Eastern Conference Final: Tampa Bay Lightning (2) vs. New York Islanders (6)

[bustaheims]

Like I've said before, the instinct to give the NHL crap on this is fair to an extent but when they tried calling things honest after the 04-05 lockout fans complained all the time about that too. So I'm not sure there's an easy fix for the league.

Yeah. I think the most we can ask for is for an improved level of consistency throughout the season and post-season - which has notoriously been a problem for the league. We're never going to find a level of enforcement where everybody is happy, but we can hope to find one where everyone at least has a good idea of where the line between a penalty and not a penalty exists.

 

[Kin]

Yeah. I think the most we can ask for is for an improved level of consistency throughout the season and post-season - which has notoriously been a problem for the league. We're never going to find a level of enforcement where everybody is happy, but we can hope to find one where everyone at least has a good idea of where the line between a penalty and not a penalty exists.

I think the big problem is that there's a disconnect between what the league wants and what the coach/gm/fans of a team want. I don't think any of us would turn our noses up at a title if the Leafs played that hockey and coaches out there have actual fortunes at stake as to whether or not they can stay employed and winning keeps them employed. Whatever standard the league comes up with, coaches coaching underpowered teams are going to test that standard and dare the refs to call penalties on them in big situations.

And it's pretty hard for the league to take a big stand against teams testing that standard when their entire off-ice message is "Every team has to be competitive at all times or else the league falls apart" and then complain when less talented teams find ways to neutralize better clubs.

Until the league is in an emotional/financial state where teams can afford to be bad, you're going to get this sort of thing.

 

[Joe S.]

I haven?t been watching any of these bubble games, but I put on game 6 And watched it for a bit and my god is this boring.

 

[rdowdall]

I haven?t been watching any of these bubble games, but I put on game 6 And watched it for a bit and my god is this boring.

Reminds me of the first/last time the Lighting won the cup.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I haven?t been watching any of these bubble games, but I put on game 6 And watched it for a bit and my god is this boring.

Isles suck the life out every game. Not that I care either way but just for pure entertainment, the Isles can't go to the finals. Dallas and the Isles could possibly be a snore fest.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Thank goodness. Bye bye Isles. That was horrible.

 

[herman]

Praise be (to Zeus)

 

[Bender]

Thank God that's over.  Now win, Tampa, Win!

 

[Guilt Trip]

I hope the team that carries the play wins. Simple as that. This rope a dope crap we've witnessed in this year's playoffs needs to be destroyed!

 

[Zee]

Thank goodness. Bye bye Isles. That was horrible.

You mean giving up close to 50 shots a game isn't a good strategy?

 

[Guilt Trip]

Thank goodness. Bye bye Isles. That was horrible.

You mean giving up close to 50 shots a game isn't a good strategy?

Apparently it is for some with their the Isles play a structured game and very discipline and very hard working. Of course they play that way because they have no talent outside of Barzal who is the only threat. Bieksa says this isn't rope a dope like people call it. It's called getting outplayed, badly. Could you imagine watching 82 games worth of that crap? It was almost as bad as Vegas against Van city. Van city had no business going to game 7 in that series. Vegas had over 100 shots more in the series. That's getting dominated. I'm pretty sure TBay outshot them by 20 almost every game.
As for Barzal, I think the kid is talented but he's like Marner and sometimes handles the puck too much trying to make best passes instead of just taking the shot when it's there. Lou is going to have to pony up for him.