Playoff Predictions / Chat / Rants

[Dubey 1,035]

WEST(1) Detroit vs (8) Calgary Detroit in 4 or 5 games. Calgary hasn't played an extended period of good hockey in several months, and realistically, without Kiprusoff, they are not a playoff team. It is unfortunate that colorado couldn't have snuck in, because that would have made for a much more interesting series than this. I know Detroit has a history of first round flops, but it isn't going to happen this year. I can guarantee that they won't underestimate the flames like they did the oilers last year, and Hasek is a hell of a lot better goalie than Manny Legace.(2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota Aneheim in 6. This oculd actually be a tough series, but Sellanne, Neidermayer, and Pronger will lead Anaheim to the second round(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas Vancouver in 6. Vancouver is arguably playing the best hockey in the league right now, and with Luongo on his game, they may be unstoppable.(4) Nashville vs (5) San JoseSan Jose in 5. San Jose is hot, and they didn't have the benefit of playing in the easiest division in the NHL all season to beef up thier point totals. SJ is the better team and it will be painfully obvious in this series.EAST(1) Buffalo vs (8) NY Islanders Buffalo in 4. "Dubie"'s run will soon end, as the talented buffalo scorers will pick him apart. The islanders are lucky to be in the playoffs, and this one should be over quickly. If dipietro plays the whole series, it may go 5 or 6.(2) New Jersey vs (7)Tampa BayNew Jersey in 5. Tampa bay has been playing some horrible hockey for about the last month or so. They only have one line and New Jersey should be able to shut them down. NJ pretty much has a decided edge in every single area, and it probably won't even be close (3) Atlanta vs (6) NY Rangers NY Rangers in 6. The rangers are playing their best hockey of the season. Atlanta has been struggling a bit recently. It should be a good series, but I like the rangers total package better, and they should win this one.(4) Ottawa vs (5) PittsburghPittsburgh in 7. This one could go either way, but it should be an entertaining series. The key might come down to goaltending. As both sides fire away, the inexperienced goaltender who plays the best may steal this one for his team.for fun, my predictions for the rest of the way: Westround 2:San Jose over detroit in 7Vancouver over anaheim in 6Round 3: Vancouver over san jose in 6EastRound 2:Buffalo over the rangers in 6Pittsburgh over NJ in 7Round 3:Buffalo over pittsburgh in 6Stanley Cup:Vancouver over Buffalo in 7 games

[fleung22 1]

Round 3: Vancouver over san jose in 6EastRound 2:Buffalo over the rangers in 6Pittsburgh over NJ in 7Round 3:Buffalo over pittsburgh in 6Stanley Cup:Vancouver over Buffalo in 7 games

I heart Dubey

[brabz 0]

East(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (8) New York Islanders(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning(3) Atlanta Thrashers vs. (6) New York Rangers (4) Ottawa Senators vs. (5) Pittsburgh PenguinsWest(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (8) Calgary Flames(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (7) Minnesota Wild (3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) Dallas Stars (4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) San Jose Sharks Second Round(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (6) New York Rangers(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (4) Ottawa Senators(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Dallas Stars(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (5) San Jose SharksConference Finals(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (2) New Jersey Devils(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (6) Dallas StarsFinals(2) New Jersey Devils vs. (2) Anaheim Ducks

[Fubar The Sperm 1]

My predictions. The correct ones.Eastern ConferenceBuffalo Sabres (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)I think New York will be able to win one at home but a sweep is also very likely. Even with Dipietro I don't think New York could take this to 6 games.Buffalo in 5New Jersey Devils (2) vs. Tampay Bay Lightning (7)I think this should be a close series but I don't think Tampa can win unless Holmquist can steal a game or two.Devils in 6Atlanta Thrashers (3) vs. New York Rangers (6)The Rangers have played well down the stretch and Lundquist has been the main reason. Avery will help provide grit as well.Rangers in 7Ottawa Senators (4) vs. Oittsburgh Penguins (5)Hailed choke artists for several years, the Sens are a different team this year. They went through a tough slup to start the year, mid-season injuries and some shakey goaltending. The Penguins will have nothing to lose and might play a little too loose. The Sens have the experience of playoff blowups and I don't think they'll repeat that again this year. Whoever advances though, might make a run all the way to the cuo finals.Ottawa in 7Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. New York Rangers (6)Buffalo will get to face the better of the two New York teams in the second round and will face tougher competition. Rangers could upset if they get rolling. Who knows what Jagr will show up in the playoffs. Buffalo has too much depth and should overwhelm New York.Buffalo in 6New Jersey Devils (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (4)Ottawa continues to roll and after gaining some confidence are just too much for New Jersey. Brodeur will keep it close but the Devils won't have enough scoring power.Ottawa in 6Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. Ottawa Senators (4)If these two teams make it this far together, expect a very good series. Buffalo has the slight edge with depth and will be better rested then Ottawa. For Ottawa to win it will come down to good goaltending by Emery and soft goaltending by Miller. Buffalo in 6Western ConferenceDetroit Red Wings (1) vs. Calgary Flames (8)I don't think Calgary has played well enough this year to be major threat but guys like Iginla, Tanguay, Pheneuf and Kiprisuff might be able to carry this team deep into the playoffs. I give them more credit then most but in the end, Calgary won't be able to win on the road when it matters most and Detroit will be too much.Detroit in 7Anaheim Ducks (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (7)The Wild have been hot down the stretch since Gaborik returned and gave the Canucks a real run for their money. Anaheim has not been too impressive down the stretch and I think they will be hard pressed to score. If they win it will be because of Pronger, Needemier and Giguire. People think this series will be boring but with guys like Selanne, Gaborik, Demitra, Roloston, Pronger and Needemier on the ice, it might be very entertaining.Minnesota in 7Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. Dallas Stars (6)Say what you want about Vancouver's scoring, just remember that Dallas scored only 4 more goals during the regular season. The Canucks have been one of the hottest teams down the stretch and split the season series 2 a piece with Dallas. I give the edge to Vancouver due to the goaltending. I fully expect this series to 6 or 7 games. The teams are too evenly matched for it to end any sooner unless a player from one of the teams has a break out series.Vancouver in 6Nashville Predators (4) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)Nashville has a potential game breaker in Forsberg and have a healthy Vokun this year. They might struggle to get enough scoring though. San Jose has no real weakness. They have a solid goalie, a good defensive core and a balanced attack with some leathel scores and one of the best playmakers in the game. Forsberg and Kariya will have to step up for Nashville or its game over.San Jose in 6Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (7)Gaborik will create all kinds of trouble for Detroit and i'm not sure Hasek will be able to hold up in this series. Backstrom might very well out perform him. The key for Detroit will be limiting Minnesota chances while capitilizing on their own. The Wild will frustrate Detroit I think and I give them the edge.Minnesota in 6Vancouver (3) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)The offensive edge goes to San Jose easily but Vancouver will do a good job in shutting them down. Vancouver will need guys like Naslund, Morrison and Smolinski to step up and provide scoring in order to win. Agitators like Cooke, Cowan and Ohlund could make the difference in the series but it will be hard to shut down San Jose's potent attack. This series goes the distance.San Jose in 7San Jose Sharks (5) vs. Minnesota (7)A series that can go either way, although I think San Jose has the edge. Minnisota will need timelys goals and saves to pull off a win and as hot as they are, San Jose will be too much.San Jose in 6Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)This will be a fun one to watch as both teams are high scoring and there should be some open ice hockey. I'm not sure if Miller will be good enough for Buffalo to take down this series. He'll need to be on top of his game for Buffalo to win. In the end I think San Jose will be too much.San Jose in 7

[digitalmonkey 929]

WEST(1) Detroit vs (8) Calgary I think Calgary is a good sleeper pick because they now have some offense to go along with Kiprusoff. If Kipper finds his groove the Flames can ride him a long way. I really liked Detroit a few weeks ago, but they seemed to have picked up a few injuries at maybe the worst possible time. Lidstrom is not 100%, Kronwall is out, Zetterberg should be back, but will he be 100%? Now Bertuzzi has a mild concussion. The Wings seem to be falling apart before the gruelling playoffs begin. Calgary in 6.(2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota Anaheim is just too strong here. They can have either Pronger or Niedermayer on the ice at all times. Minnesota will have to play a flawless game to beat Anaheim. Anaheim in 5.(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas Dallas is a sleeping giant. They can absolutely shut down an offense and Vancouver's offense is a prime target. Marty Turco has something to prove and Brendan Morrow is November fresh. Stars in 6.(4) Nashville vs (5) San JoseSan Jose is a bipolar team. They can look great one game and then absolutely awful the next. As for Nashville, they seem more like a collection of parts than a team...not that the parts are all that bad. San Jose in 7.EAST(1) Buffalo vs (8) NY IslandersThe Islanders should win at least a game and maybe two. Buffalo in 5. (2) New Jersey vs (7)Tampa Bay This should be an interesting series. I think Brodeur is the difference. New Jersey in 7.(3) Atlanta vs (6) NY Rangers I don't like Atlanta's game at all. I think Lundqvist is in a groove and the Ranger's battle for the playoffs down the stretch has helped them get in the playoff mode early. Rangers in 6.(4) Ottawa vs (5) PittsburghPittsburgh matches up very well against Ottawa, but I think the Senators will prove too much for the inexperienced Pens. Ottawa in 6.

[goose 0]

Buffalo better not fucking win it.

[nell789 0]

Buffalo better not fucking win it.

look who's using his newly learned skill

[runthemover 39]

calgary over detroit in 7 : Hot goalie plus injuries for detroitanaheim over minnesota in 6 : Twin towers too much for Gaborik and codallas over vancouver in 6 : dallas made the right moves at the deadlinesan jose over nashville in 6 : repeat of last year almost. injuries again for nash and san jose is one year olderbuffalo over new york in 4 : no explanation neededtampa bay over new jersey in 7 : brodeur and elias arent enough against the former champsatlanta over new york in 6 : atlanta added too much for the rangers to handleottawa over pittsburg in 6 : ottawa finally gets it togetheranaheim over calgary in 5 : kipper wins one series but not enough goal support this timesan jose over dallas in 6 : tons of forward depth. 50% of each game will be in the dallas zonebuffalo over tampa bay in 6 : tampa surprises but not enoughottawa over atlanta in 6 : alfredsson carries the team on his back in this series san jose over anaheim in 7 : tough fought but marleau has 2 hat tricks to lead his club to the finalsbuffalo over ottawa in 6 : ottawa finally seems like a contender it should have been but outmatched heresan jose over buffalo in 7 : seven overtime games goes down in history as one of the all-time best final seriesall picks done with my head (note: series involving san jose done with my heart)

[gruven 530]

Buffalo better not fucking win it, while I'm in the woods planting trees with a perfectly good NHL Stanley Cup Press Pass sitting on my dresser.

FYP (fuck you pal)

[Zach6668 513]

Calgary vs DetroitDetroit is too strong, IMO. Calgary hasn't played well in a long time, either. Detroit in 5.Anaheim vs MinnesotaAgain, Anaheim is too strong for the Wild. They say defense wins championships, and the Ducks have the top two d-men in the league. I think the Wild can squeeze a win or two out though, I'll go with Anaheim in 6.Vancouver vs DallasI just think Vancouver is a better team here. It's going to be a good series though. Vancouver in 7.San Jose vs NashvilleAnother great matchup. I think SJ's goaltending is the difference here, as well as the fact that Thornton and Cheechoo, et al have been turning it up at the right time. SJ in 7.Buffalo vs NY IslandersI think this is the only series with sweep potential. However, I think Ryan Smyth will will one out. Buffalo in 5.New Jersey vs Tampa BayDevils and Brodeur should be able to shutdown TB's scoring. Devils in 6.Ottawa vs PittsburghHomer pick, Pens are too wicked awesome. Honestly though, I think Ottawa is their worst first round matchup out of any other team in the East, except Buffalo. However, looking at the games they've played this season, Pittsburgh just seems to be the better team. If they can stay focused defensively, I think they'll win this one. Pens in 6.NY Rangers vs AtlantaLunqvist is the difference in this series. Rangers in 6.

[seanmalone 0]

Someone needs to break this down for me. If u know the playoff system, will the sharks and ducks meet in the 2nd round if all goes right or will it be the third?

[Zach6668 513]

Someone needs to break this down for me. If u know the playoff system, will the sharks and ducks meet in the 2nd round if all goes right or will it be the third?

They get reseeded after the first round. Top seed in the conference plays the bottom seed, and the two middle seats meet.

[pezeveng 207]

Ottawa guys is it true tix are still available for game one and two. Now thats making a statement. Also Iam sure CBC is jumping for joy with the Sat night game of NJ vs TB. No offense to either club but not a matchup the CBC is looking for.

[gruven 530]

Ottawa guys is it true tix are still available for game one and two. Now thats making a statement. Also Iam sure CBC is jumping for joy with the Sat night game of NJ vs TB. No offense to either club but not a matchup the CBC is looking for.

Yes, tix are still available

[pezeveng 207]

here are some series prices for those interested. Most of them look pretty even to me. To Win Series OTT Senators v PIT Penguins Book Closes Apr 11 16:05 PIT Penguins +165 Bet OTT Senators -185 Bet NAS Predators v SJ Sharks Book Closes Apr 11 17:00 SJ Sharks -110 Bet NAS Predators -110 Bet VAN Canucks v DAL Stars Book Closes Apr 11 19:05 DAL Stars +105 Bet VAN Canucks -125 Bet ANA M Ducks v MIN Wild Book Closes Apr 11 19:35 MIN Wild +160 Bet ANA M Ducks -180 Bet DET Redwings v CAL Flames Book Closes Apr 12 16:05 CAL Flames +220 Bet DET Redwings -270 Bet ATL Thrashers v NY Rangers Book Closes Apr 12 16:05 NY Rangers -105 Bet ATL Thrashers -115 Bet NJ Devils v TB Lightning Book Closes Apr 12 16:35 TB Lightning +175 Bet NJ Devils -210 Bet BUF Sabres v NY Islanders Book Closes Apr 12 17:05 NY Islanders +475 Bet BUF Sabres -650 Bet

[fleung22 1]

BUF Sabres v NY Islanders Book Closes Apr 12 17:05 NY Islanders +475 Bet BUF Sabres -650 Bet

wow, why is the juice so sick for this bet?

[Fubar The Sperm 1]

Eastern ConferenceBuffalo Sabres (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)Buffalo in 5New Jersey Devils (2) vs. Tampay Bay Lightning (7)Devils in 6Atlanta Thrashers (3) vs. New York Rangers (6)Rangers in 7Ottawa Senators (4) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (5)Ottawa in 7Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. New York Rangers (6)Buffalo in 6New Jersey Devils (2) vs. Ottawa Senators (4)Ottawa in 6Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. Ottawa Senators (4)Buffalo in 6Western ConferenceDetroit Red Wings (1) vs. Calgary Flames (8)Detroit in 7Anaheim Ducks (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (7)Minnesota in 7Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. Dallas Stars (6)Vancouver in 6Nashville Predators (4) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)San Jose in 6Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Minnesota Wild (7)Minnesota in 6Vancouver (3) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)San Jose in 7San Jose Sharks (5) vs. Minnesota (7)San Jose in 6Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)San Jose in 7These are my picks using my nogin as I posted above. I wanted to see if I was any better in picks by rolling a dice. Initial roll was to decide who would win. 1,2,3 meant the higher seed won while 4,5,6 meant the lower seed won. Second role was to decide in how many games. 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 1=7, 2&3=roll again. Initial picks in bold. Dice picks in red.Eastern ConferenceBuffalo Sabres (1) vs. New York Islanders (8)Buffalo in 5Buffalo in 5 - the dice agrees with me.New Jersey Devils (2) vs. Tampay Bay Lightening (7)Devils in 6Tampa Bay in 6Atlanta Thrashers (3) vs. New York Rangers (6)Rangers in 7Rangers in 5Ottawa Senators (4) vs. Oittsburgh Penguins (5)Ottawa in 7Ottawa in 6Buffalo Sabres (1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (7)Tampa Bay in 4Ottawa Senators (4) vs. New York Rangers (6)Ottawa in 5Ottawa Senators (4) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (7)Tampa Bay in 5Western ConferenceDetroit Red Wings (1) vs. Calgary Flames (8)Detroit in 7Calgary in 6Anaheim Ducks (2) vs. Minnesota Wild (7)Minnesota in 7Minnesota in 5Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. Dallas Stars (6)Vancouver in 6Dallas in 6Nashville Predators (4) vs. San Jose Sharks (5)San Jose in 6Nashville in 5Nashville Predators (4) vs. Calgary Flames (8)Clagary in 6Dallas Stars (6) vs. Minnosota Wild (7)Dallas in 6Dallas Stars (6) vs. Calgary Flames (8)Calgary in 6Dallas Stars (6) vs. Tampbay Lightning (7)Calgary in 7Calgary gets their revenge.

[troyomac 0]

(1) Buffalo vs (8) New York Islanders (2) New Jersey vs (7) Tampa Bay (3) Atlanta vs (6) New York Rangers (4) Ottawa vs (5) Pittsburgh (1) Detroit vs (8) Calgary (2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota (3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas (4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose(1) Buffalo vs (6) New York Rangers (2) New Jersey vs (5) Pittsburgh (1) Detroit vs (6) Dallas(2) Anaheim vs (4) Nashville(5) Pittsburgh vs (6) New York Rangers (1) Detroit vs (4) Nashville(4) Nashville vs (5) Pittsburgh

[Zach6668 513]

Troyomac - I like your style.Go Pens!

[troyomac 0]

Troyomac - I like your style.Go Pens!

Edited for slightly easier reading...and yes..ship me $3100 please! (plus being a Bruins fan, I can't sway from the Black and Gold(or yellow)

[GeneralGeeWhiz 0]

[magnus72 0]

My prediction is by this time next week I will be so sick of seeing the Detroit Red Wings on TV that I might not have a TV anymore. Rumor has it that there will only be two Wild games broadcast on Versus, the rest of them will be on some local station out of the Twin Cities which 90 percent of the state doesn't get in. Isnt two hours from the border close enough to get TSN?

[Speed Limit 0]

The versus schedule is ugly, tonight instead of seeing a much more exciting match up in my opinion of Anaheim vs. Minnesota, we get a more dull game of Vancouver vs. Dallas.

[magnus72 0]

No kidding about the scheduling, so many games start after 9 or 9:30. My poor nephew last night was almost crying his eyes out because he had to be in bed for most of the playoff games he wanted to watch. I think his mother just needs to lighten up, I remember being his age and laying in bed watching I think it was the Penguins go into five overtimes. Could be exagerating a little bit but I know I didnt get to bed before 2 when that game was over.

[Speed Limit 0]

Just wanted to get a little factoid in here: A No. 7 seed has defeated a No. 2 in each of the last nine postseasons.I'm stoked, there are some unbelievable first round match ups.