[You Need A Thneed]

Somehow it feels better to be eliminated after winning the third in a row rather than being eliminated by losing a game.

[GoflamesGo]

ABV! Anybody but Vancouver. I only cheer for the Flames. Once they're out, I "anti-cheer" our rivals. Nothing to do with cheering for an American team! Canada's team already won at the olympics. NHL is a city vs. city league.

[Calgarian]

Canada's team already won at the olympics.

Exactly, and if I want a Canadian team to cheer for during the playoffs, I'll watch the world hockey championships (hopefully Iggy will play for Canada).

[logan5]

I can understand not cheering for the Canucks, but "anti-cheering"...c'mon man.
What a waste of energy.

[Nicko999]

So after yesterday, we have 18 teams left in the race... and only 2 Canadians.

BTW-Here are the standings by ROW(wins in regulation or overtime):

1. Vancouver: 48
2. Philadelphia: 43
3. Boston: 43
4. Washington: 43
5. San Jose: 42
6. Detroit: 42
7. Anaheim: 41
8. Montreal: 40
9. Pittsburgh: 38
10. Tampa Bay: 38

Basically that's how I would rank the teams heading into the playoffs. There is no shootout in the post-season.

[freeweed]

Basically that's how I would rank the teams heading into the playoffs. There is no shootout in the post-season.

Then we might as well do away with the shootout entirely, because it would be entirely pointless under your scheme.

I remember ties. They were boring as shit and unsatisfying to walk away from. If shootouts are good enough for Olympic gold, they're good enough for at least our regular season.

In fact, your ranking also entirely ignores OT loser points. Might as well do away with those, too.

[Yume-sama]

Evidently even the NHL agrees they are useless now, by making ROW the major tie breaker.

They don't count as a "normal" win since it's pretty much a coin toss.

[logan5]

No Torres for the first 2 games of the playoffs. What a joke.

[Jay in Cowtown]

Basically that's how I would rank the teams heading into the playoffs. There is no shootout in the post-season.

and basically that's because Montreal ranked so high in ROW's, right?... even though they're barely squeeking into the playoffs with hardly anymore points than Calgary if any, whom are not.

[The_Architect]

No Torres for the first 2 games of the playoffs. What a joke.

Cause he got suspended for a dirty hit to the head?

If there's a joke there, I don't get it.

[Nicko999]

and basically that's because Montreal ranked so high in ROW's, right?... even though they're squeeking into the playoffs with hardly anymore points than Calgary, whom are not.

Montreal has 3 shootouts wins vs 9 for Calgary. If we had 6 more SO wins, we'll currently be at 99 pts challenging Boston for the top spot in the division.

We win in regulation or we lose in regulation most of the time so we rarely get a loser pt in a game.

The difference between 40 ROWs and 32 ROWs is huge (Toronto has 32 ROWs as well).

[Flamesrule]

Montreal has 3 shootouts wins vs 9 for Calgary. If we had 6 more SO wins, we'll currently be at 99 pts challenging Boston for the top spot in the division.

We win in regulation or we lose in regulation most of the time so we rarely get a loser pt in a game.

The difference between 40 ROWs and 32 ROWs is huge (Toronto has 32 ROWs as well).

Then I guess the Habs can't seal the deal when it comes to shootouts/OT's.

Cause he got suspended for a dirty hit to the head?

If there's a joke there, I don't get it.

I don't get the joke either.

[logan5]

Cause he got suspended for a dirty hit to the head?

If there's a joke there, I don't get it.

2 playoff games is at the very least the equivalent of 4 regular season games, so essentially it is a 6 game suspension. I call it a joke because the league seems to use a dart board to hand out suspensions.

Here's the Torres hit on Eberle - 2 regular season + 2 playoff games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRzzZ8GUkig

Here's Dany Heatly's far dirtier elbow on Steve Ott - 2 games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJvY2WjIbLM

[LeftCoaster]

Ya I wouldnt have a problem with the length if there was some sort of consistency. As of now its just a total crapshoot.

But hey, its a Canadian team, so might as well eff em over.

[You Need A Thneed]

Torres didn't even deserve a penalty, never mind a suspension. Wheel of Justice indeed.

[Calgarian]

It looks like Eberle almost leaned into the hit, but it was definitely to the head. 4 games is definitely fair though, the league has to stop this kind of shit before someone gets killed.

[freeweed]

Evidently even the NHL agrees they are useless now, by making ROW the major tie breaker.

They don't count as a "normal" win since it's pretty much a coin toss.

No, the NHL agrees with me in that they have a use - they still count as points towards total ranking. However the NHL does agree that they're "less useful" in that they are ignored for tie breakers.

But seeing as the vast majority of rankings are determined by sheer points, they're still very important. What Nicko is proposing is that they are entirely removed from the equation (which essentially means, why bother even having them in the first place?)

[GoflamesGo]

I can understand not cheering for the Canucks, but "anti-cheering"...c'mon man.
What a waste of energy.

haha Come on as if it isn't great fun watching yoru rivals lose!

And "anti-cheering" is the only word i could think of, becaus I don't really cheer for anyone that isn't the flames, so it would be wrong to say that I cheer for whoever is playing my teams rivals.

[Ayreonaut]

Hard to be a rival of a team you see once or twice a season.

[GoflamesGo]

^ HAHAHA I love this guy!

[GoflamesGo]

Hard to be rivals of a team that rolls over every time we play them. Burrows has more points against the Flames than any other member of the Canucks. We don't even send our big guns out against the Flames. We let Burrows work you over :haha::haha:

The rivalry is dead. You are nothing to the Canucks. Flames fans are the equivalent to Chester. And Canucks fans are Spike.

http://www.coldforged.org/images/Spikechester1.jpg

I mean don't get me wrong, I'd love the rivalry to still be heated. But its not. The Flames suck too much. So the Canucks have to go looking for challengers elsewhere

SERIOUSLY GUYS! This decky guy is right! I mean, the Canucks just lost to edmonton 2 games in a row, and don't have a stanley cup in their entire 40 year history. THEY'RE AWESOME! at things that mean nothing! haha

[GoflamesGo]

It's better to have loved, that to never have loved at all. I mean it's better to have a cup, then to never have had a cup at all.

[freeweed]

Ah, I wondered when the trolling wonder would return. It's amusing how these sorts of comments always come from people with such a low post count. Wonder why that is?

He STILL moronically claims that Flames fans here said they'd make the playoffs. Hey, genius: WE ALL SAID THEY WOULDN'T. I think you might have to re-take grade 3 as your reading skills leave much to be desired.

PS: the 80s might be over, but the 70s are alive and well in those stupidly coloured Canucks jerseys. Good to see teams completely living in the past - at least the Flames only use retro colours on their 3rd jerseys.

[MrOilers]

What do Canucks fans do after their team wins the Stanley Cup?


They turn off the XBox.

[freeweed]

Here's a golden post from the 1st page HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH



:haha::haha::haha:

More to come :tup:

You're a complete and utter moron. Seriously, re-take grade 3 because you clearly cannot read. What he said was exactly what happened - the Flames' offense came back. Bigtime. We're something like 5th in league scoring. He also didn't say a single thing about them making the playoffs.

[freeweed]

HOOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOOHHOO

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA

MY SIDES HURT

:haha::haha::haha::haha:

Your brain hurts from lack of use.

Or they might just slip out of 7th or 8th place

WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT JUST HAPPENED LAST NIGHT. They're about to miss the playoffs by a point or 2, possibly even by a tiebreaker.

Do you have ANY idea what happens in hockey at all? I mean seriously, anything?

[freeweed]

That jokes so old it has whiskers. They probably just heard it up in Edmonturd :haha::haha: You know they have Xbox 360's now you stupid hick

What are you, 12? The Xbox isn't even 10 years old.

[You Need A Thneed]

Here's a golden post from the 1st page HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH



:haha::haha::haha:

More to come :tup:

And my predictions about the Flames were correct. My predictions about the Canucks were wrong. So what?

Actually, the Canucks offense did come down, a little bit, roughly 5%. I thought it would come down more, but such is life.

[Calgarian]

So if the Flames are the new Leafs, having not won a cup in 21 years, what does that make a Canucks team that has never won a cup in 41 years?

[freeweed]

Aww, but that was fun.

Mods: feel free to delete my trollfeeding (or PM me if you'd like me to do it myself).

[logan5]

Who the hell was that? Banned after 9 posts, that must be a record.

[freeweed]

So if the Flames are the new Leafs, having not won a cup in 21 years, what does that make a Canucks team that has never won a cup in 41 years?

The new Jets/Coyotes.

[GoflamesGo]

^ haha that WAS fun.

[Calgarian]

Who the hell was that? Banned after 9 posts, that must be a record.

No, I'm sure he has been banned faster.

[Calgarian]

The new Jets/Coyotes.

But the Canucks are older, so you could say the Jets / Coyotes are the new Canucks. lol

[freeweed]

No, I'm sure he has been banned faster.

:haha::haha:

For the record, this is why I have a hard time cheering for the Canucks. If they get swept in the first round, it's fun to jeer at jackasses like this. But beyond that, they're a very talented team and the cup deserves to be back here, so I'll cheer for them.

But wow, the odd fan is just seriously f'd in the head.

[freeweed]

But the Canucks are older, so you could say the Jets / Coyotes are the new Canucks. lol

I was also thinking the new Sharks: "this could be their year!".

[LeftCoaster]

:haha::haha:

For the record, this is why I have a hard time cheering for the Canucks. If they get swept in the first round, it's fun to jeer at jackasses like this. But beyond that, they're a very talented team and the cup deserves to be back here, so I'll cheer for them.

But wow, the odd fan is just seriously f'd in the head.

You know its the same guy every time right?

[logan5]

I liken the Canucks more to the Detroit model.

[MrOilers]

They probably just heard it up in Edmonturd :haha::haha: You know they have Xbox 360's now you stupid hick

Good one.

Yeah...

[Calgarian]

I liken the Canucks more to the Detroit model.

In what way?

[logan5]

The style of play is similar, I guess because of the Swedish influence. A lot more similarities to Detroit than San Jose.

Our defense is so deep, I'll be shocked if we get bumped in the first round.

[Nicko999]

Then I guess the Habs can't seal the deal when it comes to shootouts/OT's.


Not true simply because we have been to the shootouts only 6 times this season. Only New Jersey has been to less.



But seeing as the vast majority of rankings are determined by sheer points, they're still very important. What Nicko is proposing is that they are entirely removed from the equation (which essentially means, why bother even having them in the first place?)

Not really... I just find ROWs to be an important stat heading into the playoffs. Look at the Kings, they won 10 games in shootouts. That will give them 2 pts in the regular season but come playoffs time, they won't have the shootouts...

[Nicko999]

Anyway, Spacek is back tonight. It's actually the healthiest we've been since the Pacioretty hit... which is sad because we still miss our best forward, our best defenceman and our shutdown defenceman.:(

Auld is the goalie tonight... a day off for MVP Carey!:P

[feepa]

Who the hell was that? Banned after 9 posts, that must be a record.
not for sconadian/decky/losertroll.

[Flamesrule]

Scondian was back I'm guessing? It was only a matter of time before he came back here ad started up his trolling. This season hasn't been to bad for him though- only registered 2-3 times.


I don't care who wins teh Stanley, let's just hope that the cup is back in Canada!

[Some guy]

List of the Canucks most hated teams:

1. Hawks
2. Ducks
3. Sharks
4. Red Wings
5. Penguins
6. Kings
7. Caps
8. Rangers
9. Flyers
10. Flames

I would probably rate the Kings higher on this list, especially after last year's post season.

Penguins. . . really? How do the Canucks have a rivalry with(or feel hatred towards) the Penguins??? And that is 5th on your list???

[SpikePhanta]

What are you, 12? The Xbox isn't even 10 years old.
In his defense, something 5 years old = 20years old in technology.

But trolls like that give Canucks fans a bad rep.

President's trophy being awarded today!

[freeweed]

You know its the same guy every time right?

Yeah, which is why I have to be specific when I say *some* Canucks fans. Most of you are all right. :tup:

[Some guy]

Am I all right? :hug:

:haha:

[Nicko999]

I had to talk about how we never get a loser pt to finally get one.:P

Cammalleri scored with 11 seconds left in regulation to extend the game into OT and THEN we lost. That's the way to lose properly.:haha:

Anyway the 7th place is now clinched.:notacrook:

[Dwils01]

I hope if Vancouver plays Chicago that they won't be eliminated by them for the third year in a row.
If Montreal plays Boston, that will be a very good series to watch.

[SpikePhanta]

QfPw7lISDpk

This and chirping at B.Mo this year as well is unclassy.
Without buff's ass in luongo's way, I think we can take the blackhawks on this year. If it's the ducks we play, the sedins would do well, and well if its dallas we'll do VERY well.

[Calgarian]

Chicago is unclassy. When the Flames played them in the first round in '09 Pierre McGuire said he never heard a team harass a star player like the Black Hawks were doing to Iginla, and not surprisingly Iggy tried to handle it by beating the hell out of them, but none of them would step up.

[freeweed]

Huh. Until last night (and could still be, depending on Saturday) the Flames had the goalie tied for wins. Yet are out of the playoffs.

Says a lot about what went wrong.

I'm still astounded that 97 points isn't enough to clinch in the west, yet the Habs have clinched at least 7th with 94. I wonder how long it will be until we see a season with so many 3 point games in the west that 100 points is the playoff cutoff.

[touraccuracy]

perry has 11 points in his last 4 games. christ.

[You Need A Thneed]

perry has 11 points in his last 4 games. christ.

And Iginla has 10 in the last 4 games, 13 points in the last 5 games.

[touraccuracy]

^i'm just concerned about the art ross race.

edit: some other fun facts...

bieksa is +32 in just 65 games and hamhuis is +29 in 63,

[You Need A Thneed]

^i'm just concerned about the art ross race.

Perry has at least 5 points to score in two games. Will be tough.

[freeweed]

edit: some other fun facts...

bieksa is +32 in just 65 games and hamhuis is +29 in 63,

That's not exactly difficult when you're both the highest scoring team in the league, and allow the fewest goals (and needless to say, the GF/GA differential blows everyone else out of the water).

Someone double check my math, I'm pretty sure that's accurate as of today...

Anyway, I'd kinda hope those D-men would have stellar +/-, otherwise they're completely useless on the team.

[Ayreonaut]

Calgary's goal differential is +14, one of only two non-playoff teams above even (StL is +4).

[MrOilers]

I just read that Calgary has only 1 pick in the top 100 players in this year's draft.

That's not good for an organization that's already short on youth.

[Ayreonaut]

Who needs youth when you've got Stajan and Kotalik? Those two will light up the league next season.

[Calgarian]

Who needs youth when you've got Stajan and Kotalik? Those two will light up the league next season.

Maybe in the ECHL where those ass clowns belong. lol

[touraccuracy]

http://soundcloud.com/kyprios-bayday/how-the-west-was-one

[You Need A Thneed]

I just read that Calgary has only 1 pick in the top 100 players in this year's draft.

That's not good for an organization that's already short on youth.

At least that one pick will be 13th or 14th. Not like last year, where the Flames didn't pick until 75th or so.

The Flames' up and coming youth isn't as bad as many make it to be.

[freeweed]

Huh, I either didn't submit or someone silently deletes posts here.

Anyway, the Flames don't have the usual small-market problem of attracting youth through UFAs. So while they may not be stocked with 19 year olds, it will be easy to bring the age way down.

Except for those damn stupid contracts for Stajan and Hagman and Kotalik.

[Ayreonaut]

Must have been deleted because I definitely saw your post before.

[freeweed]

Must have been deleted because I definitely saw your post before.

Weird. Someone must be a big Stajan fan, because I can't imagine what else in that post was worthy of deletion. :haha:

[Calgarian]

http://soundcloud.com/kyprios-bayday/how-the-west-was-one

Not bad, but it's got nothin on "In tha Dome"
EbpK9SYERZU

[touraccuracy]

^decent rap but all they did was use the instrumental track of a 50 cent song...

[Some guy]

Just found out this stat- Top 3 goalies with most wins play for a Canadian team.

Luongo- 38
Kiprusoff- 37
Price- 37

[Calgarian]

^decent rap but all they did was use the instrumental track of a 50 cent song...

Yeah, it wasn't very good actually.

[bulliver]

Hooray! Edmonton's terrible anthem singer is finally retiring!

[Ayreonaut]

There seem to be a lot of terrible anthem singers (ever hear Vancouver's guy finish?).

The best one I've seen, by far, sang in Buffalo a few years ago; it sounded like a recording from the 40s, but it was a very classic sound.

[bulliver]

^ I like that Slewage guy in Ottawa.

[Nicko999]

Well it's between the Bruins, Pens and Flyers for our first round opponent.

We'll have a better idea tommorow but knowing our history with Boston, we'll probably end playing them.
The rivalry between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens is considered one of the most bitter rivalries in professional sports, along with the Yankees – Red Sox and Bears–Packers rivalries. The two teams have played each other more times in both regular season play, and more playoff series, than any other two teams in NHL history

2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011?

One thing is sure, a Boston-Montreal series will have huge TV ratings both in Canada and in the US.

[jigglysquishy]

It'd be sick to see another Boston-Montreal series. The energy at those games would be crazy.

Playoffs in basically here. I'm so excited!

[freeweed]

^ I like that Slewage guy in Ottawa.

He's fun. I personally like the regular gal we have here in Calgary. She doesn't try to spruce it up with stupidity like so many singers do. She just plain old sings damn well. We also had some 10 year old girl sing it a while back who was amazing.

The worst singers by far are the ones in the southern US. They all want to add their own "unique" spin to it, and just make things worse. Vancouver (I think?) with the wannabe opera singer makes baby Jebus cry.

[Dwils01]

Well only two days left in the regular season and only two Canadian teams in the playoffs.
I wish the best for Montreal and Vancouver.

[logan5]

The Kings are hurt'n big time right now and could easily fall to 8th spot. This would be a good warm up series for the Canucks, and a chance for Edler and a few others who have been injured to get their timing back.

Incidentally, tonights game against Calgary will be the first time this season that the Canucks will start their full powerhouse defense.

[SpikePhanta]

It's funny how at the last few games of the season, the western conference still isn't decided.

4 different teams could fall to 8th spot.

[Calgarian]

He's fun. I personally like the regular gal we have here in Calgary. She doesn't try to spruce it up with stupidity like so many singers do. She just plain old sings damn well. We also had some 10 year old girl sing it a while back who was amazing.

The worst singers by far are the ones in the southern US. They all want to add their own "unique" spin to it, and just make things worse. Vancouver (I think?) with the wannabe opera singer makes baby Jebus cry.

That young girl sings the anthem at the Roughnecks games, she is a really good singer.

[Nicko999]

Rangers won today so it becomes a must win game for Carolina vs Tampa...

They win, they're in... they lose, they're out!

[Yume-sama]

I'd rather see the Canes. The Rangers would roll over and die like they usually do. Albeit, in the regular season.

Canes seem like they could go on a big run, and handle the Caps... who I really don't think are much of a playoff team at all.

[LeftCoaster]

Hamhuis-Bieksa.
Edler-Ehrhoff.
Ballard-Salo.

Oh My...

[SpikePhanta]

Don't forget putting rome in a forward position :P

Coach AV just loves Aaron Rome, if AV had his way Rome would be MVP of the team./

[logan5]

Going into tonights game, the Canucks are first in goals for, goals against, power play, and a very close second in penalty kill. If all goes right, they would be the first team in NHL history to finish first in those 4 categories.

Only the 76-77 and the 77-78 Montreal Canadians have finished first in both GF and GA, and points.(post expansion era) The Habs were also 1-2 in PP/PK in those years.

Impressive stats mean nothing though...

[Nicko999]

Hamhuis-Bieksa.
Edler-Ehrhoff.
Ballard-Salo.

Oh My...

Imagine if the Habs somehow resign The Wiz AND Markov for next year... That would give us the best defense we've had in years.

Markov-Wisniewski
Subban-Hamrlik
Gorges-Gill

The top 4 could potentially combine for 200 pts while the Gorges and Gill pair is a hell of a shutdown one.

However I have a bad feeling it's either Wiz or Markov but not both. In that case, I chose Markov even though the risk of injury is there.:(

Between 2008 and 2011, for defensemen only.

1. Green 0.84 pts/game
2. Lidström 0.76
3. Markov 0.75
4. Boyle 0.71
5. Streit 0.70

[Ayreonaut]

It's looking like New York will make it, unless the Canes can come back.

I like it, I'd rather see the Rangers in the playoffs.

[Nicko999]

It's now official...

http://bit.ly/hw5S0G

Starting Thursday I believe!!!

[The_Architect]

Well Leafs come out dead, Reimer lets in 2 softies then was solid the rest of the game, Grabo line was terrible, defense was terrible, special teams were terrible.

We deserved the loss, but not by that much. The refs should have traded in their stripes for Habs sweaters, game was a joke. :no:
Bunch of non calls then a soft call against a Leaf and goal. Gomez elbows and headbutts Boyce, then Boyce shoves him back and penalty, nothing to Gomez, goal on the pp.
Leafs score, Price pulls it out, one angle shows obvious white between the puck and the line, even Carey Price admits it was in, war room buckles again and says it never crossed the line.

Frattin had a great first game, Kessel had a great game, Colborne was okay, but not great.

Very disappointing end to the season.

[Some guy]

It would be amazingly weird if the Canucks meet the Rangers in the Stanley Cup Finals this year.

[Yume-sama]

It's now official...

http://bit.ly/hw5S0G

Starting Thursday I believe!!!

Is Max Pacioretty going to drop the puck at the first game in Montreal :P

[logan5]

A breakaway... our defense sucks!

[jigglysquishy]

Was looking through some stats. Calgary has the 5th most goals of any team this year, yet still managed to miss the playoffs.

WTF?

[Nicko999]

Well Leafs come out dead, Reimer lets in 2 softies then was solid the rest of the game, Grabo line was terrible, defense was terrible, special teams were terrible.

We deserved the loss, but not by that much. The refs should have traded in their stripes for Habs sweaters, game was a joke. :no:
Bunch of non calls then a soft call against a Leaf and goal. Gomez elbows and headbutts Boyce, then Boyce shoves him back and penalty, nothing to Gomez, goal on the pp.
Leafs score, Price pulls it out, one angle shows obvious white between the puck and the line, even Carey Price admits it was in, war room buckles again and says it never crossed the line.

Frattin had a great first game, Kessel had a great game, Colborne was okay, but not great.

Very disappointing end to the season.

LOL, I was shocked they didn't allow that goal.:haha: But hey nice to see the refs on our side IN Toronto for once.:P

BTW-In the NHL, the player who retaliates gets called 80% of the time so the penalty on Boyce was a legit one.

[Some guy]

What an exciting game to end the season between the Flames and the Nucks. Plenty of penalties, lots of talking, and an overall hard fought game.

[freeweed]

Was looking through some stats. Calgary has the 5th most goals of any team this year, yet still managed to miss the playoffs.

WTF?

Welcome to the western conference. It's the only reason they missed the playoffs.

[freeweed]

What an exciting game to end the season between the Flames and the Nucks. Plenty of penalties, lots of talking, and an overall hard fought game.

Yeah, was pretty fun for both sides. I do have one thing to say though - I hope like hell this wasn't Vancouver's A game defensively. They were a nightmare (especially the forwards) many, many times. Given proper coaching (and playoff motivation), it would be child's play to take that apart.

I'm going to chalk it up to "no need to win this one".

Pretty damned impressive performance by both backups though. You'd have thought Kipper and Luongo were in net tonight. 70+ shots through regulation.