2013 Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

[zioxide]

Another great game by both teams last night

if the Hawks could of played the whole game like they did the first period they could of won.

Well yeah, but that was the worst period of hockey Boston has played in a month. There's no way they would have kept up playing that bad in the Stanley Cup finals.

I think whoever wins the series the Conn Smyth will be the goalie from that team.

I think you're right, but it's kind of lame that the Conn Smythe is basically becoming the award that goes to the winning team's goalie. To win the Cup, your goalie has to play awesome. I'd like to see a skill player get it, and if Krejci puts up 3-4+ more points in the next few games, it's his to lose.


Can't overstate how huge a win that was last night for the Bruins. There is a massive difference between going home 0-2 and going home 1-1. As of now, the Bruins have stolen the home ice advantage and now they have to win 3 more games with 3 of the next 4 games at home where they've only lost 2 games since the end of April. If Boston comes out at home in game 3 like they did 2 years ago in game 3 against Vancouver, watch out Chicago

 

[malman89]

I really think it will go 7. Another great game by both teams last night, if the Hawks could of played the whole game like they did the first period they could of won. I think whoever wins the series the Conn Smyth will be the goalie from that team.

I would say going into the series it was Krejci's to lose and only to the winning goaltender if they stole the show for a few games.

2 games in, both goaltenders have pretty much done that to put themselves into a comfortable situation to be in the mix for Conn Smythe talk.

 

[ben123456]

Isn't looking good for my hawks

 

[JohnLT13]

Isn't looking good for my hawks

Its only game 3, dont give up so easy. I was thinking Boston in 7 but it may be 5 the way these boys are playing. Defense is solid and Rask is a wall.

 

[2020mike]

I didn't see the game last night so can't really comment on either teams play. I'm just hoping Chicago steps it up. Then again Chicago did comeback from 3-1 down against Detroit so anything is possible.

 

[TyPod]

Boston is clearly the better team. Hoping for a 4-1 cup final!

 

[AustinIllini]

Boston is clearly the better team. Hoping for a 4-1 cup final!

Not at the type of game played tonight. Bruins will not beat the Hawks in a shootout of a game. Blackhawks in 7.

 

[TyPod]

Not at the type of game played tonight. Bruins will not beat the Hawks in a shootout of a game. Blackhawks in 7.

I feel like Boston is clearly the better team. Two lucky breaks in OT to get wins doesn't justify them winning the series IMO.

 

[AustinIllini]

I feel like Boston is clearly the better team. Two lucky breaks in OT to get wins doesn't justify them winning the series IMO.

This series is pretty much evenly matched. Two deep teams, two strong top lines (Hawks do a lot of switching at the top, but the Kane and Toews line looks like it's working). The only truly decisive game was 3 (on Boston ice). This next game will tell us for sure as Hawks home ice is the best by far (based on nearly every metric).

 

[TyPod]

This series is pretty much evenly matched. Two deep teams, two strong top lines (Hawks do a lot of switching at the top, but the Kane and Toews line looks like it's working). The only truly decisive game was 3 (on Boston ice). This next game will tell us for sure as Hawks home ice is the best by far (based on nearly every metric).

I agree. After the game tonight it surely looks like it will be a game 7 cup final.

 

[AustinIllini]

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013...liate-misses-game-4-blackhawks-ot-winner.html

Here's what I saw for the game. Damn.

 

[2020mike]

Another great game last night that's for sure. But seriously how can you say last nights OT winner was luck? That was a dead on shot.

 

[zioxide]

Last nights game was crazy. Bruins didn't play that well at the beginning but picked it up as the game went on. What a great series though.. these teams are so evenly matched.

Gonna be another good one on Saturday. This series is probably going 7.

 

[TyPod]

Another great game last night that's for sure. But seriously how can you say last nights OT winner was luck? That was a dead on shot.

Seabrook has the skating coordination of Happy Gilmore. I guess I shouldn't say it was luck, but I sure felt like they got out played in the overtime, kind of like game 1.

 

[2020mike]

The Hawks finally showed up and looked great last night, while Boston didn't. Game 6 tomorrow in Boston should be a crazy game.

 

[AustinIllini]

The Hawks finally showed up and looked great last night, while Boston didn't. Game 6 tomorrow in Boston should be a crazy game.

I wish they wouldn't take the third period off when they get a lead of two goals, but if Bergeron is hurt, I like the Blackhawks' chance to end it in game 6.

 

[malman89]

The Hawks finally showed up and looked great last night, while Boston didn't. Game 6 tomorrow in Boston should be a crazy game.

Still don't think the Blackhawks looked that good. I'd say one step forward Chicago, two steps back Boston. Boston looked terrible for the first half or so.

Hate to hinge a team game like hockey on one player, but if Bergeron is out, I could see Boston getting up to scrape by in Game 6, but lose in 7. With Bergeron, I would be comfortable with Bruins in 7. I would be surprised if Chicago wins in 6, unless Julien fails yet again to make proper adjustments to his lineup and strategy.

 

[zioxide]

I wish they wouldn't take the third period off when they get a lead of two goals, but if Bergeron is hurt, I like the Blackhawks' chance to end it in game 6.

I don't think it's so much that the Blackhawks took the third period off, but more the Bruins pulled their heads out of their asses and actually decided to play for the third.

First two periods were BAD. You can't show up in game 5 of the Finals playing like that.

Still don't think the Blackhawks looked that good. I'd say one step forward Chicago, two steps back Boston. Boston looked terrible for the first half or so.

Hate to hinge a team game like hockey on one player, but if Bergeron is out, I could see Boston getting up to scrape by in Game 6, but lose in 7. With Bergeron, I would be comfortable with Bruins in 7. I would be surprised if Chicago wins in 6, unless Julien fails yet again to make proper adjustments to his lineup and strategy.

Agreed. Bergeron is just too important for the Bruins. According to the team, he was just observed at the hospital then he was released and flew back to Boston with the team this morning. Last night some media was reporting he had a spleen injury, but clearly that wasn't accurate if he flew home this morning. I'm hopeful he'll be able to get back in, if not tomorrow, but possibly for a Game 7 if the boys can pull it out tomorrow night.

If the B's defense and Rask plays well, they could definitely pull out the W at home tomorrow night with or without Bergeron, but winning game 7 on the road without Bergeron would be immensely more difficult. We are talking about the guy who had 2 goals including the cup-winner in Game 7 against Vancouver 2 years ago.

But this series definitely isn't over. Chicago's tilted the ice towards them a little the past 2 games, but every game has still been crazy close. 3 OT games and 4 1-goal games out of 5. Tomorrow night should be another good one.

 

[AustinIllini]

I don't think it's so much that the Blackhawks took the third period off, but more the Bruins pulled their heads out of their asses and actually decided to play for the third.

First two periods were BAD. You can't show up in game 5 of the Finals playing like that.

You may be right, but Boston has yet to solve the Kane/Toews line and that's with Rask's performance yesterday. Patrick Kane put on a clinic.

 

[zioxide]

You may be right, but Boston has yet to solve the Kane/Toews line and that's with Rask's performance yesterday. Patrick Kane put on a clinic.

We'll see how good Toews can play tomorrow though. He didn't play the entire 3rd period of the game last night if I remember correctly after getting lit up by Boychuk. Kane's been great the past 2 games, but if Chara/Seidenberg/Rask can step up tomorrow and keep them in check like they did in Game 3, the Bruins will be in decent shape. The B's seemed to turn it on after they scored the goal last night, especially the KHL line, but they couldn't get the equalizer. If Krejci/Horton/Lucic can come out and dominate a few shifts early like they did after Boston's goal last night, the B's will have a good chance to take this series back to Chicago one more time.

I think Boston somehow pulls it out tomorrow night on home ice, and then we'll be in for a monster of a game 7. Who knows what would happen at that point.

 

[2020mike]

I wish they wouldn't take the third period off when they get a lead of two goals, but if Bergeron is hurt, I like the Blackhawks' chance to end it in game 6.

This has been a common problem for the past couple years. They take the lead after 2 and then sit back and play defense. They've lost a lot of games doing this. Game six they need to go full throttle and not take their foot off the gas.

 

[AustinIllini]

This has been a common problem for the past couple years. They take the lead after 2 and then sit back and play defense. They've lost a lot of games doing this. Game six they need to go full throttle and not take their foot off the gas.

I'm pretty certain this is what happens, not some "bruins turning it up" thing. It's frustrating that after two periods of pantsing big Z, the Hawks would even THINK of letting the Bruins back in the contest.

 

[2020mike]

I'm pretty certain this is what happens, not some "bruins turning it up" thing. It's frustrating that after two periods of pantsing big Z, the Hawks would even THINK of letting the Bruins back in the contest.

I fully agree. I find Bruins fans a strange bunch. Most of them lie to themselves saying "they got lucky" or blaming it on an off night, they can't admit that the Hawks are a good team or their still drunk off the 4 game sweep of Pittsburgh. I can admit that the Bruins are a good team but wouldn't say their the better team. I think Chicago and Boston are evenly matched at this point. I am kind of looking forward to the excuses that might be thrown around IF Chicago happens to win the series, especially on the NHL Facebook page.

 

[zachlegomaniac]

I fully agree. I find Bruins fans a strange bunch. Most of them lie to themselves saying "they got lucky" or blaming it on an off night, they can't admit that the Hawks are a good team or their still drunk off the 4 game sweep of Pittsburgh. I can admit that the Bruins are a good team but wouldn't say their the better team. I think Chicago and Boston are evenly matched at this point. I am kind of looking forward to the excuses that might be thrown around IF Chicago happens to win the series, especially on the NHL Facebook page.

I'm from Boston and am a Bruins fan. The consensus around here is that the Hawks are an incredible team and fast as all hell. When the B's aren't playing well my friends and I tend to feel like our team didn't really show up to a certain extent, but I think that is a typical reaction for any fan of any sport. It's not at all that we feel the, "Hawks got lucky."

I suppose I can't speak for the whole city.

I do know I'm really enjoying this series. My old college roommate lives in Chicago, which has also made it fun.

Not sure the majority of Boston fans are what you think they are. Maybe the hot-headed vocal ones who hop on Facebook to make comments....but I don't have a Facebook account.

 

[2020mike]

I'm from Boston and am a Bruins fan. The consensus around here is that the Hawks are an incredible team and fast as all hell. When the B's aren't playing well my friends and I tend to feel like our team didn't really show up to a certain extent, but I think that is a typical reaction for any fan of any sport. It's not at all that we feel the, "Hawks got lucky."

I suppose I can't speak for the whole city.

I do know I'm really enjoying this series. My old college roommate lives in Chicago, which has also made it fun.

Not sure the majority of Boston fans are what you think they are. Maybe the hot-headed vocal ones who hop on Facebook to make comments....but I don't have a Facebook account.

Well in every fan base there is an exception. I've run across well educated Bruins fans who can admit that the Bruins aren't "untouchable" but have ran across a lot more of the "Chicago sucks, they got lucky, bruins in 4, the refs won the game for Chicago" and a bunch of other homer like fans. Like I said we have those same type of fans in Chicago and you'll have them for every team, but so far I would say Bruin homers have been the worst I've experienced these playoff games.