NHL Playoff Time!!!

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » April 5, 2004, 5:39 pm

So after 82 games of sometimes spirited but sometimes lackluster efforts, 16 NHL teams now can compete for hcokey's most coveted prize. Who do you think will do it?

First round picks:

Tampa vs NY Isles - the head game series. Tampa has an extremely talented young team, but the Isles, through all their ups and downs have had the Lightning's number all season. This will be a series to test Tampa's mental toughness and confidence and I think their playoff inexperience will show. Isles in 5.

Bruins vs Canadiens - Boston is missing Joe Thornton but is still a very well stacked club. Guys like Samsonov, Murray and company can still put the puck in the net. Montreal looked really good for a while after acquiring Alexei Kovalev but the team has struggled of late and most importantly, so has their goaltending. Boston in 5

Flyers vs Devils - which Philedelphia team will show up? Which New Jersey team will show up? Both have shown the ability to play at the both extremes. Personally I believe that Martin Brodeur and the NJ defensive system are equal to the challenge. Devils in 6

Senators vs Maple Leafs - the Battle of Ontario, yet again. Gotta love the animosity in this series to start, and the Domi hit on Bondra in the last regular season game adds a little more spice. Unfortunately, with the way Belfour is playing and with Lalime hurt, Ottawa is badly outmatched in goal. Toronto in 5

Red Wings vs Predators - Joseph or not, Detroit has Nashville outclassed in every aspect of this matchup. Wings in 4

Sharks vs Blues - San Jose has quietly been shaping into a strong contender in the west over the past couple seasons, and while St Louis has shown signs of greatness, they are as inconsistent a team as is in the post season. Sharks in 5

Canucks vs Flames - Another all Canadian match up with the talented Canucks against the hard working Flames. Mikka Kiprusof has been nothing shy of spectacular and the Canucks have suffered a little bit but not excessively with the loss of Todd Bertuzzi. In short I don't think Kiprusof can do it alone. Canucks in 6

Stars vs the Avalanche - at the beginning of the season I would have pegged this as almost as big a mismatch as Detroit-Nashville, but as the season progressed, Dallas was able to solidify as a team and Colorado has faced an incredible injury toll. In the end, I still think the Avs talent will win out. Avs in 6.

Cup prediction - tough one with probably 5 legitimate contenders in the East and 2-3 more in the West. In the end, I think Detroit made enough purchases...er... acquisitions to take home the Cup, probably defeating Boston.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 5, 2004, 9:46 pm

My picks are:

Round 1:
Toronto: Whike they are an old team, the Sens have been plagued with bad goaltending this year.

Montreal: They're my team! Thorton will also be out for the first round I think.

Tampa: They are better all around.

New Jersey: They've been on fire recently. Also, I don't think Esche will do well in the playoffs.

Detroit: No reason needed.

Dallas: Turco will stop the offensive power which is Colorado because he's the next Brodeur.

San Jose: Just because St-Louis doesn't have a team.

Calgary: Only hoping they win because I think they are the underdog. Inginla and Kiprusoff will cary the team this year:

Round 2 (according to my picks)
Tampa vs Habs: Theo always chokes in round 2 so I will give it to the Lightning

Leafs vs New Jersey: Devils in 6. The Leafs will be too bruised up after the Sens game. Having 6 players over 35 will do that.

Detroit vs Calgary: Detroit, stars such as Datsyuk and Legace will be too much for them. Altough, the Flames will consider it a victory just making it this far.

San Jose vs Stars: Stars in 7 games. Once again, Turco will carry the team.

Round 3 (accorind to my picks)
Lightning vs Devils: Experience will lead New Jersey to the finals.

Detroit vs Dallas. Dallas in 5. Goaltending becomes an issue at this point and Legace doesn't have the experience (Joseph might still be injured)

Finals
New Jersey vs Dallas: It's the Stars turn to win again. Turco named Conn Smythe winner.

Post by **Sylvus** » April 6, 2004, 12:32 am

I'll be at the Wings' game on Wednesday! They're going to go all the way.

(I only posted that to make Xouqoa jealous)

Truant · Post by **Truant** » April 6, 2004, 2:30 am

I'm cheering for Stevie Y and the Wings of course.

And I have to admit, I became a bit of a closet Bruins fan this year. I really enjoyed watching them play!

I'd like to see Tampa upset a bit in the playoffs as well.

/endrandomhockeythoughts

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » April 6, 2004, 2:59 am

GO SHARKS

Animale · Post by **Animale** » April 6, 2004, 10:05 am

Boston should have lost their last game so they could play more games on the road. Sleeping in their own beds appears to turn them into heartless pansies.

Animale

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 6, 2004, 12:24 pm

Sylvus wrote:I'll be at the Wings' game on Wednesday! They're going to go all the way.

(I only posted that to make Xouqoa jealous)

die!

my picks for first round!

East: Lightning, Canadiens, Devils, Leafs
West: Red Wings (woo), Sharks, Flames, Stars

Trek · Post by **Trek** » April 6, 2004, 12:48 pm

Kings all the way!!

xZiBiT · Post by **xZiBiT** » April 6, 2004, 2:11 pm

Lynks wrote: Detroit vs Calgary: Detroit, stars such as Datsyuk and Legace will be too much for them. Altough, the Flames will consider it a victory just making it this far.

Round 3 (accorind to my picks)
Detroit vs Dallas. Dallas in 5. Goaltending becomes an issue at this point and Legace doesn't have the experience (Joseph might still be injured)

How can he be a star in the second round but n00bie in the third?

Anyways, being from SE Michigan, I personally hope they lose in the first round again. Don't get me wrong, I really want them to win Lord Stanley's Cup but I want to rip my fucking ears off and bash my fucking skull in everytime I hear the Red Wings/Eminem parody stanley cup song for 6 months after they win it. (ala 2002)

Yay if they win the Cup, but goddamn stfu with those gay ass tribute songs on every fucking radio station.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 6, 2004, 2:25 pm

xZiBiT wrote:How can he be a star in the second round but n00bie in the third?

Legace can own Calgary, but I doubt he can own Dallas.

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 6, 2004, 2:42 pm

Lynks wrote:Legace can own Calgary, but I doubt he can own Dallas.

Legace can own anyone! I predict he carries the Wings to a Stanley Cup win and gets a job as the starter next season! (If there is one

)

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » April 6, 2004, 3:59 pm

With Lidstrom, Schneider, Chelios and Hatcher in front of him Zoocow could play goal for Detroit and win the cup. The real question for Detroit will be are they going to come out and play or try to coast? If they coast, they'll be golfing sooner than Sens

xZiBiT · Post by **xZiBiT** » April 6, 2004, 5:04 pm

/me can already hear those homo assed stanley cup parodies blaring from his radio

/me cries

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 6, 2004, 5:11 pm

Xouqoa wrote:
Lynks wrote:Legace can own Calgary, but I doubt he can own Dallas.
Legace can own anyone! I predict he carries the Wings to a Stanley Cup win and gets a job as the starter next season! (If there is one )

I have no doubt that he can and will be the number 1 goalie for Detroit. I just think that Turco is the best in the West.

As for hockey next season, I sure hope things get resolved. I don't think I will be able to handle it.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » April 7, 2004, 10:30 am

Cool so after sitting through 82 regular season games we now get to sit through another 82 playoff games. YAWN! Now they will actually take up news time through July.

I don't completely hate hockey but it just isn't fun to watch on TV or at the professional level.

Post by **Sylvus** » April 7, 2004, 11:33 am

That's fucking crazy-talk, man. What would you prefer, baseball and its meaningless 162 game season?!? The Stanley Cup Playoffs are the most exciting time in professional sports.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » April 7, 2004, 11:39 am

I'll be cheering for the underdogs in every series of every round...of course that does not go for the Flyers or the Devils. I'm hoping for some sort of double elimination for their matchup.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » April 8, 2004, 2:48 am

Deward wrote:Cool so after sitting through 82 regular season games we now get to sit through another 82 playoff games. YAWN! Now they will actually take up news time through July.

I don't completely hate hockey but it just isn't fun to watch on TV or at the professional level.

Cool, then dont fucking watch it. I know its difficult to ignore a topic that doesnt interest you and isnt even fun for you to watch, but give it a try.

Post by **Sylvus** » April 8, 2004, 3:35 am

BRING IT ON, BITCHES!!!

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 14, 2004, 10:25 am

Vokoun stood on his head last night making every save. Whats up with Detroit??

Post by **Sylvus** » April 14, 2004, 11:40 am

I'm not worried, we dropped a couple road games, we'll still win this!

I think Xouqoa has his doubts, and it's his fault that we're playing poorly on the road.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » April 14, 2004, 11:42 am

Sylvus wrote:I'm not worried, we dropped a couple road games, we'll still win this!

I think Xouqoa has his doubts, and it's his fault that we're playing poorly on the road.

2 words

Hot Goaltender

YOU ARE FUCKED AND YOU KNOW IT!!!

you are switching goalies, and they have seized the momentum

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 14, 2004, 8:55 pm

It'll turn around in game 5, then we're going to go into Nashville and put the hurt on them and embarrass them in front of their home crowd!

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 15, 2004, 1:51 pm

Xouqoa wrote:It'll turn around in game 5, then we're going to go into Nashville and put the hurt on them and embarrass them in front of their home crowd!

Not with Cujo in net!

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » April 15, 2004, 1:57 pm

I was at last night's game 4 between Ottawa and Toronto.

GO SENS GO!!!

My father-in-law and I had a blast.

Post by **Sylvus** » April 15, 2004, 2:53 pm

BRING IT ON, BITCHES!!!

Post by **Sylvus** » April 15, 2004, 11:12 pm

Yeah, I said it!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » April 15, 2004, 11:59 pm

Lot of yall picked the devils... however, I will not say much until after the Saturday game... I remember all too well what happened in the finals a couple years back...

GO FLYERS!!!!!

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 16, 2004, 2:21 am

I picked the Devils too but I thought Stevens would be back. Now Niedermeyer (sp) might be out too. Not good for NJ!

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » April 16, 2004, 8:29 am

Sylvus wrote:BRING IT ON, BITCHES!!!

I thought you were supposed to post pictures of pussies in the NWS forum...

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » April 16, 2004, 11:33 am

Fare thee well Blues! Hope to see ya next year! I only regret that my beloved Isles look to be next on the list

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » April 16, 2004, 12:15 pm

Aren't you supposed to be a Calgary fan Wulfie????

Well, then again, if cheering for your hometown team was always true, I would be a Blazers fan...it ain't that kinda party...

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 16, 2004, 12:22 pm

I hope Vancouver beats Calgary, I don't really want Detroit to have to play the Flames if they both end up in the next round. >< I'd rather them play Colorado.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » April 16, 2004, 1:05 pm

I want 2 things.

Ottawa to beat Toronto
Montreal to beat Boston

If those 2 things happen these will have been good series for me.

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » April 16, 2004, 1:24 pm

Sharks move on... pay no attention tho, we are no danger

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » April 16, 2004, 2:26 pm

Sorry Limpid Lizzerd. I've been an Islander Fan since the Flames were in Atlanta, and I've only been in Calgary for 3 years. While I dont mind the Flames (and I like the idea of them beating Vancouver and scaring Zoocow even more

), the Islanders are my team.

Hoping Ottawa can beat Toronto too (lets be honest, is there any non-Leaf fan that isn't, especially in Canada?) but I don't know if they can. The Habs, they have one game left and the 2nd most opinionated fans in the NHL can all stfu

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 17, 2004, 6:47 pm

Goodbye Islanders

, Predators, Devils, and Stars.

What a good playoff round so far.

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 17, 2004, 6:49 pm

After seeing Colorado put up 5 goals against Turco, I'm not sure I want Detroit to play them in the next round.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » April 18, 2004, 2:37 am

YAY FLYERS!!!!!!

Sorry Wulfie bud.

Phugg_Innay · Post by **Phugg_Innay** » April 18, 2004, 12:34 pm

Go Sharks

Now that I have said that , the Sleepers of the playoffs are off for a few more days. I have to agree with Pherr , but I think they are a lot better than everyone thinks.

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 18, 2004, 1:15 pm

They're good, I just don't know if they have the experience (yet) to go all the way.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 19, 2004, 10:32 pm

Habs win! HABS WIN!!!!!

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » April 20, 2004, 10:40 am

Lynxe wrote:Finals
New Jersey vs Dallas: It's the Stars turn to win again. Turco named Conn Smythe winner.

Way off on that one huh =)

Wulfran wrote: Bruins vs Canadiens - Boston is missing Joe Thornton but is still a very well stacked club. Guys like Samsonov, Murray and company can still put the puck in the net. Montreal looked really good for a while after acquiring Alexei Kovalev but the team has struggled of late and most importantly, so has their goaltending. Boston in 5

Your prediction looked to be spot on the a while but the Habs came through!!! WOOT!!!

Wulfran wrote: Senators vs Maple Leafs - the Battle of Ontario, yet again. Gotta love the animosity in this series to start, and the Domi hit on Bondra in the last regular season game adds a little more spice. Unfortunately, with the way Belfour is playing and with Lalime hurt, Ottawa is badly outmatched in goal. Toronto in 5

Game 7 tonight. Time for Ottawa to bring it home!

Phugg_Innay · Post by **Phugg_Innay** » April 20, 2004, 11:02 am

Av's at SJ , Sharks have a slight advantage. Youth , Depth, a week off (could go either way) vs a Colorado team that is just Overly arrogant

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » April 20, 2004, 12:19 pm

omg! The silly little Flames beat up Vancouver!!! First playoff series they won since 1989 when the won it all!!! Die Ded Thingz next (they're not my team but I don't mind em and it would be so funny to see cashstrapped Calgary beat out the Detroit Free Agency and Salary Collection... wonder if I can get any tickets to a game... doubt it...)!!!

And maybe if I keep believing Ottawa will lose, they will beat Toronto just to prove me wrong (nice thought).

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 20, 2004, 12:52 pm

Wulfran wrote:omg! The silly little Flames beat up Vancouver!!! First playoff series they won since 1989 when the won it all!!! Die Ded Thingz next (they're not my team but I don't mind em and it would be so funny to see cashstrapped Calgary beat out the Detroit Free Agency and Salary Collection... wonder if I can get any tickets to a game... doubt it...)!!!

And maybe if I keep believing Ottawa will lose, they will beat Toronto just to prove me wrong (nice thought).

Nay sir, the Flames stop here! Although, it should be an excellent series. I'm not sure Kippursof can stop the (hopefully) offensive onslaught of Detroit. They just have too many talented scorers. Iginla scares me though.

Hopefully San Jose and Colorado will beat each other up real nice also.

Tampa vs. Montreal should be good, but Theodore will have to be a LOT more consistent if he hopes to contain the Lightning. I get to see a lot of their games and they're pretty good. I think they can win the East, possibly the Cup this year.

Philly vs. Toronto/Ottawa ... tossup. I'll go with Philly though.

Lynks · Post by **Lynks** » April 20, 2004, 2:49 pm

I was WAY off when I said Devils vs Stars in the finals, bt those 2 teams are the only ones I predicted wrong so far. Go figure

Montreal vs Tampa will be a good series. Both teams use speed which will create good scoring chances and good hockey. I have my doubts if the Canadians can beat them but I hope they don't go down without a huge fight.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » April 21, 2004, 11:45 am

*sigh* Ottawa choked again.

Ah well...

There's always Montreal. =)

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » April 21, 2004, 12:28 pm

Well 4-4 on my picks in the first round... wonder if I can do better in the 2nd.

Tampa vs Montreal - Honestly think Tampa is the better team by a good margin. The question in this one is how well will the goaltenders play? A no show by either one means a short series. Tampa in 6

Philadelphia vs Toronto - Can Ed Belfour shut the door on the Flyers like he did on the Sens? Will the Flyers punish the bruised Lefs more than Ottawa? Dunno. The Flyers DID look a lot better than I expected against the seasoned Devils. The Sens played the Leafs harder than I expected as well. Flyers in 6 (ok thats mostly hoping but...)

Detroit vs Calgary - as I already mentioned, I think it would be funny if the lil wee Flames who are celebrating their first series win since 1989 when they won the cup, beat the High Priced Ded Thingz... but it ain't gonna happen. Calgary is playing with Sutter-like intensity and tenacity but they just can't stand up to the talent Mike Illitch bought. Wings in 5

San Jose vs Colorado - at the beginning of the season I pick the Avs to be a contender, courtesy of the Kariya and Selanne signings. They steamrolled a surging Dallas club pretty easily and I think this train may be gaining some speed. San Jose has quietly risen in the ranks of the West but can Nabokov and Marleau carry them? Not this year. Avs in 6

Post by **Xouqoa** » April 21, 2004, 1:04 pm

For the record I'll take Tampa, Philly, Detroit and San Jose.