...

I would have no horse in that race, but it will be an excellent series to watch. LA and the Rangers are built similarly. I'm more familiar with LA, but others here have been touting the Ranger; in either case they're the kind of teams the Sabres ought to model their development after. A lot of it has to do with a well balanced mix of everything. And before anyone accuses me of pointing out the obvious, I said it after LA won their cup a few seasons ago. I think a certain segment of the fanbase wants them to be "bad for years", but the reaility is that they're in a position to make themselves competitive as soon as next year. Just depends what happens this summer. They already have three picks in the first next year.

LA has Crawford's number. Going to be tough for the Hawks the way the Kings are playing. An LA NY finals is awfully appealing.

That's a Ryan Miller softee right there.

Wow, the tides have turned. And LA is remembering how to score.

Damn, LA made that PP look easy. I guess we have a game.

As I read this thread, the drool pool grew on the table, until I got to this post. I don't see how Miller could have done much better given the circumstances. I mean, sure he could have grown golden wings, but the reality is, even with his Olympic teams, his success depends on the style his D plays. That said, I think Miller winds up with 3yr x $4.5 mil contract somewhere, give or take.

Can't blame Montreal fans for being pissed, that's some awful officiating.

Did someone mention cake?

I didn't like the guy up until this season when I happened to watch a few Montreal games early in the season. I think I noted here at the time that I could understand the hype, but his maturation really didn't show. This PK, though, I dig. I just read that his bridge contract ends after this season. Do I have that right? Um, you think Murray is on this?

This interview is pure class. I think I'm a fan now... http://youtu.be/JtsHFJPcsFA

In on page 69. That's all I wanted to do...69.

I have to say it never occurred to me that Montreal and the Rangers would make the third round.

Hahaha! They did it! F&@k YOU, BOSTON!

Boston fans suck, even the children.

Briere! Now the fun begins.

Karma is a b@tch. Now score, Montreal.

O. M. G. Pierre is the most annoying Boston fan there is. F@$k, really? Boston is allowed to get away with that kind of crap?

Their coach has them worried about making a hit quota, they're not allowed to just play hockey.

That's just determination against a goon team. Love it..."no puck luck" my ass.

Saranac Cloud Splitter...yum. Tastes like the unfiltered wheat beer I had in the Adirondacks last year.

Minnesota game = nail biter...

By "violence" I mean the general rigors of the game: hard hits, scrums at the net, real fisticuffs that are a result of the game, things of that ilk. You have to expect that stuff, and, frankly, it makes for entertainment. Boston was clearly not in the game mentally last night and the garbage at the very end was half-hearted and force...they weren't feeling that in the game. That was, IMHO, the result of the coach telling them to "send a message".

Really? I don't see Chicago pulling that kind of crap. Nor did LA the year they won. Obviously the emotions will be high, and there will be violence, but there's a difference between it being part of the game and it being a tactical choice "to set the tone".

With all due respect, and I do understand it's a problem for people, but, if you don't want it, DON'T DRINK IT. This is all mental, you're playing a game with yourself. It is your life you live; you don't live for other people, f*ck them if they think you should be drinking...but, I have to doubt that they mean it the way you take it. I might have a beer or two in a week, and that's because I like having a beer with a meal sometimes. I may have a glass of wine once in a month or two. But I can not stand drinking more than one or two of anything in a night, and especially that amount several nights or days in a row. The point is, people I know do not expect me to drink booze when we're out, and, in fact, they do what I suspect your people do to you in opposite: they chide me when I DO have a drink. It's expectations. If your peeps expect you to be drinking and you aren't, they'll chide you. Get them to expect you not to drink...get them to ride your ass when you DO drink if the social part is too hard to resist (and, again, that is understandable). Your friends and comrades, they should help you, and most will if you ask. Just say, "hey, I'm trying to cut back, I'm getting old, I guess, help me out by watching my back...". Anyone worth hanging out with will be totally cool with that.

Even the most casual hockey observer could see through that BS. Boston should be embarrassed about that kind of stuff by now.