The 2007 NHL Playoffs Thread

[Storgers]

Originally Posted by marc

Am I being blinded by my Detroit hatred or are they insanely lucky to be up 3-2 in this series??

Partly blinded, Partly correct.

Detroit has come out completely flat in 4 of the 5 games and fallen behind. 3 times 2-0. That is something you don't usually get away with in the playoffs, so they are very lucky in that respect.

However, every single time San Jose has gotten the lead they have completely sat back and let Detroit take it to them, they have had no killer instinct.

Detroit has outshot San Jose in all 5 games. Very badly after the first period in every game except game 3. Overall they have outplayed San Jose in maybe all 5 games...the possible exception could be game 3.

San Jose has shown flashes, but no consistency at all. Detroit is very lucky in the fact that they have fallen behind and that Hasek has let in some weak goals (especially early). But overall Detroit has been the better team in the series.

However, Detroit losing Schneider for the playoffs could really help the Sharks.

[Bluenoser]

Great game last night, some awesome hits from both teams. Sens are looking like a very serious and focused team. Even after giving up the two goal lead they didn't melt like in previous years. They showed a lot of grit and determination.

The Sabres on the other hand looked like they were lost for lenghty stretches of the game and were clearly outplayed. Their special teams were aweful for the most part. I'm sure Lindy had some choice words for them after the game.

[canadiancreed]

It's funnyy that you mention the Sens performance. A lot of folks here (mostly Leaf fans it seems) were saying that their performance wasnt' nearly as good as it was against the Devils.

If that's bad, I'd hate to see the score at good.

[duff88]

For anyone who's team is eliminated and have nothing to look forward to, I made this:

2007 NHL Draft Top 100 - Profiles - Stats - Reports

1 Patrick Kane RW
2 Jakub Voracek RW
3 James Van Riemsdyk LW
4 Kyle Turris C
5 Karl Alzner LD
6 Kevin Shattenkirk RD
7 Alexei Cherepanov RW
8 Keaton Ellerby LD
9 Ryan McDonagh LD
10 Sam Gagner C
11 Logan Couture C
12 James O'Brien C
13 Thomas Hickey LD
14 Zach Hamill C
15 Lars Eller C
16 Bill Sweatt LW
17 Patrick White C
18 Jonathon Blum RD
19 Ian Cole LD
20 Angelo Esposito C
21 Brett MacLean LW
22 Tommy Cross LD
23 Dana Tyrell LW
24 Mikael Backlund C
25 Simon Hjalmarsson LW
26 Mark Katic LD
27 Oscar Moller RW
28 Maxim Mayorov LW
29 Joakim Anderson C
30 Logan MacMillan C

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Not as grand as previous drafts, but still has interest with the likes of US-born game-changer Kane. Espisito was a top 10 player last I saw, wonder what happened.

[duff88]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

Not as grand as previous drafts, but still has interest with the likes of US-born game-changer Kane. Espisito was a top 10 player last I saw, wonder what happened.

Living in Chicoutimi and with the huge Sags-Remparts rivalry, I can say Esposito is one of the prospects I've seen the most in this draft and I think he has some huge weaknesses. He has the potential to be an excellent player, but I think there are some big risks around him. Plus he doesn't work very hard and he is often unnoticeable in important moments. There comes a point where you have to pick him based on that potential, but not before some of the guys ahead of him.

This is a weak draft, but it's a pretty good one as far as americans go:

1. Patrick Kane
3. James Van Riemsdyk
6. Kevin Shattenkirk
9. Ryan McDonagh
12. James O'Brien
16. Billy Sweatt
17. Patrick White
18. Jonathon Blum
19. Ian Cole
22. Tommy Cross
32. Max Pacioretty
33. Ted Ruth
42. Eric Tangradi
45. Mike Hoeffel
46. Joe Lavin
49. Nick Petrecki
52. Jeremy Smith
54. Aaron Palushaj
55. Jake Hansen
56. Colby Cohen
61. Nick Larson
62. T.J. Brennan
66. Nick Bonino
70. Nick Palmieri
71. Will Weber
72. Vincent LoVerde
76. Blake Kessel (Phil's brother)
80. Ben Blood
89. Brad Phillips
93. Matt Marshall
97. Justin Vaive (Rick's son)

Also a pretty good defenseman for Swedish players. There are quite a few interesting defenseman too, especially offensive defensemen like Hickey and Katic.

[Muppetus Galacticus]

How many Finnish goalies?

[duff88]

Originally Posted by Muppetus Galacticus

How many Finnish goalies?

There are none really attracting this year. It's not a very good crop of european goalies.

Swede Joel Gistedt is the best one and the only one in my top 100, but he was already passed over once in the draft.

German Timo Pielmeier was pretty impressive in the WJC, he has a good chance of being drafted in the late rounds.

Another swede, "Mark in the Park" Owuya is certainly going to be drafted, I don't really like him nor do I like his attitude.

Czech Marek Benda, russians Vadim Zhelobnyuk and Sergei Gayduchenko are among the other interesting europeans in my opinion.

CSB has it this way:

1. Joel Gistedt (SWE)
2. Mark Owuya (SWE)
3. Marek Benda (CZE)
4. Juha Metsola (FIN)
5. Tomas Hiadlovsky (SVK)
6. Sergei Bobrovsky (RUS)
7. Christian Engstrand (SWE)
8. Damiano Ciaccio (SWI)
9. Zdenko Kotvan (SVK)
10. Timo Pielmeier (GER)
11. Vadim Zhelobnyuk (RUS)
12. Juha Jarvenpaa (FIN)
13. Sergei Gayduchenko (RUS)
14. Eddie Lack (SWE)
15. Tomas Vosvrda (CZE)

[Muppetus Galacticus]

Giving us some great info duff!

[Bluenoser]

Senators - what can you say. A totally different team than in the past. They fall behind by two and just dig deeper. Another solid performance and another win. First time in their history they've taken a 2-0 lead in a series.

Cudos to the Sabres as well, they played a lot better than game one.

Scotiabank Place will be rocking Monday evening.

[canadiancreed]

Cant' wait for it The goal with four seconds to go with a pisser, but the blast from the blue lin e(who IS that guy?!) was a nice topping on the cake there.

[Bluenoser]

Senators are on a mission.......

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by BruceM

Senators are on a mission.......

And it is indeed a glorious mission. The air in Eastern Ontario is eletric with excitement. Here's hoping that Game Four will be just as good.

I do wonder though if I'm the only one that roots for the Canadian team to make the playoffs, like Edmonton last year, or Calgary before, even if there not a fan. I've never seen so many people rooting for a Yankee team to win ever. Kind of sad really.

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

I do wonder though if I'm the only one that roots for the Canadian team to make the playoffs, like Edmonton last year, or Calgary before, even if there not a fan.

Well I've been a diehard Habs fan since I was old enough to watch hockey (58/59 season) and when they don't make the play-offs I don't really root for any team.

I am however, just as big a fan of the game as I am of the Habs and watch the play-offs religiously. I will say it would be nice to see the Cup come home to Canada.

This past season I was in hockey heaven too as we finally got the Centre Ice package here in Halifax. There were games on every night of the week all season long. Can you say euphoria

[duff88]

Originally Posted by BruceM

Well I've been a diehard Habs fan since I was old enough to watch hockey (58/59 season) and when they don't make the play-offs I don't really root for any team.

I am however, just as big a fan of the game as I am of the Habs and watch the play-offs religiously. I will say it would be nice to see the Cup come home to Canada.

This past season I was in hockey heaven too as we finally got the Centre Ice package here in Halifax. There were games on every night of the week all season long. Can you say euphoria

Wow, you sir have all my respect. I would have loved to be there back in the day.

I've got a two questions for you, if you don't mind:

1- What do you think about Saku Koivu?
2- Do you speak french?

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by BruceM

Well I've been a diehard Habs fan since I was old enough to watch hockey (58/59 season) and when they don't make the play-offs I don't really root for any team.

I am however, just as big a fan of the game as I am of the Habs and watch the play-offs religiously. I will say it would be nice to see the Cup come home to Canada.

This past season I was in hockey heaven too as we finally got the Centre Ice package here in Halifax. There were games on every night of the week all season long. Can you say euphoria

Sounds awesome. As I do not (nor indeed have a tv to watch it), I can only imagine.

And funny that, Habs fan since 86, Sens as well since inception. Good times.

[Kekkonen]

Two words about game #3 of the Wings - Ducks series:

What the $#@*?

[Bluenoser]

Originally Posted by duff88

Wow, you sir have all my respect. I would have loved to be there back in the day.

I've got a two questions for you, if you don't mind:

1- What do you think about Saku Koivu?
2- Do you speak french?

1. A very good player but not great. If he were on a line with someone like Patrik Elias and Dany Heatley he'd be much more productive. Keep in mind he's only ever played for a team that thinks defense, defense, defense, and then offense. I believe he could raise his game to another level were he given the right opportunity.

2. I used to speak french fairly well, but haven't used the language in so long that it's pretty rusty now. I can make simple conversation like asking for directions or ordering food but I can't carry on a normal everyday conversation.

[darkenigma510]

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

And it is indeed a glorious mission. The air in Eastern Ontario is eletric with excitement. Here's hoping that Game Four will be just as good.

I do wonder though if I'm the only one that roots for the Canadian team to make the playoffs, like Edmonton last year, or Calgary before, even if there not a fan. I've never seen so many people rooting for a Yankee team to win ever. Kind of sad really.

Yeah, but doesn't Ottawa got lots of Leaf fans? I doubt many Leaf fans would cheer for the Sens even if they are the last Cdn team in.

[darkenigma510]

dola,

The Sens, being the Anti-Leafs, are actually popular out West, FWIW.