Re: The NHL Thread
 

You son of a bitch.....

I agree Quick wasn't at his best and has been a little inconsistent this playoffs compared to his last run. But to say he isn't elite is ridiculous IMO. Just his ability to make some of the moves he does in net makes him elite in my eyes.

No way this doesn't go 7. Min 2 more OT's. Supreme matchup, two very even teams.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I like everyone's optimism, but I wonder in NY didn't blow their chance already. This was supposed to be the game they had the advantage in. Instead LA looked far more rested in the third.

If LA comes out strong in game 2 I see this being a short series. NY needs to play 60 minutes of speed hockey.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Quick wasn't "awful" last series either. He wasn't his usual dominant self, but the Blackhawks aren't exactly pushovers offensively. That aside, that series had more crazy bounces and deflection goals than any I can remember. Only one of the four goals in Game 7 could be considered his fault, other three were strange bounces or went in off his own guys. And again tonight, made a save then Voynov kicked it in his own net.

If your season is on the line, I couldn't see anyone picking a goalie other than Lundqvist, Rask or Quick to be in net for that game. I'd say that makes him elite and makes this series a hell of a "great goalie matchup"

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I personally do not think he has been elite since the last cup run. Very good absolutely. Elite not so much.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Way to go, Ed Snyder and Paul Holmgren

Ny had the advantage for the first ghalf of the game. Now they're both on an even field rest wise, if there's an advantage it favors ny still. Could also be the rust bein shaken off for ny, where la is still in the rhythm from the last series and rags had the time to kind of lose their momentum. I wouldn't put as much stock in the rest as you are. These are still two very top teams, with probably the two best goaltenders in the league. Going to be a battle.

:lol kings fans with more faith in the rags than rags fans.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Kings are real good after they are down 2-0....it is quite amazing.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Quick was 3rd in GAA for goalies with 30+ starts. He singlehandedly led an offensively-challenged team to the Cup two seasons ago, had them back to Western Finals last year and back to the Cup this year...

Oh, and all of this while having back surgery in the middle of it all. So maybe he didn't seem "elite" right after having back surgery, but who would?

What more can the guy do? :lol

The NHL Thread
 

What goalies do you consider elite then? Not trying to start an argument just curious.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Woohoo! Fantastic finish. Unbelievable!

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Probably just King Lundqvist.

Maybe Fleury :lol

Quick was elite in 2012 in my mind.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Not have a 2.86 GAA in the playoffs. Good for the Kings that they have a great offense this postseason.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I think they did.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You can't look solely at GAA when you're talking about a 20-game span. Like I said, deflections and crazy stuff happens. It's about making the big saves and timely saves -- and Quick has done that.

Plus, don't you think that GAA is a little inflated from those first two disastrous games against the Sharks?

That's like looking at a player's batting average in April and drawing a conclusion off it. It's 20 games. He was terrible in the first two games against San Jose and has been fine since.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Well I can but it is only my opinion. I respect yours though. Maybe he got hung out to dry a bit by his D. I just know that in 2012 I thought he was lights out. Last year in the WCF he gave up some questionable ones...and if not for an amazing offense in this playoffs I think they would be bounced a while ago. Does not mean he is not really good though and makes some very timely saves.

...and he and Kane both real lazy in the Olympics.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Going for pizza with a game 1 winner!!!

And more drinks.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You want to win a Cup, or at least be successful? Get Justin Williams.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol come on man. this series isn't even close to over until NYR lose a game at MSG. Win in G2 would be enormous for them but I wouldn't even say it's a must win. Look at the way a lot of these series have gone this year.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Rangers played almost flawless in the 1st period.
Started to stink it up in the 2nd
Lucky they didn't lose in the 3rd.
Bad turnover in OT.

You won't win any games with 2-4 shots in the 3rd and a 0fer PP

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Quick was definitely not awful.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Couldn't ask for more from a SCF game 1. Great game. The two teams match up so well, just like many of us thought they would. Different styles being played, and the Rangers eventually folded on theirs in an effort to stop the Kings, but I think they will figure out how to counter in game 2. Both teams have very high hockey IQ's that start with their coaches and seep down throughout their lineup. A lot of very smart hockey players among these two teams, and it made for some great hockey last night.

Speaking of smart coaches, am I the only one how looks at Darryl Sutter and wonders how the hell a guy who looks like him has the (apparently) brilliant hockey mind that he does? Guy looks like he can't tie his own shoe. :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

if the kings stop turning the puck over i think they win this fairly easily

Re: The NHL Thread
 

New girl I'm seeing never really watched hockey before (and she's originally from Michigan, go figure), but I went over her place last night to watch Game 1 of the final. She really enjoyed and I'm glad we got a great game to pop her cherry with!

She doesn't have a team, but if she likes the sport she will look for a team to latch onto. The trick now will be to keep her from watching any Penguins games :lol

Re: The NHL Thread
 

He looks like he would frown his way through a blow job.

But agreed on the hockey IQ man. What a well-played, smart hockey game. Rangers fans should be thrilled to have a real coach.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Wings..done.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Just realized this was the same outcome of game 1 in 1994 ;)

Re: The NHL Thread
 

CBC guys said that was the 23rd time in these playoffs, a two goal lead has been squandered.