**The Official NHL Playoffs Thread**

[JL]

The match ups are set:



predictions??

[donkbee]

Detroit vs Pittsburgh for the Cup, Penguins in 7!

[surviva316]

god please let the flyers avenge the hundreds of times the devils knocked us out of the playoffs

[meeloche]

Detroit vs Pittsburgh for the Cup, Penguins in 7!

lol no

[donkbee]

ok I'll make a prediction that will for sure come true: canucks will not go past 2nd round.

Won't stop me from going to games though anyone need tickets? :P

[TimAlvine]

The NHL Playoffs are among us and finally are the 8 match-ups are set. I can’t wait for the games to get underway. The Western Conference is so strong with seven teams who made it into the playoffs with 100 points or more. That is incredible! The Eastern Conference is not has strong with only four teams getting to 100+ Pts.

The NHL Playoffs are so much better than the regular season… much more fast paced, more action, and so much more on the line. For a preview and prediction of all match-ups go to:


Who do you think will win it all? The Capitals dominated the East but anything can happen when the teams hit the ice. And what do you think will take place in the crazy Western Conference? I love it.

[JL]

anyone need tickets? :P

I Do!

[JL]

ok I'll make a prediction that will for sure come true: canucks will not go past 2nd round.

True because if we make the second round, we will most likely be facing Chicago.

[Ragnar4]

Sharks V Devils, and Sharks in 6.

Also, I'm happy my Avs made it to the playoffs, I'm sad because they are the 8th seed and going to get crushed. I will be surprised if they don't get swept.

[BankItDrew]

ok I'll make a prediction that will for sure come true: canucks will not go past 2nd round.

Won't stop me from going to games though anyone need tickets? :P

yes 2 plz

i'd like to be in your town on the 7th+

[BankItDrew]

I'm routing for the Nucks but am predicting a Caps vs Hawks Final. Caps in 6.

[a500lbgorilla]

Detroit vs Pittsburgh for the Cup, Penguins in 7!

Let's do this!

[jjbish]

Let's do this!

+1

Have a feeling rilla and I will be the onlyu ones in this thread at the end again.

[Alexos]

NJ vs CHI in the finals, NJ wins!

[BennyLaRue]

I predict SJ vs WAS and it will be the most boring Stanley Cup final anyone has ever seen.

[Penneywize]

Eh, Go Habs, anyone?

<crickets>

Ok, WSH over MTL in 5, no homer picks this year. Our team blows and we're probably several seasons away from a rebuilt, respectable lineup.

Fact: I'm taller than 4 of our top 6 forwards. And I'm by no means a big guy (5"11).

Gomez: 5"10
Gionta: 5"7
Plekanec: 5"10
Cammalleri: 5"9

And those numbers are def fucking generous.

In a physical playoff series we're going to checked into the ground. Probably won't be fun to watch.

Whatev, go habs, I like me some upsets.

[Penneywize]

Ah, alright.. here are my complete 1st round predictions, based entirely on me glancing at the matchups for no more than 15 seconds or so:

WEST:
SJ over COL in 6
CHI over NSH in 7
LA over VAN in 7 (sorry, courtie/BID!)
DET over PHX in 6

EAST:
WSH over MTL in 5
NJ over PHI in 6
BUF over BOS in 5
PIT over OTT in 5

Yeah, I pick high seeds.
Only "upset" being LA over VAN...

[bigred]

go bruins!

[Galapogos]

I'm surprised so many are doubting the Canucks can make it past the first round. What am I missing??? Even if Luongo shits the bed LA can still be beaten. Plus Luongo's likely to pull it together for the playoffs anyway.

Definitely looking forward to a matchup vs Chicago though, but don't like our chances.

[JL]

No one is doubting our chances in the first round, except pennywise...but he's from the east coast I think, so what does he know.

We will win round 1 in 5 games, and then get knocked out by Chicago once again in round 2 in 6 games.

[Penneywize]

No one is doubting our chances in the first round, except pennywise...but he's from the east coast I think, so what does he know.

We will win round 1 in 5 games, and then get knocked out by Chicago once again in round 2 in 6 games.

Meh tbh I just think LA's D is leaps and bounds better than Vancouver's. Doughty, JJ... Gotta give the edge in scoring to Vancouver obviously. Whatev, wtf do I know. That's why they play the games.

Anyhow, if Van does end up playing Chi I wouldn't be too worried, they probably have the worst goaltender in the playoffs. Niemi sucks. Dude has like 40 games of NHL experience. Flash in the pan. Toews, Kane and co. would have to put 4 or 5 past Luongo just to have a fighting chance.

[Alexos]

u guys r delusional, its gonna be a tough series, definitely 6-7 games

Doughtyyy, Kopitar, Brown, Frolov, Smyth, Quick.. r u kiddin me? gonna be tough but yah hopefully Luongo does something these playoffs

[Alexos]

penny- whats with ppl saying Chicago's goalies suck? I don't get it... they're way above avg imo

I mean just look at the other teams goalies, its not much better, either they suck or don't have any playoff successes either

[Alexos]

plus with Chicago's system its not like they get too many shots per game

id be worried if I was Philly though, Boucher is gonna get raped

[Penneywize]

penny- whats with ppl saying Chicago's goalies suck? I don't get it... they're way above avg imo

I mean just look at the other teams goalies, its not much better, either they suck or don't have any playoff successes either

Man I loved Huet back when he was playin for the Habs, so maybe I'm a bit biased against Niemi.. but I get the feeling that ever since the management shakeup in Chi, they've been trying to sweep Huey under the rug as a failure of the previous GM (Tallon). Which is pretty sad considering how talented he is and the fact that he's under contract for 2 more seasons. Granted, he's had a fairly below average season, but who wouldn't when all you hear in the media is shit about how they're going to bury your salary in the minors, or you're on the trading block, or how the team's going to bring in a new goalie to complement Niemi. Total BS imo.

And yeah you're probably right about how other teams measure up to them in a global sense. What has Quick accomplished? Nabokov's hit and miss. Luongo has sucked since the Olympics. Brodeur is old. Theodore hasn't had a good season since '02. Halak is untested. Pekka Rinne?!

And yeah that's all without mentioning Philly, what a train wreck.

[Alexos]

Dude Theo is on fire... I saw some stat last week like he didn't lose in regulation in the past 15-20 games or something?? That's potentially scary.

Can't wait for tmr to grind playoff games.

[frosst]

[ ] pertains to playoffs
[x] hockey related

[bigred]

This is the ice game with the broom right?

[Sasquach991]

Since I'm a Preds fan, I wanted to get a no BS opinion on them from others.

gogoggo

One more question:
Without looking, can you name 3 Preds players? Goalies don't count.

Guy I work with says most real hockey fans can, but I say No.

[Alexos]

hornqvist, erat, ellis, webber, goc, bouillon

[Alexos]

never watched a full preds game so hard for me to comment on them, but given the number of unknowns and their success yr after yr i gotta say barry trotz is da man!!

[Penneywize]

yeah, montrealers are either born with an aptitude for remembering inconsequential details and statistics about hockey, or generally have wayy too much time on their hands...

again, without having looked, and excluding those Alexos mentioned -
Legwand (who was the team's 1st ever draft selection if I recall correctly)
Rinne
Sullivan (back after missing a few seasons due to injury),
Tootoo (game's first ever inuit player)
Hamhuis (awesome D!)

And yeah I'm in the same boat as Alexos, I haven't seen them play a great deal except for occasional Habs games where we pretty generally get owned. Great team to root for imo. For a team that doesn't spend up to the cap, and plays in the western conference to boot, it's practically a miracle that they manage to make the playoffs as often as they do. And yeah I'd def. credit Trotz and co for getting every ounce they can get out of the players they have...

[ensign_lee]

God I wish I could *watch* these games without having to go to a sports bar. Freaking ridiculous...

[JL]

God I wish I could *watch* these games without having to go to a sports bar. Freaking ridiculous...

Pretty much every game is on TV up here. Two games on CBC and two on TSN every day.

[fulksy]

its going to be hawks vs caps

but cheering for the coyotes

separate note, from Edmonton we got 1st pick, who are you taking?

[flomo]

Go Bruins!

[Sasquach991]

Versus

Two games back to back every day.

[Penneywize]

its going to be hawks vs caps

but cheering for the coyotes

separate note, from Edmonton we got 1st pick, who are you taking?

Taylor Hall. Seguin didn't even make Team Canada at the world juniors. Granted, he's younger, and might get another crack at it... but still, all the really great players make it when they're 17. Stamkos, Toews, etc.

And not only did Hall play in it, but he did pretty damn well too. Didn't he lead the tournament in goal scoring?

Anyhow I'm sure Seguin's good but if Edmonton's brass has any idea what's going on, they'll let him slip to the Broons...

[Alexos]

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

[Alexos]

fu theodore, gtfo caps, u goin down bitchesssssss

[kmind]

Let's go 'Canes!

[Penneywize]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GO HABS GO

LOL @ Theodore "What was his name, Tomas Jagr?"

And look who scored the OT winner

owned

[Galapogos]

Canucks game was great. Plenty of action, big saves, big goals, big hits, and big laughs.

[JL]

Can;t believe this game went into OT. Quick stood on his head to keep ths game from beingn 6-2...

oh well series is over...bring on Chicago.

loldrunkaments

[JL]

Canucks game was great. Plenty of action, big saves, big goals, big hits, and big laughs.

Someone asplain whu this is not a penalty?

[JL]

Galapogos needs to go on msn or at least answer his PMS once in a while holy shit!

[donkbee]

WOOHOOOOO GO NUCKS!!!!

I went to the game today and had an awesome time As far as playoff games go, though, this one was kinda meh. The first period was good but then after that it was kinda sloppy. I've never been to a game with so many off-sides/delayed off-sides, yeesh. Quick was awesome. I was gonna be so pissed off if the Kings won given that the Canucks spent most of the game in the attacking zone.

The opening video/music thingy was awesome, that's always one of my favorite parts of the game. The green guys beside the penalty box always make me laugh. And LOL @ the high stick on Sedin.

[Ravageur]

I've grinded Canucks game all year out here on the east coast so I have to stay faithful and pick them to make it through though Chicago and Detroit kind of scare me. East go habs go (wow what a game tonight) but seriously Caps have to take the east and Fleury looks way to shaky to pick the Pens.

I'll say Washington over Vancouver in 6.

[Galapogos]

Galapogos needs to go on msn or at least answer his PMS once in a while holy shit!

You must have me blocked or something because I do go on there a fair amount recently. So fuck you for blocking me for no good reason!

And wtf? We aren't notified of PMs anymore? And the multi-quote doesn't work either.

[Galapogos]

The green guys beside the penalty box always make me laugh. And LOL @ the high stick on Sedin.

What's the deal with those guys? They're great. But what is the whole idea from?

[Alexos]

Quick looked very good yesterday.. also not a bad save by Luongo there

[donkbee]

Haha I'm not sure about the green guys, but they're there like every game! There are also 3 blue guys dressed the game way and I think they started showing up late in the season. The crowd cheered for the green guys when they got on camera and then booed the blue guys.

It's so awesome when someone gets a penalty and ends up in the box beside them, you can see them just trying to look away and not notice them lol

[Penneywize]

Anyone else watching SJ vs COL? going to OT right now. San Jose tied it with less than a minute to go. So sick, with their history of playoff failures, to go down 0-2 AT HOME would probably cause Sharks fans to reach a state of permanent despondency.

So, they've managed to dodge that bullet for now. OT should be interesting...

[Sasquach991]

Go Preds

I don't expect it to last but it was the first road game win ever in the playoffs and the Preds have 9 playoff virgins (including the goalie) and only one Cup Winner.

Amazing that JP scored any goals. He went from the first line to the last line this year. He'd better do something or he'll get traded.

I love hearing highlights from other games where Ex-Preds' names are called out alot. Kimmo, Scott Nichols, Fiddler, etc.

[Galapogos]

Wow, third period of the Buffalo/Boston game is intense.

[meeloche]

Really great referring yesterday. Couldn't believe they could call that bad a game in the playoffs.

[donkbee]

Poor Alberts, haha But really, the penalty in overtime was just so stupid. They didn't just have 6 guys on the ice, they had 7 wtf... the refs looked like they were gonna let a lot go in overtime, but that was just too blatant to ignore. We better get our penalty kill straightened out otherwise we are going to be in trouble.

At least Luongo seemed to play pretty well last night.

[Penneywize]

MEH anyone watch last night's MTL/WAS game? or at least the highlights? Total heart-breaker. I mean. I can stand losing to Washington. Our team reversed its way into the playoffs, clinching with a point from an OT loss against the hated Leafs... We aren't expected to do anything other than to lose unceremoniously to the Capitals. But to lose game 2 the way we did, blowing 2-0, 4-1 and 5-4 leads.... UGHHHHHH

[donkbee]

And at least a loss last night means I get to go to game 5! (not that I ever doubted a game 5 would happen...)

[JL]

Doesn't matter how many guys the Canucks had on the ice. They were in a middle of a line change. Unless they tried to play the puck on purpose, then it's not too many men on the ice.
I think it was a close call, and we can argue either way. However, when it's overtime in the playoffs, most refs will err on the side of not giving out a penalty.

[JL]

Go Phoenix Go!
Show those lucky ass Detroit fans how it feels to get knocked out in the first round!

[donkbee]

Of course they were in the middle of a line change :P I didn't see it super closely, but there was a non call earlier in the game where the same thing happened but the guy at the bench made sure he didn't play the puck... so it just leads me to believe that they're not just autocalling a penalty like that (esp in overtime). And whatever the case, something like that is just harder to get away with when you've got 7 guys on the ice instead of 6.

[Sasquach991]

Go Phoenix Go!
Show those lucky ass Detroit fans how it feels to get knocked out in the first round!

This

Come on Preds, stay out of the box and try to find the back of the net.

[Penneywize]

SAN JOSE OWN-GOAL IN OT LOLOL

unbelievable

these guys are cursed

[JL]

LOL Luongo is hopeless in the playoffs.

What's the canucks penalty kill % so far, 40%?... quality

[JL]

Distinct kicking motion? So tilted!

[meeloche]

The officiating in this series has been a complete joke. It's basically cost us 2 games. That call today was just wrong and the only people who seem to think it wasn't a goal was the nhl employees in toronto.

Complete bullshit.

/rant

[Alexos]

Oh come on... Kings played good, Luongo sucked.

And Douuuughttttyyyyyy!!

[Galapogos]

Luongo may not have been in top form but the Canucks played worse. That last goal he let in though was disgusting.

[surviva316]

obv canadians dominate this thread. there should be more jersey douches on ftr imo, so i could put these crotch chops to use

[donkbee]

I just have to laugh at the fact it took Toronto FOREVER to decide that it was kicked in. Really guys? If you're THAT unsure, maybe just let the call on the ice stand?

That being said, our PK is absolutely ridiculously bad. We only got 3 penalties today, but that's gonna be too many when LA has a 100% conversion rate, lol. And don't let me get started on Luongo. We are getting destroyed in this goaltending match up.

Wow today's game was tilting.

[bigred]

yay bruins

[Alexos]

I just watched the replay of the "kicking motion" and i think it should've been a goal as well. It's close though because it looks as if he does let his skate slide a bit there, but I'd just give credit to Sedin and allow it, especially since the call on the ice was that its a good goal. Toronto sucks.

[JL]

I wonder if they would have allowed the goal had it not been one of the top goal scorers in the NHL who knocked it in...

[Alexos]

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