All-purpose hockey thread...

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

The playoff matchup that has upset potential is Detroit/Edmonton.

Detroit plays in what is arguably the worst division in the league and Edmonton may have a chance depending on their goaltending.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Of course the Oiles are going to beat Detroit. They have to stick around long enough to play Dallas. It's not an official NHL playoff unless they do.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

And the Oilers will beat the Stars in OT in the seventh game.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I'll tell you where the real upset posential is, in the East and whoever plays the Hurricanes. They have looked soft the past month and with the referees keeping the whistle in thier pocket at times, the Hurricanes are toast, especially if they play Tampa Bay.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

You guys really know how to bring smile to my face thanks.
The key is goaltending. Edmonton can match anyone rolling four lines, their D is among the best in the league, and if they had any kind of goaltending this year they would have walked away with the division. Their upset potential is not just wishful thinking, I say that series is a coin toss. Edmonton did take 5 of 8 points from Detroit this year. It will go 6 or 7 games.
I really feel sorry for Nashville, to come this far and have Vokoun go down for the season, Mason is not going to be good enough to carry them on his back.
I think Carolina plays Montreal, and as long as Huet can play like he did after the break I think the Habs might take that one in six. Don't write of the 'Canes though, they are deep up front and have played solid wire to wire this year. My only question is if Gerber can stand up to the pressure the SC Playoffs bring.
I think Ottawa will walk alover T-Bay - I don't like the way the Lightning have played all year, the Sens are just too good to be a first round casualty. If Emery is healthy they could go to the cup - far from a lock, but there is a good chance.
Dallas should give Colorado a shit kicking, and I think Anaheim has the potential to upset Calgary as well - but they have to beat Kipper and that is far easier said than done.
I'll give my complete picks later.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Does the Devils comeback rank among the best in sports history?

They win their last 11 to come from barely in the playoffs to Atlantic Division championship.
They come from 3-1 down with about 8 minutes to play tonight -- knowing the Rangers and Flyers already had lost -- to beat the Canadiens, 4-3, in regulation.
And now they can enjoy taking the Rangers out in five games or less.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

As much as I'd love to argue and tell you that you're full of it, I can't.

The faceplant against Buffalo didn't help the cause. Martin Gerber hasn't looked good of late (hey Jim, there's a reason you wanted Cam Ward to be with the big boys ... give him a chance!).

Thank goodness the Canes got Montreal. The way Carolina has played of late, Tampa Bay would have a much better chance.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I'm not overly optimistic, but I do think the Preds have more of a chance than they're being given (Hi OLN!) They've been on a roll the last couple of weeks, albeit against the dregs of the earth plus Detroit's junior varsity. Still, the scoring has picked up now that guys realize they don't have Vokun to bail their ass out time and again.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

And with the Leafs out, who to cheer for?
Well, here I go. First,  who I WANT to win and who I think will win (in brackets)

East:

Tampa over Ottawa (Tampa in six. Ottawa will choke in the playoffs again, just not against the Leafs))
Montreal over Carolina (Carolina will expose Huet and take them in 5)
Rangers over the Devils (Devils will contain Jagr and there's the Brodeur factor. Devils in 6)
Buffalo over Philly (Speed kills. Once again, no goaltending in Philly. Sabres in 6)

West:

Edmonton over Detroit (predict with my heart--Oilers in 7)
Colorado over Dallas (may be the biggest mismatch of the first round. Dallas in four)
Calgary over Anaheim (The Red Mile will be quieter this year but Flames in 5)
SJ over Nashville (Sharks in five. No Vokoun, no chance)

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Nice to see some love for the Sabres.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

Hey, I love the Sabres. The Little Team Down the QEW That Could.

 

Re: All-purpose hockey (NHL and Olympics) thread...

I've just recently got into this thread, so excuse any ignorance on my part. Having said that, what a bunch of hype between the Leafs and Sabres for the Easter Sunday game. The local talk radio station was trying to build up some sort of War of the Worlds between the two teams for the hit Tucker put on Hect a few weeks ago. Even though we all knew nothing major was going to happen.

Anyhoo, the playoffs in the East seem a bit odd without Toronto. And to be honest, I don't mind the Leafs. There are some rabid fans out here with a sole purpose of hating Toronto! I find it rather funny myself.

Who would have thought? Buffalo was picked (I think) 25th in SI's preseason issue and here they are, the No. 4 seed and one of the hottest teams in the league. Hopefully Buffalo doesn't fall victim to the lapse they had a month ago.