11/05/24
May 04, 2011
Lightning Sweep Capitals Out of Playoffs: For the fourth year in a row, the star-studded Washington Capitals have left the playoffs early, this time in a sweep at the hands of the under-heralded Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning won Game 4 5-3 on the strength of Dwayne Roloson's continued excellence in net and two goals from Sean Bergenheim, who has already scored half as many goals in the playoffs (7) as he did the entire regular season. This is the Lightning's first trip to the conference finals since their Stanley Cup win in 2004.
posted by boredom_08 to hockey at 11:18 PM - 12 comments
Guess I am just going to have to use transitive property vicarious rooting techniques to pull for the Stevie Y-GMed Bolts, as it looks like the Wings are done.
posted by holden at 08:53 AM on May 05, 2011
Be willing to bet a potential San Jose vs Tampa Bay final would produce the lowest TV ratings for any championship series in the history of sport.
Not meant as commentary on the quality of those teams (I'll certainly be watching) but on the lack of a big market US team and the overall popularity of the NHL in the US.
posted by cixelsyd at 09:49 AM on May 05, 2011
Don't worry cixelsyd, Boston will help the ratings out.
posted by kokaku at 09:54 AM on May 05, 2011
Once again we see. Once playoffs get going, the most important person on the ice is the one between the pipes. Who is their goalie again??
posted by Debo270 at 11:42 AM on May 05, 2011
cixelsyd: San Jose and SF (e.g., Bay Area) is one of the ten largest SMSA markets in the US. Mountain View represent!
posted by billsaysthis at 12:22 PM on May 05, 2011
Boston will help the ratings out
Immensely, I would think.
I assume the NHL itself is in the clear regardless with the new TV deal signed and sealed, it's now the networks who stand to lose.
posted by cixelsyd at 12:32 PM on May 05, 2011
It will be tought to pick Thomas and Roloson and this point. Both are playing out of their head's, but who can keep it up. I agree with Holden though, now that my wings are about to exit, I'll have to root for Yzerman's boys down in the south. At least as someone who knows the game, I can appreciate that there are is some great talent left. It's unfortunate that hockey has such a small market, it really is the most exciting game out there.
posted by pettym at 04:20 PM on May 05, 2011
Boston will help the ratings out
Versus had an 11.76 rating in Boston during game 3. It was the top rated network in Boston during the game.
It will be tought to pick Thomas and Roloson
Interesting side light between Thomas and Roloson. Thomas had scholarship offers from UMass Lowell and Vermont for his collegiate hockey career. He chose Vermont because Lowell had another goaltender that was quite good, and Thomas would not be starting for a while. That was Duane Roloson. Seems to have worked out OK for both.
posted by Howard_T at 06:22 PM on May 05, 2011
cixelsyd-I think you grossly underestimate the amount of support the Sharks have on the west coast. I know a lot of sun belt teams are struggling, but the Sharks are most definitely not. And I'm pretty sure that fans all over the upper midwest are keeping an eye on Pavelski. I think a few Canadians might also have a passing interest in how the top line of their gold medal Olympic team plays (o.k., they aren't all on one line, but who's counting?).
I guess what I'm saying is-how much is the bet? Pencil me in.
posted by tahoemoj at 06:44 PM on May 05, 2011
At this point, pencil me in for Boston vs. San Jose. But it's still just the second round. Remember how unstoppable the Canadiens looked at this point last year?
Oh, and on topic: Washington are a bunch of pussies coached by a moron.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:14 AM on May 06, 2011
Does that make Tampa Bay a bunch of dicks?
posted by jmd82 at 09:24 AM on May 06, 2011
I know that the Caps are very young at D and in goal this season, but I must say, I'm rather shocked that they got swept like this. Defensively speaking, this has been their best season in a long time. Only Boston, Vancouver and Nashville let in less goals than the Caps this season. Is there a lack of on-ice leadership?