Official Hockey discussion thread

You're right calling bullshit about the Niemi thing. Us Hawks fans are so used to terrible, overpaid goalies like Huet that we're certainly guilty of hyperbole when a guy like Niemi comes in and play very well.

I still can't believe Boston choked like they did. They would've gotten embarrassed by Habs if they'd pulled it out, though.
 
Ok, while I still hold to what I said yesterday... Niemi actually did play like a top 5 goalie this afternoon. 44 saves against the Sharks at the Tank... that's ridiculous. Go Hawks!!!!
 
Way to go Hawks! Niemi did play  very well. This is going to be a good series, Philly vs. Habs in an hour!
 
LooseCannon said:
Or Slovakia. Wait till the Habs bounce back in game 2.
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They will, I'm not concerned as they started the previous two series in similar style, getting to know their opponent. And one good goalie not a goalie nation make. Halak may be superstar, but what other slovakian goalie can you point to? instead you have, Rask, Niemi, Kipursoff just off the top of my head. Canada still holds supremacy over elite players. Price may be playing second fiddle right now, but he is an elite athlete in his own right, Luongo, Brodeur, Fleury, etc... the NHL landscape has no doubt become more diverse but over 60% of players still come from the great white north.
 
I would'nt annoint Halak as the next elite goaltenderright now, but he is the hottest. Remember Steve Shields, Garth Snow and Brian Boucher(during his first stint in Philly)? They had one hot playoff run and that was pretty much it. But if Montreal does pull it off, Halak is in some pretty elite company.
 
I'm not saying Halak is'nt a good goaltender, I'm just saying I'm not ready to move him into Broduer, Roy, Smith or Parent type status just yet. He's hot right now and he's put Montreal on his shoulders this run, but can he last another two series? And then there is the consistency factor and see if he can do it again next year. I love the fact he is so hot right now because it shows how great of a sport hockey is, that great goaltending is a huge piece in a team's post season success. Plus the Habs have a huge chance to shock the world by winning the Cup from the 8th seed.
 
LooseCannon said:
Go look at his career numbers. It just so happens this is his first year starting.
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Halak and Niemi are kind of comparable in this way I think. Niemi didn't secure the full time starting gig until the season has already 75% finished. Not to mention the fact that he and Halak are pretty much the same age.
 
The way these playoffs have gone... anything is possible. How 'bout them Worlds, ey? Russia has benefited from all the eliminated NHL teams.
 
They'll get it too. Canada doesn't have it's best roster and the fact they lost Stamkos won't exactly help. All the other teams are kinda... Meh.
 
Derek Smalls said:
Did anyone else notice Joe Thorton start to lose his composure in game 2?
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Absolutely. For a veteran, that slash during the face off was inexcusable. It's definitely a good sign for the Hawks that an alternate captain is cracking.
 
Toews is proving he's a clutch guy. Sure, he's not a PPG guy in the regular season, but 9 points in 9 games and +9 in the Olympics, and now 23 points in 14 games for the Hawks in the playoffs. Hard to believe he's only 21.

Also, a Swede will crack the all US/Canadian NHL official roster next year:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=529684
 
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