National Hockey League Thread

[Spikey]

lol @ san jose

[benchmark00]

Was so boss.

[Spikey]

did you wake up for it. why the **** did it start so early

[benchmark00]

Caught the last period and a half. Was a day game.

[Turbinator]

Originally Posted by Quaggas

Yeah - quite the thrashing. Don;t think any of the other three teams stands much of a chance.

DWTA

Tbh, as much as I love the Canucks and want them to win, as they are my 2nd team after Toronto Maple Leafs (who haven't exactly lived up to the hype since the lockout), they could very well lose this or in the finals.

The number one reason for that is simple, way too many European players in the team. They lack the toughness that is needed for NHL playoff hockey to go all the way in winning the Cup. It's quite simple really, you need the tough style of play in the playoffs that only Canadian and American players can provide. The fancy, artistic play that Europeans are so skilled at is all good in the regular season, but won't cut it past that.

So don't be surprised if they don't win the cup. But if they do win, I'll be throwing a party and you're invited

[benchmark00]

A whole two more European players on the roster than the Bruins (who are the decond best team for my money) sure will hurt the Canucks...

[Turbinator]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

A whole two more European players on the roster than the Bruins (who are the decond best team for my money) sure will hurt the Canucks...

I'm guessing you were being sarcastic here. If so...

Bruins are a bigger and more physical team than Tampa Bay, with guys like Milan Lucic (Canadian) who deliver hard. Bruins are an exception. On the other hand, not many, if any at all, in the Canucks lineup really stand out for their physicality.

[Quaggas]

Originally Posted by Turbinator

DWTA

Tbh, as much as I love the Canucks and want them to win, as they are my 2nd team after Toronto Maple Leafs (who haven't exactly lived up to the hype since the lockout), they could very well lose this or in the finals.

The number one reason for that is simple, way too many European players in the team. They lack the toughness that is needed for NHL playoff hockey to go all the way in winning the Cup. It's quite simple really, you need the tough style of play in the playoffs that only Canadian and American players can provide. The fancy, artistic play that Europeans are so skilled at is all good in the regular season, but won't cut it past that.

So don't be surprised if they don't win the cup. But if they do win, I'll be throwing a party and you're invited

Lots of successful NHL teams have have plenty of Europeans, eg the Wings have long been a shadow Swedish/USSR team. I agree you need a few enforcers, but, meh, they're more plentiful than a Lidstrom, Federov or Zetterberg who are incredibly valuable for their team. (that's not to say there aren't skilled North American players)

Oh, and I may take you up on the party! I fly only first class

[Turbinator]

Originally Posted by Quaggas

Lots of successful NHL teams have have plenty of Europeans, eg the Wings have long been a shadow Swedish/USSR team. I agree you need a few enforcers, but, meh, they're more plentiful than a Lidstrom, Federov or Zetterberg who are incredibly valuable for their team. (that's not to say there aren't skilled North American players)

Oh, and I may take you up on the party! I fly only first class

But the Wings also had guys like Shanahan and Yzerman (once again, Canadians) leading the pack. I'm not saying Europeans such as Lidstrom or Federov aren't valuable, all I'm saying is more often than not you need the hard hitting presence of North American players in the lineup if you want to be successful past the regular season.

Just take a look at the last two seasons, for example. Chicago won with a majority of Canadians in the lineup beating the Canucks in the conference final, under Toews' leadership. Year before that, Penguins won with a majority of North American players beating the European heavy Wings' lineup, and once again under the leadership of none other than Crosby.

Once again, I am not saying the European players aren't important to the team, guys like Lidstrom and Forsberg are legends. All I'm saying is that, in general, in the playoffs you need the strong physical presence and to exploit the soft style of play Europeans are accustomed to if you want to go all the way, more often than not.

EDIT: Oh and of course you don't mean to say North American players aren't skilled enough. There's a reason why Canada (and US to some extent) pretty much destroys other teams on the world stage, when our guys aren't playing in the NHL that is. And one important element to that is our physical prowess over the other teams. Especially at the World Juniors level, some of the hits the Canadian guys deliver on the others are just downright brutal, we literally toy with them most of the time. Except when we become complacent, like last year at the World Juniors against the Russians.

[benchmark00]

C'mon Nucks, bring this home.

[benchmark00]

**** me.

[benchmark00]

Look far more likely with the Sedin's on the ice. Have had our chances since the goal but still need to put up more shots.

[Spikey]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

[benchmark00]

dfdvnjnjcdsncdvfwrew2rvenl22frmklvfcmkl2nr3evgmg2r

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss yeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssss

[benchmark00]

14 seconds left... empty net... equaliser.... YESSSSSSSSSSSSS

OT