citrin@ucbvax.UUCP (Wayne Citrin) (04/21/84)
Give the Caps credit. They're a good team and barring some disastrous trade we'll be seeing more of them in the future. I confess that I was surprised that the Islanders took only five games to win this series, but in retrospect it seems reasonable. After all, this was only the Caps' third playoff. They had just won their first playoff series ever the week before. Remember that it took the Islanders seven years from the time they first made the playoff until they won their first Stanley Cup, and that it took them three years from the time that they became strong Cup contenders until they won. Be patient and remember that the Caps will need more experience and possibly a couple of upset losses (this series wasn't an upset) before they'll be ready. Some other remarks: the superiority of the Islanders' depth made a great deal of difference. It has long been known that the Islanders can put four strong lines on the ice each night, but the new twist this year is the strength of their reserves. Bill Torrey was criticized for carrying seven extra players at the end of the year but it turned out to make the difference in the last two games as players every bit as good as some regulars, like Anders Kallur, Nats Hallin, Gord Lane, and Gord Dineen, made real contributions. One of the Islanders' extra players is a rookie goalie who is every bit as good as their regulars. This says good things about the team's future. One of their regular goalies is going to go next year and my guess is that it won''t be Melanson. As for the Islanders' next opponents, I think they can beat Quebec or Montreal, although I'd like to see them play Montreal simply because there are still a lot of people who won't consider the Islanders real champions until they beat the Canadiens in a playoff series. The Islanders have not had a chance to play the Canadiens since they started winning the Cup. Wayne Citrin (ucbvax!citrin)
mp@ganehd.UUCP (Scott Barman @ Univ. of Ga.) (04/22/84)
Congrats to the Caps on a great series, but, as always, the best team won. All those who do not believe luck plays in ANY championship better not tell Islanders, NY Mets, Jets, Philly 76ers fans that. If you look at it, it is a matter of luck who you play. What would of happened if the Fliers played the Islanders instead? We would never know. Because of work, I haven't put wy 2-cents in about the winners, so I'll take it from here (Not knowing the results of tonight's games): Islanders v. Canadiens: A match-up for history. The Islanders need to bead Montreal before tieing the record. Montreal does not have the talent but have the potential (and also the fans who demand it). It might be close but I see the Islanders in 6. North Stars v. Blues (series tied at 3): Who are these guys in St. Louis? The contraversy over the ownership of the team, no draft picks? They looked good, from what I have seen, but Minnesota is better. North Stars will take it like the Canadiens did in the post-fight third period. Oilers v. Flames: These guys are too far from home for me. I can really only give personal preferences. I would like the Flames because it is a way to give Atlanta the proverbial middle finger for not supporting the team. However, the Oilers are just plain good and the series is down to one game at Edmonton. The Oilers will take it. Oilers v. North Stars: Minnesota is hungry, Edmonton is hungrier. Edmonton seems to want vengence on the Islanders and will probably get their chance. This will go seven close games. I wouldn't be surprised at a couple of overtimes or even a Minnesota upset. Islanders v. Oilers: First game between these two this year, the Islanders put Rollie Melanson in the pipes and won! The Islanders seem to have the Oilers' number and the Oilers can't seem to break it! I don't see a sweep this year, I do see only five games, maybe six, but not the distance. Billy Smith is just too good (see series v. the Caps) for the Oilers and seems to rise to the occasion in the playoffs! THE DRIVE FOR FIVE, STILL ALIVE!!!! From the hockeyless south, Scott Barman ..!akgua!ganehd!mp