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.
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.
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
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)
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?
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!
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)
Last edited by johnnywishbone; 04-17-2010 at 07:06 PM.
After Ovi's bad play in the Olympics, I think he may just want The Cup that much more.
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