NHL Lockout?

[ben79]

With most teams having one game left and no matchups ready yet, I'm gonna go aheaad and guess the first round matchups. Let's see how many I get right!

Pittsburgh-NY Islanders
Boston-NY Rangers
Washington-Ottawa
Montreal-Toronto

Chicago-Columbus
Anaheim-Detroit
Vancouver-San Jose
Los Angeles-St Louis

I don't think Mtl will be able to win against Toronto.

Bobrovsky for the Vézina trophy !!

Spezza started skating again, if Ottawa pass the first round, he might be able to play ...

[Gillipig]

With most teams having one game left and no matchups ready yet, I'm gonna go aheaad and guess the first round matchups. Let's see how many I get right!

Pittsburgh-NY Islanders
Boston-NY Rangers
Washington-Ottawa
Montreal-Toronto

Chicago-Columbus
Anaheim-Detroit
Vancouver-San Jose
Los Angeles-St Louis

I don't think Mtl will be able to win against Toronto.

Bobrovsky for the Vézina trophy !!

Spezza started skating again, if Ottawa pass the first round, he might be able to play ...

You Quisling!!

[Army of GOD]

I'd much rather go into the playoffs with momentum. Losing a few games before the dance just doesn't sit well with me.

Anyway, not only did we win, we destroyed the Canes. Neal got a hatty in his first game back and Martin looked good too.

Detroit vs. Anaheim is probably going to be the best series. I can't see the Red Wings lay down; they haven't missed a playoffs in my entire life. Literally.

[ben79]

congrats to Detroit for their 22nd straight playoff appearence. Dinasty ? ( 4 stanley cup and 6 appearence in the finals )


Who you guys think will win 1st round of playoff in the west ?

my choices : Chicago in 5, Anaheim in 7, Vancouver in 7, LA in 6

[Serbia]

I'll make my choices after the Sens-Bruins game.

As a Wings fan, I can't believe how entirely lucky we are to experience this stretch of sustained success. Should be an entertaining series with the Ducks, though I don't expect the Wings to get past them, despite winning the season series.

Bollocks.

[ben79]

Joe Neuwendyk is out in Dallas .. making place for Detroit assistant G.M. James Nill. Any fans of the Stars in here ? btw thanks Joe for Ryder-Cole plus the 3rd round pick.

[oVo]

Chicago and Pittsburgh have both had grand seasons,
but who look strong going into the playoffs?

22 consecutive playoffs for the Wings is an impressive streak
and the Kings' cup run is a reminder that anything is possible.

[Gillipig]

congrats to Detroit for their 22nd straight playoff appearence. Dinasty ? ( 4 stanley cup and 6 appearence in the finals )


Who you guys think will win 1st round of playoff in the west ?

my choices : Chicago in 5, Anaheim in 7, Vancouver in 7, LA in 6

If Chicago doesn't win their series against Minnesota.......I don't have words to describe how sick that would be. Not only is Chicago a way better team, they're also in incredible form. It would be a bigger upset than Los Angeles beating Vancouver last year. Hah, if Minnesota beats Chicago and goes on to win the Stanley cup, last years upset would pale in comparison!
I consider Anaheim vs Detroit a very open series, Detroit is a better team with a more experienced organisation but Anaheim have been on fire this season. I'm gonna go ahead and pick Detroit just because Anaheim is a very uneven team, they get red hot then they get stone cold, this season has been a red hot one, but it's not always that it carries on into the playoffs. Detroit on the other hand won their last four games and probably come into this series with a nothing to lose attitude, they're happy just to make the playoffs and keep the streak alive, anything more now is just a bonus. I don't think Anaheim will respond well to the pressure of being favorites.
Vancouver vs San Jose, I just don't believe in Vancouver this season. What I've seen from them have been sub par. The Sedin's are not in their "zone", they can't seem to carry the team this season. As much as I'd like to see my fellow redhaired swedes make it through the first round, I don't think they will. It's not that San Jose are that good, Vancouver have just been that bad. Let's get this straight, Vancouver are excellent at winning low energy games, the typical mid season game, they do it with little effort and that's why they're the third seed. But high intensity games usually don't suit them as well. It might be that they beat San Jose anyway, it will most likely be a close series, but I don't see them getting far this year.
St. Louis vs Los Angeles, I don't know what to think in this one, Los Angeles are the defending champs but they haven't been playing like it, St. Louis is...probably the most anonymous, pure teamworking team in the leaugue. No ego superstars, but still a very competitive team. They were the second seed last year so they obviously got a good group there. An anonymous group, but that probably works to their advantage in some regards. I don't think Los Angeles will get their things together, and to be honest I think they almost played above their ability last year, I don't think they will be a contender the next few years either. St. Louis for the win.

[Serbia]

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Conference Quarterfinals
#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 New York Islanders: Penguins in 5. I think NYI will manage to steal one, but the Pens move on.
#2 Montreal Canadiens vs. #7 Ottawa Senators: Habs in 6. I just like Montreal in this matchup.
#3 Washington Capitals vs. #6 New York Rangers: Caps in 5. Washington has been on a tear, NYR hasn't. Caps are better.
#4 Boston Bruins vs. #5 Toronto Maple Leafs: Bruins in 7. I see a close, physical series, but in the end, it's Toronto. 'nuf said.

Conference Semifinals
#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #4 Boston Bruins: Bruins in 6 Just going with my gut here.
#2 Montreal Canadiens vs. #3 Washington Capitals: Habs in 6. I think Montreal gets on a roll

Conference Finals
#2 Montreal Canadiens vs. #4 Boston Bruins: Habs in 7. I'd love to see this matchup. It'll be a typically rough series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Conference Quarterfinals
#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #8 Minnesota Wild: Hawks in 4. Wild faded, barely getting in, and Chicago's been great.
#2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Detroit Red Wings: Ducks in 6. I see why people like the upset, but I think Anaheim is for real, Detroit is not.
#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 San Jose Sharks: 'Nucks in 7. Intriguing matchup, will be a long one, tight, and home ice decides it.
#4 St. Louis Blues vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings: Kings in 7. I really believe this could go either way, and in the end, I'm giving it to experience.

Conference Semifinals
#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings: Hawks in 6 The reigning champs get knocked out.
#2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #3 Vancouver Canucks: Ducks in 5 I really like the Ducks in this series. I still feel Vancouver is a great regular season team, but just can't get it done in the playoffs.

Conference Finals
#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #2 Anaheim Ducks: Hawks in 7 A long series, but Chicago wins on home ice.

STANLEY CUP FINALS
#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #2 Montreal Canadiens: Habs in 6 Montreal finally comes through for Canada and adds to their league-leading Cup total. Carey Price is named Canada's God. Toronto goes into a severe depression.

Bollocks.

[Army of GOD]

EAST:
Pens over Isles in 5
Habs over Sens in 6
Rangers over Caps in 7
Bruins over Leafs in 7
---------------------------------------------------------
Pens over Bruins in 6
Habs over Rangers in 7
----------------------------------------------------------
Pens over Habs in 6

WEST:
Hawks over Wild in 5
Wings over Ducks in 7
Sharks over Nucks in 6
Blues over Kings in 7
--------------------------------------------
Blues over Hawks in 7
Wings over Sharks in 7
--------------------------------------------
Blues over Wings in 6



Pens over Blues in 6

[Serbia]

I just edited my post to add other rounds.

Bollocks.

[tzor]

I don't really know much about the western conference, so I'll only comment on the eastern one.

I agree with the Quarterfinals, Serbia, but that's where it ends. I'm a firm believer in the power of the farce.

I think the Capitals are going to wind up in the conference finals; The power of the Tute flows through their new coach.

I think the Penguins are going to wind up in the conference finals; after all Peng - wins.

Then it's anyone's guess, but my gut says the Capitals will get the cup.

[Army of GOD]

What a great set of games today to kickoff the playoffs.

Quick fucked up big time.

[Gillipig]

What a great set of games today to kickoff the playoffs.

Quick fucked up big time.

If it wasn't for Quick's great play earlier in the game it wouldn't even have gone to overtime. Can't put this loss squarely on his shoulders.

That was a great game, as was the other two, great start to the playoffs!

[Army of GOD]

What a great set of games today to kickoff the playoffs.

Quick fucked up big time.

If it wasn't for Quick's great play earlier in the game it wouldn't even have gone to overtime. Can't put this loss squarely on his shoulders.

That was a great game, as was the other two, great start to the playoffs!

I'm sorry but in that particular play, yes I can.

He had years to pass the puck and the other side of the ice where Steen wasn't coming from. That goal shouldn't have happened.

[keiths31]

If it wasn't for Quick's great play earlier in the game it wouldn't even have gone to overtime. Can't put this loss squarely on his shoulders.

Actually it is entirely his fault. He played a hell of a game and was the only reason his team was still in it. But that doesn't take away that he screwed up royally and cost his team the game. Steve Smith cost the Oilers vs the Flames when he bounced it off of Fuhr and in. Osgood cost his team the game when his clearing pass went right to a Shark player and they scored. (Many more examples, but I am at work...) It doesn't matter how good of a game he played, he cost his team the game.

[Serbia]

Osgood cost his team the game when his clearing pass went right to a Shark player and they scored.

Why use THAT example?

Bollocks.

[keiths31]

Osgood cost his team the game when his clearing pass went right to a Shark player and they scored.

Why use THAT example?

Bollocks.

Sorry. Top of my head. The next year they went out and got Mike Vernon...so it wasn't all bad.

[Gillipig]

Brad Pitt's team looked strong yesterday.

[Serbia]

Osgood cost his team the game when his clearing pass went right to a Shark player and they scored.

Why use THAT example?

Bollocks.

Sorry. Top of my head. The next year they went out and got Mike Vernon...so it wasn't all bad.

Very true. And the year after THAT -
Champions.

Bollocks.

[oVo]

Sharks just scored in the final minute of game 2
to force OT in Vancouver.

Some good series already...
Blackhawks are rolling.

[Army of GOD]

Pens coughed up a 3-1 lead. Blergh.

[Timminz]

Apparently, Carey Price is a motherfucking badass!



Gets a tooth kicked out, skates over to the bench to give the tooth to the trainer, and goes right back to playing.

Hockey!

[keiths31]

Apparently, Carey Price is a motherfucking badass!



Gets a tooth kicked out, skates over to the bench to give the tooth to the trainer, and goes right back to playing.

Hockey!

Anderson did the same thing the game before. This is turning out to be a great series.

And who saw the Isles winning last night???? Wow. Go Isles!!!!

[Serbia]

Apparently, Carey Price is a motherfucking badass!



Gets a tooth kicked out, skates over to the bench to give the tooth to the trainer, and goes right back to playing.

Hockey!

Anderson did the same thing the game before. This is turning out to be a great series.

And who saw the Isles winning last night???? Wow. Go Isles!!!!

I agree with all of the above.

The Wings laid an egg tonight. I never expected them to win the series, but still. Also, not really digging the decision to play Lashoff with Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo available, but I won't peg the loss on that.

Bollocks.