NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2021 - Page 9

Dru Edwards · #**121** 06-07-2021, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts

Gallant rumored to be front-runner for Rangers....

Rangers will be a playoff team with Gallant by his second year... and that's a tough division.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everton FC

The Habs getting to the Cup Final would be good for the NHL, and for Canadian hockey. If Vegas and the Avs go seven, and beat the hell out of one another in the process, this helps the Habs (though it isn't helping the Jets, as I type!)

Being a NYer, and the fact my Flames are playing golf this month, I'm pulling for the Isles. They will give the Bolts trouble, once again. Tampa Bay is juggernaut. But Trotz and the Isles slowed them down in last years playoffs. We shall see how it all ends up, soon enough. If the Isles can score, they have a chance at the upset - if they get by the Bruins. The Bolts are beating a very strong Hurricanes team.

Carey Price has come to form at the right time and the Canadiens have played great hockey. I don't want to diminish what they've done because they did beat Toronto (who I think choked) but this is the weakest division in the NHL.

Ratings will be super high in Canada if Montreal makes the Cup Final. There's a strong passion for, and against them just like any original 6. Can you imagine Montreal - Boston? Wow!

Lkristians · #**122** 06-07-2021, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Ratings will be super high in Canada if Montreal makes the Cup Final. There's a strong passion for, and against them just like any original 6. Can you imagine Montreal - Boston? Wow!

No, but I can imagine Montreal - Islanders!

Everton FC · #**123** 06-07-2021, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Rangers will be a playoff team with Gallant by his second year... and that's a tough division.

Carey Price has come to form at the right time and the Canadiens have played great hockey. I don't want to diminish what they've done because they did beat Toronto (who I think choked) but this is the weakest division in the NHL.

Ratings will be super high in Canada if Montreal makes the Cup Final. There's a strong passion for, and against them just like any original 6. Can you imagine Montreal - Boston? Wow!

Yes Habs/Bruins would be an incredible gift for Bettman and the NHL. As for the Canadian Division being the weakest - maybe it was tougher than we all thought.

We'll soon find out.

As for Gallant to the Rangers - perfect fit.

catdaddy · #**124** 06-08-2021, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lkristians

No, but I can imagine Montreal - Islanders!

I, for one, am not laughing about the Islanders being in the SCF. Lou Lamoriello is channeling his '94-'95 Stanley Cup Champion Devils team with this version of the Isles:

Great head coach: Devils: Jacques Lemaire Isles: Barry Trotz.
Shortened regular season: '94-'95: lockout 2021: pandemic
Both teams with highly structured, stifling team defense.
Both teams underdogs throughout the playoffs

In the '94-'95 SCF Lou Lamoriello's Devils swept the highly favored Redwings in what was a stunner of a final!

Beware Lou Lamoriello's Islanders!!

roberts · #**125** 06-08-2021, 10:14 AM

As a Ranger fan the thought of an Islanders Cup terrifies me

. I'm not sure I see the same team out there as the Devils. The Devils perfected that trap that no one could play against. The Islander D is just always in place, they're really big, and handle the puck really well at the blue line. This has been a helluva series....

catdaddy · #**126** 06-08-2021, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts

As a Ranger fan the thought of an Islanders Cup terrifies me

. I'm not sure I see the same team out there as the Devils. The Devils perfected that trap that no one could play against. The Islander D is just always in place, they're really big, and handle the puck really well at the blue line. This has been a helluva series....

Not the same team, but both systems share the focus of allowing very little room for offenses to work, and waiting for a mistake so they can counterattack. I'm seeing a very similar clog and counter strategy that worked so well for the Devils being deployed by these Islanders. And to be clear, I don't enjoy watching that brand of hockey, but I have to admire the brilliance of its application.

Lkristians · #**127** 06-08-2021, 10:46 AM

Still an Isles fan, and not trying to be patronizing, but don't forget all the posts and crossbars that the B's hit. Too close for comfort, even with a 3 goal lead. I was scared last night. Truly.

JJspecialK · #**128** 06-08-2021, 11:51 AM

Oh man. There will be riots in Montreal this spring.

fumei · #**129** 06-08-2021, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJspecialK

Oh man. There will be riots in Montreal this spring.

Either win OR lose.

JJspecialK · #**130** 06-08-2021, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fumei

Either win OR lose.

Yes. This isn't just a game.

Dru Edwards · #**131** 06-08-2021, 01:27 PM

Who would have thought the Canadiens would be the first team to clinch a trip to the Semi finals! The Mark Scheifele suspension will be talked about for a long time... he deserved it but the question will be "what if he hadn't done that and played the series". I'm thinking the Jets would have won a couple of games (there were some tight ones) but the Canadiens would have still won.

catdaddy · #**132** 06-10-2021, 09:31 AM

The Islanders clinched their spot in the Conference Final by beating the Bruins 6-2 last night. I haven't thought the Islanders were the better team in either of their series so far (vs the Pens and Bruins), but I'm not betting against them to keep on winning.

fumei · #**133** 06-10-2021, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Who would have thought the Canadiens would be the first team to clinch a trip to the Semi finals! The Mark Scheifele suspension will be talked about for a long time... he deserved it but the question will be "what if he hadn't done that and played the series". I'm thinking the Jets would have won a couple of games (there were some tight ones) but the Canadiens would have still won.

He did deserve it. What an idiot, and he knows better. And yes there will be plenty of Winnipeggers who will be doing the "what if". I personally think it is legitimate to ponder. However, whatever difference he would have made, yup, the Canadiens would have won.

Dru Edwards · #**134** 06-10-2021, 02:40 PM

Larry - congrats on the Islanders win. They deserved to win. <sniff, sniff>

Cassidy is going to have some explaining to do if it turns out Rask was injured. What's the point of having a backup if your #1 goalie gives up lots of goals in two consecutive games because they're injured and no one can come off the bench.

Lkristians · #**135** 06-10-2021, 03:50 PM

Thanks, Dru! It was a hard fought series, for sure.