The NHL buyout period starts tomorrow...
- EKolb13

Buy out Doughtey.

The NHL buyout period starts tomorrow...
- EKolb13

bye bye Brad Richards

Don't know, maybe different IKEA but no problem with this here. The only issue sometimes it's the lack of dowels. They usually ask to buy it because the walls are different.
P.S.: and is this hockey blog? any hawk rumors?
- Uncheckable21

Jake Dowels?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFPLLv3fGw0

Ok - back to hockey - just read Jason Lewis' Kings Blog from this morning - he said that in the 5 third periods in the series, the Kings outshot the Rangers 61 - 25.

25 shots for the Rangers in 5 third periods - 5 per game.

Rangers scored zero goals in 5 third periods.

Can't win many games losing third periods like that.
- StLBravesFan

I did not watch any game from beginning to end...usually tuned in during the 3rd period or watched parts via DVR.

The stats support the eye test....they smoked the Rangers in 3rd periods. But they were crazy good (and sorry) gotta alot of breaks and bounces to have the 3rd periods and OT records they put together through out the playoffs.


Tied or down in the 3rd period
G1 vs ducks dwn 2-1 won in OT
G2 vs hawks dwn 2-1 won in Reg
G7 vs hawks dwn 4-3 won in OT; overcame 3 2 goal deficits
G1 vs rang tied 2-2 after coming back from 2-0 win in OT
G2 vs rang down 4-2 won in OT; again coming back from 3 2 goal deficits
G5 vs rang down 2-1 won in OT

5-0 in OT when they came from behind in the 3rd
0-2 in OT when they lead in the 3rd (sharks G3 and hwks G5)
Hwks only team to beat them in reg when they lead in the 3rd (G6)

Came back from 0-3 vs sharks
Came back from 3-2 vs ducks
Almost blew 3-1 vs hwks
Won 3 str G7 on the road
4 of their last 8 wins came after being down by 2 goals early and getting the winning goal in the 3rd or OT

Had the following streaks: L3, W6, L3, W2, W3, L3, W3

This king team turned all regular season stats and trends upside down. They could have easily been a 1st round casulty yet won it all.

One thing these playoffs showed me is fast starts with 2 and 3 goal leads are meaningless. The game has changed and difference in teams is not all that great. No team is ever out of a game when down early.

The Force is weak with this one. Please tell me it isn't a gas grill.
- Beaver-Warrior

Some of us aren't allowed to gave anything but gas

@YahooPuckDaddy: Chicago Blackhawks favored to win 2015 Stanley Cup: The Los Angeles Kings are in Day Three of celebrating thei... http://t.co/UGuA8I4eYP

I did not watch any game from beginning to end...usually tuned in during the 3rd period or watched parts via DVR.

The stats support the eye test....they smoked the Rangers in 3rd periods. But they were crazy good (and sorry) gotta alot of breaks and bounces to have the 3rd periods and OT records they put together through out the playoffs.


Tied or down in the 3rd period
G1 vs ducks dwn 2-1 won in OT
G2 vs hawks dwn 2-1 won in Reg
G7 vs hawks dwn 4-3 won in OT; overcame 3 2 goal deficits
G1 vs rang tied 2-2 after coming back from 2-0 win in OT
G2 vs rang down 4-2 won in OT; again coming back from 3 2 goal deficits
G5 vs rang down 2-1 won in OT

5-0 in OT when they came from behind in the 3rd
0-2 in OT when they lead in the 3rd (sharks G3 and hwks G5)
Hwks only team to beat them in reg when they lead in the 3rd (G6)

Came back from 0-3 vs sharks
Came back from 3-2 vs ducks
Almost blew 3-1 vs hwks
Won 3 str G7 on the road
4 of their last 8 wins came after being down by 2 goals early and getting the winning goal in the 3rd or OT

Had the following streaks: L3, W6, L3, W2, W3, L3, W3

This king team turned all regular season stats and trends upside down. They could have easily been a 1st round casulty yet won it all.

One thing these playoffs showed me is fast starts with 2 and 3 goal leads are meaningless. The game has changed and difference in teams is not all that great. No team is ever out of a game when down early.
- bogiedoc

Good stats - and good conclusions - especially the one concerning parity - which leads me to the conclusion(s) that with parity comes an emphasis on depth, discipline, and character and sticking to the plan.

I think it's safe to say that (with all due respect to the Hawk suits) Lombardi and Sutter have done the best executive and coaching jobs in the league the past several years - building a deep team, having cap flexibility to make two critical trade deadline deals, providing the no-quit atmosphere that let the skaters overcome all sorts of deficits to come back and win two Cups.

Plus they have only three players unsigned for next year - with probably enough cap space to bring them all back (although Mitchell may retire at 38).

Now we see if Stan and Q can counter and develop a team with similar winning traits, and the depth to carry through.

@YahooPuckDaddy: Chicago Blackhawks favored to win 2015 Stanley Cup: The Los Angeles Kings are in Day Three of celebrating thei... http://t.co/UGuA8I4eYP
- DarthKane

Just goes to show that Vegas-type betting lines follow the money, not the (on paper) talent:

LAK has only three FAs on a team that just won the Cup, and the cap space to bring them all back, proven depth, a better blue line than supposed - and they're 10-1.

Pittsburgh has a proven lack of depth, goalie issues, only 14 players signed, and only $15MM to get it done - and they're at 9-1.

Chicago has center issues and depth issues and they're the favorite.

Good stats - and good conclusions - especially the one concerning parity - which leads me to the conclusion(s) that with parity comes an emphasis on depth, discipline, and character and sticking to the plan.

I think it's safe to say that (with all due respect to the Hawk suits) Lombardi and Sutter have done the best executive and coaching jobs in the league the past several years - building a deep team, having cap flexibility to make two critical trade deadline deals, providing the no-quit atmosphere that let the skaters overcome all sorts of deficits to come back and win two Cups.

Plus they have only three players unsigned for next year - with probably enough cap space to bring them all back (although Mitchell may retire at 38).

Now we see if Stan and Q can counter and develop a team with similar winning traits, and the depth to carry through.
- StLBravesFan

the key is depth - able to roll 4 lines without hesitation and 6 dmen and the ability to absorb injuries.

That might be one of the biggest issues encountered the next season for a cup winner - teams are going to play you physical and bring their A game. It is easy motivation for the opponents coach. Once injuries start stacking up, it puts pressure on the other top guys - which snowballs into more injuries and exhausted players come playoff time. Tired players (mentally and physically) don't get the bounces or calls in the playoffs.

Just goes to show that Vegas-type betting lines follow the money, not the (on paper) talent:

LAK has only three FAs on a team that just won the Cup, and the cap space to bring them all back, proven depth, a better blue line than supposed - and they're 10-1.

Pittsburgh has a proven lack of depth, goalie issues, only 14 players signed, and only $15MM to get it done - and they're at 9-1.

Chicago has center issues and depth issues and they're the favorite.
- StLBravesFan

Not to mention lombardi will still make a few trades to bring in big name scorers like he does ALL the time. LA should be favored again. Chicago close 2nd

Some of us aren't allowed to gave anything but gas
- Ogilthorpe2

eh?

Hopefully you didn't have a date with your sure thing again.
- Ogilthorpe2

She is still around.....

Wooohoooo!!!!!


GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!


Ecuador!!!!

Wooohoooo!!!!!


GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!


Ecuador!!!!
- Beaver-Warrior

Well deserved and poor effort by the swiss team so far.

Wooohoooo!!!!!


GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!


Ecuador!!!!
- Beaver-Warrior

Soccer - how could you.

I expect it from our Duesseldorf associate - but YOU....

eh?
- Beaver-Warrior

Overreaching Fascist Homeowners Association.

Gotta get out of this place, soon. Then I'm buying one of these...

Soccer - how could you.

I expect it from our Duesseldorf associate - but YOU....
- StLBravesFan

Agreed.

Overreaching Fascist Homeowners Association.
- Ogilthorpe2

Is there any other kind of homeowners association?

Overreaching Fascist Homeowners Association.

Gotta get out of this place, soon. Then I'm buying one of these...


- Ogilthorpe2

Does your association allow electric smokers? A friend has one that does a pretty decent job. Granted it isn't as nice as those green eggs.

Overreaching Fascist Homeowners Association.

Gotta get out of this place, soon. Then I'm buying one of these...


- Ogilthorpe2

Love the BGE. You can get knock-offs (saffires, komodo dragons, etc... ) a bit cheaper, but the BGE rocks.

What size are you looking at? The large is great, and although the x-large has a bigger cooking area, it tends to have hot-spots and doesn't cook as evenly.

Overreaching Fascist Homeowners Association.

Gotta get out of this place, soon. Then I'm buying one of these...


- Ogilthorpe2

According to my sources one of those is the going rate to acquire Versteeg

I am still in North Hollywood viisting my two and half year old super-smart grandchild, and wanted to say Happy Fathers day to all, and especially JJ:
Those kids are lucky to have to there to elevate / motivate THEIR play, along with ours!

and Happy ALL SONS' day to most of the rest of you.

We have endured in an unlevel playing field and all seem to have weird ancient DNA quirks in our personalities, making us so different, from generation to generation..

It is in all our best interest to forge on in understanding why our dad's were wo they were, and why our kids are who they are.

It is never easy, but we all deserve a hurrah (just like our Blackhawks) for lining up and trying to battle through the muck.

Good stats - and good conclusions - especially the one concerning parity - which leads me to the conclusion(s) that with parity comes an emphasis on depth, discipline, and character and sticking to the plan.

I think it's safe to say that (with all due respect to the Hawk suits) Lombardi and Sutter have done the best executive and coaching jobs in the league the past several years - building a deep team, having cap flexibility to make two critical trade deadline deals, providing the no-quit atmosphere that let the skaters overcome all sorts of deficits to come back and win two Cups.

Plus they have only three players unsigned for next year - with probably enough cap space to bring them all back (although Mitchell may retire at 38).

Now we see if Stan and Q can counter and develop a team with similar winning traits, and the depth to carry through.
- StLBravesFan

yes...carter and gaborik both were rescued from the Cbus where they sucked and did not want to be...

usually trade deadline deals have little if no impact...those were top stud acquisitions with huge impacts that filled huge needs where neither had to be the top guy..

what also impressive is the kings never changed their game or panicked with line changes despite being up or down...hwks were all over the place depending on the score and their weaknesses and depth were exposed...

Quick finished with meh playoff numbers: 2.58 (same as Bryz) and .911 save...but in elimination games he was excellent.

Were the Kings a dominating team....

but they reflected that old cliche...play for 60 and see what happens

as their poor starts and propensity to fall behind should have burried them a long time ago...

Eklund has Chicago amongst the interested teams in signing Mike Richards should he be bought out. I highly doubt it happens, but for the right price I'd love to have Richards on the team.

Love the BGE. You can get knock-offs (saffires, komodo dragons, etc... ) a bit cheaper, but the BGE rocks.

What size are you looking at? The large is great, and although the x-large has a bigger cooking area, it tends to have hot-spots and doesn't cook as evenly.
- Tanuki

I want the large, but I want to build it in. Something like this...