This is all true, and I think the biggest factor in how tough it is to go back-to-back is the energy that gets sapped out of you playing an extra two months. The Kings looked good in the playoffs this year after being not-so-great in the regular season. The Bruins and Canucks in '11-'12 never really caught up on sleep.

If you knew something about hockey you'd know that bodychecks are allowed and not every injury results from a dirty hit. If you watch the replay, it's clear it was from the side, not the back, and it wasn't an elbow. You're just wrong.

"even as it ran roughshod over Krejci-Lucic-Horton." I don't think that's true at all. The Bruins dominated the bulk of this game, and the Krejci line outshot the Toews line 6-4. Each had a goal, Looch was the most physical player on the ice (possibly tied with Bickell) and I would bet the Krejci line had many more…

How things turned out doesn't change how they looked when Deadspin wrote that. The Blackhawks looked impenetrable in February, the Penguins looked impenetrable in May, the Patriots looked impenetrable in 2007. It's the nature of sports that the mighty are going to fall; it doesn't change that they were once mighty.

Is Chicago in Iowa or Indiana? I get those midwestern I-states with all the fat people mixed up.

You're talking about the Boychuk hit on Toews? Not from behind and not an elbow. Try again.

The B's goals weren't really Rask's fault but the defense. That was a pattern last night but has not been in the series. Now a goalie with an exploitable blind spot - that's something to discuss.

Basically, but Thomas was the starter to begin that season so his statement is correct that Rask hasn't been the starter for a full season.

In 2011, the Canucks may have taken it to 7 games and played well in their 3 wins, but each of their 4 losses was a thorough thrashing where they indeed looked punchless.

Seidenberg was also the B's best player last night, so he certainly doesn't deserve blame.

How weird is it that the Devils were in teh finals last year? This year they were a shadow of last year's team, but I feel like even last year's Devils team couldn't have made it out of the first round in this year's playoffs.

I take it the point is this what the Pens get, their bad karma for having a thug like Matt Cooke? I'm ok with that.

This is disappointing to hear. I thought the strength of the first one was not the "zany hijinks" but the dialogue. Their discussions actually resembled what a group of guys would talk about when they're hungover, which in real life can be some of the strangest, best conversations ever, and they nailed it. I was never…

"now-undisputed Penguins starter Vokoun"

I'd have been able to revel in anger. Not so much with the sadness.

Iowa actually has like 15-20 casinos. I would still never go there.

All the "mature adult" has done by dropping his appeal now is set up some other poor bastard on the Pads to take the relation shot in his place.

It may have been a long time coming, but it doesn't mean we have to be excited about it. Students and alumni of schools like Yale and Harvard don't NEED this (a hockey championship, a March Madness win). It's the Florida Gulf Coasts, the Quinnipiacs, the Bemidji State..... those are the underdogs I can get excited…

What's with you and Leitch both hating on Die Hard With a Vengeance? It's the best Die Hard, and I don't just mean after the original. Jeremy Irons, Samuel L., great dialogue, great unrealistic action scenes, just a total classic.

Poor Fuckface. I had big dreams for you, Fuckface. But alas, Fuckface, you are no Motherfucker and you will never get to face the Shit.