Hockey

[smc]

Originally Posted by shadows

Well, after he finally awakens from his drunken stupor, you'll be in trouble.

No, I'll simply invite him to our Jameson-drinking party (how about that for a cross-thread reference, eh?) and win him over.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by smc

No, I'll simply invite him to our Jameson-drinking party (how about that for a cross-thread reference, eh?) and win him over.

Well, you've certainly won me over.

[GRH]

You're right about one thing shadows, I'm very glad that Montreal and Boston aren't facing each other in the first round. I'd love it if Montreal could beat Washington, but I'm not going to count on it.

Question-- in the playoffs, how many games do teams play against one another? Is it a one and you're done? Or do they play a series of 3 games?

[smc]

Originally Posted by GRH

Question-- in the playoffs, how many games do teams play against one another? Is it a one and you're done? Or do they play a series of 3 games?

They are best-of-7 series, so at least four games for each playoff matchup.

[GRH]

Ahh, so the playoffs will last a little while. I know in the college playoffs, it was a best of three series. Thanks for the info, as this is my first year following the NHL.

[smc]

Originally Posted by GRH

Ahh, so the playoffs will last a little while.

More like an eternity, unless the team you're rooting for keeps going.

[ila]

Originally Posted by GRH

......Question-- in the playoffs, how many games do teams play against one another? Is it a one and you're done? Or do they play a series of 3 games?

Originally Posted by smc

They are best-of-7 series, so at least four games for each playoff matchup.

Originally Posted by GRH

Ahh, so the playoffs will last a little while. I know in the college playoffs, it was a best of three series. Thanks for the info, as this is my first year following the NHL.

Originally Posted by smc

More like an eternity, unless the team you're rooting for keeps going.

It only seems like an eternity sometimes, depending on whether or not your team keeps advancing. Eternity this year should end about mid-June which will still be before the NBA playoffs are finished.

[shadows]

Originally Posted by GRH

Ahh, so the playoffs will last a little while. I know in the college playoffs, it was a best of three series. Thanks for the info, as this is my first year following the NHL.

You picked a good year to start! There are going to be some exciting series this post-season, that is for sure!

[shadows]

Pre-game shenanigans are not going to be tolerated!

From tsn.ca:

DREGER: NHL WARNS OF STIFF PENATIES FOR WARMUP INCIDENTS

On a pre-playoff conference call on Monday, Colin Campbell, the NHL's director of hockey operations informed coaches and general managers of what the league views as potential postseason hot spots.

The threat of any confrontation in the pre-game warmup is of particular concern to the league. To the point, Campbell warned the 16 teams, if an altercation mars the series, the offending team could lose a roster spot on the night the incident takes place, meaning the disciplined team would be forced to play the game with 17 skaters and two goalies.

In light of a recent incident, the Flyers-Devils series has the potential to turn nasty. Philadelphia forward Dan Carcillo was suspended two games for crosschecking Devils forward David Clarkson in the head late in a game on March 28th. The two teams haven't played since.

In a regular season game in Toronto in 2007, Rangers forward Sean Avery enraged Darcy Tucker and a collection of Maple Leafs, sparking a pre-game skirmish.

Fines and, or suspensions will be handed out if something similar occurs this postseason.

Late game ?message sending?, namely a fight or a seemingly deliberate intent to injury when the game is out of hand was also strongly discouraged by the league on Mondays call with threats of suspensions and fines.

A year ago, Philadelphia's Dan Carcillo was given a one game suspension for an apparent butt-end to Pittsburgh's Max Talbot's face as time expired in the Penguins 4-1 series opening victory. Flyers coach John Stevens was also fined $10,000.

Finally, coaches and general managers were also told goaltender interference will be watched closely.

The Phoenix Coyotes are sure to remind round one officials of this on a game by game basis as Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom has mastered the art of screening, deflecting pucks, and generally agitating opposition goaltenders.

The NHL intends to watch Holmstrom and all ?crease crashers? closely, and Colin Campbell suggests it's best to stay out of the blue paint to avoid a penalty.

The National Hockey League understands it's an intense and emotional time of year. However, the tolerance for what the league considers unnecessary, as per usual in the playoffs, will be minimal.