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The NHL Playoff Thread
I figured I'd start a thread for us hockey fans to discuss the playoffs. Here are the playoff match-ups (I'd like to draw everyone's attention to the fact that my Canucks, who were predicted by many to miss the playoffs, won their division and finished 3rd in the West):
In the East:
(1) Boston - (Monteal:
The Habs rallied late and salvaged what looked to be a disasterous season. However, despite the recent playoff history, the Bruins (my 2nd favorite team) are going to overwhelm and defeat the Canadians. I say Bruins in 6.
(2) Washington - New York (7):
Superstar Alexander Ovetchkin leads a talented and very offense-oriented Capitals squard against the defense-first Rangers. The real wildcard in this series is goaltending; Jose Theodore is the picture of inconsistency, and Henrik Lunquist, while lacking in playoff experience, is wildely considered to be a top 5 goaltender in the league. My prediction: Capitals in 7.
(3) New Jersey - (6) Carolina:
Carolina has been on a tear since the trading deadline, while the Devils - who at one point looked like they were on the verge of winning the Presidents Trophy - have been slumping furiously. I'm calling it right now, the surging Hurricanes upset the slumping Devils in a thrilling back-and-forth series. 'Cane in 7 (Lyle celebrates by wildly firing an AK-47 into the sky while speaking in tongues).
(4) Pittsburg - (5) Philideaphia
A few months ago, last years Stanley Cup runners up looked to be in real danger of missing the playoffs, despite have arguably the two best forwards in the game. However, since firing coach Michel Terrien, the Penguins have been on a terrific run. In the first round, they draw the Philidelphia Flyers, a team with perhaps the greatest depth at forward in the East. However, goaltender Marty Biron in a middle of the pack starter, in my mind he is the key to the series. Crosby and Malkin carry the Penguins to victory in 6.
In the West:
(1) San Jose - (
San Jose has been a Stanley Cup favorite for the last two seasons. However, this team (along with their superstar Joe Thornton) have a history of choking in the playoffs. This year, they were the best team in the entire NHL during the regular season. However, that means nothing now. They've drawn Anaheim, a team who got off to a rocky start but has rebounded well late in the year. Two years removed from their Stanley Cup Championship and with a defense led by future hall of famers Scott Neidermeyer and Chris Pronger, Anaheim may well be the best #8 seed in recent memory. My prediction, the Sharks exorcize the demons of playoffs-past and win in 7.
(2) Detriot - (7) Columbus
The defending champs against the upstart Cinderella team from Columbus. A deadicated fanbase Blue Jackets fanbase gets its first taste of playoff action as Columbus rides into the post-season on the back of a tremendous rookie season from goaltender Steve Mason. If Detriot had even decent goaltending, this match would be a forgone conclusion. However, Osgood has frankly been terrible this year. Despite that, Detriot has the best forward group in the league and arugably the greatest defenseman to ever play the game, while Columbus has a pop-gun offense and the worst powerplay percentage in the entire league. I'll be surprised if Columbus wins more than one game - Detriot in 5.
(3) Vancouver - (6) St. Louis
The two hottest teams in the league since Feb. meet up in an integuing first round match up. On paper, Vancouver has nearly everything in their favor. However, St. Louis has a very deep and talented group of young forwards and a team that plays well above the sum of its parts. Unfortunately for the Blues, the Canucks have arguably the best goalie in the league, a deep defensive corps, and a solid, if middle of the road, offense. Luongo's performance in the '07 playoffs was among the greatest I have ever seen (Don Cherry called him "the best playoff goalie I have ever seen") and he had proven time and again the he possess the trait that all great athletes do - the ability to raise his game and play his best when it matters the most. I think this is a true pick 'em series, but I'm going with Vancouver in 7 based on the strength of Roberto Luongo's goaltending. CFH weeps openly and unashamedly as Roberto Luongo leads the Vancouver Canucks to their first ever Stanley Cup (well, maybe not, but they're going to beat St. Louis).
(4) Chicago - (5) Calgary
The Flames have flat out choked down the stretch this year. At the end of Jan., they had a 13 point lead over Vancouver for the division lead. However, questionable trades at the deadline which led to salary-cap problems saw the Flames unable to call up players to fill in for injured regulars led to the Flames playing several games without a fourth line. Furthermore, Mikka Kiprusoff has been showing signs of serious fatigue as coach Mike Keenan has played him in nearly every game this year. Chicago's young forward group dominated the Flames in the regular season, and the playoffs will be no different. Blackhawks in 5 while I celebrate by bathing in the tears of Flames fans while wearing my Canucks hat.
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Originally Posted by Doot
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