The 2015 NHL Playoffs!

LineInTheSand

USCGA 2006
10-Year Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
9,295
The 2015 NHL playoffs start tonight.

Who is your team? Who are you cheering for? Who do you think will win the Stanley Cup?

My team is the Nashville Predators. I will cheer for the Preds in the West and I'll throw some passive support for the Pittsburgh Penguins (where I was born) and the Washington Capitals (where I basically live, and the coaching staff are ex-Preds).

Again, while I can watch other teams, I'm a Preds fan, through and through.
 
The AV's are out of it but since I grew up in The Bronx I'll have to go with my second team the Rangers!

I know I'm going up against Fencer and you but Rangers all the way!
 
I'm a huge Ranger fan so of course I am rooting for them. I think Montreal has a great shot as well. Out of the west my pick is St. Louis.
 
That first game between the Predators and Blackhawks was an entertaining one. That was some fast, non-stop hockey.

Honestly, I think the Preds looked like the better team 5-on-5 but got themselves into trouble (and lost momentum) with the penalties. Granted, not all of the penalties were warranted, but if you're killing a penalty, don't get another one!

If the Preds play like they did in game one, for the series, without the dumb penalties…. they'll take it.
 
LITS: That first period between the Predators and Blackhawks was an eye opener. I don't agree with your assessment but would say that the Preds seemed a step faster and stronger offensively. Penalties and tremendous goal tending kept the Blackhawks alive. Here's a different take: if the Blackhawks play like they did in the first period for the majority of any game they will lose.
 
If the Blackhawks play like they did in the 1st period and 3rd period, and the Predators play like they did in the 1st and 3rd, the Blackhawks will lose.

Honestly, Darling kept the Hawks in that game. I knew he was good (he's a prospect on my fantasy team), but he stood on his head and made some huge saves that would have been absolutely crushing. Pekka Rinne had huge saves too, and I can't fault him on the ones that got in.

But the Preds will have no hope if they take dumb penalties, and essentially spend an entire period in the box. Two-man advantages can't happen, although there were some fairly weak calls, I prefer the refs let both sides play, 5-on-5.

I think that first game was the fastest paced game of the four 4 games.

I also appreciated that Nashville sang the National Anthem. Why? Well, Nashville fans were angry that Chicago fans cheer through the entire song, so they wanted to drown it out. Personally, I think cheering through the National Anthem is classless. I don't like when the Capitals fans yell "Red" and "OOOOoooo" and I don't like when the Stars fans yell "Stars" but I don't get Chicago's constant noise through it..... show some respect.

It's going to be a very entertaining series.
 
Regarding the National Anthem: I was disappointed to see how many people were checking their phones, talking, eating and everything else. Its not surprising but disappointing. I agree: everyone in the arena should "show some respect."
 
Regarding the National Anthem: I was disappointed to see how many people were checking their phones, talking, eating and everything else. Its not surprising but disappointing. I agree: everyone in the arena should "show some respect."

I appreciated the shot of the Preds fan about to fight some Blackhawks fans who were making noise during the Anthem. His wife or girlfriend was pulling him back. Metro Police will likely side with the Preds folks.... just so you know. HA!
 
The silence was deafening. I had to post and tip the hat to the Predators. Seems they can be very good against a struggling goalie and a team that fails to play defense! Ugh. Tough loss for Chicago and it won't go any better without a major change in defensive play. The veterans better dig deep and find the will to win.
 
They're the better team when they don't have two less people on the ice for a majority of the period, you are correct. There was nothing different last night about their play than their was on Wednesday, except that they didn't take dumb penalties. Put Darling in, the Preds can beat him too. I said before the series started though, Crawford has had issues all season. Darling had looked good every time he's played, but eventually even he will struggle (all goalies do).

See the photo of six Blackhawks on the ice for a goal?

It's a fun series, you can tell there's not a lot of love there. HA!
 
I shouldn't be debating with a hockey player! Still got to root for the home team and hope they find a way.
 
The pressure is on for my Preds. If they can win the next game they'll again have home ice advantage…. if not…. yikes.
 
Well, that was painful. Good game, but damn, 3OT.

I seem to tune in as they get scored on too. I like to think it's not my fault..... but it keeps happening.

By the 3OT..... you're just waiting for a slip up, because everyone is so gassed that it's the only way to score.... a lost edge, a broken stick, a missed change....

Quite the hole now.
 
Back
Top