Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011

It's finally the time of year when your Center Ice subscription finally becomes worth it because otherwise you're too ******* busy to use it :angry:.

First round predictions:

VAN vs CHI, VAN in 6: should be a good series but the Hawks have underachieved badly this year and the Canucks should be able to get revenge, though they will not beat them as easily as they should.

SJS vs LAK, SJS in 6: this one I probably won't pay too much attention to, though the matchup is pretty good.

DET vs PHX, DET in 6: Detroit is much worse than their record suggests, basically all their wins in the 2nd half of the season came against non playoff teams, but the Coyotes never impressed me and the Wings always have their number. I should be able to see my team win at least one series.

ANA vs NSH, ANA in 6: Ducks looking scary with Perry playing out of his mind for the last couple of months. Nashville can't score, and Ducks D + G are pretty close to the Preds'. Rinne steals a couple of games.

WSH vs NYR, WSH in 5: Caps new more defensive style makes them a worse team I think, that last year was just a choke job and a hot goalie combined. But they should still easily beat the Rangers.

PHI vs BUF, PHI in 4 (add one game for each game Pronger misses): I can't believe the Flyers choked away their top spot in the east :laugh4:, they have Buffalo completely outclassed though, except for in net and Miller has fallen back to earth. But they need Pronger like humans need oxygen.

BOS vs MTL, BOS in 4: Another lopsided series in the East, Boston should absolutely have no trouble with Montreal. I'd say Price would steal a game against basically any other team but Thomas will negate that steal here.

TBL vs PIT, TBL in 5 (6 if Crosby plays significantly): Gonna be one of the ones I watch most closely. PIT has incredible team defense and Fleury is playing at his potential, but losing Crosby and Malkin seals their fate. Even if Crosby will be back, he probably won't be anywhere near at the level he was earlier this season. PIT can't win with shootouts anymore, and TBL with St. Louis and a rejuvenated Lecavalier are dangerous, even if Stamkos is cold. Gagne has finally woken up a bit.

I think the Caps are better suited for the playoffs this year than last. The high-flying style was destined to fail in a 7 game series, if not against Montreal then against a better team. Arnott was a huge addition to the locker room, if he can keep Semin (traditionally clueless in the playoffs) focused they will be very dangerous. They will still blow it at some point, this is the Caps after all. ~:rolleyes:

Montreal will give Boston a series. That one is going to get chippy.

Hello

New York Rangers.

Flyers have seriously pissed me off basically these last two months, but hopefully an easy-ish series against Buffalo will allow us to get back on our feet. drone, no offense (and I don't suspect you'll take any), but I can't take the Caps seriously in the playoffs until they prove they can consistently deliver. Honestly the team I'm worried about most in the East is Tampa because of that :daisy: trap defense of theirs which has always given us headaches. However, they've fallen off as much as we have in the last part of the season, and I still can't stomach saying that I want Concussed-He-Shall-Who-Not-Be-Named's Team to do any sort of advancing. Thus, I'm rooting for the Lightning to win.

Biased fan's opinion, but I think the Flyers will make the Cup Finals unless this is the year the Caps stop underachieving. Whether they will take home the Cup will depend on who we're facing, injuries, etc.

Watched the Wings-Yotes game live, result as expected, Detroit matches up really well against Phoenix, Franzen has turned on playoff switch again.

Then I had the Pens-Bolts game recorded, was a pretty fun game to see, aside from the result, game was close, I'd say the Bolts played better, but MAF played really well. Just scary how good the Penguins would be with Crosby and Malkin.

Saw a bit of the Caps-Rangers game, and drone you might be right, the Caps pulled this one out in good fashion, and it might look like Semin is up.

Ahhh, playoff hockey is such a timesink but it's worth it. :2thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeneralHankerchief

drone, no offense (and I don't suspect you'll take any), but I can't take the Caps seriously in the playoffs until they prove they can consistently deliver.

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Well, I did say:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drone

They will still blow it at some point, this is the Caps after all.

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Their history of playoff collapses is long. Usually involving the Pens, but probably not this year.

Boston in 4, Hah! I wonder who else voted that the Canadiens will win the Cup. :smug2:

Voted Habs to win, I'm clearly biased.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reenk Roink

PHI vs BUF, PHI in 4 (add one game for each game Pronger misses)

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Well, that's one. :wall: Luckily, I didn't watch the game as the Phillies were in town and I could get a ticket for $5. Can't say I'm too surprised though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Romanic

Boston in 4, Hah! I wonder who else voted that the Canadiens will win the Cup. :smug2:

Voted Habs to win, I'm clearly biased.

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Well don't take my predictions with anything more than a grain of salt, especially the Eastern Conference, I haven't watched and followed hockey as much as usual this season.

By the way, it was Subotan who voted for the Habs; that guy probably never watched a hockey game in his life... :whip: :tongue2:

Great game between Tampa and Pittsburgh tonight, my favorite series by far so far.

Quality win by the Caps last night, down 0-3 in the third fighting back to win in 2OT. MSG is pretty quiet!

Groan... :embarassed:

I have to vote for my team. Game is up!

(only two wins a row needed to move)

How weird have these playoffs been so far? Amazing to see TB style on Pittsburgh though. Yeah you can play hard and have a good coaching system all you want but TALENT matters a lot. :smug:

Sorry GH, but like I expected, the absence of Pronger is always going to be a big deal, but especially when a team doesn't have great goaltending... Let's see if he can work magic even when hurt though.

That being said, I thought Boucher was actually pretty good this series, and one bad start shouldn't get him yanked. Miller is playing the best of any goalie in the playoffs it seems though, and the Flyers really should have taken one of the 1-0 games.

It ain't over yet. Game 6 has been the bane of Philadelphia sports teams for years now, but if we survive this I like our chances at home for Game 7.

Leighton really let the Sabres down. He's gotta pace himself so he stays in longer and lets in more goals.

Can't decide who I want to win 'Hawks-Canucks Game 7. On one hand, Vancouver is a clear threat to win it all and having them out of the way would help every other team out there. On the other, I still just can't forgive Chicago for beating us for the Cup last year and don't want to see them do well, especially not in such a momentum-creating way that could enable them to go on a run. Ah, decisions...

Rest, glorious rest for the Caps. :zzz:


Speaking of rest, I don't think the Pens were awake yet. How can you start a hockey game at noon?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeneralHankerchief

Can't decide who I want to win 'Hawks-Canucks Game 7. On one hand, Vancouver is a clear threat to win it all and having them out of the way would help every other team out there. On the other, I still just can't forgive Chicago for beating us for the Cup last year and don't want to see them do well, especially not in such a momentum-creating way that could enable them to go on a run. Ah, decisions...

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I've better reasons for my team to win. Two years in a row would be nice. Now...to win and keep on winning...

And at any rate, if they lose Tuesday, they still put up an admirable fight.

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Originally Posted by Motep

I've better reasons for my team to win. Two years in a row would be nice. Now...to win and keep on winning...

And at any rate, if they lose Tuesday, they still put up an admirable fight.

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Habs won't be losing Tuesday. :smug2:

Yay!!! :thumbsup:

Phew. :sweatdrop:

Also, good thing B's-Habs are going 7, Pronger could use the extra couple of days.

-edit- And go Habs! (need them to take out the Caps again like they did last year...)

I love hockey so much.

I hope to see another relatively boring Philly-Buffaloesque game with Tampa and Pittsburgh (with Tampa being like Philly of course). I doubt that Montreal-Boston can top what I've just seen right now, but hopefully they can be close to it.

: (

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeneralHankerchief

Phew. :sweatdrop:

Also, good thing B's-Habs are going 7, Pronger could use the extra couple of days.

-edit- And go Habs! (need them to take out the Caps again like they did last year...)

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Should be a scorcher tonight. I can't imagine anyone in Quebec won't be watching.

For the most part, I can't stand hockey. But it has been a good series with Boston. I don't mind if we lose after that, but I want to beat Boston just as revenge for Chara nearly killing our guy with that dirty check.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx2AxYxgqRA

Montreal & Boston: Overtime!

The whole province is wide awake and on the edge of its collective seat.

T e n s i o n !

Wail!!!

:bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry::bigcry:

:bigcry:
:bigcry:
:bigcry:
:bigcry:
:bigcry:

*sob* *sob*

All right on to the semis :cool:

My predictions which hopefully will be better since I actually watched all of these teams play.

VAN vs. NSH: VAN in 5. Vancouver should be breathing huge sighs of relief and also feel good about finally killing the Hawks, play to your potential now...

DET vs. SJS: DET in 7. I'm gonna take back some of what I said about the Red Wings. They seemed motivated in the playoffs, so they might have been coasting a bit in the regular season. Datsyuk is playing like the best player in the world and Zetterberg is back. San Jose is a strong team but a bit weaker than last year.

WSH vs. TBL: TBL in 4. I'm a homer.

BOS vs. PHI: PHI in 7. This one was hard to choose. I don't think Boston's offense is good enough to beat Philly which is just a complete team. Pronger should get better with every game, and he's better than Chara, especially in the playoffs.

My semis predictions, from a biased East Coaster's perspective:

Vancouver vs. Nashville: Vancouver in 6. Preds are scrappy, but Canucks get it done with a bit more breathing room than they did against the 'Hawks.

Detroit vs. San Jose: Detroit in 7. Deferring to Reenk for this one.

Washington vs. Tampa Bay: Washington in 7. Caps looked good in Round 1 and didn't take a series to 7 for the first time in the Bruce Boudreau era. However, the Rangers were a depleted team. We'll see how they handle Tampa's trap.

Boston vs. Flyers: Flyers in 5. I'm ecstatic over our opponent in Round 2. Out of the possible choices of Boston, Tampa, and the Team That Shall Not Be Named, I think we match up with Boston best. B's will not score enough to beat us and we finally looked like a complete team in Game 7. My only hope is that Jeff Carter stays hurt - that guy just does not deliver in the playoffs. Finally there's the psychological edge we have on them from the series last year. Flyers avenge our Québécois brethren and get to the East Finals for the second year in a row.

That was probably the best outcome for the Caps, the Pens are out and they don't have to face Montreal. Boston and Philly are going to pummel each other.

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Originally Posted by drone

That was probably the best outcome for the Caps, the Pens are out and they don't have to face Montreal. Boston and Philly are going to pummel each other.

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All I want is to see Chara get... (insert un-Frontroomish comment here). :furious3:

My predictions concerning semis, not going to say anything about how many games needed:

Vancouver vs. Nashville

Vancouver will come up on top from this one quite clearly.

Detroit vs. San Jose

As much as i hate it.I have to go against my favourite team and predict San Jose is going to take it.

Washington vs. Tampa Bay

This one is bit hard.Tampa might have got bit of boost from taking out Pittsburgh, but i dont think they have what it takes to win this one, so my prediction is that Washington is going to win this one.

Boston vs. Flyers

Im betting this one will be a surprise and Boston will take the cake.

So:
Eastern conference finals: Washington - Boston

Western: Vancouver - San Jose

Note this is my prediction. I still hope Red Wings can topple San Jose, but with this years team, i doubt that.

Bad result but otherwise great Wings-Sharks game this afternoon, good offense, great goaltending, and a lot of nastiness especially for two skill teams.

Wings still looking a lot better than most of the regular season, but Phoenix made them look better than San Jose is...

Tim Thomas is a beast.

-edit- argh.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GeneralHankerchief

Tim Thomas is a beast.

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He does appear to be consuming quite a bit of vulcanized rubber tonight.

I have nothing really against Boston, in fact Tim Thomas is a good Michigan boy with a great story...

But I absolutely cannot stand Jack Edwards. I understand these local color guys are supposed to be homers, but comparing the Bruins winning a playoff series to American revolutionaries.... holy **** :dizzy2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7lgL3jm6H8

It's made worse that the Montreal Canadiens are Imperial Britain... :rolleyes:

Whoa... :dizzy2: that guy has a future in political punditry.

That said, I always enjoy reading the inevitable pissing contests that go on in hockey-related comments sections. Easily the most amusing out of the major sports. :laugh4:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reenk Roink

WSH vs. TBL: TBL in 4. I'm a homer.

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Called it. :smug: Only one to call it.

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BOS vs. PHI: PHI in 7. This one was hard to choose. I don't think Boston's offense is good enough to beat Philly which is just a complete team. Pronger should get better with every game, and he's better than Chara, especially in the playoffs.

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Don't worry GH... :wink:

There's the Caps' playoff performance we all know and love. :no:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drone

There's the Caps' playoff performance we all know and love. :no:

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Be ready to make some room for me in a couple of days. Don't think lightning can strike twice.

We should have traded Carter for a goalie at the end of last year.

omg SJS... :wall:

This seems like a total repeat of last year. A cindarella team in Tampa bay, Detroit and Philly both down 3-0. Detroit didn't make it last time though. :sad:

*takes a seat on the bench next to drone*

Rooting for Tampa now. Screw Boston, and don't know/care enough about the Western teams either way. Let's get Gagne a ring.

Wow. San Jose, reverting back to form before our eyes.

Oh man I hope....

http://youtu.be/BD8pu9olFTI

Awesome comeback by Detroit. Niemi was incredible, but heart and sheer effort got them through. Something lacking in the Caps lineup...

Wow, what a game. I thought for sure it was over after first the Marleau goal and then San Jose's penalty kill, but Detroit kept gunning until the very end. Certainly went down with more guts than my team. :shame:

-edit- Hopefully this won't be the last we see of Lidstrom. Reenk, what's a local's take on it?

Can't even ****** drink tonight... :disappointed:

It was pretty much expected I guess, but the comeback after comeback and the comeback within this very game had me believing. At least there was some great hockey played and they went down fighting this time.

For Lidstrom retiring I really have no idea, and people in the know like Mickey Redmond and Ken Daniels are guessing too. Before this season I'd say it probably looked like his last but he had a strong first half and might win another Norris. His defense has slipped though. Lidstrom had a pretty bad game tonight though he was a beast in some earlier games. His contract will be an issue. The Wings would like for him to take a pretty big paycut to something like 4-5 million. Lidstrom will, deservedly or not, command more though, and he may not want to come back for lower pay.

Ridiculously amazing career though, 10 years ago you would still think of the Wings with Yzerman and Fedorov in mind. Now Lidstrom is firmly entrenched only behind Howe and Yzerman among the greatest and most beloved players to wear the Winged Wheel.

Datsyuk's and Zetterberg's emergence offset Fedorov leaving and Yzerman declining. Don't think the Wings have anyone to do that for Lidstrom but if he does leave the freed up salary should put a stopgap to some of the bleeding. Doubt the Wings will be missing the playoffs, but Lidstrom, Holmstrom, and Draper are all that's left from the earlier cup years...

VAN vs SJS: VAN in 6 - I want the Sharks to win, as generally I root for the team that knocks out the wings, but the Canucks were my pick so I'll stick with them. Honestly I don't know though. San Jose plays really great at times and look like the best team but then they sit back and blow leads. Vancouver hasn't impressed like they did in the regular season, but you have to figure the Sedins will get going.

BOS vs TBL: TBL in 6 - Tampa is the team in the playoffs that literally has EVERYONE playing well. Gagne has probably been the biggest disappointment (relatively) and he's produced well and saved a goal in the Pens series. Boston is great and is firing on all cylinders too, but Tampa has top end talent that is playing great. Once Stamkos gets some results, it's over. Also my parents' house is 30 minutes away from Yzerman's, maybe he'll bring the Cup back to Detroit. :beam:

3 out of 4 last round, not bad.

VAN vs SJS

San Jose will take the West, but this should be a terribly tough series for both.

BOS vs TBL

Now this one is terrible to predict.I under estimated Tampa the last round.Am i going to do that again? Tampa has terrible drive going on for them, so while i would like to bet Boston to win this one. I am going to say Tampa is going to finals, which i never had thought to say this year.

Nice, that's what I'm used to seeing. Boston going up by 3 in the first and then gagging for the rest of the game. :beam:

What an AWFUL way to end your run Sharks. :laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

Got caught up on a lot of recorded games tonight. Refs have been brutal in the Eastern series, help Boston more... :furious3:

If Tampa wins GO TAMPA! If not, I hate both teams but I guess go Canucks.

The OT goal was strange, but SJ got screwed with that icing call. There has been some bad officiating lately...

Someone bet me 50 bucks that the Bruins would close out last night. I didn't take the bet (I don't even have 50 bucks right now) but man... I could buy Tampa Bay Stanley Cup Final playoff tickets with 50 bucks. :shame:

Ugh, now I don't know who to root for.

For some reason this one hurt more than Detroit losing. :sad: Can't even complain... officiating was fair this game and Boston just dominated for the whole game. Still, the officiating in the series was BS and Boston was outplayed throughout.

Pretty ****** up that the guy who should have been automatically suspended for throwing a water bottle in Game 6 scores the goal. Colin Campbell's Bruins connection strikes again. :rolleyes:

Only happy for classy Tim Thomas.

Showing Game 6 and Game 7 on NHL Network tonight again if anyone's interested. I will be re-watching Game 6 only.

Oh man what a game. Lost a whole bunch of interest for this final but what a game. :laugh4:

Whoa. I'm not exactly learned in hockey, but dang. Just dang.

Whoa. Just saw the result. I'm guessing the Canadian radio stations I listen to whilst driving aren't going to be talking as much about where to hold the parade as they were yesterday.

CR

haha

I <3 Hockey

Ye gods. I'm glad I had to work so I missed that one.

What a reversal, Boston gave Vancouver the "finger" last night! I was wondering why Vancouver didn't pull Luongo after the second period, he was definitely not on his game. When it got to 5-0, there was no way I was going to miss the rest of the game, I'm thinking a brawl was guaranteed. Instead, the Bruins put in 3 more! 9 goals and 125 penalty minutes, game 4 is going to be interesting. :yes:

How much easier is it to pull for Boston now that that ****** Horton's out? Not saying it's easy at all in the absolute sense of course, but still...

I'm not sure why they even bothered to put Luongo on the plane. They must be slipping him something as soon as he arrives at Logan.

Wow, I thought Vancouver would be taking it home tonight. That game belonged to Boston from the start. :no:

On a more positive note, this means next game will be exciting to the extreme! With the series tied at 3-3, whoever wins this one is taking it home. I think I might hit up a sports bar for this one, even if it's on a weeknight. Should be fun.

Well, Game 7, here we go. Let's go Not Boston! :cheerleader:

Well played Timmy.

To the rest of Boston, don't get lynched on your way out.


And Rest In Peace, my dreams.

Mrkt, if it is of any consolation, you should be made aware of the fact that Boston contains more Canadian players than it has Americans. From that perspective, then, the game was a win-win for Canada no matter how it ended.

On a less positive note, the people in Vancouver are rioting at the moment. :no:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8193419

CR

Welcome to Canada where hockey is serious and people get really mad when their team lose during playoffs! :laugh4:

I made a joke to a friend when the Vancouver Canucks lost, that I seen him in a hockey riot.....scary part is that a riot did break out.:sweatdrop:

My buddy went to the riot. I think its funny that Canadians riot over a lost championship

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Originally Posted by Veho Nex

My buddy went to the riot. I think its funny that Canadians riot over a lost championship

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Canadian politics, my friend.

That cup was Tampa's man... :furious2:

Vancouver pisses me off so much, they absolutely styled on San Jose, and then play so bad against Boston.

Thomas will probably bring the cup to Flint. But like I'm going up to that ****hole... :snobby:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Romanic

Welcome to Canada where hockey is serious and people get really mad when their team lose during playoffs! :laugh4:

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Yeah, but I thought this only happened in Montreal? :grin:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle2063781/

Those crazy Canucks. ~;p

And more seriously;

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle2063297/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-G...792896?sk=wall

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Repor...1810?sk=photos

CR

My head is spinning right now.

Flyers trade away Carter and Richards to separate teams

I was more than happy to give up Carter for Bryzgalov, but both of them? First of all, we didn't need to free up that much cap space. Secondly, Richards? Seriously? He's the captain! Schenn had better be :daisy: good.

I laughed a bit when I first heard about this. Banging teammates' wives will do that to you. As if there aren't enough loose women around Philly to have sordid flings with. But, it's not all bad. Now it's Pronger's team. :balloon2: