Current State of the NHL Playoffs

[Granada]

So I saw about 90% of all the games Sunday. Saturday was a mishmash where I saw bits and pieces of both games. I'm saying that because, perhaps I'm mistaken with the following take, but here goes:

I know it's early obviously, but this is dating back to last year: the NHL Playoffs don't feel the same to me anymore.

There used to be that feeling you got, the first minute you saw the first game of the NHL playoffs, where it was undeniably different than the regular season: the speed, the intensity, and most importantly, the physicality. But really, none of the games I saw felt any different than your standard regular season game. I have to say, it's a damn shame. 

Anyways, just curious if anyone else feels the same. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me, the game has changed for the worse. The officiating, especially in the playoffs, was utterly atrocious last year, and it's continuing; and it's based on eliminating physicality. That Rempe call for charging on his first shift, for instance --  I can't believe any ref would call that with a straight face, not only in a regular season game, but a playoff game on top of it. There were many calls like this in just about every game I saw, perhaps not regarding checks, but just soft calls overall that, in my view, is a new directive for the NHL. The refs have way more control over the game these days, and the game is suffering because of it.

Maybe it's just me, but the game is getting hard to watch on many levels, and this just makes it all the more harder. The electronic board and ice ads, I don't think I will ever get used to those, they are way too distracting for me still. The bull shit ESPN deal, where the prime games are usually on streaming, and if they do show games on ESPN/ESPN2, they're usually shit matchups nobody cares about. 

Anyways, I just don't like where the NHL is going these days. It doesn't feel the same. The NHL playoffs, to me, were always the best playoffs of any sport -- the most intense, etc. Every series felt like that. It's a shame that isn't the case anymore.

[Nikos]

Apr 22, 2024 8:38:13 GMT -6 Granada said:

So I saw about 90% of all the games Sunday. Saturday was a mishmash where I saw bits and pieces of both games. I'm saying that because, perhaps I'm mistaken with the following take, but here goes:

I know it's early obviously, but this is dating back to last year: the NHL Playoffs don't feel the same to me anymore.

There used to be that feeling you got, the first minute you saw the first game of the NHL playoffs, where it was undeniably different than the regular season: the speed, the intensity, and most importantly, the physicality. But really, none of the games I saw felt any different than your standard regular season game. I have to say, it's a damn shame. 

Anyways, just curious if anyone else feels the same. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me, the game has changed for the worse. The officiating, especially in the playoffs, was utterly atrocious last year, and it's continuing; and it's based on eliminating physicality. That Rempe call for charging on his first shift, for instance --  I can't believe any ref would call that with a straight face, not only in a regular season game, but a playoff game on top of it. There were many calls like this in just about every game I saw, perhaps not regarding checks, but just soft calls overall that, in my view, is a new directive for the NHL. The refs have way more control over the game these days, and the game is suffering because of it.

Maybe it's just me, but the game is getting hard to watch on many levels, and this just makes it all the more harder. The electronic board and ice ads, I don't think I will ever get used to those, they are way too distracting for me still. The bull shit ESPN deal, where the prime games are usually on streaming, and if they do show games on ESPN/ESPN2, they're usually shit matchups nobody cares about. 

Anyways, I just don't like where the NHL is going these days. It doesn't feel the same. The NHL playoffs, to me, were always the best playoffs of any sport -- the most intense, etc. Every series felt like that. It's a shame that isn't the case anymore.

I thought the Leafs/Bruins game from a physical standpoint was a notch or two up from regular season. I did not watch the others except the high scoring game between the Avs/Jets and only saw about 1 period and thought maybe Soderblom was playing goalie for the Avs (I know cheap shot).

I still say playoff hockey is the best sport to watch live and overtime hockey is even better as it can end in a few minutes or last hours. I do agree with you on officiating, definitely inconsistent and below par to what it was 5 or 10 years ago.

[Granada]

Apr 22, 2024 9:49:29 GMT -6 Nikos said:

Apr 22, 2024 8:38:13 GMT -6 Granada said:

So I saw about 90% of all the games Sunday. Saturday was a mishmash where I saw bits and pieces of both games. I'm saying that because, perhaps I'm mistaken with the following take, but here goes:

I know it's early obviously, but this is dating back to last year: the NHL Playoffs don't feel the same to me anymore.

There used to be that feeling you got, the first minute you saw the first game of the NHL playoffs, where it was undeniably different than the regular season: the speed, the intensity, and most importantly, the physicality. But really, none of the games I saw felt any different than your standard regular season game. I have to say, it's a damn shame. 

Anyways, just curious if anyone else feels the same. Maybe I'm wrong, but to me, the game has changed for the worse. The officiating, especially in the playoffs, was utterly atrocious last year, and it's continuing; and it's based on eliminating physicality. That Rempe call for charging on his first shift, for instance --  I can't believe any ref would call that with a straight face, not only in a regular season game, but a playoff game on top of it. There were many calls like this in just about every game I saw, perhaps not regarding checks, but just soft calls overall that, in my view, is a new directive for the NHL. The refs have way more control over the game these days, and the game is suffering because of it.

Maybe it's just me, but the game is getting hard to watch on many levels, and this just makes it all the more harder. The electronic board and ice ads, I don't think I will ever get used to those, they are way too distracting for me still. The bull shit ESPN deal, where the prime games are usually on streaming, and if they do show games on ESPN/ESPN2, they're usually shit matchups nobody cares about. 

Anyways, I just don't like where the NHL is going these days. It doesn't feel the same. The NHL playoffs, to me, were always the best playoffs of any sport -- the most intense, etc. Every series felt like that. It's a shame that isn't the case anymore.

I thought the Leafs/Bruins game from a physical standpoint was a notch or two up from regular season. I did not watch the others except the high scoring game between the Avs/Jets and only saw about 1 period and thought maybe Soderblom was playing goalie for the Avs (I know cheap shot).

I still say playoff hockey is the best sport to watch live and overtime hockey is even better as it can end in a few minutes or last hours. I do agree with you on officiating, definitely inconsistent and below par to what it was 5 or 10 years ago.

Yeah that Avs/Jets game was just silly. Lot of ugly hockey in that one. I missed the first few minutes of Tampa/Florida, but even that game, it just felt like both teams were scared to really hit someone. I understand Tampa's pp is fantastic and sure, that could have had something to do with it (i.e. - not wanting to get called for a penalty, which is now a legit concern anytime any hit is thrown, even in the playoffs), but I don't know -- I was expecting so much more from Game 1 of that series, from a physicality standpoint, all the same.

I think part of what made the NHL playoff so great (to me) was that the refs essentially swallowed the whistles and let the players decide. Now, they're injecting themselves way more with soft calls and/or just blatantly incorrect calls. They're just as strict, if not more so, in the playoffs. I can remember people pining for this years ago; I certainly wasn't. Well, those people got what they wanted, unfortunately. To me, the refs should swallow their whistles more in the playoffs compared to the regular season and only call blatant penalties. They're over-policing the game.

[Nikos]

I agree on over-policing, the players and in any sport should decide the game, particularly in critical moments of the game. The fact we are talking about officiating to me means it continues to be an issue. Throw in social media, blogs, etc. and everyone has an opinion, or some side thinks they got "robbed." Hockey is a fast game, some say we need three referees, I say no, that will only lead to more penalties and more controversy. Wonder since hockey went to 2 referees if they are more penalties called (particularly lasty 5 minutes and overtime) than when they only had one. I remember in the 70's & 80's you literally had to "kill" someone to get a powerplay in overtime.

[Granada]

Anybody else hate Callahan on color?

Also, Sean McDonough sucks. He's about as lively as a corpse.

[T-man2010]

Apr 24, 2024 9:05:51 GMT -6 Granada said:

Anybody else hate Callahan on color?

Also, Sean McDonough sucks. He's about as lively as a corpse.

Making you miss Colby Cohen?

[Granada]

Apr 24, 2024 11:38:15 GMT -6 T-man2010 said:

Apr 24, 2024 9:05:51 GMT -6 Granada said:

Anybody else hate Callahan on color?

Also, Sean McDonough sucks. He's about as lively as a corpse.

Making you miss Colby Cohen?

Heeelllll no, lol

[Nikos]

Apr 24, 2024 9:05:51 GMT -6 Granada said:

Anybody else hate Callahan on color?

Also, Sean McDonough sucks. He's about as lively as a corpse.

Callahan did admit on air that the Hawks we much more poised and even knell than his Bolts during 2015 cup final. 

[BigT]

I gotta say. The last couple nights have been pretty good hockey. But I too have grown tiresome of hockey. But mines for many different reasons. I’m at the rink 5-6 days a week. Not much fun anymore!!!

[bigbarn27]

There has been plenty of real good hockey just sad its not us.

[Granada]

Apr 24, 2024 21:04:48 GMT -6 BigT said:

I gotta say. The last couple nights have been pretty good hockey. But I too have grown tiresome of hockey. But mines for many different reasons. I’m at the rink 5-6 days a week. Not much fun anymore!!!

True, to me, it's because the refs aren't being as strict as they were for Game 1's, especially in Toronto/Boston Game 2. That Panthers game was insane also.

Still though, the animosity level isn't as high as playoff-years' past. The refs need to stop being such assholes when it comes to simple scrums; you got to let those play out and only call the blatantly obvious penalties. No one should be going to the box for a couple glove jabs to the chest, ffs.

[Granada]

With the exception of the late West games (which I did not see), I wasn't too impressed with this weekend's games. Yeah, Van's comeback was insane, but that game overall was blah. I still feel like the physicality is lacking overall and chintzy penalties are quite the norm. Lot of guys are electing not to finish their checks. These "interference" penalties are a joke. The guy is a split second late throwing a check, it's interference. It's just silly, this is supposed to be the playoffs.

[Nikos]

Apr 29, 2024 8:26:35 GMT -6 Granada said:

With the exception of the late West games (which I did not see), I wasn't too impressed with this weekend's games. Yeah, Van's comeback was insane, but that game overall was blah. I still feel like the physicality is lacking overall and chintzy penalties are quite the norm. Lot of guys are electing not to finish their checks. These "interference" penalties are a joke. The guy is a split second late throwing a check, it's interference. It's just silly, this is supposed to be the playoffs.

The Preds had the game in control, Vancouver was barely getting any shots let alone on goal with about 5 minutes left. In game 3 they had only 12 SOG and won. It looked we were going back to Vancouver all tied up. Even the body language of Vancouver suggested the series would be tied up 2-2. I believe Tocchett used the word resilience after the game, and they continued to battle but come on this team looked like they could not wait to get on flight back to Vancouver. Prior to getting those 2 goals with goalie pulled Vancouver looked hapless. I guess this is the beauty of sports and you have to give credit to the players

Not sure if the Preds let up. I know some are blaming Sarros, but no chance on the second goal to make it 3-2. The OT goal somebody forgot Lindholm who was all alone in front of the net in the opening minutes of OT.

[Granada]

I'm glad the refs are letting the players play this round. This feels like the playoffs I know, especially the Boston/Florida series, which is my favorite series thus far.

[Granada]

That officiating in the Rangers/Canes game 3 last night was a freaking joke. Seriously, what the hell are they doing?

Trochek really sticking it to his old team. That handshake line will be interesting. His celebration right in Aho's face -- I don't know, even I thought that was cold, lol.

Canes are just not built for the playoffs. Never have been. If there is one thing I'll say about Bowman, is that he was right to not invest long term in TT. You need guys built for the playoffs. Speaking of which, Panarin seems to finally be coming around to being a playoff performer. We'll see if he can keep it up next round against Florida or Boston though.