NHL 2011-12 Season

[GrnMtnDragon [sherpa]]

And my examples were just to show that all teams/players do it, just as I posted originally. We seem to agree on all points except for claims that a player is sub-par for trying to gain an advantage to win a game. Basically, if you say that about Letang then the same applies to the ones I pointed out as well as every other player out there that does the same thing, correct?

My comment about Letang were directed at one instance because I was pissed off that it resulted in what I consider to be a cheap win. I've never been a fan of the "win at all costs" mentality and believe that there is an honorable way to compete by staying within the rules and a dishonorable way by abusing them or finding a cheat. That applies to sports, video games, and life in general.

If it's a one time occurrence, then I'll give Letang a pass ... same as I would Charra, Thomas, or anyone. As a Bruins fan who watches virtually every game, I assure you that neither of them makes a habit of diving and you'd be hard pressed to find evidence to the contrary. However anyone who habitually does things that violate the rules, or the spirit of sportsmanship, in order to win is in my opinion not only a sub-par player, but a sub-par human being.

[TC Mooch]

I don't want hockey to turn into soccer (and a bit of a stretch but I'm going to say it anyways, basketball) in that half your job is to play the sport in which you're paid and the other half is to be an actor/actress.

[Sheriff_Bullock]

Coyotes beat the Blues tonight 4-1 and moved into the division lead.

[RageofKronos]

My comment about Letang were directed at one instance because I was pissed off that it resulted in what I consider to be a cheap win. I've never been a fan of the "win at all costs" mentality and believe that there is an honorable way to compete by staying within the rules and a dishonorable way by abusing them or finding a cheat. That applies to sports, video games, and life in general.

If it's a one time occurrence, then I'll give Letang a pass ... same as I would Charra, Thomas, or anyone. As a Bruins fan who watches virtually every game, I assure you that neither of them makes a habit of diving and you'd be hard pressed to find evidence to the contrary. However anyone who habitually does things that violate the rules, or the spirit of sportsmanship, in order to win is in my opinion not only a sub-par player, but a sub-par human being.

I agree 100%. It's like holding and pass interference in football, walking or picking in basketball, etc. Everyone does it at one time or another. Sometimes they get caught sometimes they don't. They all act innocent but they are guilty as hell.

[Warin]

A great finish to the season! I will fully admit that I expected the Rangers or the Blues to top the league this season, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the Canucks eke out a second Presidents Trophy win in as many years.

How do people feel about their respective teams first round match ups? I am glad Vancouver won't meet the Blackhawks in the first round! That falls to Sheriff's Coyotes, and I hope they make quick work of the 'hawks. I have a feeling the Sens will fall to the rangers in 5 games, which makes me sad considering they are the only other Canadian team. I think Boston will do well against the Caps. Hopefully Pittsburgh beats the Flyers.

What do the rest of you think?

[KAZUYA]

I did not expect to lose against the caps yesterday.... but 1 goal after 30 secs and the second after 2 mins... is a killer!
Besides that we had 37 shots on goal against 15... so I feel very good. Many lose pucks without anybody to get the rebound, etc... to make it simple.. nothing can get worst , so that is encouraging.

[TC Mooch]

Alright folks, playoff hockey is upon us so that means first round predictions! So, who you got?

(1) New York Rangers v.s. (8) Ottawa Senators

(1) Vancouver Canucks v.s. (8) L.A. Kings


(2) Boston Bruins v.s. (7) Washington Capitals

(2) St. Louis Blues v.s. (7) San Jose Sharks


(3) Florida Panthers v.s. (6) New Jersey Devils

(3) Phoenix Coyotes v.s. (6) Chicago Blackhawks


(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v.s. (5) Philly Flyers

(4) Nashville Predators v.s. (5) Detroit Red Wings

[TC Mooch]

(1) New York Rangers v.s. (8) Ottawa Senators: If Senators can get hot, expect this series to go to the wire. But, I have Rangers in 7.

(1) Vancouver Canucks v.s. (8) L.A. Kings: Canucks in 5.


(2) Boston Bruins v.s. (7) Washington Capitals: Bruins in 4. I'm not very high on the Capitals.

(2) St. Louis Blues v.s. (7) San Jose Sharks: Blues in 5. Sharks go down in the playoffs...again.


(3) Florida Panthers v.s. (6) New Jersey Devils: Devils in 5.

(3) Phoenix Coyotes v.s. (6) Chicago Blackhawks: If Toews is back without rust, 'hawks have a better chance and could win in 7. If he isn't, then Phoenix wins in 7.


(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v.s. (5) Philly Flyers: This is the series I'm most interested in for the first round. Should be brutal. Flyers in 7.

(4) Nashville Predators v.s. (5) Detroit Red Wings: Red Wings seem like the easy pick here but I'm going to go with the Preds in 6 just because.

[GrnMtnDragon [sherpa]]

I would much have preferred for the Bruins to play Ottawa as we've owned them this year 5-1. I am nowhere near as confident against the Capitals, because they can be good if they try ... the caveat is they have to try. The B's are by far the more talented team, but IMO they might be primed for a first series let down because they could run out of gas after the longest season possible last year. They've had extended periods of both brilliance and incompetence this season, but are playing much better recently and are 9-3 in their last 12 games. D Johnny Boychuck being gone is not going to help things, but barring any other injuries, they're probably deep enough at D. A short series against the Caps (in the right direction ) would be wonderful though.

I will abstain from picking western division series because I really don't know the teams and they'd be WAGs.

I see the Pittsburgh / Philly series being a bloodbath and I hope both teams just beat the stuffing out of each other, but I'll take Pittsburgh in 7 due to home ice advantage and goaltending. The Rangers should have an easy time of it with Ottawa (5 games) and I'm rooting all the way for the Panthers so the Bruins don't have to play the winner of the 4/5 series. Florida in 7 with home ice being the difference again.

[KAZUYA]

(1) New York Rangers v.s. (8) Ottawa Senators

(1) Vancouver Canucks v.s. (8) L.A. Kings

(2) Boston Bruins v.s. (7) Washington Capitals

(2) St. Louis Blues v.s. (7) San Jose Sharks

(3) Florida Panthers v.s. (6) New Jersey Devils

(3) Phoenix Coyotes v.s. (6) Chicago Blackhawks

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v.s. (5) Philly Flyers

(4) Nashville Predators v.s. (5) Detroit Red Wings

- I believe Bruins/Capitals will be closer than what people think. Maybe even 7 games.
- We had a rough year against the Sens, but I hope the time will wake up.
- Pens vs Flyers will be a bloodbath! Can't wait to watch this series
- Coyotes vs Blackhawks will be another interesting series, same as Nashville vs Detroit.