2014-2015 NHL Thread

[TheLionKing]

Only two Canadian teams are out of the post season - Edmonton and the Laughable Laughs. Ottawa is clinging on to the last and final position in the Eastern Conference.

[Sir Purrcival]

Quite the story Ottawa, good on them for not giving up. And while we are at it, a good on Calgary, Winnipeg and the Canucks too who did far better than many of those knowledgeable types prognosticated.

[TheLionKing]

It's going to be Vancouver vs. Calgary in the first round. Home ice to be determined.

[WestCoastJoe]

Yeay, Canada.

It seems to me Montreal kind of came out of nowhere to finish so high this year.

Canucks were kind of written off after last year.

Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg? Wow.

Edmonton and Toronto missing the playoffs? Sounds about right.

[TheLionKing]

I wouldn't say Montreal came out of nowhere. Remember they were in Eastern Conference final last year. Loss of Carey Price really hurt the Habs' chances against the Rangers last year.

[WestCoastJoe]

I wouldn't say Montreal came out of nowhere. Remember they were in Eastern Conference final last year. Loss of Carey Price really hurt the Habs' chances against the Rangers last year.

True.

My impression was based on the time of Marc Bergevin with the Canadiens, which has seen pretty good results (May 2012 up to now, after a quick check). They don't seem to have any megastars, aside from Carey Price. Subban gets some publicity.

So for me they kind of came out of nowhere. They used to be the team I rooted for, many years ago. I certainly don't mind seeing them competing at the highest level.

[sj-roc]

I wouldn't say Montreal came out of nowhere. Remember they were in Eastern Conference final last year. Loss of Carey Price really hurt the Habs' chances against the Rangers last year.

True.

My impression was based on the time of Marc Bergevin with the Canadiens, which has seen pretty good results (May 2012 up to now, after a quick check). They don't seem to have any megastars, aside from Carey Price. Subban gets some publicity.

So for me they kind of came out of nowhere. They used to be the team I rooted for, many years ago. I certainly don't mind seeing them competing at the highest level.

Max Pacioretty is their main offensive threat. He was top five in goals scored last year (39, behind only Ovechkin, Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski) and currently sits in a 4-way tie for 4th in the same category this year at 37 (trailing Ovechkin, Stamkos and Nash). He might drop a couple notches on account of missing the last two games of the season with an upper body injury but is expected to return for the playoffs.

[WestCoastJoe]

I wouldn't say Montreal came out of nowhere. Remember they were in Eastern Conference final last year. Loss of Carey Price really hurt the Habs' chances against the Rangers last year.

True.

My impression was based on the time of Marc Bergevin with the Canadiens, which has seen pretty good results (May 2012 up to now, after a quick check). They don't seem to have any megastars, aside from Carey Price. Subban gets some publicity.

So for me they kind of came out of nowhere. They used to be the team I rooted for, many years ago. I certainly don't mind seeing them competing at the highest level.

Max Pacioretty is their main offensive threat. He was top five in goals scored last year (39, behind only Ovechkin, Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski) and currently sits in a 4-way tie for 4th in the same category this year at 37 (trailing Ovechkin, Stamkos and Nash). He might drop a couple notches on account of missing the last two games of the season with an upper body injury but is expected to return for the playoffs.

Thanks for the info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Pacioretty

Interesting player. Great size. 6'2'' 214. Born in USA. Grandma French Canadian.

Heard his name of course. Never seen him play. Will try to catch a bit in the playoffs.

[sj-roc]

Thanks for the info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Pacioretty

Interesting player. Great size. 6'2'' 214. Born in USA. Grandma French Canadian.

Heard his name of course. Never seen him play. Will try to catch a bit in the playoffs.

His initial moment of NHL fame came from a season-ending injury after being pounded into the stanchion four years ago by Zdeno Chara, who got off without a suspension.
[video][/video]

They changed the construction of those stanchions soon thereafter to make them more forgiving in such collisions.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/h ... cle626401/

The one sure change is the addition of curved, spring-loaded glass at the end of the players’ benches. Mike Murphy, the NHL’s senior vice-president of hockey operations, said Thursday they “have already been approved and are now ready to be installed.”

They will replace the straight glass panels and padded stanchions at the end of the benches that have played a role in many player injuries. The cry went up to replace them last season when Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens was seriously injured when he was ridden into a stanchion by Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins. Players hitting the spring-loaded curved glass will bounce off it rather than suffer a sudden, jarring collision.

[TheLionKing]

Ottawa clinches playoff spot by defeating the Flyers this afternoon. They went an improbable 23-4-4 in their last 31 games.

[TheLionKing]

Montreal and Ottawa in the 1st round. Boston Bruins officially eliminated.

[Robbie]

Well, Canucks are back in the playoffs again after missing it last season and breaking the 100 point barrier with 101 points after their OT win in the regular season finale. How far will they go this year after quick first round losses in 2012 and 2013?

And they will be playing against their divisional rival Calgary Flames where they lead the series overall 4-2 with the Canucks winning in 1982 and 1994 while Flames won in 1983, 1984, 1989, and 2004.

And a huge decision time.....who starts in goal - Miller or Lack?

[TheLionKing]

Don't think there is any doubt that Lack will start. Miller is not in game shape given his long time off.

[TheLionKing]

The house cleaning has started in Toronto with the firing of GM Dave Nonis and coach Peter Horachek.

[WestCoastJoe]

The house cleaning has started in Toronto with the firing of GM Dave Nonis and coach Peter Horachek.

Nonis earned it. Not so sure the coach had a chance to succeed.

Would not be surprised if Nonis turns up in Calgary, with his mentor, Burke.

Now for the players ...