Amazing 1st RD. LETS GO STARS/CANES

Okay, if you think that is what I am doing that is fine but its not. I said each division winner lost for other reasons then the clutch/grab/hooking.

My team the Lightning deserved to lose - they played with no heart, took dumb ass penalties, gave up 5 PP goals on 10 opportunities, couldnt clear traffic in front of their net, couldn't figure out how to beat a neutral zone trap, and got out coached.

Columbus had their number and put them into their grave. Columbus was the better team that series.

What I am saying is to me I think the NHL playoffs would be even better if they checked some of the clutch/grab/hooking that goes on. It would allow more speed and skill of the game to be shown.
- stammerman

The intensity ramps up in the playoffs. Regular season hockey is out the window after 82 games. No one cares. Just like no one cared when the Red Wings won 62 games in 95/96. They were eliminated in the WCF vs Colorado. In the playoffs you're not taking advantage of inferior teams like the Red Wings, Sens or Sabres. You're not taking advantage of teams having played the night before or ones who are playing their 6th game on an Eastern road trip. I've seen many regular season games over the years where teams will literally mail it in. There's much more contact in the playoffs. It's faster, closer checking, more stuff is allowed otherwise you could call a penalty every second. Tampa Bay was exposed in last year's playoffs by the Caps who pushed them around physically. The Caps had the skill to augment that physical advantage. Tampa had a great season and never slumped. Never faced any adversity. They thought they would sweep Columbus. Especially after they led 3-0 in game 1. Whatever Torts said to his team during that intermission worked. Columbus is notorious for having very good teams underachieve in the playoffs. For whatever reason they figured out how to win in the playoffs. Their aggressive forecheck took away Tampa'a time and space and Cooper never adjusted to it. He just kept rolling his 4 lines and 3 defense pairs and Torts took him to the woodshed. Tampa's loss has nothing to do with clutching and grabbing. It's not like Tampa players are not guilty of doing the same. Tampa doesn't have 23 Gretzky or Lemieux's on its roster playing perfect hockey all the time. Tampa lost because they deserved to lose. You acknowledged that. But you wouldn't be saying these things if Tampa had swept Columbus. Hence your selective justification. I heard it all before from excuse making Red Wings fans when they lost to the Devils and Avs in 95 and 96. "Those Devils were cheating. Clutching and grabbing. Hudson Bay rules. It's not fair." 😢 But then the Red Wings won the Cup in 97 and 98 and I heard none of the crying. Did the clutching and grabbing and Hudson Bay rules hockey miraculously disappear? Of course not. The Red Wings adapted their game so they could win in the playoffs. They constructed its roster so they could win any style hockey. It worked. They finally figured it out. Will Tampa figure it out? Time will tell. But the playoffs aren't changing. The better team will still win in a 7 game series.

I know this is just a hockey site and It's not English class but for Fack sake's man
- Vukota

It’s crazy how egregious some of these can be.

The intensity ramps up in the playoffs. Regular season hockey is out the window after 82 games. No one cares. Just like no one cared when the Red Wings won 62 games in 95/96. They were eliminated in the WCF vs Colorado. In the playoffs you're not taking advantage of inferior teams like the Red Wings, Sens or Sabres. You're not taking advantage of teams having played the night before or ones who are playing their 6th game on an Eastern road trip. I've seen many regular season games over the years where teams will literally mail it in. There's much more contact in the playoffs. It's faster, closer checking, more stuff is allowed otherwise you could call a penalty every second. Tampa Bay was exposed in last year's playoffs by the Caps who pushed them around physically. The Caps had the skill to augment that physical advantage. Tampa had a great season and never slumped. Never faced any adversity. They thought they would sweep Columbus. Especially after they led 3-0 in game 1. Whatever Torts said to his team during that intermission worked. Columbus is notorious for having very good teams underachieve in the playoffs. For whatever reason they figured out how to win in the playoffs. Their aggressive forecheck took away Tampa'a time and space and Cooper never adjusted to it. He just kept rolling his 4 lines and 3 defense pairs and Torts took him to the woodshed. Tampa's loss has nothing to do with clutching and grabbing. It's not like Tampa players are not guilty of doing the same. Tampa doesn't have 23 Gretzky or Lemieux's on its roster playing perfect hockey all the time. Tampa lost because they deserved to lose. You acknowledged that. But you wouldn't be saying these things if Tampa had swept Columbus. Hence your selective justification. I heard it all before from excuse making Red Wings fans when they lost to the Devils and Avs in 95 and 96. "Those Devils were cheating. Clutching and grabbing. Hudson Bay rules. It's not fair." 😢 But then the Red Wings won the Cup in 97 and 98 and I heard none of the crying. Did the clutching and grabbing and Hudson Bay rules hockey miraculously disappear? Of course not. The Red Wings adapted their game so they could win in the playoffs. They constructed its roster so they could win any style hockey. It worked. They finally figured it out. Will Tampa figure it out? Time will tell. But the playoffs aren't changing. The better team will still win in a 7 game series.
- gergeswillems

Paragraphs. Use them.

It’s crazy how egregious some of these can be.
- RafiDRW

The intensity ramps up in the playoffs. Regular season hockey is out the window after 82 games. No one cares. Just like no one cared when the Red Wings won 62 games in 95/96. They were eliminated in the WCF vs Colorado. In the playoffs you're not taking advantage of inferior teams like the Red Wings, Sens or Sabres. You're not taking advantage of teams having played the night before or ones who are playing their 6th game on an Eastern road trip. I've seen many regular season games over the years where teams will literally mail it in. There's much more contact in the playoffs. It's faster, closer checking, more stuff is allowed otherwise you could call a penalty every second. Tampa Bay was exposed in last year's playoffs by the Caps who pushed them around physically. The Caps had the skill to augment that physical advantage. Tampa had a great season and never slumped. Never faced any adversity. They thought they would sweep Columbus. Especially after they led 3-0 in game 1. Whatever Torts said to his team during that intermission worked. Columbus is notorious for having very good teams underachieve in the playoffs. For whatever reason they figured out how to win in the playoffs. Their aggressive forecheck took away Tampa'a time and space and Cooper never adjusted to it. He just kept rolling his 4 lines and 3 defense pairs and Torts took him to the woodshed. Tampa's loss has nothing to do with clutching and grabbing. It's not like Tampa players are not guilty of doing the same. Tampa doesn't have 23 Gretzky or Lemieux's on its roster playing perfect hockey all the time. Tampa lost because they deserved to lose. You acknowledged that. But you wouldn't be saying these things if Tampa had swept Columbus. Hence your selective justification. I heard it all before from excuse making Red Wings fans when they lost to the Devils and Avs in 95 and 96. "Those Devils were cheating. Clutching and grabbing. Hudson Bay rules. It's not fair." 😢 But then the Red Wings won the Cup in 97 and 98 and I heard none of the crying. Did the clutching and grabbing and Hudson Bay rules hockey miraculously disappear? Of course not. The Red Wings adapted their game so they could win in the playoffs. They constructed its roster so they could win any style hockey. It worked. They finally figured it out. Will Tampa figure it out? Time will tell. But the playoffs aren't changing. The better team will still win in a 7 game series.
- gergeswillems

Like the post gerges but... paragraphs

@Stammerman

Doesn't sound like you have ever seen playoff hockey. This is exactly how the playoffs are played and they aren't going to call penalties on clutching/grabbing type plays like they may do in the regular season. Yes there are still some shady calls, but in playoffs, they need to let them play.

And yes, you are making a complete excuse for Tampa trying to mask it beyond all the playoff games because obviously Tampa is one of the fastest and more skilled teams so of course you want them to stop the clutching/grabbing as it benefits your team.

Seriously though, the way the games were called reminded me of 1995. The refs really did put their whistles away for round 1.
- tincup

Good teams adjust to how the game is being called or not called. It's all about making adjustments. In baseball if I'm at the plate with an 0-2 count I'm not thinking I'll light the pitcher up for a home run. I'm trying to make contact and not swing at anything stupid. If I'm up 3-1 in the count then I'm looking for a fast ball to light him up. Adapt or die. Jackets adapted. Tampa didn't.

Like the post gerges but... paragraphs
- Aetherial

You're right. 😂

I know this is just a hockey site and It's not English class but for Fack sake's man
- Vukota

Phone spell correct sucks. Didn't really feel like changing it. Lol. I'm assuming you got the gist

Phone spell correct sucks. Didn't really feel like changing it. Lol. I'm assuming you got the jizzt
- rrentz

gross

Phone spell correct sucks. Didn't really feel like changing it. Lol. I'm assuming you got the gist
- rrentz

@gergeswillems

No it's tainted by the 5 min PP in Game 7

Add the Blues to your list of defense first team buy ins. See game 6 vs Winnipeg.

When do the real playoffs start for NHL?

Seriously though, the way the games were called reminded me of 1995. The refs really did put their whistles away for round 1.
- tincup

Don't Tell Vegas fans that the refs put the whistles away, they'll explode.

The intensity ramps up in the playoffs. Regular season hockey is out the window after 82 games. No one cares. Just like no one cared when the Red Wings won 62 games in 95/96. They were eliminated in the WCF vs Colorado. In the playoffs you're not taking advantage of inferior teams like the Red Wings, Sens or Sabres. You're not taking advantage of teams having played the night before or ones who are playing their 6th game on an Eastern road trip. I've seen many regular season games over the years where teams will literally mail it in. There's much more contact in the playoffs. It's faster, closer checking, more stuff is allowed otherwise you could call a penalty every second. Tampa Bay was exposed in last year's playoffs by the Caps who pushed them around physically. The Caps had the skill to augment that physical advantage. Tampa had a great season and never slumped. Never faced any adversity. They thought they would sweep Columbus. Especially after they led 3-0 in game 1. Whatever Torts said to his team during that intermission worked. Columbus is notorious for having very good teams underachieve in the playoffs. For whatever reason they figured out how to win in the playoffs. Their aggressive forecheck took away Tampa'a time and space and Cooper never adjusted to it. He just kept rolling his 4 lines and 3 defense pairs and Torts took him to the woodshed. Tampa's loss has nothing to do with clutching and grabbing. It's not like Tampa players are not guilty of doing the same. Tampa doesn't have 23 Gretzky or Lemieux's on its roster playing perfect hockey all the time. Tampa lost because they deserved to lose. You acknowledged that. But you wouldn't be saying these things if Tampa had swept Columbus. Hence your selective justification. I heard it all before from excuse making Red Wings fans when they lost to the Devils and Avs in 95 and 96. "Those Devils were cheating. Clutching and grabbing. Hudson Bay rules. It's not fair." 😢 But then the Red Wings won the Cup in 97 and 98 and I heard none of the crying. Did the clutching and grabbing and Hudson Bay rules hockey miraculously disappear? Of course not. The Red Wings adapted their game so they could win in the playoffs. They constructed its roster so they could win any style hockey. It worked. They finally figured it out. Will Tampa figure it out? Time will tell. But the playoffs aren't changing. The better team will still win in a 7 game series.
- gergeswillems

Seriously, find a job...

Seriously, find a job...
- Xizord

Seriously get off welfare. Ask God for a refund while you're at it. And as I've told your feeble minded know nothing insecure attention seeking dunce self many times.. Go F yourself. I'll give you credit for one thing though. You've proven to be a complete moron in both English and French. Look at the positive.

Milan lucic for nylander

Milan lucic for nylander
- herecomesGUMP

Leafs save cap space for Marner, seems like a win-win

@Stammerman

Doesn't sound like you have ever seen playoff hockey. This is exactly how the playoffs are played and they aren't going to call penalties on clutching/grabbing type plays like they may do in the regular season. Yes there are still some shady calls, but in playoffs, they need to let them play.

And yes, you are making a complete excuse for Tampa trying to mask it beyond all the playoff games because obviously Tampa is one of the fastest and more skilled teams so of course you want them to stop the clutching/grabbing as it benefits your team.
- Bojangle

I have said in every reply the Lightning lost because they were the worse team and got outplayed. I never said the clutch/grab/hold was why they lost it wasn't, Columbus didn't even need to do that as the Lightning looked like a bantam team trying to figure out how to get thru the neutral zone. They were out coached and inept to change.

All I am saying is simply as a hockey fan I feel if they curbed some of the clutch/grab/holds teams would know you can't do that and it would open the ice just a teeny bit more and allow for more skill and speed to be shown. I love the defensive strategies like the 1-2-2 or 1-3-1 traps and zone, clogging lanes, difference types of forecheck pressures, players buying in and sacrificing themselves. Thats playoff hockey and in my opinion it would be even better if the players knew they had that legal 6 to 12 inches of ice to create a play.

Last nights game was a prime example of why I hate the NHL playoffs. It's a faster pace, harder hitting game and i'm fine with that, but the NHL regular season rules are apparently just thrown right out the window.

A penalty in the regular season needs to be a penalty in the post season. Last night was pretty much a free for all on both sides. Granted i think Washington was the main benefactor of the refs' "swallowing their whistles", even though Carolina was able to pull out the victory.

One simple example was in the 1st OT period, Washington player clearly shoots puck over the glass from his defensive zone, the refs even got together to talk about it while they replayed it several times. Clear cut delay of game infraction. Nope, no penalty. Inexplicable. In the mean time 2nd OT Carolina does the same thing, penalty enforced.

I know calls are going to get missed and quite frankly ignored. But cross check after cross check after trip after interference that goes uncalled over and over until the ref's decide it's an appropriate time to call it is abso(frank)inglutely ridiculous.

Last nights game was a prime example of why I hate the NHL playoffs. It's a faster pace, harder hitting game and i'm fine with that, but the NHL regular season rules are apparently just thrown right out the window.

A penalty in the regular season needs to be a penalty in the post season. Last night was pretty much a free for all on both sides. Granted i think Washington was the main benefactor of the refs' "swallowing their whistles", even though Carolina was able to pull out the victory.

One simple example was in the 1st OT period, Washington player clearly shoots puck over the glass from his defensive zone, the refs even got together to talk about it while they replayed it several times. Clear cut delay of game infraction. Nope, no penalty. Inexplicable. In the mean time 2nd OT Carolina does the same thing, penalty enforced.

I know calls are going to get missed and quite frankly ignored. But cross check after cross check after trip after interference that goes uncalled over and over until the ref's decide it's an appropriate time to call it is abso(frank)inglutely ridiculous.
- MnGump

Dougie Hamilton cross checked a Caps player from behind right on the numbers but no penalty was called. I'm not saying it's right but that's what the NHL playoffs are. No one knows what a penalty is.

Snakevares met with 5 teams in the offseason;



Isles, Bs, Sharks, Stars and Leafs



All of the teams that he stood up are still in the playoffs, while the team he chose is out


LMAO can't make this poop up, pretty evident he made an awful decision

Milan lucic for nylander
- herecomesGUMP