Master Mind

The Rangers are a completely different team now. '94 is irrelevant. Though I know many people will still hold a grudge against NYR because of it, even though it's a ridiculous reason to hate the 2014 Rangers. I'd rather Messier get his name on the cup again rather than Brown. At least Messier wasn't going around kneeing people all season. The "AV deserves a cup" thing isn't about the Canucks firing him, it's because many feel he was robbed of a cup in 2011. Everyone blames him for that loss but realistically, there was nothing he could have done to get that 4th win. As for his regular season, he was a new coach and it takes time for the team to buy into his system, even longer when they start the season with a lengthy road trip. For St. Louis, I don't care about him wanting a trade, there could be more behind the scenes that we don't know. He's been one of the most respectful players of the last decade. And while a cup isn't going to help with the passing of his mother, I don't know why some people are against the Rangers just because of him. If anything, it's all the Kings love that makes little sense.

I said at the start of the season that the Rangers would win, and I'm still sticking with that. Rangers in 7.

That overtime was a prime example of what I don't like about playoff hockey. Penalties should still be called the same as always. Hawks could end up losing the series because of a non-call.

This is a tough one, but I think LA will win in 6. They managed to overcome 3 straight losses in the playoffs twice, tough to pick against them after that.

Was hoping Selanne would be able to play another playoff round, and it must have been tough for his last game to be a blowout like that. Congrats on the career Teemu.

IMO, this has been the hardest series to predict all playoffs. Both teams could be drained after everything they've been through. Since I went with Rangers at the start of the season, I'll stand by that and pick them to win in 7. Either way, the winner of this series is who I'll hope wins in the finals.

This is what makes playoff hockey so much worse than regular season hockey. Players squirting water from the bench, or into another players glove, constant crosschecks, cheapshots, and slashes, etc. Sure it happens all season, but it really ramps up in the playoffs, especially when Boston plays. I think it takes away from the game. Hoping Montreal can rebound from this game and win game 6. I think they need to bring Briere back in the lineup though. Maybe shake up all the lines too.

I didn't watch the game, but I find it funny how the Wild bring Ballard into the lineup, and not only do they win, but Bryzgalov gets the shutout

Rangers get back-to-back games both last round and now this round too. No team should have to play back-to-backs in the playoffs. I know it could be because of other events at their arena, but I'd rather them just give the teams an extra day off instead.

I think the main reason they lost was because of Stoll taking out Vlasic. Hard to win without your #1 D, just like I doubt LA wins if Doughty's hurt. The GWG for game 6 could have also cost the Sharks the series. Sharks still need to play better than they did though.

Pitts had trouble with Columbus, and NYR are a far better team than Columbus. Plus it's Lundqvist vs Fleury, so NYR in 6.

Hawks will likely be just too much for the Wild. Especially if Kuemper can't play. Hawks in 6.

Kings ride momentum from their comeback and win in 6.

Their top 3 centres, Backes, Berglund, and Sobotka, didn't look like they were playing at their best.

Niemi starting game 7. Sharks without Vlasic. Irwin the likely replacement. Kings without Mitchell. Greene the likely replacement. I don't know if the Sharks will be able to win without their best defenceman playing. Kings should be fine without Mitchell since Greene isn't too much of a downgrade. Should be interesting to see how Niemi does tonight after sitting in game 6.

So far every single team I wanted to win has lost. Good news for Flyers fans.

Did I see that right? Did Stastny pull a Lucic on McCormick?

Not that we need any more proof, but that wouldn't surprise me after what's happened recently. Too bad the rules tend to change for "playoff hockey". If that play happens early in the regular season, it's likely waved off. From the description of the rule you posted, that certainly should not be a good goal.

The reffing already has a reputation with NHL fans, and it isn't a good one. But they don't care since they're not losing any fans. They could give the Kings numerous favourable calls in game 7 that determines the series, yet I doubt San Jose will lose any fans as a result.

If the NHL wanted accurate results, they'd allow for video review for any kind of call. Having non-reviewable plays is a way of letting the NHL get the results they want. We witnessed that tonight as clearly the NHL would want there to be a game 7.

There's no entertainment in officiating ruining games.

Do people seriously still not believe that the refs are fixing games? They're not even trying to hide it this year. As much as I dislike the Sharks, they got screwed in this game big time. This game should be in OT.

Lehtonen is a playoff sieve after playing his first full series? Jumping to conclusions there. While Boston, Montreal, and Anaheim didn't face the toughest competition, neither did Chicago. Half of the Blues forwards were either injured or playing through injuries. You could tell they weren't at 100%. IMO no team has been impressive enough these playoffs to be considered a hands down favourite.

What a disappointing end. All those delays, plus those calls that made it 4 on 4, really gave the Ducks an advantage near the end of the game.

I don't know why everyone's so excited about this series. Sure, Montreal won the regular season series, but Boston will just goon their way to victory yet again. Any series involving Boston will be a bad one as far as I'm concerned. Bruins in 7.