NHL

[Gabber]

we have a thread for everything else but hockey, which is sinful

Leafs - omg, 8 and 3 to begin the season. The world is ending

Bruins - not so good but getting better

Avs - lost last night but a team in transition and winning record so far

Wings - hmmm looking very average so far

Kings - not bad, should be better

Habs - who cares...the more they lose the better

[Voobrazheniye]

You have conveniently forgotten about the Senators. Started out slowly, but look at them now! I doubt it will last, of course, but there does seem to be hope in the nation's capitol.

Speaking of Capitols... how about Ovechkin's bunch? I expected them to be in the finals last year. With Voikun, maybe this is the year.

I'm hopeful for the Avs. The rookie Landeskog is going to be a really good one. The nucleus is strong and young. Good things ahead!

Stars are surprising too.

And... yeah... how about them Leafs!

[Gabber]

big row about Ovechkin being benched for the last minute two nights ago. Caps ended up scoring without him.

Sens...blah, blah. Won't last

Stars - too much stuff happening in the background with ownership etc...I see them coming in 8th at best

Rangers brought back Avery...do you smell the desperation already? Thornton calls them soft and here comes Sean one day later.

[Sveta's Hero]

Two things that suck about being in San Diego: Traffic, and no hockey!

[Gabber]

Leafs in 1st place...I looked outside and the sky isn't falling. Bizarre

[Gabber]

I think I heard Phil laughing his arse off as the Bruins pasted the Leafs on Saturday.

Bills got pasted too. I have to buy a new pair of shoes as one of them is lodged in my TV

[Voobrazheniye]

At least the Leafs are still in first place (albeit not by much).

The Avs are starting to fade back to reality. They can't seem to win at home... go figure. Still, they have a good group of young players to build on. The future does look bright.

Speaking of a bright future, no one mentioned Edmonton. The Greasers are looking awfully good, and they should with two top draft picks. The "Bulin Wall" seems to be back as well. They could become scary-good in a hurry.

One of the best things for me is seeing that Philadelphia still can't seem to get it together. I've always hated that bunch, and I enjoy seeing them spend a bunch of money and go nowhere.

[Gabber]

I'm the same way when it comes to Philly. Always hope they lose. I would prefer the Bruins win than Philly (little shot at Phil):biggrin:

[Voobrazheniye]

I'm the same way when it comes to Philly. Always hope they lose. I would prefer the Bruins win than Philly (little shot at Phil):biggrin:

It appears that the bears are starting to come out of their post-Stanly Cup hibernation.

[Gabber]

Did anyone see the highlight for this?

Last night in Tampa Bay the Lightning were playing a 1-3-1 trap against Philadelphia. While in their zone, Philly defensemen stood still for over a minute waiting for the TB forward to attack. They did this twice before the ref blew the whistle. Outrageous. Philly players were taunting the TB forwards for not attacking the zone, it was so strange to watch.

[Gabber]

uEKE8QTbDTs

[Voobrazheniye]

Did anyone see the highlight for this?

Last night in Tampa Bay the Lightning were playing a 1-3-1 trap against Philadelphia. While in their zone, Philly defensemen stood still for over a minute waiting for the TB forward to attack. They did this twice before the ref blew the whistle. Outrageous. Philly players were taunting the TB forwards for not attacking the zone, it was so strange to watch.

I have always hated trap defenses. I think that's why I despise the New Jersey Devils so much. They started it, then it became the "way to play" for more than a decade. Great offensive players like Peter Forsberg were really punished by the trap and all the clutching, grabbing and other abuses that went on. It is NOT how hockey should be played.

[Voobrazheniye]

Interesting to look at how the teams have done during the first half of the season. Some big surprises, such as the Senators actually pushing the Bruins a bit in the Northeast and the Leafs sustaining a solid bid for a playoff spot. Seems both those teams have really improved. I am shocked (but not unhappy) to see Les Habitants mired at the bottom.

I thought the Rangers would be playoff-worthy, but they're turning into beasts now. Still... they are New York, and I hate New York. I thought this would be the year that the Devils would fall in with the bottom feeders. But, alas, they are still in the playoff echelon.

Florida has been a big surprise, but I think they may be starting to fade now. And the Caps are not as strong as I thought they'd be, but they're still in striking distance of taking over the division lead. They'll probably win it.

It was a slow start for Vancouver, but they're looking really strong now. Leading the whole Western Conference. I still don't think they are completely solid in goal, however. Luongo can be a world-beater, but he can also be a dud at just the wrong moment.

My young Avalanche squad seems to have turned things around and are looking pretty good now. They are streaky, but I have faith that they'll finish in the top eight. It's sort of sad to see what's happening with Iginla in Calgary - I'd like to see him hoist the cup someday, but I don't think it's going to happen on that team.

Paul's Wings are near the top, as expected, but they are showing some weaknesses, and are really being pushed by Chicago and St. Louis. Chicago was to be expected, but the Blues? What a difference a coach can make!

Sharks? Ho-hum! They're leading the Pacific now, but playoff failure awaits.

Early prediction for the Cup finals: Ottawa over Vancouver in a shocker.

And all the Kanukhistanis said, "Amen"!

[Gabber]

I hate doubting you because you are almost always right, which may I add is great for betting revenue.

Interesting to look at how the teams have done during the first half of the season. Some big surprises, such as the Senators actually pushing the Bruins a bit in the Northeast and the Leafs sustaining a solid bid for a playoff spot. Seems both those teams have really improved. I am shocked (but not unhappy) to see Les Habitants mired at the bottom.

The Sens have done well based on good goaltending from a complete unknown as well as Jason Spezza becoming a hockey player. Next month they'll start to slide. The Leafs are much stronger than they appear. Watch them closely. Habs in last--- AWESOME



I thought the Rangers would be playoff-worthy, but they're turning into beasts now. Still... they are New York, and I hate New York. I thought this would be the year that the Devils would fall in with the bottom feeders. But, alas, they are still in the playoff echelon.


Hate the Rangers but they are good...not great but good. They are beatable. Florida will fade soon as you said while the Caps will start to gain strength.
Florida has been a big surprise, but I think they may be starting to fade now. And the Caps are not as strong as I thought they'd be, but they're still in striking distance of taking over the division lead. They'll probably win it.

It was a slow start for Vancouver, but they're looking really strong now. Leading the whole Western Conference. I still don't think they are completely solid in goal, however. Luongo can be a world-beater, but he can also be a dud at just the wrong moment.

Vancouver is strong and utterly painful to watch. Too many theatrics but if I hate them it is less than I hate the Bruins. Flames are too streaky and defence is a sieve. Avs- wait till next year but decent
My young Avalanche squad seems to have turned things around and are looking pretty good now. They are streaky, but I have faith that they'll finish in the top eight. It's sort of sad to see what's happening with Iginla in Calgary - I'd like to see him hoist the cup someday, but I don't think it's going to happen on that team.

Paul's Wings are near the top, as expected, but they are showing some weaknesses, and are really being pushed by Chicago and St. Louis. Chicago was to be expected, but the Blues? What a difference a coach can make!

Chicago is a powerhouse and Wings...sorry Paul C...they are showing signs of age
Sharks? Ho-hum! They're leading the Pacific now, but playoff failure awaits.

no competition

Early prediction for the Cup finals: Ottawa over Vancouver in a shocker. [/SIZE]
Won't happen but it would be nice for Canuckhistanis but horrible for Gary BettmanAnd all the Kanukhistanis said, "Amen"

Amen

![/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE]

[Voobrazheniye]

Now THAT had to have taken some work!

[Sveta's Hero]

The Wings have been showing "signs of age" for the last 10 years LOL
But year after year, they're right there in the hunt. Twenty-two straight seasons without missing the playoffs. Never count them out.

[Sveta's Hero]

Leading the NHL in points, and 20 straight home wins in a league where home ice doesn't mean a lot. I know I know, it's not the playoffs, but the "old" guys are playing pretty darn well right now.

[Gabber]

I wish the Leafs had these old guys.


Leafs suck