stoneySIOUX

Honestly, it may be ugly. Rangers could very well light this kid up. He gave up 3 goals on 11 shots to the Rangers last year. On the other hand, he's won at every level. But.... this is a different level.

Tokarski, huh? Not surprised, I guess, since Budaj has like .843 sv pct in the playoffs. Not sure if I'm more happy or more terrified for this. Rangers should be licking their chops, but, I just hope this kid doesn't turn some rookie magic. Kid has excelled at every level.

Powerful, powerful stuff. If Moore doesn't win the Masterson this season, I have no idea how. He plays like he's dying. All heart.

And I think I get why you'd believe that, but the Rangers can definitely hang with the rest of teams playing.

Bet's on. I'm in ... I'd love to take a 6er of BLLs from ya, Goonie

He was BRUTAL in Game 1 and was a big-time liability. He might have a good series, but he sure didn't look like he would by his performance in Game 1. No, I know you're not hating and I agree that the west has been better this season. That being said, I don't think anyone is playing better than the Rangers over the last two weeks. Lundqvist is on a different planet, right now and has been almost all playoffs. They are getting scoring from all over the place, too. Since MSL's mom died (before Game 5), they have rallied big time. 5-1 win, 3-1 win, 2-1 win, 7-2 win. 17-5 in those four games. Kreider coming back from injury was huge, too. McDonaugh was unreal in Game 7 against the Pens and Game 1 against the Habs. As far as being "much better", you have to only compare head-to-head. If the Kings and Hawks were much better, they wouldn't have been a combined 1-3 against the Rangers. NYR matches up very well against both those teams. Lundqvist keeps playing like he's playing and I think they are a SERIOUS contender.

So, just so we're clear. Budaj "plays like a man possessed" as you quoted, and rips off a 1.50 gaa and 95% sv pct BUT the Habs still lose the series, I still win, correct? If so, I'm in. Winner takes all, no stats involved?

I'm ALWAYS up for a side bet .... name your stakes. How do we measure it, btw? If Budaj leads MTL to the Final, you win, if not, I win?

NYR was 2-0 versus Chicago and 1-1 versus LAK this season. Tell me why both teams beat the Rangers? Honestly looking for your opinion. Rangers are playing some damn good puck after Game 4 versus the Pens.

Don't get me wrong, I want my team to go to the Final very, very badly and I don't care who's healthy or not, but the NYR ripped MTL pretty good in Game 1 with Price letting in 4 of those. Gotta get by whomever is in net. I just think it'll be a slightly easier task if Price isn't in.

See above . NYR versus Chi sounds great, too. I would hate to have to cheer against Toewsy, though. Greener plays for LAK, I guess, but I feel closer to Toewsy .

Never said they weren't. Just said I'd rather have Budaj in there over Price. Wouldn't you if you were a Ranger fan? If they play like they did on Saturday, not a team left will beat NYR. That being said, consistency has been their problem for the last handful of years.

Doubtful. But this could be something to rally the Habs. I'll take my chances against Budaj.

Is it wrong for me to be excited about Price being out? I never would wish anyone harm in terms of being injured and out, but as a Ranger fan, this news exciting to me. Craziness. What do you guys think? I don't think the Kreider play was at all dirty. Thoughts?

This section literally made me LOL... Residence Life Director Aaron Macke told TommieMedia, the school’s online publication, that the organization brought a reindeer to campus in December without incident. “We had done a program in December where we brought a reindeer to campus for the holiday time, and we did pictures and everything like that," Mr. Macke said. “We had over 300 students attend—and I think that may have inspired the idea. You know, we have petting zoos that come to campus—we have therapy pets that come to campus around finals time for stress relief.” Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, said on Twitter: “Reindeer, yes, camel, no? … Are college students ‘racially insensitive’ to Laplanders? Or are they just idiots?” Are you SURE this isn't the Onion?

Fair enough. I just see it as "swingin' for the fences" for this group. All I think they want immediately is an apology and someone to be reprimanded. Doesn't matter who it is. Just someone. Logistically, I don't think it can be pulled off. Too many problems to jump.

Just because they are calling for it doesn't mean it'll happen.

We agree that it was stupid, but you're still avoiding the question.

There's a whole thread of this right here: So, no... we aren't changing the subject. That subject is still ongoing. This one is brand new (well, brand new information) as of yesterday. Quit avoiding the question.

I think you're confusing sadness for annoyance. The fact that these two teams don't play is annoying.

But would you have said that he was the more complete player coming out of college? I wouldn't. I never saw a lot out of Haula that screamed NHL to me, other than his speed. I think Rocco was a better finisher at the college level. Haula carried a bit of a better defensive standpoint, but not drastically different than Rocco's. Other than size, I think that Rocco has every tool to be extremely successful in the NHL and even size is a wee bit (see what I did there?) overrated. But I guess you can't teach size, can you?

Am I the only one that could absolutely see Rocco playing in the NHL soon? I look at a guy like Erik Haula on the Wild. Rocco has the same speed and more skill, IMO. You have to be fast to play in the NHL and I think Rocco's raw speed gets him there. Just my opinion, I guess.

THANK YOU. Ugh, a pet peeve.

Now we're just piling on because I was just about to say the same thing ... Sorry Goon.

I'm in. Sign me up.