NHL

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Phoenix get through after beating Nashville again to win 4-1 overall . Their match up with LA should be a beauty . I think the Coyotes get home ice advantage but LA won't care . They'll probably relish starting off away from home again . Over in the East the Rangers hold a 3-2 advantage over Washington after their last gasp win today . The Devils lead the Flyers 3-1 but Philadelphia may not be done with yet . They play each other tomorrow at 9.30am Oz time . On Fox3 'live' for those with cable .

I can't see Philadelphia winning without Giroux in the lineup. Similarly I can't see Washington coming back to beat the Rangers.

Seeing who comes out of the West will be very interesting. It would be great for the NHL if Phoenix could win the Cup, especially since they are still looking for a new owner. Meanwhile, if the Kings make it through and play the Rangers, they will have had the hardest possible route to a Cup by playing a #1 seed (Vancouver), #2 seed (St Louis), #3 seed (Phoenix) and a #1 seed (New York). Similarly, New York could have the easiest possible route to the Cup, if they end up playing New Jersey in the ECF and LA in the Finals. They would have faced a #8 (Ottawa), #7 (Washington), #6 (New Jersey), and #8 (Los Angeles).

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

The Devils have eliminated the Flyers. So it's going to be:

New Jersey vs. New York/ Washington

LA vs. Phoenix

[Macca 16,173]

I can't see Philadelphia winning without Giroux in the lineup. Similarly I can't see Washington coming back to beat the Rangers.

Seeing who comes out of the West will be very interesting. It would be great for the NHL if Phoenix could win the Cup, especially since they are still looking for a new owner. Meanwhile, if the Kings make it through and play the Rangers, they will have had the hardest possible route to a Cup by playing a #1 seed (Vancouver), #2 seed (St Louis), #3 seed (Phoenix) and a #1 seed (New York). Similarly, New York could have the easiest possible route to the Cup, if they end up playing New Jersey in the ECF and LA in the Finals. They would have faced a #8 (Ottawa), #7 (Washington), #6 (New Jersey), and #8 (Los Angeles).

Amazing how the 2 paths can be so different . You could argue that the 8 seeds are really the 15 and 16 seeds which makes the pathways even more dissimilar .

The Devils wrapped it up today which puts our last representative on this thread out . Would have thought we might have at least got one of the Flyers , Penguins , Canucks or Sharks into the last 4 but to no avail . Next year !

Unless of course , there is somebody out there on Demonland who follows one of the 5 remaining teams ? Beware of the jinx factor though !!

After the Canucks were eliminated I got on the Bruins (eliminated) , then St Louis (eliminated) .

Who's next ? hmmmm

Ok , I'm on Phoenix . C'mon the Coyotes !

Edited May 9, 2012 by Macca

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Amazing how the 2 paths can be so different . You could argue that the 8 seeds are really the 15 and 16 seeds which makes the pathways even more dissimilar .

The Devils wrapped it up today which puts our last representative on this thread out . Would have thought we might have at least got one of the Flyers , Penguins , Canucks or Sharks into the last 4 but to no avail . Next year !

Unless of course , there is somebody out there on Demonland who follows one of the 5 remaining teams ? Beware of the jinx factor though !!

After the Canucks were eliminated I got on the Bruins (eliminated) , then St Louis (eliminated) .

Who's next ? hmmmm

Ok , I'm on Phoenix . C'mon the Coyotes !

I think we're going to have to start labelling you the Kiss of Death, Macca!

Rangers and Washington playing tonight in Washington. We will have both conference final match-ups sorted out if the Rangers win.

[Macca 16,173]

I think we're going to have to start labelling you the Kiss of Death, Macca!

Rangers and Washington playing tonight in Washington. We will have both conference final match-ups sorted out if the Rangers win.

Yeah , how 'bout another nickname ! First there was 'Nuggets' , then 'Macca' and now 'Mozza' !

Capitals even the score ! Barry Melrose has tipped them to win in 7 . Last game is at MSG , Sunday 9.30am Oz time - Fox3 live

Edited May 10, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 16,173]

Rangers get through to the last 4 with a 2-1 win over Washington .

From here on in we'll get a game virtually every day . With the exception of next Sat (oz time) .

LA and Phoenix kick things off tomorrow at 10am . Not on Foxtel ! What am I paying a premium for ? Unacceptable . I'll find a way to tune into the game though .

The Rangers play the Devils the following day . Hey 'GTG' - have they got a name for this match-up ? Like the subway series in baseball ? And does it get a bit "Willing" on the ice and in the crowd ?

Edited May 13, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 16,173]

LA go 1 up . Playing away from home is like a walk in the park for these blokes . Amazing run they're having .

Devils at Rangers today in game 1 - 10am fox3

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Rangers get through to the last 4 with a 2-1 win over Washington .

From here on in we'll get a game virtually every day . With the exception of next Sat (oz time) .

LA and Phoenix kick things off tomorrow at 10am . Not on Foxtel ! What am I paying a premium for ? Unacceptable . I'll find a way to tune into the game though .

The Rangers play the Devils the following day . Hey 'GTG' - have they got a name for this match-up ? Like the subway series in baseball ? And does it get a bit "Willing" on the ice and in the crowd ?

I've heard it referred to as the Battle of the Hudson, but to be honest I haven't watched any games between NYR and NJ before. I'm very surprised NJ has made it this far, I thought that Brodeur was on his last legs and they wouldn't even make the playoffs. Good on them.

Los Angeles are the surprise of the season; undefeated on the road in the playoffs...maybe it's more of a home ice disadvantage if you're playing the Kings!

[Cards13 9,117]

Rangers to take game 1 but Devils to win the series. Would be amazing to be in NY/NJ area to see this series.

[Macca 16,173]

I've heard it referred to as the Battle of the Hudson, but to be honest I haven't watched any games between NYR and NJ before. I'm very surprised NJ has made it this far, I thought that Brodeur was on his last legs and they wouldn't even make the playoffs. Good on them.

Los Angeles are the surprise of the season; undefeated on the road in the playoffs...maybe it's more of a home ice disadvantage if you're playing the Kings!

The Battle of the Hudson ! Watched a bit of todays game and it wasn't as full on as the last time they met . Kings are just marching on , 6 away wins in succession .

Rangers to take game 1 but Devils to win the series. Would be amazing to be in NY/NJ area to see this series.

Yeah , the bars of New York would be an interesting eye-opener . Rangers won 3-0 today but there was no score going into the 3rd period .

[Cards13 9,117]

INDEED!! Well picked that ok but can the Rangers keep it up as the Devils have had a week off and will be better for the skate

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

I found last night's game quite boring, to be honest. I hope that a team from the West wins the Cup.

Game 2 happens tonight in Phoenix as the Kings look to remain unbeaten on the road.

[Macca 16,173]

I found last night's game quite boring, to be honest. I hope that a team from the West wins the Cup.

Game 2 happens tonight in Phoenix as the Kings look to remain unbeaten on the road.

Yeah , ya right , it wasn't much of a game . I was expecting fireworks . Maybe game 2 will provide some .

If Phoenix lose today it's probably all over . LA will be hard to stop .

[Macca 16,173]

LA wins 4 - 0 ! That's gotta be it for Phoenix . They'd have to win 4 of the next 5 . Another team I've jinxed ! Maybe I should start tipping against our Demons !

Meanwhile , over in the East , the Rangers play the Devils tomorrow .

Describing how these teams hate each other , Barry Melrose compared it to the USA against the Russians during the Cuban missile crises ! Gotta love Barry !!

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

LA wins 4 - 0 ! That's gotta be it for Phoenix . They'd have to win 4 of the next 5 . Another team I've jinxed ! Maybe I should start tipping against our Demons !

Meanwhile , over in the East , the Rangers play the Devils tomorrow .

Describing how these teams hate each other , Barry Melrose compared it to the USA against the Russians during the Cuban missile crises ! Gotta love Barry !!

LA is on fire. If I were the winner of NYR and NJD I would be praying that Phoenix can at least stretch the series out a bit so that they don't get an extended amount of rest before the final.

Gary Bettman would be absolutely thrilled with the likely prospect of a NYR LAK final... even more money in the pockets of an already VERY wealthy league

[Cards13 9,117]

LA is on fire. If I were the winner of NYR and NJD I would be praying that Phoenix can at least stretch the series out a bit so that they don't get an extended amount of rest before the final.

Gary Bettman would be absolutely thrilled with the likely prospect of a NYR LAK final... even more money in the pockets of an already VERY wealthy league

Kings dominating! And indeed the Eastern teams need the Kings to be pushed to at least the full 7 games but even if that happens they are a whole lot fresher than the Eastern teams and are playing what appears to be crisper hockey. The caveat to that is the Eastern teams seem to play with more ferocity in closing down the puck and shot blocking to the couple of games I have seen from the Western side of the draw.

Devils up 1-0, come on Devils!

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Kings dominating! And indeed the Eastern teams need the Kings to be pushed to at least the full 7 games but even if that happens they are a whole lot fresher than the Eastern teams and are playing what appears to be crisper hockey. The caveat to that is the Eastern teams seem to play with more ferocity in closing down the puck and shot blocking to the couple of games I have seen from the Western side of the draw.

Devils up 1-0, come on Devils!

Devils win 3-2, so it's now 1-1 in that series.

Phoenix and LA are in action tonight (or this morning for you) in LA. Phoenix will be without Martin Hanzal after he was suspended for his hit in Game 2.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Also, LA is 10-1 so far in the playoffs. Talk about turning it on at the right time.

[Cards13 9,117]

Also, LA is 10-1 so far in the playoffs. Talk about turning it on at the right time.

11-1 GTG, wowsa they will be very tough to beat. Would love to know how much "ice time"/game time they have played compared to Rangers or Devils over the playoffs.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

11-1 GTG, wowsa they will be very tough to beat. Would love to know how much "ice time"/game time they have played compared to Rangers or Devils over the playoffs.

It would take a miracle for Phoenix to come back from here. What a great feeling it would be to be a Los Angeles fan right now...barely squeaking in to the playoffs and now on the verge of the Stanley Cup finals.

[Macca 16,173]

Rangers beat the Devils 3-0 to take a 2-1 lead . All their goals were scored in the 3rd period in an identical fashion to their other win in this series .

Coyotes play the Kings in a few hours . It would be a major surprise if LA don't continue on their winning ways and clinch the series .

Edited May 20, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 16,173]

The Coyotes win a game ! Next game is in Phoenix . That means LA are favourites !!

Game 4 between the Rangers and the Devils tomorrow - 10am fox2 . Devils have to win this one otherwise they'll fall 3-1 down heading back to MSG .

Edited May 21, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 16,173]

Well done to those Devils . 2-2 now .

C'mon Phoenix ! Get on a roll ! Game time 11am fox1 .

[Cards13 9,117]

Go Devs!

1-1 after 1st period, Yotes should be up by a goal with plenty of fast breaks but can't get enough puck on the goalie. Kings short handed goal is a killer.

[Cards13 9,117]

3-2 Kings 2nd period, Kings looking the goods, so quick on the break.