NHL 2007-08 Season
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I'm thinking perhaps it has a basketball connotation? I've heard of 'throwing bows', as in elbows, but 'dropping bows' is a new one for me. Then again, I'm not a basketball player!
Sandra
Time to make your predictions...
To be brutally honest, there is only on reason Detroit will fail to reach the Finals...and that reason is Mike Babcock. I think this years team has was it takes to win the Cup. If they don't, then it is adios to Mike Babcock.
2002-2003 his Ducks lost in Stanley Cup Finals
2003-2004 his Ducks Missed Playoffs (Ducks won Cup in 2006-2007)
2005-2006 his Wings lost in First Round
2006-2007 his Wings lost in Conference Finals (Wings stanley Cup finalists 1994-1995, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 2001-2002)
Man, do I ever miss Scotty Bowman! This man is a legend!! He is also one of the few coaches in NHL history who can actually win games for his hockey team!!!
Ok, I have seen a lot of hockey so far this playoff season and here are my predictions:
Semi-Finals
Montreal over Philly (the Habs have the magic this year)
Pittsburgh over NY Rangers
Detroit over Colorado
Dallas over San Jose in a tight series.
Conference Finals
Montreal over Pittsburgh
Detroit over Dallas (I am getting tickets down here in Dallas)
Stanley Cup Final
Detroit over Montreal in an historic 7-game match
*** It's too bad FiOS TV doesn't Versus HD. I can't believe I am saying this, but I can't wait to watch this weekends playoff games on NBC.
I, for one, certainly understand this factoid. That's one reason I have enjoyed watching the playoffs this season...and seeing so many former Wings playing on other teams.
To be brutally honest, there is only on reason Detroit will fail to reach the Finals...and that reason is Mike Babcock. I think this years team has was it takes to win the Cup. If they don't, then it is adios to Mike Babcock.
2002-2003 his Ducks lost in Stanley Cup Finals
2003-2004 his Ducks Missed Playoffs (Ducks won Cup in 2006-2007)
2005-2006 his Wings lost in First Round
2006-2007 his Wings lost in Conference Finals (Wings stanley Cup finalists 1994-1995, 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 2001-2002)
Man, do I ever miss Scotty Bowman! This man is a legend!! He is also one of the few coaches in NHL history who can actually win games for his hockey team!!!
Ok, I have seen a lot of hockey so far this playoff season and here are my predictions:
Semi-Finals
Montreal over Philly (the Habs have the magic this year)
Pittsburgh over NY Rangers
Detroit over Colorado
Dallas over San Jose in a tight series.
Conference Finals
Montreal over Pittsburgh
Detroit over Dallas (I am getting tickets down here in Dallas)
Stanley Cup Final
Detroit over Montreal in an historic 7-game match
*** It's too bad FiOS TV doesn't Versus HD. I can't believe I am saying this, but I can't wait to watch this weekends playoff games on NBC.
OK, here are my decidedly non-expert looks at the four series:
Philadelphia/Montreal - How on earth did the Flyers beat the Ovechkins in the first place, especially with Mike Knuble shelved for the last half of the series? After the top four players or so the Caps get very ordinary, but I'm still shocked Philly won the series. I just don't see Martin Biron as a top playoff-caliber goalie. Perhaps he'll prove me wrong.
Montreal is an extremely difficult place to play when their crowd gets going. How much fun is it to watch a game from the Bell Centre, and hear the fans singing the 'Ole' song the whole game? Unless of course your team is winning a game up there 5-0 and the Ole' song helps the Canadiens come back and beat you 6-5 in a shootout. Then you want to take their Ole' and stick it...
I wish it was in HD, but I love watching the Hockey Night in Canada feed for the game. Bob Cole on play-by-play, Don Cherry waxing idiotic in between periods, it's hockey like it should be. Did anyone catch Cherry's rant last night about Canada being the best hockey nation in the world? I'm USA through and through, but I was so inspired I had to tune into an old recording of Degrassi after the game...
Rangers/Pittsburgh - the conspiracy theory series. If the Penguins win it's because the league wants Crosby in the finals. If the Rangers win it's because the league wants the Rangers in the finals. Hey Icelander fans, listen with your good ears...one of these teams will win because they deserve to win! And your team will have golf overuse injuries before this series is even over.
The wildcard in this series is Fleury. Will he be great, or will he play like he did for long period of time over the winter. (The same can be said about Lundqvist, more on that cutie-pie later). Last year the Pens went out in four to Ottawa. This year they beat Ottawa in four. That's the extent of Fleury's playoff experience, which means he has yet to face a pressure game. How will he react?
For all of Lundqvist's inconsistencies over the regular season (despite his hotness I've been a critic), you cannot say the same thing about him. He's played in a number of pressure situations the last two playoff years, sometimes playing great and sometimes not, but the point is, he's been there. He certainly outplayed Brodeur last series, although with the way Avery threw Brodeur off his game, that's not saying a heck of a lot.
And what about Avery? Will he do to Pittsburgh what he did to Brodeur? Probably not, at least not to the same extent. Brodeur allowed himself to be sucked in by Avery. Brodeur is used to everybody kissing his you-know-what, from fans to writers to everyone else. Along comes a guy who will do anything to win, who knocks Brodeur off his pedestal, and Brodeur doesn't react well. Classy ol' Marty? Not so sure anymore.
Colorado/Detroit - 5-10 years ago this was must-see stuff, something you would set your watch for. Now, with most of the players having turned over, not so much. Still a potentially great series between two very good teams, but not the kind of series the entire NHL will stop for anymore. Actually, you can say the same thing about Rangers/Penguins. When Mario was there there was passion between the two teams. Now they're just two teams trying to achieve the same thing, and the other is in the way.
What about Detroit switching goalies? Not the best recipe for Stanley Cup success, but I'm sure if you look hard enough there is precedent. I love watching Datsyuk and Zetterburg, and the fact that Lidstrom is still playing at the same level is amazing. A lot of players on the Avs know how to win, should be a very exciting series.
I have to root against Detroit after listening to Mickey Redmond all season, though. Can't put my finger on exactly why, but I find his commentary to be annoying. I think it's a combination of his homerism, and his condescending attitude that he knows everything about the game and you don't. He whines about way too many calls (although he's certainly not in Jack Edwards' territory), and he offers little analysis. He obviously hasn't cornered the market on homerism and complaining, but he does annoy me more than any other announcer. Even sellouts who leave the Rangers for the Icelanders.
Dallas/San Jose - well good for Joe Thornton. That goal in game seven lifted a huge gorilla off his back, you could almost see him exhale afterward and get back to playing his game. Before that goal he tended to play playoff games like Brooke White sings after she forgets the lyrics...very very afraid. And how tough is Patrick Marleau? Wow, that's a hockey player.
I have a feeling now that the Sharks got the first one out of the way, they're going to be a very tough out. Stars are tough, though, and I think the Brad Richards acquisition will eventually pay big dividends. It means a lot to bring proven winners to your team.
It's going to be a very different series for the Sharks, the Stars are nothing like the Flames. For one thing, they'll probably see the same goalie the entire series. For another thing, while not as tough, the Stars are infinitely more talented than the Flames. The Sharks will have to switch gears very quickly in order to adjust to the different style. If they can take game one, it could be a short series. If not, old anxieties could resurface.
Sandra
Philadelphia/Montreal - How on earth did the Flyers beat the Ovechkins in the first place, especially with Mike Knuble shelved for the last half of the series? After the top four players or so the Caps get very ordinary, but I'm still shocked Philly won the series. I just don't see Martin Biron as a top playoff-caliber goalie. Perhaps he'll prove me wrong.
Montreal is an extremely difficult place to play when their crowd gets going. How much fun is it to watch a game from the Bell Centre, and hear the fans singing the 'Ole' song the whole game? Unless of course your team is winning a game up there 5-0 and the Ole' song helps the Canadiens come back and beat you 6-5 in a shootout. Then you want to take their Ole' and stick it...
I wish it was in HD, but I love watching the Hockey Night in Canada feed for the game. Bob Cole on play-by-play, Don Cherry waxing idiotic in between periods, it's hockey like it should be. Did anyone catch Cherry's rant last night about Canada being the best hockey nation in the world? I'm USA through and through, but I was so inspired I had to tune into an old recording of Degrassi after the game...
Rangers/Pittsburgh - the conspiracy theory series. If the Penguins win it's because the league wants Crosby in the finals. If the Rangers win it's because the league wants the Rangers in the finals. Hey Icelander fans, listen with your good ears...one of these teams will win because they deserve to win! And your team will have golf overuse injuries before this series is even over.
The wildcard in this series is Fleury. Will he be great, or will he play like he did for long period of time over the winter. (The same can be said about Lundqvist, more on that cutie-pie later). Last year the Pens went out in four to Ottawa. This year they beat Ottawa in four. That's the extent of Fleury's playoff experience, which means he has yet to face a pressure game. How will he react?
For all of Lundqvist's inconsistencies over the regular season (despite his hotness I've been a critic), you cannot say the same thing about him. He's played in a number of pressure situations the last two playoff years, sometimes playing great and sometimes not, but the point is, he's been there. He certainly outplayed Brodeur last series, although with the way Avery threw Brodeur off his game, that's not saying a heck of a lot.
And what about Avery? Will he do to Pittsburgh what he did to Brodeur? Probably not, at least not to the same extent. Brodeur allowed himself to be sucked in by Avery. Brodeur is used to everybody kissing his you-know-what, from fans to writers to everyone else. Along comes a guy who will do anything to win, who knocks Brodeur off his pedestal, and Brodeur doesn't react well. Classy ol' Marty? Not so sure anymore.
Colorado/Detroit - 5-10 years ago this was must-see stuff, something you would set your watch for. Now, with most of the players having turned over, not so much. Still a potentially great series between two very good teams, but not the kind of series the entire NHL will stop for anymore. Actually, you can say the same thing about Rangers/Penguins. When Mario was there there was passion between the two teams. Now they're just two teams trying to achieve the same thing, and the other is in the way.
What about Detroit switching goalies? Not the best recipe for Stanley Cup success, but I'm sure if you look hard enough there is precedent. I love watching Datsyuk and Zetterburg, and the fact that Lidstrom is still playing at the same level is amazing. A lot of players on the Avs know how to win, should be a very exciting series.
I have to root against Detroit after listening to Mickey Redmond all season, though. Can't put my finger on exactly why, but I find his commentary to be annoying. I think it's a combination of his homerism, and his condescending attitude that he knows everything about the game and you don't. He whines about way too many calls (although he's certainly not in Jack Edwards' territory), and he offers little analysis. He obviously hasn't cornered the market on homerism and complaining, but he does annoy me more than any other announcer. Even sellouts who leave the Rangers for the Icelanders.
Dallas/San Jose - well good for Joe Thornton. That goal in game seven lifted a huge gorilla off his back, you could almost see him exhale afterward and get back to playing his game. Before that goal he tended to play playoff games like Brooke White sings after she forgets the lyrics...very very afraid. And how tough is Patrick Marleau? Wow, that's a hockey player.
I have a feeling now that the Sharks got the first one out of the way, they're going to be a very tough out. Stars are tough, though, and I think the Brad Richards acquisition will eventually pay big dividends. It means a lot to bring proven winners to your team.
It's going to be a very different series for the Sharks, the Stars are nothing like the Flames. For one thing, they'll probably see the same goalie the entire series. For another thing, while not as tough, the Stars are infinitely more talented than the Flames. The Sharks will have to switch gears very quickly in order to adjust to the different style. If they can take game one, it could be a short series. If not, old anxieties could resurface.
Sandra
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I like Sandra's use of "Icelander."
Way better than SamC's 'Leastleftovers' from DBSForums.
Anybody remember him?
I definitely have some interesting memories of him, especially around last year's Fiesta Bowl.
Way better than SamC's 'Leastleftovers' from DBSForums.
Anybody remember him?
I definitely have some interesting memories of him, especially around last year's Fiesta Bowl.
SabresRule,
I was referring to previous years, not this year
I mentioned many times in my post.
Jimbo
As for the Wings switching goalies, Ozzie should have been starting all along, he's played better than Hasek most of the season.
As for Mickey Redmond, I love him calling a game.
He tells you about the game from one that has played, unlike so many other announcers.
Jimbo
Unfortunatly , I missed that
Jimbo
LOL, yeah he had people in the stands ducking for cover! I didn't even think about what affect that might have had on the Wings' temperament. In any case, game 2 was THE most dominating performance I have seen from the Wings all year, and I watched almost every Wings game this year (missed a few of those late west coast games). I doubt they can sustain that level of play throughout the series, but I'm sure it gives them a ton of confidence.Unfortunatly , I missed that
The win last night was important. Now if we can just stay healthy and focused
also, Jimbo is right....Ozzie should have been in from the beginning. I understand the management desire to keep a player in until he proves he cannot due it....but this one came at a cost the team.
also, Jimbo is right....Ozzie should have been in from the beginning. I understand the management desire to keep a player in until he proves he cannot due it....but this one came at a cost the team.
Three pretty close games last night, but three blow-out series. I think Dallas bounces San Jose this evening, Detroit handles Colorado when they play on Thursday, and it is only a matter of time before Pittsburgh closes-out the Rangers. The only match in question is Montreal versus Philly. Personally, I can't see how Philly is ahead 2-1 in this series.
Go team!!!
Go team!!!
The only match in question is Montreal versus Philly. Personally, I can't see how Philly is ahead 2-1 in this series.
Go team!!!
Martin Biron, excellent penalty killing and determination. Plus Price sucks in goal. If Montreal looses the series it is because of goal tending.
Must be...everytime I tune-in the Habs are attacking the boards and peppering the Philly goalie with shots. I would probably watch the entire game if FiOS has VersusHD.
I have a friend who is a Devil fan (those I don't mind). After the Ranger/Devil series he said he would root for the Rangers for my sake, but he hoped Avery got hit by a bus. When I told him Avery was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen and he asked happened, I told him Avery was hit by a bus.
It's OK, in the artibration hearings Sather said Avey is detrimental to the team, so we're probably better off without him.
Sandra
It's OK, in the artibration hearings Sather said Avey is detrimental to the team, so we're probably better off without him.
Sandra
detrimental to the team ????
He is your SPARK PLUG, he brings energy to the team.
I bet you don;t have anyone on the team that does what HE does for your team.
He's our Kirk Maltby, except Malts has a lot of experience and practice at being the top adgitator.
Jimbo
Wow! I can't recall the last time I saw one team dominate a playoff game as thoroughly as Detroit had overpowered Colorado this evening...
Yes,
It eirrily reminded me of the playoff win for the Wings over Colorado and Patrick Roy, I think it was a game 7 in Detroit .... 7-0 :up
Jimbo
