Re: The NHL Thread
 

All depends on the team, for me. I have a handful of teams who I will always root against, some I am indifferent to and the others I would actively cheer for.

If Ducks knock off the Kings I would root against them
If Avs knock off the Kings I would root for them

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I usually root for the biggest underdog from either conference after the Caps get knocked out. Always root against the powerhouses. Never root for Philly, Pittsburgh or New York (either, really).

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I want them to win every year. I would love to see Hank and Pavel get one more before they are done. Would REALLY love Howie to get one but most likely not gonna be the starter and probably traded this summer so...
It depends. If my team loses in the conference finals, I root against the team that beat them. I don't want them winning it all. If they lose in round 1 or 2, I want the team that beat them to win a round so it's not like wow we lost to a team that got swept in the next round...Wings lost early in 03, 04 and 06 and each time the team they lost to, lost in game 7 of the finals. It felt nice that it wasn't a fluke.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Again, I would go for certain players to get a Cup, usually regardless of team.
:hug forever

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Depends on the year. Last year I rooted for the Hawks pretty hard. I just can't get behind Tampa (but I also really like the Panthers so that may play a role). Also, all the former Rangers on the team made it a hard pill to swallow last year. That said, I rooted for Boston the last time they knocked us out (3 years ago I think). So I don't always root against the team that beats us.

This year it would all depend. It looks like we are headed for the Islanders in the first round. Obviously, I can't root for them should they decided to actually win a playoff series again.

As for the Capitals, I actually didn't have anything against them (okay, so I have not been on the other end of several losses to them). In fact, I said last year after we won that series that I would be totally for them winning one finally. That said, and I am being totally honest here...Barbs strong hate for the Rangers is making me dislike the Capitals now :lol. For that reason, I may be rooting another playoff crash out from them. Funny how other fans can change your mind on a team. Really, if the Caps fans stopped blaming and hating the Rangers for their team letting them down every year, I would probably like to see that team get their first cup.

Probably just rooting for the Panthers if the Rangers don't make it! Maybe Boston too so I can go up to a game.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Oh I don't blame the Rangers when the Caps lose. Never have. And I mean it's the way it's always been, especially over the past 8 years or whatever since we've started meeting virtually every year in the playoffs. I have nothing but love for Rangers fans, especially the ones in here. Same for the Pens and Flyers fans in here. I think you guys are swell and I'm happy for you guys when your teams do well. I'll admit I'm a tad jealous I've never felt it. But I have never blamed the Rangers certainly. And while it's true I won't ever root for any of the aforementioned teams, that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not happy for you guys as fans when your team experiences good fortune nor do I rejoice in your disappointment if your team does end up losing.

I'm honestly surprised you're as fond of the Caps as you are. It's been a pretty heavy rivalry for close to a decade now.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Doesn't really have any effect on who I root for. I'm with Matty and start rooting for players. I'd love to see Lundqvist get one. After seeing how heartbroken he was (not sure I've seen someone more heartbroken than Hank) after the Kings series, I really want him to win. Plus I love McDonagh, Nash, Brassard, Yandle, and Stepan. So I guess I'd root for the Rangers, but point being, I just root for players, whether a team beat the Hawks or not has no effect on who I root for.

I also root for small market teams. I love seeing small market teams succeed, because it means that hockey will start to grow. I always love to see sustained success that allows hockey to grow and thrive. Would love to see success in Dallas, Arizona, Tampa, etc.

But always - fuck the Blues and Wild. I don't root for those schmucks.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I want the capitals to win it all this year. Don't even care if the Bruins are still in it.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I like you

Re: The NHL Thread
 

i know what you mean here, and not to be a dick, but Dallas and Phoenix are not "small" markets

they just aren't hockey markets...yet that is

as much as i want the game to grow, i have a bad feeling about 32 teams

Re: The NHL Thread
 

you gonna get a Caps tattoo?

/gocubs

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I guess (and seriously not trying to stir the pot) I don't really consider the Caps a major rival. Division rival yes, but I don't put them on the level of NJ and the Icelanders. Even Philly to a lesser extent is a bigger rival. I think it comes down to proximity of those teams and their fans. We run into each other all the time so the rivalry is constantly fueled.

As for the Caps, it only becomes a big deal when we meet on the playoffs. I do think that winning most (not all...remember we collapsed once too against you guys) series has helped not fuel any lasting hate. Also, my friends who moved to DC after school have really adopted the city and the team. I don't see them during the regular season much so I don't get constant crap like I do from teams up here. I also love going to visit the DC area. Basically, DC is a good hockey market and I don't mind the idea of that team getting one to solidify the market up.

I view the Caps like I view the Pens in that way. Except the Pens did win a cup so now I don't care if they do again for a very long time haha.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol No shit Dallas and Phoenix are big cities. I meant small hockey markets. Come on, who are you, my boss? I get micromanaged on word choice enough at work. Gimmie a break.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol:lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Fixed.

Come on, Chris!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Proper terminology is "give me".

Come on, Matty.

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Wait... Are YOU Chris's boss?!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Lets go out and win tonight Chicago (against Detroit) and Montreal (against Anaheim)!

Washington against Toronto should be an easy win for the Caps barring some sort of 'miracle on ice' fluke

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Teams I would not root for

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Saw this on Twitter re: the Caps play of late and it made me :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Canadian World Cup jerseys look slick.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/03/2016...hockey-jerseys

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I think they're all pretty terrible with the exception of Russia and Sweden.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Caps compete level is 0 right now. It's embarrassing.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Agreed. It's like they kinda just wait around until they win. Which most nights they're good enough to do that. The record doesn't indicate it, and it may sound weird if you aren't paying close attention to the team, but they haven't been all that great for the last couple weeks. Kinda sloppy, pretty passive. Waiting for things to happen. Just kinda feels lethargic.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Really think this is the best group of forwards the Hawks have had since they started competing again. This team is just incredibly deep and skilled. Detroit saw it tonight, and it's a team that still is going to add Hossa, Weise, and Kruger. Christ.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

What are the playoffs? (am I saying that right? Play-offs?)

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:thumbsup

Re: The NHL Thread
 

something to do with golf?

Re: The NHL Thread
 

There are no teams but my team! :lol jk

It depends. I tend to root for the Western Conference in the finals on principle. We run shit! Seven out of the past 10 Cups! 13/20!

I'm getting tired of the Hawks and Kings passing the Cup back and forth, but I'm glad it's staying in the West.

I guess I'd rather see my team lose to the eventual winner so I can be like, "Well, there was no stopping X!"