The NHL Thread

Shichiro

Shichiro

ROUND 2 IS UNDER WAY
MY PREDICTIONS ARE IN BOLD

Eastern Conference:

SABRES vs RANGERS

The only time the Sabres lose in the playoffs is when they relax and shit. Did you not notice that in game five of the Islanders series? As soon as they stepped back, they took advantage. I'm sure they'll learn of their mistakes, and besides, even if they don't and fail once or twice, I'm sure they'll get their heads even more into it. 4-2 Sabres.

Sabres lead series, 1-0

SENATORS vs DEVILS

This is a really good matchup and really I'm hoping for the Devils to win cause I sure as hell don't want to face Ottawa. I think Brodeur is good enough to keep Ottawa's scoring in check, and it's not like their offense is that bad.

Senators lead series, 1-0

Western Conference:

RED WINGS vs SHARKS

I'm going with a gut feeling on this one. Think this'll be an upset. Not like the Sharks aren't great, though, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise.

Sharks lead, 1-0

DUCKS vs CANUCKS

I don't know. Just picking one for the sake of picking one really.

Ducks lead series, 1-0
 
East

Buffalo vs NYI - I'm giving this to Buffalo, I'll shave my head bald if they lose here.

New Jersey vs Tampa Bay - I really don't care much for both teams but I'm thinking New Jersey is gonna have no difficulties getting past the Lightning.

Atlanta vs NYR - Just because the Thrashers are my favorite Eastern Conference team.

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - This'll be fun but Pittsburgh will pull through this one.


West

Detroit vs Calgary - These two are my favorite Western Conference teams but I gotta tip my hat to the Red Wings. I like em better anyway.

Anaheim vs Minnesota - This could be interesting but I think this series belongs to the Ducks.

Vancouver vs Dallas - Not making a prediction here as I don't really know much about both teams.

Nashville vs San Jose - I think the Sharks will win this series. Although the Predators will make this an entertaining playoff series.

Those are my predictions for the 1st round. I'm rooting for a Red Wings vs. Sabres finals series where the Red Wings come up on top, since the Red Wings are my favorite team.
 
Shichiro, don't let Jason see you picked against the Canucks.

Buffalo vs NYI - I'm really glad Ted Nolan is finding success there, even though NJ gave them the 8th spot... but we're going to destroy his poor team, end of story.

New Jersey vs Tampa Bay - Brodeur is ungodly this year, they will have no problem taking care of TB.

Atlanta vs NYR - The Rangers seem to have lost a step in their scoring attack from last year, and their goaltending is always a problem.

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - Crosby has really grown on me since he started out in the league, he is a dominant presence. If Ottawa can't stop him, they're sunk. Plus Emery sucks donkey dick for nickels.

West

Detroit vs Calgary - Calgary just barely made it in, Detroit is a powerhouse.

Anaheim vs Minnesota - The Ducks are still a force, barely missed the Cup finals last year. They'll make another deep run this year.

Vancouver vs Dallas - Um, WOW. Vancouver is only the hottest team in hockey, their record since the all-star break is ridiculous. Luongo should win the Vezina, but aside from his never playing in the playoffs before, they take the series.

Nashville vs San Jose - This is really tough to choose, both teams are really damn good, but after watching SJ against Vancouver the other day I'm taking them.

2nd round

Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh - We roll 4 lines consistently, and 3 out of 4 can shut down their top line.

New Jersey vs. Atlanta - I like the Thrashers' offensive attack, but if they can't solve NJ's annoying defensive scheme, let alone Brodeur, they're sunk.

Detroit vs. San Jose - Detroit is just too well put together, SJ will fall here, might go to 6 or 7 though.

Anaheim vs. Vancouver - Same reasons from above, they're much better then 3rd seed, which says something.

Conference Finals

Buffalo vs. New Jersey - This is tough, but not only are they the home team, but they've found ways to beat NJ during the regular season, they'll do it again here. Barring any fucking injuries, of course.

Detroit vs. Vancouver - this is probably a long stretch, but this is really what I want to see happen, and I think it can.

FINALS

Buffalo vs. Vancouver - Sorry Jason, we take it. But Luongo will probably get Playoff MVP Trophy.
 
Well I really don't know much about either team and I kinda picked one just for the sake of picking one. There's gotta be an upset somewhere though (and I really hope I don't jinx the Sabres by saying that).

Also posting to say that if the injury bug hits again, I will not be a happy camper, to say the least.

EDIT: I actually changed my vote to Vancouver because I forgot they had Luongo and plus DM reminded me of how hot they have been.
 
The Stars are my boys, so I have to go with them :-* I am really mad that the Red Wings did so well after starting the season fairly poorly :( At least the Avalanche missed the playoffs :D
 
Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo vs #8 NY Islanders - Buffalo has such tremendous talent that I don't see any way that the Islanders can even win two games.

(2) New Jersey vs (7) Tampa Bay - NJ, while not nearly as good as they were a few years ago, is still a force with Brodeur in net. They shouldn't have a huge problem here but TB does have some fire power with the likes of Lecavalier and St. Louis.

(3) Atlanta vs (6) NY Rangers - It's really a toss-up between two teams with less playoff experience. Jagr is amazing and Shanahan only adds to that.

(4) Ottawa vs (5) Pittsburgh - It's good to see the Pens make it back to the playoffs and as much as I'd like to see them go, Ottawa just has so much offense with Comrie, Heatley, Alfredsson, and Spezza.

Western Conference:

(1) Detroit vs #8 Calgary - It broke my heart last year to see my Wings beat in round by the Oilers and to then watch them have such a Cinderella run into the finals. Detroit better not choke again. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Schneider, Lang; they're just too potent to lose. Calgary won't go quietly though, I guarantee that with the likes of Kiprusoff in net.

(2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota - Screw the Ducks and Giguere but the Ducks are more talented overall so I have to give them the nod. Expect this one to be similar to the Atlanta-New York one though, pretty close.

(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas - I like the Stars way more and I personally think that their experience will give them the edge here.

(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose - Two teams with a ton of speed. However, just having the Thornton-Cheechoo combo alone give San Jose such an edge. Billy Guerin and Marleau only add to that. I have to hand it to the Predators though, they've come a long way in building their franchise in the last few year. I think that this will be the most entertaining and high scoring round of them all. I really can't wait to see the outcome of it.


All of the Western series will be fairly close in my opinion, while the East looks pretty set in who will win.
 
Eastern Conference

Buffalo vs Islanders - What little chance the Isles had with DiPietro in the net doesnt exist anymore. Briere will have a stellar serie. Buffalo in 5.

New Jersey vs Tampa Bay - I really wanted to pick Tampa, mainly because of the many quebec born players in the team.. However, I still think Marc Denis sucks and Martin Brodeur is the best goalie in the league and the difference will be there. NJ in 6.

Atlanta vs Rangers - Rangers end the season on a great roll and Shanahan will get everyone to play awesome play-off hockey. Rangers in 6.

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - I like both teams a lot. Ottawa cant seem to have any sort of success in the play-offs but I think they'll do everything to not be on the losing end again. Pittsburgh is extremely talented but young and inexperienced. This goes to 7.


Western Conference
I find it hard to pick teams in the West but I'll give it a shot anyway.

Detroit vs Calgary - I wanted to pick an upset somewhere, I wanted it to be Tampa but decided to go with this one instead. Anything can happen in the West and Calgary will prove it. I'd trust Detroit more if they didnt get to rack season points playing in the West's easiest division. Calgary in 6.

Anaheim vs Minnesota - I'll root for the Wild but I'll have my money on the Ducks, I believe they are going all the way to Stanley Cup Final. Anaheim in 5.

Vancouver vs Dallas - Luongo never made the play-offs with the Panthers, he's the best the west has between the pipes and gets a shot this year... and I really fucking hate the Stars. Vancouver in 6.

Nashville vs San Jose - Two very good teams but I really dislike thornton, he's never accomplished anything in the play-offs and I dont wish it to change this year. Then again, I dont like the Predators either, mainly because of where they play, and they didnt have a great end of season. I wish both team could eliminate each other. But I'll gamble on Forsberg doing something for Nashville to win in 7.


I pick the Sabres to eventually win the East & the Cup against the Ducks in the West.
 
DoomMullet said:
Shichiro, don't let Jason see you picked against the Canucks.

Buffalo vs NYI - I'm really glad Ted Nolan is finding success there, even though NJ gave them the 8th spot... but we're going to destroy his poor team, end of story.

New Jersey vs Tampa Bay - Brodeur is ungodly this year, they will have no problem taking care of TB.

Atlanta vs NYR - The Rangers seem to have lost a step in their scoring attack from last year, and their goaltending is always a problem.

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - Crosby has really grown on me since he started out in the league, he is a dominant presence. If Ottawa can't stop him, they're sunk. Plus Emery sucks donkey dick for nickels.

West

Detroit vs Calgary - Calgary just barely made it in, Detroit is a powerhouse.

Anaheim vs Minnesota - The Ducks are still a force, barely missed the Cup finals last year. They'll make another deep run this year.

Vancouver vs Dallas - Um, WOW. Vancouver is only the hottest team in hockey, their record since the all-star break is ridiculous. Luongo should win the Vezina, but aside from his never playing in the playoffs before, they take the series.

Nashville vs San Jose - This is really tough to choose, both teams are really damn good, but after watching SJ against Vancouver the other day I'm taking them.
Click to expand...

These are my exact picks for round one.

The Sabres have been solid all year and I can't argue with Brodeur's season. Though I like them, I will never pick in favor of the Rangers lol... I don't trust them to win enough. Pittsburgh was playing some awesome hockey as of late and the seem like a solid pick.

As for the west I will never ever pick against my Wings. Here's hoping Datsyuk ends his playoff scoring drought. The Ducks are another solid team this season so it would be foolish to pick against them. Ditto to what DM said about Vancouver and I hate Nashville so I'll root for the Sharks to beat them.
 
Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo vs #8 NY Islanders - I just can't imagine the Isles mustering enough to beat the President's Trophy winners here. Most lopsided series in the league. 4-1

(2) New Jersey vs (7) Tampa Bay - I think this will be a very good series. Don't underestimate Tampa Bay, Lecavalier has been a beast this year and is a big-game player. 4-3

(3) Atlanta vs (6) NY Rangers - I've been waiting for Atlanta to make the playoffs for a few years now, they're a very dangerous team. But can they get it done? I think they'll either play amazing or tank completely. 4-1

(4) Ottawa vs (5) Pittsburgh - Experience prevails here. Ottawa has had trouble in the playoffs, but I think they'll have it together enough. I'm predicting Fleury to have a tough series. 4-2

Western Conference:

(1) Detroit vs #8 Calgary - I can't even take Detroit seriously in the playoffs anymore. They coast through the regular season only to lose to the hard working teams. 4-2

(2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota - Anaheim is a scary team. They're skilled and physical. That said, Gaborik is playing great right now and I think he'll be the difference for Minnesota... if he doesn't get injured. 4-3

(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas - Look out NHL, my Canucks are the top team of 2007. Luongo is the best goalie in the league. Don't believe me? Just ask youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z6dDJog5KE

4-3

(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose - Two great teams. I was a big fan of Nashville until they got Arnott and Forsberg. I think San Jose will win with their physical play. Thornton is a prick but I think he has enough in him to get to Round 2. 4-3
 
I, being Canadian, am a huge hockey fan. I'd like to throw my hat into the ring:

EAST

Buffalo will CRUSH Islanders. Also I dislike Ryan Smyth very much, just for the record. 4-0.

NJ will take tampa 4-1. St. louis, Richards and Lecavalier are insanely good, so maybe 4-2.

Atlanta vs New York? Aside from the WHO CARES factor, Atlanta will neat them 4-2 or 4-3. I know you've commented on a lack of experience in Atlanta for playoffs, but I remind you that Hossa AND Tkachuk bring lots of playoff experience with them. Add that to Kovalchuk and that fancy goalie of theirs and I think you'd got a winner here.

Pitts VS Ott. Ottawa has an OVERWHELMING amount of playoff experience. Emery is solid, whereas pittsburgh has had goalie issues in the past. I think the VERY potent offensive capabilities of Ottawa combined with some good solid defensemen and Emery, Crosby will have his first year in playoffs be a bust. 4-3 Ottawa.

WEST!

Detroit is not as old as they used to be. However, I hate Bertuzzi and not only for that Steve Moore incident. I've seen a few comments on hasek being healthy being a big deal and so forth. Let me remind you of a few things here:
1. Flames have Hamrlik, Phaneuf, Stuart (who is better than his stats say, he was with BOSTON most of the year after all), Regehr and Warrerner. This is a devastatingly strong defense, arguable the best in the league.

2.Before you get excited about Detroits offense, look at the Goals for. Is that a tie? Hey, Calgary is the only team that has 4 guys with over 80 points. Expect Conroy to play less like a King and more like a Flame too.

3. Kipper for the win. Seriously. He is very consistent, despite what people say about him he's been in top ten all season and top 3 or 5 most of the season in ALL STATS. Hasek makes alot of dumb errors.

Calgary, 4-2. (FYI I'm a flames fan but I'm not a moron, lol)


Anaheim will KILL minnesota. Minn can't play without overtime or Shoot out. Just look at all their scores, they always played for the tie! That won't work in playoffs...

Vancouver VS Dallas: one word, 3 syllables: LU-ON-GO.
Vancouver 4-1.

San Jose VS Nashville. Hands down my favorite matchup in first round. Nashville has as much or more depth than Buffalo, and that's saying alot cause Buffalo has a ridiculous amount of 20 goal scorers. Goaltending is even down the stretch, but I think this is a toss up. If Nashville can evade the bone shattering checks and save a few of Thornton/Cheechoos shots, they can win. If they let sharks intimidate them, which is sharks specialty, it's a whole different series.
 
Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo vs #8 NY Islanders - 4-1

(2) New Jersey vs (7) Tampa Bay - 4-2

(3) Atlanta vs (6) NY Rangers - 4-2

(4) Ottawa vs (5) Pittsburgh - 4-2

Western Conference:

(1) Detroit vs [8] Calgary - 4-3

(2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota - 4-3

(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas - 4-2

(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose - 4-2
 
that sabres logo in your avatar is awesome by the way.

Is it on one of jerseys somewhere, perhaps on the shoulders? Because I dont remember seeing it before.

It's great though, I'd totally use it as the team's official logo. I looks like the old one but better.
 
Thanks Vineon :-)

No it isn't used on a jersey, it's kind of just a modification of the old logo. Found it by google image search.
 
Ok, time for the conference that matters:


Isles over the Sabres in 7 games. This series could go either way, but I think the Isles are going to be severely underestimated. Besides, last year a team that won the President's Trophy lost in the first round to a #8 seed featuring Ryan Smyth, and we all know history repeats itself.
biggrin2.gif


Devils over the Lightning in 5. Brodeur is the best goalie in the game, no questions asked. He'll carry them at least a round, although having a career high in starts is going to take its toll.

Rangers over the Thrashers in 6. As much as I hate them, the Rangers are the better team. The Thrashers will make it interesting, but the Blueshirts will prevail.

Sens over Pens in 7. It'll come down to experience over rough talent, and in this case, experience takes the cake.

Now for the other conference:

Flames over Wings in 5. Detroit is like the Germans in world wars: strong out of the gate, but they fade fast when it matters.

Ducks in 4 over the Wild. Anaheim is probably the most skilled squad in the conference. They'll show it in the first round by steamrolling the Wild.

Canucks over the Stars in 7. Like New Jersey, the Canucks have a great goaltender who's gotten a lot of starts this year. Luongo will carry them into the next round.

Nashville over San Jose in 6. Nashville's been having a stellar year, I think.

Onto the next round...

Sens over Isles in 5. The Isles will exhaust all their energy against Buffalo, letting them become easy pickins for the Sens.

Devils over Rangers in 6. Brodeur will start to tire before the end of this series, so the Rangers will make this interesting.

Vancouver over Calgary in 7. Another grueling series for both teams, but I think Luongo will pull these guys out in the end.

Ducks over Preds in 6. Something tells me Nashville will put up a good fight.

And for the conference finals...

Sens over Devils in 6. Brodeur won't be able to beat these guys.

Ducks over Canucks (lol rhyme) in 7. I'd be surprised if this series wasn't decided in overtime in game 7.

And for the Stanley Cup:

Sens over Ducks in 7.
 
Where the fuck can we watch the playoffs if we are in the US? :( I do not even have a Stars channel here in Austin, as far as I know :'(
Sabres/Devils/Rangers/Penguins
Red Wings/Ducks/Stars/Sharks
The Ducks, Stars, and Sharks have all had to beat up on each other all season, and I think they will benefit from it here.
 
How did i miss this topix?

Fucking Islanders lol :[ RIP LEAFS

its ok this will be a wake up call for my leafs to realize they suck dick like i have been trying to tell them the past 3 years. Hopefully ferguson is fired. Also Pat Quin got fired for winning 41 games, Maurice won 40 this will be interesting.

As for my predictions, your guys' predictions are too logical for hockey playoffs, save the logic for the nba. NHL is anyones game in the playoffs (see oilers 8th seed last year)

ROUND ONE:

BUF vs NYI in 4

This is gonna be ugly

NJ vs TB in 7

This is the match im the least sure about, how inspired will Brodeur play?

ATL vs NYR in 5

I trust kovalchuk will step it up and Atlanta should win unless Avery purposely kills Hossa.

OTT vs PIT in 5

The Crosby Show commences. Also Gary Roberts has a great series and muckler gets fired.

WEST:

DET vs CAL in 6

They have gone far before, and they are better not than they were then. Detroit are choke artists, and their old guys will run out of juice.

ANA vs MIN in 6

Gaborik is a robot, Backstrom is solid behind Lemaires defense and Anahiem has been struggling lately. Pronger doesnt have another miracle stretch in him.

VAN vs DAL in 5

Luongo is solid, Turco chokes. That is all.

NAS vs SJ in 7

I like SJ better, but Forsberg has experience, will AND talent. Look for a big series from him.

ROUND TWO:

BUF vs PIT in 7

This is gonna be tough for the sabres, the pens will come out and win three out of the first 4 or five and everyone will be on the Crosby Train, but the Sabres will find a way out of this series with experience and depth.

NJ vs ATL in 5

Solid coach, solid netminder, tons of experience takes this easy

Admittedly these aren't that dark horse, but my west gets interesting..

VAN vs CAL in 7

A series for the ages, wow. I am licking my chops at this. Kipper vs Luongo, a battle of West Canada to be remembered. Calgary has the grit, experience and leadership that Vancouver doesn't, and that will be the difference. Big series fromt he likes of Regehr (sp?) Hamrlik and Phaneuf and of course Goddard locks down any offense the Canucks can muster.

NAS vs MIN in 6

I cannot really attempt to justify this, but I just think that the team with the leader in gaa and sv% as well as the individual leader in goals per game can take this. Not to mention they had they least goals against in the league. Forsberg fades and Vokoun gets injured along the way.

ROUND THREE:

BUF vs NJ in 7

A clash of two solid teams, but NJ is just solid. NJ is a CM Suicune: No weak. This will be a tight series, coming down to game 7, but Buffalo just doesn't have it in them imo. Parise has a huge series.

MIN vs CAL in 6

rofl 7 vs 8 seed, but i digress, these two teams are formidable. Just following the trend of last year, the top 4 in the east advanced and the bottom 4 in the west did. Backstrom will pull a Bryzgalov and have a nice shutout streak going, and going off the momentum of beating Nashville will get through this series without too much trouble against a tired Calgary team.

FINALS ZOMGX:

NJ vs MIN in 6

YEA! You are all laughing but its ok, i had the oilers last year. Brodeur cannot start all these playoff games after so many starts in the season, and the Wilds unstoppable threesome of Gaborik, Demitra and Rolston are gonna feast on a tired Brodeur/sucky Clemmenson. Backstrom is the next Cam Ward and is a candidate for the MVP, but Gaboriks goals cannot be denied, and Marian takes the MVP award as Rolston hoists up the cup for Minnesota ^__^

You will kiss my toes when im right.

Fin.
 
You know, as good as Nashville and Detroit are, if you put ANY of the NW teams in their division, cept oilers cause they suck asses....

...you get a top seed in the west. Think about it. Detroit and Nash have THREE easy to beat teams: Colombus, St Louis and Chicago. With the new 8 games per division rival system, that's 48 easy points. The NW spent the entire season molesting each other, no wonder Minn and Calgary finished so low.
 
Well, Ottawa takes game 1 with a score of 6-3, hopefully they can hold out and whip the Pens.

As many have said, Nashville-San Jose will be an entertaining and high scoring series. San Jose wins 5-4 in double OT.

Dallas is losing to Vancouver, 2-3 more than halfway through.

Minnesota vs. Anaheim started at 10:30 and it's tied 1-1 right now.
 
what?

2:50 in 4OT for the Stars-Canucks game.... Unbelieveable....

I am hearing this game right now...

It is 12:30 AM right now too...

These guys are tired from the commentators' point of view, but the crowd is still in it... wow.....

Watching ESPN right now, 72 saves for luongo...

EDIT: ouch... turco beaten...

EDIT2: the crowd is chanting soccer chants...hahaha.... I don't know much about hockey, but this must've been a hell of a game.
 
omni said:
2:50 in 4OT for the Stars-Canucks game.... Unbelieveable....

I am hearing this game right now...

It is 12:30 AM right now too...

These guys are tired from the commentators' point of view, but the crowd is still in it... wow.....

Watching ESPN right now, 72 saves for luongo...

EDIT: ouch... turco beaten...

EDIT2: the crowd is chanting soccer chants...hahaha.... I don't know much about hockey, but this must've been a hell of a game.
Click to expand...

Yes, 72 saves in Luongo's first ever playoff game. Not too shabby!

I loved the chants of "TURCO! YOU SUCK! TURCO! YOU SUCK!"
 
_what_a_game_

also a hockey game in canada...there could be 20 overtimes the crowd will ALWAYs be in it.

Also minor setback for my Wild, i think they just have to win one road game though as they are amazing at home.
 
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