Quest for the Stanley Cup 2012

[Metcarfre]

Ah, I knew I was going to make that mix up.

[Yaxley]

I would like to thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for elevating this series from "I am totally ashamed of my team" to merely "I am embarrassed for my team."

And I mean that sincerely. It may seem like a subtle difference, but anyone who watched that game 3 knows that this is not a proud time in Pens history.

[Tim]

Suddenly I wonder if both Van/LA and Pitt/Philly could go to seven games...



Also: so long, Detroit. You had your years. You'll be back. It's Nashville's turn, though. Good to get some variety at the top, at least.

[psychopez]

I would like to thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for elevating this series from "I am totally ashamed of my team" to merely "I am embarrassed for my team."

And I mean that sincerely. It may seem like a subtle difference, but anyone who watched that game 3 knows that this is not a proud time in Pens history.

I'm still pissed and ashamed at the 'Guins. Pittsburgh doesn't deserve to move on, regardless of what the final series record is...

Two wins, hell, four wins won't excuse game 3.

[aeric90]

So Torres gets a 25 game suspension for the hit on Hossa. After watching the Shananator's video on the suspension it's pretty obvious why. What's this guys malfunction?

[Rikadyn]

too many hits to the head...

[Tim]

Despite all the history, I still think it was too severe. Feels like Torres is being scapegoated a bit.

I would've accepted 10 to 15 games for more easily.

[goat]

Also: so long, Detroit. You had your years. You'll be back. It's Nashville's turn, though. Good to get some variety at the top, at least.

Wings fan though I am, I have to agree. Nashville deserves it this year. They made us look like chumps through this series. Part of it was losing two of our good players to injuries, forcing our stars to go out on the PK more often, but there's just no excuse for some of the mistakes that were made.

And kudos to the Pred's defense. It wasn't just us fucking up that gave them the edge; they have a seriously talented blue line.

Normally I root against the team that beats us, but this year, I wouldn't be at all sad to see Nashville go deep.

[Metcarfre]

Despite all the history, I still think it was too severe. Feels like Torres is being scapegoated a bit.

I would've accepted 10 to 15 games for more easily.

The best thing I've read so far about this came from Twitter; "It takes less balls to give Torres 25 games than it does to give Shea Weber one."

[aeric90]

Well I could not have predicted that exit. Good job LA. You deserved that win.

[Tapir12]

The plug has been pulled. Tapir's inner Canucks fan is dead (...until next season)

[Metcarfre]

Oh, well.

So far everyone else I wanted to advance have. I'd really like to see a Philly - Nashville final.

...Though if Ottawa sneaks in, that would be great.

Also, all Habs fans; say hello to your new head coach.

[Rikadyn]

I have a hard time seeing Philly actually advancing, The goal tending in that series was abysmal.

I'm pulling for LA really, They're a club that is in a non traditional market that has had an actual fan base stick with them.

[Metcarfre]

Yeah, try Nashville.

[LackingSanity]

Well, time to bust out the sadness cake. It could have been celebration cake, but noooo.....

[Matt]

Le sigh.

-m

[aeric90]

Also, all Habs fans; say hello to your new head coach.

You mean Vingeault? I highly doubt that. Not unless Vancouver tanks next year and misses the playoffs.

[Tim]

Vigneault isn't going anywhere, not after back-to-back President's Trophy seasons.

[ChiUnit4evr]

If I remember last year's playoff thread, I'll be one of a few number here with this opinion, but dammit the Bruins are raising my blood pressure.

[Metcarfre]

Vigneault isn't going anywhere, not after back-to-back President's Trophy seasons.

Here's the thing.

You have to change something.

I hear a lot of "you can't/shouldn't trade Luongo/Schneider", "we can't get rid of Vigneault!", etc, etc, but some sort of a change needs to be made, and not just shuffling around the middle four-to-six wingers again. This loss can't be pinned on the goalies, or on Daniel being out at the beginning. Special teams were bad (at least at times), and had been since January. On a team like this, that's coaching.

[aeric90]

I'd say you're more likely to see changes to Vigneault's coaching staff. Also if I was an owner I'd be looking at Mike Gillis to explain his trade deadline strategy and his draft strategy. But other than some drama in the goaltender department I don't think you're gonna see much else out of the Canucks this summer.

[Tim]

Who do you replace Vigneault with? Craig MacTavish? Marc Crawford?

Yes, there needs to be change, but I don't think you need to blow anything up, and I don't think you need to fire one of the best coaches in the league. Coaching wasn't a problem this season, IMO.

[Metcarfre]

In this series, what was it then? Certainly not goaltending. Can't blame it all on losing Daniel - remember the tear we were on to end the series? Everyone on the team suddenly seemed to regress two or three years. Look at Kesler's flopping and lack of quality play, Edler's hiccups. Coaching will, at least, be the easy target.

Also, yaaaay Phoenix!

[CommanderKeen]

Lack of second, third line goal production? Sedin's are major contributors to that, but they can only do so much.

[Metcarfre]

Luongo says he will waive his NTC if asked. Huh boy.