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Post by CentreHice on Apr 29, 2006 0:39:40 GMT -5
Game 4 Dallas 4 (empty net) Colorado 1 The general sentiment from Avs fans over a HF Boards. "Goaltending clearly the difference in this one. Two soft goals given up by Theo, and Turco has totally outplayed him. Of course it would help if the team could connect on a few passes too, especially on the PP. Oh, and winning a faceoff might help too." Theo, by most accounts, made some good saves....but those "two soft goals" came back to haunt them. Turco allowed only one.....WOW his best playoff game EVER!  Avs still in complete control....going back to Dallas won't be easy....but if Dallas wins.....look out in Game 6. |
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Post by jkr on Apr 29, 2006 5:36:24 GMT -5
When asked about how he felt his goalie played he replied: "I'm tired of all the BS" (but he said the word) He was also asked if Sean Burke would start in Ottawa. His reply: "You GD right he will!" I think it's safe to say that Grahame, a UFA this summer, won't be offered a contract by Tampa Bay. Tortorella was off-base....even though lousy goaltending can deflate a team (ask Dallas)...you don't hear coaches sound off like that very often if at all. You're right. He's reacting like a fan, not a coach. Feaster should have been looking for a goalie from the day Khabibulin left. He gets to share some of the blame for thing Grahame & Burke would take him anywhere. |
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 30, 2006 16:52:19 GMT -5
Colorado wins the series 4-1.
Theodore with his best game since returning from injury....and well-timed. Flawless in OT...got some nice bounces....but he was playing well, and he deserved those....made several key saves with solid positioning.
Modano returned for OT after being levelled in the second period by Clark.
It was Modano who lost Brunette on the winning goal....and when he and Tippett were going down the runway after the game, Modano turned around and fired a retort back at Tippett. I'll just speculate and say that perhaps the coach said something about losing his man.
What a great play by Sakic to move into the centre of the ice for the backhand....and an even better play by Brunette to stop the puck before it reached the net, catching Turco already in a positon to make the save on Sakic's shot. Down and out, frozen solid. Bing...up high. Series over.
Can't fault Turco on that one....but I think he may have played his last game in Dallas. A horrible series for him (two more softies today). Didn't he sign a multi-year contract this season? Perhaps he'll agree to waive a no-trade if there is one.
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Post by Skilly on Apr 30, 2006 17:56:03 GMT -5
;D He still hasn't lost in the first round. Like I said he didn't have to outplay Turco, he only had to win one game all on his own .... 50 saves just about counts as that one game. Now come on CH .... say it , Skilly was right...  ;D |
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Post by PTH on Apr 30, 2006 22:20:56 GMT -5
From what I've seen of COL-DAL, both goalies in that series were pretty bad. Today DAL made Theo look good, I saw roughly half that game and Theo needed to be sound, but didn't need to make many tough saves.
The reason DAL has a high shot count is because Theo has been a sieve all series long, and they were hoping that with more shots they'd get more lucky bounces/bad goals from a struggling goalie.
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Post by CentreHice on Apr 30, 2006 22:31:55 GMT -5
;D He still hasn't lost in the first round. Like I said he didn't have to outplay Turco, he only had to win one game all on his own .... 50 saves just about counts as that one game. Now come on CH .... say it , Skilly was right... ;D Didn't I give Theo full credit for his effort today? I always have and I always will give such credit to any player who deserves it. You prefer to gloat about being right where no gloating is necessary. I didn't say Theo would lose this series. You shouldn't be rubbing anything in my face concerning Theo. But since you did...... In terms of you being correct, before you gloat too much...look what I found from February 20/06, that you posted after Theo's injury. "I guess this is great news for alot of Theo's critics. Waaaaaussshhhhhhhhh .... what was that sound? Oh, just the Habs season being flushed down the toilet!!" You gave the Habs no chance of making the playoffs without Theo. You can't argue otherwise. Our regular season record when you made that statement: 26-22-8 (.535 winning pct.) Our regular season record since that statement: 16-9-1 (.635 winning pct.) Another fact: When Huet had replaced Theo after Jan. 31, our record then was 23-21-6. (.520 winning pct.) Our regular season record since Huet replaced Theo after Jan. 31.: 19-10-3 (.640 winning pct.) Any way you slice it, in terms of "the Habs season being flushed down the toilet" without Theo.....admit it, Skilly....you were wrong. No wink, no smiley..... |
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Post by jkr on May 1, 2006 5:14:23 GMT -5
Colorado wins the series 4-1. Theodore with his best game since returning from injury....and well-timed. Flawless in OT...got some nice bounces....but he was playing well, and he deserved those....made several key saves with solid positioning. Modano returned for OT after being levelled in the second period by Clark. It was Modano who lost Brunette on the winning goal....and when he and Tippett were going down the runway after the game, Modano turned around and fired a retort back at Tippett. I'll just speculate and say that perhaps the coach said something about losing his man. What a great play by Sakic to move into the centre of the ice for the backhand....and an even better play by Brunette to stop the puck before it reached the net, catching Turco already in a positon to make the save on Sakic's shot. Down and out, frozen solid. Bing...up high. Series over. Can't fault Turco on that one....but I think he may have played his last game in Dallas. A horrible series for him (two more softies today). Didn't he sign a multi-year contract this season? Perhaps he'll agree to waive a no-trade if there is one. I think we can argue all we want about goaltending ( Turco was brutal - it looked like the pressure got to him) but the key to the Avs success is clearly Sakic. If he' s not there it doesn't matter if Brodeur is in there. The guy is almost 37 & he is carrying this team on his back. He's involved in all the key plays. If this guy is UFA next year go after him! |
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Post by Skilly on May 1, 2006 6:23:28 GMT -5
;D He still hasn't lost in the first round. Like I said he didn't have to outplay Turco, he only had to win one game all on his own .... 50 saves just about counts as that one game. Now come on CH .... say it , Skilly was right... ;D Didn't I give Theo full credit for his effort today? I always have and I always will give such credit to any player who deserves it. You prefer to gloat about being right where no gloating is necessary. I didn't say Theo would lose this series. You shouldn't be rubbing anything in my face concerning Theo. But since you did...... In terms of you being correct, before you gloat too much...look what I found from February 20/06, that you posted after Theo's injury. "I guess this is great news for alot of Theo's critics. Waaaaaussshhhhhhhhh .... what was that sound? Oh, just the Habs season being flushed down the toilet!!" You gave the Habs no chance of making the playoffs without Theo. You can't argue otherwise. Our regular season record when you made that statement: 26-22-8 (.535 winning pct.) Our regular season record since that statement: 16-9-1 (.635 winning pct.) Another fact: When Huet had replaced Theo after Jan. 31, our record then was 23-21-6. (.520 winning pct.) Our regular season record since Huet replaced Theo after Jan. 31.: 19-10-3 (.640 winning pct.) Any way you slice it, in terms of "the Habs season being flushed down the toilet" without Theo.....admit it, Skilly....you were wrong. No wink, no smiley..... Is Theo not doing better than our Habs? Did not most posters expect think that a successful season for the Habs is getting into the second round and improving on how we played the Lightning? Especially after being up 2-0 in the first round. I also stated in that same thread that Theo will go further in the playoffs than us .... (but I also said Colorado should now be considered the favourite to win the Cup). The West looks wide open now, so Colorado is not looking so shabby. To many people wrote off the Avs, because they had Theo, .... but I just can't find any quotes of anyone saying that Theo had a chance to win this series. As to our winning percentage, pre and post Theo. Well I don't think having to rely on another team to lose to make the playoffs and "accepting" mediocrity (if you can call 7th mediocre) is something to be proud of. Seems I struck a nerve, it was only intended as a friendly banter. For that I apologize and will not do again. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 1, 2006 12:29:48 GMT -5
Is Theo not doing better than our Habs? Did not most posters expect think that a successful season for the Habs is getting into the second round and improving on how we played the Lightning? Especially after being up 2-0 in the first round. What other posters thought would be a successful season is irrelevant. You said our season would go down the toilet without Theo...and that means missing the playoffs. I also stated in that same thread that Theo will go further in the playoffs than us .... (but I also said Colorado should now be considered the favourite to win the Cup). The West looks wide open now, so Colorado is not looking so shabby. To many people wrote off the Avs, because they had Theo, .... but I just can't find any quotes of anyone saying that Theo had a chance to win this series. You are free to pick and cheer for whomever you wish. As to our winning percentage, pre and post Theo. Well I don't think having to rely on another team to lose to make the playoffs and "accepting" mediocrity (if you can call 7th mediocre) is something to be proud of. The Habs were not alone in having another team's loss secure a playoff berth. Tampa Bay also got in because of Washington beating Atlanta. Edmonton and Colorado both clinched on April 13 when San Jose beat Vancouver. Colorado lost 2-0 in Calgary that night. Seems I struck a nerve, it was only intended as a friendly banter. For that I apologize and will not do again. You didn't strike a nerve, and there's no need to apologize. You named me in your post as having to admit you were right about something that I never said anything about. I was responding by using an example of where you were wrong about a very big issue...the Habs' season without Theo. I'll tell you where I think you've been right on the mark, Skilly. The Habs' over-reliance on goaltending. Huet, just like Theo before him, had to stand on his head just for us to make the playoffs. Our first two wins over Carolina were the result of a horrid performance by Martin Gerber. It seemed everybody was scoring from everywhere, which deflates a team (ask Tortorella and Tippett). Ward comes in and plays very well....our offense shuts down...and all the pressure is on our goaltending again. In fact, I think to win this series now, Huet has to have two shutouts, which is something else you've always said, and now I concur. Our offense, especially now without Koivu, is that feeble when we face a good goalie. And our PP has been impotent. Theo, on the other hand, didn't have to be great against Dallas (in Game 5 he WAS)....it was a combination of having a deeper, more talented team in front of him and the fact that Turco did a Gerber-Grahame routine. He was terrible. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 1, 2006 20:53:29 GMT -5
Game 6....after 2 periods. Detroit 2 Edmonton 0
Edmonton looks about as interested in this game as Harry Neale watching a Habs practice.
With a chance to close it out at home, they were outshot 17-2 in the second period.
At least the CBC commentators--Bell, Garrett, and Millen--have been making suggestions as to how the Oilers can get things going.
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Post by Toronthab on May 1, 2006 21:49:03 GMT -5
Wow what a finish!!!
4-3 Oilers!!! incredible
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Post by PTH on May 1, 2006 21:50:17 GMT -5
Game 6....after 2 periods. Detroit 2 Edmonton 0 Edmonton looks about as interested in this game as Harry Neale watching a Habs practice. With a chance to close it out at home, they were outshot 17-2 in the second period. At least the CBC commentators--Bell, Garrett, and Millen--have been making suggestions as to how the Oilers can get things going. Well, the Oilers caught up at 2-2, DET got another and EDM got 2 to make it 4-3 and eliminated the Red Wings. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 1, 2006 21:54:54 GMT -5
Two things.
1. The West is wide open now....the Avalanche have dodged the Wings...this could be like in 93 when the Isles upset the Penguins. Montreal dodged Pittsburgh that year. Skilly may see his prediction come true....weirder things have happened....when you have Joe Sakic at the top of his game....all bets are off!
2. If Edmonton can come back....so can Montreal....you just the need the "emotion, fire, and passion"....and yes it IS possible to bring it for 20 minutes when it really matters.
I hope the Habs were watching.
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Post by PTH on May 1, 2006 23:03:09 GMT -5
Francois Beauchemin, the guy we lost for absolutely nothing, is a top-2 guy on Anaheim and just took on Iginla and did pretty well.
Also, if we think we're getting screwed by the refs, Koharski botched a call in the first and called back a goal that seems OK from every available angle.
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Post by Skilly on May 2, 2006 5:48:32 GMT -5
Skilly may see his prediction come true....weirder things have happened....when you have Joe Sakic at the top of his game....all bets are off! Actually, my prediction was that Colorado has the 4th best offense in the league and would compensate for any "softies" that get by Theo. Something we could never do. To win in the playoffs you don't need great goaltending, you need to good enough goaltending to get the job done. Sometimes that requires outstanding goaltending, sometimes that requires average goaltending. I didn't see anybody stopping Colorado's offense, and even though their defense has similar problems to ours it is a way better "defense" corp than ours. |
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Post by franko on May 2, 2006 5:50:15 GMT -5
2. If Edmonton can come back....so can Montreal....you just the need the "emotion, fire, and passion"....and yes it IS possible to bring it for 20 minutes when it really matters. I hope the Habs were watching. If I were BG I'd sit the Hbs down and make them watch that third period over and over and over again. The Oilers never gave up. Unfortunately, sometimes I think that the Habs never start  |
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Post by Skilly on May 2, 2006 5:51:59 GMT -5
Detroit got screwed by officiating.
That was a blatant non-call on the tying goal. I don't care if they never called it on the play when they saw it on the replay it should be called back.
It is crazy to think that if the puck went in the net directly off the high-stick it is reviewable, but if it is high-sticked and goes off a leg and in the net it is not reviewable. The NHL should concern themselves with getting the call right, ... not worry that the ref will feel bad for missing a call if they over-rule him.
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Post by jkr on May 2, 2006 6:43:31 GMT -5
Detroit got screwed by officiating. That was a blatant non-call on the tying goal. I don't care if they never called it on the play when they saw it on the replay it should be called back. It is crazy to think that if the puck went in the net directly off the high-stick it is reviewable, but if it is high-sticked and goes off a leg and in the net it is not reviewable. The NHL should concern themselves with getting the call right, ... not worry that the ref will feel bad for missing a call if they over-rule him. I saw that too. I can't believe how much is missed this year with 4 officials on the ice. Anaheim had a goal called back last night for goalie interference when the replay showed that the puck was in the net before the collision. And in the Nashville game Witt was hit in the face with a stick. Blood was streaming down his nose with an official just a metre away. No call in a one goal game. The referees are supposed to be neutral "observers" but they are affecting the outcome of too many games this year. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 2, 2006 15:47:26 GMT -5
Detroit got screwed by officiating. That was a blatant non-call on the tying goal. I don't care if they never called it on the play when they saw it on the replay it should be called back. It is crazy to think that if the puck went in the net directly off the high-stick it is reviewable, but if it is high-sticked and goes off a leg and in the net it is not reviewable. The NHL should concern themselves with getting the call right, ... not worry that the ref will feel bad for missing a call if they over-rule him. I don't the high-stick was the issue...as it wasn't according to the rule. The issue was whether or not Hemske put the puck in the net off a kicking motion. The puck actually bounced up into his midsection....went back down to the ice then in. A lot like a goal that was called back on Ryder earlier this season. Did he "direct" it in with his body. It was ruled that Ryder did. Detroit wasn't even questioning the "high stick". Ron MacLean pointed out that the stick can be shoulder height on a play like that. And it was. But the stick must be at crossbar level or below to deflect one into the net. Most other callers (in Toronto no less) saying the team getting the worst officiating in the playoffs is Montreal. The high stick on Koivu...and two more blatant ones not called the next game. They said if that happened to the Leafs....if Sundin was out with no call...and two more hghsticks were missed in Game 4 leading to another loss....there would be a riot on Yonge Street. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 3, 2006 15:49:34 GMT -5
Things could be worse in Hab-land. Ask Dallas, Detroit, and now Philly who were embarrassed on home ice in Game 6.....7-1. Hatcher said it was the most embarrassing moment of his life in hockey.
Many people blaming Clarke for putting together a defense of behemoths, and misreading the "new NHL". Buffalo, it seems, has one of the best-suited teams. Speed, skill, grit, good goaltending.
If we think some Habs didn't show up....how about Forsberg's line that was -11 for the series.
Anaheim-Calgary tonight, Game 7.
Who would Colorado rather face: Anaheim or San Jose? I'd say Anaheim.
Otherwise it's another battle of Alberta.
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Post by roke on May 3, 2006 16:31:14 GMT -5
Regarding the Hemsky goal, the non-high stick call was the right one as the puck was contacted by Horcoff around chest-height (one replay showed this). I thought Hemsky directed the puck in with his knee though but I couldn't be sure from the replay myself.
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Post by CentreHice on May 3, 2006 17:30:05 GMT -5
Regarding the Hemsky goal, the non-high stick call was the right one as the puck was contacted by Horcoff around chest-height (one replay showed this). I thought Hemsky directed the puck in with his knee though but I couldn't be sure from the replay myself. Yep...that's why it reminded me of the Ryder goal that was called off earlier this year. |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2006 22:35:53 GMT -5
Gig-who? Bryzgalov is playing great for the Ducks right now.
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Post by jkr on May 4, 2006 6:31:44 GMT -5
Anaheim-Calgary tonight, Game 7. Who would Colorado rather face: Anaheim or San Jose? I'd say Anaheim. Otherwise it's another battle of Alberta. I don't know. I didn't give Anaheim much of a chance against Calgary. They are a lot tougher than I thoght & they now have a backup goalie that's outplaying the starter - a common theme this year. If they can control Sakic they have a great chance. |
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Post by CentreHice on May 4, 2006 6:53:49 GMT -5
I don't think I've ever heard a building as quiet as the Saddledome during the third period last night. The Flames could get nothing going....perhaps two scoring chances in the 3rd...and one was shot wide.
The Ducks played a great road game, but come on....that was just a flat performance by the Flames.
Scott Niedermayer is a machine. He hardly ever makes a mistake and can jump into the play as well.
Colorado-Anaheim should be a great series. And the Oilers will have their hands full with the Sharks.
In the West, the teams to advance.....5, 6, 7, 8. Who'd a thunk?
In the East...1, 2, 3, 4.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2006 11:11:31 GMT -5
In the West, the teams to advance.....5, 6, 7, 8. Who'd a thunk? In the East...1, 2, 3, 4. Weird. Go Oilers.  |
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Post by franko on May 5, 2006 7:33:41 GMT -5
Buffalo run parallels Montreal's '93 Cup win 'We look a lot like them': Solid goaltending, balanced scoring work again Joe O'Connor
Friday, May 05, 2006BUFFALO - If there is a model for the Buffalo Sabres to follow during these Stanley Cup playoffs, it is surely the 1993 Montreal Canadiens.
At HSBC Arena yesterday morning, after coach Lindy Ruff had finished putting the team through a light practice in advance of an afternoon flight to Ottawa, Sabres speedster Daniel Briere discussed his allegiance to the bleu, blanc et rouge as a youngster in Gatineau, Que.
"My favourite player was Mats Naslund," he said, and as he spoke, it occurred to him, somewhere along the way, that his upstart Sabres aren't all that different from the Canadiens crew that knocked off Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings to capture the 1993 Stanley Cup.
"[Patrick Roy] was making the big saves, like Ryan [Miller] did in the first round," Briere said. "And the team was finding ways to win and not just relying on one guy -- they had three solid lines that could score -- and we actually do look a lot like them."
The statistical resemblance is downright eerie. Montreal finished fifth overall in '93, just three points back of Vancouver.
Buffalo came fifth in '06, three points behind Ottawa. Those old Habs didn't have a top-10 scorer, but they did boast five 20-goal men (Vincent Damphousse, Kirk Muller, Brian Bellows, Stephan Lebeau, Gilbert Dionne). These Sabres are also lacking in the superstar department, though Briere, Maxim Afinogenov, Chris Drury, Ales Kotalik, Thomas Vanek and J.P. Dumont likewise reached the 20-goal mark.
"Look at our team," Briere said. "I don't think there was one MVP. This was something that we did together, and you could look around the dressing room and probably name seven or eight different MVP's from that Flyers series, and it just shows people how much of a team we are.
"We're not relying on one guy, or two guys, or a line."
Buffalo had eight different players tally at least two goals against the Flyers, while every skater on the roster, save for winger Taylor Pyatt, registered at least a point.
But the strongest tie between Buffalo now and the Canadiens then is that nobody -- except maybe Briere and his Gatineau buddies -- believed Montreal was a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, a gross underestimate the 2006 Sabres have lived with since the beginning of the season.
"What is an underdog?" defenceman Teppo Numminen wondered aloud, of the label that keeps getting batted around in connection with his team. "Whatever an underdog is, we're good with it. We feel good about ourselves, and good about our season, and we are excited about the challenge of playing Ottawa.
"We started playing well from the beginning of the season, and I guess it takes time for people to notice."
What Ottawa is going to notice is that Buffalo doesn't scare easy and, unlike the free-skating Edmonton Oilers, who embraced the trap to beat high-powered Detroit, the fleet-footed Sabres are not going to turn into a bunch of neutral-zone statues to subdue the Ottawa offence.
"There are always subtle adjustments you make," Ruff said. "But we are not going to change the system where all of a sudden we become a team that lines five guys up at the blueline.
"I would like to think that they got a worry a little bit about what we're going to do."
Not many people were worried about Montreal in 1993. And Briere, for one, knows exactly what happened. © National Post 2006 |
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Post by jkr on May 5, 2006 21:00:37 GMT -5
Ottawa not too impressive tonight. They gave up a SHG with 90 seconds left & then went ahead. Emery ( 6 goals on 22 shots) then flubs a rebound , can't find the puck & Buffalo ties it with 10 seconds left while he's fishing for it. When is Hasek back?  6 - 6 after 3. |
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Post by seventeen on May 5, 2006 21:37:05 GMT -5
The one factor that may hurt Ottawa, in goal. Emery has been ok so far, brutal tonight, based on the shots on net. What's that, a save percentage under .700? Horrible.
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Post by jkr on May 5, 2006 21:42:35 GMT -5
The one factor that may hurt Ottawa, in goal. Emery has been ok so far, brutal tonight, based on the shots on net. What's that, a save percentage under .700? Horrible. Emery hasn't had to steal one yet & he doesn't strike me as that kind of goaltender. He better get his act together because theSenators aren't going to out score you every night. |
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;D
