The Swamp

Luongo has been complaining about not having been traded (and the deadline is history). Front page of today's Toronto Sun:

These are gorgeous.

Odd poses, though. Love the color vs colo(u)r look.

Scottie wrote:If the playoffs started today . . . the Washington Capitals would be the #3 seed in the East. If there were no automatic bids for division winners, Washington would not qualify for the playoffs. They are 20 and 15 points behind the East's #1 and #2 seeds, 14 points behind the team they are seeded ahead of (Boston), and not among the top eight teams in their conference.

Yep, pretty good argument for realignment.

That said, was nice to see the Caps go up to Montreal and make a case they belong on the ice against teams outside of the SE.

Last year to fight not to get the 5th seed.

So in a lot of years, you can probably argue that the best seed to have is the 6th seed? Is that even somewhat true? I'm just running hypotheticals through my head for no reason.

Icepenis wrote:So in a lot of years, you can probably argue that the best seed to have is the 6th seed? Is that even somewhat true? I'm just running hypotheticals through my head for no reason.

It's a trade off. As a #6 seed you are giving up home ice advantage but you are (possibly) playing a weaker team. Even last year, #3 Florida was the 6th best team, points wise, in the East and ended up with home ice against a team (Devils) that had 8 more points. And Florida only finished 2 points ahead of the East's #8 seed (Ottawa); that's how close they were to finishing outside of the top eight and still being given the #3 seed.

Icepenis wrote:So in a lot of years, you can probably argue that the best seed to have is the 6th seed? Is that even somewhat true? I'm just running hypotheticals through my head for no reason.

I think I'd prefer to be the first seed, if for no other reason than it means you have a good team. But seriously, no other league sees the regular playoff upsets that does the NHL. A couple year ago in one of the conferences, the 1, 2, 3 and 4 all lost in the first round to the 5, 6, 7 and 8. So, the seeds seem almost meaningless, once you're in.

sancarlos wrote:

Icepenis wrote:So in a lot of years, you can probably argue that the best seed to have is the 6th seed? Is that even somewhat true? I'm just running hypotheticals through my head for no reason.

I think I'd prefer to be the first seed, if for no other reason than it means you have a good team. But seriously, no other league sees the regular playoff upsets that does the NHL. A couple year ago in one of the conferences, the 1, 2, 3 and 4 all lost in the first round to the 5, 6, 7 and 8. So, the seeds seem almost meaningless, once you're in.

I was thinking that the first seed runs into that 4-5 team, which arguably contain the 2nd or 3rd best teams most years.

I would imagine preference goes 1st, 2nd, 6th then 4th. 6th still below 1st and 2nd because of the playoff reseeding. Unless that went away too or something.

SL - Aren't they re-seeding, in the subsequent rounds, now?

Speaking of playoffs, I'm enjoying watching the stretch run in the West. 4th-7th are essentially tied, and 9th-12th are also essentiall tied, and pretty close to 8th.

Ahhhh. Didn't realize they were re-seeded.

If the Hawks want to get that coveted 6th-seed, they better start losing now. They are only one or two games away from clinching the division.

It is really going to suck when they lose in the first round to fucking Detroit.

Last night was a great "man, what a stupid setup" moment for the Rangers. Toronto sitting 5th, Rangers in the mix from 6th through 9th, and best case scenario was an OT that pushes Toronto into locking up 5th so we can max out and still not get above 6th.

Crosby flew down to Tampa. I guess travelling with the team is a good thing.

The Isles are freaking on fire. 8-1-1 in last 9 games, and I think this game vs. Boston was one of their best played all year. They totally dominated in puck play, taking it off Bruins sticks with ease. Then they locked down the third period, getting decent offensive zone time, and playing solid D without playing like it's a 20 minute penalty kill.

Saturday night vs. the Rags, is going to be in-fucking-sane. That old barn is going to be shaking. I am so excited for J, this could be the type of game she remembers forever.

Hodor

Bought this a week before the season started. Didn't expect it to cash out. but now it's looking good. Go Habs!

That's why I don't play ProLine. The house's hold is far too high. So you got what? The Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup at 5-1 odds?

10-1 is more in keeping with Vegas, for example.

By the way, the BC version of ProLine gives you the Habs at 9-1.

Avatar bet on regulation tonight, Z? OT is a push.

Total annihilation. Dominance from the first whistle. #NYR

I called a 5-1 so I feel totally vindicated by a defenseman breaking the 0-0 tie in OT.

Sorry I missed your call Mister D, I'd have totally thrown down. It'd been a push anyway.

Shame the isles had to lose, they dictated play all game long. Second game in a row where they seemed to win nearly every one on one puck battle. I am really high on their level of play. They are clicking at just the right time.

Coliseum was awesome tonight, no problems in our area. Heard two guys get shouted down for cursing, saw two others get thrown out. Don't know what started it, but once the guy took a swing at security, you knew his night was over. He left giving us a thumbs up while he was in a headlock, so that was entertaining.

The Flames farm-team is crushing the once-thought-playoff-bound-suck-on-yakupovs-dick Oilers!!!! Awesome!

Scottie wrote:That's why I don't play ProLine. The house's hold is far too high. So you got what? The Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup at 5-1 odds?

10-1 is more in keeping with Vegas, for example.

By the way, the BC version of ProLine gives you the Habs at 9-1.

yeah it was 60-1 online when i bought the ticket but apparently loto-quebec had lowered the odds because of the local market i guess. i just bought the ticket for fun, make cheering for them a little more interesting.

More is better. Right?

Well California is now a hotbed isn't it?

Rush2112 wrote:Well California is now a hotbed isn't it?

Not sure if you are trying to tweak me, here, but we can't all be "real" hockey fans, like you guys in Boston or Detroit. But, you can bet the game will quickly sell out. The fans would be louder in the Bay Area, and, since it is taking place in Dodger Stadium, I assume the crowd will arrive late and leave early, just like any event in Los Angeles.

sancarlos wrote:

Rush2112 wrote:Well California is now a hotbed isn't it?

Not sure if you are trying to tweak me, here, but we can't all be "real" hockey fans, like you guys in Boston or Detroit. But, you can bet the game will quickly sell out. The fans would be louder in the Bay Area, and, since it is taking place in Dodger Stadium, I assume the crowd will arrive late and leave early, just like any event in Los Angeles.

Don't forget the beachball!

mister d wrote:Last night was a great "man, what a stupid setup" moment for the Rangers. Toronto sitting 5th, Rangers in the mix from 6th through 9th, and best case scenario was an OT that pushes Toronto into locking up 5th so we can max out and still not get above 6th.

I need Deleware back so he can make more claims on the Rangers behalf about preferred seeding and strategic losing and what not. I'm worried this one is running out of juice.

Going to my final game of the (regular?) season tonight. Glad these are still meaningful games, I'm paying way too much money to sit there and cheer for them to lose for a better draft pick. I get the theory, but don't know how people in Edmonton could put up with that year after year after year.

travzilla wrote: Going to my final game of the (regular?) season tonight. Glad these are still meaningful games, I'm paying way too much money to sit there and cheer for them to lose for a better draft pick. I get the theory, but don't know how people in Edmonton could put up with that year after year after year.

Can't believe how many hot girls there are at these games. I swear every guy with tickets either brings their dad or their girlfriend.

travzilla wrote:

travzilla wrote: Going to my final game of the (regular?) season tonight. Glad these are still meaningful games, I'm paying way too much money to sit there and cheer for them to lose for a better draft pick. I get the theory, but don't know how people in Edmonton could put up with that year after year after year.

Can't believe how many hot girls there are at these games. I swear every guy with tickets either brings their dad or their girlfriend.

I've always thought that the quality of the women attending hockey is way better than you see at other sports.

sancarlos wrote:

travzilla wrote:

travzilla wrote: Going to my final game of the (regular?) season tonight. Glad these are still meaningful games, I'm paying way too much money to sit there and cheer for them to lose for a better draft pick. I get the theory, but don't know how people in Edmonton could put up with that year after year after year.

Can't believe how many hot girls there are at these games. I swear every guy with tickets either brings their dad or their girlfriend.

I've always thought that the quality of the women attending hockey is way better than you see at other sports.

Almost as hot as the dads, eh Trav?

sancarlos wrote:

travzilla wrote:Can't believe how many hot girls there are at these games. I swear every guy with tickets either brings their dad or their girlfriend.

I've always thought that the quality of the women attending hockey is way better than you see at other sports.

I think it is capable of varying wildly depending on the city in which whatever sport is being played, for both good and bad.

Wow, Sabres. That's one hell of a way to end a period.

The Rangers seem to be scoring a lot more since they got rid of Gaborik.
and how did the sabres end the period?

when i chose to watch the live watertown updates over the Sabres on tv tonight i thought i picked the death choice...

http://deadspin.com/jack-edwards-is-cra ... -476595411

Ridiculous.