I know Jagr and Thornton piled up the points and nearly single-handedly carried their teams into the playoffs.  But so did Kipper.  It'll be interesting.
137834
I've got to disagree with Biggie...GAA can win the Hart (2002 Jose Theodore, 1998 AND 1997 Dominik Hasek) though it is rare compared to the point-getters taking home the hardware.  With all the buzz surrounding Jagr's production this year, he became the media favorite, but since his trade from Boston to San Jose, I'd say Joe Thornton deserves to be the league's MVP this season.  At the time of the trade, the Sharks were not a playoff team, and the offense generated by Thornton and Cheechoo propelled them into the five seed (while Jagr's Rangers went from first in their division all season to third, and sixth in the conference).  Thornton's 96 assists and 125 points were tops in the league.\n\nWhile Kiprusoff may be as deserving as anyone in the league, including Thornton, this NHL season was all about increased offense, shootouts, and wide open hockey -- it will be tough for a goalie to take home the Hart for the next few seasons (if for no other reason than image-reform).  Get the Vezina ready for Kipper, though!
272837
I love the Oilers, they will win Lord Stanley's Cup this year.  Roloson had one of the best passes I have ever seen from a goalie and it looked like he was a forwars.
297102
Wow!  That was one of the best games that I've ever seen!  The Oil just came in and took over the game right after the Samsonov goal.  And I loved every minute of it!  \n\nSan Jose looked upset and distraught.  I really think the Oil could take this series!\n\nGo Oilers Go!
182549
They sure did.  What an amazing run at the end.  They have so much momentum going their way.  I'm interested to see what they do in the playoffs.
342832
I'm Ms. Know it all....132 best answers and the numbers are growing.\n\nseriously if i really wanted to ask someone about hockey i would ask Scotty Bowman he is the master mind of hockey.\n\n\nGO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
156428
They said the Sabres would be lucky to place 25th in the league.  They ended up 5th behind Ottawa, Carolina, Detroit and Dallas.  They said their goaltending was good but no shutouts, then they get shutouts against Toronto and Carolina.  \n\nI think they are ready for the run in the playoffs since all teams start out even.  Process is simple be the first of the 16 teams to win 16 games. \n\nAs for Jersey it is stated that Brodeur has never beaten the Rangers in the playoffs....\n\nWell Good luck to all = = =  Go Sabres!!!!!!
316751
Well, Moon, as it's still only the first round, it is far too early to tell. That said, I do like what's been happening so far. As correctly predicted here, the loathsome fat-cat red wings of dread detroit -- the #1 seed in the playoffs -- were unceremoniously dumped by the underdog Edmonton Oilers last night in six games! WOOHOO!!! Also, over the weekend, the Colorado Avalanche took out the hated dallas stars, another favourite, so again: WOOHOO!!!\n\nWhen my glorious Buffalo Sabres remove the utterly hateful philistinia floaters tonight (or Thursday night, either way, they go), the happiness trifecta will be complete and my three most hated NHL teams will have been eliminated in one fell swoop (I'll save that last WOOHOO!!! for later, lol). I love nothing more than to revel in the victory of the good and triumph in the defeat and abject humiliation of the evil -- and this applies to EVERYTHING! :)\n\nBut I digress... One reason these could be the greatest Stanley Cup playoffs of all time is that we missed out on ANY hockey all of last year because of the NHL lockout. Hockey came back in its full raiment of glory this season with rules changes which have directly correlated with a vastly improved on-ice product. Hockey has never been so good! Another reason -- indeed, THE reason! -- this could be the greatest playoffs ever is that my Sabres are so awesomely talented that they could conceivably go all the way and WIN Lord Stanley's Cup! Were that to happen -- and it's far too early to say now -- I would die and go to heaven on the spot! (OK, not literally... I don't even believe in heaven.) ;)\n\nAs for my expectations, well, I'm quietly confident my Sabres will continue to advance after defeating those despicable goon flyers tonight in their hellhole home in philistinia (Can ya tell I hate that godforsaken place and their truly horrible people?). But can they go all the way? In the East, where my Sabres play, Ottawa and New Jersey will be tough opponents and they may have to defeat both to continue (Carolina is struggling badly with Montreal and I'm not worried about facing either of them). If they can get out of the conference, I like their chances in the Cup Final, no matter who they face from the West. But again, all that is a long way away...\n\nLet's Go Buf-fa-lo!!! Let's Go Buf-fa-lo!!! Let's Go Buf-fa-lo!!! :)
399018
They are doing real well, even better than the high expectations before the season. Pronger is having a fantastic year, and they can pretty much have either Neidermeyer or Pronger on the ice at all times on Defense. Giguere is playing like he did in the 03 playoffs. I don't think they have anyone along the lead's leading scorers, but because they have a well-balanced team and the kids are doing a lot, they are among the leaders in goals scored anyway. Despite all this, attendance seems to be down so there should be plenty of good seats to most games. Go see em'!
272933
Bearing in mind that the Ottawa Senators are the #1 seed remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and are devastated after surrendering their first two games at home in this series, I expect them to play desperate hockey tonight lest they fall behind 3-0 in the series (a deficit virtually impossible to come back from). So my Sabres need to be fully prepared to withstand what should be a powerful onslaught, particularly in the 1st period. \n\nIf Ryan Miller plays like he did in Game 2, we should be in good shape. If he plays like he did in Game 1, we could be in trouble tonight. He's doing amazingly well for a rookie goaltender in his first NHL playoffs, but he does tend to give up too many rebounds and the Sens are a high-scoring team who capitalizes on mistakes (much like the Sabres, btw). \n\nWe also have to be careful about injuries. Ottawa are a bigger, more physical team than Buffalo and we did lose a key player, Tim Connolly, in Game 2. He has a history of concussions and actually had to miss an entire season because of it. As I write this, his status is still not confirmed for tonight's game nor are the details of his condition fully known. This worries me.\n\nThat said, I am confident my proud Buffalo Sabres will win at least one of these back-to-back games at home (we play again tomorrow night) and wrap up the series shortly. Then it's on to crush Carolina (possibly New Jersey if they mount a comeback) and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals where our team will win it all!\n\nThanks for the question, Moon! :)\n\nLet's Go Buf-fa-lo!!!
281084
Oilers are on fire with Dwayne Roloson leading the way.  Probably the best move all season by any team.  The sharks aren't playing their best hockey and the Oilers have a very good chance at winning this series
276196
I'm very upset to see thhe great season down the drain. but hopefully this will teach them a lesson for next year. I'm not gonna make excuses here, just facts. Lets see, Edmonton, first off, did one hell of a job. Pronger played like he needed to and Roloson showed up hungry. The Wings went in overconfident I think and Edmonton stunned them for the first 2 and 1/2 games with their great teamwork, goaltending, and lets not forget that tricky neutral ice trap style defense that worked out great. Detroit was not slow at all. In every game since game 2, Detroit controlled the tempo, had way more ice time in the offensive zone, and nearly doubled Edmonton in Shots on goal. The wings did great, they got great scoring chances but just weren't finishing on them. Stevie Y and Lang were in the trenches of every play of their shift. Zetty scored at least one goal every game. Maltby did one hell of a job blocking the passing lanes and forceing turnovers on the power play. Shanny had many of opportunities. It's not that we didn't play well. We had the chances, but just could not convert them into points. Now don't get me wrong on this next part, I like Manny Legace a lot, but every game, he allowed over his goals per game average and in nearly every game he allowed 2 goals within the first 10 shots and one game where he allowed 2 goals within the first 7 shots. Ya can't do that in the playoffs. They couldn't pull him and let ozzy play, cause ozzy was injured. I think Manny is an excellent goaltender, but he just had a really bad playoff run. Possibly due to inexperience. I just hope they don't fire manny for it. He got us the Presidents Trophy and he's been one hell of a backup for the past few seasons. lets not forget when we had Hasek and Kujo, Legace was third string and both Kujo and Hasek were injured and Manny played nearly as many games as Dom and Kujo combined, and we won the presidents trophy that year too. I say keep Manny, he just needs more experience as a starter. Hats off to Edmonton for a series well played. they won fair and square. All except for the third goal that was reviewed in game 6. It was def hit down with a high stick that the refs didn't call and then a very controversial kicking motion. but oh well. Maybe next year for the Wings. (((( KEEP MANNY LEGACE ))))
511590
I myself am not a Wild fan, but I just watch the Sharks beat them on national tv. They didn't play good, but they also didn't play bad... so I get what you're saying. They almost let in a goal when the Sharks took a penalty and Manny left the net, except it hit the post. I guess the most exciting part about the Wild is Manny Fernandez, I love watching him grab saves out of nowhere (it can get frustrating when playing against him). But yeah, they never seem to keep any sort of momentum and when they got some today (a late power play down by a goal) the power play dismantled. Still though, the Wild are one of my favorite teams to follow and I hope that they can get more exciting to watch for you. Best regards.
163035
I think that the biggest surprise will be the Edmonton Oilers. They have the talent and the speed to upset any team, They have an excellent blue collar work ethic and with the recent addition of Dwayne Roloson, they have the right ingredients to go a long way in the playoffs.
646359
I heard about it, I would love to see that. they're talking it over now with the teams and with the yankees stadium people. If it does happen, i'm gonna have to try and get tickets to see my Rangers kick the islanders' butts =P
117184
I watched the game last night with the coyotes I think that SJ was playing better but just not putting the puck in the back of the net many great scoring Chance but not many goals. Cujo has also has a 30-7-0 record against the sharks so I don't see a change in that unless the sharks step it up a notch. I like what I saw of the sharks but if they want to win they need to keep crashing the net and stop with the bad turn overs. also stop giving away odd man rushes. As for the chances of making the play-offs not to good a lot of teams in the running will have to drop the ball for this to happen. Go Leafs and Canadians and ottawa :)
491375
well I am a calgary flames fan and that makes it incredibly hard to choose between Iggy and Kipper\nbut since Kipper has been the back bone of our pk and a huge reason for our come back from the bottom of the standings\nI'm so thankful for Kipper and his ability to steal any game when the flames just can't seem to score
325779
Well, last night's game looked like a completely different series didn't it?\n\nEdmonton was ALL over San Jose from beginning to end.  Rolosson came up HUGE for the Oil and this team is RIGHT BACK IN IT.  \n\nI will cry tears of happiness if the Oilers win the cup this year.  And I think that they can do it!\n\nOilers in 7 baby!!\n\nGO OIL GO!!