Worst playoffs in recent memory?

The semi finals have been a huge letdown.  Total domination by the Wings and Pens.  The finals shape up to be great on paper, but you never know.  Remember the Devils sweeping the Wings in 95. 

As for playoff years, I'm going to go a little old school.

1975  Islanders comeback 0-3 vs. Pens and win.  Then comeback 0-3 vs. Flyers and lose Game 7.  Flyers then beat Sabers 4-2 to win cup.

1979  Rangers upset Isles 4-2, Canadians beat Bruins 4-3 ( overtime Game 7 and Boston too many men),  Canadians then beat Rangers 4-1 for fourth straight cup.

1980-1984  Islanders win 4 straight cups, winning 19 (NINETEEN) straight series before Oilers end the run.  Can anyone win 19 straight series ever again. No one has done it before, and obviously it has not been done since.  Isles were only in 2 elimination games and both were Game 5's, in their Cup runs.

1986   Patrick Roy Show.  Introduction to his greatness.  The series against Hartford was amazing.  This was also the last year of the 1st round being 5 games.  I miss that.  First 4 games in 5 nights and if it went 5,  the series was over in 7 days.  Now that was a crazy sprint.  And against division opponents.  Good times.

You may not be too far off, Rubbish.  There were a few interesting series in round 1, but it went steadily downhill after that.  And it doesn't look much better for the rest of this round and the Finals.  I think the Red Wings will close it out pretty quickly.

The Red Wing teams of a few years ago might have seemed more exciting for a few reasons.  First, they had more personality in their top players.  Zetterberg and Datsyuk are great players, but you don't hear much about them off the ice.  Yzerman and Shanahan were more marketable as personalities off the ice.  Second, I think the recent playoff disappointments have taken a little luster off them.  Of course, that can (and probably will) change this year.

As for the expansion hurting the league, I tend to agree with that too.  There have been many rule changes favoring more offense to try to win marginal fans in some of the new areas.  All this has done is watered down the game for us true fans.  I really wish the NHL would quit wanting to be the NBA or NFL, and just give us true fans the kind of good, hard-hitting, old-time hockey we love.

Holy $hYt this post just took me 30 minutes to read!!!!!! Great post by ho ever started although I disagree...I can understand why you would frustrated bt if your a hockey fan/player....you have to admire how the Redwings are wining. Its pure domination out there. Now I am a little biased because i am a Wings fan but I am awe struck but what they have accomplished this year any thing less then the cup would suck.

As for pitsburgh what they have done is impressive as well. they have been a little more boring but it is what it is. You can not say that a year has been boring just because teams are dominating. If anything it shows the diversity of the league. Do you actually think this will happen every year...Next year it could very well be Chicago v the capitals in the finals who knows...Hockey is awesome and I will always watch love the post its been fun

GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

oh and my favorite year is the 97' wings went through so much heart ache for years and then it happened (but like I said I am biased) hahaha!!!!!!!!!!! 

Imagine that, you rank the Detroit Cups in the bottom 9 and you're from Canada.  Big surprise that you aren't into these playoffs as well.  So apparently you're into the playoffs more when the Wings don't play a serious roll.  Listing '99 as #3, you're way off.  Calgary/San Jose was the favorite series of most "hockey people"......but none of those two teams had what it took to get the job done.  Period.

I'll give you this........Hockey as a whole, seemed like a sport no one south of the Canadian border cared about in the least bit, and it's continued into the playoffs.  Hockey needs to seriously get bailed out from the rut that it's stuck in......and fast.  Expansion and past strikes have ruined hockey as I once knew it.  The NHL thought they were on to something big when they started moving multiple franchises south and out west, and they were dead wrong.  No one cares.  Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, Carolina, Florida, Anaheim........not taking anything away from those people who live there, but the fact remains, it's only impact has been negative.  It's watered down the league, and even I'll admit, it's allowed us here in Detroit to buy one President's  Trophy after another. 

Sorry you don't like the Wings.......but the bottom line is, they have the best front office, the best scouting, the most skilled players, the ability to pay their players enough to stay in town and lure some other great players into the red sweater, and they are undoubtedly THE NHL franchise of the last 13 years.  And as far as I'm concerned, we got to this point by taking notes on the Oilers of the 80's.  So look no further than your own team that wrote the book on shoring up talent and dominating year in and year out. 

Awesome post man just wanted to let you know. can honestly say that this is the first time 1 post has been an actual good read.

Go wings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speaking as a wings fan, i just wanted to let the pink bikini wearing peguin, that I personally think the wings will take it in 6 games, and I think it will be a real exciting series....BUT what you said about your penguins is the same thing we have heard about colorado and dallas.  I wouldnt not be suprised if the wings did in fact demolish the pens.

  Well now Harry.... good  post...... I like the Thoughts... This thread has been a good hashing about quality and style of play.... From the East ...come the Penguins...... and the west ....The Red Wings... If you read the stat lines.... Both are playing opportunistic hockey.... Push the Puck... Take advantge of The other's mistakes.... While managing to slow down the opponents rush and blocking shots out deep.... Then the goaltenders are mopping up those that get through..... Pick a stat.... both clubs are pretty much equal.... Sooo..... Why when they collide would that fall all apart?....... I think with the ability of both clubs to maximise effect of thier chances.... This could be  a shootout finals..... or.... based on the defesive stats... could be a 1-0 ....2-1 donyybrook kind of series.... Who knows till they lace 'em up.... The Penguins have shown much poise in games ...managed a come back from 3 goals down to win against the Rangers...The wWings have had answers when thier back was pushed in games as well.... I believe that experience now has less emphasis this deep in the playoffs..... it comes down to play what brung ya and keep at it..... I believe the Penguins won't dissapoint you (Red Wings fans...) Or us..... Just think you ought to have a little more respect for a team that is mirroring evertything you tout about your own team.... Good luck...

 Goooo Penguins!!!