Bolts, Hawks, Flames for me in order of confidence. The Caps/Isles game I am so torn on. The emotion should carry the Isles, BUT they are so beat up on D and the Caps looked so good last game it is difficult to not pick them. I lean Caps because of that, but think this one is a total coin flip game. I will say go Isles though.
In the playoffs what a team does in one game does not necessarily mean it will carry over to the next game. Example: Wild got destroyed by Blues at home, 6-1. Next game at St. Louis, Wild bounce back with a 4-1 win. Caps had one mission to attack the Isle D and have literally put them out of commission. Caps 3rd & 4th lines have accomplished the physical toughness & the scoring output. Talk about crashing the net....aim: distract Halak. Mission accomplished. I do not know how the Isles can win game 6 and move on to a Game 7. Caps just keep pounding Isles into mistakes.
I am going to miss Sam Rosen's playoff calls; like he says,"There is nothing like playoff hockey." He makes it so much better. Now, we must listen to the generic play calling of NHL announcers.
I have really enjoyed the hockey games this year. In hockey if you give the puck carrier any space in the offensive zone, he is sure to get a quality shot on goal...... and more times than not he will get a goal. That's how good NHL hockey players are. So, why couldn't Boyle bury that puck at the end of 3rd period at the Garden? I keep looking at the replay and wishing he'd score. But I will say, he was not very happy.......neither were the millions of Ranger fans watching a genuine hockey "choke".
Dan Boyle has had a solid NHL career. He had a tremendous series when Tampa won the cup. He's turning 39 and undersized , which has been problematic for him in today's super fast game. At least he has "choked his name onto the Stanley cup " . Is your name on the cup, cagedlion ?
Isles - Caps tied 1-1 into the 3rd period. This could well be Islanders last period of hockey at Nassau Coliseum with either a win or a loss. This is essentially OT for the Isles. Caps in the heads of the Isle youngsters. Need to play controlled hockey game or the Caps will win today. Caps just lining up on every puck carrier.
These refs in the Isles Wash game are horrendous. They're letting Washington headhunt and not calling anything on them for it. Washington better hope the game stays in the Isles favor and that game 7 is close cuz these Isles players will return the favor happily.
Why are U so offended? Puck, what's your beef? Any association with Mr. Boyle. I'm not challenging his playoff history, just a play he should have buried.
I was pumped for the Isles man, so happy they won. Game was a total coin flip to me as I said. I will favor the Caps pretty big at home in game 7, but happy we are getting 7 as we rest. Winner gets 1 maybe 2 days off tops before game 1 against us. Go Isles in game 7.
I don't think I would use the word choke because he missed the puck with an open net. His timing was off and it was a bad play, but he didn't choke. That is the wrong word to use. BTW...a lot of "experts" seem to think Boyle has been playing really well and played well last night. I don't agree, but I find it interesting.
So much for chucks predictions. Thank you isles for forcing game 7. Even though I hate the isles, I want them to win game 7.
The Boyle bashing is a joke. I think he's playing just fine. He moves the puck, he takes the body when he has to ,and he doesnt lose many battles. Not much more you can ask. He is now a 6th defenseman for this team, and I guarantee you wont find many better 6th defenseman anywhere else. But some people arent comfortable unless they have something to complain about, even after a 5 game series win, so come on down Brian Boyle, you are now the whipping boy. Chuck you're bananas if you want to see the Islanders next round. Especially coming off a come-from-behind series win. Even if the Rangers get past them, they will be much more bruised and battered than they would with a series against the caps.
On the winning goal..... just goes to show you that if you lose focus in your end, you are going to give the opponent a chance to score. And the Isles did. These two teams just are punishing. I'm just glad the Rangers did not get either team in Round 1.
I know, I was all over that game today Step, good call man. Thought it was a tossup. It is an interesting question Prod. The Isles are beat up and I have no faith in Halak, BUT you have the rivalry which always gets the Isles going. Meanwhile the Caps have more talent IMO, are deeper on D, and better in goal. I can see someone wanting the Caps instead. Close to me as the Caps and Isles aren't that different.
The Isles are a better matchup on paper for sure. But the game isnt played on paper, and that Isles team will come out with a fire unlike any other opponent we'd see. Not sure why we'd want that. Not saying Rangers cant beat them (they've proven they can), would just rather avoid it if possible.
I do not want the Isles in 2nd round. That team always feels they are second fiddle in New York. They would want nothing more to knock the Rangers out.
