I've been a diehard fan my whole life. I swore that when the lockout started that I would turn my back on the league and never watch again. The fact that the Flyers were mediocre (to put it kindly) helped me hold on to that resolve.....

And then the playoffs started. Damn it! I've watched every single night (some nights multiple games) and now I'm mad at myself. I hate Bettman, I hate what he has done to the league. But I love the game and I especially love the playoffs.

Let's recap: Me mad at hockey, Flyers suck, me watch playoffs anyway because me helpless addict. I need a hug. Or at least a two-hander across the wrists.

Please don't take this wrong way but I'm dying to know something. Why is it every time the Canucks lose a Cup final the citizens of Vancouver try to burn the city down? I've been to Vancouver in the off season and they all seemed like pretty mellow groovy people but this is three times in my life now this has happened.

Hahah, I got some good laughs reading this, just because I had such a similar mindset. Bettman needs to go. As for the Flyers, they need to fire Laviolette. He needs to stop tinkering with the lines as much and just let them build off each other. I'm a big fan of Matt Read, as he used to play for Bemidji. I hope they let him go just like they let Bobrovsky go. Bobrovsky had a great year once he was able to get a starting role. Read will benefit similarly from being a top six forward on a team that will appreciate his skating and stick skills.
When else did they riot? I just remember the 2011 riots. That kiss photo snapped in the middle of it was spectacular!

In the 80's they tore up everything after losing to the Islanders. The again when they lost to the Rangers ending their 50 + year cup draught. And then finally a few years ago against Boston. Nothing was as bad as when they lost to the Rangers (and mind you I'm kind of being silly with the post) but there was some noticeable looting and burning the other two times.

GO BRUINS!!!!

I sometimes watched Flyers last year and they were quite entertaining to watch. Pittsburgh-Phyladelphia series and Giroux's performance is something to remember.
I am surprised with their standing this year. They seem to have very good team mainly in offense. Giroux, Voráček, Hartnell, Read, Schenn, Simmonds backed by others should be enough to stay competetive offensively. I think they need to boost defense to achieve more next year. With Meszároš out, Timmonen and Schenn are only really able D-men they have.

Penguins are gonna win this year.

Especially if Flowery gets his shit together over new baby.

No idea. I personally don't get all worked up about them losing (or winning, actually, other than cheering at home). I'm originally from the east coast, but was a Canucks fan even as a kid. But if they lose, I just shrug it off. I have no idea why people feel the need to riot and destroy things.

In the end, I'm just a fan of the game. Best sport on the planet as far as I'm concerned. So, when all is said and done, as long as the hockey's good, I really don't mind who wins.

Hockey has the best fans in the world! It doesn't matter what team you root for. I hate the Sharks, but I love talking hockey with any fan, even Sharks fans. We are a classy breed.

As for the Canucks, I'm confident that the next time they are in the finals, they'll take the cup.
Bahahahah! Awww, poor Sidney.

Hope so! But forget Fleury. The playoffs are not the time to hope he gets back on track. So long as Vokoun is playing well, I want to see him in the net.

Incidentally, the Montreal Canadiens might be the toughest team in the history of sports. Turns out the injuries keeping a bunch of their guys out were a little more serious than originally though. Ryan White finished the last game he played in playing with a punctured lung. Brian Gionta had a torn biceps, but still tried to play the next game with it. And Brandon Prust actually dislocated a rib and separated it from the cartilage. What does he do? Skates to the bench and pops it back in.

Sorry if that offended anyone. Normally I don't mind offending people but that was low even for me. I'm not a Pens fan but having that many head injuries that early is nothing short of tragic. The Blues got Kariya just as his career was being cut short by concussions. Very sad.

Surprised to see a hockey thread on here. I'm a huge NHL and Wings fan. Last night was glorious; definitely went to work a little late and hung over today. Can't wait for the Chi/Det series to get underway. Most analysts are predicting a blowout, but I think it'll be a lot closer than people think.

Yeah, half the Rangers, Islanders and a few from other teams seriously need life bans for targeting him specifically.

Kinda unfortunate his own team-mate smacked his jaw last month with a wild shot >.<
Still even without him in the front-line, Geno and Iginla and Dupuis, and pretty much the rest are filling in nicely.

I just realized I've got to give game seven a pass tonight. Cards are on ESPN and that takes precedent over all else. Sorry Adam.