NewJerseyRich wrote:Yeah the Callahan thing was the worst thing going into the playoffs, When it happened I just figured we're done. He was the #2 scorer this season. At least the Blue shirts finally picked up the intensity last game and you know how those stats work... the series history thing in particular as the Caps own history is 1-4 when up 2-0 in a series. Everyone hates Avery unless he's playing for you. I can't say I was a fan before he got to NYC. But I can't deny that he does whatever (just ask Marty Brodure) he can to get an edge and help the team win. Boudreau isn't helping much when he says Staal is head hunting Green and Garden is not as loud as the Verison Ctr. Maybe he's trying to rile his troops but he might just wake a sleepy (first two games) Ranger team that hasn't been deep in the playoffs in ages. Good luck to us both tomorrow, it's gonna be a wild one.
No need to remind me about the Caps' history. The 2-0 losses don't even take into account the four or five times they've blown 3-1 leads, including the Easter Epic series. 24 years later and any of my family will gut you for daring to speak Pat LaFontaine's name. Boudreau is definitely being mouthy -- I didn't even bother reading the MSG comments 'cause they seemed so stupid -- but I think he's more worried about getting in the refs'/league's head. If it comes down to skill, if the Rangers can't muck it up and take physical liberties, the Caps win. As far as the Green thing, it's common strategy to hit him hard and often to take him off his game, but I agree with Boudreau on the Stall hit. It was no different than Kunitz' hit on Gagne:
http://www.skateskateshoot.com/2011/04/ ... green.html
The first four checks are all legit, but at 1:10 and 1:42 you can clearly see Stall throw his elbow at the back of Green's head. If the NHL is at all serious about concussions, which it doesn't appear to be, that has to be 5 and a game minimum.
Good luck tomorrow. It's been the best series of the eight so far.
