Thrashers

By Rawhide

April 9, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

I fully expected all of the media “experts” to pick the Rangers. There is SOOOoooo much northeast bias it’s not even funny. But that’s OK,…beating the Rangers will be even more fun this way,…

As for my “picks”,….I’ll re-itterate from Dave’s blog:

Not many upsets in the east and the west being wide open.

I have the Thrashers beating NY in 5,…five VERY tight, close games,….but not low scoring. I think 4-3 kinda games. If it goes 6, I would not be shocked.

Ottawa/Pitts,…going 7 and who knows who wins THAT! - I got NJ over TB in 6,…goaltending is a HUGE edge for the Devils there…..and I predict a sweep for Buffalo over the NYIs. I think after yesterday’s game, the Islanders are spent. Plus, Buffalo is that good.

Now, if Montreal or Toronto got in, I think they would have given the Sabers a fight,…if for no other reason, familiarity from being in the same division.

Out west,…man what a crap-shoot. Nothing will surprise me.

Dallas will go as far as Turco allows them,…..but I would take Vancouver.

Put a hat over the Preds and Sharks. I guess I would pull for Nashville simply out of regional pride,… but SJ is, after all, the adopted “sister-team” in this blog.

Oh what I would give to see the Dead-wings be one-and-done for the second year in a row as a 1 seed. But I think they take the Flames in 6.

Ducks over Minnesota in 6,…..but I would NOT put ANY money on ANY of these series out west.

On a side note, it is interesting the number of series in the first round that pit clubs whose record are SO close:

Pitts/Ottawa: Both have 105 pnts. Atlanta, (97) vs. NYR, (94) Ducks, (110) vs. Wild (104) Stars, (107) vs. Vancouver, (105) Sharks, (107) vs. Preds, (110)

Hard to believe 5 of these teams are gonna be one-and-done.

I kissed the wife good-bye ‘til June,…I’m gonna miss her :o)

By Lew39

April 9, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Craig: I truly believe if we show uop and skate for 60 minutes we will have the edge. As a team, we haven’t given ourselves the opportunity to play hard for 60 and see what happens. I believe we have the cannons and goalie to make a difference.

By Russ

April 9, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

First round predictions:

Sabres over Islanders in 4

Devils over Lightning in 7

Rangers over Thrashers in 7 (I hope I’m wrong)

Senators over Penguins in 6

Red Wings over Flames in 4

Ducks over Wild in 5

Canucks over Stars in 7

Sharks over Predators in 6

By Lew39

April 9, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Craig: I truly believe if we show uop and skate for 60 minutes we will have the edge. As a team, we haven’t given ourselves the opportunity to play hard for 60 and see what happens. I believe we have the cannons and goalie to make a difference.

By Donna Hartsfield

April 9, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Please explain to me why the AJC does not give the Thrashers better coverage. They have made the playoffs and won their division, yet the Braves and Hawks always get more print space. When they clinched the division in Carolina don’t you think they deserved a big headline and big picture on the front page of the sports section on last Saturday morning? Instead we get a big article about the Braves losing their 3rd game of the season and a big picture of Bobby Cox taking out his pitcher. The Thrashers have battled all season to make the playoffs and clinch their division. They deserve more respect.

By michael

April 9, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

What worries me most is that we are a +1 for the season, and our pp is horrific. We must play better defensively and if we get a pp we must score!

Went to carolina with friends to see the thrash clinch. We had a great time. We had our faces painted and were yelling moooooose the whole time. Came back the next day and went straight to the arena.

By Bob

April 9, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

And a big Thank you to the BlueShirts for giving us some early bulletin board material. I’m also happy to hear that most of the “experts” are picking the Rangers. Very nice and bodes well for us.

First round predictions:

Sabres over Islanders in 5 (no brainer)

Devils over Lightning in 6 (another no brainer, man I wish we could have drawn the Boltz)

Thrashers over Rangers in 7 (mark it)

Penguins over Senators in 7 (this is going to be a fun one to watch)

Red Wings over Flames in 6 (they grind out one series win)

Ducks over Wild in 7 (Wild could pull this out, they are very well coached and they are dangerous when Gabby is healthy)

Stars over Canucks in 6 (Turco outshines Luongo)

Sharks over Predators in 7 (this is going to be one hell of a series)

Unleash the Fury

By Josh

April 9, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

the Braves have only lost 1 game but I know what you mean

By Thrashers27

April 9, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Hey Craig, any word on Rucchin. It would be interesting to see what he adds to the new mix of players, especially against his former team in the first round.

I have to agree with many others who comment on the AJC’s coverage of the boys from Blueland. You do a great job and seem to know your stuff, but how do the Braves get front page because they play their second home game in cold weather, while the Thrashers win the Southeast Division and are buried.

Let’s bury the Rangers!!!

By five_hole

April 9, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

First, is there a better job than Craig’s? He gets to go to the practice rink & talk to the players & coaches; he looks up odds on the internet, then posts a blog. I used to think the best job in the world was the DJ at the Gold club; now it has to be Craig’s job.

History: we were 3-1-0 vs the Rangers. Having said that, they’ve been extremely hot since the all star break.

Offensively similar (they have Jagr, Shannahan & Nylander, we have Kovy, Hossa & Tkachuk).

In goal, Lundqvist vs Lehtonen is about a wash (slight edge to NY).

Their D may be a little better than our D.

I think the parts that break our way are more depth in offense, depth in goal with the Moose and home ice advantage.

Thrashers in 7.

By Hnidy's Knights

April 9, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

First off, congratulations to the Thrashers, we are SO proud of you in Blueland! Jon Sim getting the game winner was SO FITTING! He is such a team player. It felt so good to trash the Lightning fans who actually showed up in Blueland on Saturday night!

I have the THRASHERS winning in 5 games… that game 5 on Friday is when it all goes down. Kari gets a shutout in one of the two first games in Blueland.

CRAIG, Who do we play after we take out the Rangers? The winner of what other series? I haven’t seen any brackets posted anywhere?

GO THRASHERS!!!

By five_hole

April 9, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

And the Rangers should be careful what they ask for - they just might get it!

By JayBird

April 9, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

What’s the old saying? Be careful what you wish for! There is a sense of entitlement with all New York teams, like they deserve something and everybody else doesn’t. TO HELL WITH NEW YORK! I hate everything about New York and whipping the Rangers arses will be nice. I can’t wait to hear all of the excuses from all the windbags up north. I think it is ridiculous to say the Rangers have a decided advantage in goaltending. I love what Kari had to say about it, he is dead on. I’m sure we will hear from the yankee whiners about their goalie being hurt last year in the playoffs but guess what, he still sucked. Yes, he played great down the stretch but that doesn’t always translate into postseason success. Ask the Braves about that one. I hope somebody levels that little weasel Sean Avery because he is a complete tool…fitting player for a city full of tools!

By Tom

April 9, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Five hole

Of course covering Hockey is better than DJ at the Gold Club, hockey players do not whine incessantly, (marc savard and steve avery excepted)

I do have to say though, I am thrilled to play a seven game series with the Rangers. They are an older, slower team that is not that big. It will be interesting to see how the Ranger forwards deal with Exelby’s hits by the 3rd and 4th game. My bet they will be going after that puck a lot more tentatively.

Looking at our roster we have a very good build for the playoffs. We are fairly big, our stars are creative, and we can put together a solid series. Our back up goalie is much better than the Rangers so that if there is a rough patch, we can switch quickly and stay competitive.

And we do not have the baggage the Rangers do right now. They are still talking about last seasons blow up against the Devils in the first round, and if we beat up Holmquist in the first game or two, they will be going home to a hostile media and fan base for falling apart early.

So do I think the Thrashers will win, most likely. We match up with the Rangers better than almost any other team in the playoffs right now.

By Tony C.

April 9, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

I have to agree with Lew39 - we’ve only seen a complete 60-minute effot once, perhaps twice this year (vs. Buffalo when we stopped their win-streak, 2nd time is open to debate, there was a game against NYR in Jan. or Feb. that comes to mind)!

We have all seen the truly jaw-dropping abilities of our top fowards in the O-fensive zone…we have seen all of them make spectacular defensive plays-a problem area has been for both of those types of plays to occur in the same game. Should our guys follow the K.I.S.S. path to success in playoffs, then this team has a very good chance to make it’s 1st playoff appearance a memorable one indeed.

LET’S G BLUE !!!

By Bob

April 9, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Hnidy’s, the NHL reseeds after each round, that’s why there’s no bracket.

By Rawhide

April 9, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Hnidy’s Knights - There are no “brackets” for the playoffs. In the second round, everyone gets re-seeded again.

In other words, the 4 teams left in each conference would have the highest remaining seed playing the lowest and the two in the middle playing each other.

If my predictions are correct, we beat NYR,…Buffalo and NJ wins,….then Buffalo would draw the winner of the Pitts/Ottawa series and we would get NJ.

But that’s all speculative right now.

By Rawhide

April 9, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

GO TO HELL, RANGERS, GO TO HELL!

(clap-clap)

GO TO HELL, RANGERS, GO TO HELL!

(clap-clap)

GO TO HELL, RANGERS, GO TO HELL!

(clap-clap)

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Actually, before the season started, I put my money on Atlanta and the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup… Atlanta was 28-1 and the Rangers were 15-1 at the time.

Craig, the Vegas odds don’t mean anything… they change those all the time to move money around… balance the book.

By Russ

April 9, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Hnidy’s Knights - They re-seed in the NHL playoffs, so at this point the Thrashers don’t have any idea who they would play in the second round if they get by the Rangers. The highest seed of the four remaining teams will play the lowest seed and the two in the middle will play each other.

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Hnidy’s Knights… there is no bracket, each match-up is determined after each round… Buffalo has the right to play the worst team still standing, and the rest fills itself in accordingly.

If Atlanta wins, their most likely 2nd Round opponent will be the winner of the Sens/Pens game or New Jersey.

By Kalfus

April 9, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

If the Thrashers won the Cup on the same day Chipper Jones strained a hamstring or had an in-grown toenail, you can bet the hammy or toe would still lead on the sports page.

Anyways, BUF in 4. NJ in 7. ATL in 6. OTT in 7. DET in 5. ANA in 5. VAN in 7. NAS in 6.

As far as atlanta goes, GET TO YOUR SEATS EARLY PEOPLE. THIS IS THE PLAYOFFS. No showing up late. No sitting on your hands. Remember what it was like to be in the student section in college? ACT LIKE THAT!

By wh

April 9, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Of Course the Rangers wanted the Thrashers. This is a shock? Have you heard of Martin Brodeur? Did you see what happened when Rangers played Devils 1st round in 2006? Rangers have 2nd best goaltending in the east - Don’t get in a huff just look at the #’s. Also, Rangers are 10-5 all time at Phillips. Who was the lowest seed of the Division winners. You can hate on NY all you want because by the time Jaybird’s boohoo reaches in New York, it sounds like dualing banjos. Oh and thanks for your tremendous “fan” support for the Thrashers - I just got primo seats at Face Value so we can have yet another neutral crowd for this game. NY doesn’t “hate” Atlanta, we save our venom for, you know, real cities.

By Craig Custance

April 9, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

five_hole - You won’t hear me complain too much about my job, although if you like weekends and nights off, it’s not for you.

Thrashers27 - No word on Rooch, although I’m due to talk to him pretty soon here, it’s been awhile. He’s out indefinitely, hasn’t done more than work out since getting hurt, so I don’t imagine him returning any time soon.

By wh

April 9, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Of Course the Rangers wanted the Thrashers. This is a shock? Have you heard of Martin Brodeur? Did you see what happened when Rangers played Devils 1st round in 2006? Rangers have 2nd best goal tending in the east - Don’t get in a huff just look at the #’s. Also, Rangers are 10-5 all time at Phillips. Who was the lowest seed of the Division winners? You can hate on NY all you want because by the time Jaybird’s boohoo reaches New York, it is accompanied by dueling banjos. Oh and thanks for your tremendous “fan” support for the Thrashers - I just got primo seats at Face Value so we can have yet another neutral crowd for this game. NY doesn’t “hate” Atlanta, we save our venom for, you know, real cities.

By JayBird

April 9, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

I was checking out the Blueland Blog on the Thrashers official site and thye have links to some Rangers sites. This is pretty funny. Read what this guy wrote about the guy in his section at MSG. It is under MSG Douchebaggery. Great stuff!

By Hnidy's Knights

April 9, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the answers, guys. You guys seen the blue scarves and stuff they’re gonna give out at game 1? Bernie Mullin had one last night in an interview with Fred Kalil. I can’t wait to see it— it’s gonna be so cool to see 20,000 blue scarves moving in unison. 6th man in full effect.

GO THRASH!

By JayBird

April 9, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Sorry, forgot to put in the link…

(http://rangerland.net/)

By Golden Lion

April 9, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

The Thrashers aren’t winning in 7 there winning in 5! Go Thrashers behind all the way!

By Sara

April 9, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

I like the Thrashers’ odds in this series and especially if the Rangers are going to be stupid enough to underestimate this team. NEVER, EVER, under ANY circumstances assume an opponent is going to be easy to handle. Every team in the playoffs has a fair shot - all kinds of things can happen (and frequently do). The Rangers have the experience as a team, which does count for something. They’ve played well recently, their goalie is solid. I don’t expect it to be easy and I don’t expect them to roll over. I DO expect the Thrash to bring that work ethic they had so much of in the beginning of the season. If this team plays like it CAN, they’ll win this series. If they play stupid and lazy hockey…

By Chris

April 9, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

Someone needs to answer Avery the first time he runs around - and I’m sure that won’t take long. They seem to have really rallied around his presence, whether he makes them truly a better team, I don’t know. But a tone must be set that they are not going to spend the next 2 weeks with Avery, Orr, and Hollweg knocking us all over the place and keeping our guys looking over their shoulders.

By Bob

April 9, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

wh, where you sitting? You’re first one on the ice after our first goal Thursday.

Go Home, Ranjerks, Go Home

What’s this about giving out the scarves Thursday night? I thought they gave those out Opening Night?

By Brian

April 9, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Hnidy’s Knights - everyone already explained the lack of brackets. What that really means is that we CANNOT play Buffalo or Tampa Bay in the 2nd round, we can play NJ, Ott, Pit or the Isles based on what happens.

By JayBird

April 9, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

WH, I can’t believe your boss at White Castle let you off of mop duty to go to the game. Real cities, huh? I guess to be a real city you have to have the perpetual p** smell in the air. If that is the criteria, Atlanta doesn’t qualify. You want to quote numbers? The only numbers that matter at this point are our point total 97 and your point total 94 and 3 wins for us and 1 for you in the season series. Historical numbers don’t mean a thing. You racked up alot of that record against subpar, expansion Thrashers teams.

By caveman22

April 9, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

WH

Remember the opening of White Men Can’t Jump.

“the truth is if I miss this shot I go home a chump…….. but if you miss this shot ,well you been beat not once but TWICE by a slow, white, geeky, CHUMP!!”

3-1 isn’t that the Rangers record against the Thrashers this year?
So we beat you in the regular season and we will beat you AGAIN in the playoffs. Then you can explain how you got beat by a team that plays in a city that can’t explain the Line Shift Change or the what Icing is.

You might want to check DOB’s blog and see how well the NY fans did over there the last week.

THRASHERS IN SIX!!!!!!!!

By wh

April 9, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Ah Jaybird you certainly didn’t disappoint me with your response. I see you have a strong inability to write without low speak, this is normal for low IQ people. What you know about hockey wouldn’t fill a thimble. White Castle? I am laughing at you from my beautiful buckhead home.

By wh

April 9, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

3-1 sounds a bit revisionist history - White Men can’t Jump reference - umm this is a hockey game - Thought this blog was so easy a caveman could do it?

By wh

April 9, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Bob - Thrashers needed bulletin board material to get fired up for the 1st playoff game in franchise history? Wow.

Turco outplaying Luongo gives great insight into your hockey accumen. I know Marty has a stellar Playoff history to back this statement.

By caveman22

April 9, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

WH Buckhead home, come on man, you live off Roswell Rd in the “not so nice area” don’t you. And what is revisionist about 1-1-2 it looks nice that way but 3-1 is what is says. So typical of a NY fan, in the face of the truth all you can come up with is the stupid commercial slogan. Dude I helped right that slogan, hence the name Jerky!!!!!!!!!

By Brendan

April 9, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Craig, thanks for the links! I like the Thrashers to win 2/4 in Philips Arena and 2/3 in MSG, to take the series in seven games. It will be thrilling!

By Brian

April 9, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Brendan - I just got an e-mail from the Thrashers and they are calling for a blueout…

By GaVaHokie

April 9, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

wh… and Luongo has how much playoff experience?

By JayBird

April 9, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I know WH, it’s tough having a low IQ when I am in a master’s program. You got me there. Once again, a yankee thinks he knows everything. You want to talk about playoff history, how about that goalie you are banking your playoff life on? How is 3-1 revisionist history? Isn’t that what happened this year? Saying “youse” guys are 10-5 at Phlips is revisionist history. What was your record at Philips this year? 1-1, right? We were 2-0 in your house, remember that? Amazing, huh, didn’t have to revise anything or bring up numbers from past seasons.

And you live in Buckhead? That makes you a dumba$$ for saying you save your venom for “real” cities. So you don’t live in a real city? Go back to New York then, you jerk!

By Tony H

April 9, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

wh,

I am not really sure why you find it necessary to get on a Thrasher blog and beat your New York drum. Be that as it may, perhaps you should remember and appreciate the fact that Thrasher fans are excited and happy to be in the playoffs for the first time. Why don’t you just back off the caveman and IQ comments and let us all enjoy the playoffs as they should be.

Obviously, from your latest comments, you are a displaced person - living in Buckhead and wishing you were back in New York. Well, if you don’t like the city and what it has to offer, why don’t you just move back to New York and let us “hicks” enjoy our city and our first playoff opportunity.

By Lee

April 9, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

I am so excited about this series. It should be a pretty tight match-up. And you can count on the NY papers talking about how the Rangers will stomp the poor SouthEast Division champs and then complaining and calling for the team to be dismantled when they don’t. That’s the nature of the beast that is the NY media.(See “New York Yankees”)

By Lee

April 9, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

Oh, and I am picking ATl (of course) but in a close series, Buffalo easily, Ottawa and NJD. I know it’s all of the top seeds, but that was just what I picked

By Brendan

April 9, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

Brian, Awesome!! I’m up for that. But I’m wearing my retro.

Russ (12-3 last year), Rawhide, Bob and others who were brave enough to make predictions. I salute you!

Thus far, I can’t say I entirely agree with any one poster. So, here are my picks. Before you read them, ask yourself this quesiton: “Do I want to be rich?” If the answer is “yes,” then do the opposite of what I present here. If David were here, he’d remind you that I went 8-7 last year. And haven’t gone 12-3 since 2002. Well, here goes ….

Why not start with Blueland? This series is going to be close. Razor thin, down to the wire. I see the Thrashers prevailing in seven games. Your “faith” will be tested, Bluelanders. Remember, it’s not over if the Icebirds find themselves down 3-1, or 3-2. There’s just no margin for error, is all.

Okay, Tampa Bay vs. NJ. Burnside is taking the Bolts! Hmmn, fallout from his Lamoriello article? I don’t with that at all. I think New Jersey is a solid pick to win the whole Eastern Conference and the likes of the sorry a$$ Lightning will be no match for Brodeur, Elias, Gionta, Gomez, Parise, Rafalski, etc., etc., etc. Did I mention that Lou is behind the bench? Yeah, not gonna happen for the Lightning. Devils in six. And I’m being generous.

Burnside has the Senators over the Penguins. I could see that. I really could. But Ray Emery has got to sell me first. I think the Penguins are on a roll. They’re younger, faster, hungrier. Goaltending is just good enough. The thing that bothers me is that … when the Sens are underdogs, they win. When they’re favorites, they choke. With that in mind, Penguins in six.

Buffalo vs. the NY Islanders. Everyone’s so sure the Isles are 1st round fodder. They’re on “super” momentum. They beat all odds, with a 3rd string goalie! I think they’ll stun some people by taking Game One and will win another somewhere in there. But the Sabres prevail in six.

By wh

April 9, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

1-1-2 is not the same as 3-1. Here is some rudimentary math for you 3x2 = 6 1(2)+ 2(1) = 4 - Try not to let the parenthesis confuse you.

Commercial slogan? Ohhh your ignorance displayed further by your inability to do math.

“C’mon man” (I assume they taught you that phrase in the nation’s 50th ranked education senior English class) “If I live in box so must everyone else”. You see Thimble, Another advantage of coming from NY is the superior housing equity we bring with us. Yet another reason for you to hate us.

GaVa - Luongo has excelled in any international tourney he has gotten his chance in. You are correct about NHL Post-Season but if you polled any Front Office/Coach - or for what it’s worth fan - I am pretty certain you would get an overwhelming edge with RL. Rather the talented (with 47 wins)unknown than 2-8 known Playoff disaster.

By storstark

April 9, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

WH,

Typical yankee thug, small-dk response. “Loudest mouth, smallest prk.” Why are you people so insecure?

Like all the obnoxious yankees that attended Emory with me, you do nothing but b* about this city but never seem to leave. Maybe it’s because for the price of your fetid hovel in Queens, you got a nice spread intown. Maybe its because instead of dealing with cantankerous thugs every day people are decent and polite here, maybe it’s the weather. I don’t care. I, for one, welcome you. It’s been fun watching you cry every year when the Braves sent your team packing and it’ll be fun to do it now with a new sport. This is 1991 all over again, but with skates.

I do understand your insecurity about this series. We have more depth on offense and a better backup. I’ll give advantage to King Henke on the numbers and on the experience in the Olympics (though it didn’t seem to help last year), that’s about it. Jagr is a has-been and Hollweg is a thug. Enjoy your six games in the spotlight before a complete return to mediocrity.

By wh

April 9, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

youse guys? no sure where that came from. Again get the math right it is clear your “advanced degree” isn’t in mathematics

Masters degree? Wow. How Unique and unusual.

Tony H - You make a solid well argued point - Had it been TB I would be rooting for Thrashers - BUT - 1) Read the string of comments before my entrance. This is what leads to my need to fire back. 2) The guy named himself caveman not me.

By michael

April 9, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Bring Kari’s parents back over!

By storstark

April 9, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Luongo has excelled in international hockey, has sucked in the playoffs. King Henrik has excelled in international tourneys, has sucked in the playoffs. I can see why you so desperately need the “can handle international competition, therefore will be good in the playoffs” logical fallacy to pan out…

By caveman22

April 9, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

uhhhhhhhh dude

I mean MR. What the Hell………. 1+1+2=4 3+1=4

YOU = dumba$$

I’ve heard 5 yr olds with chocolate on their face give better explanations about what happen to the cookies than that load of crap you just dropped.

Your “proud” of your Buckhead home yet it is not located in a real city. Perhaps it is not real as well. And don’t be lookin for any pleasant request from me like what you got from Tony H. My family is originally from up north about 3 generations ago but we still got a little “attitude”. And I would just tell you stick the crap up your butt and stink about for a minute. I would like to hear your math on how the Thrashers have no Cup experience and see you add up all the titles and playoff games the veterans have played.

“you see 2+2=5 but if you take 3x2=1 so therefore you have no experience.”

your in idiot.

By wh

April 9, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

I don’t recall providing my Baseball allegiance, or if I even care about a boring tedious game played by out of shape pseudo athletes. Thugs? Yes everyone from NY is a Thug Mr/Mrs. Rocker. BUT - Don’t you have the BB thing a bit screwed up - Wohlers anyone? 0-2 in World Series vs. Yankees? Just want to make sure we work with facts. Isn’t it strange that I am the one receiving the crudest remarks (And it has been my experience that those who bring genitalia into play are the “all show” on this front)- to which I have not replied in kind - yet the insult providers show such moral outrage?

By wh

April 9, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

You are right about Luongo in the Playoffs - He didn’t play well for Lowell in the AHL years ago. He has never beenin an NHL playoff game you buffoon. You know nothing and are beneath my contempt. One last Thing before I go

LETS GO RANGERS

By Tom

April 9, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Sakic and Anton Volchenkov both re-signed with their clubs. Wouldn’t it be a great thing if we woke up in the morning and saw Kozlov was re-signed with the Thrashers for a couple of more seasons.

Just a thought…

By caveman22

April 9, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry WH

If I have in anyway offended you with biting satirical comments or my savage wit with which I have torn your small and feeble sense of self into the tattered pieces of humanity that I now see before me than just let me say:

OH HELL YEAH, YANKEEDOODED#CK !!

Let me rephrase that in a kinder form:

Ya’ll can kiss my grits !!!!

Thrasher in SIX, but maybe FIVE if we use your math.

By Brendan

April 9, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

Okay, on to the West. This is one CRAZY CONFERENCE. Anything can happen, as virtually all the teams in it can win it. As in, the whole thing. That’s great news for the Eastern Champion, who will only have to beat one of these fabulous teams. I hope it’s Atlanta!

Here we go. Yes, folks. Calgary over Detroit in six. It’s only an upset if you believe what happened in the regular season matters. It doesn’t. Other than seeding. It’s about goaltending, timely goal scoring, and being healthy. The Red Wings are “famous” for the 1st round exists, after stellar regular seasons. In 1996, they won 62 games and didn’t reach the Finals. In 2004, they were 3rd seed and got eliminated by Calgary. No fluke, either. Last year, the Red Wings were ousted by the 8th seeded Oilers. In ‘99, ‘00, and ‘01 the Red Wings found themselves out of it. Flames win, and wreck the 2nd round matchups that Detroit fans are all presently pondering. Still a great season for Detroit. That’s little comfort to them, though.

Next, San Jose over Nashville. I know, I know. I said the Predators would make the CF when they got Forsberg. But that was before I knew they’d matchup with the team I picked to be their opponent in the CF! And that’s San Jose. Thornton, Marleau, Cheechoo, Goc, McLaren, Toskala and Nabokov. San Jose is equipped to win the Cup. Tough break for Nashville. Truly. They are a 1st rate organization that made bold moves and had a great regular season. It’s a shame someone has to lose. Both clubs are terrific!

Anaheim vs. Minnesota. Ahh, the cinderellas of ‘03 Conference Finals rematch! This time, however, the Wild win. Remember when the Ducks were 25-2-3 at Christmas time? Pretty scary, huh? Sure to win it all, right? Since then, they went 23-29 straight up. Wanna hear more? Both SJ and Dallas won more games than the Ducks. That’s right, folks. Straight up, the Ducks would be 3rd in their division, instead of first!! (Stupid OT points!)

(Nervously, yeah. That’s also make TB Southeast Division Champions instead of Atlanta. But shhh! The Bolts won 44, compared to the Thrashers 43.)

The Wild win it, in six or seven games. Nicklas Backstrom will have to be the man! The Wild’s 191 GA was tops in the league! Folks, you can’t fake that stat. It is what it is. And come playoff time, the stingy teams tend to win. DEFENSE FIRST!!

Finally, Vancouver vs. Dallas. I’m at a total loss here. I think Dallas is overrated and Turco has a lot to prove. But Vancouver tends to blow it, and this is Luongo’s 1st playoffs. But, I feel more confidently in Luongo than I do in Turco. And Game Seven, if necessary, would be played in Vancouver. So, 51-49, I’ll go with the Canuckleheads.

I respect Scott Burnside, maybe more than any other writer. I’m cringing at the fact that I’ve disagreed with him on no less than five occasions in these picks. I just don’t see TB, Ottawa, Anaheim or Detroit advancing. Dallas over Vancouver, I could see that one.

By wh

April 9, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

I can’t resist - Caveman your response is perfect. Get a tutor - Or learn how to read and do simple math yourself. You are aptly self titled.

I should be easy to find at the game - I’ll be the one Yelling LETS GO RANGERS! Shouldn’t be too hard to find - with the 8,000 other Ranger Fans taking over Phillips.

By Bob

April 9, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

C’mon wh, back it up. Where you sitting? You’re first on the ice after we score.

Turco will outplay Luongo. Mark it.

By caveman22

April 9, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

WH

I’ll just look for an a*******clown who can’t count his money correctly at the beer stand.

Or the guy gettin his butt kicked by somebody girlfriend.

These GA peaches are tough, baby

By Brian

April 9, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

I love a guy that berates this city yet bought a home in it and lives there. Did someone say logic?

I am quick to brag about my northern roots but I am quicker to tell people that I moved for a reason.

If you love math here’s a formula: Confederate flag > Hillary

GO THRASHERS!!!

By JayBird

April 9, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

WH, you moron, the Thrashers were 3-1 against the Rangers for 6 points, right? The Rangers were 1-1-2 vs. the Thrashers for 4 points. 6 is greater than 4, correct? There isn’t a column in the standing for OT or Shootout wins, so that goes into the win column. Since were won 3 games against you, that is 3 in the first column. We lost once to you, so that is 1 in the loss column. We didn’t lose to you in OT, so that is a 0 in the OTL column. 3-1, make sense? You won 1 game against us, so that’s a 1 in the win column. You lost 1 in regulation so that is a 1 in the loss column. You lost twice in OT, so that is a 2 in the OTL column for a 1-1-2 record against the Thrashers. Is that too much math for you.

Any no, I’m not a math major,I’m a history major. History…what the Rangers will be in about a weeks time!

By LAC

April 9, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

Atlanta in 5… NYR will not be ready. Just like ajc is with Thrashers NHL coverage.

I posted 5 comments about poor coverage and NONE were allowed, How bout it Craig you people THAT touchy ?

By David

April 9, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Brendan went 8-7 last year…there ya go brendan..LETS go Thrash! Im skipping bible study to watch the game…i hope the lord forgives me!

By BB

April 9, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

I find it truly amazing that all of the NY papers seem to think that the Rags have the underhand in goaltending. When Kari maintains his focus, he’s as good as anybody in the league… IMO.

By Rod Johnson

April 9, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Hey, wh - blowme, clown - your team is going to be sucking moose - go blog on your own team’s page

By Rawhide

April 9, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I for one have no problem with the WH’s of the world. He’s a true fan of his team,…a team from the city he is from, (I can only assume he hails from Gotham). After all, he, (like so many other coutless people), have made the intelligent life decision to relocate to the Metro Atlanta area, (or other prosperous southern city), to make his living.

Now, one could be crass and point out that the “real” cities he refers to, (the Philadelphia’s, the Pittsburgh’s, the Buffalo’s, the Detroit’s, etc), will soon no longer house the population or the economic means to keep multiple sports franchises, (if one is to believe census data),…but why point out the obvious? That is, after all, why he is here,…and not there.

He, if we take him at his word, lives in a very nice home in a lovely part of town, (salute). Of course that same home would cost him 5 times more then it’s woth in New York or New Jersey because land is so scarce due to the industrial pollution of businesses that have since shut their doors and union labor jacking up all the costs. But, I digress.

To be honest,….I look forward to hearing grown men who speak as though they have marbles in their mouths chanting “Let’s go Rangers” as they stager about in a drunken stuper. I mean, at least they aren’t Flyers fans. And as long as they can remain just this side of that level,..then they can stay just above the sub-human, mindless, shred-of-human-debris level that Philly fans seem to sink beneath daily.

Besides, do you remember just how fast those Saber types vacated the building after TK’s OT goal? They got real quite, they didn’t look anyone in the eye and they just skanked out of there. It’ll be just as much fun watching our good friends from Metropolis doing much the same.

So, Thrashers in FIVE. Five very close games,…and much like the regular season,in which TWO of the THREE Atlanta wins in four games came in OT, we will have to gut out a couple extra period matches on our way to the series victory.

So, enjoy your Rangers, WH, as you should. At least later in the month you’ll be able to BOO the Devils in Philips as the Thrashers take on NJ in the second round.

Yet another bonus to making the smart choice to move to the prosperous, growing, thriving city of Atlanta, GA.

By kracker

April 9, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Come on guys…stop being this guy’s chumps, it’s what he wants. Let the black-hearted misfit spew his drivel, just skip over the wh posts.

Do not respond to him, that is what small, insignificient people thrive on on the internet. He will be gone from here soon enough.

By Sutton is a fluffer

April 9, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, get up off your knees before you hurt yourself. You actually take up for a scumbag like WH? He had nothing complimentary to say about our team or our city, so F—k him! Don’t take up for someone like him, someone who comes on our message board and bashes our team. It will be bad enough hearing yankee f—ks like him in Philips this week, so don’t encourage that piece of sh-t.

By Brendan

April 9, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

David, if I had the power to grant absolution, you’d get it. (You’d get it GOOOOOD!) You forgot to mention that I was 6-7, before I rallied to rise above the “Mendoza line.” Hard to believe that the Carolina Hurricanes bailed me out. I feel bad for Buffalo. They shoulda won last year. On the other hand, how bad can I feel for a team that’s got the #1 seed and won the President’s Trophy? Didn’t they set a franchise record for 53 wins and 113-points? Not bad for a team that was hunted all year. It’s one thing to fly under the radar like Carolina did. Even at the end, with the #2 seed, people doubted the ‘Canes, waiting for an utter collapse in the playoffs … that never came. Buffalo and Anaheim, both Conference Finalists who lost last year, are the two that returned to the playoffs. Both won their respective divisions, while the ‘Canes and Oilers failed to qualify for playoffs.

In case anyone failed to learn the lesson, it’s WIN NOW. If your team reaches the Finals, who knows if they’ll even be in the playoffs next year, so ya better win while ya got the chance. In an era of salary cap, chances are … Stanley Cup Finalists can’t re-sign their free agents.

By Brendan

April 9, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

It just dawned on me that Ryan Smythe is back in the playoffs. Well, I guess that gives fans up in Edmonton something to cheer about!

By Brendan

April 9, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Bob, Marty Turco should be plenty motivated this year. They’re expecting big things from him. I don’t know what to expect from the Vancouver Canucks. Former Thrashers Captain Ray Ferraro always says that Canucks fans (like Cubs fans,) just sit back and EXPECT their team to choke. Kinda like Rangers fans prior to 1994.

After the blueshirts won the Cup, Adam Graves said, in the post-game interview, “I can’t wait to go to AWAY rinks and hear them chant, ‘1994!’”

Hmmmn. ARE YOU THINKIN’ WHAT I’m THINKIN’? Y’all are asking for something “new” to try at Blueland for playoffs? May I suggest that we give Adam Graves his very wish?

Chant it with me, “19-94!! 19-94!!” Repeat.

I think that would be a riot! Now, admittedly, it doesn’t carry NEARLY the weight of the ol’ razz, “19-40!” But we don’t exactly have the luxury of 54-years of playoff futility on our side anymore. If it does nothing else, it’d make the New York Sports media laugh and wax nostalgic. “I remember when they used to chant 1940. They CAN’T do that anymore!” … Unless?? No. No, I can’t suggest ressurecting the 1940 chant. Then, again?! It would be funny! But, then the Rangers fans would chant, “0-for-every-thing!” ad nauseum. Or 1999! One of the two.

But it’d make for good rivalry!

By thrashersfan

April 9, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Thank you Kracker! Guys, it’s really no fun reading all of your NY/ATL B.S. All it does is make this Blog annoying and insignificant.

Everyone else, lets always ignore the crap postings from guys like P&S & now wh (and stop asking where P&S is, you want him back!?). What good does it do to say, “we’re gonna kick your as@? It really doesn’t lend anything intelligent to the conversation. Why don’t you offer up each other’s email address and keep it to yourselves.

Now, you guys want to debate records, players, coaching and strategy here, by all means, have at it.

Brendan, you are correct, again. Teams, preferably our Thrashers, need to win it now. In the Cap era, business is business, and loyalty from both sides is a thing of the past. It’s shame really, but it is what it is.

By kracker

April 9, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

thrashersfan, you’re so right. The cap era in sports of all sorts means the dynasty days are largely over. A well run club can be competitive for years on end but the great years will be few and far between. Read: Atlanta Braves, the epitome of the successful failure except for a couple of years during the 14 straight div titles. This year may be different for the Braves.

So Thrashers, have a good run this year and build on it next year. That’s assuming they don’t go all they way. They have a chance this year, yes they do if they can sustain their play since the trading deadline.

By Blues Fan

April 9, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Allright, playoff time! I’m not thinkin’ the Thrashers are going to win the whole thing, but you guys are really going to like watching playoff hockey. (Of course, we watched for 21 straight years… it didn’t get us anywhere, but it was fun.)

I think Tkachuk has been a good pickup for Atlanta, (did I tell ya he’d get in front of the net and do the dirty work?), and I don’t think that’s going to change for the playoffs. There’s no Blues to watch, (again), so I’m watching the Thrashers this year.

Look out for Lundqvist, he’s hot. But if Lehtonen sets a tone early, you might just see the Thrashers having to wait for someone to play in the second round.

Good luck and enjoy!

By kracker

April 10, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Yo Blues Fan, playoff hockey yeah! We’re pumped, root for us, the NE sports writers say we got no chance. HA! They may be wrong.

By LAC

April 10, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Everyone should look at the LOAFS, I mean Leafs website on NHL.com.

The “Great” mats sundin, who is OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN, I repeat… AGAIN !!!!!!

His comments were so stupid & weak it was CRAZY…He is without question the BIGGEST WHINER LOSER in the NHL.

Take it like a MAN mats, your team is average at the VERY BEST, blames losses to ATLANTA as one reason on one outlet… No mats you guys got WHIPPED by the BETTER TEAM, A CHAMPIONSHIP Team,something leaf fans can only dream about, so cry like a baby and GO HOME mats. or better yet, Watch Atlanta WIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By R. Stroz

April 10, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

wh blows pucks n snot!

By Golt73

April 10, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this

As a true blue Islanders fan and L.I. transplant, NOTHING (other than an Isles upset of the Sabres) would satisfy me more than my second favorite team crushing the Rangers.

PLEASE, PLEASE play the chicken dance so we can all sing along…

Dunna nanna nanna nah Dunna nanna nanna nah Dunna nanna nanna nah.. THE RANGERS SUCK!!!

Isles fans would be happy to let you borrow it…

By Tickets

April 10, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

I just checked Ticketmaster and tickets are still available Thursday night in the $275, 140, 90, 75, 60, 50, & 42 dollar seats. The only ones currently sold out are $150, 30, & 15.

The reason the AJC and sportsradio do not cover the Thrashers more is because hockey is just slightly more popular than the WNBA in Atlanta. The media outlets will cater to whatever drives ratings or sells papers. Maybe a few playoff wins will change this perception.

By Bob

April 10, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Brendan, 1994? Too recent, no?

I do like the Chicken dance thing that Golt mentions, make it happen. They could splice some clips of Hanlon in there.

Best of all is to just root the heck out of our team, and razz the crap out of any New York losers sitting around you. Make it ugly for them to be in our arena (granted, we could just bring mirrors for Ranjerk fans and their wives to look at themselves, same effect of making the Philips Experience an fugly one for them).

This is our house

I’m thinking about leaving for the game in about 30 minutes, I just saw the Braves have a 7:30 start on Thursday.

This is our time

Anyone know what the longest OT game was last year? I’m thinking we didn’t see as many double/triple OT games due to the new open rules we first saw last year, I wonder what our longest OT game will be in the playoffs?

Will you quit? NO!

Anyone going to the thing 680 TheFan is doing at Jillians this evening?

Unleash the Fury

By chaka

April 10, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

Thrashers fans, brace yourselves for 8-10 thousand Ranger fans in the building. Won’t be much of a home ice advantage.

By five_hole

April 10, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Thank you GoIt73. Can someone start this chant at game 1?

Dunna nanna nanna nah Dunna nanna nanna nah Dunna nanna nanna nah.. THE RANGERS SUCK!!!

I’m out of town and won’t be able to go, but I will be there for game 2.

And Craig, if you’re still reading, please PLEASE ask the announcer to stop saying “We’re on the … POWER PLAY”. It’s really embarrassing and we’re going to take a lot of heat from other teams fans about it.

By GaVaHokie

April 10, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

I will say one thing… if the Ranger fans take over our building on the first ever Thrashers playoff game… shame on all of you! I will put the Thrashers fans right in line with the fairweather Braves fans. I can’t believe tickets were still available this week… I PROMISE YOU, those tickets will be in the hands of NYers.

By Brian

April 10, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Brendan - technically, the Sabres just tied the points record from the French Connection days of 1974-75. Considering they only played 80 games, I give that year the tiebreaker. 1994 is too recent to taunt someone.

By Red Light

April 10, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

NHL Series Prices based upon $100 wagers. You bet $168 to win $100 on Ottawa and you bet $100 on Pittsburgh to win $158, etc. Thus, the Thrashers are a slight favorite by this sportsbook (Pinnacle Sports).

Ottawa -168 Pittsburgh +158

Atlanta -107 NY Rangers -103

New Jersey -196 Tampa Bay +176

Buffalo -520 NY Islanders +470

San Jose -103 Nashville -107

Vancouver -114 Dallas +104

Anaheim -167 Minnesota +157

Detroit -227 Calgary +207

By caveman22

April 10, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

rawhide Don’t you just love it when you write something truly inspired and appropriately worded so that you can take a GIANT backhand smack at someone, and there is a person who thinks you were defending him??

Especially from a guy who states his occupation as a porn film “warm up” guy.

You’re more of a veteran than me here so I’m sure you’ve seen monkeyboy’s like these come and go. That why I don’t engage in debate, I just go for the yak-mouthin.

See- you have information and stats and a true knowledge of the game, whereas I fill that little niche market, you know — mindless drivel and sophomoric insults and put-downs.

It’s what I do. So anyway ——

WHO’S NEXT ???

By CM

April 10, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

I was just reading some stuff on Wikipedia and I found it interesting that Mats Sundin sustained the same injury that our very own Jon Sim suffered only Mats didn’t return for an entire month and missed 12 games, as opposed to Sims brief, 2 week absence.

How’s that for “soft”, Mats?

Let’s Go Thrashers!

UNLEASH THE FURY ON THE RANGERS!

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Glad you caught that CAVEMAN - My shoulder is a tad sore from all the back-handed smacks.

Now,….some numbers that stick out to me, ragarding the upcoming series:

The Thrashers finished the season 6-3-1 over the last ten….they are 12-5-1 since the Zhitnik/Tkachuk deals.

The Rangers finished 7-2-1 over the last 10 games of the season and 17-6-6 since aquiring Avery.

We have two teams that STEAMED into the post-season and on a collision course toward each other. I expect the series to be played in that mannor. Should be fun.

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

To the guy who called into NHL Live this morning, thank you! Thanks for trying to get the Thrash some positive media coverage-you alone could rock Blueland.

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Was that you, Ryan? Some NY jerk just got on and made some infantile remark about if their was any indoor plumbing down here….

Typical mindless stuff from some shred-of-human-debris New Yorker.

They all seem to be in need to over compensate for some,….sort comings…of theirs, don’t you think?

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Rangers had a poor showing last time around, they will come out playing a fast and physical game. We need to match that, a physical style game is not what the Thrash are known for but it needs to make an appearance. If the Thrash can knock NY off their game then it will be a very interesting series. Go Blue!

Congrats to the Sabres for winning the President’s Trophy-it’s not been the greatest thing to win- but congrats anyway.

By michael

April 10, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Bob——- What is going on at Jillians? whaere is the info?

By Chris

April 10, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Let the NYR fans have some fun. I am sure they will represent at Philips.

If there are 8,000 of them so be it - I have said this before and will again; we should make no apologies for being a so-called “bad” sports town. We are a city of transplants and poor fan support for the locals is one of the outputs of that.

On the plus side we get to go to playoff hockey games in 70 and 80 degree weather no? If I have to have a couple beer and meatball stained, wearing a medium but need an XXL, GRAVES jersey wearing NYR fans behind me, its still a trade off I’ll take any day. It’s good for the atmosphere.

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Rawhide, no it was not me. I’m from Buffalo, NY (city of good neighbors), I’m no jerk.

By Brendan

April 10, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Well, guys, I agree that it’s too soon to taunt them with a 1994 chant. But I still think it’d be funny! I bet people would chuckle. A brief moment of levity couldn’t anyone, could it?

I bet they’ll be playing the “chicken dance” song. And you’ll hear “The Rangers suck” at the end. When the series shifts back to MSG, they’ll probably do the same, only insert the word, “Thrashers.” It’ll get old fast, though.

Tickets, I thought all the $42 seats were soldout for Thursday?

By Brendan

April 10, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Ryan and Brian, do you know if any of the old French Connection line still live in Buffalo or attend their games? Iffff the Sabres do reach the Finals and, especially, if they win it, I think it would be nice to let those guys into the lockerroom or in some way include them in the celebration festivities. Cart before the horse, of course. But still. It’d be a nice gesture if it happened. Jim Lorentz and Mike Robitaille, members of the Sabres TV media, are former Sabres from that era. I believe. But don’t quote me. I don’t know exactly when Robitaille was a Sabre. But I think it was around that era of 1975, when Buffalo first went to the Finals. Looking back, that must have been remarkable progress for an “expansion” team of 1969-70. The Flyers came into the league in ‘67 and won it all by 1974. I guess Philly was the first expansion team to win a Cup.

By Bob

April 10, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

michael, 680 is doing their show up there and then some sort of party from 7 to 9pm, if I remember correctly. I think Waddell will be there, they said players will be calling in. Mabye if you visit their web site you’ll see? I just heard it yesterday on the way home.

Rawhide, most of us knew that was sarcasm, and well played sir.

The guys on NHL Live are so pro NY, it’s digusting. I cannot wait for these marble mouthed goomba’s to eat their phocking words. Any Ranjerk fan near me is going to get it all game long. Back in the day, you did not dare wear an opposing sweater into the other club’s barn, especially come playoff time. We need Blueland to be an uncomfortable place to be a Ranger and a fan thereof.

We must get something going at the games and if it’s stealing the Isle’s Chicken Dance taunt, then so be it. Spread the word The Rangers Suck!

I think we’ll see Exelby early and often on Thursday, layin the lumber. Keep your heads up, BlueShirts. Or not.

Hartley has quite the reputation, most of which is unfounded, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him earn some of that rep. Anyone else see him sending Boulton in on their goalie? I think you do it early and often, not to injure, but get him off his game.

Is it game time yet?

Unleash the Fury

By Sutton is a fluffer

April 10, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Caveman, you jacka$$, it says Sutton is a fluffer, not me. Sutton, as in Andy Sutton. You know, your “friend” from midtown. You want to talk about names? You claim you use caveman because you supposedly came up with the idea for the commercial? Oh you helped “right” it. Yeah, I can tell you were the marketing genius who came up with that lame a$$ commercial. Maybe you should give up your high dollar advertising career and join your boy Andy in the fluffing business.

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

RYAN - I was asking if you were the initail caller, not the jerk. Western NY,…actually a nice place,..been through it on the way to Nigara Falls and Toronto.

BOB - Glad you got it, too. I tend to agree with your point about making like hard on any blueshirts in the building,……but, it seems like Atlanta fans have just come to accept the fact that fans of the visiting teams will allways be attending our playoff games and such. It has always been a constant with the Braves.

The vast majority of them are people who live here but still hold loyalty to the sports teams they grew up with,..and that’s understandable.

It will take a generation or so to totally rid the place on their type.

The chicken dance, “The Rangers Suck” is good.

I also would love to hear:

Go to Hell Rangers - GO TO HELL (clap-clap)

Go to Hell Rangers - GO TO HELL (clap-clap)

That’s my choice.

Also, just ask any NYR fans close to you if they hate the Devils like most Ranger fans do.

When they say “Yeah, I hates dos knuck-head Bah-starhds”…..then just tell ‘em that they will be able to root against them here at Philips in the second round.

See if they are bright enough to “get it”…

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Brendan, not sure about the French connection guys, I do agree it would be a nice tribute-and get things going. Did you know that the Atlanta Flames first home game was against another expansion team the Buffalo Sabres? Cool bit of trivia.

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, I was not the caller his name was Ron, I think-you’re right Buffalo is not a nice place just nice people.

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Brendan, I think when the Flyers won it all in 74 they had to go through Buffalo first in the conference finals, I believe, but may be wrong, that was the series that featured the “Fog Game”.

By Brian

April 10, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Brendan - Robitaille played for the early Sabres, but also played 1 year for the Buffalo Bisons and his teammate was Walt Tkaczuk (Roby would be emphatic that it was pronounced KAY-chuk when KT would come up in the news or we played against him). Lorentz is better known for winning a Cup with Boston, but was a Sabre. The real fan fave was Danny Gare who does the sideline reporting. Now they added Rob Ray but I am in Atlanta and don’t watch them as much. Pat LaFontaine is the biggest fan favorite of all.

The old French Connection only have minor mentioning here and there, not involved in the ‘99 Finals from what I know.

From what I hear, their biggest lockerroom guest now is Thurman Thomas who is a huge Sabres fan. People have joked that he will bring the Stanley Cup when he gets inducted in Canton next summer.

As for big alumni, there is one neighborhood in Buffalo that has Scotty Bowman, John Muckler and Darryl Sittler (really a Leafs guy) all living on the same street…

By Ryan

April 10, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Rawhide, I met to say you’re right about western New York, it is somewhat a nice place, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the winters anymore.

By Brian

April 10, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Ryan & Brendan - the 74-75 Sabres played the Flyers in the Cup Finals that year. It did feature “the fog game”. Speaking of Lorentz, he is best known for that game because there was a bat flying around during that game, Lorenzo swung his stick in the air and killed it. The Sabres were the quickest expansion team to go to the Cup Finals only to be broken by the Fla Panthers.

Rawhide - depending on which bridge you went over to get to Canada, you drove right by my old house…

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

BRIAN We went over the Freedom Bridge(?)….

All I know is when we got their it was about midnight,…we had been staying in New Hampshire. It was my boys’ first trip out of the country and they were GEEKED! When they saw the falls all lit up, it was awesome!

We had stopped outside of Buffalo to eat and found the people their just warm and engaging. We had also stopped in Saratoga Springs, NY…..what a beatiful little place,..of course it was late May.

Anyway,….we just found it amazing how upstate and western NY was like a totally different place then the city and surrounding areas.

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

DUH - I meant the RAINBOW Bridge….

By Fog Game

April 10, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Bruins/Oilers Boston Garden is the more well known

By Rusted Wallace

April 10, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

The match up is compelling but I think when you line up the strengths and weaknesses of both units the edge goes to the Rangers. They may have a goalie who melted last year but this year he did not play in the Olympics and his numbers are just frightening to me. Lundqvist was better than Broduer since the break. I can’t see our goal-tending match that. The Rangers defense is smothering and rank in the tops in almost every statistical category including blocked shots. They remind you somewhat of a mini-Buffalo with their balanced scoring. They have many 20 goal scorers spread in the lineup and they can roll four lines against you without fear of being overmatched except perhaps our top line. But the difference maker in this series will be special teams where the Rangers just straight own us. We will give them a run but our defense and goal tending just do not match yet. If we are to win this series, we need to suddenly find a smothering defense to gobble up Jagr, stay out of the box, and find supplemental scoring from the other lines. The other issue is going to be our house vs. theirs. MSG is historically deafening and extremely intimidating to play in. Will we be able to even remotely match that? The Ranger fans seem like the most vocal in the NHL at times. I have never heard Phillips even come close to matching. Now is the time.

By Matt H

April 10, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Brendan re: your disagreement with Burnside. Remember, he’s the guy who said “Ain’t gonna happen” when it came to Thrashers playoff hopes in a pre-season writeup for ESPN, so anyone can be wrong.

I hope that I’m wrong, because my gut says New York in six. If the Thrash can show up for the whole game, every game, it should be Atlanta in six. I just don’t think that will happen. We shall see…

By Thrash1940

April 10, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Here is a link to a “neutral” writer’s picks - hope he is right. http://www.startribune.com/1330/story/1109475.html

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Thrash1940 - Holy Zhitnik, Batman! That’s an outcome I would love to see!

By Matt H

April 10, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

WOW.

I hope he’s right, too… :)

By Brian

April 10, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Thrash1940 - nice link.

Rawhide - I actually thought you meant the Peace Bridge, which crosses from Buffalo to Ft. Erie. It’s the only 1 that crosses the Upper River. 3 cross the Lower River, the Rainbow Bridge being the 1st which is right at Niagara Falls.

By the way, there is a HUGE difference between NYC and “upstate”. Worlds apart.

By Rawhide

April 10, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

However,…looking that far in advance,….I don’t know,…I think I just wanna concentrate on the task at hand.

I’m sure that’s the way BH is appreaching it.

So,…

**GO THRASHERS - TAKE IT TO THOSE PINK-PONY-RIDING, SISSY-BOY, RUMP-RANGERS!!

By Brendan

April 10, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Viva Russo! I hope he’s right. Ya know, this is the 3rd time I’ve seen, in print, someone going with the Lightning over the Devils. Man, I just don’t see it. Not if even the stars aligned just right. If there were one series whose outcome I feel the most confident, it would be New Jersey over Tampa Bay. And yet, cbs.sportsline.com has many if not most suggesting the Lightning are the most likely team to pull a 1st round upset.

If it happens, this would have to be GREAT NEWS for Sabres fans, assuming they get past the Islanders. I can’t imagine an easier route to the Cup than the Isles, then Bolts. The key here is … avoiding the Penguins or Senators. Though, I see Buffalo in five over Ottawa. Pittsburgh, rubbin’ my chin, I don’t know. I just don’t know. Maybe the Penguins. Pittsburgh’s a scary team. Who wanted to face them?? Right, no one.

Who really wants to face Buffalo, either? And they just got Tim Connolly back. And have recalled their budding star, Drew Stafford. Remember, Buffalo’s been hurt a good bit of the year. They just kept winning, despite the injuries. If the Sabres ever get all their pieces back, holy schnike, Batman! I don’t see anyone stopping them but maybe San Jose or Nashville. I guess Anaheim, if they made it, would be a good Finals. From the Thrashers’ point of view, “Go Islanders!!!!”

By Brendan

April 10, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Ryan, I have an NHL video that shows Rene Robert scoring a goal in the fog vs., I think, Philadelphia. I wanna say it was Bernie Parent in net. Amazing that they could even play in that. I mean, couldn’t a long shot from center ice score?? How’s the goalie supposed to see it?

There’s only one goalie famous for letting in long shots from center ice: Chris Osgood, of the Detroit Red Wings. If the Red Wings are going to do something this year, they’re counting on an aging tandem of Hasek and Osgood. They did it all year. But are they burned out now? Time will tell. Time is the one test at which no one can cheat. You either survive, or you don’t.

Rawhide, my brother got married at Niagara Falls in the Winter Garden, of the Rainbow mall, right next to the Rainbow Bridge to Canada. I had some of the best ice cream in my entire life at a little roadside shack called the “Ice Bridge.” I think it was made by “Parry’s” or “Perry’s.” Darned good stuff. Rivals Brusters. Then we got some wings in Lewiston (Rt. 104??) at a place called Amanda’s. Man, I liked that place. I kid you not. They had all the free wings you could eat and all you had to do was buy two imported beers. They called it, “International Beer Night.” Of course, the wings were so freggin’ hot that you’d need 5-6 beers to put out THAT FIRE. That Amanda, she sure knew what she was doin’!

By Red Light

April 10, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

Brendan:

I agree with you about N.J.! Tampa is 0-20 when scoring two goals or less and Brodeur’s playoff GAA is 1.89. Maybe it’s the #2 vs. #7 stat, similar to #5 vs. #12 in the NCAA tourney. A #7 has beaten a #2 in each of the past nine seasons since 1997. In the East, it has happened six of the past nine seasons.

How about this tidbit?

Last year the Sharks had five rookies (Ehrhoff, Goc, Michalek, Bernier and Rissmiller) take a regular shift in the playoffs. This year, they will have four more: Vlasic, Clowe, Pavelski and Carle. All but Rissmiller were drafted by the Sharks.

By Brendan

April 11, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

The Sharks are good, Red Light. They know what they’re doing. They were in the Conference Finals in 2004. They hit a bump in the road last year against … uhh … Edmonton, was it? Last year, they upset Nashville. It’s the same #4 vs #5 from a season ago. Sharks vs. Preds. I say it’s gonna be the best of the 1st round matchups. But I’m also quite looking forward to the Pens/Sens series. Should be good! And, of course, our own series with the Rangers.

By jimster

April 12, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

u guys have no chance. we have more scoring depth with three lines , while u only have 2 lines which can score consistently. our D is slightly better and no one has been hotter then lundqvist as of late! Go rangers!

RANGERS IN SIX