I'm Cali time right now. Not that it matters, 'cause my internal body clock is all jacked up.

It's funny, 'cause some of the lineups are totally shifted, but some have their pivotal guys there still.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the "new" NHL. Although of course, now we're getting the playoff version of that, but still.

I am. Why yes, I've swallowed the "crazy during hockey playoffs" pill, thankyewverymuch.

DH still knows a lot of the Caps. He'll occasionally play goal for the charity Alumni games. This year we've gotten to know the GM well; his son was on the Mite team hubby coached. It was weird hearing about deals before they actually happened.

Much cleaner. I remember Hatcher, our enforcer. And everybody had one. You hit us, Hatcher'd hit you hard. There doesn't seem to be one of those anymore. It's still exciting. One of, I think, the easiest games to follow as far as rules go.

Ha! Did you see that stat!

I'll be interested to hear what you think of the "new" NHL.

Short version: I think they're taking the heart out of the game. I hate the new instigator rule. Fighting in the last five minutes of a game isn't, in and of itself, a bad thing especially if you're trying to protect your skilled players. Fighting for the hell of it I've never liked, but there are times when you just have to drop the gloves.

I like the tag-up offsides. It helps the game flow a little better. I detest the new goalie rules. If the goalie wants to handle the puck, let him handle the puck anywhere on the ice he wants. It limits some pretty, pretty plays, and penalizes goalies who are good puck-handlers. Ron Hextall wouldn't have been half the 'tender he was if he had to follow these rules.

Trying to stop the interference is like trying to stop the earth from turning. It's not gonna happen. Hockey is a contact sport. A player is frequently going to incidentally interfere with another player. It's not deliberate and shouldn't be called. There's got to be some common sense, and right now the officials are calling everything they see. Yes, I know it's zero tolerance, but give me a break. I don't like this particular bright line at all.

Shootouts = good. It adds excitement, and doesn't seem to offend a lot of people.

Er, if this was short, I'm going to hate to see my long version when I actually *think* about these things.

I hate the new instigator rule. Fighting in the last five minutes of a game isn't, in and of itself, a bad thing especially if you're trying to protect your skilled players. Fighting for the hell of it I've never liked, but there are times when you just have to drop the gloves.

This. This I agree with.

Oh, man.

It's over. Congrats guys. S'been nice watching the game again.

ETA: D'ya'll hear "That was a rusty skate boot to the testicles for Dallas."?

It's OVER! Vancouver wins! Henrik Sedin with a nice shot.

Sorry I faded out there. I didn't fall asleep, the dog got up in my lap. Which is fine if you're not a seventy pound Australian shepherd. Now my fingers are all numb.