kyle*

Even if you take away the issue of should he be suspended or not, it was not only a dumb move, but an embarrassing one the way Malkin "fought." But just as with Kronwall, if this were Pronger or Avery, there would be an immediate suspension. No question about it. Malkin missing game three is bad for the NHL, and I'm not going to put a tin-foil hat on and say that's the only reason he isn't being suspended, but it certainly is part of it. Malkin probably wasn't trying to send a message, mainly because he is incapable of sending a message via his fists, but the fact that he is getting away with shedding frustration by going at players shows how the NHL is constantly fighting it's own hypocrisy. Kronwall leaping into players: 0 games Malkin going apeshit on the ice: 0 games Avery said a dirty word: 6 games (Always the highlight of the NHL's stupidity.) Anyway, I'll continue my trend of watching five minutes of each game (I'm tuning it at just the right time) and awarding someone bitch of the game. So far the series is tied.

Even if you take away the issue of should he be suspended or not, it was not only a dumb move, but an embarrassing one the way Malkin "fought." But just as with Kronwall, if this were Pronger or Avery, there would be an immediate suspension. No question about it. Malkin missing game three is bad for the NHL, and I'm not going to put a tin-foil hat on and say that's the only reason he isn't being suspended, but it certainly is part of it. Malkin probably wasn't trying to send a message, mainly because he is incapable of sending a message via his fists, but the fact that he is getting away with shedding frustration by going at players shows how the NHL is constantly fighting it's own hypocrisy. Kronwall leaping into players: 0 games Malkin going apeshit on the ice: 0 games Avery said a dirty word: 6 games (Always the highlight of the NHL's stupidity.) Anyway, I'll continue my trend of watching five minutes of each game (I'm tuning it at just the right time) and awarding someone bitch of the game. So far the series is tied.

Bitch of game two: Malkin. League-bias, etc.

I had the second period on just before I went out. The thing that also surprised me is how fast Detroit looked. Everyone has been building up the young legs of Pittsburgh, but Detroit was flying. Also, I really hate the argument that Pittsburgh have gained so much experience and now are worthy opponents. The obvious flaw in that argument is that Detroit has also gained experience on top of an already veteran-heavy squad. I'll be missing tonight's game, though. *shrug*

Kronwall is such a bitch. Does that guy EVER hit anyone without jumping? If it weren't for the league's Detroit-bias, this guy would be victimized harder than Chris Pronger or Sean Avery. I really hate how the NBC guys just let it slide, too. "He might have left his feet a little there..." No. He clearly fucking jumped. That's dangerous as hell and illegal. But... Ugh. I really hate him.

Oh for... Guys this is what I was talking about... (Jonas Hiller is more hawt. And Zetterberg because he looks like Jake Gylenhaal. Okay, this post is gay enough. Let's move on to some MANLY HOCKEY.)

And this will be the the first Stanley Cup final that I won't be tuning in for. Not bitter at all, but it really is boring for most neutrals. Well, maybe not boring, but certainly a disappointing matchup. One team returning is bad enough... I say Wings in five. And pretty much what I'm hoping for because I'm numbed out to the Wings winning. I do not want to have a Sidney Crosby lovefest. God.

Ducks Hockey > Zooey > Hockey *crosses arms*

Zooey. <3 Better than hockey.

Shaving off my playoff beard and then growing another as I sit about in my pajamas all weekend. To be fair, I didn't expect them to get by the first round. And on another day we could have taken this series. Of the remaining teams, I'll pull apathetically for the Canes or the Hawks.

I don't think it's really the rivalry with Canada at all, I think it comes down to the recent explosion of Penguin fans and the NHL desperately trying to make Crosby the face of the league. The Crosby/Ovechkin thing is indeed nauseating, and I don't buy into it at all, but it probably works on some. Crosby really digs his own grave sometimes, though. In this situation, he should have just kept it shut. He's not going to change anything by talking to the refs, a concept that has eluded him for his entire NHL career. Note that I'm not saying anything about the wave of hats. It probably was stupid of Caps fans for the hats to come in waves, but oh well. 39 other skaters weren't complaining about it. But, you're not going to convince anyone in Pittsburgh that Crosby is... Well, you know. To Zanetti: It's more of the fact that it's Crosby doing it, who is a repeat offender of whining to the refs. It's not like when a captain talks to a ref, he just handles himself differently. And I don't want to sound like an internet tough guy, but if this were the old NHL, he would have been ripped apart by now.

Speaking of Crosby... (concerning the Ovechking hat-trick celebration) "People kept throwing hats. I was just asking if he could make an announcement to ask them to stop. The first wave came, and then I think they were all pretty much picked up, and more started coming," Crosby said after the game. "I just wanted to make sure that we kept kind of moving, kept the game going while we tried to get back into it. Wasn't complaining about anything."

Even I'm surprised. Way to go, Ducks! Time to clip the Wings.

Exhibit A: The decline of Mr. Brightside's sanity. Also,

Yes I have, thanks very much for the assumption. Unfortunately I was present for a 3:0 beating of my team when I was in Pittsburgh. But that statement wasn't about talent, it was about the fact that I hate Crosby and his attitude. I prefer Ovechkin over both of them because Ovechkin shows passion for the game, turns up his physical game doesn't whine when he takes shots, and doesn't dive like an Italian. Anyway, that Blackhawks/Flames finish was quite controversial. I don't think it should have been a goal. Kiprusoff was almost pushed over, but any interference on a goaltender should result in a penalty. If he can't make the save because of a player physically interfering with him, I don't see why that should be a goal. I've seen plenty of goals like that called back and I don't know why in playoff hockey that one went through.

I'd take Malkin over Crosby. But it's a tired argument across the entire hockey spectrum. Honestly, I expected the Ducks to win last night. They really did dominate the past two meetings and are on fire right now. Hopefully they keep it up and take it to the Sharks again on Sunday.

Sidney Crosby is a little bitch. (I have to say it on each page of this thread.) Also, tonight was pretty awesome. I'm so glad Hiller showed up the media. He is much older than most people think and has played big games in Switzerland and in international tournaments. He's super quick in the crease and that saved the Ducks tonight. Keep it rolling!

I couldn't watch any other games last night. All I can think about is the Ducks game.

Not shaving is itchy. And my jersey is pretty much not coming off. Wear it, febreeze it, wear it. The fish will flop again. The Ducks did dominate the last two games and are absolutely flying right now. I think San Jose is actually the perfect opponent for Anaheim right now with the last two results and the fact that all of the pressure is on San Jose. It'll be a good series regardless, though. FREAKING GO DUCKS YES LETS DO THIS. Anaheim vs San Jose Detroit vs Columbus Vancouver vs St. Louis Chicago vs Calgary Boston vs Montreal Washington vs New York New Jersey vs Carolina Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

Playoff beard time.

Edit: Jesus. Look at the old lady in the right of the photo. No way she lived through all three periods. Oh god times a thousand. Turco is such a... Yeah. You know. "Oh wow! The net came off again behind Turco while the puck was close to going in. How does this keep happening?!" Ugh. Somehow just thinking about Turco can almost spoil my evening. But Ducks 7 to 2 over the Avs is pretty tasty. Biggest game of the season is this Friday folks. If you want a preview of some playoff hockey, that's the game to watch. Ducks are in 8th and a point behind Edmonton, who are in 7th with a game in hand (they'll play Phoenix tomorrow). It was already a rivalry due to the Lowe/Burke war last season, the Pronger trade, etc etc. It's going to be an awesome game. Also, Gerber losing his shit on the ice was hilarious. And listening to Leaf fans defending it, and then their commentators calling Cujo's relief performance "a miracle one" is a reminder of why I hate that damn team.

What? No way. Blue Jackets are going to be HUGE underdogs if they get in the playoffs. Rookie goaltender? I'd be very impressed if he tears it up in the playoffs like he has done in the regular season. Toronto/Montreal and Vancouver/Phoenix in HD tonight. Cool. Dallas is down two against San Jose right now very late in the third. That's probably good for the Ducks, who with Dallas' loss would be three points out of Nashville in 8th with a game in hand. I'd rather see the Ducks get Detroit than San Jose in the playoffs...

Shocking. Chris Kunitz puts up 12 points in 10 games under a system on play that actually works in today's NHL. Ugh. Winds me the f**k up. Carlyle is absolutely senile. I still hope Whitney becomes an elite NHL defenseman, though. While Kunitz is thriving right now, he is very streaky, and getting a point per game out of him is pretty much his peak. I haven't seen him play for Pittsburgh, though. At home for the game tonight. Absolutely exhausted, too. Ducks should put me to sleep by the second. Edit: Nevermind. Bloody great game.

Excuse me? You better respect the stache. Also, Moen is a defensive forward. His six goals this year is almost his cap. And that goal was a lucky bounce. His most valuable asset is that he always fought really hard for pucks and doesn't back down against anyone. He recently lost that a bit, but maybe the trade (or playing for a proper fucking team ) will awaken his spirit. Huskins, though... Pretty useless. (He has good speed and can take the puck into the offensive zone well, and he also has a hell of a shot) It was so Nabakov last night. Ducks were inches away about five times in the third. Verrrrrrrryyyyyyy frustrating to watch. One of those games that my head was just killing me afterwards, because they hadn't really played that bad. I know San Jose are the better team, but I think we could have at the very least pulled a point from that game. No one is a freaking scoring threat right now. And I hate our coach.

Dear Refs, Suck it. Sincerely, Anaheim P.S. Joke's on you guys because we still won.