2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rnd 3

[Wyldnwoody44]

57 minutes ago, Big Guava said:

Hopefully the finals are more competitive than either of these conference finals...

Dallas and Carolina are clearly outclassed big-time.

Yeah, it's been sad. Nhl seriously nerds to revamp their playoff format. 

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Yeah, it's been sad. Nhl seriously nerds to revamp their playoff format. 

Here's what the first round this season looked like:

1 WPG v. 4 STL                               1 TOR v. 4 OTT
2 DAL v. 3 COL                               2 TBL v. 3 FLA

1 VGK v. 4 MIN                                1 WSH v. 4 MTL
2 LAK v. 3 EDM                               2 CAR v. 3 NJD

Here's what it would have been in the previous alignment 1-8, (with division winners guaranteed 1 & 2 as previously div winners got 1-3):

1 WPG v. 5 STL  (same)                  1 WSH v. 8 MTL (same matchup)
2 VGK v. 6 MIN  (same)                  2 TOR v. 7 NJD
3 DAL v. 7 EDM                               3 TBL v. 6 OTT
4 LAK v. 8 COL                               4 CAR v. 5 FLA

We'd have seen our two Conference Final matchups in the first round instead. But, everyone was talking about how DAL/COL should have been a semi-final or later matchup and lookout when Heiskanen got back into the lineup. Instead, it's been the Stuart Skinner show. The most important thing is: just get in, then let the chips fall where they may.

[Pimlach]

12 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

For sure. He's too driven and ornery.

Although, for enough cash, I'm betting he could coast for an entire season and Edit: then get traded to a playoff contender of his choice because Adams signed him with trade protections... then retire after the season.

But we don't need Perry to be another Hall or a Staal.    If we pay a vet we need a guy that sets the right example and wants to help, not one collecting big money and saving himself for a deadline trade to a playoff team. 

Zucker has been that kind of player.  I actually think that Zucker is stretching his stories a bit when he talks to the media about Buffalo not having a stigma.   That sounds like calming words to his young teammates to stop worrying about the outside noise and fix what's happening inside.    You have to believe that Dahlin and Thompson read the buzz on social media and wonder how long they have top remain committed to a team that lacks the same commitment at the top (owner and GM).  Which is why I cannot blame any of them for wanting out.  The Dahlin talk with Adams must have touched on the topic of the FO doing more to help right now.  

The team needs the Core group to elevate the team and of course veteran help is required as is better balance, and most important is what has been ignored the most in the Adams tenure - goaltending.  

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

But we don't need Perry to be another Hall or a Staal.    If we pay a vet we need a guy that sets the right example and wants to help, not one collecting big money and saving himself for a deadline trade to a playoff team. 

Zucker has been that kind of player.  I actually think that Zucker is stretching his stories a bit when he talks to the media about Buffalo not having a stigma.   That sounds like calming words to his young teammates to stop worrying about the outside noise and fix what's happening inside.    You have to believe that Dahlin and Thompson read the buzz on social media and wonder how long they have top remain committed to a team that lacks the same commitment at the top (owner and GM).  Which is why I cannot blame any of them for wanting out.  The Dahlin talk with Adams must have touched on the topic of the FO doing more to help right now.  

The team needs the Core group to elevate the team and of course veteran help is required as is better balance, and most important is what has been ignored the most in the Adams tenure - goaltending.  

Zucker has definitely tried to do damage control and be a team leader -- as he would have learned in his time in good locker rooms in Minnesota (maybe except Suter?) and Pittsburgh (no playoff success, but Crosby).

The goaltending, as ever, remains the biggest obstacle to success (coinciding with a top-4 d-man to allow Power to grow into unlimited status). And both have been true for 3 consecutive seasons.

[Wyldnwoody44]

Alright Panthers, wake up, dust that last stinker off and end Carolina in Raleigh, sick of seeing Brind A'mours face. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Carolina FLYINGGGG

[Gatorman0519]

Florida has to get their game back. Uncharacteristic mistakes. Carolina has grabbed momentum. . 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Did Florida run out of gas?... 

 

Looks like they found a gas station 

Edited yesterday at 01:33 AM by Wyldnwoody44

[Gatorman0519]

9 minutes ago, Wyldnwoody44 said:

Did Florida run out of gas? 

Apparently not lol 

[Indabuff]

I went to do laundry and they scored two?  JFC.

[LGR4GM]

Evan Rodriguez, good for him. 

[FrenchConnection44]

On 5/26/2025 at 9:19 AM, LGR4GM said:

You keep equating size with toughness and acting like it's 1995 and I'll keep calling *****. It's as simple as that.  Enforcers are dead. Tkachuk isn't that and neither is anyone else you listed. 

Also Marchand had played 0 nhl games at Benson's age. I love that your critique is Benson smiling, that's the dumbest thing I've heard. 

Buffalo needs more gritty talent, I agree. The size part is just useless bs about how it Buffalo was bigger they'd be better. 

You are nothing if not an expert in employing the Straw Man fallacy. I’m not equating size with toughness, nor am I saying we need only 6’2, 220 players. Never have said that. So you’ve had enough practice with the straw man. What I am saying is that you still need tough guys with size to be able to handle the physicality in the NHL - in checking and enforcing — and to be able to take on other teams players when they go after one of our guys.

you keep touting Zach Benson as though he’s the next Marchand or something. He’s not. He’s not a tough guy. There’s not a single player on the Sabres or in their farm system with both the size and toughness who’s gonna take on the likes of a Tkachuk or Reaves or Xhekaj. Or several other players in a similar mold. It’s not the only thing but it’s a factor. Just look at the history of hockey dude - instead of filling your constant need to stroke your ego with a contrarian mentality. 

It is also not just fighting but the willingness to go after guys, beat on them and not be afraid to handle their own business. To defend your teammates when someone goes after them. We need several of them. We have none. Even if Benson were a mean SOB, he’s not going to be able to handle a Tkachuk or other player who could pummel his 5’10, 170 lb frame— he’s not a physical player. 

You can have all the 5’9, 170 pound players you want — you still are going to need some bigger, mean guys so that you can get after others.  And I’m not arguing as I’ve said many times before in multiple posts that every player has to be 6’4 240 who can punch like Mike Tyson.

The fact that this has to be spelled out for you in detail only unveils the hubris. 
 

this team needs multiple physical, tough players that teammates will respect, to up their intensity and physicality. They need to trade some of the softer players, especially the big ones who are soft and don’t really bring any physicality to their game, like Power or Samuelsson. and certainly they can still utilize smaller players who are quick or who are pesky, no one is arguing. They don’t need those guys so stop exaggerating everybody’s argument out of context and employing straw man arguments about size.

The very fact that this needs to be spelled out for you in so much detail just shows the lack of integrity in the argument you’re proffering.

there is no problem with any number of 5’9 180 pound players. But a successful team needs players with length, strength, size, and physical toughness and nastiness. They don’t have to all be fighters. If they are great. But every GM in this league (aside from perhaps the Sabres GM) would kill to have a Zdeno Chara or Victor Hedman. 

 

 

[Big Guava]

Comical how Rodrigues wasn't good enough for the Sabres but he has been good enough to play on multiple playoff teams and win a cup of two.

[eanyills]

This could have been an epic series if this Carolina showed up from game 1.

 

Even if they win tonight, l think the hole’s too deep for them now.

Edited yesterday at 02:40 AM by eanyills

[PonyBoy2]

Watching the forechecking, toughness & skill of the Panthers makes me wonder how the Sabres can ever get to this level..🫤

 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Barkov was possessed there. We had something similar in Jack and poof, he's gone 

[Indabuff]

[Indabuff]

Yikes

[...]

Bennett planned the whole thing.

[Pimlach]

Florida scores. Bennett out of the box.  Reinhart with a heady play, as usual. 

[Wyldnwoody44]

Let's gooooo

[Forecheck]

Florida is just a stacked team top to bottom. Gonna be a great rematch of last years final between Oilers and Panthers. 

[...]

Florida looked so dopey in the first period, too. They do this every year. Like a rope-a-dope.

[...]

Aho, Stahl, and that Russian kid can all think about their sins over the summer. 

[Gatorman0519]

Hope the Cats get another one.