Hockey Trash Talk & BS thread

If we can keep Tavares for more than one playoff game, that'll help.

The Leafs are not the best team in the east.

 

In the East I can see each team getting hot and winning, just like I can see any team having a bad series and getting smoked. It is really tough to predict this year. The dynamic of the East just feels different. So this could be the year that they do it, even though there are a couple teams that are "better." Even the Pens, who I think have some serious flaws, are still an awesome team if they are clicking. If they end up playing FL they could win that series, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise. I wouldn't bet my house on it though lol.

 

I just saw an article that said Pittsburgh has the most affordable housing in the world, so you could bet the house. LOL.

 

Interesting. It doesn't feel like it, but I have nothing to prove otherwise. Either way, I'll probably not make that bet lol.

 

Do you think DeSmith can carry them through the first round?

 

It's a tough question to answer. I believe at some point I am on record saying that I think DeSmith is a pretty decent tender, overall. He really has always been pretty solid, aside from how he started this year. Pittsburgh loves to turn on every goalie that isn't MAF and I don't think Jarry or Desmith get enough credit. To answer your question, I think Desmith can carry the team with the right support, yes. However, I just think the Pens as a team just haven't passed the eye test against faster teams or really a lot of the teams that we will face in the playoffs. So If we get smoked, I think it will likely just be a team thing and not so much the team playing well enough to win, but getting let down by our goalie play. But I can feel that narrative building because it's always the default excuse for many fans/media. And I know I have defended Murray and Jarry over the years when we lose, so maybe that's just the goalie in me that sees it differently lol.

What do you think?

 

I think DeSmith is not going to make some of the big saves, especially at the right time in a game, as Jarry. I see Jarry as the better puck handler as well, which rally helps the D men. Speaking of the D, Letang seems to be backsliding into the bad habits he has displayed in the past when he is up against teams with lots of firepower. Maybe he is trying to do too much.

 

Ya, I mean Jarry is for sure a better option. But I do think Desmith has been solid enough to not be the reason we lose. He might not steal the series, but basically I worry more about other things as much (or more) as I do the goaltending. Are we going to get secondary scoring, are we going to make the smart play instead of the irresponsible one, will we be able to get the dirty goals, is there a plan B if we don't have the edge in the speed game? etc etc

 

Pretty sure Jarry has a broken foot.

 

Correct

 

A good summary of the playoff matchups:
https://www.espn.com/nhl/playoffs/matchups
And a shitty bracket from NHL - I haven't found a better one yet.

 

It's been amazing watching this guy from the very beginning. Glad he's retiring a King!

 

Remember when…
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1519858083882799105?s=20&t=qmM06g9ir9rmognPSPHDVg

I can’t say much I also had doubts. But that was then and this is now.
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1519855432524779520?s=20&t=qmM06g9ir9rmognPSPHDVg

Canes finish the season with a 6-3 win over the NJD and a team record 54 wins. Ready for the playoffs baby!

 

Always was a big fan. He played hard and had a good career.

 

Exactly ... Vegas is/was just a 3rd party site to have cool exhibitions like "The Frozen Fury"

 

Brown had a great career ... maybe he gets another SC ring after this playoff run.

Good to see great players get to stay with one team in this crazy era.... hope JQ, Kopi and ocho get to do the same.

Like how LA ended up with 99 pts ! This team is ready to upset some teams and now with 23's last stand, sure this will be a magical run.

Best to go out on top ...if LA did grab a 3rd cup this year, I could see 32 join 23 in the rafters and 11 would net his 1st as captain moving forward with his own until the eventual handover to the next LA great one.

... playoffs baby !!! Not about who is the best team, this is now about who TF wants it the most. I'm sure 23 is all in ... GKG !!!

 

Playoff Brown and Quick can always be a problem for the opposing team. I know both are past their prime but still cool to see those guys get another run at it.

 

Kings are contenders. Oilers are firing on all cylinders. Will be a series. Playoffs are the best time of the year!

 

https://twitter.com/lakings/status/1248264408498765825?lang=en

Never give up

#miracleonmanchester
#frenzyonfigueroa

 

Apparently neither Boston or Toronto wants to win tonight, both sitting their major starters. Boston wants to lose the most, not wanting to face the Maple Leafs to start the playoffs and thinking Carolina will be the easier path, sitting 8. Good luck with that strategy