2011-2012 NHL Playoff Thread: MOOSE NOOSE ON THE LOOSE

[Sepukku]

Wow is Ray Shero mad about all the anti-Penguins hate in the league and amongst the fans. Typically very calm guy like Bylsma:

"I don't give a **** what people say and the team doesn't give a ****. The players don't give a ****. This is inconsequential to the team," Shero said. "We know what this organization's about. We know what we do in this community."

Orpik added,

"It's out of your control, but at the same time everybody's a human being here. You don't like bad things said about you, you always want people to say good things about you.

"I think it's the same in any sport. You look at the Red Sox and the Yankees, and they always have success and there's people that hate them just because they have success," Orpik added. "I think any time you have success there's going to be people jealous of that."

And the ESPN article this is all from also notes Bylsma compared to Laviolette/Tortorerlla:

Bylsma has never been suspended or fined at any level since becoming a coach. He and the Penguins did not complain publicly when New York Ranger (and former Penguin) Mike Rupp was involved in a knee-on-knee hit that left Jordan Staal out of action for more than a month.

"That's not how I coach," Bylsma told ESPN.com.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2012...-hockey-league

[Sepukku]

The article also labels the Penguins as, "The most hated team in the NHL"

[Ace-o-fire]

[Brill Weave]

I love Bylsma's response. He will end up being the Phil Jackson of the NHL if he keeps being such a bad ass.

[Aksannyi]

Aksannyi is now my favorite Penguins poster.

Was it the ponies, or the garters? Lol. GIRLY THINGS IN MY MANLY HOCKEY THREAD HOW DARE YOU.

[Thoronas]

The article also labels the Penguins as, "The most hated team in the NHL"

That's silly, everyone hates the Canucks.

[Richybear]

When I shave, I look draft eligible for 2017.

[Thoronas]

When I shave, I look draft eligible for 2017.

At first glance I thought you were Datsyuk's cousin.

[Bregor]

When I shave, I look draft eligible for 2017.

The glasses make you look older. Maybe 2015 draft eligible.

[Wulfgang]

Aksannyi is now my favorite Penguins poster.

AM I YOUR FAVORITE PREDS POSTER!? SO MANY CHOICES

[Penthesilea]

I'm submitting a new pic, though I hate how I look with a clean shave. In the lab sharing proprietary info on the whiteboard with all of BG.

http://i43.tinypic.com/5dovi9.jpg

[Brill Weave]

Was it the ponies, or the garters? Lol. GIRLY THINGS IN MY MANLY HOCKEY THREAD HOW DARE YOU.

If you have to ask I hereby rescind my prior comment.

[Wulfgang]

Bettman in Nashville for the game tonight; wryyyyy

[Bregor]

PAPA BREGZORZ'S FIRST ROUND NHL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (and team-defining .gifs)

New York Rangers (1)

Spoiler: show

http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-conten...ES-BERSERK.gif

win in five games over

Ottawa Senators (8)

Spoiler: show

http://i53.tinypic.com/6zr5np.jpg

Take: It seems like everything went right for the Rangers this year -- typical Vezina-level tending from Hank, solid defense, timely goal scoring, and relatively good health. They even executed the clever tactic of tanking the final game, missing the Caps and the Presidents' Trophy curse. The two big names among the skaters, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik, get plenty of help up and down the lineup. And if Chara can win a Norris for his defensive play, why not Dan Girardi? The only way I see Ottawa getting the jump on New York is via the power play and Erik Karlsson's natural offensive instincts, but I still like the Rags' penalty killers to hold up. It feels like the Sens are just happy to be here at this point. And does anyone really trust Craig Anderson to stay healthy and be effective? This won't be close.

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Washington Capitals (7)

Spoiler: show

http://i56.tinypic.com/2lal1l.jpg

win in six games over

Boston Bruins (2)

Spoiler: show

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...on03292012.gif

Take: For all the bumps, bruises, and blunders they suffered throughout the season, the Caps are playing their best hockey since Hunter took over the team. After getting shut out in back-to-back games by New Jersey and Philadelphia in early March, they're 10-4-3 and Ovechkin is fueling the surge both on and off the ice. Injuries to the top two goalies leave some doubt for Washington between the pipes, but Braden Holtby has always been my favorite choice to be the heir apparent to Olaf Kolzig. Boston has had great scoring balance all season, and the big bodies to knock Holtby off his game, but can they execute? I'll spare you all the "Mr. Thomas Comes to Washington" gags, but the Caps have played the Bruins tough all season and I don't think Boston finds the clutch goals they were able to all last year. Also, fuck Milan Lucic. Also, I'm a huge homer.

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New Jersey Devils (6)

Spoiler: show

http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-conten...CHENN-KTFO.gif

win in five games over

Florida Panthers (3)

Spoiler: show

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a21...r-By-Odeon.gif

Take: The battle of "Which team fails less" in my opinion. Take away the loser points, and Florida is 38-44 with a goal differential of -24. New Jersey is riding a goalie about to turn 40 and doesn't do anything particularly outstanding. I can see this going a lot of ways, and I do like Florida's speed to put some pressure on the Devils' d-men, who don't move the puck especially well. But I think New Jersey wins the first two at home, and Florida comes back to Sunrise a bit discouraged SEPUKKU IS AWESOME AND I SUCK BALLS. The key will be for Kovalchuk, Elias, Parise, and Clarkson to keep up their power play scoring touch, because if this turns into a special teams affair, huge advantage to New Jersey's kill. You're still a year or two away, Panthers faithful. Markstrom's on his way.

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Pittsburgh Penguins (4)

Spoiler: show

http://i40.tinypic.com/10yn9rs.jpg

win in five games over

Philadelphia Flyers (5)

Spoiler: show

Take: The Pens are suddenly everyone's sexy pick to win the Cup, and for good reason. One of the top teams all year without Crosby, Sid's played in fourteen games since his latest comeback, without incident. Oh, and he's also got 6G 19A in those contests. After shelling out a $51 million contract to Bryzgalov, is anyone in Philly resting easy? This could get ugly, like James Carville-ugly. Dumping Carter and Richards will really come back to bite the Flyers in crunch time, methinks. Just remember, whoever wins this series, we all lose.

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Vancouver Canucks (1)

Spoiler: show

win in five games over

Los Angeles Kings (8)

Spoiler: show

http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-conten...OWN-BOTTLE.gif

Take: Early leader in the trash talk department between Jorn and Thorny, absolutely love it. Vancouver is heating up with the prospect of playoff hockey. The bright light and temperature eminating from the city is palpable. I guess what I'm saying is, Vancouver is literally aflame. There might not be the eye-popping individual numbers for the 'Nucks this season, but they were no less lethal to opponents. I guess it's time to admit that Alex Burrows is actually good at hockey and not just a puppet of Kesler and the Sedins. Goals are tough to come by in the postseason, and if there's any team still playing that could run cold in that department, it's LA. They're the only team that made the big dance with scoring under 200 goals on the season, and they'll be putting tremendous pressure on Quick to shut down Vancouver's offense for the duration of the series. Also, Dustin Penner is still on the roster.

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St. Louis Blues (2)

Spoiler: show

win in seven games over

San Jose Sharks (7)

Spoiler: show

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/62...jpg_medium.gif

Take: I've always had a soft spot for the Sharks. They're similar to the Caps in so many way -- superstar talent, pundits' pre-season predictions for the Cup, Presidents' Trophies, playoff flameouts. I think they can put it together in a big way, and I would love to pick them, if not for their match-up with St. Louis. I remember when they hired Ken Hitchcock and we were all like, "Whoa, Columbus dodged a bullet there!" Yeah not so much. The Blues are legit, holding the Western Conference offenses down en route to a 109-point season. And if Halak plays like he has in postseasons past (fuck you Nynja) then they should come away with a win. In a bit of a shocker, this is my pick for best first round series.

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Chicago Blackhawks (6)

Spoiler: show

http://gif.mocksession.com/wp-conten...ATING-PUCK.gif

win in six games over

Phoenix Coyotes (3)

Spoiler: show

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1upouX41GO...weed004gi3.gif

Take: If I had told you way back in October, "Mike Smith versus Chicago," I think we would all agree this would be over in four. But the Phoenix Bettmans Coyotes are a scrappy bunch, winning the Pacific with defense. But goals are harder to come by in the playoffs, and they only have three guys who scored over 20 goals this season. Throw in a 29th ranked power play (13.5%) and where are the goals going to come from? Chicago suffered through an up-and-down season (by their standards) but still eclipsed 100 points and locked up a playoff spot. Problems still persist; special teams were bad, Crawford never settled into a rhythm, Toews missed time with post-hurpadurpa syndrome. But I like them to gel at the right time here. Also, I don't like being banned.

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Nashville Predators (4)

Spoiler: show

http://i53.tinypic.com/dq0ugl.gif

win in five games over

Detroit Red Wings (5)

Spoiler: show

Take: This is Smashville's year. They dumped noted fatass and anti-clutch dickbag Joel Ward. Now they're poised to make a deep run, thanks to Pekka Rinne, a balanced lineup, Pekka Rinne, a league-best 21.6% power play, and Pekka Rinne. With eight forwards (and Shea Weber of course) with 14+ goals, they can get away from line matching and shutdown D-men and find ways to score. Detroit seems like it's coasting to me. With as much talent as they have, no one scored 30 goals or 70 points. Jimmy Howard bailed them out all year, but he's been dinged up with injuries of late, and I wonder how sharp he'll be in this series. I hope this goes seven and both teams bring their best. I just don't think it's going to happen.

[Thoronas]

Awesome sauce Bregor. Fucking loved the Panthers gif.

[Brill Weave]

I liked the Phoenix one more lol.

[Thoronas]

Also I don't think me and Jornna are going to do much trash talking anymore. He seems content to be Mr. Mopey No-Cups.

[Wulfgang]

I think Im the only person outside of Philly who think the Flyers win easily. Have them in 5 and Im pretty confident in it.

[Bregor]

The only game I'll get at the office tonight is Detroit/Smashville, thanks CNBC!

[Anton]

The Blues gif is an absolute classic.

It all seems pretty logical, except the Caps over Bruins - Homers gotta home, but you know there's this guy called Tim Fucking Thomas, and he's the bane of franchises.

I guess what I'm saying is
http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lf...lg2fo1_500.png