Everyone in the west could make some noise. There is no clear cut favorite. Parity is here.
Nashville
Dallas
Detroit
San Jose
Vancouver
Calgary
Minnesota
Anaheim
In no particular order--Look closely at those teams...Noone could say that they *know* one team is going out first round, and one team will win the whole thing. Just cannot. It is way too tight.
*If* applies to every team
*if* hasek plays well... and *if* Zetterberg is healthy
*if* Turco gets over playoff rubbish
*if* Calgary remembers their own end and Kipper is good
*if* Pronger and Niedermeyer are defensive gods, and Anaheim can stay out of the box and *if* Giguere keeps on rolling
*if* Luongo plays the way he has all year, *if* the d-men are healthy and *if* nazzy starts scoring.
*if* Thornton shows up in the playoffs and *if* McLaren and Rivet show the young guys...
*if* Foppa's feet are going, and he fits in, and *if* the young d steps up...
*if* Backstrom is the stud he has been since Manny went down, and *if* not Manny comes back and steals the show..*if* gaborik and demitra stay healthy/hot
EVERY SINGLE TEAM IN THE WEST IS FEARSOME. THIS IS GONNA BE ONE HELL OF A PLAYOFF ROUND. All the teams could win the Cup, and could just as easily get booted first round.
Unfortunately, because of this...I can see an Eastern team winning the cup. These guys are gonna beat the hell out of one another.
Official™ 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk
](./images/smilies/wallbash.gif "Brick wall"){kind=small}
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Thundercleese
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Actually both Jim Carey/Carreys have kind of faded away...one faster than the other.
Going by the last few years I'm thinking the pattern will hold true and it'll be a lower seed (6th-8th) who makes it in the West and a top 2 seed in the East. batdad's right when he says that the West is in trouble because the teams will beat the hell out of each other--the West owns the East in regular season play but the Cup seems to be headed the other way lately...
I think the Pens can do some damage--Gary Roberts is overrated but both he and Georges Laraque bring some pretty serious playoff experience to the team. I hate Sidney Crosby (I know he's good for the game but I just don't like his face or something...) and I hope he never wins the Cup, but he will, sooner or later, so I guess he might as well get it over with now.
Going by the last few years I'm thinking the pattern will hold true and it'll be a lower seed (6th-8th) who makes it in the West and a top 2 seed in the East. batdad's right when he says that the West is in trouble because the teams will beat the hell out of each other--the West owns the East in regular season play but the Cup seems to be headed the other way lately...
I think the Pens can do some damage--Gary Roberts is overrated but both he and Georges Laraque bring some pretty serious playoff experience to the team. I hate Sidney Crosby (I know he's good for the game but I just don't like his face or something...) and I hope he never wins the Cup, but he will, sooner or later, so I guess he might as well get it over with now.
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Joe
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I could see them at least making it to the conference finals. The additions of Calder and Bertuzzi have really helped Detroit. Calder has been a very, very nice surprise, I think he has exceeded expectations. And I think Hasek is as good as any goalie right now.Shadd666 wrote:Joe, you really believe that the Wings will do something in the playoff this season?It would be a huge surprise!
But jeez, look at the west, all 8 seeds might very well have 100 or more points at the end of the season.
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crosby87
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I think he looks a bit like the young Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal Rising - maybe that's what it is?Thundercleese wrote:Actually both Jim Carey/Carreys have kind of faded away...one faster than the other.
Going by the last few years I'm thinking the pattern will hold true and it'll be a lower seed (6th-8th) who makes it in the West and a top 2 seed in the East. batdad's right when he says that the West is in trouble because the teams will beat the hell out of each other--the West owns the East in regular season play but the Cup seems to be headed the other way lately...
I think the Pens can do some damage--Gary Roberts is overrated but both he and Georges Laraque bring some pretty serious playoff experience to the team. I hate Sidney Crosby (I know he's good for the game but I just don't like his face or something...) and I hope he never wins the Cup, but he will, sooner or later, so I guess he might as well get it over with now.
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batdad
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Nah...more like one of those two Jim's...in "The Mask".
But eh...Sidney...nothing for him, nothing against him. Just not making me quiver and get excited like Gretzky and Lemieux did right off the bat. Maybe Sid will....but so far to me...just a very good hockey player. NHL star. Not someone who stands out over and above the rest. Maybe when he gets 150 pts? (What I would call the new NHL's 200 mark)
Gary Roberts? overrated? Come on T-cleese...he is clearly a GOD. Just listen to every single Toronto based sportscaster. I could have sworn Gary was a 20 goal man at best now...2nd or 3rd liner. But apparently he is every NHL teams key to winning the cup. He is the NEW GORDIE HOWE.
But eh...Sidney...nothing for him, nothing against him. Just not making me quiver and get excited like Gretzky and Lemieux did right off the bat. Maybe Sid will....but so far to me...just a very good hockey player. NHL star. Not someone who stands out over and above the rest. Maybe when he gets 150 pts? (What I would call the new NHL's 200 mark)
Gary Roberts? overrated? Come on T-cleese...he is clearly a GOD. Just listen to every single Toronto based sportscaster. I could have sworn Gary was a 20 goal man at best now...2nd or 3rd liner. But apparently he is every NHL teams key to winning the cup. He is the NEW GORDIE HOWE.
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CatchUp
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Good article here on NHL.com about my beloved '93 Habbies.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=pag ... eid=298551
Enjoy!
Especially you, batdad.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=pag ... eid=298551
Enjoy!
Especially you, batdad.-
batdad
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Ah....History..Such a wonderful thing. 14 years ago now...over a decade. Wow...you musta been a lil boy back then eh Heinz? But yeah, I remember that series well too..one of the few times I cheered for Montreal. I hate to admit it...but I kinda liked ol Patty Roy. 
But of course, sometimes we all have to look at ancient history to make us remember happier times. Chanting "Haaaa-laaaaak" "Haaaaaa-laaaaak" just does not hve the same ring to it as "ROOOOOOOO AHHHHHHH" "ROOOOOOOO AHHHHHH" does it?
Reminiscing...so much fun. Have I mentioned how much I hate Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Esa Tikkanen, Brian Leetch, Sergei Zubov, Nathan Lafayette and Mike Richter lately? No...Sorry ... cause I do.
But hey...that memory is only 13 years ago...Hmmm...last time Van made it to the finals more recent than Montreal? Who'd a thunk it?
Oohh--Also, I HATE HATE HATE JOEL OTTO's BIG, FAT, SOCCER KICKING FOOT!
Yeah, I know 2nd does not count. And yeah....T-cleese and that season before the lock out...I know.
But of course, sometimes we all have to look at ancient history to make us remember happier times. Chanting "Haaaa-laaaaak" "Haaaaaa-laaaaak" just does not hve the same ring to it as "ROOOOOOOO AHHHHHHH" "ROOOOOOOO AHHHHHH" does it?
Reminiscing...so much fun. Have I mentioned how much I hate Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Esa Tikkanen, Brian Leetch, Sergei Zubov, Nathan Lafayette and Mike Richter lately? No...Sorry ... cause I do.
But hey...that memory is only 13 years ago...Hmmm...last time Van made it to the finals more recent than Montreal? Who'd a thunk it?
Oohh--Also, I HATE HATE HATE JOEL OTTO's BIG, FAT, SOCCER KICKING FOOT!
Yeah, I know 2nd does not count. And yeah....T-cleese and that season before the lock out...I know.
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Shadd666
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They just 'forget' to mention that actually the Habs have their longest run without a Cup, as for the first time of their history this waiting period has gone over a decade... And i'd be hugely surprised to see this change this season...CatchUp wrote:Good article here on NHL.com about my beloved '93 Habbies.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=pag ... eid=298551
Enjoy!
What are the fans feeling about such a long wait? (well, long in Habs history...would be very short in some other teams
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jackknife77
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batdad
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jackknife77
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holydogg
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Don't forget NYI, they are still lurking on our backs (including Leafs fans)jackknife77 wrote:bookmakers are puting toronto favorite for the last game vs montreal
Frankly, it doesn't surprise me, Habs are solid rock at home, but they are not convincing on the road and they rarely win in Toronto those last years.
My heart is with them, but I will be a hard to win. At least, Toronto MUST win in regular time, giving them more pressure.. we'll see in 12h hours
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flea
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holydogg
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batdad
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Det-Cal
Nas/Ana-Min
Van-Dal
Ana/Nas-SJ
All of these are going to be amazingly tight series. Van-Dal will be a snorefest, but the rest should provide some interesting sparks. Was really hoping Van would have held SJ off in reg and Dal won tomorrow, cause that game today would have been one heck of a prelude for a Van-SJ series.
THORNTON SCARES ME! He looked ready to play playoff hockey today. That shot on Cooke was borderline suspendable though.
Nas/Ana-Min
Van-Dal
Ana/Nas-SJ
All of these are going to be amazingly tight series. Van-Dal will be a snorefest, but the rest should provide some interesting sparks. Was really hoping Van would have held SJ off in reg and Dal won tomorrow, cause that game today would have been one heck of a prelude for a Van-SJ series.
THORNTON SCARES ME! He looked ready to play playoff hockey today. That shot on Cooke was borderline suspendable though.
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Thundercleese
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Here are my bold predictions for the West:
Det-Cal - Detroit is the only team that Calgary has a chance against in the first round. Their point total is inflated thanks to weak sisters Chicago, Columbus and Phoenix, so I don't consider their record that intimidating. As long as the Flames work hard, they can keep key guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg away from danger zones, and I think Kiprusoff can outduel Hasek 8 times out of 10. Calgary in six.
Ana-Min - This could be interesting if Backstrom stays stellar. I don't think Giguere is all he's cracked up to be and if the Demitra-Gaborik line is as creative as they can be, Giggy's fundamentals (and nothing else) won't go far. But they have to get past Pronger first. Anaheim is fast and skilled enough to break the trap and unbelievably well balanced as a team. Anaheim in six.
Van-Dal - Marty Turco has something to prove, and he may well do it against an offensively challenged Canucks team. If Markus Naslund doesn't get going RIGHT NOW, the 'Nucks won't go far. Still, if the blue line stays healthy the Canucks are well poised to take this series with their solid fundamentals and smart hockey. Vigneault has a shot at coach of the year, I think....Vancouver in seven.
Nas-SJ - This is going to be a great series to watch. I don't think the young Predator defense can handle Joe Thornton, however. If this guy is really, truly ready to show his stuff in the playoffs, look out Conn Smythe. It's going to be a back-and-forth series as the weak-ish SJ defense will similarly have a hard time containing four lines that can score. Nabokov has been awesome lately but the Preds have a surprising tandem with Chris Mason stepping into his own and Tomas Vokoun as one of the more underrated goalies in the NHL (I know he's sucked lately, but if you could have any backup in the world...) Nashville in six.
And now for the East:
Buf-NYI/Tor - If the Leafs make it, they're toast. If the Islanders make it and get DiPietro back, they have a slim chance. Either way, the team against Buffalo is going to have to beat the bejeezus out of the Sabres' forwards for sixty minutes each night to even have a prayer. Buffalo in five, regardless.
NJ-TB - All the individual excellence in the world can't beat the Devils. Of course, they're built on the individual excellence of Marty Brodeur, but he's more a god among men than a hockey player. He just chooses hockey to entertain himself with the mortals. Tampa will have to find a way to spread their attack and pray that their goaltending holds up for more than ten minutes at a time. Jersey in five.
Atl-NYR - I thought the Rangers were going to the Cup last season, but the injury bug hit and Lundqvist fell off the face of the planet. Shanahan will be even huger in this situation than he has been all year for the blueshirts. Lundqvist has been playing his best hockey of the season and it seems that he'll be ready to bring it in the playoffs. Atlanta, meanwhile, has really just scraped in...Lehtonen has been shaky and their deadline acquisitions aren't proving to be the consistent gamebreakers they had hoped. Kovalchuk and Hossa just don't seem to care to me. New York in four.
Ott-Pitt - This is the Nashville-San Jose of the East. Both teams have relatively young and experienced goaltenders they're going to have to rely on against some of the most high-powered forwards in the game. Ottawa will need to find depth in their attack and hope that Alfredsson proves everyone wrong about his sub-par leadership capabilities. The kids in Pittsburgh have much stronger veteran leadership in Gonchar, Recchi, Roberts and Laraque than the Sens do anywhere in their lineup. Pittsburgh in six.
Det-Cal - Detroit is the only team that Calgary has a chance against in the first round. Their point total is inflated thanks to weak sisters Chicago, Columbus and Phoenix, so I don't consider their record that intimidating. As long as the Flames work hard, they can keep key guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg away from danger zones, and I think Kiprusoff can outduel Hasek 8 times out of 10. Calgary in six.
Ana-Min - This could be interesting if Backstrom stays stellar. I don't think Giguere is all he's cracked up to be and if the Demitra-Gaborik line is as creative as they can be, Giggy's fundamentals (and nothing else) won't go far. But they have to get past Pronger first. Anaheim is fast and skilled enough to break the trap and unbelievably well balanced as a team. Anaheim in six.
Van-Dal - Marty Turco has something to prove, and he may well do it against an offensively challenged Canucks team. If Markus Naslund doesn't get going RIGHT NOW, the 'Nucks won't go far. Still, if the blue line stays healthy the Canucks are well poised to take this series with their solid fundamentals and smart hockey. Vigneault has a shot at coach of the year, I think....Vancouver in seven.
Nas-SJ - This is going to be a great series to watch. I don't think the young Predator defense can handle Joe Thornton, however. If this guy is really, truly ready to show his stuff in the playoffs, look out Conn Smythe. It's going to be a back-and-forth series as the weak-ish SJ defense will similarly have a hard time containing four lines that can score. Nabokov has been awesome lately but the Preds have a surprising tandem with Chris Mason stepping into his own and Tomas Vokoun as one of the more underrated goalies in the NHL (I know he's sucked lately, but if you could have any backup in the world...) Nashville in six.
And now for the East:
Buf-NYI/Tor - If the Leafs make it, they're toast. If the Islanders make it and get DiPietro back, they have a slim chance. Either way, the team against Buffalo is going to have to beat the bejeezus out of the Sabres' forwards for sixty minutes each night to even have a prayer. Buffalo in five, regardless.
NJ-TB - All the individual excellence in the world can't beat the Devils. Of course, they're built on the individual excellence of Marty Brodeur, but he's more a god among men than a hockey player. He just chooses hockey to entertain himself with the mortals. Tampa will have to find a way to spread their attack and pray that their goaltending holds up for more than ten minutes at a time. Jersey in five.
Atl-NYR - I thought the Rangers were going to the Cup last season, but the injury bug hit and Lundqvist fell off the face of the planet. Shanahan will be even huger in this situation than he has been all year for the blueshirts. Lundqvist has been playing his best hockey of the season and it seems that he'll be ready to bring it in the playoffs. Atlanta, meanwhile, has really just scraped in...Lehtonen has been shaky and their deadline acquisitions aren't proving to be the consistent gamebreakers they had hoped. Kovalchuk and Hossa just don't seem to care to me. New York in four.
Ott-Pitt - This is the Nashville-San Jose of the East. Both teams have relatively young and experienced goaltenders they're going to have to rely on against some of the most high-powered forwards in the game. Ottawa will need to find depth in their attack and hope that Alfredsson proves everyone wrong about his sub-par leadership capabilities. The kids in Pittsburgh have much stronger veteran leadership in Gonchar, Recchi, Roberts and Laraque than the Sens do anywhere in their lineup. Pittsburgh in six.
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Thundercleese
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batdad
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Det-Cal God how to predict this one. No idea. Guessing outright. Bert scores OT winner in game 7. ICK Detroit in 7
Ana-Min Minnesota in 6. Anaheim just does not do it for me. No idea why. Minny scares me.
Van-Dal SNOOZE. SNOOZE.. Vancouver in 7 boring 2-1 OT games. Nazzy gets his first goal of the series in Game 7.
Nas-SJ San Jose in 4. Nashville is the weakest team in the western playoffs.
East
Buf-NYI Buffalo in 5. Islanders have no hope here.
NJ-TB New Jersey in 6. Brodeur has 2 shutouts and in game 2 Tampa scores at least 5 goals.
Atl-NYR Lundqvist plays brutal, Weekes even worse. Atlanta in 6.
Ott-Pit Time for Pitt kids to learn something about playoff hockey, from a team which has been accused of not learning. Biggest learners: MA Fleury, Malkin. Ottawa in 5.
Ana-Min Minnesota in 6. Anaheim just does not do it for me. No idea why. Minny scares me.
Van-Dal SNOOZE. SNOOZE.. Vancouver in 7 boring 2-1 OT games. Nazzy gets his first goal of the series in Game 7.
Nas-SJ San Jose in 4. Nashville is the weakest team in the western playoffs.
East
Buf-NYI Buffalo in 5. Islanders have no hope here.
NJ-TB New Jersey in 6. Brodeur has 2 shutouts and in game 2 Tampa scores at least 5 goals.
Atl-NYR Lundqvist plays brutal, Weekes even worse. Atlanta in 6.
Ott-Pit Time for Pitt kids to learn something about playoff hockey, from a team which has been accused of not learning. Biggest learners: MA Fleury, Malkin. Ottawa in 5.
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Shadd666
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My turn...
West:
Det-Cal: Hard to predict, for sure. Detroit has been more consistent over the regular season, but it doesn't win a playoff series... However wins it, they'll be donwed in the 2nd round.
Ana-Min: Depends on Bäckstrom's playoffs play. If he's like in the regular season, Min in 5. Else, Anaheim may have a chance.
Van-Dal: Turco will fail once more in the playoffs. Vancouver in 5 or 6.
Nas-SJ: San Jose in 5. Nashville will benefit from the home advantage to avoid the sweep.
East:
Buf-NYI: Buffalo in 4. I don't see how the Isles would win any game.
NJ-TB: New Jersey in 6. Annoying series.
Atl-NYR: Atlanta in 5...maybe a sweep if they play great.
Ott-Pit: Baby Pens will learn what playoffs are. No pressure on them. Ottawa is used to do it bad, and Emery isn't the kind of goalie you can fall back on... I'd go for Pittshburg in 6, before being swept in round 2.
West:
Det-Cal: Hard to predict, for sure. Detroit has been more consistent over the regular season, but it doesn't win a playoff series... However wins it, they'll be donwed in the 2nd round.
Ana-Min: Depends on Bäckstrom's playoffs play. If he's like in the regular season, Min in 5. Else, Anaheim may have a chance.
Van-Dal: Turco will fail once more in the playoffs. Vancouver in 5 or 6.
Nas-SJ: San Jose in 5. Nashville will benefit from the home advantage to avoid the sweep.
East:
Buf-NYI: Buffalo in 4. I don't see how the Isles would win any game.
NJ-TB: New Jersey in 6. Annoying series.
Atl-NYR: Atlanta in 5...maybe a sweep if they play great.
Ott-Pit: Baby Pens will learn what playoffs are. No pressure on them. Ottawa is used to do it bad, and Emery isn't the kind of goalie you can fall back on... I'd go for Pittshburg in 6, before being swept in round 2.
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CatchUp
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Time for me to get into the fray with my post season picks for the first round.
Series A #1 Buffalo Sabres vs. #8 New York Islanders
Line for line, the Isles don't have anywhere near the depth that the Sabres have. The Isles will be overwhelmed by the all the offense coming at them from BUF - especially with no Dipietro.
Buffalo in 5.
Series B #2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Tampa Bay Lightning
Brodeur has something to prove this year. Also, it could be the last go around with the EGG line intact. Tampa doesn't have the goaltending to outlast Brodeur and the Devs in a 7-game series. Crazy Lou behind the bench gives the Devs a bit of a psychological edge as well, IMO.
Devils in 6.
Series C #3 Atlanta Thrashers vs. #6 New York Rangers
This will be an interesting series. Hossa, Kovalchuk and Lehtonen will have to play like they are the stars of that team. The Rangers have the offense to compete - but I think their D is soft. Can Lundqvist handle the NHL playoff pressure?
Rangers in 7.
Series D #4 Ottawa Senators vs. #5 Pittsburgh Penguins
I think Ottawa will finally come to play in the post season. Heatley will light it up and Redden will show why he was worth keeping over Chara. Pitt is good - but too inexperienced to go deep. Good XP for the kids though - I agree that Malkin will learn a lot and crank his game to the next level in 07-08.
Ottawa in 5.
Series E #1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 Calgary Flames
Calgary is going to hand it to the Wings. No doubt in my mind. Kipper vs Hasek? come on. Hasek is due to pull up lame any day now.
Calgary in 5.
Series F #2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Minnesota Wild
If I was the Ducks, I would be doing LOTS of homework on the Wild. Minnesota is under-rated by everyone. They've got depth and they've got goaltending - 2 key ingredients to a cup run. I like Pronger to turn it on - but I can't stand the Ducks goalies - who I think will choke and cost the Ducks the series.
Minnesota in 7.
Series G #3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Dallas Stars
I don't think this series will be quite as boring as batdad is suggesting. I do agree that Vancouver will have to pull a LOT more offense out of their hats if they're going to have a chance. But Turco is Turco - and this will be his last chance in Dallas.
Canucks in 6.
Series H #4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 San Jose Sharks
I'm actually really looking forward to this series. I think it'll be a real gong show. There could be a couple blow outs by either team.
Sharks in 7.
Whoomp there it is.
Series A #1 Buffalo Sabres vs. #8 New York Islanders
Line for line, the Isles don't have anywhere near the depth that the Sabres have. The Isles will be overwhelmed by the all the offense coming at them from BUF - especially with no Dipietro.
Buffalo in 5.
Series B #2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Tampa Bay Lightning
Brodeur has something to prove this year. Also, it could be the last go around with the EGG line intact. Tampa doesn't have the goaltending to outlast Brodeur and the Devs in a 7-game series. Crazy Lou behind the bench gives the Devs a bit of a psychological edge as well, IMO.
Devils in 6.
Series C #3 Atlanta Thrashers vs. #6 New York Rangers
This will be an interesting series. Hossa, Kovalchuk and Lehtonen will have to play like they are the stars of that team. The Rangers have the offense to compete - but I think their D is soft. Can Lundqvist handle the NHL playoff pressure?
Rangers in 7.
Series D #4 Ottawa Senators vs. #5 Pittsburgh Penguins
I think Ottawa will finally come to play in the post season. Heatley will light it up and Redden will show why he was worth keeping over Chara. Pitt is good - but too inexperienced to go deep. Good XP for the kids though - I agree that Malkin will learn a lot and crank his game to the next level in 07-08.
Ottawa in 5.
Series E #1 Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 Calgary Flames
Calgary is going to hand it to the Wings. No doubt in my mind. Kipper vs Hasek? come on. Hasek is due to pull up lame any day now.
Calgary in 5.
Series F #2 Anaheim Ducks vs. #7 Minnesota Wild
If I was the Ducks, I would be doing LOTS of homework on the Wild. Minnesota is under-rated by everyone. They've got depth and they've got goaltending - 2 key ingredients to a cup run. I like Pronger to turn it on - but I can't stand the Ducks goalies - who I think will choke and cost the Ducks the series.
Minnesota in 7.
Series G #3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Dallas Stars
I don't think this series will be quite as boring as batdad is suggesting. I do agree that Vancouver will have to pull a LOT more offense out of their hats if they're going to have a chance. But Turco is Turco - and this will be his last chance in Dallas.
Canucks in 6.
Series H #4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 San Jose Sharks
I'm actually really looking forward to this series. I think it'll be a real gong show. There could be a couple blow outs by either team.
Sharks in 7.
Whoomp there it is.
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Kekkonen
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Me too! Me too!
Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders
If DiPietro is out (as he apparently is), the only advantage the Islanders have is size. In every other department, they're way, way behind the Sabres. That will show. I'd give Nolan serious consideration for the Jack Adams, but I won't give him a play-off win.
Sabres sweep.
New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightining
Just about all of the Devils' offensive weapons are in suspect health, and they don't have that much power in this department to begin with. Yes, Brodeur is miles ahead whoever the Lightning end up throwing in goal, but that will not be enough this time.
Lightning in 6
Atlanta Thrashers vs. New York Rangers
Lundqvist will continue in fine form, and Avery drives the Thrashers nuts. It's Atlanta's first post-season, and it will be surprisingly short.
Rangers in 5
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
This will be a rollercoaster series, in which neither team appears well suited for the win. At some point, something -- a soft goal, a soft penalty, an undercooked egg at team breakfast, something -- will deflate the Senators once again, and they'll snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Penguins in 7
Detroit Red Wings vs. Calgary Flames
Detroit has an inflated record thanks to a weak division, and they're sorely missing a Stevie Y. sort of a forward icon. Datsyuk isn't it, and his most recent play-off goal will turn 6 years old next spring.
Flames in 5
Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild
Look for the real Nicklas Bäckström to emerge. The Wild does have a scary offensive line in Rolston - Demitra - Gaborik, but those guys will see a lot of Scott Niedermayer and especially Chris Pronger. As a result...
Ducks in 5
Vancouver Canucs vs. Dallas Stars
Neither team has much offensive firepower, so it will come down to defense and, unfortunately for the Stars, goaltending. Both Luongo and Turco are terrific in the regular season, but in his first play-off appearance, the post-season version of Luongo will prove to be everything the post-season version of Turco hasn't been and still isn't.
Canucks in 6
Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks
This spring is Joe Thornton's chance to show that he isn't a Turco who plays center, and he will (finally) do it now. The Predators won't just lie down and keel over, but they'll be done after the series anyway.
Sharks in 6
So, in the East, only one top-4 team will survive to round 2, while in the West, two will not.
Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders
If DiPietro is out (as he apparently is), the only advantage the Islanders have is size. In every other department, they're way, way behind the Sabres. That will show. I'd give Nolan serious consideration for the Jack Adams, but I won't give him a play-off win.
Sabres sweep.
New Jersey Devils vs. Tampa Bay Lightining
Just about all of the Devils' offensive weapons are in suspect health, and they don't have that much power in this department to begin with. Yes, Brodeur is miles ahead whoever the Lightning end up throwing in goal, but that will not be enough this time.
Lightning in 6
Atlanta Thrashers vs. New York Rangers
Lundqvist will continue in fine form, and Avery drives the Thrashers nuts. It's Atlanta's first post-season, and it will be surprisingly short.
Rangers in 5
Ottawa Senators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
This will be a rollercoaster series, in which neither team appears well suited for the win. At some point, something -- a soft goal, a soft penalty, an undercooked egg at team breakfast, something -- will deflate the Senators once again, and they'll snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Penguins in 7
Detroit Red Wings vs. Calgary Flames
Detroit has an inflated record thanks to a weak division, and they're sorely missing a Stevie Y. sort of a forward icon. Datsyuk isn't it, and his most recent play-off goal will turn 6 years old next spring.
Flames in 5
Anaheim Ducks vs. Minnesota Wild
Look for the real Nicklas Bäckström to emerge. The Wild does have a scary offensive line in Rolston - Demitra - Gaborik, but those guys will see a lot of Scott Niedermayer and especially Chris Pronger. As a result...
Ducks in 5
Vancouver Canucs vs. Dallas Stars
Neither team has much offensive firepower, so it will come down to defense and, unfortunately for the Stars, goaltending. Both Luongo and Turco are terrific in the regular season, but in his first play-off appearance, the post-season version of Luongo will prove to be everything the post-season version of Turco hasn't been and still isn't.
Canucks in 6
Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks
This spring is Joe Thornton's chance to show that he isn't a Turco who plays center, and he will (finally) do it now. The Predators won't just lie down and keel over, but they'll be done after the series anyway.
Sharks in 6
So, in the East, only one top-4 team will survive to round 2, while in the West, two will not.