Why so many fights in the playoffs this year?

[Ravin]

Two funny things about Konopka playing in game 2 is that 1) he didn't get any PIM and 2) he had an assist. He did more than they wanted him to by scoring a point.

And Carkner played 2 shifts, or 39 seconds and was kicked out of the game.

Don't just pick one and not talk about the other. :gayrod:

[leaffan]

Or you can watch people that are good at fighting and just watch MMA.

Or I can ban you for a week since we're actually trying to not troll the sports sections.

Unless of course you want me in that section of the website creating chaos

[wr50l]

Or you can watch people that are good at fighting and just watch MMA.

Or a real combat sport where they don't dry fuck each other such as boxing.

[FedEx227]

Fair enough, whatever. Back to MLB and NBA.

[Senser81]

Playoff hockey is tough, hard hitting, and just another beast. You have to figure, you just played an 82 game season, and now this one team is standing in your way from moving on. Emotions are at an all time high, and in simple terms "you don't fuck around".

100% incorrect. Goonishness usually decreases during the playoffs. It doesn't increase. Pittsburgh appears to be "fucking around", no?

[Ravin]

100% incorrect. Goonishness usually decreases during the playoffs. It doesn't increase. Pittsburgh appears to be "fucking around", no?

I didn't say "goonishness" I said tough and physical. Is there some goonish shit, well of course, but you're talking to a guy who has watched this game since the day he was born. Where you soon goonish actions, I see just playoff hockey.

Go back to the Pens game. James Neal puts two hits on Couturier and Giroux. He then goes to the bench, a scrum starts and fights break out. Neal then gets a two minute penalty, and as he goes across the ice, it starts again as Simmonds goes after him.

- Neal isn't a goon. I'd argue the first hit was simple wrong place wrong time, the Giroux hit was frustration.
- The shit in front of the benchs was not goonish. Neal laid out two talented players, shit is going to happen.
- Simmonds isn't a goon, again, going after his man.

And I'll say it now, Neal is game four is going to be a target.

When the score is already getting out of hand, shit always hits the fan. Down 7-4, no comeback, it is about pride and getting ready for game four. You could tell by the 10min mark of the period that game 3 was over, and it was all about game four. And I think most hockey people would see that. Pittsburgh was not coming back in game three, but they need to send that message to the Flyers that "you won this game but you still need to win another, and go through us". Hence all the fights.

Unless game four gets out of hand score wise, you won't see fighting. Game three's fighting had a purpose on both fronts.

[Sigona]

And Carkner played 2 shifts, or 39 seconds and was kicked out of the game.

Don't just pick one and not talk about the other. :gayrod:

And Carkner is suspended a game. There, I spoke about the other.

[Senser81]

When the score is already getting out of hand, shit always hits the fan. Down 7-4, no comeback, it is about pride and getting ready for game four. You could tell by the 10min mark of the period that game 3 was over, and it was all about game four. And I think most hockey people would see that. Pittsburgh was not coming back in game three, but they need to send that message to the Flyers that "you won this game but you still need to win another, and go through us". Hence all the fights.

Although you've been watching hockey since the day you were born, you must have missed Game 3 of the Pens-Flyers series. The "goonishness" began well before it was 7-4.

I don't know what message Pittsburgh is sending to the Flyers, other than "we might tie the game or even go up a goal or two, but we'll give you a few power plays immediately after we score so you can win the game. You may have won the first 3 games and we may have given up innumerable goals while being short-handed from all the fighting, but you still need to win another".

[leaffan]

Fair enough, whatever. Back to MLB and NBA.

[Tailback U]

I got to say though, I wanted nothing more than to Thornton and Backes go at it. Nothing like two captains going at it.

I was hoping they'd drop em, and even though I think Backes is the better scrapper of the two I think Joe is big and strong enough to hold his own.

I think the other thing playing a large factor in these playoffs is that all these teams can beat each other. The league is more competitive than ever and the players know an 8th seed can drop a 1 seed and intimidation and toughness play a huge factor in upsets against more talented teams.

They are trying to get an edge anyway they can.

That said, I think matching majors actually helps teams like San Jose because they are better off 4 on 4 vs the Blues than 5 on 5...unless TJ Oshie is on the ice than it doesn't matter how many Sharks are out there because they won't stop him anyway apparently.

[FedEx227]

Just to clarify I don't even really watch MMA.

[leaffan]

Just to clarify I don't even really watch MMA.

Just to clarify I don't give a fuck.

[EmpireWF]

Or a real combat sport where they don't dry fuck each other such as boxing.

Boys can't handle grappling?

[wr50l]

Badass. Missionary. 69. Lesbian porn.

[dave]

It's playoff hockey. It's a thing of beauty.

Fights, good bodychecking are playoff hockey. The 1st round has had those ... but it's also had far too many headshots and cheap shots.
The 1st round has been anything but a thing a beauty.