Big Blue Huddle

+1

I'll vouch for "The Front Porch" as well as even less used "Giants History" board which is an outstanding room for history buffs, or a great place to ask a question and let the historians, or folks who lived to see it live, tell you all about it!

Peace!

Oh my goodness, Rich, thankfully you are still with us and that you had taken the precautions of having the watch with a fall alert feature. Admittedly, we take our ability to walk and move around for granted until something happens and we cannot get up after a fall. Your boss is a good friend for coming to assist you.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a successful physical recovery. But it must have been a traumatic experience to have suddenly been hit by another car. My hope is that your mental and emotional well-being heals as well. I think I speak for all of us here in that we are all in your corner, as friends, and we have your back.

Get well soon!

Peace!

NOTHING comes easy once you get to the semifinals. This is the backbreaker and even the best of teams have fallen off the cliff in this round. You make it here because you DESERVE to be here. This is the "Final Four" of the NHL but in Best of Seven format. If you can survive this round, you've arrived on destiny's doorstep.

It's NOT for the feint of heart - period!

It's going to be tough for the Rangers every bit as tough as it's going to be for the Panthers.

In other words, this is going to be one damn exciting series to watch, with the Western Conference Finals being equally as exciting.

Edmonton vs. Vancouver tonight for the right to play Dallas, tonight! A great series overall and worth watching if you have insomnia on the East Coast!

Peace!

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on May 18, 2024, 02:01:55 PMThe Pats and Panthers look like the worst teams to me.

I'd struggle to keep the Giants out of the bottom four though. I thought we were worse than our 6-11 record last year, and I am not convinced the team improved in the offseason overall (yes we gained a couple of very talented players but we also lost three).

I'd probably go (in order of badness):

1. Pats
2. Panthers
3. Broncos
4. Giants

I think there is a bit of a gap between the two worst teams and the next group though. I don't put the Broncos in the same tier as the Panthers and Pats.

It's as good a guess as a raffle ticket at a school fund raiser.

Factor injuries into the equation, which will impact this list more likely than any other variable, what might it look like then?

Peace!

Quote from: MightyGiants on May 16, 2024, 11:37:55 AM1979

This was the first time the Giants had beaten the Rams, in LA, since 1959. Further, Phil Simms had won four games on the trot after this huge upset of the eventual NFC Champions.

Peace!

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on May 19, 2024, 12:14:29 AMFlorida is pretty stacked. They go four lines deep with talent, and Bobby is a great goalie... probably HOF material. I won't be surprised if this one goes to a game seven.

On the positive side, I think there might be more open ice in this series for Bread and Zibs.

They are already advertising this one as a battle of best goalies in the league. Wait! What happened to Vezina Trophy winning Hellebuyck, anyway?

Anyway, I agree that the Z-man and the Breadman will have chances but I also think that this could be the series where Jack Roslovic, and his blazing speed, kicks into full gear and creates open spaces for our scoring heroes. He's played very well this off-season, as well as Wennberg, but Jack just needs to clean up the accuracy of his passing, a bit more, and keep shooting the puck, and he'll make an impact.

I'm hoping Laviolette is telling Jones to stay ready because I have a feeling we might see him before all is said and done.

Wednesday is going to be a good one! Meanwhile, if you haven't watched the Vancouver-Edmonton war, you're missing a Western classic. Game Seven on Monday in Vancouver, BC for winner take all and Dallas, who has home ice advantage, is ready for the winner. Oilers look dangerous! Connor McDavid is a f^@#!#g machine!

Peace!

Quote from: files58 on May 18, 2024, 09:48:08 PMFlorida will try to do the same thing to Panarin/Fox that they did to Marchand. Bennet got away with it. Maurice is a very good coach who desperately wants his name on the chalice. The Rangers raised the level of their game in the 3rd, they will need to keep their game on the incline. I noticed during the Cane series Fox was not coming down the boards like usual until that third period. Maybe he's getting closer to healed. There will be a ton of hitting this series. I hope the refs are legitimate in their calls, and no cheapies. Here's where Goodrow's Cup experience comes in handy. Florida is a really really good team. It will be interesting to see how many Ranger fans travel to Sunrise for the game and to see their grandparents.

You wrote down what I was thinking. You get to the semifinals, having people who have been there AND know what it takes to win, i.e. Barclay Goodrow, are intangibles that can help a team in a pinch. He doesn't tilt the ice, since the entire Florida team took the broom to the Canes last year in this round. But Goodrow has something those guys do not ... a Stanley Cup with his name on it. They also have a former Florida player who was also a former Canes player who drove his former team batty out there in round two. I think Vinny Trocheck is someone else who can get underneath the skin of the Bennetts and other goons on Florida's roster to throw them off a step. That could have a huge impact on improving the Rangers' chances.

Peace!

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on May 19, 2024, 07:50:09 AMThat's really peculiar.

I would prefer that every single NFL game played every week always be on Sunday. I am sure plenty disagree with me on that including the league and its ratings experts, but it would make things better for the players and coaches, and in many respects for the fans too. I appreciate that it means fans are going to watch fewer games in real time, but serious fans can still watch their team play plus two other games on Sunday if they choose to. I also like having the anticipation build up all week and then getting flooded with information/stimuli on Sundays.

With all of the above said I understand why the league does what it does with spreading these games out more. I'm not going to condemn them for it, but I wish it were just Sundays personally.

I'm on board with your games on Sundays but I'd add that I used to like the Giants' schedule back in the 1980s when they would have early Saturday games at Giants Stadium on the last week, or next or last week, of the regular season.

But with today's world of information overload, and the schedule quirks you mentioned, I really don't mind as a "casual fan" when I watch the other games when I have nothing else to do. But I do enjoy the Giants' games most when kickoff is at 10 AM MST in Arizona during Daylight Savings Time for the rest of the country, and 11 AM when everyone else returns to standard time (i.e. the 1:00 PM kickoff).

Peace!

Quote from: coggs on May 18, 2024, 01:20:00 PMThey literally had ONE losing streak of more than 2 games.  It was a 4-gamer that started with a SO Loss.  Aside from that, only 5 times where they had back-to-back losses and in 2 of those cases there was a SO/OT loss.

I've got your back on the bigger picture, here, coggs. In fact, if you look at that losing streak, it came after that scorching October/November performance where they went into a collective funk of inconsistency and actually lost five of six. The Canadiens loss was not a bad one, by any means, as they played well, but the Habs were on fire that Saturday night. It wasn't until after the embarrassment in Vegas, and the team letting down Quickie in his return to LA, where they finally woke up, and the huge shootout win in Colorado against the Avs set them on their way (i.e. insert 10-game winning streak here) to where we are today, in my opinion.

Now that we know it's Florida that stands in between the Rangers and a Cup Final berth, we can to a man, honestly state that Florida's credentials, plus their wanting to get back to the Finals to finish the job, makes them a valid favorite in this series. They don't have the hardware, but they are no "Paper Champion" either. Of all the teams in the East, going into the playoffs, both Florida teams (i.e. Panthers and Bolts) represented the biggest challenges for the Rangers should they cross paths (NOTE: I respect the Canes, but I already knew the Rangers could account for them, which they did). So now it's Florida.

A brief (NOTE: good-ending) re-introduction:


There were two others that went to the Cats which ended up close on the scoreboard, but the Rangers chased them in both games.

The shootout win was also made possible by notable absences in Florida's lineup at the time.  They'll be coming into the Garden with a full deck, this time, and, even playing short in the March 23 game, their relentless attacking, which saw them jump ahead 3-2 with four minutes left, is representative of the same style play they put Boston away for good with last night. The defense cannot give them the space in front of Igor, nor the swath between there and the point or the Cats will eat them alive.

They're going to have to figure out how to rattle Bobrovsky and capitalize. This shootout win showed some opportunity on how to do it that, in the other two games, they hadn't quite figured it out. Again, their special teams will be the catalyst in solving that puzzle. For the short-handed goals they pulled off against Washington and Carolina, they're going to have a much harder time with Florida's power play who have the speed and physical brute force to shut down the breaks the Rangers capitalized on.

This will be the series where the Breadman can stamp himself into Ranger lore forever if he can make an impact.

My concerns with Foxy not being 100% may end up being the difference in this series, but whether or not they use Jones to spell him remains to be seen. Note that he played in the March 23 game and held his own, for the most part.

Again, I'm not making any predictions about the upcoming series. We're back to where we were, two years ago, against a tough, physical team who can skate, shoot the puck and score, along with intimidate with brute force. That Rangers' team literally ran out of gas. This one has a sense of purpose. These two teams finished first in their respective divisions and, as such, have earned the right to be here. So, let them play, starting Wednesday, and may it be a great battle of hockey that does the league, and its fans, proud, regardless of the winner.

Having said all that, LGR!

Peace!

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on May 17, 2024, 04:22:54 PMIf you knew this team was winning this game during the second intermission, kudos to you, but feel free to share that prediction in real time next time. Any dope can call people out with the gotchas after the fact.

Hey, I think coggs is playing with you, more than anything else, but every one of us here were ecstatic at game's end. Whether, fan for fan, we're taking tabs on who's predicting what, in the end, who really cares, anyway?

Look, we all process our lack of patience or frustration differently. That we can express it here freely, and can kid each other about it after, doesn't change the fact we all have an underlying respect for each other, if not a kinmanship.

You know, I was all riled up early on about destroying the "Paper Champions" and stirring that thing around. But, as the series went on, I grew to enjoy the fight in Carolina and their clawing their way back into the series. I came to realize this series was the best of the NHL, so far, and everyone outside the fans of both of those teams have have watched and admired the intensity the two teams brought. So, I freed myself from the emotions, as much as I could, and just sat back and appreciated the game and the skill of both teams. The game didn't disappoint and neither did our boys when it counted most.

Now, we can celebrate another milestone as the Rangers get the Panthers in the semifinals. It's an appropriate matchup and one that has been destined since the 4-3 shootout Ranger win.

So now the discussion turns to how this Rangers team is going to win four games against this Panthers team who has the speed, the shooters, the goons and an excellent goalie. This series won't be for the feint of heart! If the Rangers are truly a team of destiny, they'll find a way.

Peace!

Quote from: Ed Vette on May 16, 2024, 04:56:53 PMAnother testimonial blow job that the rich elites do for each other. I've attended many of those in a former life. I actually don't hate this man like you all do. I may check it out.

Hi Ed.

I can't speak for the others, but the word hate was not spoken, at least, in my vernacular regarding the man.

As I mentioned, the "A Football Life" episode on him was actually a very good summary of his life, accomplishments and story of purchasing the Cowboys and, with his friend, Jimmy Johnson, building them into a champion. It talked about his leaving Texas Stadium for Arlington and the business deals he made which were progressive and made his franchise rich in a hurry. It also discussed his philanthropy within the D/FW region, Texas and other places. Finally, he wants to stay at the forefront of the NFL in innovative and creative business and marketing that will further the Cowboys brand. Those are all valid objectives of a businessman which he is.

But, as I stated before, I don't have any interest to delve further than that into his persona. That's about it.

Peace!

Quote from: Trench on May 16, 2024, 05:16:24 PMI'd love to watch the episode about Mr Mara. Does anyone have the link?

The link I provided to the Giants' 100th anniversary celebration is the initial and only announcement made so far.

Once the airing date is mentioned, I'm sure the Giants page will update with all the details. I'll be sure to make mention of it here as well.

Peace!

As I get older, I've come to appreciate the comedy warehouse this board becomes over the most interesting of topics.

Maybe the Giants should have sweetened the pot by advertising "One Free Medium Pepsi" for every fan dressed in their very best 1920s garb. So, gentlemen, get out your fedora, top 🎩 and pocket watches. Ladies, get out your parasol, 👒  , girdle and Victorian-era dress so everyone, not just the Giants, will look 100 years out of place. Maybe the spirit of Jim Thorpe will enter the Giants' huddle and the magic from a century ago will fire a light under this team in the season to come.

Yes, folks, they had Pepsi in 1925.

Peace!

Lol, everyone!

I come on here, read all these crazy a$$ posts of all of you, and I'm glad that I decided to watch the game with appreciation of the talent of both teams for the full 60 minutes and more, if needed. I feel rewarded for taking in what was a heavyweight boxing title matchup, TKO in the 13th round.

Even at 1-3, I felt they were going to come back because of two things: Carolina kept hitting the iron and Igor kept getting better as the game went on. Eventually, the tides would turn on the other end. Eventually, they did but I never would have guessed that Kreider would have pulled a Messier on us! A magnificent performance and a timely return of the Rangers we've come to love this season.

For Carolina, the ride is over. When the camera focused on that poor crying little boy, I couldn't help but feel terrible for him. I remember being him once when the Isles put one past Glen Hanlon in the deciding game of the 1983-84 opening round of the Playoffs, in overtime, no less.

So, the oddsmakers didn't get it right by picking the Canes to win it all. They weren't counting on what the Rangers had in store this year.

So we can all exhale now and watch tomorrow night's Boston - Florida match with interest.

Meanwhile, Edmonton just drew first blood in their Game Six against Vancouver which is where I'm hanging out the rest of the evening.

Goodnight, all!

Peace!

Quote from: EDjohnst1981 on May 16, 2024, 02:08:02 PMI don't know how to post a screen shot but 5/6 experts from The Athletic are picking the Rangers: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5496109/2024/05/16/nhl-playoffs-picks-odds-rangers-hurricanes-oilers-canucks/?source=user_shared_article

I wish I was that confident.

At this point, I've learned not to predict but to sit back and enjoy the performance across all eight teams remaining. No expectations, no pressure. Just appreciate the effort all teams are putting out there because Game Six in each of these tight series' are jam-packed with intense pressure belying the pain and fatigue every player is trying to work through at the moment. We too often throw around the term "gut-check" casually; however, each of the four match-ups are literally gut-checks in the truest sense of the term.

You'd have better luck pinning a tail on a donkey blind-folded at this point, when it comes to predictions. Just when you think one team is done, and it's all over, they rise from the near-dead and find a level they thought they never had and, all of a sudden, it's a brand new series.

So, that's my take going into the games tonight. I will probably record the game and start watching an hour or so into it to fast-forward through the commercials. But since the playoffs started, I've gotten my wife watching by my side every game. The youngin' we took to Tempe is on and off, but only because she's jacked up since the school year is almost over.

We'll be ready but plan to just enjoy the show.

Peace!