# NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 9, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685 "2016-04-09T19:17:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/81 "2016-05-12T16:53:18Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > The problem that the NHL needs to actually solve is that their referees are total cowards. I’ve always heard when it comes to NHL officials, that they are more likely to be former lower level (minir league, junior division, college) players than officials in other sports. Which means they are now reffing against people they grew up playing against. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/82 "2016-05-12T17:11:03Z")
Well, that would be that for the Stars this season. I’ll be rooting for the Blues for as long as they stay in it, now. I still like the bracket system, it’s made for some exciting series in each round, and it makes the divisions mean something in the playoffs. I hope it stays. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/83 "2016-05-12T18:27:45Z")
Yes, I too will root for the Blues. They’ve come close in the past and fell short so I hope they make it this time. I don’t care very much about any of the other teams still in it with the exception of the Penguins and out of deference to \*\*Guinastasia \*\*I won’t say how I feel about them. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2016, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/84 "2016-05-13T13:13:14Z")
Going into the finals, my general rule of thumb of who to be for is usually a combination of teams from the same divisions and teams with former players (especially if they left on good terms). That leaves me with the Blues (Brouwer), Sharks (Ward) and the Pens (Fehr). Ward is getting old and doesn’t have a cup so this might be his last shot. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/85 "2016-05-13T13:28:18Z")
I’d be happy with either the Sharks or Blues winning, I guess. Both have dedicated, supportive fanbases but no Stanley Cups. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/86 "2016-05-14T19:53:00Z")
for all you that are coming over welcome to the BLUE side! Lets Go Blues ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/87 "2016-05-14T20:28:55Z")
**ThisSpaceForRent** , your enthusiasm is much appreciated, …but your color scheme is \*just \*a bit off… **Go Sharks!** ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/88 "2016-05-14T21:06:28Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > Going into the finals, my general rule of thumb of who to be for is usually a combination of teams from the same divisions and teams with former players (especially if they left on good terms). > > That leaves me with the Blues (Brouwer), Sharks (Ward) and the Pens (Fehr). Ward is getting old and doesn’t have a cup so this might be his last shot. Likewise, except there is no way I could ever, ever root for the Pens. Go Blues! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/89 "2016-05-21T00:25:48Z")
These last two **SHARKS** wins have been particularly nice to watch. Back-to-back shutouts. My favorite stretch was the **SHARKS** shutting down over five minutes of 6 on 5 play with nary a shot on goal from the Blues. ---
**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:** [May 21, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/90 "2016-05-21T12:44:35Z")
Why couldn’t the Blues have played this poorly against the Stars?? Then we could be being shut out by the Sharks. Oh, wait. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/91 "2016-05-22T04:05:12Z")
What a difference a game makes, huh? Now both conference finals are gonna have to go to six games, at least. I don’t see a clear favorite in ether. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/92 "2016-05-26T03:44:06Z")
Sweet mother of mercy. The Sharks are going to the Stanley Cup finals. ::faints:: ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/93 "2016-05-26T03:52:42Z")
They certainly made it…erm…_interesting_…for a few minutes there, didn’t they? We’ll see ya Monday in TBD! ---
**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:** [May 26, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/94 "2016-05-26T04:51:51Z")
I’m both excited and scared about tomorrow night’s game. Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/95 "2016-05-26T05:44:31Z")
I can’t believe it! The Sharks are going to the finals. I was sneaking looks at my phone in class tonight. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/96 "2016-05-26T06:31:07Z")
Damn, well, I guess I’m rooting for the Sharks, now. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/97 "2016-05-26T06:35:22Z")
Wow, the prospect of a San Jose v Tampa Bay final. That’ll kill in the TV ratings. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/98 "2016-05-26T12:29:42Z")
:smack: Joel Ward with two goals. “Let’s Go former Caps” ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/99 "2016-05-26T15:12:26Z")
Sharks are in the World Series !!! Sharks are in the World Series !!! Sharks are in the World Series !!! ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685/100 "2016-05-26T18:04:15Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Wow, the prospect of a San Jose v Tampa Bay final. > > That’ll kill in the TV ratings. I’ll watch it. I’m a Sharks fan whose been waiting for this for forever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs/751685.md?page=6)