I've already watched a bunch of playoff games & officiating continues to be horrible. Just an example from tonight's Bruins/Leafs game - the officials could have kept the game in control by calling the game more tightly. The number of scrums, questionable hits in which nothing was called sends the players a message. DeBrusk had a few questionable hits on Marleau (into rounded glass by bench), Dermott (head hit), & Kadri (knee on knee) with no penalties called. I'm not surprised that Kadri lined him up in retaliation. I also noted the very rapid recovery by DeBrusk. Not taking any sides but saying that the referees could have been prevented, especially when the league says it's cutting down on the dirty stuff.

Maybe I'm not saying it well, but a lot of the controversy could be avoided by better officiating.

As to Kadri's (deserved), who know what player safety will do anymore ¯\_(ツ)_/¯?

quote:

As to Kadri's (deserved), who know what player safety will do anymore

I feel sometimes they just flip a coin to make their decisions.

Kadri was offered an in-person hearing so he's looking at a multi-game suspension.

Refs usually let the players play during the post season. Trust me that's the way the players like it. If they want it to stop they'll just take one out of every scrum.

Avs even it up. I thought it would be broom time they way the Mike Smith has been playing, and the Flames defensive play almost kept our stars off the score sheet for two games. And, the Flames PK has been excellent. Their PP gave up a shorty much to my delight.

Seems I overestimated the Pens chances.

Skate-around just ended.

No Hedman tonight for Tampa Bay.

In my seat and waiting for puck drop. Hope the CBJ show up.

Go Blue Jackets!!!

A lot gets over looked in playoffs. Even at levels I play in.
"OPEN YOUR EYES HANNA!"

The Bruins were all over the Leafs. Hockey can be an incredibly frustrating game when calls aren't being made. But its hockey stuck it up. Cheap shots are intolerable .

I have been watching the NHL Playoffs for 4 decades and I cannot ever recall watching a single series that wasn't chippy, ugly and filled with officiating controversy.

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Originally posted by Graniteguy:
I have been watching the NHL Playoffs for 4 decades and I cannot ever recall watching a single series that wasn't chippy, ugly and filled with officiating controversy.

Yeah. You just described playoff hockey to a tee. That is exactly why the second season is the best season.

WTF happened to the Lightning? They left hockey in the regular season.

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Originally posted by dlc444:
WTF happened to the Lightning? They left hockey in the regular season.

No joke, guess they thought that President's Trophy would take them to the Finals on its own.

Nationwide Arena is freaking electric. It is literally buzzing.

Jackets need to keep taking it to the Bolts and not fall into a "prevent" or "shut down" trap.

Good hockey so far...

quote:

Originally posted by SR025:

quote:

Originally posted by dlc444:
WTF happened to the Lightning? They left hockey in the regular season.

No joke, guess they thought that President's Trophy would take them to the Finals on its own.

I’m no Tampa Bay fan but this reminds me of the Patriots winning every game and losing the Super Bowl.

Lightning have never been able to handle the close-in, man on man game. the teams they lost to in the regular season (Boston, DC, Leafs) all played right on top of us. Blue Jackets learned what works, and are taking full advantage.

With this sort of effort, we don't deserve to be there.

quote:

Lightning have never been able to handle the close-in, man on man game.

The Blues also beat the Lightning the two times they played during the regular season.

I will concede to that. Just getting smacked by the wild card is... wild

Tough road for Tampa and Pittsburg going forward.

quote:

Originally posted by SR025:
Tough road for Tampa and Pittsburg going forward.

Neither is playing well. I would like to see both win a game or three all in OT if possible. Let them all beat each other up before my Caps would have to face any of them.

Hate to see both series go out in 4.

IIRC the last time the President's Cup trophy winner won the cup was the Red Wings in 2008.

The Pens may salvage a game, but I think they're done. They are playing slightly better than they did since the trade deadline but still making bad passes, too many turnovers, too many mental mistakes.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:

quote:

Originally posted by SR025:
Tough road for Tampa and Pittsburg going forward.

Neither is playing well. I would like to see both win a game or three all in OT if possible. Let them all beat each other up before my Caps would have to face any of them.

Hate to see both series go out in 4.

I think the Caps/Islander series will decide the East

Freaking awesome game...

BOOM!

20 years as a PSL/season ticket holder and this was my first winning playoff game at home (second for the team, but I was on assignment in Georgia during that win in 2014).

Can't wait until Tuesday. Tampa is going to be out for blood, but if we keep playing our system, it will be epic.