[OOT] May 1, just one playoff game.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by wittynickname

Yep, losing their top defenseman for the year, losing their #1 goalie before game 1 round 1, losing their captain and reigning Conn Smythe winner in game 3 against their biggest rival...yep. Pens get all the breaks. Lucky guys.

Obviously I was wrong... just emotions speaking as I was hoping that the caps could finally get over the hump this year.

Game threads can are like drunk texting sometimes...

[GirlySports]

its now or never for the caps

[RougeUnderoos]

Love that woman at the glass screaming "eff you" and giving the ref the bird after he calls that totally obvious penalty.


Annnd I wonder what she said now.

[TBone290]

We have a series!

[AC]

Yesssssssss!

Shattenkirk does something for the first time with Washington?

[djsFlames]

Haha, and after all that flak from people, Shat scores the winner.

[oldschoolcalgary]

without the Flames, i am just hoping that all the series are good...

the only metric i have is that I prefer to see a team and fan base that hasn't been to the finals before.

[Karl]

Good for him to score, but the flak Shattenkirk was getting was well deserved for his ####ty defense.

[omelete]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

without the Flames, i am just hoping that all the series are good...

the only metric i have is that I prefer to see a team and fan base that hasn't been to the finals before.

So just Nashville then?

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by omelete

So just Nashville then?

in order preference, I'd say:

1) Ottawa
2) STL
3) Washington/Nashville

STL, washington have very good fan bases... Nashville's is pretty off the charts, which is really impressive for a southern team...

[nik-]

Ottawa was in the finals in 07, unless that metric is low value?

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by nik-

Ottawa was in the finals in 07, unless that metric is low value?

Canadian content!

just can't cheer for the oilers and vancouver when it comes to stanley cups... i'd even have been ok with Toronto over those two to be honest...

edit: sorry, should have said i'd cheer for teams that never have won a cup to actually win... especially those that show great fan support

[CGY12]

My metric is anybody but edmonton. I don't care who they are playing, they will have my full support and that includes the Ducks (unfortunately).

[calgaryblood]

Man that 5 minute major was a joke. Honestly, If that's anyone other than Crosby it's a 2 minute penalty at worst and most likely they turn an eye to it.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Man that 5 minute major was a joke. Honestly, If that's anyone other than Crosby it's a 2 minute penalty at worst and most likely they turn an eye to it.

After seeing it a few times it looked accidental and was a very iffy call. That said I believe once the ref decided it was a cross checking penalty he was forced to make it 5 and a game because of the resulting injury.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

After seeing it a few times it looked accidental and was a very iffy call. That said I believe once the ref decided it was a cross checking penalty he was forced to make it 5 and a game because of the resulting injury.

Iffy call? Intent is not required.
It's a simple yes or no.
Did he crosscheck Crosby in the head? Yes
Did it result in injury? Yes
= 5 minutes.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Man that 5 minute major was a joke. Honestly, If that's anyone other than Crosby it's a 2 minute penalty at worst and most likely they turn an eye to it.

You should stick to analyzing anthems.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Iffy call? Intent is not required.
It's a simple yes or no.
Did he crosscheck Crosby in the head? Yes
Did it result in injury? Yes
= 5 minutes.

It was iffy because Crosby was falling over and ran into an unsuspecting Niskanen. You could make the argument it was an accidental collision where Crosby unfortunately ran into Niskanen's stick and there should be no penalty. It wasn't a play where he lifted his stick and slammed it into Crosby's head.

I have no problem with the 5 and a game because players should be in control of their stick, however it was not an intent to injure and there shouldn't be a suspension.

Also, I'll add that the ref missed the high stick from Ovechkin right before that and Pittsburgh should have had a 2 man advantage.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

After seeing it a few times it looked accidental and was a very iffy call. That said I believe once the ref decided it was a cross checking penalty he was forced to make it 5 and a game because of the resulting injury.

Yeah I agree. Tough situation for the refs because they can't not call a play like that. I'm sure if he returned to the ice after serving 2 minutes there would be retribution. Now that everyone has seen the film and slept on it, perhaps there will be less retribution next game.

Ultimately I think they got it right. Tough to justify any other choice

[flambers]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

It was iffy because Crosby was falling over and ran into an unsuspecting Niskanen. You could make the argument it was an accidental collision where Crosby unfortunately ran into Niskanen's stick and there should be no penalty. It wasn't a play where he lifted his stick and slammed it into Crosby's head.

I have no problem with the 5 and a game because players should be in control of their stick, however it was not an intent to injure and there shouldn't be a suspension.

Also, I'll add that the ref missed the high stick from Ovechkin right before that and Pittsburgh should have had a 2 man advantage.

I don't see it that way at all, fact is a player is responsible for their stick.

It was a nasty play, and resulted in an injury.

Only thing about the call that was messed up, Ovechkin should have received 2 minutes to go with the 5 minute major.

I would suspend the player if it was my call.