GDT: Official Conference Semifinals thread

[Carolinas Identity*]

At the end of the day I want whoever wins the West to win. Not a fan of any of the East teams. Sharks then Kings. I'm pretty meh on Detroit and Chicago though. I'd cheer for them in a Final, but not really a fan.

 

[Bub]

Iginla would probably be my lone Pens representative. Not too sure about this Inigla guy you mentioned.

Kings- uhhhhh....JWilly? Regehr?

Bruins- Jagr by default, even if I don't want that...

Red Wings- Nobody I can immediately think of. Unless Colaiacovo injures himself lifting it, which would make my year.

Pretty funny, but I'll root against the Wings forever because Mitch Albom.

 

[Vagrant]

Has anybody mentioned yet that we allowed current playoff unlikely hero and now instant front runner for the Calder next season in Torey Krug to leave camp without a contract when he came here for camp. Three cheers for accurate talent evaluation!

 

[wolfofthesteppes]

Chip actually tweeted this earlier today:

Asked about Torey Krug, rookie D playing well for Bruins. Attended Canes prospect camp 2 yrs ago. Rutherford says Canes tried to sign Krug.

 

[Vagrant]

Chip actually tweeted this earlier today:

I have to wonder how much effort they really put into that, or when the attempt actually occurred. I doubt he would have went back to college after attending a camp if we had offered him a suitable deal. Who is to say he didn't offer him a contract when about 20 other teams did the next year after his breakout season in the NCAA?

Again, just playing devil's advocate. It's frustrating we didn't get him int he fold.

 

[DaveG]

IIRC we tried pretty damn hard and were one of teams he made the final decision between.

Yeah it would have been nice to have signed him after the training camp, but he wasn't quite as impressive in said camp. Also have to wonder if he would have broken out like this had he not gone back for that last year at MSU.

 

[Sens1Canes2]

I think you just have to realize that sometimes it's not about just being offered a contract.

 

[Anton Babchuk]

Like Ryan Murphy, Torey Krug is too small to play in the NHL

 

[BHD]

In recent years, it seems the 'Canes usually gives the Bruins fits. Why is that?

 

[Vagrant]

In recent years, it seems the 'Canes usually gives the Bruins fits. Why is that?

Overly physical team against a team that has a minimal physical presence. We basically allow them to take free shots against us, retaliatory penalties, and "tough" themselves right into the penalty box. You can't beat the Bruins playing their style. You have to allow them to get themselves in trouble taking excess penalties. But of course, hockey players are prideful guys and don't take kindly to being "pushed around", but good coaching will keep the guys under control.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

It also helped that there was history there.

The Bruins regularly beat the Canes until that playoff meeting in 09, and that series was heavily favored for the Bruins, due to their high seed (1st in the conference, IIRC) and the fact the Bruins swept the season series (and they weren't close games).

Game 2 (I believe) was when it seemed to changed. After a rough Game 1, Ward shut the door in Game 2, and the Canes had a relatively easy time in the next two (despite OT in Game 3).

The fact that the Canes ended up winning that series helped them play the Bruins the following couple years. It was easy to get them off their game after that, especially Lucic and Marchand.

Those two are who you have to focus on to win the series. If you can get them to do more harm to the Bruins than Krecji and Bergeron do to help, you can beat them.

 

[Vagrant]

I would say that getting Chara's goat is the better path to victory. The Bruins seem to follow his lead and I can't even count the number of times that guys like Chad have goaded him into taking the extra penalty and to play reckless hockey. When Chara is playing within himself and in control he's the toughest defender in hockey to beat. When he's focused on retaliation and extra whacks, he can be had.

 

[What the Faulk]

I have a strong feeling that the Red Wings will win Game 7 for some reason.

 

[tomdundo]

Well, this game left a sour taste in my mouth.

That penalty shot awarded to Frolik was...interesting. Not quite sure Colaiacovo really prevented any sort of attempt at a scoring chance for Frolik.


And now that I'm typing this, it's 4-3.

 

[HisIceness]

Go Chicago.

 

[cptjeff]

I have a strong feeling that the Red Wings will win Game 7 for some reason.

I really don't think so. Chicago has overcome the only adversary they've had in the season, and are back on a roll, in their home building, with 21,000 very loud fans behind them. They're by far the best team in the NHL this year, and while the Wings have been playing great, I think tonight was their only real chance to shut the door on it. I think you probably get a good game on Wedensday, but one Chicago will take control of late to close it out.

Of course, I tend to carry a torch for the Blackhawks, my dad grew up watching them and I've heard a lot about the late 60's and early 70's in Chicago. Seeing him root for the Habs to make the finals a few years ago so the Hawks could get revenge for 1973 (where he was at a few of the games) was pretty funny, and it was great to see them win that year.

 

[DaveG]

I really don't think so. Chicago has overcome the only adversary they've had in the season, and are back on a roll, in their home building, with 21,000 very loud fans behind them. They're by far the best team in the NHL this year, and while the Wings have been playing great, I think tonight was their only real chance to shut the door on it. I think you probably get a good game on Wedensday, but one Chicago will take control of late to close it out.

Of course, I tend to carry a torch for the Blackhawks, my dad grew up watching them and I've heard a lot about the late 60's and early 70's in Chicago. Seeing him root for the Habs to make the finals a few years ago so the Hawks could get revenge for 1973 (where he was at a few of the games) was pretty funny, and it was great to see them win that year.

I've been saying much the same to the dismay of some of my Wings fan friends. I was telling them after Game 4 that Detroit needs to win one of the next two, most likely Game 6, because there's no way in hell they're winning if it goes to 7. Even with Crawford in net this Chicago team has had that team of destiny vibe since the start of the year.

 

[nobuddy]

Rooting for a Blackhawks-Penguins series because awesome.

 

[What the Faulk]

I can't explain why I think the Wings will win. Prior to the start of the playoffs I had Anaheim winning the cup and Chicago making the conference finals. But when Detroit went up 3-1 I had a feeling Chicago would win the next two but lose in 7. Maybe I don't trust Crawford. Maybe I think Howard is going to have the game of his life and the forwards up front will do just enough.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm banking on a 3-2 Detroit win.

 

[Novacane]

I'm hoping and expecting San Jose and Chicago to pull their games out. Either one would at least give me a team to actually cheer for.

 

[tarheelhockey]

That Wings/Hawks game 7 is going to be a barn burner. My most anticipated non-Canes game of the year so far.

 

[rocky7]

well i said wings at the start so i'll stick with them. just really dislike the hawks for no good reason except maybe toew's face (never saw a player go to the penalty box to give a little hug to the captain before ).

hoping for sharks but bet on kings.

 

[Novacane]

Justin Williams lighting it up.

 

[Vagrant]

Justin Williams lighting it up.

Of all the players we've lost, I think I miss Willy the most. I really do.

 

[What the Faulk]

Forslund on the call, Williams scoring the goals. If I close my eyes, it's kind of like a Canes game.