NHL playoff matchups

[Sal]

The greatest reality series in TV history kicks off Friday as the National Hockey League presents the Stanley Cup playoffs. Today was the last day of the regular season and, while many of the games were meaningless, some teams were still jockeying for position right down to the last second. In the end, some teams might have been a little disappointed because they didn't get the opponents they wanted. For instance Rangers-Devils won't happen, neither will Ottawa vs Montreal. But that doesn't mean there won't be some great action with the usual amount of magical moments that only the NHL can provide. So here's what the playoffs will look like:

Eastern Conference

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay

The defending champs from Tampa vs Team Choke!

Carolina vs Montreal

A rematch from 2002 when Carolina defeated Montreal to reach the finals.

Philadelphia vs New Jersey

Without a doubt, the best matchup in the first round, and the one most likely to go the distance.

Buffalo vs NYRangers

Two of the surprise teams in the NHL this season and also two of the most entertaining. Whoever wins this series could pull an upset next round.



Western Conference

Detroit vs Edmonton

This one should be quick and painless. Detroit in 4.

Dallas vs Colorado

The best matchup in the West. The winner could go all the way.

Calgary vs Anaheim

The two most recent Cinderella finalists: Calgary in 2004, Anaheim in 2003. But not this year.

Nashville vs San Jose

Two dark horse candidates to reach the finals. But will anyone watch them?


I'll have my predictions later this week. But first, here's a little bit of friendly advice: Don't pick any Oilers in your playoff pools!

[Brian Damage]

The Devils are white hot right now. They are the team to beat no doubt.

[Sal]

The Devils also have the best goalie heading into the playoffs.

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Sal

The Devils also have the best goalie heading into the playoffs.

agreed

[D.J.]

Here are my predictions:


East

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay- This should be an easy series for the Sens. The Lightning will probably take a game in Florida. Senators in 5.

Carolina vs Montreal- This will be a competitive series. Montreal can make it interesting though I don't think there will be an upset. Canes in 6.

Philadelphia vs New Jersey- Two great goalies going at each other. The Flyers have choked in the past and the Devils have won while being the underdog. This series will go all 7. Devils in 7.

Buffalo vs New York- Both teams are back at a Cup run. Both have youth while the Rangers have more veterans. Jagr will be playing his heart out. Rangers in 6.

West

Detroit vs Edmonton- The Oilers shouldn't bother showing up. Red Wings in 4.

Dallas vs Colorado- Old rivalry but I don't think there will be much excitement. Stars in 5.

Calgary vs Anaheim- This series could go either way but the Flames have the hotter goalie. Flames in 7.

Nashville vs San Jose- I have a feeling Chechoo is going to be doing all the dirty work for the Sharks. The Preds will win their first series. Predators in 5.

[TJ]

East

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay- Had Atlanta made the playoffs, I would have been rooting for Tampa Bay.. but since they basically knocked them out, I'll go with Ottawa in 6.

Carolina vs Montreal- I don't think Montreal will be able to score that often on Gerber.. and who will Montreal start in goal? I guess Aebischer. Canes in 5.

New Jersey vs. New York- A rematch of 1994. New Jersey has been playing playoff-like hockey for about the last 6 weeks. A healthy Lundqvist will be key for the Rangers. Rangers win in triple OT in game 7.

Buffalo vs Philadelphia - Sabres have been playing very well lately. Forsberg is one of the best playoff performers of all-time. Sabres in 7.

West

Detroit vs Edmonton- Too bad Vancouver didn't make it.. I think they would have given Detroit a tough series.. Red Wings in 4.

Dallas vs Colorado- Dallas has flown under the radar it seems. Theodore is a bit of a question mark for the Avs. Stars in 6.

Calgary vs Anaheim- A battle of goalies. Not much separates these teams. Ducks pull the upset in 7.

Nashville vs San Jose- No Vokoun, Sullivan, or Zidlicky for Nashville = no chance.. I think the Sharks would have won regardless, though. Chechoo and Thornton are a dynamic duo. Sharks in 5.

In the finals, I see San Jose battling Carolina.. with the Hurricanes winning in 7. I have to say my interest in these playoffs is much lower than it would be had the Thrashers and Canucks made them.

[D.J.]

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but the Devils came back and won that game so they won the Atlantic, not Philadelphia. I'll repost my predictions:


Detroit vs Edmonton- Detroit in 4

Dallas vs Colorado- Dallas in 5

Calgary vs Anaheim- Calgary in 7

Nashville vs San Jose- Nashville in 5


Ottawa vs Tampa Bay- Ottawa in 5

Carolina vs Montreal- Carolina in 6

New Jersey vs New York- New York in 6

Buffalo vs Philadelphia- Philadelphia in 5

[Chelsea]

Sharks vs. Predators - the team I love the most (Sharks) vs. the non-Detroit team I hate the most (Nashville)

I'm reminded at times like these why I love hockey.

[gilligan fanatic]

I can't believe it's playoff time already. Usually I watch a lot of hockey. This year I haven't been following it much at all. I think I have only watched 8 games this whole year.

[Mikado]

The NHL hockey regular season this year, was the best one since the early 80s...I cant wait for the playoffs!!! ( Although, I think my beloved Canadiens are likely to be out in 5 games )

[Sal]

Hold on, everyone. I think I goofed. I had a couple of matchups wrong in the East. Instead of Philly/Jersey it's supposed to be Rangers/Devils and Philly/Buffalo. So with that in mind, here are the revised matchups along with my fearless predictions for each series:

Western Conference

Detroit vs Edmonton

Like I said earlier, don't blink or you'll miss it. Detroit in 4

Dallas vs Colorado

Colorado isn't as strong as they used to be. In previous years, they would have given Dallas more of a challenge. Incidentally, the Stars are my pick to win the Stanley Cup this season. Dallas in 5

Calgary vs Anaheim

Calgary will be out to prove that their appearance in the finals in 2004 was no fluke even though it so obviously was. The more they hear those criticisms, the better they'll play. They should be able to easily take out their frustrations on the not-so-Mighty Ducks. Calgary in 5

Nashville vs San Jose

As hard as I try, I just can't seem to take Nashville seriously. The fact that they even have a team and Canadian cities like Hamilton, Quebec, and Winnipeg don't really burns my back bacon. The Predators should be the poster boys for contraction. The first step should be a thorough demolishing from the hands of Joe Thornton (my choice as 2006 MVP), and Jonathan Cheechoo (56 goals, 93 points). But it won't be that easy, not when you have Paul Kariya and Steve Sullivan leading the Nashville attack. San Jose in 6

Eastern Conference

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay

Just writing about Ottawa makes my stomach retch so I'll make this quick. The Senators have played as if they are on a mission this year and have been installed as Cup favorites by hockey experts all over North America. The first step will be in beating the defending champions from Tampa, who haven't played much like champions in the games I've seen from them this year. But that just might be a front to scare the Senators into a false sense of security. I don't think it will work. Ottawa in 5

Carolina vs Montreal

Carolina might be the most improved team in the NHL this season. They will surprise a few teams that might take them lightly, since they don't come from a hockey-first environment like Montreal. The additions of Doug Weight and Mark Recchi late in the season will be crucial in getting them through tough situations. Montreal doesn't impress me at all. Their goaltending is overrated and the team overall is fairly average. Carolina in 6

New Jersey vs New York

Hockey's version of the Subway Series. Remember their classic duel in 1994, with Mark Messier's guarantee, followed by the endless shouts of "Matteau! Matteau!"? This series won't be as dramatic, but it will have its moments. The big attraction here will be watching Martin Brodeur, hockey's best playoff goalie, face a young and hungry team playing in their first playoff series in 8 years. Jaromir Jagr will also bear watching, but, in the end, Brodeur will be the difference. New Jersey in 6

Buffalo vs Philadelphia

Let's see now. Our pal Solomon is from Philadelphia, so that means Buffalo will win for sure.

Seriously, this series should be fun to watch, matching Buffalo's young, small, speedy forwards against Philly's large, slow defense. The Sabres have a slight edge in goal while the Flyers' biggest edge will be the coaching of Ken Hitchcock. No matter how you analyze it, this series will be very close.

Buffalo in 7

[TVFactFan]

someone email me when the Sabres beat the Flyers

[Melonhead00]

I don't know if that serien with Detroit and Edmonton. This serien would go to six matches, Detroit winning four of these rubbers whilst Edmonton winning two.

NJ Devils v. NY Rangers: This Hudson River Derby set would go the full seven matches also with the Broadway Blueshirts aka Los Rangers de NY winning four of these rubbers and Los Diablos three. No Matteau-san here

Carolina v. Montreal: Les Habs should win this fixture in five matches because the 'Canes could NOT produce an overall #1 seed when they failed their final match of the regular season.

Philadelphia v. Buffalo: Ah dis one ah tossup. I say Philadelphia become victorious in seven matches

Ottawa v Tampa Bay: The champs against the chumps. With Ottawa and Tampa Bay ago at it, the Sens should dethrone the champs in a sweep of four matches

Dallas v Colorado: Now this one's a tossup and the emerging participant would be the Avs in seven matches.

Mighty Ducks ah Anaheim v. Calgary: Those Flames would bun down, or in this case, torch or even barbecue Anaheim in five matches

Nashville v. San Jose: Stanley Cup debutantes Nashville ago for their first, may likely their last, test when they go against San Jose. I have a feeling that Nashville would be a true goner after those Sharks eat Predatory Sabertooth Cats fi dinna (for dinner) in five matches.

Combatants (number of wins)
Detroit v Edmondton (Detroit 4:2 Edmondton)
Dallas v Colorado (Dallas 3:4 Colorado)
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim v Calgary (Anaheim 1:4 Calgary)
Nashville v San Jose (Nashville 1:4 San Jose)
NJ Devils v NY Rangers (NJ Devils 3:4 NY Rangers)
Carolina v Montreal (Carolina 1:4 Montreal)
Philadelphia v Buffalo (Philadelphia 4:3 Buffalo)
Ottawa v Tampa Bay (Ottawa 4:0 Tampa Bay)

[Chelsea]

Originally Posted by Sal

Nashville vs San Jose

As hard as I try, I just can't seem to take Nashville seriously. The fact that they even have a team and Canadian cities like Hamilton, Quebec, and Winnipeg don't really burns my back bacon. The Predators should be the poster boys for contraction.

Now, imagine living where I do (Bowling Green, Kentucky, US - about an hour north of Nashville). Ever since it became painfully obvious that the Preds weren't going to, well, suck, this year, every local sports broadcast within a good 100 miles has been Predators this, Predators that.



My sports life would be infinitely better if this team did NOT exist (Then I could move on to getting the Titans [NFL team] eliminated, HAHAHAHA). Er, anyway, I genuienly am baffled at how a city like Nashville gets an NHL team, when Winnipeg, Quebec, and any number of other Canadian and Northern US cities - actual HOCKEY cities - have nada.

Here's an idea: Instead of moving the Penguins to Hartford (Don't get me STARTED), move the Predators THERE. Hartford gets a team, Nashville loses a team, Pittsburgh keeps a team. Good times.

San Jose lost G1 (whyyyyyyy), but hopefully, they'll get it together, and go 4-0 from hereonout to beat the Predators in 5. G5 is back in Nashville. Barring my own personal idea of hell (A Predators sweep of the Sharks) happening, I plan to be AT that game, in FULL San Jose paraphenalia.

[Mikado]

Montreal just upset the Hurricanes, and made it look relatively EZ,,,,YAHOOOO!!!! ( Ok, so I'm biased )