***The Official NHL Thread 2008/2009***

Yay Kings....

 

Uni, I'm officially worried. Did they peak too early?? It sure looks like it.

The PP is just pathetic. They're not getting quality looks. Earlier this season, they were working the passing lanes down low, but it seems that all those options have disappeared. Its ugly to watch.

The young guys (I'm looking at you Kessel, Wheeler and Krejci) that played such a big part in the ridiculous months of November and December have been basically non-existent during this 7 game stretch. And the goaltending could be an issue as we move towards the playoffs. Manny was freakin' terrible last night and at times, he was really fighting the puck.

There's no excuse to get swept out of Florida. I understand the Panthers are much improved and play a good defensive system, but you have to take points out of that Tampa game.

At this point, I don't know if they can hold off Washington for home-ice throughout. If they don't take the #1 seed into the playoffs after having such a huge lead, they're done.

 

That's a great point on Lucic. The physical aspect of his game has been basically non-existent. I didn't notice it while watching this recent stretch of games, but once you pointed it out, I can't think of an instance where he's been physical for consecutive shifts. Its tough to not root for Lucic. He seems like a really great kid but he better get it figured out, and quickly.

As much as it pains me to say, I can't shake this growing suspicion that these are the same old Bruins and they'll fold up like a cheap suit in the EC Quarterfinals.

They better come out flying tomorrow night to kick off a 6-game homestand.

Also, I don't know if you caught the game last night, but the delay of game rule needs to be revisited by the league. That call on Ference late in the 3rd was absolute horse****. He was not under pressure and the puck was clearly on edge. It was an unfortunate situation, but things like that tend to snowball when you're struggling.

 

Struggling Rangers fire Renney; Tortorella in?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/...ngers-fire-Renney;-Tortorella-in?&FSO2&ATT=MA

 

Isles traded Comrie and Campoli to Ottawa for a 1st round pick. Too bad its SJ's 1st rounder that Ottowa had obtained but its still a nice haul for an underachieving C and a D who lets players Camp-out.

10 picks in this years draft, 5 in the first two rounds. Do your thing Garth; Tavares or Hedman + some high upside players.

The Ottawa Senators have acquired Chris Campoli from the New York Islanders as part of a three-player trade.
Ottawa has long been looking for an offensive defenseman, and they're hoping they've found their man in Campoli. Campoli had a great rookie debut in 2005-06, scoring nine goals and 34 points in 80 games, but he suffered significant injuries in each of the following two seasons. He's managed to bounce back from his injury woes this season and he could end up with 25-35 points. He'll earn just $675,000 next season and he could be part of Ottawa's long-term future.
Source: TSN.ca

 

Hey Unified, your B's seem to be back looking normal again, nice working of the cats.

On another note, to those who may not of seen it, it's quite comical...

Mike Green and Alex Ovechkin go Cruisin


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcs...ss=dcsportsbog

How can you not like #8

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12487013@N04/3307876969/

 

Byron Bitz played out of his mind yesterday. That tip late in the 2nd period to give the Bruins a two goal lead was a thing of beauty...

Good to see them bury more than a few opportunities.

 

Hopefully Ryder helps out Krejci's production since I definitely need help at C for my fantasy team.

 

Awesome. He had a good December but really dropped off in January-Feb. Had to start Jarret Stoll for most of the month over Krejci alongside Malkin but hopefully, I can drop Stoll for a Goalie.

 

Brodeur with a shutout in his 1st game back since his injury, Devils win 4-0 over the Avs.

Here we go baby!

 

Man, Lucic was pissed off during that tussle... what happened?

Great win by the way... looks like they have that confidence back and they're going to need it with the Capitals on tap.

 

John Torterella can't buy a win vs. the Panthers, no matter which team he's coaching.

 

The flyers actually had more power plays go for them than penalty kills they were fighting against when they played the habs the other day yet failing to clear the zone and turning pucks over (turning over pucks is not flyers hockey!?!?!!) and some ridiculous goals gave the habs the win after the flyers started with 2 quick goals in the first.

big game against those bastardly devils tomorrow at 1pm. go flyers will be checking in with thoughts during intermission.

 

The Rangers won a game!

 

Speculation is rampant here that Bill guerin is being dealt and has agreed to waive his NTC. He was a scratch last night even though hes fine, and depending on which blog you look on you can find a variety of rumors though none have been confirmed. The only thing I have found to be consistent is that its likely an eastern conference team.

Im going to guess this one is accurate though as Chris Botta is the Islanders former PR head for the last 20 years and writes this blog. Hes still very well connected and has been dead on about just about everything all year: http://www.islanderspointblank.com/

"As of 10:00 tonight, I believe the team the Islanders have an arrangement with is Washington. A simple, two-team, pick-and-prospect trade. Simple, except for closing the darn thing."

Even after reading that you may want to click on the link for the cute ice girl.

Also, one has to believe Doug Weight and/or Brendan Witt may be next. Though i hope Witt stays cause hes a warrior and the kids coming through the system will benefit greatly from his presence.

 

THey are def. looking back on track. They have one of the most well rounded teams out there, including backup goalie depth (flames fans know how worriesome this can be)

Besides the caps who are a wildcard who can go on a tear at any given moment, the only other team who might challenge the Bruins in the East playoffs would have to be the devils.

They are like the devil's teams of old but now they can score. That would worry me if i was a boston fan. Either way should be a great east playoff bracket this year.

Oh and Congrats to Jarome Iginla for breaking the all time Flames Scoring record in the at ugly loss against the bolts. Also for netting his 400th goal in a 5 point night. With all the injuries it's good to have you back Iggy.

 

Satan hits waivers. Something you only see in an NHL headline.

 

Brodeur's nightmare is back!

 

despite the offensive holding the stick trick the bruins tried to pull against the flyers tonight philly stormed into bahston and whopped the eastern conference leading teams ***. btw, the refs call the dives and there were none.

 

The Bruins lost to another playoff caliber opponent? Nothing to see here, move along.

Here's the deal... unless Kessel, Krejci, Wheeler and Lucic start to step up and bury some opportunities while rounding into their previous form back in November/December, this team will not be able to compete with the elite teams in the East (Capitals and Devils).

The EC Champ will be from Boston, NJ or DC, but unfortunately.. I trust the Bruins the least out of that group. I won't say they're the same old Bruins because I can't see them getting bounced in the 1st round again, but I would have zero confidence in a matchup with the Devils or Caps.

Also, its time to move Manny. The guy has been atrocious in net lately, so get when you can for him and roll down into the stretch with a combo of Timmy and Rask.

 

This team has been driving me crazy lately. They got physically punished last night.. Chara and Kobasew were the only guys on the team throwing their body around (how about that little exchange from Chara to Hartnell after the whistle?? Man, I LOVE what Chara bring to this team) and sticking up for teammates. I can't count the number of times that Byron Bitz got knocked flat on his ***.

This team doesn't even resemble the group that built this huge lead in the Northeast/Eastern Conference. Stupid decisions with the puck in their own end hurt them again last night. During that incredible run of November, you never saw Savard commit a turnover like the one that led to the Upshall goal in the 2nd.

Also Uni, the Caps don't scare you? Man that PP unit they roll out is freightening... makes a 2:00 minor feel like a 5:00 major. It also doesn't help that the Bruins amounted what essentially was a 1-3 record against them.

 

I wouldn't be torn up over that to be honest, depending what they could get in return. Something seems to be missing from Kessel's game that could make him an elite winger. He's got elite skating ability for sure, but.. I just don't know.

Uni, is Savard a FA after this year?

 

That's fine who was in the eastern conference championship games last year? certainly wasn't boston. The flyers are a younger team and are only going to continue to get better. After seeing your goaltender play he kicks the pucks out a lot and there are tons of rebounds. The two goals scored on nitty were PP goals if I remember correctly and one was a damn fine one timer that no goalie had a chance to stop. Nitty absolutely robbed some schmuk with his glove hand in the first period and the flyers stomped you guys last night and we won the series, 2-1.

I'm not scared, even if your other goalie plays.

BTW, I think the bruins strength is their passing game and their intensity on both killing and taking advantage of power plays. nice job, seriously. some very, very crisp long ice passes. (ya know, except that one that was intercepted and punched home ) and they were always always buzzing on the PP and even on the PK (I really with the flyers PP hasn't gone soft like it has as i'm sure that's got part to do with it and them basically not respecting it.. which I can understand).

 

A couple of points:

You saw Manny Fernandez in net last night. Simply put, you won't be seeing him come playoff time.

Also, that "schmuk" you are referring to would be David Krejci. No need to post garbage like that in this thread.

The Bruins might well get bounced from the playoffs by the Caps or Devils, but it certainly won't be coming at the hand of the Flyers. Quite honestly, I'm looking forward to ending Philly's season come April.