NHL 2003-2004 Season

[rObix]

nice. balej scores his first goal, AND we lose. :) i hope crosby and ovechkin look good in blue. *cough*

[poeman]

i think balej looks like a possible fan favorite. he also has white and golden hair spiked.

[rObix]

if balej develops right, he will be a fan favorite. i personally think he needs to bulk up a little. i've seen him get tossed off the puck like a rag doll a few times in his few games with the rangers.

if things work out the way i think they will, ortmeyer, murray, and tyutin are the C and two A's of the future. i really wont be surprised if ortmeyer has an A next season, since messier wont be back and i doubt we'll pick up lindros' option.

[rObix]

rangers are mathimatically eliminate.

go leafs.

[slinger]

Sens clinched a spot but after a solid performance agianst the Avs, they lose in OT against the Hurricanes with 58 seconds left. I don't know. They're playing like how they did two years ago. However they did beat the Flyers.

[equipe]

This northeast division is crazy. Ottawa Toronto and Boston all fighting tooth and nail for home ice. It's giving me an ulcer.

Go Leafs!

[rObix]

i'd love to see the leafs regain #1 in the confrence, just so they draw the isles in the first round and leetch can work some more of his isle-killing magic.

[JAE]

Please, not the Leafs or the Sens......:(

As an Isles fan, I would love to play the Bolts. We have beaten them 3 out of four times this year and usually play well against them....including Rick D's shoutout today.

[slinger]

Teams I don't want to see win the Cup:

PHI, NJ, DET, COL, STL, DAL, NYI, & TOR unless they play one of the west teams listed.

Playoff Battles I would like to see

01 TOR vs 08 NYI
02 PHI vs 07 NJ
03 TB vs 06 MTL
04 OTT vs 05 BOS

01 DET vs 08 NAS
02 COL vs 07 EDM
03 SJ vs 06 DAL
04 CGY vs 05 VAN

I don't want to see Tor/Ott again since I fear no matter what the Leafs will prevail. Toronto/Isles once again renew the rivallry plus Leetchy. Philly would put away Devils, (no Stevens, no Cup) TB and Montreal two young teams, great goalies. Ott and Beantown would be a high scoring series.

Detroit and Nashville with Nashville as the Cinderalla team of 04. Just to show Ken Holland you can spend all you want you're not going to win everytime.

COL/EDM - remember their upset in 7 games? that series made Cujo a household name in Canada. San Jose is back and would put on a good series with Dallas. Calgary and Vancouver - without Bertuzzi the 'Nucks don't have a chance. Would love to see the Flames win just to piss off the 500,000 Canuck fans in BC. But in the end any Canadian team I'll cheer. We could have six this year!

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger

Playoff Battles I would like to see

01 TOR vs 08 NYI
02 PHI vs 07 NJ
03 TB vs 06 MTL
04 OTT vs 05 BOS

01 DET vs 08 NAS
02 COL vs 07 EDM
03 SJ vs 06 DAL
04 CGY vs 05 VAN
sounds good to me. i'd get to see leetchy play in a few games, and hopefully a few more along the way to the cup.

[JAE]

I want to see the Sens and Leafs go at it in the first round.

ps > Rick D has a 2 game shutout streak going.....hey for him its pretty good.

[equipe]

The way the leafs are playing they ain't gonna wind up 1st in the conference. I think they will wind up 4th. I still think either Tbay or Philly will come out no.1 with Ottawa at no.3 Boston no.5, jersey 6, Montreal 7, Islanders 8th.

I'd like to see a Toronto vs. Boston series. They haven't played each other in the playoffs in a long time. but Toronto in 5 if thet happens. if the Leafs play Ottawa Leafs in 7.

[slinger]

Originally posted by equipe
The way the leafs are playing they ain't gonna wind up 1st in the conference. I think they will wind up 4th. I still think either Tbay or Philly will come out no.1 with Ottawa at no.3 Boston no.5, jersey 6, Montreal 7, Islanders 8th.

I'd like to see a Toronto vs. Boston series. They haven't played each other in the playoffs in a long time. but Toronto in 5 if thet happens. if the Leafs play Ottawa Leafs in 7.

TB vs NYI
PHI vs MTL
BOS vs NJ
TOR vs OTT

DET vs NAS
COL vs EDM
SJ vs CGY
DAL vs VAN

That's probably what will happen. Ottawa is a different team every night. I don't want them to play the Leafs. If Belfour goes down then it'll be a sweep but if he stays it'll go 7 and then its a tossup. Toronto and Ottawa play against each other in the last game of the season again, so that could determine quite a lot.

[JAE]

Blake out for a month.....just our luck.

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Blake out for a month.....just our luck. did the stadium lights give his albino ass a bad sunburn?

that's what you get when you have midget albino's on your team. :x

;)

he's supposed to be back in time for the second round of the playoff's....i mean, for his tee time.

[slinger]

Lalime and Nolan both out with injuries in tonight's game. Prusek has shown he can play but would be buckle under the pressure in the playoffs? His second goal he should've had but all things considering he had a great game. And what an overtime! Both have clinched playoff spots but the way they were playing you would think that whoever won would make it and whoever lost would have to wait and pray the other teams didn't win.

[JAE]

Originally posted by rObix
did the stadium lights give his albino ass a bad sunburn?

that's what you get when you have midget albino's on your team. :x

;)

he's supposed to be back in time for the second round of the playoff's....i mean, for his tee time.


Thats just mean...you can't tell me you wouldn't want him on your team......he's fast, gritty and can score goals. The Rangers had some players like that, but they gave them all away.....what a shame.

;)

[JAE]

Originally posted by slinger
Lalime and Nolan both out with injuries in tonight's game. Prusek has shown he can play but would be buckle under the pressure in the playoffs? His second goal he should've had but all things considering he had a great game. And what an overtime! Both have clinched playoff spots but the way they were playing you would think that whoever won would make it and whoever lost would have to wait and pray the other teams didn't win.

I think the Lalime injury is going to hurt the Sens more than the Nolan injury to the Leafs. Whats the status of Lalime.....is he going to miss the post season?

[equipe]

Both Lalime and Nolan are Day-to-Day. But word is that Nolan could be gone for a while with his knee at least hyperextended, with the possibility of a MCL/ACL/PCL pull/tear.

I haven't heard any Buzz on Lalime.

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Thats just mean...you can't tell me you wouldn't want him on your team......he's fast, gritty and can score goals. The Rangers had some players like that, but they gave them all away.....what a shame.

;) no, you guys can keep blake. the only isle i'd even consider taking is aucoin.
but, thats just a rivalry thing. the only devils i'd want are gomez or madden. (**** broduer. i dont think he'd be nearly as great if he had to face 40-50 shots a night with little defensive help. most shots the devils give up are from the outside of the circle, or the point.)

anyway, we just got a bunch of young fast guys this season. our prospects are tearing **** up in college, and the ahl.

[slinger]

Sather will find a way to **** it up. ;)

Lalime is day to day. Probably good for him to get some rest. Every other goalie (Belfour, Raycroft, Khabby, Brodeur) will be closing out the season.

Edmonton plays the Blues this week. Right now 7 STL, 8 EDM 9 NAS. They haven't lost in 15 games.

[equipe]

Nolan is out at least 3 weeks. DAMN!

Well we get Tucker back in a week and Kilger has been playing well so we can cope. This allows Stajan to get back in the lineup too.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Sather will find a way to **** it up. ;) dont make me have to kill you :p

[slinger]

Puts everything else to shame. . . . (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/hnicplus/)

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger
Puts everything else to shame. . . . (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/indepth/hnicplus/) i think the canucks already have something like this on their broadcasts.

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
i think the canucks already have something like this on their broadcasts.

They're probably on CBC which airs HNIC. I don't see Sportsnet Pacific doing it.

Oh and Yashin is on the fourth line of the Islanders. Little article about that in the paper. Next year he gets $10 mil. So happy he's not in Ottawa.

[slinger]

2 goals in 43 seconds! Pull Jose!

Anyone watching the Islanders game on Centre Ice?
Mess could be playing his last game at the Garden.

[rObix]

Originally posted by slinger

Mess could be playing his last game at the Garden. most likely his last game ever. his elbow is ****ed up, he just played through the pain last night. he most likely won't play in washington on saturday, and we'll contune to have no C on the bench.

buffalo needs to ****ing win after the gift we gave them last night.

[JAE]

That was a sweet Islander win last night. :)

I also watched the Rangers....it was a bit sad to see Mess skate for one last time. Even though I dislike the Rangers, I have a lot of respect for Messier and all that he has contributed to the sport.

Where did the Rangers get Balej from? That kid is good....

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Where did the Rangers get Balej from? That kid is good.... from montreal in the kovy trade. it's safe to say who won that trade. *cough* ha, stupid montreal.

[JAE]

Thats one of many crappy trades they have made.....thanks for Asham and getting Marius out of his funk.....he just scored # 25.

Oh, the Isles made the post season for the 3rd time in a row:)

I hope we get to face Tampa.

[slinger]

Islanders will either play Tampa, Boston or Ottawa. Isles could pass Montreal. Habs are going down and Buffalo was going up but too little to late. Buffalo had the best record in 2004 behind Tampa and Boston in the east. Prusek has had a pretty good run, he did get pulled the other night but Ottawa is 2-0-1-0 without Lalime, and is now tied with Boston with 102 pts for 2nd overall in the east.

[rObix]

it'll almost be worth the isles passing to the second round if they'll get to play the leafs...

man, phoenix really needs to beat the blackhawks today, and the rangers really need to lose to the caps. then we'll be in the #5 spot...while we probably wont win, it'll make it that much easier to trade up with our 400 drafts picks we have this year.

[equipe]

It all comes down to tonight for the Leafs and Sens. I hate when it comes sown to the wire like this. I can't handle the stress.

[rObix]

nevermind the leafs and the sens!

the race for the bottom five is interesting in the next 2 days. today is rangers/caps and coyotes/hawks. tomorrow is pens/caps. columbus plays detroit.

if washington and chicago win, pittsburgh clinches last place. if the rangers lose and phoenix wins the rangers get slid into that 5th spot...
i couldn't care less about the rest, actually.

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
it'll almost be worth the isles passing to the second round if they'll get to play the leafs...

man, phoenix really needs to beat the blackhawks today, and the rangers really need to lose to the caps. then we'll be in the #5 spot...while we probably wont win, it'll make it that much easier to trade up with our 400 drafts picks we have this year.

I've got $57.48 CDN counting on that the Blackhawks win. I did a 5 picks $3 Sports Select Double Play.

TB to win, TB/ATL score total greater than 5
DET to win, CHI to win, BUF to win

I'll be smiling tonight if all are correct.

Boston lost so that means Ottawa (a win, tie) or Toronto (win, tie or even both teams (OTL) will pass the Bruins and pretty much deny them the Northeast Division Title and home ice. They play the Devils again and they already lost today. It wasn't looking good for the Sens during the week but now everything is looking good.

Team PTS
1. Tampa Bay 106 [vs ATL]
2. Ottawa 102 [vs TOR]
3. Philadelphia 100 [at NYI]
4. Boston 102 [at NJ]

5. Toronto 101 [at OTT]
6. New Jersey 100 [vs BOS]
7. Montreal 91 [vs BUF]
8. NY Islanders 90 [vs PHI]

[JAE]

Did the Sens know there was a hockey game tonight?

[slinger]

Originally posted by JAE
Did the Sens know there was a hockey game tonight?

****. Worst game of the season. They went 70 games without being shutout and then it had to happen. Like I said before a different team shows up every night. 3-1 win against Philly the other night and last week they tied the Leafs. Don Cherry aka Grapes said that the Sens will bounce back and that it was good that it was a blowout instead of a close game, bc now they'll regroup and develope a new game plan and give it to his team.

Now Boston is leading 3-0 against the Devils, unless a miracle happens its Leafs/Sens IV, and well history says the Sens will be embarrassed. [4-0, 4-2, 4-3] I wouldn't mind a second round, but first no. Canada would much rather see a Habs/Buds contest. Ottawa can be a great team but going up against the Leafs I don't see many experts taking the Sens to win the series. We would have a better chance against the Flyers or Bruins.

[rObix]

i hope tampa bay stays healthy through the first round so they can stomp the isles.

[JAE]

We have always played well against them.....this is the first year I think we might make the second round.

I love the matchups in the East this season....Devs/Flyers, Sens/Leafs....just what I wanted...is it X-Mas?

Poor Nashville, I would love to see them send the Wings packing in the first round, but I don't think thats going to happen.....

Predictions? Let's hear 'em!!

For me:

The East;

Isles over the Bolts (great history beating them)
Devils over the Flyers (skill beats grit)
Leafs over the Sens (sorry, no Lalime = no win)
Bruins over the Habs (desire beats a failing team)

I haven't looked into my crystal ball for the West yet...give me a day.

[rObix]

regular season wins mean **** in the playoffs. in 94 we swept the whole series with the devils easily, and in the playoff's the took us to double ot in a 7th game.

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix
regular season wins mean **** in the playoffs. in 94 we swept the whole series with the devils easily, and in the playoff's the took us to double ot in a 7th game.

Great series. And then the final against Vancouver was the best.

Bolts over Isles
Bruins crush Habs
Flyers embarassed by Devils (They've got Broduer while Philly doesn't have a No.1 in Esche or Burke)
Sens scrape by in 7 against Buds

Detroit trounches Preds, but hope for reversal
Sharks sink Blues
Canucks in 7 vs Flames, unless Mikka is solid and Cloutier chokes
Dallas downs Avs (Tony Granato is then fired - picks up a copy of 'How to win the Cup with a better lineup than Marc Crawford and Bob Hartley'

[equipe]

I went to game six of the finals in Vancouver in 94. That was a great game., I still have my white towel. Just wish the 'Nucks coulda pulled of game 7

My Predictions:

East
Tampa Bay vs. NYI - Tampa in 5
Boston vs. Montreal - Montreal in 7
Philly vs. Jersey - Jersey in 7
Toronto vs. Ottawa - Toronto in 6

West
Detroit vs. Nashville - Detroit in 6
Sharks vs. Blues - Sharks in 4
Canucks vs. Calgary - Calgary in 6
Colorado vs. Dallas - Dallas in 5

[rObix]

i really dont think vancouver is going very far minus bertuzzi, and with dan "im a ****ty goalie" cloutier in net...maybe round two, but after that, bye bye.

i'd love to see detroit get knocked out in an early round. i'd rather the sharks go on to the second round than the blues. and i guess i wanna see colorado move on just because of barnaby.

for the east tampa will be a laughing stock if they lose to the isles. i'd like to see montreal move on to round 2, but i really dont think they will. they are saddled with the formidable floating prowess of alex kovalev, which is an incredible detriment to overcome. philly and jersey...i wish there was some way for both teams to lose, but jersey will probably move on to the second round.

and toronto - ottawa....well, i want toronto to win for obvious reasons(go leetch go). that one will all be in the goaltending. if belfour can pull some good games off, and lalime continues to suck as he has the last few weeks i think toronto will have it locked in 5 games(i hope not a sweep for either side, cuz the only game of that series scheduled to be on in america is game 5.) then again, it could be a battle of the sucky goal tenders. please don't put kidd in, quinn. :x

how do you think quinn feels about counting on the guy who was the most influential in taking away the cup in 94? :x ha.

[equipe]

Wow Pittsburgh couldn't even win a draft Lottery... This may end up killing the franchise or at least send them packing.

Pittsburgh's loss is Washington's gain.

[slinger]

The team that has finished last in the standings hasn't won the draft lottery since 1997 when the Boston Bruins retained the top pick and selected franchise cornerstone Joe Thornton. TSN.ca

Washington does have plenty of picks and prospects and Pittsburgh still looks good in the future. Ric Jackman and if Fleury recovers...

[rObix]

well, it's pittsburghs own fault. if it wasnt for them tanking to get lemuix there wouldn't be a lottery.

[rObix]

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=6834&mode=threaded&order=0
poor isles cant get bridgeport to pay them.

[slinger]

After that long losing streak they did play much better. Phoenix and Chicago are the real messes.

[rObix]

chicago is a MUUUCH bigger mess than pheonix. at least they have doan, and boucher.
all chicago has now that they got rid of zhamnov is leighton, who probably is not good enough to play at a high level without at least a competent defensive corps in front of him.

plus, chicago is original six, and(i think) the third biggest market in the nhl. they need a good team there as much as new york, toronto, or detroit.

[JAE]

Originally posted by rObix
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article.php?sid=6834&mode=threaded&order=0
poor isles cant get bridgeport to pay them.
Jeez...I hope we don't lose those prospects if the bottom falls out......Hamilton has some good stuff.

[slinger]

Boucher's five game shutout streak was a fluke. But yeah AHL games now bring in bigger attendences. Of course they've got a great team. Chicago's downfall was trading away or not poning up the $ for their greats: Chelios, Belfour, Amonte, JR etc. Of course Belfour was playing badly but they're second last and I'm sure if the season went on for another five games they would own last place.

Belfour is like the Pat Burns of goalies.

[rObix]

Originally posted by JAE
Jeez...I hope we don't lose those prospects if the bottom falls out......Hamilton has some good stuff.
wang needs to learn a thing called timing.

Originally posted by slinger
Boucher's five game shutout streak was a fluke.


Belfour is like the Pat Burns of goalies. explain?

[rObix]

****.
the stars just signed junior lessard. he would ahve been a great signing for the rangers.

but i guess getting pock and helminin from this years stock of college phenoms is pretty good.

[ruban]

I'd like to see the Flames or Habs go all the way, but
my prediction is Tampa Bay.


For Leaf fans - I scanned this really nice picture from today's newspaper. Enjoy :)

http://www3.sympatico.ca/inspin/leafs.jpg

[JAE]

The Flyers are going to take care of the Leafs.....

[ruban]

Yes captain obvious :p but its something Leaf fans can at least relish for now

[slinger]

Originally posted by rObix

explain?

Pat Burns:
Montreal: Jack Adams
Toronto: Jack Adams
Boston: Jack Adams
New Jersery: Stanley Cup.

Instant success followed by collapse for every team he's coached. He wins coach of the year then poor performance he's fired.

Ed Belfour:
Chicago: Finals appearence, Blackhawks no longer playoff bound
San Jose:
Dallas: Stanley Cup Win, replaced by Turco
Toronto: legitmate chance to win

Great goalie with Blackhawks, then he sucked. Traded to SJ, signs with Stars and brought them to the top of the West. Won a Cup but then his quality of play dropped they missed the playoffs and was replaced by a young goalie. So he signs with Toronto. Many questioned this move. Excellent season and post season.
He plays great with every new team and then he doesn't. Same with Burns.

Boucher's 5 game shutout streak: yeah he was in the zone but he wasn't playing the top goal scoring teams every night (one of them was Carolina) and if the defense plays good he doesn't see that many shots. The Coyotes basically feel apart after that. They tried Burke but he lost so they traded him and Boucher never delievered. I had Boucher on my fantasy team (mid-streak just picked him up) and then soon dropped him bc he wasn't getting good results.

[Stowe22]

The leafs series is going to be a really good series. I really want to see the Flames upset the wings and the Sharks upset the Avs. And the canadians and the leafs win there series.

[rObix]

why did we go back to this thread? let's use the playoff thread.