russian. Most hockey fans appreciate Russian hockey players for a lot of reasons. But right now, some of the problem Russians are under the microscope for all the wrong reasons and I think a lot of fans - regardless of their player country of preference - are collectively really disappointed. Again, you don't see anybody bashing Datsyuk because even though he had a disappointing playoffs and was plagued by injury for much of the past season, he always plays like the classy superstar he is and has his priorities straight throughout.
Ultimately, the entire team is responsible when guys behave like assholes and when everything's going right as well. Plain and simple. I have been saying this forever with respect to illegal hits, gratuitous fighting and dirty play - hold the whole team responsible for the idiocy and it'll stop really fast. The Preds are publicly holding individual players accountable but it's no secret that the whole team is now tasked with ensuring everybody's in line and focusing on the game.
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