I haven't been on the forum much, blame me!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
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I haven't been on the forum much, blame me!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
To be honest, me neither. But I rather blame you Mark :)
Right, I'm trying to get more into hockey since a trip to Sweden. I've always liked the sport but we hardly embrace it in the UK, I sort of have a general idea of the basic rules, mostly learnt from computer games. As my brother lives in Toronto I sort of fell into picking the Leafs as my team so this evening I'm watching the Ottawa game. Anyway it's thrown up a few questions for me, firstly the Division/conference/league system, WTF? What is the point in seperating them into localised areas (eg NE, NW) when there is an overall league? Also the playoff system, how the hell is that worked out?
Oh and what's with the thing where a player is sent away from a face-off? Why do they do that?
Firstly Miguel, I sympathise for your support for a clearly embarrassing NHL organisation, and having to endure its home city every time you visit your brother.
Secondly, in response (hopefully) to your queries to your new-found armchair sport:
The NHL league is divided into two Conferences, East and West, each with three divisions (I believe this will change back to 4 next season), for a total of 30 teams.
There are 5 teams within each division, 15 within each Conference for a total of 30 teams in the League.
The divisions are divided geographically primarily to minimize the cost of travel. Teams play most of their games within their respective conference and most of these are within their own division. Because the league is geographically expansive it would be prohibitively expensive for teams to regularly play others outside their area.
The playoff fixtures are quite simple. By the end of the regular season, the top 8 teams from each conference advance to the playoff round. In this round each of the 8 teams play within their conference in a best-out-of seven format: The top team plays the 8th place team, the second place team plays the 7th place team, and so on. This format continues until a Conference winner is decided. The two Conference winners then play a best-out-of seven series for the League championship, Lord Stanley’s cup.
A player is removed from a face-off at the discretion of the linesman (the fellow in the black and white striped jersey, who is charged with, among other things, dropping the puck) if the player has committed a face-off violation. More often than not the violation is placing his stick down on the ice before the opposing player. The visiting team player is permitted to drop his stick first.
Good questions. Other than that, the rules are quite simple... most pucks in the opposing team’s net wins :p : .
Thanks for clearing that up, Schmenke. I had the basics of the playoffs, just wasnt sure where you had to finish to be included (the break up of divisions confused me). Presumably then people don't really pay too much attention to the league of divisions, seeing as it's the position in the conference that matters at the end of a season.
So how are the Canadiens doing at the minute? Really setting the league alight? ;) :p :
:mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by MrJan
"There's always next year..." is getting tiresome :s
Although perhaps not as tiresome as your brother may feel :p :
Do the Red Wings deserve to have an asterek after thier incredible 21-0 home game stand. just wondering. i dont believe so but i am a TRUE wings fan.And yes i know thier is no asterek and wont be one but just wondering about the census opinion.
I'm cheering Ducks to the playoffs !!!
It is not going to happen, despite Old Teemu playing some amazing hockey. It really isn't good if the best player by far in your team is a guy who is going to turn 42!!! in a couple of months.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
I would love for Anaheim to make it to PO as Teemu and Saku are among my all time favourite players.
The see saw battle in the west continues. the hawks of chicago came into motown and pushed them back as vancover still strolls though. and how about them Rangers in the east. all thats missing there is mark messier backing predictions and backing them up.Still tight at the bottom tier of the west as well as one of 5 teams can be in the playoffs.
Habs won't make the playoffs, but if they can douse the Flames tonight in the 'Dome it'll make my day :) .
Will be interesting to watch both Camellari and Bourque on the same ice again :D
I couldn't agree more. As much as I like Teemu scoring points, it really shouldn't be the case where the first line is Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Garry Walker
The playoffs are about to start!! Where's Mark in Oshawa when you need him?
in his truck with billy's missus ? :andrea:
Yes !!! Way to go Pekka Rinne !!!!!!
Schmenke’s corner:
Well, two days into the playoffs and I’m somewhat surprised.
The President’s Cup winning team falls to the Kings in game 1. Yes, they’re still missing Daniel, but defensively the ‘Nucks looked shaky. No excuses there as their top D-men are healthy. Will we see Schneider in net in game 2?
The Penns blew a 3-goal lead in Pittsburg, albeit one of the Philly goals was questionable. Can’t really fault Fleury for at least two of the four Flyer goals. I watched most of game one, and although entertaining, it wasn’t the slug-fest that I was expecting. The Penns will have to play more than just two periods in game 2.
Nashville could be the dark horse of the series. Although not really a powerhouse offense, they have surprisingly reasonable depth, especially now with both Kostitsyn brothers. Contribution from Shea Webber doesn’t hurt either.
Having said that, I can’t figure out why Detroit isn’t scoring more goals. With Zetterberg back in the line-up, Datsyuk, Filppola, Franzen, etc., and offensive defensemen like Kronwall and Lidstrom, they really should be scoring more. I think their weak link may be goaltending.
The Sens kept it close in MSG last night until Tortorella called a time-out to fire up his team. Wasn’t even close after that. I can’t see the Sens winning a game in this series, although the Rangers shouldn’t get overconfident as they’ve always had a week defence, and their next series won’t be a pushover.
Boston – Washington: Two teams I can’t stand, although I have a tad more respect for the former. To watch Chara hoist the cup would make me sick, but to see Ovechkin do the same would make me puke :down: . Evenly matched teams though for this series. Could go either way.
Another close one in Phoenix last night, although with Toews back in the ‘Hawks lineup, I certainly would have thought an easy win for Chicago. Phoenix has been impressive all year; doing well with what they’ve got.
Overall, with only two days into it, it’s not looking good for my pool :p : (I finished dead-last in the regular season pool :mark: )
Pekka Rinne. Period.Quote:
Originally Posted by schmenke
Phoenix seem to play with huge heart. I'm definately cheering for them :up:
Ranger used their few opportunities to score with huge percentege!!
And how is it possible that Bruins win with 17 saves 1-0 ????
Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
They've got Oliver!! He'll be the next Niclas Lidström. Really great to see that we'll have two Swedish defencemen that will "dominate"
the league for the next decade(s). Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Erik Karlsson.
Don't you think Hedman will rise up to what people expect of him??Quote:
Originally Posted by BleAivano
Ok... maybe not :mark:Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Nothing wrong with Pekka they won again :DQuote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Yes, another great game by Rinne.
Oh, I wished to have seen Flyers vs. Penguins game, especially that last one. I followed it through nhl.com but that is pretty lame......
Who cares about some sad little puck series far away when Reipas is finally in the hockey finals here. :D
I saw it on tv thanks to Viasat :bounce:Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
That little prcik #87 showing his true talent... :rolleyes:
That game was an embarrassment :sQuote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Certainly not the kind of game you’d expect from two Cup contenders :down:
Meanwhile, Vancouver, Detroit, Devils... wtf?!
I think we'll see the Sunshine series this year... Florida vs. L.A. :D
Oh, you mean Heinola's Peliitat's farmteam ??Quote:
Originally Posted by janneppi
yeah i agree. very "Brave" as long as the referee as nearby but as soon as they aren't aren't around.Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo
Sidney quickly turns around run away. Pretty much like Brave Sir Robin. :P
Not great quality but I've found Live Sport Streams, Football, Soccer, Ice Hockey, Tennis, Basketball / LiveTV good for watching hockey. Good selection of feeds, usually from the Viasat coverage. I find that all steaming coverage will ocassionally freeze or drop signal, but these are generally quite good.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
They're also the cooling down team for Hollolan Kiekko. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
:bounce: Rinne & Nashville !!!!!!
Also Phoenix and Florida, brilliant job !!! :up:
Crosby seems to be "popular" in Philly;
Philadelphia paper labels Sidney Crosby 'The Cowardly Penguin' on cover - NHL.com - News
Gee, I wonder why?? :p
Game four tonight, three hours and it's game on :bounce:Quote:
Originally Posted by BleAivano
Just watched the highlights on NHL.com :eek: What a crazy first period!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo
Embarrassing series :s . That’s not the way professional hockey should be played :down:
I'm glad to see Pittsburg stay alive though.
Similarly with Vancouver, althought I would have thought a more offensive game with Daniel back in the lineup.
Ottawa too stays alive, although the head-shot to Spezza was a bit frightening.
I don't like bros Sedin but I like Dustin Brown even less so I was glad of the way he got back at him....
Way to go Phoenix !!! :up:
yeah "Harry" leads the way as usual.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Rangers at home vs Sens in game 7, Lets go Rangers.
Go Sens :dozey: