NHL Season 2011-2012

[kronovan]

Canada: More people that California - barely.

I thought California had more?

Exactly, we have about 4 million less. Which make our contributing 50% of the players to the NHL all that much more impressive.  

[Isgrimnur]

Going back and looking at my sources, it appears that I screwed this one up.   

[leo8877]

http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_20340877/sharks-ryan-clowe-not-facing-punishment-interfering-puck

Clowe today:

"Obviously, as you can tell when I sat down on the bench, that was stupid, that was a dumb play," Clowe said. "It probably should have been a two-minute penalty and I was lucky it didn't cost the team. It was definitely a brain cramp at the time. Don't think it'll ever happen again."

[gellar]

I don't hate the Pens, just the perception that they ARE the league.

Hmm...that must be a south-of-the-border thing. Up here in Canada the hockey brass very much hold the perception that the Leafs are the league, which is about as sad and hilarious at the same time as you can get. 

WTF does Mexico have to do with this?

Hate to tell you, but out of all the national origins of players, Canada still has the largest % - almost 50% of the league. So yeah, when I'm talking borders I'm talking in reference to the nation that counts, not borders based on the skewed economics of North America. 

Wait, where?  What?

[gellar]

Canada: More people that California - barely.

I thought California had more?

Exactly, we have about 4 million less. Which make our contributing 50% of the players to the NHL all that much more impressive. 

You also own like 99% of the professional curlers in the world.  It's not that impressive when you are really the only place that cares.

[kronovan]

Canada: More people that California - barely.

I thought California had more?

Exactly, we have about 4 million less. Which make our contributing 50% of the players to the NHL all that much more impressive.  

l

You also own like 99% of the professional curlers in the world.  It's not that impressive when you are really the only place that cares.

Well that get a big HUH from me. Curling isn't a professional sport and comparing Hockey with it in any way shape or form is just plain idiotic - sorry can't say it any more diplomatically. While it may be true Hockey doesn't share the global popularity of International football, basketball or perhaps even baseball, its still a widely spectated and played sport in North American and Europe and its making good strides in Asia. I'd say a great many countries -Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic- would love to have the per capita success Canada has had with the sport. I don't get where you think its a lesser sport like Curling and OMFG why are you even saying that in this thread; [Napoleon Dynamite] IDIOT!![/Napoleon Dynamite]  

[Koz]

It's still a valid point though. The overwhelming majority of Americans don't care about hockey.

I'm sure all hockey-playing countries would love to have the same success in hockey that Canada does just as Canada would love to have the same success in pretty much every other sport ever. Oh, except curling. And figure skating now too it seems.

[hammer600]

The overwhelming majority of Canadians dont care what the overwhelming majority of Americans think about hockey. 2 sports I follow from the frozen environs of Edmonton...football ( NFL CFL NCAA) and hockey. Cant wait for the playoffs to start. Still think it will be Boston and Nashville in the final.

[Canuck]

This is for last year's playoff openings but I just found it now and it's awesome and good to get you into the mood for this year's playoffs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6UE-ilFYYQ&feature=colike

[Canuck]

Actually just looking through Youtube, CBC has some ridiculously amazing montages called CBC HNIC Stanley Cup Playoff Tribute YEAR or Playoff Openings.  Fantastic shit with great soundracks.  I'd like to get all of those on a DVD or Bluray.

[Clanwolfer]

Actually just looking through Youtube, CBC has some ridiculously amazing montages called CBC HNIC Stanley Cup Playoff Tribute YEAR or Playoff Openings.  Fantastic shit with great soundracks.  I'd like to get all of those on a DVD or Bluray.

Their video staff does a bang-up job, and there's a bunch of other folks out there (amateurs and pros both) that are close to that level.

KesselySnipes for Leafs highlights: http://www.youtube.com/user/KesselySnipes

Here's another good overall video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OohqTf5uvkY&feature=related

[gellar]

Can someone remind Phoenix that they aren't this good?

[leo8877]

Can someone remind Phoenix that they aren't this good?

I'm not sure MIN are the ones to do it.  Meet your new 2012 Pacific Div champs, the Coyotes!

[gellar]

Can someone remind Phoenix that they aren't this good?

I'm not sure MIN are the ones to do it.  Meet your new 2012 Pacific Div champs, the Coyotes!

Seriously.  WTActualF.

[gellar]

My theory on life:

[Kagath]

VRWC 

[kronovan]

I'm sure all hockey-playing countries would love to have the same success in hockey that Canada does just as Canada would love to have the same success in pretty much every other sport ever. Oh, except curling. And figure skating now too it seems.

Well if you're contrasting Canada to US, with only a 10th of the population I can see where you could draw that conclusion. Keep in mind that the perception by other countries citizens' of anothers diversity in sports is relative; i.e. some Europeans don't think the USA is very diverse in sports on a account of its soccer team having never reached the later rounds of the World Cup. If soccer (the most widely played sport in the world) is your measuring stick its easy to see where they draw that conclusion considering that the USA, at roughly 313 million, is one of the largest populations in the world.

That said, Canada just won 13 gold last winter olympic and numerous silver and bronze. Although we did win metals in the 3 sports you named, we also won in far more than that. So I guess I'm saying your comment that we're only good at hockey, curling and figuring skating is just plain silly and ignorant. Oh and saying that Canada has success at Hockey, Curling and Figure Skating is putting it wrong, it's really; "Canada kicks ass in Hockey, Curling and Figure Skating."   

[kronovan]

Damn I was close with this:

I'm still standing by my prediction that the Sharks and Kings make it in, Avs and Coyotes don't.

The damn desert dogs foiled me. Why I didn't think at the time the Stars would pull off yet another end-of-season choke escapes me. 

Someone needs to explain to me why the Blues are still in the race for 1st place in the Western conference? I was under the impression that a point tie would be broken by wins, but with the Canucks at 50 and the Blues at 48 wins, it must be something else like losses. Or is the NHL's conference listing perhaps just incorrect in not naming the Canucks the conference champions?

[Isgrimnur]

Regulation and Overtime wins.  Blues have 44 to Canucks' 42.

[kronovan]

Regulation and Overtime wins.  Blues have 44 to Canucks' 42.

Ah, that would be it. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Isgrimnur]

NP.  It's what I do.

[Kagath]

So is the VRWC purposely throwing this game vs the Hawks in order to hopefully avoid Nashville?

'Cause that's what it's looking like.

VRWC

[kronovan]

Yep, falling into 6th to get the desert dogs seems like the optimal strategy in the West. However, they are fully capable of getting on a roll and it isn't uknown for them to beat better teams. And of course the Kings could still get 6th, who IMO are more of a threat.

[Kagath]

May have to watch the Flyers/Pens game now too. Hope they pound each other silly.

[gellar]

Don't think the Kings can get 6th.  Just 3rd, 7th or 8th.


---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?luhzzj

[leo8877]

Yep, looks like Chicago locked up 6 already.

SERIES 'E'   1   TBD   VS   8   TBD
SERIES 'F'   2   TBD   VS   7   TBD
SERIES 'G'   3   TBD   VS   6   CHICAGO
SERIES 'H'   4   NASHVILLE   VS   5   DETROIT

[kronovan]

Argh my mistake, I meant to say the Kings could get 3rd which of course would pit them against 6th place.

[El-Producto]

Looks like the Rangers are all but giving us the Pres. Trophy.

[Blackjack]

Looks like the Rangers are all but giving us the Pres. Trophy.

This'll be fun. My best friend lives in Boston now but grew up a Caps fan. He'll be either in a no-win or no-lose situation with the first round (Washington-Boston).   He pretty much bleeds Boston now though, and I'm sure he'll hope the Bruins take his mind off the Red Sox' dreadful early start. He suspects it'll be near impossible to get tickets at a reasonable price, but he might try.

I never thought I'd welcome the "we suck in the playoffs" Caps fan mentality around here, but given where our team was just days ago (missing the playoffs seeming very possible, and a lot of fans in the "fire everybody!" mentality), I actually welcome the "Caps playoff paranoia" with open arms. It's almost a relief.  

[kronovan]

Good God are the Oilers ever a terrible team. You'd think their players would have some concern for their jobs and actually play decently in the last game of the season, but they absolutely caved to the Canucks getting outshot 42-17. Honestly, if it wasn't for the stellar play of their goalie Dubnyk they would have lost by far more than 3-zip. The NHL really needs to turn the AHL into a lower linked league like the Premier division and 2nd Division in English Football. That way they could boot teams like the Oilers and Bluejackets down to that league and stop them from whoring all the top prospects.  

Woo hoo, Hockey Night in Canuckistan just cut to the Kings Vs Sharks game with 10 minutes left. Awesome!

[Isgrimnur]

Dubnyk was awesome with that paddle save. 

And we're headed for overtime in the last game of the season.

[kronovan]

Boyle ends it on 1 beauty of a goal.

[Isgrimnur]

Interested in your playoff prognostication skills?  I may have something pertinent to your interests.

[Koz]

Crap, I did not want the Capitals. They're not a very good team but they seem to have Boston's number this year.

[gellar]

So Vancouver again. UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

[Canuck]

Can someone explain to me WTF VRWC means?

[Isgrimnur]

Vast Red Wing Conspiracy

[El-Producto]

What a laughfest that was.  Dubnyk was the ONLY reason that wasn't 15-0.

I wish Eager was on every team that the Canucks play, that Ape is the gift that just keeps on giving.  He and Hordy sure looked cute in the box together.
Booth with the dangle was nice.

Can't wait for this first round, the Nucks are going to have to get the PP going again... Quick is just scary.

I have a feeling Lappy has a picture of Doughty in his locker, and he's just staring at it.

[leo8877]

So Vancouver again. UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

Go Kings Go!

[gellar]

What a laughfest that was.  Dubnyk was the ONLY reason that wasn't 15-0.

I wish Eager was on every team that the Canucks play, that Ape is the gift that just keeps on giving.  He and Hordy sure looked cute in the box together.
Booth with the dangle was nice.

Can't wait for this first round, the Nucks are going to have to get the PP going again... Quick is just scary.

I have a feeling Lappy has a picture of Doughty in his locker, and he's just staring at it.

The Edmonton defensive game is comically pathetic.  I watched the condensed Kings/Oilers game last week and it was a 10 minute highlight reel of the Kings top 3 lines getting incredible scoring chances.  Yes, even Penner's line.

I hope playoff Doughty shows up.  The last two playoffs Doughty has been a monster, so if he brings that game and the Jeff Carter is healthy, it'll be a great series.  If 2011-2012 Regular Season Doughty decides to show his head and Carter is out... it's going to be a rough one.

I am hoping playoff LALONGO finds himself too.  That's always fun (for me, anyway).