NHL Playoffs

The playoffs are just about ready to go, only a few last possible changes.

Let me say that I am ecstatic because the Oilers made it in, unfortunately it looks like they will probably face Detroit, which will not be an easy task.

Any thoughts on who you think will win?
My prediction is an all-Canada final with the Oilers beating the Sens in 7 games! Granted, that's not really a prediction, just a hope!

Realistically, I think Detroit is the team to beat, they should make it to the finals, the way they've played this year. The East is tougher to predict, I wouldn't be surprised to see New Jersey make it all the way again.

Let's get it on!

My hope is for a Detroit and Ottawa finale. Now that would be a series. Even more so because neither team played each other throughout the entire season.

The Stars and the Canes are good teams to watch, too. Predators would be another, but without Voukoun I can't see them going far.

The Devils have been so so this year, but Broduer's on fire again. If he can take his game into the Playoffs, who knows how far he could carry NJ.

Well, I've got to admit a wicked bias here. The Rangers have made the playoffs for the first time in 7 years, and have a good chance of ending the season at the top of the Atlantic division. It's been a frustrating -decade- for Rangers fans, but I like where things have gone this year. I think they've got a legitimate shot at making a dent in the playoffs, provided they stay focused and play hard (losing to the -Penguins- while fighting for a division title, though? WTF?!).

I think the East will be damn interesting, personally. Ottawa and Carolina have been consistently good all year, and Philly is a force when their players are healthy and they have their shit together. Buffalo confuses me, I'm sure their up-and-down play would be a lot more frustrating if I still lived in the area and watched their games more. Anyway, I can't wait for it all to get started and see the sparks fly. Now, I've got to schedule a day off so I can wait on line for Rangers tickets...

I'm a rabid Wings fan, and would love nothing better then the Stanley back in Detroit.

Failing that, however, the Rangers are next in line on my list. And all because of one name: Lundqvist. Everyone is talking about the rookie years of Overchekin and Crosby (as they should) but this guy has been absolutely awesome, too. If the Rangers nabbed Stanely this year, Lundqvist would be the first goalie to get a gold in the Olympics and the Stanley in the same year. All in his rookie season! Between Jagr and him, I think the Rangers have a real strong chance at the cup. So I don't think your too biased, Talsek. :P

Good call, Azoryn. Lundqvist has been the -man- all year. I kind of feel bad, because Kevin Weekes seems like a genuinely cool guy and all, but when he's in net I'm just like 'Awww....no Henrik? :('. You certainly can't complain about having Lundqvist and Weekes as your goalie duo though. I have to say, watching Weekes in goal is almost -scary- sometimes. His eyes get all wide with focus, and he looks almost possessed.

Ovechkin has had a damn fine year too. And I like Crosby because he gets me fantasy points (hehe), but he's a bit whiny for my taste. I'll take Prucha over either of them, because that dude just doesn't give a shit. He'll throw that little Czech body of his at anyone, and have a giddy smile on the whole time.

I guess if the Rangers can't win the cup, I could settle for the Wings ;). As long as it's not Philly :(.

As much has I am pulling for Detroit, I don't think they will go past the second round. I really, REALLY hope that I'm wrong, but the Wings are going to have one of the biggest disadvantages in the playoffs. Refs are gonna be putting the whistles away, meaning less Powerplay time (something that Detroit is fucking AMAZING at) and there will be more clutching/grabbing going on during the 5 on 5's. That has been the Wings' game plan all year. Use their talent to embarass people while 5 on 5, almost forcing them to take a penalty, then going to work. It ain't gonna be pretty for us, come playoff time. Edmonton will be first round fodder at least though, hehehe. Really, the team to beat in the Western Confererence is Calgary. By far the most physical team in the entire playoffs, along with some really talented guys, and if Kiprusoff gets hot and goes on a streak, forget about it. That guy is fucking scary when he's on. The only other team that I think could pull it off (and I can't believe I'm about to say this) is San Jose. I can't believe that shitbag Thornton could make such a huge difference, but really, the guy is awesome. Anyone who can make a nothing of a gutter slut like Johnathan Cheechoo into a star, is a top notch fucker in my book. They've been playing so well the last few weeks, it could get scary with all the momentum they're carrying, not to mention their home crowd is insane. Also, a PS to anyone who thinks Dallas might do good = Marty Turco couldn't even carry a case of herpes properly, let alone carry a team through a 4 round playoff. He's good, but he's not Stanley Cup good. I kind of would like to be wrong here as well, since he's a good ole U of M boy =)

Out of the East, I think the Rangers actually might have a legitimate shot. Lundqvist just might pull a Patrick Roy in 1986 and pull it out. I definitely don't see Ottawa doing anything. Hasek is pulling the exact same horseshit that he pulled in Detroit, where the trainers all say he's fully recovered yet he won't go back onto the ice. The kid they have playing now is gonna get shelled come playoff time, and even if Hasek comes back, it's just too hard to have so many months off as a goaltender in the NHL. Speaking of goaltenders, Brodeur just doesn't have another cup run in him. Devils are a non-factor. Aside from the Rangers, Carolina could be it. That team made some quality trades this year and could really end up whipping some ass. In truth, I'm not that educated on their team, because really, who in the hockey world really gives a shit about Carolina, but on paper they look really damn good. Just to be a dick though, I hope Montreal goes to the finals. Go Habs.

In the end, I could see an all Canadian final, which I wouldn't mind, but in the end I see the West winning.

Are there any teams that DON'T make the playoffs in hockey?

Just over half the teams in hockey make the playoffs (16). This means that instead of a 'wild-card week' (aka a 'battle of the barely made-its'), a low-seeded team has to prove itself by facing a high-seeded team. In the same vein, the top-seeded teams don't get any 'bye weeks' to sit on their asses. There's the potential of huge upsets right from the start. So you get a normal 4-round playoff structure, only with more games and less dick-around time. Rock on.

A biased view, perhaps, but I love hockey playoffs :P.

Less dick around time?

How is there less dick around time when more than HALF the teams make the playoffs?

This means it is very possible, mathematically, for a team with a losing record to make the playoffs. That's fucked up.

The NBA is just about as bad.

That's why I hope nobody does what a couple owners were talking about last year in the NFL - adding more playoff teams. Right now, 12 out of 32 teams make the playoffs. Good. That's less than half. It is basically only 1 more team than the top 1/3rd. That's what a playoff should be about - the good teams going head to head.

Also, I think its better if you can earn a bye week by being #1 and/or #2 in your division. That makes the regular season have a lot more meaning.

The 400 million college bowl games that result in tons of 6-6 teams going to the post season sucks too.

Well I am cheering for Calgary..they were so close 2 years ago. the only problem with the flames is that they are such a young team that they get hot-headed when they start losing and then
get penalities like crazy.

Instead, tampa bay isn't doing as well this year, but the flames got 3rd play-off spot in the western conference so I think Detroit will be the biggest challenge. Detroit is consistently a good team that can handle pressure better than the Flames can.

Go Kippur!!!!!