re: NHL Playoffs.

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Words can't explain how pissed off I will be if we lose tonight.

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They'll be the SJ of the East if so. I expect them to come out strong. I know the main goal is to win, but I think they need to do so convincingly. The Flyers are playing with a ton of confidence and the last thing you want to do is limp into the next series. Just look at what Detroit did. Some people were kind of celebrating their "struggles" in going 7, but after the game, I don't think anyone was wanting to play them. And considering this is a 1/8 matchup, I think it's even more important for them to reestablish that momentum.

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I generally watch the big events in every sport so I've always watched the NHL playoffs, but I've really gotten into the sport as a whole after the lockout (and my interest has been increasing each year). And believe it or not, my basic knowledge of the game/rules/players generally came from the hockey video games (which I started playing in the early 90's). Since there was no geographical influence in choosing a team, I went with one that I thought had young, promising players. That of course was Pittsburgh. A big reason for my growing interest has been increased HD availability and the NHL network. I've gotten to the point now where I'll watch just about any regular season game and of course every playoff game. It's a great sport and once you learn the rules, it sells itself IMO. I just wish I had easier access to seeing live games.

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This is amazing to me....Like my passion/obssession for LSU/Glasgow Rangers/Toronto Maple Leafs I feel like I was born into it. I assume you've been in BR all or most of your life and I split my time growing up between Lake Charles/Toronto/Glasgow if I recall correctly ESPN/Fox Sports provided coverage during the period you are talking about...but to learn the rules from an EA Sports game and to go from there...it boggles the mind...you notice things that (I am not trying to sound condescending here) only a Canadian would notice... But your still wrong about Detroit in finals...

Where you at UTiger? You from La. too? How'd you get into hockey?

we just don't think anybody deep down gives a shite about hockey in the southern US...it's weird talking to knowlegable fans of the game... Do you think coverage in the States has changed a lot since you started watching? Fox was a laughing stock up here with that glowing puck bullshite..

I'll take the Canadian comment as a compliment. If we were talking about baseball or something, then it would be a different story As far as Detroit, I wouldn't mind if that was prediction wrong. That's the last team I want to see as a Pens fan and as long as I'm right about where the Pens end up (holding the Stanley Cup again), then I don't mind how many picks I miss along the way! I do think the West is stacked this year, but Detroit has a clear edge on all of the other teams in big game experience. And although they've played well so far (and always do in the regular season), it's not like Luongo and Nabokov haven't shown some vulnerability in big games. And Chicago has a rookie in net, just like Detroit so I think that one evens out. We'll find out soon enough, but first things first. Caps/Habs Game 7!

I actually think coverage is still pretty damn good regarding hockey, but I've noticed ESPN pimping hockey ALOT more. I'm thinking the impending lockout in the NBA and NFL is playing a part in that. Hockey has done pretty well even though it's on versus. I think in this day and age if they could get back on ESPN, the NHL would be bigger than it has ever been. We'll see though.

And I tell my buddies all the time, if they could just make it to an actual NHL game, they'd be hooked. It is by far the best pro sport experience.

I'm up in Maryland now after graduating. I would've gone to the game tonight but I told myself at the beginning of the playoffs, I'd go for an ECF or SCF game, because I was that confident we'd make it to at least one of those series. I'm confident they will win tonight. Comin out strong so far!

thank god damn semin

they need to be patient...and not lose their shite if they dont score 1st...I think in fact this comes down to Varly and the defense of Caps...fingers crossed...