NHL Playoffs

[Sal]

The NHL playoffs begin tonight as 4 of the 8 first round series get underway. The matchups look like this with the home teams listed first and my predictions to follow:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston vs Montreal --- Boston in 6 games

Montreal has history on their side in a big way but not much else. Boston is simply too big, too strong, and too good in every department and possibly a little hungrier as well having been beaten by the Habs last year. That won't happen again! Boston will win the 2009 Stanley Cup!

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia --- Philly in 7

This will be a very entertaining and intense series to watch and it could be decided by one lucky bounce in the end. In assessing the teams overall, Pittsburgh has the better players in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and they finished with more points than the Flyers, but overall, I'll give Philly the edge because I think their team is just a little better.

Washington vs NYRangers --- Washington in 5

Alexander Ovechkin's first playoff series will be a fairly short one, since his team will prove to be too much for the Rangers to handle, despite the heroic efforts of star goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who might be able to steal one game by himself, but not 4 out of 7.

New Jersey vs Carolina ---- New Jersey in 6

Martin Brodeur makes his return to the playoffs healthy and well-rested for the first time in his great career and that could make the Devils go a long way. First they'll have to beat the Hurricanes, one of the NHL's hottest teams down the stretch. They'll do it but it will be a tough battle ahead.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Jose vs Anaheim --- San Jose in 5

The Sharks are on a mission to erase their past playoff failures but they aren't likely to be tested until the next round. If they are to go all the way, the first step will be to dispose of the Ducks quickly and easily which will not be a problem for them.

Detroit vs Columbus --- Detroit in 4

Same deal here. Don't blink or you'll miss it.

Chicago vs Calgary --- Chicago in 6

The roar is back in Chicago as the Blackhawks have emerged from nowhere to become one of the NHL's most talented and dynamic teams. Calgary should give them a great test and will match them step for step in talent, toughness, and hard work. But all in all, I'd say Chicago is hungrier and deserves it more. That will be the difference.

Vancouver vs St. Louis --- Vancouver in 5

Despite the fact I have the Canucks winning easily, this series could still go either way and might take a few unexpected twists and turns along the way. Both teams are exciting to watch but a little unpredictable at times as well. The difference should be in goal. Roberto Luongo is one of the NHL's best and the young, inexperienced Blues should not pose too many problems for him but may make life difficult for some of his teammates. It won't matter because he'll still be there to cover up for their mistakes and that should help them win the series.

[TJ]

What an exciting time of the year. I see some very competitive first round series.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston vs Montreal --- Boston in 5 games

Boston simply has too much depth and the advantage at every position. Montreal has traditionally owned Boston in the playoffs but not this season.

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia --- Pittsburgh in 7

Home ice will be the difference in this series. These teams are pretty much even. I like Fleury more than either of Philly's goalies.

Washington vs NY Rangers --- Washington in 6

Washington simply has too much firepower, although King Henrik should keep the Rangers close. The Rangers simply lack consistent scoring.

New Jersey vs Carolina ---- Carolina in 7

It's hard to pick against Marty Brodeur in the playoffs, but Carolina was on fire down the stretch. Cam Ward outplays Brodeur and the Hurricanes advance.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

San Jose vs Anaheim --- San Jose in 7

Anaheim has been playing playoff hockey for weeks. Anaheim is definitely capable of the upset, but the Sharks have too much speed and depth.

Detroit vs Columbus --- Columbus in 6

Upset special. Columbus has played them tough in the regular season. Steve Mason outplays Chris Osgood. I liked the moves Columbus made at the trade deadline.

Chicago vs Calgary --- Chicago in 5

Great to see the Blackhawks back in the playoffs. I'm not sure I'd say they have emerged from nowhere. Drafting Kane and Toews helps. They were pretty good last season and added a few more pieces this season by spending a ton of money. They are on schedule.

Vancouver vs St. Louis --- Vancouver in 7

As a Canucks fan, I would have preferred Columbus or Anaheim. St. Louis has been playing playoff hockey for weeks. Vancouver has the edge on defense and in goal.

Conference Finals
Boston over Pittsburgh in 7
Vancouver over San Jose in 6

Stanley Cup Finals
Vancouver over Boston in 6

[Scoobiedoo30]

It seems like only yesterday that Hockey season started

[Darren J.]

Since it already started, I'll give my predictions before they started:


1)Boston vs 8)Montreal- Montreal in 6. I'm probably going to be wrong with this matchup, but considering what happened in 2002 and 2004, you'd have to be nuts not to give Montreal a shot. If Carey Price is hot, Boston is in for a good fight.


2)Washington vs 7)New York- Washington in 7. Offense vs defense. I think Washington's offense will be too much.


3)New Jersey vs 6)Carolina- New Jersey in 5. Never go against Martin Brodeur in the playoffs. I learned that lesson the hard way in 2000.


4)Pittsburgh vs 5)Philadelphia- Pittsburgh in 6. It will be a VERY physical series. Pittsburgh is the hottest team in the 2nd half after St. Louis. Malkin and Crosby will be too much.
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1)San Jose vs 8)Anaheim- San Jose in 6. Anaheim can give them problems with their defense, but the Sharks choke in the second round, not the first.


2)Detroit vs 7)Columbus- Detroit in 5. Columbus has no shot, too little experience. I think they'll take a game in Columbus.


3)Vancouver vs 6)St. Louis- Vancouver in 6. St. Louis has been hot and they'll give Vancouver some difficulty. Vancouver is also hot, as they passed Calgary for the division.


4)Chicago vs 5)Calgary- Chicago in 5. Normally, I'd go with Calgary, but they were horrible the last 10 games or so. They also lost the division. Easy win for Chicago.

[James]

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

It seems like only yesterday that Hockey season started

[MrCleveland]

Detroit is facing two Ohio teams in Hockey and Basketball.

This sound interesting....Go Blue Jackets!

[ComedyGuy]

I am a huge hockey fan and in fact that's the only sport I follow and I am a huge Penguins fan (I live in PA.) and I am a huge Bluejackets fan as I am originally from Cleveland Ohio.

[Wreckless]

Boooooooo Penguins...

GO FLYERS

[Darren J.]

Sharks have already blown 2 first period leads tonight. They deserve to get swept.

[Wreckless]

The refs were ****in horrible tonight in the Pens- Flyers game. It's absolute bull**** that the ****in refs are one ****in sided, it's not ****in right, it's not fair to begin with. They let the Pens get away with EVERYTHING, and called the Flyers on everything. Some of the calls tonight I couldn't believe, the announcers couldn't believe. Besides that, Fleury had a hell of a game. Oh and, **** you Crosby- **** your little crying, punk ass in the ass with a dildo, you little ***** bitch. You ran itno Biron, and did you get a penalty for goalie interference? No. Did the refs call no goal cause Biron didn't have a chance to make the save when Sidney, Australia ran into him? No

Dumbass refs ruin the ****in game like that...their goalie stole a game in a good way, but the refs and crosby and malkin are getting on my last motha****in nerves....and it wouldn't hurt to put Malkin in the penalty box for a second, especially when he draws a penalty...and of course doesn't get it..

**** this ****


I apologize to everybody in here including the mods, for cursing and ranting. I'm content now, but wasn't at all during the end of and after the hockey game tonight, so I had to let out frustration, but didn't censor any of my thoughts. Thanks.

[Marvo301]

Get out your brooms everybody and lets congratulate the Vancouver Canucks who swept the St. Louis Blues in 4 straight games!!!!!!

[Wreckless]

yeah, st. louis is feeling BLUE Lol...

[Big C]

Sharks are still alive.

So much for Darren J saying "they deserve to be swept."

BTW, Wrecky- what IS that new avatar?

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by Wreckless

yeah, st. louis is feeling BLUE Lol...

[Wreckless]

BTW, Wrecky- what IS that new avatar?

It's 2 poar bears plus an albino plus a sarah palin look a like- lol

nah, it's bobby lee, from mad tv, dressed in a fur coat, Eminem, 2 polar bears & a sexy Sarah Palin look-a-like lol.

It's from a music video actually....the polar bears in their randomly is what makes it so funny