NHL Discussions

[Metfan72]

It was awfully quiet in the Saddledome. Habby was the difference in this one. Time to break out the razors Calgary.

Every year same thing, they run Kipper into the ground and expect him to stand on his head in the playoffs.

Losing Phaneuf was the final nail as he was the only one who sustain some of the pressure put on by the Toews/Kane/Sharp line.

Iron Mike just does not seem to know to how to pull it out in the playoffs. Yeah I know he won in 94 with the Rangers, but honestly, with Messier as Captain it was Destiny for them to win that year.

[maidencolorado]

So Round 2 is set in the West:

Red Wings vs. The Ducks

Canucks vs. Blackhawks

The Wings and Canucks are well rested, but neither the Ducks or Hawks will be exhausted.

The Canucks / Blackhawks series is the harder one for me to pick who I want to win. Long time fan of the Hawks, but I'd like to see the Cup go back to Canada. Looking ahead, I'm a bit more confident in the Canucks if they have to face the Wings, but Detroit will definately have more of a challenge with the Ducks than they did with the Jackets.

I'm wondering if the layoff will create some rust for a couple of teams. Boston, Detroit and Vancouver have been off for a while. I think Boston will have the edge out of those 3 teams, since they will be facing a team that had to go 7 games in the opening round, it wouldn't be too big of a surprise to me if 2 of those teams lose the first game, hopefully Detroit is one of them.

[escape]

That's the thing when you sweep a series. While the break helps heal the team. Most of the time it takes at least a period for the team to get back into the game. When Vancouver beat Dallas in game 7 they had 1 day between series and that hurt them.

I think a said this when I made my picks, but I'll say it again. Injuries is what cost the flames against the Blackhawks. They put up a fight, but in the end they could not keep up. I'm not surprised the Ducks won their series, but I am surprised the Sharks did not put up more of a fight. Detroit should win against the Ducks, but if it goes to 6 or 7, they might pay a heavy price.

Chicago can defeat Vancouver. After all they did finsh with more points than Vancouver, but I'll go with Vancouver in 6.

[Metfan72]

I think Wings may bow out in RD 2. Anaheim, since giving Hiller the #1 job has turned that team around. Only advantage I see for Detroit is that they just faced a Left Handed goalie and are better prepared for it given that they just faced one the series before. Detroit has a slight advantage in the experience department, but Anaheim just won the Cup 2 years ago. But Anaheim play a similar style to Detroit in that they clog up everything and you fight for that little inch of ice.

Nucks/Hawks is tough for me too. I really like the youth on Chicago, but can Habby out duel Louie? I don't think so. And being a Leafs fan growing up and Sundin being on Vancouver I really want to see the Nucks take it all now.

Boston is just Boston. They remind alot of the old Bruins, where if didn't beat you with goals, well then they just beat you. They are tough, mean team top to bottom and Lucic is a beast out there.

So far these playoffs have been fun, a few surprises but it is why I say hockey has the best playoffs of any sport.

[Bluefalcon]

I think Wings may bow out in RD 2. Anaheim, since giving Hiller the #1 job has turned that team around. Only advantage I see for Detroit is that they just faced a Left Handed goalie and are better prepared for it given that they just faced one the series before. Detroit has a slight advantage in the experience department, but Anaheim just won the Cup 2 years ago. But Anaheim play a similar style to Detroit in that they clog up everything and you fight for that little inch of ice.

Anaheim has a solid D but only 1 line, Detroit's depth will be the difference in this series IMO.

Wings in 6

[maidencolorado]

Boston is just Boston. They remind alot of the old Bruins, where if didn't beat you with goals, well then they just beat you. They are tough, mean team top to bottom and Lucic is a beast out there.

So far these playoffs have been fun, a few surprises but it is why I say hockey has the best playoffs of any sport.

Although the Bruins / Habs series was far from the best series, I've been most impressed by Boston top to bottom. It was 4 games of domination across the board.

Lucic is a beast, I'm not sure from a publicity standpoint, the NHL wants him to be one of the faces of the finals, but it could very well happen.

but can Habby out duel Louie? I don't think so.

Luongo has shown signs of not being a lockdown goalie in the playoffs in the past, maybe this year things will be different. This one will either be a great 6 or seven game series or over in 4.

The Ducks aren't your typical 8 seed, recent playoff experience and success, great veteran leadership, solid D, and they have all the confidence in the world with nothing to prove. It would be a great ending for Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne, who I think would both walk away from the game, if they won another Cup. I don't think they will win it this year, though.

[escape]

Louis first trip to the playoffs aloud 4 goals in the first game against Dallas and than 7 in the next 6. Than in the second round against Anaheim allowed 5 the first game and 9 in the next four (3 went into ot)

Where would Osgood rank compared to other goaltenders the past 28 years that have won 2 or more cups as a starting goaltender

Martain (95, 00, 03)
Patrick Roy (86, 93, 96, 01)
Mike Vernon (89, 97)
Grant Fuhr (85, 87, 88) (Moog was the starting goaltender for game 5 of 84)
Billy Smith (80 to 83)

[maidencolorado]

Caps move on, as of right now, looks like they get New Jersey. Bruins / Pens. Brashear will be out for most (maybe all) of round 2, but I don't see that making any difference against the Devils as he wouldn't be a factor anyway.

Caps got rolling, hopefully they can keep big mo on their side. I don't see the Penguins getting past the Bruins.

So here are my round 2 picks:

Bruins / Pens: Bruins
Caps / Devils: Caps

Wings / Ducks: Wings (hate to say it)
Canucks / Hawks: Canucks

As for the above post, I can't put Osgood above or with Brodeur or Roy, probably not with Billy Smith either. I personally would put him above Vernon or Fuhr, though.

[Bluefalcon]

Carolina scores 2 goals in the last minute to come from behind and win Game 7.

Was hoping the Rangers would beat the Caps but looking forward to Ovechkin vs Crosby in round 2.

[maidencolorado]

What an amazing finish to the Canes / Devils game.

Scrap my second round guesses (since I had the Devils winning).

Caps / Pens series could be epic. Got tickets for 2 games so far, the place is going to be insane.

I don't see the Canes skating past the Bruins, and I think the Caps / Pens are going to wear each other down. Emotions are going to run high in this one, can't wait to see it unfold.