2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs Discussion Thread

[Hat-Trick]

Thought it well past time to get a 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs discussion thread going, now just 2 games into the 2017 Playoffs.

[BeadCounter]

3-0 now Predators.

Predators vs. Blues, that’d make some next round. Now a lot can happen so I don’t mean to be premature but it’d certainly be something.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Would be nice to see a couple in front of the net. Montreal beat them with only 5 defenseman. Rangers hav to tire them out. And you are right. They need to put more pressure on Price.

[Impy]

The Blackhawks are in big trouble.

[airborne]

Yeah and I have them in the finals on my bracket.

[Hat-Trick]

With their size and speed, and the fact that they're loaded with cup experience, they should roll over Toronto. Ovechkin had one shot on goal the entire game. I hope the best team in hockey shows up tonight.

I've only caught the 3rd period tonight, and it looked like Backstrom was going to continue his annual Playoff Houdini disappearing act until he got the equalizer. Nice to see him contribute. Caps still getting worked in the faceoff circle. I'd like to see them go to Toronto 2-0.

And totally agree about Marchand. He must be a buddy of Shanny's. Guys like Marchand were fewer and farther in between when there were guys like Bob Probert on the prowl.

[Hat-Trick]

The Blackhawks are in big trouble.

Two games into the series and they've yet to dent the twine. I'd have never made that bet.

[BeadCounter]

Two games into the series and they've yet to dent the twine. I'd have never made that bet.

They also haven't scored.

But seriously, they ended the season with 4 straight losses, I just figured, they had the division sown up and weren't trying to hard.

Not here, but I wrote elsewhere when the season began, so much is about who is peaking. I'm no expert but we may be seeing some of that right now.

[Varda]

Leafs win!

[secret garden]

Go Preds Go! Can’t wait till they come home to Smashville. I predict the dial goes to 11 all night long Monday.

[secret garden]

Thanks for the ping! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. :-)

[Mase]

Caps face off performance was worse than woeful, and is just another symptom of a team that cannot perform in the playoffs. How do you lose to a team with just 4 defensemen? Good to see Backstrom in the mix but they need to find a way to get it past Andersen. He's playing crazy good.

Bob Probert....that brings back fond memories. No one messed with Yzerman because they knew how it would end. Too bad the enforcer isn't a part of the game today. Guys like Marchand would have their ugly faces rearranged like they so richly deserve.

[Mase]

Rangers were really physical in first two periods but faded in the third, and they were nonexistent in OT. I thought for sure all those hits would wear the Canadiens down, but it had the opposite effect. Not sure what the answer is but, and to your point, they have to put a lot more pressure on Price from close in.

We'll see their adjustments, if any, in a few hours.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“We’ll see their adjustments, if any, in a few hours.”

Yup. And while we wait, can Minnesota come back?

[Mase]

Wild are already down. I had them winning in 6, but the Blues surprise at the playoffs as usual. Wild are out shooting Blues but can't seem to find the back of the net.

Home ice advantage wasn't much of an advantage the first two games of the NHL playoffs. It's another reason why I love this time of year.

[BeadCounter]

Congrats to the Blues, all of the games have been close, that is some defense by St. Louis.

When I was a kid, to keep the story short, I sent a letter to KMOX St. Louis, the 50,000 blowtorch AM station that reached a lot of the country and carried Blues games. They sent me a little kit back of post cards and other things about the Blues.

So, they are always my first or second favorite team. I even have a “Blues Nation” t-shirt I wear every so often.

[Varda]

C’mon Pens! Down 3-1 in C-town. Yes Rust!

[Varda]

Rust again! Game tied!

[airborne]

Tied at the 2nd intermission!

[Varda]

Yesss! They can do this! (Sorry CBJ)

[Roccus]

Going back and forth between Pens and Rangers.

What happened to the Ranger fans at the Garden? There was a time when players would talk about entering the ice and being hit by a “wall of sound” during the playoffs. Tonight it sounds like a mausoleum. Meanwhile, Blue Jacket fans are bringing down the house.