Vanilla Playoffs: Where has the Hatred and Nastiness gone?

[catnip]

Hatred? Nastiness? I know emotional regulation is frowned upon by very. serious. sportsing. people. but it's just a game.

 

[JFleegs]

when you're not allowed to breathe on the goalie there will be less scrums.

 

[Oak]

After tonight, think Boston Florida might be everything you’re looking for.

Please God give us violence.

 

[easton117]

Please God give us violence.

Not sure about violence per se. but the potential for douchebaggery in that series is quite high

 

[luiginb]

Isn't this what we want hockey to become? The 'beautiful' game where skill and speed are put on display and barbarism and violence are non-existent? Where player's wellbeing, both physically and mentally, are of utmost importance?

No, that's what I watch soccer for

 

[Grifter3511]

No, that's what I watch soccer for

You watch soccer for the SPEED? Huh. Weird

 

[nightonthesun]

I’m f***ing alpha and I want everyone to know about it.

 

[Aeroforce]

I think part of it is how efficient power plays are. The margin between winning and losing is paper-thin, and that one dumb penalty can be the difference. It was in Game Five between Vegas and Dallas.

The Leafs were "sending messages" from the opening face-off, dressed Reaves, etc. and promptly dug themselves into a 3-1 hole. Their sputtering power play didn't help, but Boston clicking on theirs was a huge factor.

Florida did a solid job keeping Tampa's lethal PP off the ice, and cruised to victory in five games.

I haven't loved some of the low-event hockey, like Game Six between Vancouver and Nashville. But teams are definitely going to great lengths to stay out of the box.