Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011

[Reenk Roink]

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 .

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 , 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.

[drone]

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.

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

[Who am i?]

Hello

New York Rangers.

[GeneralHankerchief]

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 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.

[Reenk Roink]

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.

[drone]

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.

Well, I did say:

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

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

[Romanic]

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

Voted Habs to win, I'm clearly biased.

[GeneralHankerchief]

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

Well, that's one. 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.