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Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread - Page 6

post #151 of 646
3/24/09 at 8:09am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I think goaltending will be Detroit's downfall in the playoffs this year. Personally, I've never been impressed with Osgood, despite his career numbers. He's an average goalie, but not one who can carry a team, and he is not playing as well now as he has in the past. Conklin is a career backup, so if the Wings need to rely on him in the playoffs, they are in big trouble.

Quote:
I'm crossing my fingers that the Habs don't make the playoffs.
You may get your wish, Scott. The Habs are playing terrible hockey right now. Neither goalie is playing well, and the changing of head coaches has made no difference with the team.
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post #152 of 646
3/24/09 at 8:46am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I'm happy to see the Flyers beat the Devils (finally!). But still, not the team that I would want to face in the playoffs, especially since they got Martin Brodeur back.

Speaking of Brodeur, I thought the most career wins all-time would be one of those unbreakable records.
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post #153 of 646
3/24/09 at 9:34am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Walt Poddubny died over the weekend.
there was a national broadcast sunday I didn't hear a mention of it.
did they say anything.

I'm not surprised by Brodeur breaking any record.
the guy plays over 70 games nearly every year and wins over 40 too.
plus more possible wins now with the no ties.
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post #154 of 646
3/24/09 at 12:11pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I was happy to see the Bruins beat the Devils, too! It would've been nice to see at least one non-fluky-looking goal, but I'll take it.

Remember, you can listen to every game free online at the NHL website. Sometimes the online TV broadcasts are free for a day as a promotion, too.
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post #155 of 646
3/24/09 at 4:22pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
I think goaltending will be Detroit's downfall in the playoffs this year. Personally, I've never been impressed with Osgood, despite his career numbers. He's an average goalie, but not one who can carry a team, and he is not playing as well now as he has in the past. Conklin is a career backup, so if the Wings need to rely on him in the playoffs, they are in big trouble.

If they do fall short in playoffs this year, it will be because of goaltending. It has been worrying me all year, but I think more of Osgood (and maybe Conklin) than you do. He was huge for them last year and I think he has been playing better of late. I'm hoping he steps it up again in the playoffs.

As I'm writing this, it is occurring to me that the goaltending this year may be a symptom of a bigger problem with the Wings defense. I don't think it has been very consistent and it is putting more pressure on the goalies. The goalies have had their issues too, but those issues be part of a vicious cycle that started with the D.

The Wings offense is so overwhelming that it hasn't hurt them too much---yet. The playoffs are another matter though.
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post #156 of 646
3/24/09 at 8:52pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
You may get your wish, Scott. The Habs are playing terrible hockey right now. Neither goalie is playing well, and the changing of head coaches has made no difference with the team.
Scott,

Well, when I checked the standings yesterday, I couldn't believe where Montreal was at the moment. We'll see how it goes. But even if the Habs finished 0-78, they'd still play the Bruins in the first round, and defeat them 4-0. ;(
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post #157 of 646
3/25/09 at 4:53am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJ
As I'm writing this, it is occurring to me that the goaltending this year may be a symptom of a bigger problem with the Wings defense. I don't think it has been very consistent and it is putting more pressure on the goalies. The goalies have had their issues too, but those issues be part of a vicious cycle that started with the D.

That has always been my issue with Osgood -- put a great team in front of him, and the Wings can win. However, if the team defense is even a little suspect, then he cannot carry the team for any stretch. Honestly, I think you could have put just about any NHL-caliber goalie in net instead of Osgood for the Cups he was starting in goal and still Detroit would have won the Cup.
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post #158 of 646
3/25/09 at 7:03am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
I was happy to see the Bruins beat the Devils, too! It would've been nice to see at least one non-fluky-looking goal, but I'll take it.

Same here, since they have to play that annoying, boring trap.

It does looks like the Devils could prevent a Bruins-Canadiens first round matchup, since it looks like they'll catch the Bruins for the #1 seed in the East.
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post #159 of 646
3/25/09 at 8:35am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

St Louis is one point out of a playoff spot with 9 games left. I love watching their kids play--Perron, Oshie, and Berglund. Mason has been a monster in net.
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post #160 of 646
3/25/09 at 9:49am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter C
Same here, since they have to play that annoying, boring trap.

It does looks like the Devils could prevent a Bruins-Canadiens first round matchup, since it looks like they'll catch the Bruins for the #1 seed in the East.

A week ago I would have said yes, but I don't know now. They seem to have righted the ship, especially the PP, with the 4-1 shellacking of NJ the other day. They are now 5 up with 9 to go, only 3 of which are against probable playoff teams. The others are Ottawa (2), TB, Toronto, and NYI. Not the most difficult schedule.
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post #161 of 646
3/25/09 at 1:21pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

What's annoying is that when the B's finally seem to get their shinola together, they have a SIX DAY layoff between games! WTF?
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post #162 of 646
3/25/09 at 1:34pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I really don't think there is much difference between getting the #1 and #2 seed in a conference anyway. Either way, the team has a big first round advantage on the match-up, whether it's against the #7 or #8 seed. And it seems to be a rare occasion where the top two seeds actually both make it to the conference finals, where it would make a difference for home ice advantage.
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post #163 of 646
3/25/09 at 1:46pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
That has always been my issue with Osgood -- put a great team in front of him, and the Wings can win. However, if the team defense is even a little suspect, then he cannot carry the team for any stretch. Honestly, I think you could have put just about any NHL-caliber goalie in net instead of Osgood for the Cups he was starting in goal and still Detroit would have won the Cup.

Well, I'm not sure about that. Last year they did have an NHL-caliber goalie in net that wasn't Osgood and it wasn't going too well for them. Osgood stepped in and stabilized the team which really seemed to rally around him. Without his good play last year in a pressure packed situation, they never would've won the cup.
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post #164 of 646
3/25/09 at 3:54pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

A question for those who know the Red Wings. What do you think of Conklin as a goaltender? I've been watching the games as much as I can lately, but usually I've seen Osgood in goal. Is he (Conklin) among the top-tier of goalies in the NHL?
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post #165 of 646
3/25/09 at 4:46pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockeghem
A question for those who know the Red Wings. What do you think of Conklin as a goaltender? I've been watching the games as much as I can lately, but usually I've seen Osgood in goal. Is he (Conklin) among the top-tier of goalies in the NHL?

No, you wouldn't put him among the top-tier. He is, however, one of the better backups. He did very well for the Penguins last year when Fleury was injured. I thought he was a very good pickup for the Red Wings, but that was as a backup to Osgood. Conklin has very little playoff experience---one start, I think.
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post #166 of 646
3/25/09 at 4:56pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I wish I lived in Detroit. It's not easy being a Buffalo sports fan..
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post #167 of 646
3/25/09 at 5:54pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJ
No, you wouldn't put him among the top-tier. He is, however, one of the better backups. He did very well for the Penguins last year when Fleury was injured. I thought he was a very good pickup for the Red Wings, but that was as a backup to Osgood. Conklin has very little playoff experience---one start, I think.
Thanks, David. I've been a Bruins fan since the late 1960s; when I moved to Michigan sixteen or so years ago, I began to take an interest in the Red Wings. But Boston is (and always will be) my favorite team. It's good to hear from people who have been following Detroit for many years.
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post #168 of 646
3/25/09 at 6:26pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJ
No, you wouldn't put him among the top-tier. He is, however, one of the better backups. He did very well for the Penguins last year when Fleury was injured. I thought he was a very good pickup for the Red Wings, but that was as a backup to Osgood. Conklin has very little playoff experience---one start, I think.

I agree. He's a quality backup. The key word in that statement, though, is "backup". Conklin is definitely not a top-tier goalie, and if Detroit goes to him in the playoffs, they are in big trouble, IMO.
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post #169 of 646
3/25/09 at 7:42pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimi C
I wish I lived in Detroit. It's not easy being a Buffalo sports fan..

I've got a good friend that is a Bills and Sabres fan. We've been able to commiserate over the Lions and Bills similarities in recent years. So, I feel your pain and I grew up around Detroit in the 70s and early 80s when the pro sports teams weren't all that successful. So I've been a fan in both the bad times and the good times. Don't worry the good times will come. And yes, I believe that even as a Lions fan, but based on the HTF NFL threads Scott Merryfield will either tell you I'm delusional or just way too optimistic.
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post #170 of 646
3/26/09 at 4:39am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidJ
I've got a good friend that is a Bills and Sabres fan. We've been able to commiserate over the Lions and Bills similarities in recent years. So, I feel your pain and I grew up around Detroit in the 70s and early 80s when the pro sports teams weren't all that successful. So I've been a fan in both the bad times and the good times. Don't worry the good times will come. And yes, I believe that even as a Lions fan, but based on the HTF NFL threads Scott Merryfield will either tell you I'm delusional or just way too optimistic.

Delusional.
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post #171 of 646
3/26/09 at 2:42pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Are the playoffs going to be on Versus, or a real network? It suddenly strikes me that if the Bruins play the Panthers, I'll actually be able to watch the games.

Go Cats!!! (For now, anyway. )
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post #172 of 646
3/26/09 at 3:28pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Are the playoffs going to be on Versus, or a real network? It suddenly strikes me that if the Bruins play the Panthers, I'll actually be able to watch the games.

Go Cats!!! (For now, anyway. )

Probably a little of both, but mostly Versus.

They are saying Lindy Ruff should be canned on the local sports stations.
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post #173 of 646
3/26/09 at 5:47pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Are the playoffs going to be on Versus, or a real network? It suddenly strikes me that if the Bruins play the Panthers, I'll actually be able to watch the games.

Go Cats!!! (For now, anyway. )
The first two rounds are usually also televised by a team's local broadcast network, so if you get the Panthers locally, you should be all set. After that, it's national broadcasts only.

For national broadcasts, it's almost all Versus, with a weekend game on NBC, and some of the Finals on NBC (I think the first two Finals games are on Versus).

Those of us near the Canadian border also get a lot of games courtesy of CBC.
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post #174 of 646
3/26/09 at 9:30pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield
Delusional.

I knew that was what you were going to say.

Quote:
The first two rounds are usually also televised by a team's local broadcast network, so if you get the Panthers locally, you should be all set. After that, it's national broadcasts only.

For national broadcasts, it's almost all Versus, with a weekend game on NBC, and some of the Finals on NBC (I think the first two Finals games are on Versus).

I think they are changing up the Finals this year with NBC airing the first two games as well as the potential games 5-7.
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post #175 of 646
3/27/09 at 8:41am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Go Cats!!! (For now, anyway. )

And they actually decided to show up last night!
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post #176 of 646
3/27/09 at 11:32am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

I was really happy to see the Bruins get a win against the Devils last Sunday. I was quite surprised, given the lacklustre performances they've been turning out lately. I am perhaps equally surprised that the Sharks have lost a couple of times this week.
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post #177 of 646
3/27/09 at 11:37am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockeghem
I was really happy to see the Bruins get a win against the Devils last Sunday. I was quite surprised, given the lacklustre performances they've been turning out lately. I am perhaps equally surprised that the Sharks have lost a couple of times this week.

That's the way the Bruins were playing in Nov-Dec, simply dominating. I gotta give a nod to Mark Stuart, who has come into his own and is playing shut down hockey lately. A little competition for ice time between him, Hnidy, Monty and Hunwick has been good for Stuart's game. Was great to see him get a star vs. the Devil's, you don't see many of those for mere defensive work.
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post #178 of 646
3/28/09 at 11:05am

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

SHARKIES BABY!!!! let's hope they don't choke in the playoffs like they do every year
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post #179 of 646
3/30/09 at 12:07pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

Pens had a killer March - 10-1-2 overall for the month...Things look good since adding Bylsma behind the bench...

I think that the Pens are in...just need to figure out where they land...

Carolina has been HOT lately as well...so it might be Carolina as the 5, Pens as the 6. Could go either way.

Randy
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post #180 of 646
4/3/09 at 9:21pm

Re: Hockey Talk: The Official NHL 2008-2009 Thread

The Red Wings have been struggling lately, losing three straight. It looks like they will be going with experience in net for the playoffs:

Chris Osgood to start for Wings in playoffs | detnews.com | The Detroit News
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