Official™ 2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk

Post by **Minstrel** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:56 pm

Figured we'd open up a thread (thanks for the suggestion Systemfel

) for predictions etc for the Playoffs here and then of course we'll continue on using it once the teams are actually set.

For now though keep using the NHL thread to talk about individual games/playoff races etc. but if you want to post something about your thoughts on the upcoming playoffs post it here. Feel free to copy in from the regular NHL thread if you want as well. Will be good to have these posts once we close off the season thread though.

I'm still cheering for Colorado and the Islanders to make it but the DiPietro issue is a total wildcard so I don't know if they'll make it or not.

As for teams quaranteed to make the playoffs I think San Jose is playing pretty naff hockey but once the playoffs start they'll be in for a long run. Same for the Ducks who are playing well and are one of the most balanced and 'playoff ready' teams in my eyes. Too bad they'll have to go through one another to make the Final, but I'll be routing for them as my favorites.

I think Dallas and Detroit will both choke yet again early on and I fear Buffalo's injury situation. I don't 'believe' in Emery or I'd put more stock in Ottawa's chances. On the other hand I do believe in Luongo and Broduer so even with questions on offense they are the kind of goalies to steal an otherwise close series so don't count Vancouver or New Jersey out of any matchup they go into.

I think the biggest wild cards will be the Rangers (if they stay in like they are now) and Nashville. There's no telling what kind of damage they could do as they have potential series stealers in net and Nashville actually has two with the veteran Vokoun and the amazing play of Mason while he's been out. Basically Nashville's entire team is hurt right now... but if healthy I think they can take out anyone in a series. With their degree of injuries and Forsberg on the roster though that's a mighty big IF

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:35 pm

The Sabres are good. The lines they used last night were:

Hecht - Briere - Pominville
Vanek - Roy - Stafford
Kotalik - Drury - Zubrus
Paille - Mair - Peters

Only two starting forwards (Gaustad and Afinogenov) are out right now. They'll be fine.

I'm hoping the Red Wings get to play the Stars in the West quarter finals. We seem to have an 'advantage' on Turco. As for the Devils, I wouldn't want to see them square off with Tampa. I'd rather play the Rangers.

Post by **batdad** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:46 pm

Urggh....Devils....Hoepfully they won't ruin the new NHL...with their defense first philosophy. Defensive teams suck!!!

They may be the scariest team for Buffalo in the East.

(Yes I can see the irony)

A month or so back, all the Western GM's were polled...not sure where the link is...saw it at the time. They stated they would not want to play Vancouver in the playoffs...unanimously.

East was polled as well...10 teams said Buffalo, and 6 New Jersey. No votes for anyone else.

Still say Buffalo wins. No Western prediction from me in public though

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:38 am

I don't know who'll win, but i'd really like how the baby Pens will do in the playoffs. It's gonna be the first NHL playoffs for Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, and all, and i really wonder how they'll do...

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:39 am

I still lean toward Buffalo as well, but I dunno. I've seen them get blanketed pretty well in some games... I think it would be a close one but were it to be NJ v BUF I'd say Buffalo in 6 just because while NJ team d is still awesome their actual defense ain't what it used to be. They looked amazing last year and then Carolina just dismantled them in their series.

I think the best thing for Detroit given their history is to NOT win the President's Trophy... were I a Wings fan (*shudder* well to be honest I'd shoot myself

) I'd be hoping they drop a few games going into the playoffs...

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:39 am

Buffalo was my pick last year and it is mine this year too

Westside, I'm not sure. Anaheim or Nashville maybe but it's pure speculation for now..

Post by **batdad** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:14 am

They looked amazing last year and then Carolina just dismantled them in their series.

Did the Sabres have any defensemen who had played more than 10 games by the end of that series? Not that this is an excuse, the Canes played great...but I just cannot see the Sabres running into that kind of trouble again this year.

New Jersey scares me though. Brodeur is,well we all know. Ottawa if Emery gets hot (or babyfood)

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:25 am

I meant New Jeresy last year was playing great until they ran into Carolina; prior to that they'd barely been scored upon let alone tested... so their getting blown up by Carolina shows that no matter how strong they look or are playing NJ still isn't quite as difficult to handle defensively as in the past.

And yeah Buffalo was a mess with injuries last year, in an ugly kind of way.

I think Ottawa goes as far as Emery's 10 cent head will get them and I don't figure that'll be far.

Post by **batdad** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:30 am

Oops...missed that... My bad.

Come on Emery's head is at least $50 with that Tyson mask included. Idjit (meaning Emery not Minty)

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:51 am

Shadd666 wrote:I don't know who'll win, but i'd really like how the baby Pens will do in the playoffs. It's gonna be the first NHL playoffs for Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, and all, and i really wonder how they'll do...

this time is mainly to know if they are old enough to get some bearded chin!!

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:43 am

holydogg wrote: this time is mainly to know if they are old enough to get some bearded chin!!

They might bleach their hair like in the junior

Seriously, they will need a HUGE amount of goals by the kids because the defensive squad is ugly.. and Fleury didnt show any constitancy during the regular season.

oxenhoper · Post by **oxenhoper** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:36 am

Still going with the Sabres........... they seem to have got a good balance with the team.

Post by **CatchUp** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:07 am

I'm going to grow a pair and make a prediction as well:

We will see a BUFFALO-SAN JOSE Cup Final. With San Jose coming out on top in 6.

Bet nobody saw that coming.

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:39 am

CatchUp wrote:I'm going to grow a pair and make a prediction as well:

We will see a BUFFALO-SAN JOSE Cup Final. With San Jose coming out on top in 6.

Bet nobody saw that coming.

I wish for San Jose that Joe Thornton will grow a pair for the first time in the playoff

Post by **CatchUp** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:45 am

jackknife77 wrote:I wish for San Jose that Joe Thornton will grow a pair for the first time in the playoff

That's my primary reason for picking SJ. I think Jumbo Joe and Marleau are going to show everyone what the best 1-2 center punch in the league can do.

Post by **Minstrel** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:16 am

I think the "baby pens" will be fine as they have good leadership on the team with Rechhi and Roberts who have seen it all before. I think their problem will come down to defense and goaltending, Fleury is Jim Carey one night then Jim Carrey the next.

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:49 am

Yeah, Fleury isn't that consistent this season... Maybe he'll be in the playoffs, as some plyers are more concentrate under pressure... And well, it must be hard for him to work every night with such a poor defense

Give him a better protection and more experience, and i'm sure he'd be hell of a goalie!

Anyhow, i wonder what the Pens will do... Maybe get swept in the first round... Or maybe reach the second round, which should be very good for such a young team.

eme · Post by **eme** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:58 pm

I'm really hoping it's buffalo. I don't like the team more than any of the other NHL teams, but I'd like to see Teppo Numminen to get atleast a one great victory in his career. Teemu Selänne is another one, I think he really deserves the stanley cup ring.

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:26 pm

Minstrel wrote:Fleury is Jim Carey one night then Jim Carrey the next.

Carey during his first season or Carrey in Cable guy??

If they can still score, everything can happen.

Buffalo VS Anaheim surely be a nice final, but we rarely see a dream final. Most of time it's a favorite pitting against a cinderella team.

As long it's not the Maple Laughs I can live with that!!

jackknife77 · Post by **jackknife77** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:18 pm

eme wrote:I'm really hoping it's buffalo. I don't like the team more than any of the other NHL teams, but I'd like to see Teppo Numminen to get atleast a one great victory in his career. Teemu Selänne is another one, I think he really deserves the stanley cup ring.

What about Saku Koivu???

eme · Post by **eme** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:14 pm

Yeah, Saku Koivu deserves the cup aswel but he's still young ;p. Or atleast younger than both of the finns above.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:25 pm

Not to be biased, but I think the finals will be Detroit and Buffalo. Not sure how that series will go though. In 1 game this season, Buffalo won in a shootout.

Post by **Shadd666** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:42 pm

Joe, you really believe that the Wings will do something in the playoff this season?

It would be a huge surprise!

Systemfel · Post by **Systemfel** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:54 pm

If Hasek can play at a good standard, and Zetterberg comes back, Detroit could make some noise.

oxenhoper · Post by **oxenhoper** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:11 pm

When's Zetterberg due back, seems like he has been injured for ages.....