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Post by Skilly on Apr 4, 2004 18:14:03 GMT -5
I voted for Sens in 6.
The Leafs seem to dominate the Sens for the past couple of years. But this version of the Sens are built for the playoffs and the Leafs are going to have a hard time roughing them up this go around. The Sens have become dirtier (Leafs game) and are more talented. The Leafs will win 2 games by blow outs, but in a seven game series I can not see them beating Ottawa 4 times.
This series will also be very boring. The Sens will get a 2 goal margin and then proceed to shut down the geriatric Leafs with a clutch and grab system that is only second to the Leafs.
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Post by habmeister on Apr 4, 2004 18:18:43 GMT -5
I hate to admit it and hope i'm wrong. But there seems to be a psychological barrier for the sens when they meet the leafs in the playoffs. Hopefully they can overcome it and finally beat the leafs. But i had to choose the leafs in seven.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2004 22:11:33 GMT -5
I hate to admit it and hope i'm wrong. But there seems to be a psychological barrier for the sens when they meet the leafs in the playoffs. Hopefully they can overcome it and finally beat the leafs. But i had to choose the leafs in seven. Same here. The Sens are really weak in goal, and that's going to be their major weakness. Then again, I thought the Leafs were going to toast the Flyers with Cechmanek in goal, but we all remember what happened. |
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Post by drkcloud on Apr 5, 2004 0:14:46 GMT -5
Yup, I too hate to say it but the Leafs handle them. Better goaltending and still more grit ( gotta give em credit)
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Post by Rimmer on Apr 5, 2004 2:44:28 GMT -5
Sens in 5. they have to break out some time and I think this is their chance. Lalime will outplay Belfour. hopefully...  R. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 5, 2004 14:53:20 GMT -5
After Monday, April 5th, working in downtown Toronto, reading a Toronto paper, and listening to Toronto radio...I can say with all certainty that the Leafs' fans and media are looking way past the Sens. A sweep is a fait accompli as far they're concerned.
It seems that after that 5-4 OT comeback win (when Ottawa players were vomiting between shifts) and the 6-0 embarrassment last Saturday, the Leaf Nation is way past cocky.
I hope it comes back to bite them huge. All the Sens need is for their added muscle to step up to the challenge, and for Lalime or Prusek to outplay a healthy Belfour. Cause if Belfour goes down......see ya.
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Post by roke on Apr 5, 2004 15:48:00 GMT -5
All I know is that if I was playing the Leafs in the playoffs I would consider running Belfour,especially if the Leaf players started taking runs at the star players on my team (considering I can't skate it may be difficult to make the NHL, but you never know". If Belfour goes down the Leafs go down for sure. Unfortuneatly, resorting to that would probably mean Leaf players taking runs at the other team's players which wouldn't be good. We'll see what happens.
edit: Sens in 7.
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Post by jkr on Apr 5, 2004 18:44:41 GMT -5
The last two seasons Lalime has shown he can step up in the playoffs. His stats show good reglar seasons and very good playoff numbers. I don't think he is the big liability people like to think he is: tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp?player_id=1699&hubname=OTTVarada & Volchenkov add grit so I don't think that's a big issue. The issue with Ottawa is going to be discipline with their style of play and in penalty situations. On the other side, there's Belfour - playing well right now but he hasn't won a series in 3 years & was outplayed by Cechmanek last year. Plus TO is starting the series without Nolan, Tucker, Klee & Belak. The Sens have to take advantage of that. Ottawa in seven - please!! |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 7, 2004 9:52:55 GMT -5
Sens in 6, but each will be a battle. I just see Ottawa finally proving to one and all that they can beat Toronto in the playoffs. Each season they have improved in some way in the post-season, so time to get that Battle of Ontario monkey off their back...and I don't mind going against Maggie the Monkey on this one!!
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Post by jkr on Apr 9, 2004 8:44:20 GMT -5
The leaf's season long trend of penalty trouble took its toll last night.
I was at an OHL playoff game in Brampton last night. From across the arena I could see a TV in a private box. I knew the leafs were in penalty trouble because I could clearly see Quinn complaining as he always does.
Go Sens. Just 3 more wins.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2004 12:44:41 GMT -5
The leaf's season long trend of penalty trouble took its toll last night. And Belfour went to question the officiating near the end of the game. I know at this point, we'd all be, "Those Leafs are always complaining about the refs," and at times I believe their complaints are actually justified. Of course, the Leafs do take stupid and lazy penalties, but at other times, they seemed rather weak. Of course, if the Leafs kept their mouths shut and just played hockey, they would be in the sin bin much less often. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 9, 2004 12:52:38 GMT -5
Not only did Belfour get 2 for unsportsmanlike conduct with his mouth, Pat Quinn complained long and loud about the refs in his postgame conference.
To me, that slashing penalty on McCabe (which broke a composite stick) was ridiculous. It put the Leafs down 2 men and changed the momentum completely. If it had happened to the Habs, I'd be really upset. Although they have been calling those all year, to put a team two men down was a bit much.
Still (double-standardly giggling inside) I'm glad it was McCabe. Cherry was not only furious about the calls, but that Quinn had Leetch and Johansson killing the penalty. "Not known for their defensive play" was the terms he used. "Ya got Marchment sitting on the bench," he yelled. "What's goin' on?"
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Apr 9, 2004 16:21:49 GMT -5
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Post by jkr on Apr 9, 2004 17:55:13 GMT -5
To me, that slashing penalty on McCabe (which broke a composite stick) was ridiculous. Although they have been calling those all year, to put a team two men down was a bit much. The key here is that they been calling tha penalty all year & the leafs know that. They are not the only team that is being hit hard with penalties in the playoffs. Toronto is the most penalized team going into the playoffs. Quinn has known that all season. Rather than fix the problem he complains about the officiating. It deflects scrutiny from the real issue - that Quinn & his coaching staff have done a lousy job of dealing with a key issue. |
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Post by franko on Apr 9, 2004 21:04:31 GMT -5
Rather than fix the problem he complains about the officiating. Hey, it worked last year and the year before . . . but I think it's getting old and the refs are tired of it. As a (partial) season ticket holder in Ottawa I had the opportunity to by playoff tickets. (1) the fact that I don't know my schedule in advance [nor do we know when the games are when tickets are being sold], and (2) the fact that you have to commit to 4 tickets for 4 rounds [and my financial situation] held me back. Regretting it now, though. Am not able to go to either Leaf game, but I could probably have "sold" them and paid for the tickets for the following 3 series with the . . . um . . . brokerage fee. Right habncheese? |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 10, 2004 21:06:26 GMT -5
Game 2: Eddie got the shutout...and the Leafs came out hammering....most of them good clean hits...but vicious. Ottawa gave it right back. Tucker has two swollen eyes.
Belfour was the difference in this game. A little lucky too. Alfredsson shot one point blank right into his trapper.
Ottawa is every inch as tough as the Leafs, and possesses a more skilled, balanced attack. As the series goes on, perhaps just a little more able to take and dish out the rough stuff. What a war this is turning out to be.
But what a joke listening to Harry Neale. Try as he might...he can't cover for the fact that he's a huge Leaf homer.
The CBC should be ashamed of itself with the totally Leafs' biased Coach's Corner segment when two Canadian teams are playing. What an insult.
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Post by jkr on Apr 11, 2004 8:31:32 GMT -5
Game 2: Eddie got the shutout...and the Leafs came out hammering....most of them good clean hits...but vicious. Ottawa gave it right back. Tucker has two swollen eyes. Belfour was the difference in this game. A little lucky too. Alfredsson shot one point blank right into his trapper. Ottawa is every inch as tough as the Leafs, and possesses a more skilled, balanced attack. As the series goes on, perhaps just a little more able to take and dish out the rough stuff. What a war this is turning out to be. But what a joke listening to Harry Neale. Try as he might...he can't cover for the fact that he's a huge Leaf homer. The CBC should be ashamed of itself with the totally Leafs' biased Coach's Corner segment when two Canadian teams are playing. What an insult. It was nice to see Roberts & Tucker on the receiving end of some nasty hits. The Sens have discovered that Roberts is the key & have targeted him. They are not afraid to take runs at guys like Sundin either. What a hypocrite Quinn is. He was talking in the post game show about retribution - after what his team has done the last few years! In the past the knock on Ottawa has been toughness but this year they are initiating alot of contact. Every hit is an investment and it will payoff in the long run. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 11, 2004 15:45:34 GMT -5
I agree. And my hat is off to the Sens. It's also off (reluctantly) to the Leafs, who came out hitting everyone in sight, and setting the tone.
Still, the Sens are younger and if not for steady Eddie last night, Ottawa would be taking home a 2-0 series lead. The Leafs are used to dishing it out...it's quite another thing to receive it. It will take its toll on them before the series is out.
What could Quinn be seeking retribution for? The hitting was vicious but clean by both teams. Possibly they think Varada was going after Sundin's knee? It looked to me as if Varada was going for a Roberts-like hit as Sundin came around the net. Mats leaned to his right at the last second and their legs collided instead.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 12, 2004 20:38:22 GMT -5
Game 3 over: 2-0 Leafs
Sens outplayed the Leafs badly in the first period but had no answer for Belfour again.
Leafs got away with at least 4 blatant fouls in the third period...no calls. Just brutal officiating. Leafs played well in the second and third though.
Lalime...a Theodore-like softie on Sundin's 2-0 goal with about 5 minutes left. Just broke their backs. Great effort by Sundin from his own blueline in. Some might even say Niewendyk's 30-footer was soft too, although it was a one-timer bullet. I didn't really get a good look at it, as the replay is from behind the net.
Tucker keeps getting rocked and coming back for more. Gotta admire that heart. I don't think Aki Berg will see another game as, since Klee replaced him, the Leafs are 2-0.
Ottawa really disappointed me though with not sustaining even half of their first period effort throughout the rest of the game. When Nieuwendyk scored 1:30 into the second, the Sens were never the same. Their PP was as brutal as the Habs' has been.
Leafs ahead 2-1 and regain home-ice. Ottawa fans must be just seething. The Sens are a better all-round team than the Leafs...they just can't beat Belfour.
Bruins fans know what that's like (2002).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2004 21:25:46 GMT -5
Bruins fans know what that's like (2002). Especially when your goalie (Dafoe) is letting Donald Audette light you up. |
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Post by jkr on Apr 12, 2004 21:30:18 GMT -5
Game 3 over: 2-0 Leafs Sens outplayed the Leafs badly in the first period but had no answer for Belfour again. Leafs got away with at least 4 blatant fouls in the third period...no calls. Just brutal officiating. Leafs played well in the second and third though. Lalime...a Theodore-like softie on Sundin's 2-0 goal with about 5 minutes left. Just broke their backs. Great effort by Sundin from his own blueline in. Some might even say Niewendyk's 30-footer was soft too, although it was a one-timer bullet. I didn't really get a good look at it, as the replay is from behind the net. Tucker keeps getting rocked and coming back for more. Gotta admire that heart. I don't think Aki Berg will see another game as, since Klee replaced him, the Leafs are 2-0. Ottawa really disappointed me though with not sustaining even half of their first period effort throughout the rest of the game. When Nieuwendyk scored 1:30 into the second, the Sens were never the same. Their PP was as brutal as the Habs' has been. Leafs ahead 2-1 and regain home-ice. Ottawa fans must be just seething. The Sens are a better all-round team than the Leafs...they just can't beat Belfour. Bruins fans know what that's like (2002). I was almost as frustrated with this game as I get when watching the Habs. I watched some of the second period & most of the third. I didn't really see a sense of urgency from Ottawa until the latter stages of the 3rd period. There was little traffic & I didn't see guys like Havlat, Hossa or Bondra paying the price. Bondra looks next to useless and is now on a one goal in 17 games streak. I guess they just have to keep working at it only this time right from the get go for a full 60 minutes. PS: before leaf fans get too excited, remember that Lalime had 3 shutouts in row two years ago & it didn't get Ottawa anywhere in the long run. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 13, 2004 0:07:29 GMT -5
I was thinking the same thing. There was a point midway through the third period where I said to the Sens, "Come on you guys...turn it up...."
Too often we've seen the Habs wait til there are about 5 minutes left before they start to turn it up when they need one. I know you don't want to get caught taking risks...but if you can do it in the first period without taking risks...why not throughout the game? Doesn't make sense to me. Anaheim and L.A. played 60 minutes of that kind of hockey against us this year...it can be done. That's the most sustained pressure I've seen in Habs' games all year. They both really needed wins then...and they went for it.
The Sens needed this win...and didn't deliver beyond the first period. Eddie stops em all in the first? Then get more in the second....and more in the third.
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Post by franko on Apr 13, 2004 6:00:15 GMT -5
There was little traffic & I didn't see guys like Havlat, Hossa or Bondra paying the price. Oh, the collective angst and agony in Ottawa! The end is coming! THe end is coming! The Sens really do mirror their coach -- nice guys all around, very knowledgeable, and little passion. I thought that they'd fight through it this year, but after last night I may have to change my mind. |
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Post by jkr on Apr 14, 2004 18:37:22 GMT -5
Alredsson has set his sights a lot lower when making predictions. Now all he is promising is a goal.
I just looked at NHL.com. I expected them to come out blazing but they only outshot the leafs 9-4 and the period is scoreless. It's now something like 8 periods without a goal.
Belfour is good but not this good. Come on Ottawa.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 14, 2004 21:38:50 GMT -5
Eddie is human after all. Nieuwendyk's chronic back flares up...he's back in Toronto for treatment. Sundin leaves the game in the third with a leg injury.
Sens keep up the pressure and keep maintain tenacious hockey. The older Leafs were outplayed for the 4th straight game and are now getting banged up. Eddie's been great, but can't take 30+ shots every game.
If Joe N. and Mats S. can't play Game 5....watch for Roberts to go ballistic out there. Some Senator is going to get injured intentionally. Lalime better be careful for the Domi blindside.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 16, 2004 19:47:37 GMT -5
Game 5, 2nd intermission.
Leafs have like 6 shots on goal total. But the Sens are playing with fire. They're not pressing like they have in the last 4 games.
Come on, Sens. The Leafs are ripe for the picking. Sundin's out, Tucker's nowhere near 100%, Nieuwendyk's playing hurt.....you guys gotta smoke em tonight.
I have a bad feeling about the third period.
EDIT: I go back to the game and lo and behold, the Leafs score. Goes in off Smolinski. Domi gets credit. Sens are choking big time tonight so far. No excuses.
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Post by jkr on Apr 16, 2004 20:16:51 GMT -5
Game 5, 2nd intermission. Leafs have like 6 shots on goal total. But the Sens are playing with fire. They're not pressing like they have in the last 4 games. Come on, Sens. The Leafs are ripe for the picking. Sundin's out, Tucker's nowhere near 100%, Nieuwendyk's playing hurt.....you guys gotta smoke em tonight. I have a bad feeling about the third period. EDIT: I go back to the game and lo and behold, the Leafs score. Goes in off Smolinski. Domi gets credit. Sens are choking big time tonight so far. No excuses. I haven't watched this game. Thay get me almost as upset as the Habs contests. I just looked at the summary. 18 shots after 2 periods is a joke for a team that can score like they can. I heard Damien Cox on the fan590 tonight. I find you get the straight goods on the leafs from him. He was picking the leafs just because of Ottawa's history & I was thinking - jeez, not him too. But by looking in on the summary so far he is right. The Sens will be looked at as chokers. I think some leaf fans would just be satisfied with eliminating Ottawa this year so they can rub salt in the wounds - again. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 16, 2004 20:25:22 GMT -5
And the Sens choke huge. They go down 1-0 early in the third and generate.....nothing. Nieuwendyk scores to make it 2-0.
How can you dominate a team and get 30+ shots on goal 4 games in a row....then turn in as low intensity a game as this?
Effort tonight based on the previous 4? -1
They took advantage of nothing. Leafs had 6 freakin' shots on goal when they got that lucky bounce off Smolinski's skate for the first goal.
If the Sens lose this series, they'll go back to this game as the reason....and Jacques Martin....pack your bags.
Belfour gets another shutout...and he wasn't even tested. Lalime had one good scoring chance to stop in the third...and it went in. First I thought he should've had it....on the replay it was a laser wrister. Great shot by a wily veteran.
But the Sens played with fire the whole game by not generating the pressure they're more than capable of generating.
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Post by franko on Apr 16, 2004 20:27:01 GMT -5
Sens are choking big time tonight so far. The Sens will be looked at as chokers. Some things never change. Judging from the noise in the street after Wednesday night's game, you'da thunk the Sens had won the Cup. Tonight: silence. The bridges must be busy  |
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Post by jkr on Apr 16, 2004 21:51:51 GMT -5
I watched the highlight package and saw 3 opportunities ( Hossa, Varada, Chara) with clear cut chances. They either lost the puck or fanned on their shots. They need guys like Bondra, Havlat , Bonk to step up. Alfredsson guaranteed a game 7 but he's making a lot of guarantees lately.
PS: Just once I would like to see Jacques Martin blow up after a game & maybe light a fire under this collection of underachievers. Quinn has no trouble getting his team to play hard, what's Martin's problem?
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