# NHL 2015 Playoffs: The Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 12, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511 "2015-04-12T19:24:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**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 19, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/61 "2015-04-19T01:04:47Z")
> [@Mithras](#): > > I’m watching the lottery on NBC because it’s on before the Penguins game. Is this how every other league does this or is this draft-as-reality-show thing just another example of how awful the NHL is at marketing its product? What was awful about it? It was like “Deal Or No Deal” except the outcome mattered A LOT! ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/62 "2015-04-19T01:12:30Z")
It’s very anti-climactic since they’re pretending they’re doing more than draw one ball. That said I could not be happier with the results. Suck it, haters! ---
**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 19, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/63 "2015-04-19T01:30:41Z")
> [@Raygun99](#): > > It’s very anti-climactic since they’re pretending they’re doing more than draw one ball. That said I could not be happier with the results. Suck it, haters! They draw 4 balls actually. I don’t understand the algorithm. I like Edmonton, or at least used to like Edmonton. They seem to have drafted a lot of talent and can’t do a damned thing with it. For a number of years Edmonton was my second favourite team in the league. I don’t think it’s possible to dislike Wayne Gretzky, even when he single-handedly beat my Leafs in the conference final in 1993 I couldn’t hate him. I was at the game at Maple Leaf Gardens and had my heart ripped from my chest. But I love Wayne. I wish Edmonton success. But they sure haven’t been able to capitalize on their last three number one draft picks. Has there ever been a team with 4 number one draft picks on it in the modern era. Actually I think the sucky Senators in the 1990s may have had at least that many. And by sucky, I mean they finished last – before the lottery was implemented – so often that they got a number of number one picks. ---
**Author:** ![Mithras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mithras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithras)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/64 "2015-04-19T01:43:01Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > What was awful about it? It was like “Deal Or No Deal” except the outcome mattered A LOT! That’s how I’d describe, too. Reality and modern game shows are all about making things that don’t matter at all seem really dramatic and important. They give you cheesy narration, dramatic pauses, and processes that could be over in a second taking half an hour. You don’t need that garbage when the situation is actually dramatic and important. I also thought it was funny that their attempt at a slick program was undercut by that awkward interview with McDavid at the end. ---
**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 19, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/65 "2015-04-19T01:55:25Z")
> [@Mithras](#): > > That’s how I’d describe, too. Reality and modern game shows are all about making things that don’t matter at all seem really dramatic and important. They give you cheesy narration, dramatic pauses, and processes that could be over in a second taking half an hour. You don’t need that garbage when the situation is actually dramatic and important. > > I also thought it was funny that their attempt at a slick program was undercut by that awkward interview with McDavid at the end. Most years it doesn’t matter much. I don’t think I’ve watched the lottery before. I don’t even know if it’s been televised before. But McDavid is, as they say, a once in a generation player. I’m not sure I agree with that, since a generation is typically measured as a 25 year period. But he is a Sydney Crosby, a Mario Lemieux, a Wayne … nah I can’t go there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/66 "2015-04-19T02:07:38Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Actually I think the sucky Senators in the 1990s may have had at least that many. And by sucky, I mean they finished last – before the lottery was implemented – so often that they got a number of number one picks. I’m pretty sure that the draft lottery was instituted in 1994, after the debacle when Alexandre Daigle was the Connor McDavid at the time. Anyway, back then Ottawa picked 2nd overall (1992), 1st overall (1993), 4th overall (1994), 1st overall (1995), 1st overall (1996). They only got Daigle, Berard and Phillips with their #1 picks though – 1995 and 1996 weren’t particularly strong draft years. ---
**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 19, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/67 "2015-04-19T03:15:08Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > I’m pretty sure that the draft lottery was instituted in 1994, after the debacle when Alexandre Daigle was the Connor McDavid at the time. Anyway, back then Ottawa picked 2nd overall (1992), 1st overall (1993), 4th overall (1994), 1st overall (1995), 1st overall (1996). They only got Daigle, Berard and Phillips with their #1 picks though – 1995 and 1996 weren’t particularly strong draft years. Thanks for that. I was too lazy to look it up. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/68 "2015-04-19T03:34:16Z")
There is one good thing about McDavid going to Edmonton: at least we don’t have to spend the next several years listening to conspiracy theories about how it was rigged. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/69 "2015-04-19T04:29:28Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > They draw 4 balls actually. I don’t understand the algorithm. Well, one result, anyway. Only one team’s name gets called. > [@](#): > > I like Edmonton, or at least used to like Edmonton. They seem to have drafted a lot of talent and can’t do a damned thing with it. For a number of years Edmonton was my second favourite team in the league. I don’t think it’s possible to dislike Wayne Gretzky, even when he single-handedly beat my Leafs in the conference final in 1993 I couldn’t hate him. I was at the game at Maple Leaf Gardens and had my heart ripped from my chest. But I love Wayne. > > I wish Edmonton success. But they sure haven’t been able to capitalize on their last three number one draft picks. Has there ever been a team with 4 number one draft picks on it in the modern era. > > Actually I think the sucky Senators in the 1990s may have had at least that many. And by sucky, I mean they finished last – before the lottery was implemented – so often that they got a number of number one picks. The Quebec Nordiques had three in a row back when they got Mats Sundin, Owen Nolan and then Lindros (and also had Joe Sakic, who was a 15th overall pick). Plus, people seem to forget that Pittsburgh, both prior to them getting Lemieux and Crosby, were all-world bad and had been for ages. Tampa Bay took _ages_ to take advantage of Lecavalier. Bad teams draft low and get good young players because they missing a lot more than one player. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/70 "2015-04-19T04:55:40Z")
A bit of a side note, but this is just nuts: > **['I was really, genuinely scared,' says Ottawa hockey fan harassed at Habs game...](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/ottawa-senators-fan-katie-kerrick-harassed-at-habs-game-1.3039078)** > > Katie Kerrick was excited to head to the Bell Centre to catch the Montreal Canadiens versus the Ottawa Senators in the second game of the 2015 NHL playoffs. Until several fans intimidated her to the point of tears. These two young girls who wore Senators jerseys to the Habs game were verbally and physically harassed – if this had happened at a Leafs game at the ACC there would have been (by my count) at least three assault charges – not the least of which was throwing a nearly-full can of beer at one of the girls – and the perps would not only have been ejected from the game but arrested. But hey, that was Quebec, not really Canada – the security staff thought it was all pretty funny. The Habs front office tweeted an apology – big deal – but the Senators heard about it and offered the girls seats for Sunday’s game in one of Eugene Melnyk’s private boxes! Nice outcome and I’m very happy for them, and kudos to the Sens. Sigh! Very hard to be a Habs fan these days! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/71 "2015-04-21T07:13:26Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > That’s very bad news. I hate seeing stuff like this even though I’m a Habs fan for this series. I’m a little perplexed by Subban because off the ice he’s typically been the gentleman of the team and quite a bright guy, yet recently he’s got himself some really stupid penalties, like IIRC a stupid two-minute minor right in the middle of the freaking five-minute overtime in the last game against the Flyers, making it a 4-on-3 for almost half the entire overtime period. A lot of hockey players are like that – real jackasses on the ice, total class off of it. Not everyone’s like Sean Avery. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/72 "2015-04-22T03:21:40Z")
Alright the Wings came to play on home ice, and look ready to make the series most people thought wouldn’t happen. ---
**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 23, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/73 "2015-04-23T02:09:12Z")
I can’t even believe the Rangers managed to pull that one out. They sleep-walked through the first two periods and somehow miraculously were only one behind after all that. I do think the Pens are not really a very good team but was surprised they followed up that opening goal with just nothing. I wish I could understand how come they lose with all that talent, but in this particular instance I’m just glad. I just can’t root for a team with Sidney on it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/74 "2015-04-23T15:04:11Z")
Looks like Jimmy Howard may be on the move as the Wings apparently are just fine without him in goal. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/75 "2015-04-23T20:50:26Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > I’m pretty sure that the draft lottery was instituted in 1994, after the debacle when Alexandre Daigle was the Connor McDavid at the time. Anyway, back then Ottawa picked 2nd overall (1992), 1st overall (1993), 4th overall (1994), 1st overall (1995), 1st overall (1996). They only got Daigle, Berard and Phillips with their #1 picks though – 1995 and 1996 weren’t particularly strong draft years. What I find puzzling about Edmonton is their picks are mostly working out. Objectively they appear to be drafting in the first round just as well as Ottawa did, anyway; Eberle, Hall, and Nugent-Hopkins are all productive players. Nail Yakupov isn’t that bad, and Sam Gagner was okay, too (and was flipped for Ted Purcell, also okay.) But they just stink. There is a stink on the team, some sort of organizational rot. It’s not the same as the rot that has infected the Maple Leafs, but at least the Leafs have a president who, it seems, intends to fire everyone and start over. so you never know, they might turn things around. The Oilers are in the grip of an ownership and administration who seem totally convinced that they are going to win any day now by continuing to do the same things they’ve been doing all these years that they have been losing and losing and losing. Can Connor McDavid fix it? To be honest, I don’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/76 "2015-04-23T21:02:03Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Looks like Jimmy Howard may be on the move as the Wings apparently are just fine without him in goal. Any specific rumors? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/77 "2015-04-23T21:48:45Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Any specific rumors? No but the sports talk guys I listen to think he’s too good to be a #2 so someone might want him. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/78 "2015-04-23T22:25:16Z")
That’s cool, I was wondering. I like the guy and think he deserves a chance to start somewhere, but his salary is pretty high for anyone to trade for on a maybe he’ll start. But hell, playoffs are long, for all we know he still might end up carrying Detroit to cup before this season plays out. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bruce\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/79 "2015-04-24T00:15:07Z")
I’m so glad Abdelkader came back. He set up that play for the Wings first goal just now and he was instrumental in game 3. ---
**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 24, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511/80 "2015-04-24T00:15:36Z")
If not I know a team in Dallas that needs a goalie. ETA responding to **wolfman**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-2015-playoffs-the-thread/717511.md?page=5)