NHL Playoff Prediction Thread

[tripolie atche]

West

#1 Vancouver vs #8 Los Angeles - Daniel Sedin should be ready by Game 1, but even if he doesn't play, VAN is deep enough to get past Quick & the Kings. However, Luongo will have a couple of games where he gives up 4 or 5 goals that'll cost VAN but that'll be it. Canucks in 6.

#2 St. Louis vs #7 San Jose - Yes, STLs offense isn't great but I think they'll get past the Sharks despite it. Like in their four regular season matchups, which ended in a STL sweep, I think STLs D will be too much for SJ & it won't matter who's at goalie for the Blues. Also, STLs penalty kill was excellent against SJs as they only gave up 1 PP goal in their four regular season matchups. Blues in 6.

#3 Phoenix vs #6 Chicago - We don't know if Toews will make his return for this series, but if he does come back I think he'll struggle to get back to where he was before the concussion. Despite this, CHI has a deep offense & are talented enough to beat the Coyotes to advance into the next round w/o him, but I just don't think it will be enough to get past the red hot Mike Smith. Also, the play of Corey Crawford this year didn't live up to the pre-season expectations he had & if he struggles early on, we could see Ray Emery start. However, another reason I think the Coyotes will win is because they haven't won a playoff series in about 25 YEARS when they were in Winnipeg lol, & I'm sure their players, coaches, & fans are well aware of it. Coyotes in 7.

#4 Nashville vs #5 Detroit - These two teams are about even & despite DETs experience, I think NSH will advance because of the their power play & DETs below average penalty kill, & also because the Wings’ offense will struggle against Weber & perhaps future Red Winger Ryan Suter. However, another reason I'm choosing NSH is because I expect this series to go 7 games & having home-ice advantage will prove to be the deciding factor in this series. Predators in 7.

East

#1 NY Rangers vs #8 Ottawa - I expect Michalek, Spezza, & Alfredsson, who combined for almost 100 goals, to lead the Sens to 1 or 2 wins this series, but no more than that. In the end, I just think the Rangers' defense & Lundqvist are too much for OTT to handle over the course of a seven game series. Rangers in 5.

#2 Boston vs #7 Washington - I want to say that the Bruins will sweep here since they have depth at pretty much every position, Tim Thomas, & simply because the Caps have been inconsistent all season. However, having Ovechkin & the fact that the Caps are playing the underdog role for the first time since Ovechkin's arrival could actually benefit WAS, & if it does the series will be close but still not enough for the Caps to advance into the Semis lol. Bruins in 6.

#3 Florida vs #6 New Jersey - Congrats to the Panthers for ending their 12-year playoff drought, ironically the last time they played in the playoffs was when they were swept by the eventual champion NJ the first round in 2000, & just like in '00 NJ will eliminate FLA once again. Yes, FLA won their division & is the higher seed, but they had a goal differential of -24 & 18 OT Losses while NJ had 8 more points & 10 more wins than the Panthers. In addition to, I think Kovalchuk & Parise will be too much for Clemmensen and/or Theodore & FLAs blue line to handle, while Brody will posts a couple of shutouts in this series. Now let's see if Brodeur & NJ can make another run at the Stanley Cup. Devils in 5.

#4 Pittsburgh vs #5 Philadelphia - This will be a tough, hard fought seven game series which PIT will prevail from. In addition to having the home-ice advantage, I trust Andre-Fleury more than Bryzgalov, & PIT is currently a lot more healthier than the Flyers are. Although, Briere should be back at some point during the series, van Riemsdyk & Meszaros certainly won't be. Also, PIT has the two best players in this series in Malkin & Crosby, who will be playing in their first playoff series since they were upset by the Canadiens in '10, so I'm sure they're hungry & focused more than ever for another shot at the Stanley Cup. Penguins in 7.

So my 2nd round matchups are: #1 VAN vs #4 NSH, #2 STL vs #3 PHO, #1 NYR vs #6 NJ, & #2 BOS vs #4 PIT

[LSN80]

Originally Posted by hatehabsforever

This is just a little friendly trash talking between myself and a couple of my favorite posters on here who just happen to be on the staff. They know who they are. And I think it's time for a name change for them, compliments of my Boston Bruins. And I'm still waiting guys.

To keep this on topic, Ill just say that I expect it to be Boston/Pittsburgh in the second round. Why? Boston will advance because they're facing the undisciplined Caps. which was the knock on Bruce Boudreau and why he was shown the door. Well, they've marginally improved, and played well down the stretch, but the Bruins lead the NHL in overall +/-, and they're not a team that makes many mistakes.

To continue with the explanation, the Flyers simply aren't as good as the Penguins. Neither Bobrovsky nor Bryzgalof are the steady presence that is Marc-Andre Fleury, and they lack the scoring depth Pittsburgh does. The Pens roll three lines that can put the puck in the net, including 3 25 goal scorers, a 40 goal scorer, and a fifty goal scorer. When none of them is Crosby or Steve Sullivan, that's scary depth. Giroux is a star, Hartnell is a legit goal scorer, Jaromir Jagr can still turn it on, while Matt Read and Wayne Simmons have provided good bacl;ome scoring. But they dont have that real game-breaker, and things always tighten up in the playoffs, so I think the Pens win.

Still, even if both won, that's no guarantee you'll see Pitt/Boston in the second round. However, Id be shocked if the slumping Panthers who backed their way into the division title beat the Devils. The Rangers should handle the Sens easily, as the Sens are the worst defensive team in the playoffs in either conference. So, I'm leaning towards a Pens/Bruins second round.

Give me your best offer, Habs, and Ill take it. This stuff's about to get serious.

[hatehabsforever]

Originally Posted by LSN80

Give me your best offer, Habs, and Ill take it. This stuff's about to get serious.

Very simple actually. I'm throwing down the gauntlet to you and one other moderator who has yet to chime in with his predictions. You know, one very nervous New York Rangers fan. And it's a very simple concept.

Of course, I am a Bruins fan, you favor the Penguins, and IDR roots for the Rangers. In order to win this bet, your team has to win the Stanley Cup. If the Bruins win it all, you and IDR have to undergo a name change, of my choosing. If the Penguins win, you pick a name change for me and IDR. And of course, if the Rangers win, IDR selects a new username for you and for me.

I'm not interested in who wins a particular series. There's no cause for bragging rights if your team eliminates mine, or vice versa, only to go on to lose to someone else. It only applies to the team in question winning it all. If neither team wins the Cup, no one changes anything.

The only ground rule I suggest is that the name changes remain tasteful. No "Gaping Anus" (sorry hyourinmaru) or anything else like that. Reasonable name changes to be chosen by the guy whose team hoists the Cup in a couple of months time.

I expect you to be on board with this, but I wouldn't be surprised if IDR elects to opt out. After the way the Rangers limped into the playoffs, he may not have the confidence to accept the bet, which I would totally understand

Let me know

As I see it, the Bruins are heading into the playoffs on a bit of a hot streak. They have what should be an easy first round opponent. If they could be fortunate enough to see the Panthers eliminate the Devils, they could have an easier opponent in the second round as well.

In contrast, the Penguins face a tough task in the first round against their cross state rivals. If successful, they could be looking right at a matchup with the Rangers, which would be tough too. They may not be at their best by the time they reach the third round, if they get there.

The Rangers have struggled in the past, and in the regular season, against the Senators. They should advance but could be in tough against the Pens in round two (again, if the Devils fall to the Panthers). If not, even Brodeur could possibly be a formidable opponent for the offensivey challenged Rangers.

[LSN80]

Originally Posted by hatehabsforever

Very simple actually. I'm throwing down the gauntlet to you and one other moderator who has yet to chime in with his predictions. You know, one very nervous New York Rangers fan.

From what Ive read since returning from my absence, he seems to be anything but nervous about his Rangers.

Of course, I am a Bruins fan, you favor the Penguins, and IDR roots for the Rangers. In order to win this bet, your team has to win the Stanley Cup.

I can dig this, but with one small change: I understand and agree with the idea that simply having our team, in my case the Penguins, beating your team being enough. However, I propose one small change.

If the Bruins win it all, you and IDR have to undergo a name change, of my choosing. If the Penguins win, you pick a name change for me and IDR. And of course, if the Rangers win, IDR selects a new username for you and for me.

As much as Im not a proponent of second place having bragging rights, all three of our teams reside in the Eastern Conference. And any hockey pundit will say- and Im sure the three of us as well- It's apparent one of our three teams will win the Eastern Conference. And that's where I suggest the change. Whomever's team wins the East, if it's one of the three, gets to make the name change.

I'm not interested in who wins a particular series. There's no cause for bragging rights if your team eliminates mine, or vice versa, only to go on to lose to someone else. It only applies to the team in question winning it all. If neither team wins the Cup, no one changes anything.

Im not interested in bragging rights over a particular series either. While I'll take great satisfaction if the Pens defeat the Flyers, the Devils, Panthers, Rangers, or Bruins could await them. But there's bragging rights for sure in being the Eastern Conference champs, having definitively overcome the other two teams, even if they didn't play them.

The only ground rule I suggest is that the name changes remain tasteful. No "Gaping Anus" (sorry hyourinmaru) or anything else like that. Reasonable name changes to be chosen by the guy whose team hoists the Cup in a couple of months time.

Im on board with this as well, in fact, this would be a deal breaker for me. Ive stayed with the same name for my entire tenure here essentially, and for good reason. Im not about to change to something crude or offensive. So Im with you here as well. I just dont think the Cup should be the deciding factor, I think the Eastern Conference victor should. Not that I doubt my Pens, because I believe they will win it all.

So, in a bet between the three of us, I think this is the best solution. It's not as if this bet is extended to a member who supports a Western Conference team, so why include that in the equation?

I expect you to be on board with this, but I wouldn't be surprised if IDR elects to opt out. After the way the Rangers limped into the playoffs, he may not have the confidence to accept the bet, which I would totally understand

If you mean the Rangers lost their last two as "limping" into the playoffs, then I suppose you're right. But they're still the Eastern Conference champs, so Id say confidence in the Blueshirts is pretty damn high.

Let me know

I'm in. Consider my counter bet, but if you're unwilling to change your terms, I'm still in. With your confidence in the Bruins sky high, I can't imagine a reason you wouldn't take my counter, however.

As I see it, the Bruins are heading into the playoffs on a bit of a hot streak. They have what should be an easy first round opponent. If they could be fortunate enough to see the Panthers eliminate the Devils, they could have an easier opponent in the second round as well.

Yes, they've come in well, and under the radar as well, which is a nice place to be. You mentuoned the Rangers "limping" into the playoffs, well, if that's the case, then the Panthers have "crawled" in. Washington, despite the uncertainty in goal, have all their stars back, and will be a tougher out then I think you imagine.

In contrast, the Penguins face a tough task in the first round against their cross state rivals. If successful, they could be looking right at a matchup with the Rangers, which would be tough too. They may not be at their best by the time they reach the third round, if they get there.

Even as a huge Pens fan, it's easy to see that the Penguins will have the toughest road back to the Cup. So perhaps Im silly in taking the bet, but Im that confident in the Pens. I said earlier that the Pens have 5 forwards with more then 25 goals, and that doesn't include a rejuvenated Matt Cooker with 19, a buzzsaw in Steve Sulllivan with 16 who really keys the PP, and that Sidney Crosby guy who lead the league in scoring in the 21 games since his return.

However, The key for the Pens, I believe, will be their big money defensive acquisitions from last off-season. I'm not referring to longtime mainstays in Letang and Orpik, I'm talking about Zybnek Michalek and Paul Martin. If they play to their capabilities, the Pens have two shut down pairs of defensemen who can move the puck, and back their all-world stable of forwards. That Marc-Andre Fleury guy, who falls under the radar, gives the Pens an advantage over almost any team they'll play as well, and certainly the Flyers. But the Penguins undoubtably have the toughest road, but they made the Cup Finals in 07/08 & 08/09 from the four seed, so its not unfamiliar territory here.

The Rangers have struggled in the past, and in the regular season, against the Senators. They should advance but could be in tough against the Pens in round two (again, if the Devils fall to the Panthers). If not, even Brodeur could possibly be a formidable opponent for the offensivey challenged Rangers.

The Rangers may not have the firepower of the Penguins(1st overall), or the Bruins(2nd overall), but they aren't bereft of offense, as they're 11 overall ranking shows. Gaborik, Richards, Stepan, and Callahan are all productive ranging to explosive, and the Senators defense is awful. I know the Sens won the series over the Rangers in the regular season 3-1, but history shows that the regular season generally means very little.

So in conclusion of this long-ass post, Id bet a tidy sum that one of our three teams wins the East. Saying that, my counter offer is that we make the name change bet over who wins the East. But if you're not good with that, Ill go with what you suggested. Hopefully IDR will as well.

[It's Damn Real!]

I'm A-OK with the bet, and I actually like LSN's suggestion to be the team that takes the East. It's not that I or any of you aren't confident enough that our teams will win the Cup, but it takes into account the entire West, which could kill the bet entirely. By limiting it for the team winning the East we all stand a much, much more likely percentage chance of winning the bet outright.

As for the thread, I don't do predictions. Sorry, fellas. I'm a firm believer in the jinx, and as such I stay the fuck away from "predicting" anything, even for my enemies. It never pans out well.

[Davi323]

Originally Posted by It's Damn Real!

As for the thread, I don't do predictions. Sorry, fellas. I'm a firm believer in the jinx, and as such I stay the fuck away from "predicting" anything, even for my enemies. It never pans out well.

For the most part, I am right here with ya. Even with my Red Wings fandom bordering the line towards cockiness, I will not make any kinds of predictions when it comes to the NHL playoffs for precisely that reason.

I would make a suggestion for your name change bet though, if you are going to do it, the names should be hockey related, in such a way that they would be annoying to the losers. Like, make Habs change his to Loveshabsforever, or HatesBruins, or something like that. They should be fun, and designed to tweak the loser's hockey sensibilities. If LSN is a Pens fan, make him change his name Skidmark Crybaby, that kind of thing.

[Big Sexy]

Not the best first round for me going just 3-5 but it is what it is. Here are my second round predictions.

Western Conference

St Louis vs LA- I'm taking the Blues in 6. I didn't give LA a chance against Vancouver and they proved me wrong but their run stops here. The Blues are mentally tougher then the Canucks and have much stronger goaltending.

Phoenix vs Nashville- Preds in 6. Nashville probably had the most impressive performance of all the first round teams. They are very physical and grind away at you all game. The Coyotes are going to need a hell of a series from Mike Smith to have a chance.

Eastern Conference

NY Rangers vs Washington- I'm giving it to the Rangers in 7. They didn't play all that well against Ottawa but they survived and that all that matters. The Capitals were able to upset the Bruins but I don't think the will have enough left to do it twice.

Philadelphia vs New Jersey- I've got the Devils in 7. Philly looked damn good on offense against Pitt but their goaltending was horrendous. New Jersey is a much better defensive team then Pitt and they have the greatest goalie to ever play the game in net. Martin Brodeur is going to turn 40 during this season but he is going to show that he is far from over the hill.

That sets up a West Final of St Louis vs Nashville and an East Final of the NY Rangers vs New Jersey.

[tripolie atche]

not bad as I went 5-3 in the 1st round

West

#2 St. Louis vs #8 Los Angeles - Quick vs. Elliott, this is pretty much all you need to know about this upcoming series & the reason why this will be a low scoring series that'll feature several OT games, perhaps even a few double-OT or triple-OT games. Even though I think Quick is a better goalie than Elliott, I'm going with the Blues here because of how successful they were on the PP in their previous series, while LA struggled with their PP which is the one thing they couldn't do right against VAN lol. Anyways, I think that will be the difference in a tough 7 game series. Blues in 7.

#3 Phoenix vs #4 Nashville - another great goalie matchup in the other West Semifinal, in Smith vs Rinne, which should lead to a low scoring series. However, I think the depth that NAS has on offense will ultimately be too much for Mike Smith to handle. Plus all those OT games with CHI, & the fact that the 'Yotes came out of that series a little banged up could also be advantages for the Preds. Predators in 6.

East

#1 NY Rangers vs #7 Washington - hard to believe that this was the #1 (Caps) vs #8 (Rangers) matchup last year. This series will go back and forth, but in the end I think Lundqvist will outlast Holtby in 7 games. In addition to, I'm going with NYR because I think their depth at defense will be too much for the Caps to overcome, & I think Gaborik & Richards will both have a great series now that Hagelin is back after serving a suspension from Games 3-5 in the previous round. Also, because WAS has beaten NYR in the playoffs in 2 of the previous 3 years, the Rangers will not take this series lightly & are definitely motivated to eliminate the Caps. Rangers in 7.

#5 Philadelphia vs #6 New Jersey - Yes, PHI beat PIT despite Bryzgalov giving up at least 3 goals in five of their six games, but NJ who had the best penalty kill in the regular season gave up almost 10 PP goals to FLA. To beat PHI, NJ will have to stay out of the penalty box, but they won't & PHI will make them pay. Giroux, Briere, Hartnell, etc. will continue to make noise in this series, like they did against the Penguins, against Brodeur who will also not be able to overcome the offensive firepower the Flyers bring. Flyers in 6.

So my Conference Finals Matchups are St. Louis vs Nashville & NY Rangers vs Philadelphia.

[Big Sexy]

I went 2-2 in the last round as the Western Conference continues to be crazy.

Eastern Conference Finals- I'm taking New Jersey over New York in 7. The Rangers are a very tough team but New Jersey looked great against Philly. The Rangers have yet to really dominate an opponent and I can't see them just squeaking by like they did against Ottawa and Washington. Plus I'm rooting for Marty Brodeur to get another Cup.

Western Conference Finals- I've got LA over Phoenix in 6. The Kings have been the most impressive team thus far in the playoffs. They have the hottest goalie and seem like the hungriest team. Phoenix has been impressive in their own right but I don't think they have the talent to match LA.

That sets up a Stanley Cup Final of New Jersey vs LA.

[tripolie atche]

ugh went 1-3 in the 2nd round (thank you NYR )

West

#3 Phoenix vs #8 Los Angeles - Mike Smith vs Jonathan Quick should be a great matchup but I have to go with the Kings simply because I just can't go against a team that went 8-1 against the top two seeds in the Western Conference lol. Also, I think Brown, Kopitar, Richards, & Carter will be what decides this series in favor of the Kings as they'll continue to remain hot even against Mike Smith. Kings in 6.

East

#1 NY Rangers vs #6 New Jersey - Just like in the first two series for the Rangers, I think they'll find enough offense in Gaborik, Richards, & Callahan to get past NJ while McDonagh, Girardi, & Staal will do enough to slow down Kovalchuk & the rest of NJ's offense. Lundqvist will outperform Brodeur, & fortunately for NY, this won't end in 7 games lol as they'll clinch a Stanley Cup berth in NJ in OT. Rangers in 6.

So my Stanley Cup Final matchup will be NY Rangers vs Los Angeles.