WC Playoffs Western Final: Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks

[KPJ]

Bring it home for Regehr!!

[jschick88]

Jeez what a stat.

LAKingsPR ‏@LAKingsPR 1m
Justin Williams has an NHL record 14 points in Game 7s (7-7=14)...and he's 7-0 in those games.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Jeez what a stat.

LAKingsPR ‏@LAKingsPR 1m
Justin Williams has an NHL record 14 points in Game 7s (7-7=14)...and he's 7-0 in those games.

Move over Gelinas... meet the new eliminator.

[browna]

Glad for Regher and hope he gets to play. Full respect to the Kings for gutting it out, and to the Hawks. Guys like Kane have grown up.

What more can you say for Sutter...ramps it up in the playoffs and his teams take it to another level when it matters the most. Congrats to Darryl.

Go Kings all the way. Can't see how the Rags can handle the physicalness of LA.

As someone above mentioned, can't stand thought of Richards (are they going to have cameras in his hometown as they did in 04) or Selfish St. Louis getting another one.

[Scoreface]

Last one in here, please turn out the lights! The Hawks lose on home ice in a game 7!!! They had a great season though. Hard for anyone to beat LA three straight in the playoffs when an elimination game is thrown in there.

I'll be pleased as punch if the Flames can be close to these two teams in a few years or so!!

[blender]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

It's a trophy they won that has zero bearing on any future events. Celebrate a bit


To add, I think it just looks ridiculous that they are forced to take a picture while trying to not go near the trophy. So maybe they should just skip the trophy "presentation" instead. Besides, they will all put _____ conference champions banners in the rafters the next season.

Go tell Dustin Brown that he HAS to do something after that series. I dare you.
Let the players do what they want. They earned the right.

[OzSome]

I still think Darryl Sutter hired the wrong Sutter before he left the Flames. Darryl is a much better coach than a GM.

I didn't have any preference on who wins between LA and Chicago because I like them both. Maybe I am leaning towards the Kings more because Darryl and Regehr. Anyways I hope they beat the Rangers in 5 or 6 games.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Move over Gelinas... meet the new eliminator.

Nope.. Gelinas is still the Eliminator because he was responsible in scoring GOALS those game winners on a deciding games.

[PeteLFan]

I don't get this if Darryl was the coach crap. He built a flawed hockey team that was declining quickly and no one could have saved that team. I'm glad he was fired as gm and moved on to coach a better team and have success.

[Dion]

Sutter comments on game 7 and the series ahead

"We just have to reset again," said Kings coach Darryl Sutter. "We did it during the regular season. We did it before the Olympics. We did it after the Olympics. We did it before the playoffs started. We did it after Game 7 of the first round, second round. We just have to do it again. Certainly it's a challenge. You play a fresh team."

The Kings return home to face the Rangers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final Wednesday at Staples Centre.

"Great goaltender, great defence, great forwards, great special teams," Sutter said, asked what he knew about the Rangers.

"So, basically you have no chance?" said a reporter.

"Yup. We're up against it again," he said, with the smallest of smiles.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...048/story.html

[CaptainYooh]

Sutter vs. Vigneault. Again.

[MissTeeks]

Oops, wrong thread

[thefoss1957]

All series the 'Hawks did well when they were moving their feet...and last night, at times, they stopped skating.

Many 'Hawk fans viewed this year's version as having a flawed roster (last year's too, despite winning a Cup), We wonder why the 'Hawk brain trust have refused to get a true #2 Center for years. Pirri never seemed to get a fair shake from Q, and got dumped. Also a partner for Leddy was problematic...I preferred Brookbank, Q preferred Rozival, a -2 last night.

As far as in-season moves, Gaborik was, for me, a surprisingly effective pickup for the Kings, at the deadline, I didn't think that he would play enough D to suit Sutter. On the other hand, all the 'Hawks did was give up two youngsters, Olsen and Hayes, for Versteeg, who now seems certain to be dumped.

I posted before, that in front of, and behind the 'Hawk net, the Kings' strength over the unphysical 'Hawk D, was dominant. Last night, that unphysical D also failed to "stand up" at the Blue line, allowing a zone entry that led to Gaborik's GTG. This 'Hawk fan was unhappy with all the "fishing" for the puck the 'Hawks did, instead of taking that extra stride to get to the damn puck. Before Toffoli's goal Bickell made a lazy clearance attempt with a poke, at the wall, failed to get the puck cleared and disaster followed.

I have never been a fan of the guy's game to game effort, and rewarding Bickell, so much, for a single playoff run was foolish...his failure to take open shots, off the rush, yesterday, screwed up a couple promising opportunities, and his soft play cost in the D-zone.

Lastly, the feeling among many 'Hawk fans, is that Q got outcoached...I don't doubt this, the result seems the proof...but...more to the point, many 'Hawk fans feel that the REASON the 'Hawks were inconsistent throughout the year, especially on special teams, is that Jamie Kompon and Mike Kitchen are two of the most incompetent assistant coaches in the league, and failures to adjust fall squarely on their areas of responsibility.

Disappointing finish to this season, but, there is some hope for my team...TT should be ready to go, to solve the #2 Center issue. I expect some room for some youngsters to be made, by dumping Versteeg and Brookbank (UFA), and IMO, hopefully Bickell, and expect Handzus (UFA) to retire, and perhaps Rozival too, as he had a hard time staying healthy, this season. Morin (RFA), Regin (UFA), and Nordstrom will be in the bottom 6 forward mix. I expect Leddy to be shopped, with Clendening a ready to move up.

I expect a more consistent team next year that will again challenge for the Cup...

Thanks again to all you fine Flame fans, for letting me hang at one of the best boards for NHL teams, and I truly hope your patience and passion for hockey get rewarded soon, by your Flames...not really a "rivalry", but, our two teams do have a playoff history vs. each other, and I hope to see the matchup again in the postseason soon.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by thefoss1957

As far as in-season moves, Gaborik was, for me, a surprisingly effective pickup for the Kings, at the deadline, I didn't think that he would play enough D to suit Sutter.

This was something that a lot of people said when the Kings picked him up, even the so-call "experts", but the guy spent most of his career playing for Jaques Lemaire and did just fine while putting up respectable points and Lemaire never seemed to have an issue with him.

I focused on his defensive prowess while watching the last couple series and it's his speed that allows him to get back and he also has good defensive positioning away from the puck in the o-zone, which is huge for transitional play.

[Igottago]

That series was hockey at its best, its almost a shame there had to be a loser. I was sure that LA's comebacks were over after Chicago went up 4-3, but you just can't count them out.

I fully expect the winner of this series (LA) to win the Cup. I think the thing that might give NYR a chance is the tough path the Kings have had to take to get into the finals, they must be pretty fatigued right now.

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

It seems to me that was most likely Hossa's last game as a Hawk. Not because of his play but his age, his "Kovalchuk contract", and the Hawks need the cap space. I believe him to be a prime candidate for a buy out. Still is a force out there and will be snapped up quickly.

[Vedder]

Buy out Hossa, make a move for Kesler? Very tough to get rid of Hossa given that he still plays such a big role on the team.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by It's a great day 4 hockey

It seems to me that was most likely Hossa's last game as a Hawk. Not because of his play but his age, his "Kovalchuk contract", and the Hawks need the cap space. I believe him to be a prime candidate for a buy out. Still is a force out there and will be snapped up quickly.

Are there any rumors about this or your own speculation? I don't see this happening.

If I'm Bowman I don't dismantle an effective core after a 3rd round 7th game exit.

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

Own speculation. Look at his contract on cap geek. Look at where the Hawks are for cap space now and what they'll need for space to sign Toews and Kane. I wouldn't look at this as dismantling the team but as making the best of a tough situation to preserve the team as best they can. Just a thought.

[sureLoss]

The Hawks have already used both their compliance buyouts.

If they want to use a regular buyout, they can do it further down the line.