Can we at least agree that the NHL is the only major sport where the rules effectively change between the regular season/playoffs. (Or regular time/overtime).
- Leafs43

He pretty much globally disagrees with everything I say, so there's that.

As I pointed out above. All the other major sports allow game-changing bullpoop in the playoffs also

(except that none of that was true)

I really like the Habs blogger here, best one they have had IMO.

Even still, the remark about the refereeing came out.

The Habs had more PP and the series is probably very close to even. The Habs are also the ones initiating the physical play and the dirty stuff.

I have no idea what the basis is for thinking the Habs should get even more powerplays. That observation is not valid, in the slightest.
- Aetherial

Take a look at her predictions in the prediction thread.

I'm using it as a cheat sheet for learning more about the Habs' lineup.

Best way to change refs is for the media to keep on them. I heard commentators yesterday say"That's the playoffs". WTF? No, that shouldn't be the playoffs. Penalties need to be called

That Habs blogger bans anyone who disagrees wit her FYI. I don't see anyone else doing that

Interesting stat: Winnipeg swept Edmonton yet gave up 60 high def chances in 4 games....60. They are a defensive mess.
- RogerRoeper

That's why Helley won the Vezina.

Funny how suddenly Leafs facing weak competition is an issue LOL. No one cared about competition with the lame "They won a round" arguments.
- RogerRoeper

I never said it was an issue.

My problem is that graphic.

What is it based on? I have been told it isn't who is the better team. So why are Toronto's (who has not won their series) higher than Boston?

Usually Im a light sleeper, restless and what not...but a Leafs win to take a 3-1 series lead, a vaccine shot and couple of beers and scotch....I was out like a light last night.

The goal of the refereeing in this league is to balance out the games AND the series. The NHL believes this makes for more compelling viewing. Perhaps they are right, but at what cost?

THIS is the root of the problem. It allows teams to drag the games and the series into the mud and becomes the great equalizer.

It also leads to all the constant bullpoop that goes on during the game and after every play. There is no other sport that lets this crap happen constantly. You would be kicked out of a game in any other major sport for this kind of behaviour.

So, yeah, the NHL wants the series to be close, regardless of the disparity in talent. frankly, this direction (frank)s with the integrity of the game.
- Aetherial

I don't believe there is a conspiracy by the NHL. I don't believe they are directing their refs to call the games this way.

It's a problem throughout hockey. Hell, it's the way the game is called in men's beer leagues, and those refs are looking to get home as soon as possible. It's just human nature - the team winning 3-0 doesn't need another powerplay - the team losing 3-0 does. So that's what the refs subconsciously do.

The problem is the NHL isn't directing their referees to quit calling games this way.

The site doesn’t identify the best teams. Florida and TBL low because one of them will lose
- Canada Cup

Really? Then how about you explain what it is we are looking at.

Toronto, who has not won their series are somehow a higher probability than Boston or Colorado?


Sorry, but there is some judgement or analysis of who are the better teams going on.

Take a look at her predictions in the prediction thread.

I'm using it as a cheat sheet for learning more about the Habs' lineup.
- Atomic Wedgie

link?

That Habs blogger bans anyone who disagrees wit her FYI. I don't see anyone else doing that
- RogerRoeper

Not true. I have disagreed with her and not been banned.

I don't think fake parity is a way to sell the sport. Wayne Gretzky hosted SNL. No one knows any of the league's best players.

The NBA has it right. It's about stars and not having parity isn't hurting them at all.
- RogerRoeper

Well, the NBA is a joke of a league where the players decide what superteam they want to win on, but that's a separate issue.

The NHL continues to expand, sign huge tv and gaming deals. It's doing alright.

That's why Helley won the Vezina.
- AdamFrench

He was fantastic against Edmonton after a pretty ordinary regular season.

Nylander stepping up huge, driving the 2nd line in the absence of JT.
- Zezel

He's playing well for sure.
Great to see.
Playoff willie is Rock Hard right now.

He was fantastic against Edmonton after a pretty ordinary regular season.
- Aetherial

Only watched one game and the highlights, but he looked ridiculous.

I don't believe there is a conspiracy by the NHL. I don't believe they are directing their refs to call the games this way.

It's a problem throughout hockey. Hell, it's the way the game is called in men's beer leagues, and those refs are looking to get home as soon as possible. It's just human nature - the team winning 3-0 doesn't need another powerplay - the team losing 3-0 does. So that's what the refs subconsciously do.

The problem is the NHL isn't directing their referees to quit calling games this way.
- Atomic Wedgie

uh yeah, but aren't they then complicit?
Doesn't that imply they like it this way.

It is like the people who say Bettman is doing a terrible job. There is some pretty obvious evidence that he is doing a great job... he is still employed.

So, the Kadri trade, Campbell trade and Nylander contract seem decent at this point.

Kerfoot, Nylander, Campbell have been our best players.

The defense has been pretty solid all the way around. Dermott looked lost in a few plays, Bogosian has been better than expected.
- Aetherial

Bogo is getting better with each game, same with Hyman after injuries. Limit mistakes...seems simple enough. Brooks is a seamless insertion at any point as well, which is a nice option.

Well, the NBA is a joke of a league where the players decide what superteam they want to win on, but that's a separate issue.

The NHL continues to expand, sign huge tv and gaming deals. It's doing alright.
- Zezel

Revenues are up for the NHL, but still way behind the other sports, They use to be closer to them in popularity

uh yeah, but aren't they then complicit?
Doesn't that imply they like it this way.

It is like the people who say Bettman is doing a terrible job. There is some pretty obvious evidence that he is doing a great job... he is still employed.
- Aetherial

There's billions of reasons Bettman is a genius.

Usually Im a light sleeper, restless and what not...but a Leafs win to take a 3-1 series lead, a vaccine shot and couple of beers and scotch....I was out like a light last night.
- Fakepartofme

Yeah, worst sleep I've had in awhile was after game 1

So, the Kadri trade, Campbell trade and Nylander contract seem decent at this point.
- Zezel

IMO all three were decent at the time they occurred.
I only ever thought willie got 500G's too much...at the time.
Even with Barrie not panning out, we got a good 3rd line center and cap space after the top 4 Dman moved on.

Was talking about the Oilers with my TSN friend yesterday.

One of the bright spots for them is that they have some high-end talent, the tough stuff to find. Their depth is clearly the problem. With the flat cap still in place, they should be able to revamp their depth. Supply and demand favors the few teams with some cap room.

A team like Montreal may have a tougher time. Getting the top-end talent is the hard part. Provided this Eichel neck surgery thing is not really the problem, they need to take a shot at Eichel if at all possible.

Revenues are up for the NHL, but still way behind the other sports, They use to be closer to them in popularity
- RogerRoeper

Just saying in terms of joke factor, the NHL has some joke elements, but the NBA is pure joke.

So, the Kadri trade, Campbell trade and Nylander contract seem decent at this point.
- Zezel

That Campbell trade is a ridiculous coup, both for how he's playing and his steal of a contract. We are getting better goaltending from him than we ever did from Freddy for 3.4 less per.

I know he hasn't been tested like Price, but 0 backbreaking goals in this series. we've never had that.

Everything in Toronto is so over-the-top. Nylander's deal was never bad. Worse players got more money everyone ignored.