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Post by thwak is T.hawk on Apr 12, 2009 6:59:09 GMT -5
All four games set in the East, just one (Blackhawks/Flames) set for the West. the flames are going to destroy the blackhawks so bad, and this is coming from a hawks fan.
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BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,983
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Post by BRV on Apr 12, 2009 11:36:30 GMT -5
So it's settled. Bruins/Canadiens. Let the Mortal Kombat begin! This is how it had to be. The Bruins are clearly a better team this year, and if the 2008 Playoffs and the 5-0-1 record this season showed us anything, its that these Bruins aren't afraid of the Canadiens. Milan Lucic is in Montreal's head. He's going to be on the receiving end of a chorus of boos every time he touches the puck in the Bell Centre, and that says an awful lot about a guy who isn't even 21 years old. Obviously its going to be a great series, because Montreal matches up well against the Bruins. But as a B's fan, I'd take this series over a possible Bruins-Rangers series, in which I'd probably choose New York to win. I know too many Rangers fans personally, and my seething hatred for Sean Avery has reached Robert-DeNiro-in-"The Fan" levels as of late. Going off of the way the Bruins have played since acquiring Recchi and Montador, and how Boston performs against the Habs this season, I think the Bruins could take this series in five or six.
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domrep
Hank Scorpio
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Post by domrep on Apr 12, 2009 11:45:40 GMT -5
Ugh, as a Caps fan, playing the Rangers was worse case scenario. I would have preferred to play against a banged up Canadiens team.
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The Lodger
Don Corleone
Wino is not pleased.
Posts: 1,394
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Post by The Lodger on Apr 12, 2009 14:31:04 GMT -5
Ugh, as a Caps fan, playing the Rangers was worse case scenario. I would have preferred to play against a banged up Canadiens team. As an Avs fan, Theodore is a pain I am all too familiar with.
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Ben Wyatt
Crow T. Robot
Are You Gonna Go My Way?
I don't get it. At all. It's kind of a small horse, I mean what am I missing? Am I crazy?
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Post by Ben Wyatt on Apr 12, 2009 19:05:10 GMT -5
Reg season is over.
Here's my predictions for round 1
Boston/Montreal (Boston in 5)
Washington/Rangers (Washington in 5)
Devils/'Canes (Carolina in 6)
Philly/Pitsburgh (Philly in 7)
Sharks/Ducks (Sharks in 4)
Wings/Blue Jackets (Wings in 5)
Blues/Canucks (Canucks in 5)
Blackhawks/FLames (Blackhawks in 5)
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BRV
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wants him some Taco Flavored Kisses.
Posts: 16,983
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Post by BRV on Apr 12, 2009 19:43:16 GMT -5
CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS PREDICTIONS
PRINCE OF WALES CONFERENCE
(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal Despite history being on the Canadiens' side, times have changed. There is no question as to who is the better team in this matchup. The Bruins have played with no fear when facing off with the Habs this year, and their 5-0-1 record shows that. PREDICTION - Bruins in six
(2) Washington vs. (7) New York Rangers To be able to go far into the playoffs, a team needs a quality goalie more than anything. The Capitals don't have that, and it could be their downfall. They can light up the scoreboard, but they have no stay-at-home defensemen and Jose Theodore isn't instilling much confidence in Caps fans. The Rangers play the tough defensive style that can counteract the Capitals, but the Capitals are just too powerful offensively. PREDICTION - Capitals in seven
(3) New Jersey vs. (6) Carolina There are few teams in the NHL as hot as the Hurricanes lately, winners of thirteen of their last eighteen. The Devils have Martin Brodeur, possibly the best playoff goalie of our generation. The Devils seem like the right team to stop the red-hot 'Canes. PREDICTION - Devils in five
(4) Philadelphia vs. (5) Pittsburgh Philadelphia is physical and they can battle with anyone. Pittsburgh has finesse and the best scorers in the league. However, the x-factor is Sidney Crosby, who will get the benefit of almost every call, as the NHL is ready to anoint him as the next Gretzky. PREDICTION - Penguins in six
CLARENCE CAMPBELL CONFERENCE
(1) San Jose vs. (8) Anaheim The Sharks have been the sexy pick for about five years now. To quote a great scholar, it's time to piss or get off the pot. Is this the year? Possibly. The Ducks won't be much of a test, but expect the second round to be much more of a challenge for San Jose. PREDICTION - Sharks in four
(2) Detroit vs. (7) Columbus Nice to see the Blue Jackets join the postseason party, as their fans deserve a team as good as they are rabid. This year, they finally got it, thanks in large part to Steve Mason's performance between the pipes. I wouldn't be surprised to see Columbus scrape out a game or two, purely because of Mason. But they aren't beating the Red Wings, who are the team to beat in the playoffs, East or West. PREDICTION - Red Wings in five
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) St. Louis I really don't see what it is that made the Blues so hot as of late. Conversely, Vancouver is my sneaky team in the West, and could be my Stanley Cup pick if I had to pick one right now. Roberto Luongo has been average this year, but he's still the best goalie in the Western Conference, and an offense led by the Sedin twins can hang with any offense. PREDICTION - Canucks in four
(4) Chicago vs. (5) Calgary Like the Capitals, Chicago lives and dies by offense and are stuck with a mediocre goalie. Can an okay goalie win you a playoff series? Yes. Can an okay goalie win you a Cup? Probably not. Despite Calgary having the best fans of the remaining playoff teams, a fan base can only get you so much. PREDICTION - Blackhawks in six
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The Lodger
Don Corleone
Wino is not pleased.
Posts: 1,394
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Post by The Lodger on Apr 12, 2009 21:32:34 GMT -5
I think ya'll are giving the Caps a little too much credit. True Ovechkin and Semin can steal a game or two, but not the whole series. I'll take Lundquvist, who is probably the most consistent blue shirt playing, over Theodore.
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Professor Chaos
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Bringer of Destruction and Maker of Doom
Posts: 16,332
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Post by Professor Chaos on Apr 12, 2009 21:37:46 GMT -5
Let's go Pens!
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Post by Mr. Over Easy on Apr 12, 2009 22:01:02 GMT -5
I really think no team in the east is tough enough or has enough grit to win the Cup this year. Except possibly the Bruins. Since Buffalo (my team) bombed badly I really hope the Blackhawks win. Kane is a for sure player. I like them alot especially since they have the best jerseys in sports. But I really think the Red Wings bring another cup back to Detroit.
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Post by thedon on Apr 12, 2009 22:27:53 GMT -5
Here's my predictions:
East Bruins in 6 vs Montreal Capitals in 6 vs NY Rangers Devils in 7 vs Carolina Penguins in 6 vs Philadelphia
West Sharks in 5 vs Anaheim Red Wings in 6 vs Columbus Canucks in 5 vs St. Louis Blackhawks in 6 vs Calgary
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Post by HMARK Center on Apr 12, 2009 22:55:34 GMT -5
I hate picking and trying to guess how many games it'll take, but I do think there's an excellent chance of the top 4 seeds in the East all advancing, though Carolina and Pittsburgh certainly have what it takes to win at least a round. The Bruins have outplayed Montreal all year (and Montreal's banged up), the Caps play strong AND fast enough that they should basically just outgun the Rangers, the Devils seem to me like they may be righting the ship at the proper time (though the special teams aren't inspiring me too much lately), and I think the fact that Philly can score AND fight you will help them vs. Pitt.
Out West, there's some unpredictability based on the quality of some of the matchups. I do think San Jose has the best chance of anyone in either bracket to sweep the first round, but the other matchups have the potential to be very good ones if a few breaks go certain ways here or there. Columbus should put up a great fight, I'm feeling that Vancouver/St. Louis has the potential to go either way given a few breaks here or there, and I dig the Flames/Hawks matchup based on how close I think it'll be.
I'll go:
Bruins
Caps
Devils
Flyers
making it a sweep for the top seeds in the East.
Sharks
Wings
Canucks
Flames out in the West.
I admit to my New Jersey bias for their matchup; 'Canes really are playing incredibly well of late, and the Devils have only recently begun to reawaken from what was a late season swoon that cost them the #2 seed, so there's plenty that can go wrong for NJ (i.e. 'Canes draw more penalty calls vs. opponents than anybody else, the Jersey's PK has been lagging of late). Just something about this year's team gives me a better vibe than the past few seasons, though, like they'll get in and get help from some unexpected sources.
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Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
HaHa U FaLL 4 LaVa TriK
Posts: 46,168
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Post by Allie Kitsune on Apr 12, 2009 23:10:34 GMT -5
I hate picking and trying to guess how many games it'll take, but I do think there's an excellent chance of the top 4 seeds in the East all advancing, though Carolina and Pittsburgh certainly have what it takes to win at least a round. The Bruins have outplayed Montreal all year (and Montreal's banged up), the Caps play strong AND fast enough that they should basically just outgun the Rangers, the Devils seem to me like they may be righting the ship at the proper time (though the special teams aren't inspiring me too much lately), and I think the fact that Philly can score AND fight you will help them vs. Pitt. Out West, there's some unpredictability based on the quality of some of the matchups. I do think San Jose has the best chance of anyone in either bracket to sweep the first round, but the other matchups have the potential to be very good ones if a few breaks go certain ways here or there. Columbus should put up a great fight, I'm feeling that Vancouver/St. Louis has the potential to go either way given a few breaks here or there, and I dig the Flames/Hawks matchup based on how close I think it'll be. I'll go: Bruins Caps Devils Flyers making it a sweep for the top seeds in the East. Sharks Wings Canucks Flames out in the West. I admit to my New Jersey bias for their matchup; 'Canes really are playing incredibly well of late, and the Devils have only recently begun to reawaken from what was a late season swoon that cost them the #2 seed, so there's plenty that can go wrong for NJ (i.e. 'Canes draw more penalty calls vs. opponents than anybody else, the Jersey's PK has been lagging of late). Just something about this year's team gives me a better vibe than the past few seasons, though, like they'll get in and get help from some unexpected sources. It wouldn't be a sweep, because by losing to the Rags, the Flyers dropped from #4 to #5.
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Post by Maidpool w/ Cleaning Action on Apr 12, 2009 23:24:32 GMT -5
I'll get in on these first round predictions, though I won't do the amount of games as I'm terrible at that kind of thing:
East Bruins Capitals Hurricanes Penguins
West Sharks Red Wings Canucks Flames
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Apr 13, 2009 8:16:17 GMT -5
Bos in 5, Caps in 4, Devils in 6 and Philly in 6
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darthalexander
Hank Scorpio
I have a feeling I may end up getting banned soon.
Posts: 7,030
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Post by darthalexander on Apr 13, 2009 10:59:14 GMT -5
I am really happy it's Boston/Montreal. These are going to be really damn good games and I bet it's going to go 7 games. I have that kind of feeling about this. Of course I'm probably totally wrong but oh well. If the Habs beat the Bruins? I am going to scream in joy. One thing is for sure, it should be a wild series.
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Post by HMARK Center on Apr 13, 2009 11:38:06 GMT -5
I am really happy it's Boston/Montreal. These are going to be really damn good games and I bet it's going to go 7 games. I have that kind of feeling about this. Of course I'm probably totally wrong but oh well. If the Habs beat the Bruins? I am going to scream in joy. One thing is for sure, it should be a wild series. I admit that I don't have a ton of confidence in the Habs, but there's enough bad blood and emotions in the series that the winner is still going to be pretty drained, physically and emotionally, even if the series only goes 5 or 6.
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Steveweiser
Dalek
Mickie Mickie You're So Fine... Hey Mickie!
THE GRAPS
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Post by Steveweiser on Apr 13, 2009 11:40:10 GMT -5
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darthalexander
Hank Scorpio
I have a feeling I may end up getting banned soon.
Posts: 7,030
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Post by darthalexander on Apr 13, 2009 11:46:36 GMT -5
On Hockey Night in Canada this week they mentioned Patrick Roy would become the new Head Coach. I don't know how I feel about that. I hope it works out but I hope it isn't a total disaster.
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Post by Designated Drinker on Apr 13, 2009 18:44:06 GMT -5
Come on,i know it pains you but give the Rangers a little credit Bruins in 5 Rangers in 7 (i admit being biased on that one) Carolina in 7 Philly in 6 San Jose in 6 Detroit in 7 St. Louis in 7 Chicago in 6 I obviously have a feeling there's some huge upsets that are going down in the west.
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Apr 13, 2009 21:58:40 GMT -5
Oh ESPN you know nothing. I saw an article by Scott Burnside on ESPN who is a notorious Devils hater and his playoff preview had the Canes in 6 (fair in and of its self) but his key matchup was Eric Staal against... BOBBY HOLIK. If Sutter matches Holik with Staal than Lou should come down tap Sutter on the shoulder and fire him right there. EA simulates and has the Bruins winning the Cup for those who care. Here's a pic of what the ceremony would look like. Bettman with a growth spurt before handing the cup to Chara.
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