23 hours ago, Macca said:

You'll need to win out starting with St Louis tomorrow (our time) ... and then hope Minnesota slips up.

It's possible but Minnesota would have to drop at least 2 games ... ya never know

Roy and Sakic must be in thin ice by now. That is 2 years in a row and Roy tactics leave a lot to be desired. Our goalies are constantly shelled and left exposed. It was said 2 years ago when we had the improbable run to the playoffs the system just won't hold up... It hasn't. 

The 16 playoff teams are nearly settled and once again the Stanley cup race is wide open ... one could make a case for any number of teams to win it.  It's up for grabs, that's for sure. 

The Bruins may even miss out altogether whilst Pittsburgh have won 9 of their last 10 and might be the team to beat (they'll probably play the Rangers or Islanders first up)

Nearly all the division seedings are still undecided with only Washington clinching the top seed in their division (so far) ... once again, it promises to be a fascinating post-season.  2 months of playoff hockey - bliss!

Here's the playoff picture .... my tips in dark italics (I'll get at least 3 wrong)

Washington vs Philadelphia

Florida vs New York Islanders

Pittsburgh vs New York Rangers

Tampa Bay vs Detroit

Dallas vs Minnesota

Anaheim vs Nashville

Los Angeles vs San Jose

St. Louis vs Chicago

RIP Canada hockey

Red Wings to beat Lightning in Datsyuk's farewell, can't see the Bolts going all the way without Stamkos.

Going for the Sharks - although Caps/Penguins/Blackhawks will probably win.

Bring on the Octopus!

On April 11, 2016 at 5:07 AM, Macca said:

Here's the playoff picture .... my tips in dark italics (I'll get at least 3 wrong)

Washington vs Philadelphia

Florida vs New York Islanders

Pittsburgh vs New York Rangers

Tampa Bay vs Detroit

Dallas vs Minnesota

Anaheim vs Nashville

Los Angeles vs San Jose

St. Louis vs Chicago

Been absent from this thread for a while, but I'll throw my picks in too:

Washington vs Philadelphia (5 Games)

Florida vs New York Islanders (7 Games)

Pittsburgh vs New York Rangers (6 Games)

Tampa Bay vs Detroit (7 Games)

Dallas vs Minnesota (5 Games)

Anaheim vs Nashville (6 Games)

Los Angeles vs San Jose (6 Games)

St. Louis vs Chicago (5 Games)

the Blues just knocked out the reigning champs in game 7 WHOA

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

HELLO MR. MATTHEWS!!

On May 1, 2016 at 7:07 AM, 3Dee said:

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

HELLO MR. MATTHEWS!!

A bit of a delayed response (haven't posted in a while), but how nice was Shanahan's [censored] eating grin when he discovered we won the first pick? 

Just caught last 10mins of Blues v Sharks, Sharks hit the post twice with empty net with Elliott making some huge saves.. couldn't score.

We might end up with San Jose against the Pens in the final - hoping for that anyway. 

Pittsburgh were quite impressive today whilst the Sharks have their next 2 games at home ... win both and they'll have a 3-1 lead in their series against the Blues.

On May 19, 2016 at 6:34 AM, Macca said:

We might end up with San Jose against the Pens in the final - hoping for that anyway. 

Pittsburgh were quite impressive today whilst the Sharks have their next 2 games at home ... win both and they'll have a 3-1 lead in their series against the Blues.

I think Pittsburgh is a pretty safe bet to make the final, and while I agree that San Jose look good, I wouldn't be surprised to see the West go either way. 
How good has Matt Murray been for Pittsburgh? Pretty amazing to think that he's a rookie when he's playing like he has been.

13 hours ago, Good Times Grimes said:

I think Pittsburgh is a pretty safe bet to make the final, and while I agree that San Jose look good, I wouldn't be surprised to see the West go either way. 
How good has Matt Murray been for Pittsburgh? Pretty amazing to think that he's a rookie when he's playing like he has been.

Had a look at Murray's history and whilst there's a fair bit of game time in the transition/development/2nd tier leagues, I don't know a great deal about the strength of those leagues (you and others would know more)

Certainly he's been a great acquisition for the Pens (so far)  He was pulled from today's game but these things happen.

Anyway, Tampa looked good when going out to a 4-nil lead so that series is very much alive too.

 

You were right with your prediction of the West, Macca. SJ looked very strong last night to move through to the final.
Tonight it's the battle of the regular season backups (Vasilevskiy vs. Murray) as Tampa and Pittsburgh play game 7. You'd have to back Pittsburgh tonight given that they're at home and Tampa is likely going to be missing Stamkos. Still, a strong performance from either goalie could be enough to carry their team through.

4 hours ago, Good Times Grimes said:

You were right with your prediction of the West, Macca. SJ looked very strong last night to move through to the final.
Tonight it's the battle of the regular season backups (Vasilevskiy vs. Murray) as Tampa and Pittsburgh play game 7. You'd have to back Pittsburgh tonight given that they're at home and Tampa is likely going to be missing Stamkos. Still, a strong performance from either goalie could be enough to carry their team through.

Well, I'm never confident with these things but it's great to see a new team in the final (Sharks) ... and as you said, today's game could go either way.  The game is in Pittsburgh so that might give the advantage to the Pens.  I'll be tuning in whenever I get a chance

5 hours ago, Macca said:

Well, I'm never confident with these things but it's great to see a new team in the final (Sharks) ... and as you said, today's game could go either way.  The game is in Pittsburgh so that might give the advantage to the Pens.  I'll be tuning in whenever I get a chance

I won't spoil the result in case you were recording it, but it was a great game!

1 hour ago, Good Times Grimes said:

I won't spoil the result in case you were recording it, but it was a great game!

Managed to listen to some radio coverage ... will watch highlights later.

So it's Pittsburgh & San Jose ... should be a cracker of a series. 

15 hours ago, Macca said:

Managed to listen to some radio coverage ... will watch highlights later.

So it's Pittsburgh & San Jose ... should be a cracker of a series. 

It's a tough one to predict. To me, SJ looks stronger overall on paper, but Pittsburgh's star players are better. I'll flip a coin and go with San Jose in 7!

8 hours ago, Good Times Grimes said:

It's a tough one to predict. To me, SJ looks stronger overall on paper, but Pittsburgh's star players are better. I'll flip a coin and go with San Jose in 7!

Maybe the Penguins for me but I'd really like to see San Jose win it just so we have a new team winning it all.  I also like watching Crosby go about it so I don't really have a dog in the fight ... reckon it will go at least 6 games but a 7 game series wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. 

Starts Tuesday in Oz (10am)

Edited May 28, 20168 yr by Macca

The Sharks just have to win game 3 to have any chance in the series ... as it stands, they probably need to win the next 2 because if they are down 3-1, it's almost certainly all over.

The Pens have just got it done in a professional way so far ... winning the first 2 games at home sets things up perfectly.

What a game 3. Sharks finally get a win and looked good doing it, even if the Pens could have won in on Malkin fluffed shot. Series alive, awesome. 

Playiff hockey and finals hockey is some of the best sport you'll see.

How good was game five first period goals.

Ive always liked Ice Hockey but never really followed it to any degree. Sat on the couch yesterday and Foxtel were showing the games in the Stanley cup so far, watching it a s a neutral I was surprised when I watched the Sharks win in OT in game three and I jumped up and fist pumped the air.

To my wife's dismay I may have a new sport to get hooked on... Ha ha

32 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

How good was game five first period goals.

Ive always liked Ice Hockey but never really followed it to any degree. Sat on the couch yesterday and Foxtel were showing the games in the Stanley cup so far, watching it a s a neutral I was surprised when I watched the Sharks win in OT in game three and I jumped up and fist pumped the air.

To my wife's dismay I may have a new sport to get hooked on... Ha ha

Hahahahahaha I was the same. While an Avs fan, as a neutral I am really enjoying the series. Would be good to see the Sharks get up as they have not won a championship, but the Crosby/Malkin/Kessel Pens are a good side to watch. The goals the Sharks have scored under the armpit of Murray have been ridiculous! They are so damned skilled.

Bring on tomorrow, game 6 flowing into the Dees game.

Yeah I'll be watching before leaving to go to the G. 

I've been looking at the teams to see if there is one I'd like to follow. I know of most of the popular clubs. I knew the Sharks due to their colours which I like.

I think I'll go by colours/emblem and then name. I need to like all.

I've narrowed it down to about 5-6. 

The dilema I have is if I like the Sharks best I'll need to wait until they are not so good to jump on board... Ha ha.

Yep, it's an excellent double tomorrow ... hoping for a Sharks win in game 6 just so we can get a game 7 (which would be Thursday 10am AEST)  San Jose are a real show too - they've just got to get it done tomorrow.