Game 7 Glory!

TheGriceBoys

TheGriceBoys

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Who will be the winners tonight?

I'm not sure if you'd say the Caps are underdgos or not based on their playoff history but they haven't really got over the hump as of yet. Ducks are definitely big time chokers having lost Game 7 the last four years in a ROW on home ice. Yikes.

I'll go with the current greatest Crosby, and the next one McDavid, so Pens and Oilers take their respective series in 7 tonight.
 
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I am going to take the home town Caps to finally put together a full 60 minutes and dominate the game on the boards. As for the second tilt, I don't have a dog in the fight, but I am feeling Anaheim (although that may not be a good thing for their chances).
 
I think the Oilers will win, IMO they are the better team. I think the Pens will win however the Caps have been way better the past 2 games. Fleury will need to be the first star.
 
I went heavy on Wash and Edm in my sportsKings tonight.
 
The Pens looked awful in G6 and the Caps' new lines seem to have the team fired up so although I'm a Crosby fan I've got to give the edge to Washington in G7, especially at home. This could actually be Washington's year. I hope I'm wrong though.

As for the west, Edmonton has had a line shuffle of their own that also seemed to get the offense rolling so I'm taking them over the Ducks tonight. I can't see the Ducks defending both McDavid and Draisitl effectively.

But who the hell knows, it's hockey after all :laugh:
 
gomaz said:
So true.

Does Ottawa have a chance against the Pens?
Click to expand...

I was hoping my Leafs would get Ottawa in the first round, as I felt that would be their best chance to advance another round, but to be honest, I under-estimated them totally. I didn't think Ottawa was gonna win one round, let alone two, so I wouldn't count them out at all, and wouldn't be shocked if they beat Pittsburgh. When you look at Pittsburgh's lineup full of stars, one has to wonder how they lose any games, but we all know it's all about the compete level, and who wants it more in the playoffs. I'm predicting a 7 game series, with Pittsburgh going on to the Cup finals.

As for Washington, I really think it's time to move on from Ovechkin, and get something of value back in return. They cannot win with this guy, it is not just bad luck. He was on for both Pittsburgh's goals tonight, and was again a non-factor in the biggest game of their season. I've always cheered for Ovy, but I'm convinced he's almost done. His one dimensional play is no longer working. I'm surprised he was so successful, for so long. Then again, Kessel's one timer is scary similar to Ovechkin. Sooner or later, these guys can take that play away from you, and if you have nothing else, or can't play defense, you are done in this league. Sure, he will still score 30 goals, but he's too much of a liability now, for those goals to matter much most games. :snapout:
 
Leafsfan1967 said:
I was hoping my Leafs would get Ottawa in the first round, as I felt that would be their best chance to advance another round, but to be honest, I under-estimated them totally. I didn't think Ottawa was gonna win one round, let alone two, so I wouldn't count them out at all, and wouldn't be shocked if they beat Pittsburgh. When you look at Pittsburgh's lineup full of stars, one has to wonder how they lose any games, but we all know it's all about the compete level, and who wants it more in the playoffs. I'm predicting a 7 game series, with Pittsburgh going on to the Cup finals.

As for Washington, I really think it's time to move on from Ovechkin, and get something of value back in return. They cannot win with this guy, it is not just bad luck. He was on for both Pittsburgh's goals tonight, and was again a non-factor in the biggest game of their season. I've always cheered for Ovy, but I'm convinced he's almost done. His one dimensional play is no longer working. I'm surprised he was so successful, for so long. Then again, Kessel's one timer is scary similar to Ovechkin. Sooner or later, these guys can take that play away from you, and if you have nothing else, or can't play defense, you are done in this league. Sure, he will still score 30 goals, but he's too much of a liability now, for those goals to matter much most games. :snapout:
Click to expand...

The big difference between Kessel and Ovie: Kessel isn't a leader and isn't called upon to be one. His job is to go out there and snipe goals and that's it. Ovie is good at standing on the dot and firing howitzers, and that's all he's going to be for the rest of his career. He doesn't even have the speed to get around a defender anymore like he used to. 2010 Ovie was frightening, 2017 Ovie is like an old cat swatting at flies on the front porch.

I don't think the Caps need to move him necessarily, but they absolutely have to take the "C" away and let Ovie just be a PP specialist without all the extra weight on his shoulders. A lot of things are going to change for the Caps this summer but it needs to start with the leadership core (that goes for Backstrom too, he doesn't get a pass from this either).
 
FrozenInferno said:
The big difference between Kessel and Ovie: Kessel isn't a leader and isn't called upon to be one. His job is to go out there and snipe goals and that's it. Ovie is good at standing on the dot and firing howitzers, and that's all he's going to be for the rest of his career. He doesn't even have the speed to get around a defender anymore like he used to. 2010 Ovie was frightening, 2017 Ovie is like an old cat swatting at flies on the front porch.

I don't think the Caps need to move him necessarily, but they absolutely have to take the "C" away and let Ovie just be a PP specialist without all the extra weight on his shoulders. A lot of things are going to change for the Caps this summer but it needs to start with the leadership core (that goes for Backstrom too, he doesn't get a pass from this either).
Click to expand...

That is true that Kessel isn't a leader, he really hasn't had to be one in his career, and definitely will not have to be one in Pittsburgh with all their top guys. Maybe that is best for him, as he doesn't like the limelight, and he can just go out, and do what he does best, and that is score goals. He has come a long ways since he was traded to Toronto from Boston. He's never gonna be that great 2-way player every team covets, but having seen a crap pile of his games here in Toronto, he's made great leaps to overcome that one dimensional, defensive liability tag, he's wore most of his career. He'll never be Bob Gainey, but he's a lot better now, later in his career.

Ovechkin isn't a leader either, IMO. My definition of a leader is someone who goes out, and leads by example, especially in the big games like tonight. Ovechkin, like a lot of Russian players, for some reason seem to disappear in the playoffs, when you have to be at your best. Some will say it's just money, or greed, and that they don't get paid much in the playoffs, so the effort is not there. I don't know if that is true, but year after year the same thing happens, so at some point these rumours seem to make sense. If Ovechkin was a true leader of the Capitals, he'd play his arse off in the playoffs. Some games, his name wasn't hardly even called, and let's not get me started on Shattenkirk. That guy is not worth the $7+ million a year for multi-years some dumb *** GM will pay him this summer. he did squat for this team, since arriving. He was invisible during the Leafs series, and pretty much the same verses the Pens. No way in hell I want Toronto to sign this guy. No way in hell.

The Caps barely beat a team of rookies with a bad defense to get past the Leafs. No idea how they were so good in the regular season, as this team was full of holes. Holtby is a great goalie, but he's easily beatable some nights. Their best player, IMO was Oshie, and Williams is always solid in the playoffs.

True leaders shine when the playoffs start. Getzlaf, and Toews, for example. I love Ovechkin, but in my mind, he'll never be anywhere near a leader like these guys I mentioned. You mentioned Backstrom, and yes he didn't do much of late, but he was pretty good most of the games, so i don't think he's part of the problem. Gonna be worse for Washington's defense if Alzner leaves this summer. I'm hoping my Lweafs can get him, I'd love to see him in blue, and white. :dance:
 
Leafsfan1967 said:
That is true that Kessel isn't a leader, he really hasn't had to be one in his career, and definitely will not have to be one in Pittsburgh with all their top guys. Maybe that is best for him, as he doesn't like the limelight, and he can just go out, and do what he does best, and that is score goals. He has come a long ways since he was traded to Toronto from Boston. He's never gonna be that great 2-way player every team covets, but having seen a crap pile of his games here in Toronto, he's made great leaps to overcome that one dimensional, defensive liability tag, he's wore most of his career. He'll never be Bob Gainey, but he's a lot better now, later in his career.

Ovechkin isn't a leader either, IMO. My definition of a leader is someone who goes out, and leads by example, especially in the big games like tonight. Ovechkin, like a lot of Russian players, for some reason seem to disappear in the playoffs, when you have to be at your best. Some will say it's just money, or greed, and that they don't get paid much in the playoffs, so the effort is not there. I don't know if that is true, but year after year the same thing happens, so at some point these rumours seem to make sense. If Ovechkin was a true leader of the Capitals, he'd play his arse off in the playoffs. Some games, his name wasn't hardly even called, and let's not get me started on Shattenkirk. That guy is not worth the $7+ million a year for multi-years some dumb *** GM will pay him this summer. he did squat for this team, since arriving. He was invisible during the Leafs series, and pretty much the same verses the Pens. No way in hell I want Toronto to sign this guy. No way in hell.

The Caps barely beat a team of rookies with a bad defense to get past the Leafs. No idea how they were so good in the regular season, as this team was full of holes. Holtby is a great goalie, but he's easily beatable some nights. Their best player, IMO was Oshie, and Williams is always solid in the playoffs.

True leaders shine when the playoffs start. Getzlaf, and Toews, for example. I love Ovechkin, but in my mind, he'll never be anywhere near a leader like these guys I mentioned. You mentioned Backstrom, and yes he didn't do much of late, but he was pretty good most of the games, so i don't think he's part of the problem. Gonna be worse for Washington's defense if Alzner leaves this summer. I'm hoping my Lweafs can get him, I'd love to see him in blue, and white. :dance:
Click to expand...

Agree on Shattenkirk. When the playoffs started (before I had watched much Caps/Shattenkirk hockey) I was thinking he might be a good signing for the Leafs this summer if the money was right. After watching him closely in the Leafs series, then again in the Pens series, I have to say he's nothing special and was borderline awful. Like you say, some GM somewhere will pay him $7mil because he's a decent right hand shot defensemen but he's not worth that to most teams.

As for Alzner and the Leafs... Meh. I don't think he has the speed to fit into our fast, youthful system. Besides I don't think we need to spend a fortune on a defenseman this summer just because we can. We're better off building our blueline in the draft for free. Hell, you could say we've already got a better defense core than the Penguins do and look how far they're going sans Letang. With Rielly, Gardiner, and a freshly signed Zaitsev (at a bargain price no less) we are in very good shape d-wise already. Get Polak back healthy and maybe sign a third pair guy over the summer (word is we're signing a decent Swede, Calle Rosen, after the worlds) and I'd be happy.
 
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FrozenInferno said:
The big difference between Kessel and Ovie: Kessel isn't a leader and isn't called upon to be one. His job is to go out there and snipe goals and that's it. Ovie is good at standing on the dot and firing howitzers, and that's all he's going to be for the rest of his career. He doesn't even have the speed to get around a defender anymore like he used to. 2010 Ovie was frightening, 2017 Ovie is like an old cat swatting at flies on the front porch.

I don't think the Caps need to move him necessarily, but they absolutely have to take the "C" away and let Ovie just be a PP specialist without all the extra weight on his shoulders. A lot of things are going to change for the Caps this summer but it needs to start with the leadership core (that goes for Backstrom too, he doesn't get a pass from this either).
Click to expand...



i always get the feeling that Ovy is the same type of player that Brett Hull was, just maybe a bit more physical cause I dont think I ever saw Hull throw a body check, lol, but that aside, Pittsburgh played a great game and i think edmonton got robbed but hey Im just an arm chair coach, lol.:beer:
 
Erik Karlsson is some kind of special right now. He is playing out of this world. I wouldn't be surprised if Ottawa pulled off the upset.
 
After the first 5 minutes, it looked like the Caps went into the witness protection program. I think I heard Kuznetsov's name get mentioned sometime in the 2nd period and I was like, oh yeah, he does play for this team (and then the next time I noticed him was in the handshake line). The started to look really tight after they didn't score in the first few minutes as evidenced by all the missed shots from within 5 feet of the goal. IMO, the 2nd goal Holtby let in wasn't a good one either....
 
Read through this entire thread and no one mentions Marc-Andre Fleury after last night? He played out of his mind and kept Pittsburgh in it when Washington had their surges.
 
I'll say this:

Until proven otherwise, ALWAYS pick Crosby over Ovechkin.

Some great hockey last night, really looking forward to the conference finals!
 
Wow gotta love the playoffs!!! Beauty games last night!! Congrats to Pittsburgh and Anaheim. Oilers, that was a great product you put on the ice!! Ottawa, you had a great run against the mediocre teams....unfortunately you wont win another game in these playoffs. Anaheim and Nashville, this one is gonna be tight......Ducks in 7. Pittsburgh VS Anaheim cup final...that'll be a gooder!!
 

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