# 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 11, 2017, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278 "2017-04-11T23:57:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/102 "2017-04-26T13:25:47Z")
I wouldn’t bet a lot of money on the Senators, but you’d be a fool to bet your house against them. They would not be the first low-seeded team to win it all. Just five years ago the Kings finished eighth, with 95 points, were picked by absolutely no one to win it all, and absolutely crushed it in the playoffs. I mean, the Penguins just won it last year and they weren’t an especially good regular season team. This caused me to start looking up the answer to the question “What was the shittiest team in the modern playoff format to win a Stanley Cup?” It’s a hard call. The 2012 Kings, 1995 Devils and 1986 Canadiens are all strong candidates. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/103 "2017-04-26T14:03:43Z")
The shittiest team ever? The 1949 Maple Leafs or the 1938 Black Hawks. even the 1967 Leafs only won 32 in 70 games for 75 points for their last Cup win. In modern history, I’d nominate the 2006 Canes, or 1995 Devils who took full advantage of the shortened season. Most would agree that there’s a few of Montreal’s Cups that came from weak divisional match-ups, scheduling and luck. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/104 "2017-04-27T00:48:27Z")
Repeating myself from previous threads. When only part of the game is subject to review, it makes things reviewed at least a little more important. In terms of the correct outcome, reviewing penalties for blown calls would correct more than the looking to see if the trailing foot was behind the line but in the air or behind the line in contact. Things that aren’t judegement calls - puck over the ice - have a disproporionate impact when the playoff mentality of putting the whistles away kicks in. My motto is let the players decide on the ice but make sure they are deciding a hockey outcome and not a street fight. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/105 "2017-04-27T02:55:45Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I wouldn’t bet a lot of money on the Senators, but you’d be a fool to bet your house against them. They would not be the first low-seeded team to win it all. Just five years ago the Kings finished eighth, with 95 points, were picked by absolutely no one to win it all, and absolutely crushed it in the playoffs. > > I mean, the Penguins just won it last year and they weren’t an especially good regular season team. > > This caused me to start looking up the answer to the question “What was the shittiest team in the modern playoff format to win a Stanley Cup?” It’s a hard call. The 2012 Kings, 1995 Devils and 1986 Canadiens are all strong candidates. I picked both the Pens and Kings to win it all in the years you mentioned here. For both, they had slow, shitty starts to the season but started to put it together in January and were steamrolling by March. Last year, the Pens from February on – after the coaching change took hold – had ridiculous, insane underlying numbers, from possession to GF, etc, that never slowed down. People don’t appreciate how dominate their run was last year, they only had some issues with the President Trophy winning Caps, but even then, it didn’t feel close. Senators are no where close to either teams in underlying numbers, momentum to the season, talent, prospects, etc. Both Kings and Pens had important youth / prospects that helped in their run (Voynov, Murray, Sheary, Rust, etc) and important mid-season trades (Carter, Hagelin) that were major contributors in the playoffs. This made them better than their earlier season numbers would otherwise indicate. Nothing against the Senators, more saying: Kings and Pens aren’t an example of a “meh” team winning it all. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/106 "2017-04-27T14:05:44Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > Senators are no where close to either teams in underlying numbers, momentum to the season, talent, prospects, etc. Both Kings and Pens had important youth / prospects that helped … You’ve got a point about the numbers and momentum during the regular season, the Senators struggled with consistency at times all season (even between periods)… but you’re sadly mistaken if you think the Senators are that far behind in talent, prospects, depth, etc… The Senators are loaded with young talent and when clicking are one of the most dangerous teams in the league. I think the small market in Ottawa helps them fly under the radar with analysts, sports writers, and other fans. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/107 "2017-04-28T17:57:16Z")
So last night the Senators outshot the Rangers 43-35. It was an exciting, well-played game in which the goaltenders were forced to make a number of excellent saves to keep the score at 2-1. And yet the Globe and Mail’s story on the game complains that the Senators’ trap made the game boring. They call out in particular the second period, in which the shots were 13-11. I suppose that might be considered boring relative to the incredible first period in which Ottawa had 21 shots, but that really was an awful article. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/108 "2017-04-28T18:22:45Z")
The Globe and Mail isn’t known for its sports section. And if it was, you know it would be tilted towards the Leafs, even though it’s supposed to be a national paper. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/109 "2017-04-28T18:26:17Z")
BTW, I don’t really like my username here. I thought of changing it years ago, and people voted for me to keep it. Hey, I’m still a Leafs fan! But that doesn’t define me. Party on Garth. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/110 "2017-04-28T18:26:57Z")
Boring!?..I guess they didn’t catch the series against Boston. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/111 "2017-04-28T18:58:20Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > So last night the Senators outshot the Rangers 43-35. It was an exciting, well-played game in which the goaltenders were forced to make a number of excellent saves to keep the score at 2-1. And yet the Globe and Mail’s story on the game complains that the Senators’ trap made the game boring. The stupidity of accusing a team that gave up 35 shots _and still outshot the other team_, and whose greatest player and team captain is one of the most offensively aggressive defencemen to ever play good NHL hockey - the guy who in these playoffs did [This insane thing where he ran a one-man isolation play like LeBron James on skates](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNCHHSgS6EE) and this [ridiculous Hail Mary saucer pass](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlZ_EuE0Ks4) … is staggering. It is literally as if the writer did not watch the game and didn’t even read the boxscore, but said “It’s not the Leafs so it must suck and be boring,” Googled “hockey boring” and got a hit for "the neutral zone trap. " I have to again repeat something you said; the Senators had twenty-one shots _in the first period._ Nobody who watched Henrik Lundqvist stand on his head and juggle lemon pies while blanking a team that was absolutely kicking the door down could not have been wildly entertained. But it’s not the Leafs, so the Toronto media hates it. The Toronto Star actually ran a blurb about how the Maple Leafs and Capitals shook hands after their series ended. Like, actually wrote a story on it. They shook hands, you know, like every two teams in every playoff series since time immemorial. Of course, even if the Senators were running a trap, if they win, who cares. Winning isn’t boring. When the Devils ran a trap in 1995 and won the Stanley Cup, I thought “good for them.” Complaining about a team running a trap would like like complaining about the Phil Simms Giants for winning a Super Bowl through defense and ball possession, or complaining about the San Antonio Spurs for winning with team defense, or complaining about the 2015 Royals for winning the World Series because it was so boring to watch their strong pitching a fielding shut the other team down. If you don’t like the trap, lobby the NHL to make rule changes to prevent it. You cannot blame a team for applying its talent in a way that maximized their chances of victory. It’s their job to win. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/112 "2017-04-28T19:07:02Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The stupidity of accusing a team that gave up 35 shots and still outshot the other team, and whose greatest player and team captain is one of the most offensively aggressive defencemen to ever play good NHL hockey, is staggering. It is literally as if the writer did not watch the game and didn’t even read thye boxscore, but said “IT’s not the Leafs so it must suck and be boring,” Googled “hockey boring” and got a hit for the neutral zone trap. > > I have to again repeat something you said; the Senators had twenty-one shots _in the first period._ Nobody who watched Henrik Lundqvist stand on his head and juggle lemon pies while blanking a team that was absolutely kicking the door down could not have been wildly entertained. > > But it’s not the Leafs, so the Toronto media hates it. > > The Toronto Star actually ran a blurb about how the Maple Leafs and Capitals shook hands after their series ended. Like, actually wrote a story on it. They shook hands, you know, like every two teams in every playoff series since time immemorial. Yeah, I agree. The Toronto Star does this with the Liberal government too. Sorry. Enough politics. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/113 "2017-04-28T19:32:27Z")
Boy, that’s the truth, though. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/114 "2017-04-28T22:55:14Z")
If that was a boring game then I hope they don’t get more interesting; my heart can’t stand it. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/115 "2017-04-28T22:58:23Z")
Wait. They just said on CBC that Karlsson’s goal was offside. Was it reviewed? Was there an offside? Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/116 "2017-04-29T19:21:44Z")
Fuck Mike Milbury: > **[Mike Milbury destroyed on social media after insulting P.K. Subban.](https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/mike-milbury-destroyed-on-social-media-after-insulting-p-k-subban)** > > Milbury puts his shoe in his mouth again. Calling Subban a “clown” for getting loose in warmups? After seeing all the crap we see in the NFL during games. Get a life, Mike. Subban is a credit to hockey. What? Are you still pissed that the Bruins got bounced? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/117 "2017-04-30T01:05:24Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > Fuck Mike Milbury: > /snip/ > What? Are you still pissed that the Bruins got bounced? Hey be careful - he might have a shoe on him. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/118 "2017-04-30T01:51:09Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > If that was a boring game then I hope they don’t get more interesting; my heart can’t stand it. Well, after today’s game, I hope you survived. Some boring teams these are. [QUOTE=R.P. McMurphy] Fuck Mike Milbury: [https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/...ing-p-k-subban](https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/...ing-p-k-subban) Calling Subban a “clown” for getting loose in warmups? After seeing all the crap we see in the NFL during games. Get a life, Mike. Subban is a credit to hockey. What? Are you still pissed that the Bruins got bounced? [/QUOTE] He called Subban a clown because Subban is black. Let’s call it for what it is. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/119 "2017-04-30T02:06:27Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, after today’s game, I hope you survived. Some boring teams these are. > He called Subban a clown because Subban is black. Let’s call it for what it is. Yes, and yes. And dammit Caps you’re not helping. I AM going to have to watch Crosby waltzing around with the Cup again this year, aren’t I? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/120 "2017-04-30T02:58:48Z")
Pretty safe to say the Pens will take this one, up 5 - 2 with 6 min. to go. There might have been a couple goals Holtby would like to take back. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278/121 "2017-04-30T03:28:29Z")
I never in my life thought that Pageau could possibly ever top his playoff hat trick against Montreal. My goodness, was I ever wrong. What a game. I have difficulty remembering a Senators’ playoff game that tops this one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2017-stanley-cup-playoffs-thread/784278.md?page=7)