NHL playoff matchups are set:

WSH vs PHI
PIT vs NYR
FLA vs NYI
TB vs DET

ANA vs NSH
DAL vs MIN
LA vs SJS
STL vs CHI

I am watching the other matchup

Bertha and Hilda wrestling naked in chocolate pudding:D

I am watching the other matchup

Bertha and Hilda wrestling naked in chocolate pudding:D

Hilda in 6.

Penguins v Rangers...tough choice!

Penguins v Rangers...tough choice!

Quite an easy choice. Penguins.

Quite an easy choice. Penguins.

They're my 2nd favorite team, so...okay.

They're my 2nd favorite team, so...okay.

As long as someone is rooting against the Rangers, I don't care what the reason is.

As long as someone is rooting against the Rangers, I don't care what the reason is.

Wow, such hatred for my beloved BLUESHIRTS. GO RANGERS!!!!

BLUESHIRTS

Ooops. A typo. You put an "R" in there.

Go Kings!!! - Go Ducks!!!

Sal, are you around?
Usually, you would have posted by now.
But I'm sure you will eventually.

What is going on with Roger's?

STL vs CHI is the best one out of the 8 Round One Playoff Matches in the National Hockey League because they also face each other in Round 1 back in 2014.

STL vs CHI is the best one out of the 8 Round One Playoff Matches in the National Hockey League because they also face each other in Round 1 back in 2014.

Game one- 0-0 after two periods

Sal, are you around?
Usually, you would have posted by now.
But I'm sure you will eventually.

What is going on with Roger's?


Hi Dianne,

Nice to hear from you again. This week I've been a little busy with my channel surfing. I've been trying to find YouTube clips of the Bertha vs Hilda wrestling match but instead I got a documentary series about the Philadelphia Flyers of the 1970s----and I couldn't tell the difference!

Anyway, this has been a rather fun and hectic week what with the playoffs starting and trying to follow every game on the various Sportsnet and CBC channels and also keeping tabs on the Blue Jays as their baseball season starts. This has been a very tough season for Rogers with the playoffs not having a Canadian team around for the first time in 46 years! (Would you believe that the Toronto Sun is running a 6 part feature on that very issue? Yes you read that right. ) With the regular season ratings being way down as a result, they're hoping that the matchups with some great rivalries involved (Flyers/Caps, Pens/Rangers, Dallas/Minny, Kings/Sharks) and the league's many star players (Crosby, Ovechkin, Stamkos, Tavares) will be enough to keep a lot of viewers interested. You know I'll be watching even though my Leafs aren't involved, but I will be very interested when the Draft Lottery comes up on April 30. I wouldn't be surprised if the 7 Canadian teams get the first 7 picks. As long as Edmonton doesn't get #1---again!!---I'm fine with it.

For those of you that are following along at home here is the TV schedule followed by my fearless predictions:

NHL Playoff Schedule (https://www.nhl.com/schedule)

Western Conference

Dallas vs Minnesota - Biggest mismatch of Round 1. Stars in 4.
Chicago vs St. Louis - Very tight right to the end, just like the first game. Hawks in 7.
Anaheim vs Nashville - Ducks are hot at the right time. They'll take it in 6.
Los Angeles vs San Jose - Kings in 7 unless the Sharks switch goalies.

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia vs Washington - The only team that can beat Washington right now will be Pittsburgh. Flyers will give it a good try but will come up short. Caps in 5.

Tampa Bay vs Detroit - Wings in 6. Goodbye Stamkos! Say hello to T.O. !

Pittsburgh vs Rangers - Which goalie will be healthier at the end: Fleury or Lundqvist? Doesn't matter. Penguins still have the best player in the world and he will be the difference. Crosby and Pens in 6.

Islanders vs Florida - This will be a fun series to watch. I give the Panthers the edge because of Luongo in net. Panthers in 6.


Stanley Cup Final - Pittsburgh vs Anaheim - Ducks in 7


Finally, I have a little treat for you folks who are still a bit undecided about what series to watch and what teams to root for. This year there seem to be a lot more than usual of that type of fans. This article will explain it all to you a lot better than I can. It's from the brilliant and funny Sean McIndoe aka Down Goes Brown from Sportsnet.ca:


A Bandwagon Fan's Guide To The 16 Playoff Teams (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bandwagon-fans-guide-16-stanley-cup-playoff-teams/)

Just finished watching Dallas win 2-1 over Minnesota, now watching San Jose vs. LA. Been watching sports all day today, baseball in the afternoon and now hockey. More games to watch tomorrow. :D

LA loses the first 2 games at home.

Islanders win in OT, lead 2 games to 1.

LA loses the first 2 games at home.



:( :( :(

LA loses the first 2 games at home.

Anaheim also fall twice at home.

Pittsburgh takes back home ice advantage with 3-1 win.

Pittsburgh takes back home ice advantage with 3-1 win.


Capitals must be shaking in their boots!


Crosby > Ovechkin

Tampa Bay is the first team to advance, Detroit the first eliminated.

Home ice disadvantage---- Nashville wins 2 in Anaheim, Anaheim wins 2 in Nashville

Eventful night-

Islanders win in 2OT (most personally important :) )

San Jose eliminates LA

Minnesota stays alive in OT

Philly forces game 6 against Washington

RIP NYR 🏒

Back to back double overtime wins put the Islanders in round 2 for the first time since 1993. I'll be in the cardio wing if you need me.

RIP NYR 🏒

RIP Rangers, Kings, Red Wings, Flyers, Wild and Panthers!

I know I am late to the party here, but my predictions weren't stellar or unique anyways.

I am rooting for the Stars and the Caps and hope to see them face each others in the finals.

I thought Stars would beat the Wild in 5, Blues over Hawks in 6, Ducks over Preds in 6, Kings over Sharks in 7, Panthers over Isles in 6, Lightning over Wings in 5, Caps over Flyers in 4, Pens over Rangers in 5.

for Second Round, I'm picking Dallas over Blues in 6, Sharks over Ducks in 5, Tampa Bay over Isles in 5, and Caps over Pens in 7.

Third Round, Stars over Sharks in 6, Caps over Tampa Bay n 5,

and for the Final, Capitals beat the Stars in 6.

RIP Rangers, Kings, Red Wings, Flyers, Wild and Panthers!

And the Blackhawks.

Going to watch game 7 tonight Nashville vs. Anaheim. Should be a good game.

I have to say though, and I know the NHL has been doing this for a while, but why are the road teams wearing the home (white) jerseys and why are the home teams wearing the road (dark) jerseys? I think it's a poor concept, they should go back to the way it used to be and the way it should be, home teams wearing white jerseys and road teams wearing dark jerseys.

Going to watch game 7 tonight Nashville vs. Anaheim. Should be a good game.

I have to say though, and I know the NHL has been doing this for a while, but why are the road teams wearing the home (white) jerseys and why are the home teams wearing the road (dark) jerseys? I think it's a poor concept, they should go back to the way it used to be and the way it should be, home teams wearing white jerseys and road teams wearing dark jerseys.

Football will do the same thing.

I have to say though, and I know the NHL has been doing this for a while, but why are the road teams wearing the home (white) jerseys and why are the home teams wearing the road (dark) jerseys? I think it's a poor concept, they should go back to the way it used to be and the way it should be, home teams wearing white jerseys and road teams wearing dark jerseys.

I agree. Not because it matters though, just because that's the way I'm used to.

Football will do the same thing.

With football, the choice of uniforms doesn't matter as much. That's probably because the NFL teams play only a 16 game schedule and teams play once a week. With baseball, it's a 162 game schedule and teams play almost every day with an occasional day off. The home team usually wears white uniforms, but depending on the team sometimes the uniform is different. The A's for example, have a yellow jersey they wear at home occasionally and also a green jersey. But with hockey and basketball, home teams should be wearing white uniforms and road teams should be wearing dark uniforms. I see the NBA is now doing what the NHL does, I've seen home teams in dark jerseys and road teams in white jerseys, and if I'm not mistaken I've seen NBA games where both the home and road team wore dark jerseys. It's so ridiculous. :rolleyes:

Round 2 match-ups:

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders

Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues

San Jose Sharks vs.

I was hoping the Blackhawks would face the Stars so they could go up against former teammates Sharp and Oduya. Blackhawks should have kept all their better players if they wanted to repeat as champs this year. They let some go to other teams and replaced them with players of lesser talent, and look what happened bounced in the first round.

Going to watch game 7 tonight Nashville vs. Anaheim. Should be a good game.

I have to say though, and I know the NHL has been doing this for a while, but why are the road teams wearing the home (white) jerseys and why are the home teams wearing the road (dark) jerseys? I think it's a poor concept, they should go back to the way it used to be and the way it should be, home teams wearing white jerseys and road teams wearing dark jerseys.
i agree - if you are mostly watching your home team all you ever see is basically two colors; the home team and white.

at least they should switch it up and use home whites for the first half of the season and the darks for the second half

Round 2 match-ups:

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders

Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues

San Jose Sharks vs.


San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators

robyrob is going to have to adjust one of those second round picks [post # 28]

San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators

robyrob is going to have to adjust one of those second round picks [post # 28]
I still think the Sharks will win, but in 6 over the Preds

I'm glad Nashville won over Anaheim. I've had a feeling about the Preds this year and figured they could have some post season success. Will see how they do vs. San Jose.

Round 2 match-ups:

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders

Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues

San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators


Predictions:

In the West, I see Dallas and San Jose winning their series in 6 games while both East series will go 7 with Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh moving on.

All 4 series will be interesting to watch but the main attraction for serious hockey fans will be Pittsburgh vs Washington, or Crosby vs Ovechkin Part 2.

The first playoff series between the two superstars was in 2009 when Pittsburgh won in 7 games and later claimed the Stanley Cup. The highlight of the series was Game 2 when both Crosby and Ovechkin scored hat tricks in a 4-3 Washington win.

All 4 series will be interesting to watch but the main attraction for serious hockey fans will be Pittsburgh vs Washington, or Crosby vs Ovechkin Part 2.



Going by tonight, this one has the makings of a classic. Hopefully they destroy each other in 7 tough games before whoever wins faces a well rested Islanders team :)

Going by tonight, this one has the makings of a classic. Hopefully they destroy each other in 7 tough games before whoever wins faces a well rested Islanders team :)
very entertaining first game to open up the series - already getting pretty scrappy and lots of weird twists, like Beagle's incidents with the Penguin's sticks - that was hilarious when he was skating around with that stick stuck in his helmet

I wasn't surprised to find out Anaheim terminated the services of coach Bruce Boudreau. Boudreau has had much regular season success during coaching stints with the Capitals and Ducks, but that success has had problems translating into the post season, where Boudreau is now 1-7 coaching game 7's in playoff series.

Going by tonight, this one has the makings of a classic. Hopefully they destroy each other in 7 tough games before whoever wins faces a well rested Islanders team :)


They certainly rested yesterday. :lol:

They certainly rested yesterday. :lol:

Sorry, I've been busy watching the NHL playoffs. What has your team been up to lately?

Sorry, I've been busy watching the NHL playoffs. What has your team been up to lately?

My team won the lottery!!:)

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3561157.1462069327!/fileImage/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/leafs-043016-620.png


Last Saturday, the NHL held their annual draft lottery to determine the order that the non-playoff teams will pick in this year's draft (June 24, Sportsnet & NBCSN). The big winners were the Toronto Maple Leafs, who finished last in the NHL during this season and so would have have had the best chance to draft 1st overall. But if you saw the draft lottery last year you realize that anything can happen. You never know which way the lottery balls will fall. Last season, the Leafs were very close to getting the first pick, which would have earned them the right to draft super-phenom Connor McDavid but, literally at the last second, saw their position go from 1st to 4th. This season, a big dose of good luck benefitted the Winnipeg Jets, who improved their stock from 6th to 2nd with one bounce. This year, the 1st overall pick is expected to be US junior sensation Auston Matthews. The chance to watch him play in the NHL next season already has Toronto fans excited:

Leafs fans react to draft lottery win (https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/05/01/awesome-compilation-reactions-leafs-lottery-win/)

Just for the record, my reaction was the same! :)

My team won the lottery!!:)

http://i.cbc.ca/1.3561157.1462069327!/fileImage/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/leafs-043016-620.png


Last Saturday, the NHL held their annual draft lottery to determine the order that the non-playoff teams will pick in this year's draft (June 24, Sportsnet & NBCSN). The big winners were the Toronto Maple Leafs, who finished last in the NHL during this season and so would have have had the best chance to draft 1st overall. But if you saw the draft lottery last year you realize that anything can happen. You never know which way the lottery balls will fall. Last season, the Leafs were very close to getting the first pick, which would have earned them the right to draft super-phenom Connor McDavid but, literally at the last second, saw their position go from 1st to 4th. This season, a big dose of good luck benefitted the Winnipeg Jets, who improved their stock from 6th to 2nd with one bounce. This year, the 1st overall pick is expected to be US junior sensation Auston Matthews. The chance to watch him play in the NHL next season already has Toronto fans excited:

Leafs fans react to draft lottery win (https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/05/01/awesome-compilation-reactions-leafs-lottery-win/)

Just for the record, my reaction was the same! :)
congrats on the draft lottery to Toronto - but they are going to need to do a whole heck of a lot more than draft Austin Matthews to turn that mess of a team around.

My team won the lottery!!:)



Although I understand why some leagues have gone to the lottery system, I never liked it. To me, if you have the worst record, you get the pick.

Lightning entered the next level first and they will take a good break.

Looks like the poor entire New York City felt depressed about their NHL seasons ended too soon yesterday.

Going to watch game 6 tonight, San Jose/Nashville. I hope the Preds can force a game 7, but the Sharks looked good in game 5 and I think they want to end the series in 6. Will see what happens.

Looks like the poor entire New York City felt depressed about their NHL seasons ended too soon yesterday.

Honestly, most people in NYC couldn't care less about the Islanders, but I was among the depressed.

Cool! Preds win game 6 in OT to force game 7 vs. the Sharks. Hopefully Nashville can take this momentum into game 7 and pull off the win. Home team has won every game in this series so far, time now for the visitors to win one. :lol:

3 goal rally not enough, Presidents trophy winning Caps eliminated by Pens in 6.

^ Things always go wrong for the Crapitals in the playoffs. They've had the best regular season record before, only to get bounced in the playoffs.

3 goal rally not enough, Presidents trophy winning Caps eliminated by Pens in 6.

I agree. But even if the Caps won the Presidents trophy in 2015, since 2009, I think the way the Caps won the Presidents trophy in 2015 was a little better than that they won in 2009. So they should not get disheartened when their current season ended and they will retry next year safely and successfully without making problems, by then.

The Pens should be careful about the lightning because the lightning advanced ahead with 4-1 over Islanders.

^ Things always go wrong for the Crapitals in the playoffs. They've had the best regular season record before, only to get bounced in the playoffs.

Yes, but it should not be that bad this year than as back in 2009.

I'm really sad about the Caps getting knocked out - this really seemed like they finally had all the pieces in place to make it all the way.

I'm really sad about the Caps getting knocked out - this really seemed like they finally had all the pieces in place to make it all the way.

Braden Holtby is improving alright in blocks and saves, but on that OT last night, he may have stumbled too soon before saving until Nick Bonino quickly slap the puck to score above the pile.

This fast season-ending for the Caps, as 2015 President's Cup winners, may not be that overrated as back in 2009. But it's alright, the Caps should never give up as they know what to do next year. They've been into playoffs along the way even if they reach the finals or not.

Even the #1 stars are out and embarassed at home.

Even the #1 stars are out and embarassed at home.

That one was a dud. Hopefully tonight is better. Can't be worse, right?

Not looking good for the Preds, that's too bad. It's not helping matters that the refs are swallowing their whistles and refuse to call Sharks players for penalites, several San Jose infractions have gone uncalled. :rolleyes:

Looking ahead to the cup finals, I'll predict that the finals will be between two rhyming teams, San Jose and Tampa Bay. :lol:

That one was a dud. Hopefully tonight is better. Can't be worse, right?

Well, maybe not worse, but just as dull.

Semis officially set:

Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay
San Jose vs. St. Louis

My Predictions: St Louis Blues win the West Finals over San Jose in 6 and then go on to beat either Pittsburgh Penguins in 4 or defeat Tampa Bay Lighting in 5 to capture their first ever Stanley Cup

The semis so far are, well, I don't want to say boring, but let's say uneventful.

as it stands now, my preference would be for the Blues to beat Tampa Bay in the final, but that currently isn't looking too good right.

I agreee that the games in this round haven't been as good, but there were some good plays/intense moments especially right before that last game that went into overtime.

Saint Louis really need to do something to pull it out of the tailspin they are in or their season is going to be over pretty quickly; the Sharks are just owning them right now.

Tampa I think can still pull it off, they just need to work harder and smarter, and hopefully get a few bounces in their favor

as it stands now, my preference would be for the Blues to beat Tampa Bay in the final, but that currently isn't looking too good right.

I agreee that the games in this round haven't been as good, but there were some good plays/intense moments especially right before that last game that went into overtime.

Saint Louis really need to do something to pull it out of the tailspin they are in or their season is going to be over pretty quickly; the Sharks are just owning them right now.

Tampa I think can still pull it off, they just need to work harder and smarter, and hopefully get a few bounces in their favor



I think that both teams will be gone fairly soon. I see the Pens and Sharks going to the final with Pittsburgh winning in 6.

Pittsburgh, Tampa head to game 7.

We're all Canucks!

Stanley Cup Final

San Jose Sharks- Pittsburgh Penguins

Go Pen-goo-ins!

And in AAA Hockey (The American Hockey League)...The Lake Erie Monsters are in the Calder Cup Finals.

This is the first time in 50 years that a Cleveland Franchise was in the AHL Finals!

Looking ahead to the cup finals, I'll predict that the finals will be between two rhyming teams, San Jose and Tampa Bay. :lol:

Well I was half correct, San Jose is in the finals but the opponent is Pittsburgh, not Tampa.

It's interesting that the Sharks are in the finals for the first time at this particular time because it's been 40 years since the last season of the California Golden Seals. The Seals also wore teal color uniforms during their final two seasons (1974-75 and 75-76) but the Seals teal color looked better, it was a brighter shade of teal. The Sharks teal is more of a dirty, muddy shade of teal, I don't like it. But the way the Sharks are playing right now, I think they have a good chance to win the cup over Pittsburgh. Will see what happens.

It's interesting that the Sharks are in the finals for the first time at this particular time because it's been 40 years since the last season of the California Golden Seals. The Seals also wore teal color uniforms during their final two seasons (1974-75 and 75-76) but the Seals teal color looked better, it was a brighter shade of teal. The Sharks teal is more of a dirty, muddy shade of teal, I don't like it. But the way the Sharks are playing right now, I think they have a good chance to win the cup over Pittsburgh. Will see what happens.

Then the Seals moved to Cleveland to become the Barons...but since that franchise and the Minnesota North Stars were in jeopardy...they both merged.

I call this Cleveland curse "The Merge"...that was the last time a professional team ceased operations! And...it was a Cleveland Team!

But maybe the curse will be reversed!

Late goal and penalty kill give Pens opening game.

Screw NBC.
They made Tampa Bay cancel their viewing party. Earlier this year, they also made Boston cancel a viewing for their outdoor game. Yet the NBA didn't seem to have a problem with Toronto Raptors "Jurassic Park"

Can't wait until ABC which shows the NBA clobbers them ratings wise. They already did last night.

I don't get why NBC who it doesn't sound like pays much to show NHL games has compete control over the schedule.

Yes, I have a lot of anger at both the NHL and the TV networks.

I'm taking Pittsburgh because they have better goaltending and because Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world and he will be motivated to show his critics that he can still deliver when it counts. Not that he needs to prove it to me. I've watched him win 1 Cup in 2009 and two Olympic gold medals (the first against the US - Ha ha ha!!) but he'll need at least one more title to show that he is one of the all-time greats along with his boss and former teammate Mario Lemieux. I believe he can do it---with plenty of help from stars like Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and their super young goalie Matt Murray.

I expect the Sharks to give them a real battle. You have to feel for a guy like Joe Thornton. Like Crosby, he has battled a persistent rap that he can't win the big one and this will be his chance to shine. Patrick Marleau has been with the team for almost as long as Thornton and he should also flourish in his first trip to the finals. Another player to watch is Brent Burns. Not only has he emerged as a top superstar defenseman (and a part-time forward), but between him and Thornton, they may have the best playoff beards I've ever seen. That might not be enough. I'm taking Pittsburgh in the full 7 games.

http://www.tsn.ca/polopoly_fs/1.460862.1459228199!/fileimage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/joe-thornton-brent-burns.jpg

Overtime win put Pens up 2 games to none.

I was rooting against the Penguins 100%. But after the riots in San Jose yesterday I might switch. Burning American flags while waving mexican flags, attacking Trump supporters, police, people driving past, for absolutely no reason. And their poor excuse for a mayor blames it all on Trump.

Then the Seals moved to Cleveland to become the Barons...but since that franchise and the Minnesota North Stars were in jeopardy...they both merged.

I call this Cleveland curse "The Merge"...that was the last time a professional team ceased operations! And...it was a Cleveland Team!

But maybe the curse will be reversed!


The Barons were owned by the Gund brothers who stayed with the merged North Stars until 1991 when the NHL awarded them a new expansion team----The San Jose Sharks! So there's your team!

One of the first players to join the Sharks in 1991 was Mike Sullivan. He is now the coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and will be trying to beat the Sharks for the Cup.

http://i.imgur.com/yqyCOZP.jpg

The Barons were owned by the Gund brothers who stayed with the merged North Stars until 1991 when the NHL awarded them a new expansion team----The San Jose Sharks! So there's your team!

One of the first players to join the Sharks in 1991 was Mike Sullivan. He is now the coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and will be trying to beat the Sharks for the Cup.

http://i.imgur.com/yqyCOZP.jpg

Well...with the Cavs being the Cleveland Can'ts on Thursday...I've lost all hope!

Looks like the Monsters will win it all and that means Cleveland CAN'T have a Major League Team!

The Sharks look like they'll lose the cup too!

The pens need to win this 3rd one tonight without failure!

OT win puts Sharks back in series. Pens lead series 2 games to 1.

3-1 win puts Penguins up 3 games to 1.

Not looking good for the Sharks, I think experience is a factor because this is the first time for the Sharks in the finals where the Penguins have been there before and won.

I disagree about pulling the goalie when down by 2 goals. It is a dumb and desperate strategy, 99.9 percent of the time it doesn't work. I've even seen coaches pull the goalie when down by 3 goals. It's ridiculous. The only time the goalie should be pulled is when down by a goal with under 2 minutes left in the game. That's the only time this strategy makes sense.

There are several things I dislike about the current NHL. One of them is the "this space for rent" policy the league adopted and now all the rinks have advertisements splattered all along the boards. It looks ridiculous and is distracting when trying to watch a game. Is the league really that desperate for revenue so all the teams have to sell advertising space along the boards? :rolleyes: I prefer the glory days of the NHL, the mid 1970's when the league had 18 teams. The quality of play was much better, and the boards were plain white, no tacky looking advertisements.

I disagree about pulling the goalie when down by 2 goals. It is a dumb and desperate strategy, 99.9 percent of the time it doesn't work. I've even seen coaches pull the goalie when down by 3 goals. It's ridiculous. The only time the goalie should be pulled is when down by a goal with under 2 minutes left in the game. That's the only time this strategy makes sense.



Why? It's the same concept. Down by one , it doesn't matter if they lose by two. So if they're down 2 , why does it matter if they lose by 3. Put the extra shooter out there, take your chances.


Is the league really that desperate for revenue so all the teams have to sell advertising space along the boards? .

Yeah, sadly, probably.

Why? It's the same concept. Down by one , it doesn't matter if they lose by two. So if they're down 2 , why does it matter if they lose by 3. Put the extra shooter out there, take your chances.

Pulling the goalie is a desperate strategy that backfires most of the time, but as I said I think the only time it's worth trying and makes any sense is when down by a goal. Two or more goals down I think the goalie shouldn't be pulled. If you're down by one and lose by two, not that big of a deal. But if you're already down by two or three, why ask to make it look worse and lose by maybe three or four? It tacks on another goal allowed against your team, the fewer goals allowed the better. Plus/minus goal differential for each team is important.

Pulling the goalie is a desperate strategy that backfires most of the time

Exactly the point. You're down late in the game, desperately trying to generate as much offense as possible. Who cares about the final score and plus/minus differential? The Sharks wouldn't be in better shape if they lost 3-1 instead of 4-1. (The Pens didn't get the EN yesterday, but you get the idea).

Exactly the point. You're down late in the game, desperately trying to generate as much offense as possible. Who cares about the final score and plus/minus differential? The Sharks wouldn't be in better shape if they lost 3-1 instead of 4-1. (The Pens didn't get the EN yesterday, but you get the idea).

Obviously you look at it differently than I do. That's OK, everyone has their opinion.

Pulling your goalie when down by two goals or more has never made sense to me, I think it's a foolish strategy and not worth the risk because it will fail almost every time. Down by one goal makes sense because in that scenario the strategy is worth the risk to try and score the tying goal and send the game to overtime.

Obviously you look at it differently than I do. That's OK, everyone has their opinion.

Pulling your goalie when down by two goals or more has never made sense to me, I think it's a foolish strategy and not worth the risk because it will fail almost every time. Down by one goal makes sense because in that scenario the strategy is worth the risk to try and score the tying goal and send the game to overtime.

Hey, I'm just glad someone's watching besides me...

Hey, I'm just glad someone's watching besides me...

I still watch the games, although hockey isn't as good as it used to be 40 years ago. And when thinking about it, nothing is as good as it used to be, so all you can do is accept how things currently are and go with it.

Sharks road win sends the series back to San Jose Sunday. Pens lead three games to two.

2016 Stanley Cup champions - Pittsburgh Penguins