Playoffs are starting on Wednesday and I love me some playoff hockey (note: I'm a stereotypical Canadian).

Just wondering if there were any other hockey fans on this forum.

Hi, Truther.

I'm as excited as you are, and I know there are other hockey nuts out there on the Lage. No personal team interest in the playoffs this year due to my being a Leafs fan, but I'm always an avid neutral fan.

I think it's a lot more open than last year, when it always seemed as though the Pens would meet the Wings in the final. This year there doesn't seem to be an outright favourite, and various teams have players on their roster that could carry them to the Cup. Miller in Buffalo is one of those. The Caps may have stormed to the President's this year, but I don't see them winning. Can't say Ovi ingratiates himself enough for me to get excited about his team. Personally I'd be content if Chicago were to win it - they've got a fantastic set of young players and it would be nice to see an O6 side (that isn't Detroit) hoist the Cup.

:wavey:

Fellow Hoser and hockey nut!

From the East, it's hard not to like Washington's chances - gonna have to slightly disagree with ya on this one, M. :) After Ovi's bad play in the Olympics, I think he may just want The Cup that much more.
Can't say much bad about the Pens. How awesome would a Pens / Caps Conference final be?
I think you can count out Ottawa, Philli, Boston and Montreal right off the bat. They all seem to have trouble scoring and their goalies are questionable - 'cept maybe for Boston.

In the West - I really like Vancouver's chances, but I'm rooting for Chicago. Like Michaud said, that core of young guns are awfully fun to watch. If they had the Canucks goaltending, I think they'd have to be the favorite. Always gotta watch out for the Wings. And to top it off, they've been hot over the last several weeks.
Though I do love the fact that the Kings and Coyotes are both in the playoffs. Good for them.

Sweet! Some fellow hockey fans, including a fellow Leafs fan (oh the agony!).

Doesn't seem to me like many of the matchups in the first round are all that thrilling. Seems like one or two might have anything resembling an upset. Here are my picks for the first round:

EAST
Capitals over Habs
Devils over Flyers
Sabres over Bruins (This one is the toughest, could go either way unless Miller is on his game)
Pens over Sens

WEST
Sharks over Avalanche
Hawks over Preds
Canucks over Kings (See Sabres over Bruins...with Luongo instead of Miller)
Red Wings over 'Yotes

I usually pull for the underdogs but IMO none of the underdogs in the East have a chance except maybe the Bruins and none of the underdogs in the West have a chance except for the Kings. I don't consider the Red Wings "underdogs" for obvious reasons.

I usually also cheer for the Canadian teams but don't expect any of them to do much damage. I'm hoping for a 'Hawks and Caps final...that would be entertaining!

Well, well, well. A night full of surprises. Only the Coyotes went with the seedings and beat the Wings. That Pens-Sens games look as though it was a corker (haven't seen the highlihts yet). Very surprised that the Avs beat the Sharks, though less surprised with Philly beating the Devils. I think that one is going to go to the wire given the recent history between those two.

Any predictions for this evening?

It's funny, Michaud. I wasn't all that surprised with the Avs/Sharks outcome. Like I mentioned in TPTSNBN, the sharks have a horrible playoff history. Joe Thorton seems to just disappear once the playoffs begin. Every year I hope they turn it around cause I've always liked Joe.
The thing that surprised me about the Flyers/Devils was that basically Boucher outplayed Brodeur. Not sure if we'll see that happen again.

<----very happy for the Coyotes :biggrin:

Tonight? Hmmmmmm
Sabres over the Bruins
Caps destroy the Canadians
Canucks narrowly beat Kings

(and tomorrow you'll see why I quit betting sports a couple years ago) :laughing:

Every series from last night back level. Blackhawks one down. Any predictions for this evening?

Every series from last night back level. Blackhawks one down. Any predictions for this evening?

I'm amazed the Blackhawks didn't put up more offense. Gotta think they turn that around next game.

I'm gonna stick with the Caps tonight. Halak can't stand on his head 2 games in a row....can he? :JC_thinking:
And again, say that the Canucks squeak by the Kings.

Just finished watching the Bruins fight back to win in Buffalo. The Sabres look 'off' this afternoon....and losing Vanek in the 1st period sure didn't help. They better hope he's ok to go next game.

Loved that Pens/Sens game yesterday. They should name a new hat trick for Sid The Kid....along the lines of the 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick', 'cept this one would be a goal, an assist and a saved goal. That assist he had was sick....twisting and turning on Spezza then getting the puck to the point. Just awesome. And the goal he saved was pretty key, too.

I've got a feeling for Halek. He really wants that starting position next year, and if he can put up a big playoffs I reckon he'll force the Canadiens to trade Price. I'm going for an upset in that series.

You're right re. Crosby. He made a mug out of Spezza for that assist, and the save was a beauty. Brutal hit from Sutton on Leopold in that first period. Just another one of those hits this season. Can't believe he wasn't penalised.

I've got a feeling for Halek. He really wants that starting position next year, and if he can put up a big playoffs I reckon he'll force the Canadiens to trade Price. I'm going for an upset in that series.

You're right re. Crosby. He made a mug out of Spezza for that assist, and the save was a beauty. Brutal hit from Sutton on Leopold in that first period. Just another one of those hits this season. Can't believe he wasn't penalised.

<----prays for no upset.....reeeeeeally wants a Pens/Caps conference final! :biggrin:

That was a rough hit. And while I'm certainly not condoning it - Sutton clearly lead with his elbow, imo - technically, according to the new NHL rules, there was very little wrong with it.
It wasn't a blindside hit cause Sutton was going north/south on Leopold. Also, Sutton is about 6'6ish and Leopold - who is smaller, 6'1ish - was bent over, head down and leaning forward. A tough combination when a big guy like Sutton is coming at him. I'd still like to have seen Sutton tuck his elbow in and lead with his shoulder. Those elbow pads these days are like concrete.

ETA: Only minutes til the Caps/Habs game starts. Can Ovie at least get a shot on goal this game?? (last game - ZERO shots on net - just crazy to even imagine)

ETA: Only minutes til the Caps/Habs game starts. Can Ovie at least get a shot on goal this game?? (last game - ZERO shots on net - just crazy to even imagine)

Well I hope the best team wins. Got to get some sleep with a grand prix to watch tomorrow morning. Look forward to comparing notes once I've seen the highlights.

Hey M, maybe you'll see this before you head off.....Montreal just scored 1 min into the game, lol.
Theodore should have had it. :shrug:
100%
2-0 now. Theodore just got pulled after 2 goals on 2 shots.
100%
2-1. Fehr just scored on breakaway. Game on! :)

What a great first round! So many close games, the series are all pretty close so far and even a number of overtime games too! A lot of my predicted teams to go through to the next round aren't looking so hot but after tonight we'll have a much better idea. Will some series be brought back to even or will a few teams go up 3-1 in their series?

Johnny's predictions.....(smart money is to bet the exact opposite!) :laughing:

Detroit probably evens up that series, though I'm rooting for the Coyotes
Pens win to go up 3-1
Devils even it up
Hawks go ahead 2-1
and
After that last Avs/Sharks game I really have no idea what to think :shrug:

I have stopped predicting this first round. My rear has been bitten too many times already! ;)

I have stopped predicting this first round. My rear has been bitten too many times already! ;)

Good call, it's also why I didn't go in a pool this year...too embarassing :cool:

Interesting....
AP - Carey Price will start in goal when the Canadiens attempt to even their series with the Capitals on Wednesday night, according to an Associated Press report.

Coach Jacques Martin picked his starting goalie following the morning skate.

THN ran a story yesterday regarding the Halak-Price conundrum, and stated then that Martin wouldn't decide until today. I'm a little surprised given the rampant booing that Price suffered earlier in the season, but I hope he stands on his head. The Canadiens need it!

It would seem that it doesn't matter who they have in net.....when there's as much talent on the other team as there is with the Caps.

Great Sabres/Bruins game. Now they have serious goaltending!

I've got the Canucks/Kings game on over here. Amazing how just about each and every game this round is so tight and intense. I love how the Kings, Avs and Coyotes are frustrating their more experienced opponents.

Holy crap, I can't believe there's actually a hockey thread on here! I'm a transplanted Canadian in Dallas, so I really don't get much hockey interaction at all. It's nice to know there are other people out there that appreciate playoff hockey. There's jusy nothing better!


I'm as excited as you are, and I know there are other hockey nuts out there on the Lage. No personal team interest in the playoffs this year due to my being a Leafs fan, but I'm always an avid neutral fan.

I'm so sorry for you that you're a Leafs fan Michaud but I completely feel your pain (and worse) since I'm originally form Winnipeg and cheered the Jets and Dale Hawerchuk form the time I knew what hockey was which was probably striaght from the womb. I was there during the whole 'Save the Jets' campaign and even donated money and was one of the lucky few tomake it into the arena that day. Went to many games dressed in white and with my face painted and the white pom pom on my head under a white hat. It kills me to see Phoenix doing that for the Coyotes since that was my team long, long ago. Typically I would cheer AGAINST the Coyotes, but being a Dallas Stars fan now, I hate the Wings with a passion so I'm cheering for the Jets/Coyotes in that series. I used to want the Canadian teams do well, until I realized that some Canadian teams have less Canadians on the team than the American team, so now it doesn't really matter. I would like to see the Blackhawks do well since they are so young. I'm surprised that they seem to be having a hard time time with Nashville but hopefully they can knock them out tonight.

I travel lots for work, so it's hard for me to catch the games on TV since most hotels don't carry Versus. Usually I can only watch the games at home Thursday through Sunday, and watching it in HD is great! HD sure clears the game up on TV.

I'm glad the Pens knocked out the Senators especially when Ottawa was up 3-0 in the second period. The Ottawa fans ticked me off when they started booing Crosby whenever he touched the puck. Did they forget that he scored the game winning goal in the Gold medal game just 2 months ago? Sheesh!:rolleyes:

Hi, todd. Thanks for the sympathy! ;) I remember when Quebec and Winnipeg lost their franchises - it felt at that time as though we might end up with no Canadian teams in the NHL. I'm actually an English Leafs fan with family in Canada. I started following hockey back atthe beginning of the 90s in my very early teens when I saw players like Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour coming to the Leafs. Shame we haven't got more like them now. Hopefully the Coyotes can finish the job off tomorrow night. Can't stand the Sens, so it was good to see them go, and I can't believe the Canadiens have dragged it back to 3-3. :shock:

Todd.....Sens suck. Plain and simple.
Players? Suck.
Management? Suck.
Fans? Suck.

Leafs? Rule! And by rule! I mean they rule! at sucking!
<------life long Leafs fan who, for the last few years, wonders if they deserve his fanhood. :shrug:

M,
Halak. 53 saves. Wow. :shock:

I was sorry to see the Sabres go. I've always enjoyed their style of hockey.
Not to mention, I can't stand Boston. :cheeky-smiley-022:

Coyotes game should be good tonight, unfortunately being in a hotel, I can't watch it. I hope the Coyotes win, cuz I can't stand the Red Wings.

At least by tomorrow night we'll know for sure the lineup for the second round. I was all gung-ho when the first round started and was typically watching at least parts of every single game being played, but that has got kind of old and I just want the next round to start and see some fresh matchups.

As I type this the Coyotes are down 2-0 with 14mins left in the 2nd period. So still a long way to go and possibly overtime, but it wouldn't surprise me if the Wings held on.

Wings not only held on, but exploded in that 2nd period. Experience and superior talent finally came out on top.
Good run and season for the Coyotes though. They should be proud of themselves after all that franchise has been through.

6-1? Wow. Doesn't bode well for the Habs. I could see the same scoreline tonight.

Wings not only held on, but exploded in that 2nd period. Experience and superior talent finally came out on top.
Good run and season for the Coyotes though. They should be proud of themselves after all that franchise has been through.

LOL, yeah trust me I know first hand! Good season but they still haven't won a playoff series since 1987 when they beat the Flames in the first round (best of 5 back then) but lost Hawerchuk with broken ribs due to a dirty hit by Doug Risebrough(sp?) I believe. They subsequently went on to lose in the next round to the Oilers.

Also, I think the franchise is still winless in Game 7's. I think they also get the dubious distinction of being the only team to have been up 3-1 and losing the series twice. Against the Oilers in 1990 and then the Canucks in 1993 I think.

Here are my picks for the first round:

EAST
Capitals over Habs
Devils over Flyers
Sabres over Bruins (This one is the toughest, could go either way unless Miller is on his game)
Pens over Sens

WEST
Sharks over Avalanche
Hawks over Preds
Canucks over Kings (See Sabres over Bruins...with Luongo instead of Miller)
Red Wings over 'Yotes

5-3 isn't great but I've had worse starts. My round two picks:

East
Pens over Habs
Bruins over Flyers

West
Sharks over Wings (Probably regret that one)
'Hawks over Canucks

Dang, Habs won! Being in the Western Conference, I don't get to see much of Ovechkin, so is he a chump like I hear most of the Canadians say, or is he just taken out of the game in the playoffs due to a more defensive game?

I don't do picks, lol, I'm just pullin' for the Blackhawks and Pens, and AGAINST the Red Wings!

I can't believe the Habs managed that. Sounds like another awesome show from Halak. I had a dream last night with the Caps winning 13-1! My family in Montreal must have been going nuts last night. It certainly sounds as though a few fans did on the streets. :rolleyes:

I'm pretty much with Truther, except I think the Bruins won't make it. The Canucks series will go to the wire.

This had me laughing this morning.

YouTube- History Will Be Made - Kerry Fraser

Caps should be ashamed of themselves. True, Habs played another excellent 'Team' game and defensively they were excellent - blocking something like 40 shots, but the Caps played like a bunch of individuals.

Todd, Ovie is an incredibly talented player who just needs to mature a bit. Learn how to use his teammates more. But when he's 'on', there's no one better. There are few players, if any, who can match his goal scoring ability.

M, that vid is great! I was at that game. What a travesty. :shakehead:

Yep. Ovie needs to think about passing more instead of trying to win each game on every rush. Both Montreal and Canada have figured him out this year. He'll come true though.

I love Pat Burns' angry face, and can easily imagine him as a policeman. I remember Don Cherry, in one of his end of season videos, shouting "You're going to jail!!" over footage of Burns lambasting some referee. Probably Fraser. :rolleyes:
100%
Good to see the Sharks up one-nil, and glad Thornton and Heatley still combined in the absence of Marleau. That line promises so much. I'd love to see them light up the playoffs.

I like that video, if you like stuff like that you'll probably like Down Goes Brown (http://www.downgoesbrown.com/). Lots of funny blog, videos, etc. on there that poke fun at the Leafs and the league in general.

Thanks, Truther! I like the top 17 Clark moments. Will read in full when I have the time.

Markov out for the Canadiens. End of their playoffs?

Sharks 3-0 up against the Wings. Todd will be pleased. ;)

Seems as though the Pens have the Habs' penatly kill figured out - keep their best penalty killers in the penalty box.

Bruins to go 3-0 up tonight?

I'd like to give the Flyers some credit and say that they'll win this one....after that, I'm not exactly sure. If they do pull out the win tonight, I like to series to go 6 or 7.

Detroit is done - then again, this is SJ we're talking about. If anyone is gonna blow a 3-0 lead, I'd have to say it's likely to be them, lol.

The Flyers may just pull a 'must win' out of the bag. I'd say the Habs have to win the next one, too. Can't see them coming back from 3-1 again.

Philly reeeeally misses Carter....and to a slightly lesser extent, Gagne. Series over.

And yes, Michaud. Habs definitely need a win tonight or that series is also over. Can't imagine the Pens letting happen what the Caps let happen.

'Hawks lookin' real good, too. Looks to me like Luongo is playing tired. Long season plus the Olympics. Obviously not counting the Canucks out, yet. But 'Hawks do look strong.

Ok I'm not really here :hide: cause you know I only have one opinion.

Luongo's been good but not great, and that young Blackhawks roster just seems to have the energy right now.

Hi, wanders. No need to hide. At least your team has a strong chance of winning Stanley, unlike my bunch of last-placed losers.
100%
3-2 Canadiens. Game 6 at least. They just don't quit.

6-1 Red Wings at the end of the second?!

Honestly, where would the Habs be without Halak? He has been the story of these playoffs, imo.

With respect to the 'Hawks/Canucks..... at some point during the game last nite, they put up a key stat....
in this series,
'Hawks 1st line - 20 pts
Canucks 1st line - 8 pts.
That included a hat trick each for Toews and Byfuglin (sp?) in back to back games.
I love watching the 'Hawks. Can only wish that the Leafs are that exciting to watch within the next couple of years.

Toews with a PP hat-trick. You can't compete with that. I cannot believe how ineffective Sedin has been in the playoffs.

I'll just say :biggrin: Fleury had a great night.

It would seem that the Sharks just may have exercised some of their playoff demons.
Especially Thorton and Marleau.

And you're right, wanders. Too bad they had to spoil his shutout.

Fleury's really coming on. I can see him getting better and better as the playoffs progress further. I listened to last night's game on the radio and the Canadian commentators compared him to Halak at one point! :)

Good to see the Sharks through... and the Wings gone. ;)

Man, it pains me to say this, but, the Habs sure do seem to have some magic going.
Anything can happen in a game 7.
:shrug:

I listened to the first period before I had to go to bed. It really is anyone's game on Wednesday night, though my head is telling me the Pens will pull through.

I would tend to agree with you, M. Except for one thing..... The Halak Factor. :undecide:

How long have the Habs been searching for their new Patrick Roy? ;)

Funny you say that because during the game last night, they popped up a stat that had Roy's best playoff save percentages.....Halak's are better than Roy's best 3 years! :yes:

Superb. I assume his GAA doesn't stack up though?

They didn't mention it, but after taking a quick look at nhl.com.....

Halak's got a .932% and a 2.45 GAA

Roy's best 3 yrs (as a Hab)

88-89 - .920% and 2.09 GAA
92-93 - .929% and 2.13 GAA (Stanley Cup Win)
93-94 - .930% and 2.56 GAA

So yah, not quite as good but there have been more than a few games where he's faced 40+ shots and even a couple with 50+.

Thought that would be the case. SP is usually a better barometer, especially in the playoffs. It's also hard to gain shutouts against the best two offensive teams in the conference.

BIG game tonight!!

Which team has the advantage?
The one with Home Ice?
or
The one with the Hot Goalie?

I'll go out on a limb and make a prediction..... 4-2 Pens win .
I'll even go as far to say that will include an empty net goal. :ermm:

BIG game tonight!!

Which team has the advantage?
The one with Home Ice?
or
The one with the Hot Goalie?

I'll go out on a limb and make a prediction..... 4-2 Pens win .
I'll even go as far to say that will include an empty net goal. :ermm:

Well I like your thinking :fingersx:. Fleury has been known to have a great game after losing one.

My head is saying Pens. I'd even go as far as to say it will look over by the end of the first. I just have a feeling that Montreal will ship a few goals early on, and that will be that. About to turn the radio on and listen to as much as I can before I doze off.

Game on!! :biggrin:

eta: Gill's back for the Habs. And Crosby gets a penalty 10 secs into the game. Hmmmmmm.....

eta2: Whoa. Very early goal. Shaky goal for Fleury. Definitely should have had that one. :ermm:

I think I jinxed the Pens. :redface:

4-0 at the half way mark of the game? Wow, never would have guessed that.

Barring the greatest collapse of all time it definitely looks like the Habs are going to the next round. The Pens really crapped the bed on this one, IMO...they haven't looked interested at all in the last two or three games.

4-1. Comeback on.

As bad as Fleury was, I gotta say Malkin has been much, much worse. Giveaway after turnover after giveaway.

Well would ya look at that......4-2. Didn't I say 4-2? :laughing:

This sure ain't over yet.....

The Montreal radio commentators just said "Watch out." I'd say that's about right. What a playoffs this is. I see the Flyers are 1-0 up.

Lol, Watch Out! is exactly right, M. And Pens will have almost an entire PP to start the 3rd.
Hope you can keep yourself awake for the 3rd? What is it there, almost 1am or 2am?

1.45am as we speak. :drowsy:

:CoffeeMaker:

Thanks, johnny. I'm getting in some practice for when the Lost finale airs at the end of next week. ;)

Can't wait for the 3rd. Habs really seem to have benefitted from Gill's return.

Thanks, johnny. I'm getting in some practice for when the Lost finale airs at the end of next week. ;)

Can't wait for the 3rd. Habs really seem to have benefitted from Gill's return.

If you would have seen Gonchar's effort on the SH goal by Moen, you'd have also said the Habs benefited from Gonchar playing, lol.

LOL. There've been a few lucky goals for the Habs this series.

PP for the Habs.....this could be the game. Johnson's gonna have to come up big - which he has, so far, since coming in for Fleury.

Pens missed a couple glorious chances on that last PP....and Halak absolutely robbed Malkin on one.
100%
Well......that's probably the game :sadwalk:
5-2 with 10 mins to play.

Heard the Malkin rob. My word Halak's having a playoffs. I can't remember a previous playoffs involving a performance like his. Maybe Roy in 1993, but it's probably overshadowed by the OT record that year.

5-2. You're probably right. Sorry, johnny.

I guess I can take comfort in the knowledge that at least there's still a chance the Cup comes back to Canada.....even if it is in Montreal......(can hardly bare to utter those words) :migrane:

Time to go watch the Boston/Philly game.

Guess you can grab yourself some shut-eye now, M. :)

Penguins radio suggesting they pull Johnson with 5 to play. All-in or nothing basically.

I would be as torn as you to see the Cup go to Montreal. It's difficuly being a Leafs fan with a lot of familyin Montreal. :rolleyes:

I may very well do just that. See you tomorrow, and enjoy the other game. :)

Flyers? or Bruins?

Philly's only the 6th team to ever come back and force a game 7 after being down 3-0.
So you'd have to think momentum is on their side, but...... :shrug:

Bruins with the home crowd? Didn't seem to help the Pens. I'm not sure who I'd prefer to see win - I don't really like either team. Bruins-Canadiens would be a conference final with a bitter rivalry.

Flyers have the momentum though. I'll say they'll win it, and I'll probably be wrong. ;)

Bruins with the home crowd? Didn't seem to help the Pens.

Stat I heard after the Pens/Habs game : 7 of last 9 game seven home teams have LOST!

Down 3-0 and 3-0 and the Flyers still win! Just checked the score. I'm amazed.

Down 3-0 and 3-0 and the Flyers still win! Just checked the score. I'm amazed.

Pretty crazy stuff. Only the third team in history to do that.

I'm too lazy to check but I'm pretty sure I went 2-2 for predictions that round (both right in the West, both wrong in the east). That brings me to 6-6, not good but not horrible.

This round I'm going to pick the Blackhawks (who I think can go all the way) and the Flyers. Only reason I'm picking the Flyers over the Habs is they have a lot of momentum going into this series, even more than the Habs and that Habs are a smaller team but for some reason no team they've gone up against has played very physical against them: Philly will. They'll pound their smaller guys into the boards night in and night out and, in the long run, I don't think the Habs will be able to take it.

However, if the Habs can survive playing against a physical team I'd say they are going to win the Cup for sure as they would have beaten the top regular season team in the league in Washington, the defending Cup champs in Pittsburgh and then a much bigger and tougher team in Philadelphia. Hard to imagine anyone could beat them at that point.

Pretty crazy stuff. Only the third team in history to do that.

I'm too lazy to check but I'm pretty sure I went 2-2 for predictions that round (both right in the West, both wrong in the east). That brings me to 6-6, not good but not horrible.

This round I'm going to pick the Blackhawks (who I think can go all the way) and the Flyers. Only reason I'm picking the Flyers over the Habs is they have a lot of momentum going into this series, even more than the Habs and that Habs are a smaller team but for some reason no team they've gone up against has played very physical against them: Philly will. They'll pound their smaller guys into the boards night in and night out and, in the long run, I don't think the Habs will be able to take it.

However, if the Habs can survive playing against a physical team I'd say they are going to win the Cup for sure as they would have beaten the top regular season team in the league in Washington, the defending Cup champs in Pittsburgh and then a much bigger and tougher team in Philadelphia. Hard to imagine anyone could beat them at that point.

I checked back and you were indeed 2-2. I went with you, except I picked the Flyers over the Bruins. I didn't really predict very much in the first round, save for my statement that the Caps wouldn't win the Cup. Never predicted Montreal would knock them out though!

I'll take the Flyers over the Habs as well. THN have been joking all season that they picked the Flyer to win the Cup last September, and the Flyers were an absolute flop in the regular season. Something tells me the Flyers will make the final, but you cannot discount the Halak factor. Unless he's a total bust against the Flyers. In the West it's Chicago for me too. They have a greater depth of younger talent, and they have recent experience of playing a conference final (Detroit last year). I'll say they'll go one better than last year.

Leighton is 'out-halaking' Halak, lol.

And it sure doesn't hurt that Gagne and Briere are on absolute fire!
Briere has something like 18 pts (9 of which are goals) in last 11 games and Gagne has 6 goals in 6 games.

For the Habs, Plekanec and Gomez have ZERO goals in last 11 games.

Flyers and Hawks up 2-0. Is there a way back for the other two? Doesn't look lime anyone but Philly in the East.

And is it too early to look at potential MVPs?

I would think that if things hold up as is, you gotta go with Briere for Philly and Toews for the 'Hawks.

ETA: But obviously there's A LOT of hockey to still be played :)

Difficult to see past Toews at the moment, unless the Canadiens make the final, in which case it could easily be Halak or Cammalleri. I see Toews broke the Hawks' consecutive playoff game scoring record. He's really something.
100%
3-0 Flyers. I can't see lightning striking twice for the Habs, although you never know. It looks like Flyers-Hawks, which would be a great match-up imo.

M, it's 3-1 Flyers. Habs won game 3 when they returned home. Guess you missed it, huh? lol
Either way, sure does look like Flyers - 'Hawks final.

Nice of the NHL to play afternoon games today and tomorrow as to not conflict with all the Losting! :biggrin:

I meant 3-0 in tonight's game. My post automerged with a post I made earlier today. :)

Oh, of course. :doh:

Have a beer to clear your head. :cheers:

Enjoy the Pilot, and enjoy tomorrow afternoon's game.

Cheers, Dude :cheers:

And thanks. Pilot tonight. Early of golf tomorrow. Then watch 'Hawks complete the sweep (maybe). And then......try and find something to watch to pass the night :)

Definitely looking like 'Hawks and Flyers.

Absolutely. I would love to see that group of players win it, with so many of htem already having won Olympic gold.

Now I'm 8-6. Going to be a pretty good series but in the end I think the 'Hawks will take it.

I hope it's a great series, but I'm sticking with my pre-playoff pick - Chicago.

Of course, if the Blackhawks win it'll leave the Leafs as the team with the longest preiod without a Stanley Cup. :( Maybe it will spur the franchise into action. :undecide:

I hope it's a great series, but I'm sticking with my pre-playoff pick - Chicago.

Of course, if the Blackhawks win it'll leave the Leafs as the team with the longest preiod without a Stanley Cup. :( Maybe it will spur the franchise into action. :undecide:

All the more reason to root for Chicago (which I would be doing regardless).
But not for the reason of 'spurring the franchise'.....more so they can be the laughing stock of the league. Or should a say, a BIGGER laughing stock! :24:

Ahhhhh, Leafs......gotta love 'em!

2-0 Hawks. If the Flyers aren't careful it'll be two sweeps on the trot for the Hawks.

I'd be surprised to see a sweep. It's been so competitive with the only real difference being the goal-tending, imo. I think Leighton's magical ride may have come to an end a few games too early.
But if the 'Hawks 1st line gets going in game 3, then I think you can definitely break out the brooms.

Yikes this is a tough one to call. But I just can't in good conscience root for the Flyers. I called Hawks at the beginning and I'm sticking with that because a 2-0 lead is going to be very hard to cough up.

Even if the Hawks were down 2-0 instead of up 2-0 I would still be picking them. Good for Chicago!

Nobody likes a bully. ;)

Pronger :rolleye1:

snippet from article linked below...

Whether you call it Puckgate or the Great Puck Caper, Chris Pronger has taken trash talk to a new level.

In the first two games of the Stanley Cup final, both Philadelphia losses, the Flyers’ defenceman has gone out of his way at the final buzzer to scoop up the game puck, therefore denying the Blackhawks a vulcanized memento of their victories.

After Game 2, Pronger says he deposited the souvenir in the garbage “where it belongs.”

Pronger irks 'Hawks by scooping up game pucks (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/817640)

hahha, classic move by Pronger. The guy really is a dirtbag

Go Hawks!!! ;)

We gots a series. :yes:

Hmmmmmm, does it end tonight? :shrug:

I think it could.....but nothin' would surprise me when talking about Philly.

I think it ends tonight. Hopefully it does, then it's just a little over two weeks to the draft and then less than a week until the start of free agency.

I love that free agency starts on Canada day as well, so I get the day off work and can just chill out and watch all the coverage.

HAWKS!!! :)

A strange end to the game, but I'm pleased they did it. I don't remember a stranger ending to a SC game since Brett Hull's foot was in the crease.

Congrats to the Blackhawks, but I think this is probably a warning to teams that you have to get a legit goalie, because Leighton was not stellar in that final game.

HAWKS!!! :)

A strange end to the game, but I'm pleased they did it. I don't remember a stranger ending to a SC game since Brett Hull's foot was in the crease.

Congrats to the Blackhawks, but I think this is probably a warning to teams that you have to get a legit goalie, because Leighton was not stellar in that final game.

<---------agrees with both posts :)

Sweet! Now the Leafs officially LEAD THE LEAGUE!.....in most years since last Cup win
:laughing:
:sadwalk:
:laughing:

As Leafs fans, I think we've been resigned to that feeling of being bottom dog for some time now. ;)

Strange one re. the goalies this year. Niemi and Leighton are far from what you would call stellar, and yet few goalies really shone in this year's playoffs. Halak was out of this world, but I can't remember another goali standing on his head in the way Roy, Brodeur, Hasek and even Vernon and Osgood used to. Brodeur had another bad playoffs. Maybe the post-lockout rule changes have affected goalies as much as they've benefited forwards.

As Leafs fans, I think we've been resigned to that feeling of being bottom dog for some time now. ;)

Strange one re. the goalies this year. Niemi and Leighton are far from what you would call stellar, and yet few goalies really shone in this year's playoffs. Halak was out of this world, but I can't remember another goali standing on his head in the way Roy, Brodeur, Hasek and even Vernon and Osgood used to. Brodeur had another bad playoffs. Maybe the post-lockout rule changes have affected goalies as much as they've benefited forwards.

I don't mind being the bottom dog for a long time...because eventually we will win and it'll mean that much more. Kind of like the Red Sox :cool:

As Leafs fans, I think we've been resigned to that feeling of being bottom dog for some time now. ;)

Strange one re. the goalies this year. Niemi and Leighton are far from what you would call stellar, and yet few goalies really shone in this year's playoffs. Halak was out of this world, but I can't remember another goali standing on his head in the way Roy, Brodeur, Hasek and even Vernon and Osgood used to. Brodeur had another bad playoffs. Maybe the post-lockout rule changes have affected goalies as much as they've benefited forwards.
I sort of agree. I think Niemi played really well at some points though as did Leighton. I think they were certainly unheralded, but I wouldn't call them downright bad, although Leighton gave up his fair share of softer goals. I think, really, it may just point to how spoiled we were recently with having hall of fame goalies to watch. It shows you jsut how rare these guys really are to find.

I can't believe the Habs traded Halak.
I just don't know what to say about....I mean, I'm kinda in shock :shrug:

Seems to me as though they have faith that Price will come good in the long run, whereas there may be doubts that Halak can maintain the level we saw this playoffs over the course of the next few years. Still a real surprise though.

It is crazy, there goes the outside chance the Caps were going to pick up one of the extra Habs goalies!