The Great Canadian 2011-2012 NHL season discussion thread - Page 154

Razor · #**3061** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 2:54 PM**

With Toronto not making the play-offs,this thread is starting to slide out of oblivion.Who would of thunk that Ottawa would be in a play-off position when the experts were expecting them to finish dead last?..They have finally got decent goal-tending all year, and although they may not go very deep a lot of fans here are saluting the character they showed all year. Karlsson has really come into his own, and the young guns are looking good.

MrOilers · #**3062** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 4:07 PM**

It's amazing what goaltending can do for a team.

The Oilers were on top of the NHL in October/November because Khabibulin was playing absolutely incredible. And since Dubnyk has been playing well, the lowly Oilers all of a sudden look really good again.

And I have said it before, but I bet Calgary would be a bottom-5 NHL team if Kipper wasn't so good. He has single-handedly kept that team's ass out of the basement and given them a shot at a playoff spot for the better part of 5 years now.

Calgarian · #**3063** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 4:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrOilers

And I have said it before, but I bet Calgary would be a bottom-5 NHL team if Kipper wasn't so good. He has single-handedly kept that team's ass out of the basement and given them a shot at a playoff spot for the better part of 5 years now.

I don't think anyone would argue that. I think Kipper is in the top 3 goalies in the league.

The Jabroni · #**3064** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 5:52 PM**

Well, we can play spoilers now. We can screw over the Rangers tonight for their contention of 1st place in their division, since they're 3 points ahead of Pittsburgh. I had fun watching the Jets this season. We can look forward for a better next year. Here's to finishing the season with a bang!

Nicko999 · #**3065** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 8:04 PM**

What a great season by Stamkos...

41 games with at least 1 goal, most since Ovechkin in 2007-2008.
12 games with at least 2 goals, most since Crosby in 2009-2010.

His 43 ES goals are tied with Ovechkin as the most post-lockout and he has 6 more games to add to that total.

Not a bad season by Karlsson as well... his 76 pts are the most by a D-man since Green in 2009-2010.

Ayreonaut · #**3066** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 9:13 PM**

I really hope Karlsson gets to 80.

feepa · #**3067** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 9:44 PM**

I hope Eberle gets to 80 pts as well.

Nicko999 · #**3068** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 11:30 PM**

I hope Leblanc continues to outplay Kadri.
I hope all 3 members of the big line finish with 60+ pts.
I hope Subban matches his pts total from his rookie season.

I hope we end up with one of Yakupov/Grigorenko/Galchenyuk/Forsberg. Although I have 100% confidence in Timmins, his drafting has been pretty good.

The_Architect · #**3069** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 11:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicko999

I hope Leblanc continues to outplay Kadri.I hope all 3 members of the big line finish with 60+ pts.
I hope Subban matches his pts total from his rookie season.

I hope we end up with one of Yakupov/Grigorenko/Galchenyuk/Forsberg. Although I have 100% confidence in Timmins, his drafting has been pretty good.

Other than playing dirty how is this true at all?

Centropolis · #**3070** Posted **Mar 28, 2012, 11:49 PM**

Man I hope we can show up with a solid hockey riot if we win...

telyou · #**3071** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 12:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicko999

I hope Leblanc continues to outplay Kadri.

In what planet is Leblanc outplaying Kadri?

They've both been ok this season given their age.
Kadri is far more talented. He can't keep his head in the game. That's what's keeping him from actually producing up to his level.
Anyways, they're both young. Stop putting pressure on them like the typical Habs and Leaf fans and just let them come into their own.

Nicko999 · #**3072** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 2:20 AM**

Currently, Leblanc is outplaying Kadri.

Kadri is more skilled offensively (although Leblanc has also showed great skill) but Leblanc is the complete package.

In 37 games, he has 62 hits (would be third on the team if he started the season in MTL), 9 giveaways and 15 takeaways. All that while playing only 10 min a game. He has a surprisingly high hockey IQ for a rookie.

Kadri is less physical, blocks less shots, and has more giveaways than takeaways.
I'm sure Kadri will be a good player but not as complete as Leblanc.

Nicko999 · #**3073** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 2:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centropolis

Man I hope we can show up with a solid hockey riot if we win...

I'll be rooting for you guys for sure.

Calgarian · #**3074** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 4:48 AM**

That should pretty much do it for the Flames, time to practise that golf swing boys.

CPE · #**3075** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 8:59 AM**

Its a shame the flames keeping shooting themselves in the foot. I was actually hoping they would make the playoffs this year

Copes · #**3076** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 1:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centropolis

Man I hope we can show up with a solid hockey riot if we win...

My fingers are crossed. Hopefully Vancouver feels as bad about losing the Western Conference Finals as they do about losing the Cup Finals.

Personally I'm rooting for St. Louis (well, if my beloved Bruins can't take it). If you had asked me at the beginning of the year, I never would have even have placed the Blues in the post season. St. Louis has blown me away. If Winnipeg can't pleasantly surprise me (so sad after last night) I can let St. Louis.

The_Architect · #**3077** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 1:40 PM**

^ Agreed. St. Louis is definitely the team I'll be cheering for in the playoffs, they deserve a cup more than any other virgin team (except maybe Buffalo), and they've been a pleasant surprise this season.

West team: St. Louis, then Nashville
East team: Buffalo, Philadelphia or Florida

Calgarian · #**3078** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 1:53 PM**

I'm pulling for Detroit, would be great to see them take another one. Would also be a great end to Lidstrom's career.

The_Architect · #**3079** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 2:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I'm pulling for Detroit, would be great to see them take another one. Would also be a great end to Lidstrom's career.

Lidstrom will have another 400 years to win another cup.

Ayreonaut · #**3080** Posted **Mar 29, 2012, 3:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CPE

Its a shame the flames keeping shooting themselves in the foot. I was actually hoping they would make the playoffs this year

Fairly similar to last season, except this year it was even more in their own hands. I can't believe how many multi-goal leads they've given up in the past two months, how many losses they have to bottom-feeding teams, how many shootouts they've gone without even getting one goal...

Sure, there have been a tonne of 3-point games for the other teams, but Calgary probably has more OT/SO losses than any of them; turn even half of those single points into two and they're not even a bubble team.