EC Playoffs Eastern Final: New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens

[Dion]

nm

[habernac]

the only Kovalev moment I enjoy. I don't usually condone cheapshots, but Tucker was asking for it. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[dino7c]

what a terrible series, I think the finals will be an ass kicking too


Enjoy the west finals because it likely decides the cup

[Passe La Puck]

Originally Posted by Dion

King Henrik is gold!

...Silver, he's silver!

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Passe La Puck

...Silver, he's silver!

Might wanna double check your facts Jack. Lundqvist probably had a more dominant performance back in 2006 than even Price had this year.

[Passe La Puck]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Might wanna double check your facts Jack. Lundqvist probably had a more dominant performance back in 2006 than even Price had this year.

*checks calendar* ...yep, still silver.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Dion

It was a gamble playing a tender the opposition hasn't seen. Sometimes it works like it did with Gibson or what we saw tonight. Can't fault the coach for his decision.

I don't think the lost can be blame solely to the goaltender rookie or not. I agree that second goal by the Rangers(Rick Nash) was weak but the Habs still have lots of time to come back and tie or even win the game. That tripping penalty by Habs where St. Louis scored on a power play was very weak. I think the ref blew that call but I am not saying that's the reason they lost. Lundqvist was awesome tonight and Habs just don't have an answer for them tonight. Strange things happens in this playoff season so far but I got the feeling the Rangers will finish them off in 4. No Price on goal and no offense either.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Might wanna double check your facts Jack. Lundqvist probably had a more dominant performance back in 2006 than even Price had this year.

Price benefitted tremendously from the good fortune of playing behind the best, most suffocating group of six-deep defensemen ever assembled for any game or any tournament. Team Canada's Olympics were a defensive clinic unlike anything seen before.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

...I'd like to think I'm over 2004, but I'm not. To hell with them.

Yeah, I feel the same way about 1986. A NYR sweep would be a very satisfying outcome.

[Hockey_Ninja]

The Habs fans in this thread made me go from not caring to wanting the Habs out asap.

[Dogbert]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yeah, I feel the same way about 1986. A NYR sweep would be a very satisfying outcome.

I wasn't alive in 1986, so I couldn't tell you.

All I see is a team that worked hard to get to where they are having the whole thing ripped away from them by something totally out of their control. The Habs deserved better than this.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I wasn't alive in 1986, so I couldn't tell you.

All I see is a team that worked hard to get to where they are having the whole thing ripped away from them by something totally out of their control. The Habs deserved better than this.

Injuries suck. You wish teams could put their best teams on the ice. But, the Habs benefited from Bishop being out in round one. Now the skate is on the other foot.

All you can do to guard against random injuries, is to have organizational depth.

[Resolute 14]

Part of a four round playoff grind is surviving injuries.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Price benefitted tremendously from the good fortune of playing behind the best, most suffocating group of six-deep defensemen ever assembled for any game or any tournament. Team Canada's Olympics were a defensive clinic unlike anything seen before.

In fairness to Price though, he played nearly the entire tournament with an injury.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Dogbert

...All I see is a team that worked hard to get to where they are having the whole thing ripped away from them by something totally out of their control. The Habs deserved better than this.

Oh, spare me. "The Habs" don't "deserve" the chance to play in the EC final or in the SC Championships any more or any less than any one of the other four teams currently playing.

Such melodramatic nonsense.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Part of a four round playoff grind is surviving injuries.

While this is true, losing your starting goaltender who has dragged you to the conference finals on his back is a totally different blow to your team than any other player.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

In fairness to Price though, he played nearly the entire tournament with an injury.

For the record, I think that Price played great in the Olympics. He was much better than the Luongo / Brodeur tandem from 2010. I also happen to think that as good as he is—and he is really good—he owes his Team Canada defense a huge debt of gratitude. Like I said: it was a defensive clinic of epic proportions.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MattyC

While this is true, losing your starting goaltender who has dragged you to the conference finals on his back is a totally different blow to your team than any other player.

No question. Unfortunately for Montreal, it doesn't entitle them to a mulligan.

[Nufy]

You still have to beat the team on the ice.

Montreal just aren't playing like they did against Boston right now.

Unfortunately, if / when NY wins the east some will say it was because of Price not playing and not how well the rangers are doing.

Like against Tampa, the win will be less meaningfull because it wasn't the best against the best.

[jonesy]

much has been made of the fact that the rangers went to Marty's mom's funeral. I think this is good, but what interests me more is if any of his former team mates went. For example did anyone from Tampa go? Did Yzerman or Lecavalier go?