2012 NHL Playoffs

[kham]

The were feisty in Game 1, in Game 2, they were that, AND fast. LA wins 4-2 in a very solid game, including some awesome goaltending from Quick who faced 48 shots. That whole President's Trophy thing -- as well as some Karma -- starting to show for Vancouver

And it shows, when you try to tell a bunch of kids they dont have a chance, well... anyone who knows anything about hockey should have told you not to say that

[kham]

Today's Games:

Washington in Boston, afternoon game
Ottawa in NY Rangers
San Jose in St Louis
Chicago in Phoenix

[kham]

Washington wins Game 2 2-1 in 2OT to even the series at one apiece; this series has mostly been about goaltending (6 regulation periods + 3 OT or part of and only 4 goals total ? ) but considering the amount of talent on the ice, you could equally argue what the hell all these scoring types are doing.

[kham]

Ok, so everyone go loco for the night games, or what?

St Louis evens their series with a 3-0 shutout, which was despite the score, pretty much end to end and got nastier as the night wore on. Expect the next pair to be more of the same or worse. The dumbass award goes to Barret Jackman of the Blues, who apparently didn't get the memo that it's generally a bad idea to kill your own goalie while making a defensive play. Halak left the game and did not return, getting a knee in the head will do that. Brian Elliot came off the bench and was solid to preserve the shutout

And then there's NY.....congratulations, you did the impossible -- you made me cheer for Ottawa

Aside from the fighting and knucklehead stuff, NY lost the bubble as they are wont to do - not satisfied with just winning the game, you gotta kill! So, no real surprise when Hagelin jumps up and smashes Alfredsson in the head with his elbow against the glass. Alf left the game and did not return. 5 min major and not kicked out of game, but expect more. The whiner brigade only figures 2 games, but I'd knee him in the balls with 5, to make a point and kick him out of this series. Sens tied the game late, and scored early in OT to even the series with a 3-2 final. So a little poetic justice after all

[kham]

Another OT game in Phoenix, forced again by Chicago; last time was 14 sec left, tonight, 5.5

Different result though, Chicago scored on a bad giveaway about halfway through the period, final 4-3 to even the series going back to Chicago. Not as bad a gong show as the other games, but still had its stupid moments; running Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith behind the net, and nailing him in the head just for the utterly moronic cherry on top. Only diff here is that Smith shook it off and stayed in the game. It's going to be an interesting Sunday...

And congrats to Team Canada Women's Team for winning the Gold in the IIHF World Junior Championship over Team USA 5-4 in OT. Nice one, girls

[Jinn]

And congrats to Team Canada Women's Team for winning the Gold in the IIHF World Junior Championship over Team USA 5-4 in OT. Nice one, girls

Hellz yeah! Keepin' it Canadian, like back bacon.

I saw the final few minutes of St. Louis / San Jose game two; there was a big fight at the end and the Blues tossed the Sharks around like rag dolls. Lots of hate in the first round this year. I think we're going to see some big time upsets. I can see the final matching two unlikely teams like LA and Ottawa or something silly like that.

[kham]

The fight at the end wasn't that big a deal; however, the sucker punch and broken nose WAS. The NHL has a big problem right now, not the least of which is the totally inconsistent handing out of suspensions. 2500 buck fine to Weber? That question was put to Pitt and Phily defencemen in an interview, and they giggled. So would I, thats stupid. Equally stupid was that douchebag Bertuzzi being the 'justice fight' instigator in game 2 to Weber; not only did Weber handle it fine, and that should be the end of it -- but seriously? Bertuzzi? Gee Todd, maybe you should be careful, someone might take offence and break your spinal column in half when you not looking. Not that you'd know anything about THAT

[kham]

Today's Games:

Nashville in Detroit
Pittsburgh in Philadelphia
New Jersey in Florida
Vancouver in Los Angeles

And, Nashville has already won 3-2, to take a 2-1 series lead. This, is why playoff games should not be played at any other time than at night. For crying out loud, when the hell the guys show up, breakfast? This aint Pee Wee hockey any more....

[kham]

Well, I could just say another gong show, but this is getting stupid. Phily wins again in another 8-4 slopfest which included 148 minutes in penalties, 6 game misconducts, and Crosby even starting a fight. Now I don't normally agree with Kerry Fraser; to clarify, I think he's a douche who when was an active referee spent entirely too much time on his hair and making him not players the centre of attention. Having said that, he was dead on today; the refs in this game were a couple of total assholes. They let the game get out of hand, and it's all on them. You know these teams don't like each other on a good day, so what the hell are you doing, letting this boil over and turn completely sideways? This series prob over on Tuesday, but it stands a good chance of guys getting hurt when one team figures they have nothing left to lose. If it had been managed better, that wouldn't be an issue. Now? Keep your head up , girls

[kham]

Florida held 3-0 lead into the third, then nearly fell on face allowing 2 goals in 74 sec. Managed to straighten up and held on for 3-2 final to even the series at one apiece. So far this series only one where has not degenerated into the 21st century version of Slapshot