pretty wild finish this weekend with tampa bay knocking out carolina and chicago having their hopes crushed and then revived later on in the day when dallas crapped themselves in minnesota. nice to see some integrity with these teams instead of situations in the nfl where guys are getting rested or the bad teams are dogging it.
i'll give the matchups with my thoughts on each series and my pick.
Eastern Conference
#1 Washington Capitals vs #8 New York Rangers
If you would have asked me about this matchup 2 months ago, I would have said the Rangers could shock the Caps, but with the way Washington closed out the season, I think they are going to do a little better in the post-season. If you don't watch much, they are similiar to the old Mike Dantoni Phoenix Suns, run and gun style. They don't play a ton of defense and rely on the transition game. That changed a bit. Capitals in 6.
#2 Philadelphia vs. #8 Buffalo
I would love to pick Buffalo. I root hard for them every season, they have a world-class goaltender in Miller, but he has not been himself all year. Injuries and overall bad play has thrown out the season on him. Buffalo doesn't have the firepower to keep up with Philly. Flyers in 5.
#3 Boston vs. #6 Montreal
If you're a new NHL fan or are looking to get into the game, this is your series. It has everything you are going to want. First of all, they are 2 historic teams and there is just something special about seeing those 2 jerseys out on the ice for a playoff series. Second of all, they hate each other. There has been a lot of bad blood this year. Boston should be fired up because they finally look legitimate after having the top seed a few years ago and having a giant letdown. And Montreal's intense playoff crowds are second to none. They riot when they win a first round playoff series. Boston in 7.
#4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Tampa Bay
This isn't the same Penguins that won the Stanley Cup in '09. Actually it is, it's just that their 2 best players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are both hurt. Malkin is out until next season with knee injuries, but Crosby could come back, problem is he hasn't skated since January with a concussion, but it could take him an entire series to get his legs back. The weird thing is, Pittsburgh, record-wise, put up a great season points-wise, one of their best in history. I think Tampa is ready to upset these guys though. Tampa in 6.
Western Conference
#1 Vancouver vs. #8 Chicago
This is probably the series that has the most anticipation for the first round. They have played each other in the second round the last 2 years. Chicago won both series' and seem to have their number. These guys have been a lot like the Cavs have been the last 2 years. They do everything they can to win the season, and come playoff time, don't have the jewels to get it done. They have a world-class goaltender in Roberto Luongo who has never played great in the playoffs. If he fails again, people are going to look at him much differently. There are no excuses this time around. Vancouver in 7.
#2 San Jose vs. #7 Los Angeles
I don't think this will be a great series to watch. LA lost their best player Anze Kopitar, but they did finish strong in a very competitive bottom part of the race for the west. I can't see San Jose slipping up here. They will eventually slip up because it's in their nature, just not here. San Jose in 5.
#3 Detroit vs. #6 Phoenix
Detroit in 4. I don't really need to say much else. This series won't be as fun as last year's. Phoenix gave them a great run, but I can't see them matching it. Plus did you see Detroit yesterday put on a clinic against Chicago who had to have it?
#4 Anaheim vs. #5 Nashville
This will be competitive. Nashville is the team nobody wants to play. They don't have a ton of firepower but they are as well coached as anybody in the league and that never changes. They have a really good young goaltender. They can't score a ton but they can make your life miserable. It can be a nightmare for any team in the NHL if they get up a goal or two. They played the eventual champion Blackhawks in the first round last year and had a legitimate shot at taking that series. It was a few plays here and there. This is going to be a giant dogfight. I think the Predators find a way. Nashville in 7.
2nd round.
Washington over Tampa (in 6) Philadelphia over Boston (in 6)
Vancouver over Nashville (in 5) Detroit over San Jose (in 5)
I haven't watched but a few games with eastern conference teams this year, so I'll stick with the favorites in the first round. I agree, the Bruins/Canadien series will be awesome. Lots of bad blood there.
Caps over Rangers Flyers over Sabres Bruins over Canadiens Penguins over Lightning
Hawks over Canucks in 7 (I think Vancouver wins the first couple then folds in a gruelling series which will pretty much do the Hawks in.)
Sharks over Kings. (Sharks will fall, but not in this series. The Kings are a fun team to watch).
Wings over Coyotes in 6. (I still have no faith in Jimmy Howard, and I don't see what the Detroit management sees in him. He'll look great one game, and give up 4 the next....over and over again).
Ducks over Preds. I agree, Nashville is a scrappy intense team that gives everyone fits....but I think the Wings and Ducks are on a collision course for another epic series.
Round 2:
Caps over Penguins Bruins over Flyers Sharks over Hawks Wings over Ducks
Conference Finals:
Bruins over Caps Wings over Sharks.
Champs: Bruins (hate to not be a homer, but Howard's inconsistency will lead to too many long series which will wear the Wings down.)
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Eastern Conference #1 Washington Capitals vs #8 New York Rangers Caps in 5. Last year they choked, hard. This year, they blow their first round opponent out. They'll lose one, OT loss in NY. They'll own every other minute played.
#2 Philadelphia vs. #7 Buffalo Philly in 5. They are on a mission. Buffalo won't know what hit them.
#3 Boston vs. #6 Montreal I want to pick Montreal and I will. Habs in 6. Boston feels paper strong to me.
#4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Tampa Bay Tampa in 7. Tough series and it's about a coin flip for me. So I flipped and Pittsburgh is out.
Western Conference #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Chicago I want to pick the Hawks, but I can't. This one is setup for the Nucks to win. I don't think it's an easy series for them, I'm saying 6 games (3 decided in OT). I think Chicago is just as dangerous as last year with their skill guys, I don't know if they have that enforcer, scrappy, down-low guy in Big Buff. He had a career playoff run and it will be a huge loss for the Hawks. IF, and that's a big IF, the Hawks do somehow get by Vancouver, they'll get to the Conf Finals (I think they're questioning themselves a bit, taking out the #1 seed will empower them for 2nd round win).
#2 San Jose vs. #7 Los Angeles San Jose will choke again. LA wins in 6. San Jose will play respectful, but the outcome makes it look a lot worse.
#3 Detroit vs. #6 Phoenix Even though Detroit has been all over the map the past few weeks, they'll settle down and blow these guys out. Wings in 4.
#4 Anaheim vs. #5 Nashville Another coin flip for me. I'll go with the Preds in 6. All close games and maybe even a 4 OT game 2.
2nd Round #1 Washington vs #6 Montreal - Washington in 4 #2 Philadelphia vs. #5 Tampa - Philly in 6
#1 Vancouver vs. #7 LA - Vancouver in 5 #3 Detroit vs. #5 Nashville - Nashville in 7 (upset alert!)
Conference Final Nashville over the heavily-favord Nucks in 7 Philly over the Caps in 6
Stanley Cup Philly over Nashville in 5
Picking the NHL Playoffs is like picking March Madness. ANYTHING can happen. No seed is a lock and chalk almost never happens. I'm just hoping the Hawks play well and I get to see a few extended OT games deep into the night.
Outside of the Cup clincher from Kane, due to the significance and the confusion surrounding that goal, I'll always remember this hit and what it meant. The Hawks didn't let him get under their skin. They got under his.
Still gives me chills.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
i want to see washington go far, because win or lose, they are unbelievable entertainment. if you watched the 24/7 special on hbo, you know what i am talking about.
there is absolutely no middle ground with those guys. they either win the most entertaining game you'll see, or they go out in a blaze of glory that usually ends up looking like a trainwreck. remember that game 7 against pittstburgh, wasn't it like 7-0 something like that?
i picked philly because i think the hunger from last year is there. when you lose the way they did in the finals, it either crushes you or makes you stronger, i think it made them a better team. i like their depth in goal, and i love the leadership from richards.
i think if there was another team to pick it could be tampa. i think they are the sleeper in the playoffs. but they have an extremly tall order with pittsburgh, even without malkin and crosby they have what it takes to get a few rounds in.
A few days late, but here's what I would have picked before the playoffs started (honest haha).
Series winners: Boston, Vancouver, Washington, Detroit, Anaheim, San Jose, Buffalo and Pittsburgh.
Like I said in the thread I started yesterday (refs, delete that one, please), I think Buffalo could go a long way as they played really well down the stretch (I know, because the Leafs were winning games like crazy but couldn't catch the Sabres, dammit).
the detroit series is going exactly how i thought it would. it's not gonna be like last year when the yotes made it a series.
boston. seriously? those guys are like the sharks east.
the LA kings have proven me dead wrong. they go back home 1-1, but really could easily be 2-0. they dominated last night, and lost in OT in the first game.
the blackhawks will get back into this series, but i still think they don't win it. it's going exactly how i thought it would.
i think philly should be scared. a little bit. still think they find a way, they are my pick to win it all but i would love to see buffalo make a run.
washington has impressed me. they are finally playing playoff type hockey. they are getting great goaltending too. they might be the best team in the league at this moment. maybe outside of vancouver. (i'm not big on vancouver though)
nashville has to be thrilled going back 1-1. and i don't think rinne has played his best net thus far. that thing has 7 written all over it.
after 2 games, anything can happen with pittsburgh and tampa, 1 dominant performance by each team through 2. almost like 2 heavyweight boxers dishing out uppercuts.
The Coyotes aren't a bad team, they just don't match up well with Detroit (a lot of teams don't match up well with them, hahaha).
Carey Price has played very well in goal for the Canadiens, but yeah, Boston is in deep trouble losing the first two at home. The Bruins were rather ordinary the last few weeks of the season, so that series isn't shocking. Seriously spergon, watch out for Buffalo.
if miller gets hot, they could go really far. that goes without saying though. i am pulling for them.
blackhawks are done. that was a tough one last night. vancouver is just flat out better. problem with vancouver is, they built that team to beat chicago, only it's round one and the hawks are an 8 seed that had to scoreboard watch on the final day.
how about nashville? the ducks are the only team in the league i don't like, so i couldn't be happier for barry trotz, they still have a ways to go, but they look really good. they're not an incredibly fun team to watch, but they are maximizing everything they have.
and yeah, price looks good. i was one of the majority that said the guy was too cocky to be a legit goalie on a contender, but he has proven me wrong. i think sitting in the playoffs last year and watching halak carry a team all the way to the finals set something off in his head. you can tell by his body language that the cockiness is gone but the confidence is there. he's very very good. that's a really tough city to play goalie in. it's like being the quarterback in cleveland. maybe even worse.
Quote: blackhawks are done. that was a tough one last night. vancouver is just flat out better. problem with vancouver is, they built that team to beat chicago, only it's round one and the hawks are an 8 seed that had to scoreboard watch on the final day.
Done with a capital "D". And it's not as if the Hawks stink/stunk....Vancouver looks that good. Roberto LouAlbano won that game for them last night. The Hawks had good looks and good shots on most of the PP's, he just stoned them. After winning the cup last year, I wouldn't have a problem rooting for them once this series is over. They deserve a deep run after the Hawks beat them down the past few seasons.
I'm looking right about Nashville so far, a little early to gloat though. Same with Montreal.
And man, perfect example of why an NHL team would do well in Cleveland....watching the postgame interview with P. K. Subban (Habs defenceman). No fluff, straight on, points out his mistake, and "All Business"
yeah Montreal is a tough town for goalies. After having Ken Dryden and then Patrick Roy, those guys were hard acts to follow. and Montreal, while very knowledgable hockey fans, can be unfair to their team sometimes because they expect so much.
Yeah the Hwaks are finished. They might even go down in four. I'm with you sperg, I'd love to see Nashville beat Anaheim (I hate the Ducks).
Don Cherry always called that "getting caught in the trolley tracks". Excellent hit! Drop your head in hockey for a moment and its liable to roll!
Torres hit was uncalled for but not too long ago would have been considered clean. That team will be better off without him now that its playoff time. Undesciplined play can kill you this time of year!
Quote: yeah Montreal is a tough town for goalies. After having Ken Dryden and then Patrick Roy, those guys were hard acts to follow. and Montreal, while very knowledgable hockey fans, can be unfair to their team sometimes because they expect so much.
Yeah the Hwaks are finished. They might even go down in four. I'm with you sperg, I'd love to see Nashville beat Anaheim (I hate the Ducks).
I'm pulling for Buffalo and L.A. this playoff.
just 2 years ago, montreal had a really bad playoff run, and in their final game, carey price stopped a 100 foot bunny, and the montreal crowd gave him a standing ovation. that's how hard it is to play in that town. you better have thick skin and a short memory.
to his credit, he took it in stride though. unlike cleveland qb's couch/anderson/etc who couldn't handle the heat.
He actually won two Cups with the Avs, but I get your point. I remember the events that led to his trade, and I say to this day the Canadiens shouldn't have traded Roy, but should have fired the coach (who didn't last much longer anyways).
He's still an ass, though - I aways thought Roy was a bit of a diva.
It probably was ... he was a bit of a jerk off (and even off) the ice, but man he was fun to watch as a goalie ... mostly because he was probably 80% nuts.
roy was probably the greatest of all time, but man he was intimidating too. the most intimidating in the history of the league. not like ron hextall "i'm going to kill you with my stick" intimidating. i mean just lockdown, not going to let you beat me in this moment, kinda scary.
always played big too, i think he was listed as 6'1" or 6'2" but played like he was 6'4" or 6'5"
there are some incredible goalies in this era of hockey but i have yet to see one with that kinda swagger.
Never mess with a guy who talks to the pipes either!
There's some great clips of him out there on youtube. Knocking down guys trying to come behind the net, taking the puck out past center ice (and deke'ing Gretsky in the process!), and of course all those fights with Red Wing goalies. Dude was awesome to watch.
if you watch that reel, he was notorious for holding his glove high up in the air, they call it the statue off liberty. i think it was a playoff game where he did it and the puck flew out into the net. biggest LOL unless you were an avs fan.
That shot alone finally convinced me that Roy and the Avs were not invincible and the Wings could actually win the cup. LaPointe smacked that thing so hard it practically ripped Roy's glove off. 1996-97 was my favorite NHL season of all time.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Quote: What I meant to say was he won a cup the year he was traded.
I figured you knew that, just wanted to educate those who didn't.
Boston's up 1-0 vs. Montreal in the first & they need this game very badly. It's pretty much their whole season if they lose tonight. Man, I really wish the Leafs had made the playoffs although maybe it's better they didn't, since I don't have a mini-heart attack every second night.
I didn't bother to click on this thread much because I can't really add much to the current NHL landscape. Once I graduated from college and got married/had kids, I had to cut back on sports a tad. Hockey, unfortunately, is one of the sports that got cut.
But, you want to talk Roy, dang that guy was amazing. I hated the guy because he always seemed to kill 'my' team (I picked the Maple Leafs to follow when I was young because I had been to Toronto and hated Detroit-sports. The irony of picking them AND following Cleveland sports hit me later).
I loved how Roy would pick fights with opposing goalies. Almost always seemed to be the Red Wings too.
sweeping the panthers was a ridiculous series. he made so many stops and half of them he seemed to throw himself backwards and make a stop at the last instant (and I was cheering against him hard. this is the series where I reluctantly started appreciating how good he really was).
Vancouver will win big tonight. I have a feeling the Hawks are ready to go on vacation. They had a looooooooong season+offseason and played the opposing teams best each night they took the ice. Had they won their last game, they would have had the 5 seed...but they didn't and got the 8...and now the Nucks are beating them silly.
I'll predict an OT game for the Kings and Sharks. Sharks with the win.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
if it gets outta hand early, it could get ugly in there. seabrook out tonight, someone has to step up and take one for the team.
seabrook is well liked in that locker room, therefore i am banking on someone going down tonight.
i'm not ready to say the sharks are gonna lose, but how do you get dominated on home ice against a team without its best player? oh wait, you're the annual choking sharks.
it's detroit's conference to lose. i think the east is WIDE open. every series is 2-1 right now.
7-1 now.......and with 5 minutes left, they toss Scott and Torres before a face off. I guess the refs knew it was go time for them. The refs kinda robbed the fans of that one. Oh well.
And now more fighting with 3 minutes left.
Well, anything can happen. Just take the next game.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
No, but he needed a lot more help than he got last night. Vancouver was awful. Out of position, running around, turning the puck over... All night. They were just flat-out BAD last night.
The Hawks came out and did what they had to do: play desperate hockey and win a game. We'll see if they can build on that in Game 5.
[color:"white"]"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
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