Here are the matchups for the conference finals, AKA Stanley Cup Semifinals:

EAST
NYR vs TB

WEST
CHI<3 vs ANA

I don't even know who to cheer for anymore.

I guess maybe the Rangers.

Sigh.. Let's go Rangers, I guess.

Well, I'm a TB fan from way back so I'll be going for them.  Either way, both conference finals are shaping up to be great games. Sunday can't come soon enough (that's Saturday for you guys in the States).

The only reason im going for the Rangers is Lundqvist. TB is a neutral team to me, but the Hawks and the Ducks... >> :v

Right now, Anaheim and Chicago are (IMO) the biggest villains left right now, TB is neutral, and NY will be the heroes to save the day.

I thought that Rangers Vs Lightning was going to be a great series with both very fast and skilled teams but I didn't expect this much excitement so far.  All three games, regardless of result or more domination from one team etc really could have gone either way with all the break aways and grade A chances for both teams.

Really looking forward to the next game in this series regardless of the winner.

I haven't keeping up with Hockey too much, mainly because the teams I'm rooting, the Habs and Captials are out of the playoffs. As it stands right now, the TB x NY games have been pretty exciting from the looks of the highlights and I can't say much about the Chicago x Anaheim. 

But damn, all I've been seeing is the new Maple Leafs coach, Mike Babcock. Even though I am extremely happy (and excited, I'll say) to see him as the new coach, I'm pretty sure it's all hype. To avoid being hugely disappointed, I won't put much expectations haha.

Babcock left Detroit? Oh, can't believe I missed my brother's reaction to that...

Babcock joined the Leafs because he's tired of making the playoffs every year, and he wanted an extra month of vacation! LOL


Also, this video made me laugh so hard. It's from the Shaw headbutt goal. Escpecially to the ref at the end. "THE CHICAGO PERSON DELIBERATELY HEADBUTTED THE PUCK INTO THE NET NO GOAL" in a really heavy Canadian accent  .lol.

Must say I wasn't expecting Babcock heading to the Leafs - maybe the Sabers but not the Leafs.  Guess it is a bigger market and the opportunity to be immortalised if he can get them a cup.  Roster isn't the worse around but to get them to stop imploding and building a certain level of accountability will be the hard task.  His name may also be attract some free agents wanting to be part of a rebuild that has the lure of a future cup.

Both conference finals have been intense with the amount of overtimes required to settle each match between Chicago and Anaheim and the speed and opportunities for both teams with the Rangers and the Lightning. It appears that you just can't call any of the games as chances are there for all teams and regardless of the final outcome, a lucky bounce here or there for any of those teams and the scores could be reversed. Makes for some great hockey in a long time.

kFDzero wrote:Must say I wasn't expecting Babcock heading to the Leafs - maybe the Sabers but not the Leafs.  Guess it is a bigger market and the opportunity to be immortalised if he can get them a cup.  Roster isn't the worse around but to get them to stop imploding and building a certain level of accountability will be the hard task.  His name may also be attract some free agents wanting to be part of a rebuild that has the lure of a future cup.

kFDzero hits all the right points. A lot of what the media covered on "Babcock Watch" laid the expectation that he was going to Buffalo. I spent some time looking at all the details of the situation. An 8 year deal averaging 6.25 mil a year; becoming the highest paid coach to date. Toronto dropped the mic...on a bunch of cash. In the end, I think it was a good deal for both sides. Leafs get someone who is undoubtedly the best NHL coach in the past decade while Detroit gets to shake things up by (most likely) bringing up promising coaching talent in promoting the coach of their farm team. The plan is to not have Detroit blasted in the playoffs anymore and be a victim of their own success in the off-season.

Good on you TML. You're more capable than I thought. You're given the Master Sword, now don't use it as a paper weight.
I'm most excited to see some never-before-seen footage of Babcock ripping into Kessel.

Lexian wrote:

I'm most excited to see some never-before-seen footage of Babcock ripping into Kessel.

 This +1

FINALS TIIIIIME

Chicago vs. Tampa Bay

It's time to play some hawkey.

Should be good matchup and I know defence first is probably the way it would be played but with both teams able to open up the scoring, it could get exciting real quick.

Hoping for a cup final series to remember.

Just watched the first game of the finals and it sure didn't disappoint, even being low scoring. Chances at both ends. Really looking forwards to game 2 now.

Starting to get a bit nail-bitey for me now. Oduya definitely has a hurt arm or hand, so that's a top 4 D down. Bickell just being Bickell... Meanwhile, TB continues to check the Hawks' primary scorers really well.

If things keep going the way they are, game 4 should be pretty much the decider. Crossed fingers!

I got a good laugh at how the media here keeps pressing Bishop about his injury though.

How awesome and back and forth has this series been so far.  So pumped for the next game. Bring on game 5.

They did it! When pressed against the wall, they found a way to win.

I can see heart medication purchases in America slightly rising after this series. Whew.

Hockey season ended for me back in December. Either Babcock will save the Leafs or they'll drag his reputation through the mud. Whelp back to hibernation for me

The finals have been great, with plenty of back and forth play. Being a Bolts fan, I of course would love them to win game 6 but in all honesty, I just want this series to continue.  I was hoping for a 7 game series right from the start as the teams match up really well, and play fast.

Exciting hockey that definitely creates a few stop breathing moments for both teams' supporters.

@kFDzero: Have you successfully removed that Bishop collision from memory yet?

GG Bolts. You guys were definitely one hell of a team. A strong and young team to watch out for in the future, for sure.

And now let the dust-settling of this thread until October commence!

PS. I'll hold off on putting on my tin-foil hat and predicting a Hawks/Kings alternating dynasty. For now. ^^

And so Chicago takes the cup home again tonight. Ah well 'till next season then.

lol hawks win