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

[Bregor]

A.Kostitsyn and Radulov won't play again tonight. And here I thought Dale Hunter was the only superstitious, reactionary coach out there.

[BadKarma]

A.Kostitsyn and Radulov won't play again tonight. And here I thought Dale Hunter was the only superstitious, reactionary coach out there.

Why fix what isn't broken

[Wulfgang]

Why fix what isn't broken

Yeah, I said this in a thread on HFBoards:

This isn't just Trotz / Poile sticking to their "ethics," this is the correct strategic move from a coaching perspective. What we learned the hard way in game 1 and 2, is that PHX is a good team that effectively plays the same system as the Preds. Stronger two way forwards like Halischuk, Tootoo, and the more humble version of Colin Wilson stifle the neutral zone, limit chances, and keep shots to the outside. You saw that in Game 3, and Pekka's confidence and play for the rest of the game are always stronger if he can see ~10 shots in the first that are legit but not absurd chances.

This lineup is the correct one to win, ethics / morals aside.

That said, as Wilson revamped his two-way game in response to his late season and first round benching, I think the same can happen for Rads and Kostitsyn. They both have a lot riding on this postseason given their free agent status next year; I think, win or lose, if they make the lineup in Game 5, they are going to be very different players. Perhaps wishful thinking, but when $$$ are involved, players typically rise to the challenge (e.g. players having career seasons in contract years).

[Bregor]

Why fix what isn't broken

Just like Ovie skating two minutes per period when they win, amirite

Benching two of your best offensive players for one game to send a message is fine. Doing it for a second game just because you won one game without them is pretty stupid.

This lineup is the correct one to win, ethics / morals aside.

Then take your Super Brostitsyns sig down if you think he's not one of your best twelve forwards, lol.

[Callisto]

I've felt since the start of the playoffs that them benching Tootoo was an awful idea, he had a career year and is basically the epitome of Preds hockey. Not sure if I agree with sitting both AK and Radulov again but they should have definitely moved something around to get the Tootoo Train rolling earlier.

[Palin]

Belarus vs Finland WC on right now if anyone wants to watch. Lehtonen in goal.

http://www.firstrowsports.eu/watch/1...s-finland.html

[NynJa]

so did anyone even pick the kings over the blues? I cant find Ishido's sheets

[Bregor]

Via @predsblog: "Radulov played very well in game 1 and had the best scoring chance differential on the team. His performance in game 2 wasn't quite as good but he was one of the few Predators who actually had a positive chance differential at ES"

[Izzy]

I haven't seen any red X's yet!

[Cail]

so did anyone even pick the kings over the blues? I cant find Ishido's sheets

LA in 6

looks like ill be off in games

[Selamis]

so did anyone even pick the kings over the blues? I cant find Ishido's sheets

I really can't understand why anyone would think Blues/Kings would go anything less then 6, these are two very evenly matched teams and neither one really has an advantage in any area.

OK here are my picks.......

Kings in 6 --rooting for the ultimate upset!
Nashville in 6 --cuz Wulf is in my guild so I can't put yotes down
Rangers in 6 --even though I really want to say Caps in 7
Philly in 5 --cuz I want the Rangers to play them mostly lol...

Preds in 7
LA in 7
Washington in 7
Flyers in 6

Devils in 7
Rangers in 4
Kings in 6
Coyotoes in 5

SHIT PICKS 2.0 ENGAGED!

NSH in 6
LA in 7
WSH in 7
PHI in 5

Nashville in 6
NYR in 5
Flyers in 6
Kings in 7

Nashville in 7
LA in 6
Caps in 6
Flyers in 5

Think that was all of us that I saw that picked LA.

[Judai]

Caps in 6
Flyers in 7
Predators in 4 (I should say 5 but FUCK IT)
Kings in 6

let's ignore that Preds pick and I want the Flyers to lose, so I'm happy to lose that one.

[Bregor]

Missed most of the action last night, only caught the end of OT and double OT in the Devils game.

PICKS:
Capitals in 7
Flyers in 5
Blues in 7
Predators in 5

Whoopsie daisies

[friedfunk]

Round 2 selections

Kings in 5
Preds in 4
Caps in 7
Flyers in 5

Had the Kings series dialed in, others not so much

[Bregor]

Not even Germans can stop the MooseNoose!

[Selamis]

What the hell lol, that's great. A truly universal trend!

[Wulfgang]

Via @predsblog: "Radulov played very well in game 1 and had the best scoring chance differential on the team. His performance in game 2 wasn't quite as good but he was one of the few Predators who actually had a positive chance differential at ES"

This only focuses on offense; the biggest issue with Rads and AK was defensively. They both are about 3x worse than OV on defense. Also, you have to consider the opponent; PHX and Smith do not really allow many "beautiful" goals. It's dirty, scrummy, and sometimes lucky goals. Someone like Hornqvist is more effective than any other forward against PHX except maybe Erat.

EDIT: Is chance differential effectively a +/- on chances? Never really seen that used I guess.

[Bregor]

EDIT: Is chance differential effectively a +/- on chances? Never really seen that used I guess.

Yes, it's essentially chances for on ice minus chances against on ice.

[Wulfgang]

Well we'll see. Bloggers and pundits probably already have two stories drafted:

A) "Preds win behind tough commitment of core players"

B) "Trotz' pride costs Preds crucial game to go down 1-3"

Just fucking win please.

[NynJa]

Why would it have anything to do with pride? You got beatdown both away games, gave an inhouse suspension to two of your better players for game 3, and won game 3 at home via a shut out. Why change what isnt broken? Its not like the Preds won game 3 3-2.