The Stanley Cup thread

[Ibun]

Woo Avs.

More like woo Javs.

[Baconsticks]

Both work.

[Richard K Niner]

No Toronto again...whatupwidat?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say they just stopped caring early in the season, when the team was doing fine on the road but not at home.

[osprey]

Toronto choked hard again. They did have some issues amongst the players (Jason Blake's cancer being the biggest), but really, their best players were not their best players, with the exception of Sundin, who was decent.

Anyways, at this point, here are my predictions for the winners of round one:

Montreal vs Boston: Montreal. This will be a near sweep, Montreal should take game 5 at home. Carey Price is doing an excellent job of Carey-ing his team. The powerplay will wake up as well.

Pittsburgh vs Ottawa: Pittsburgh. No contest here. Ottawa didn't show up at all. Pittsburgh completes the sweep in Ottawa.

Washington vs Philadelphia: Philadelphia. Philly should take this one, though it will be hard-fought. I expect another Flyers win in Philly game 4, the Caps bounce back in game 5, but the Flyers take it in game 6 at home.

New Jersey vs New York: New York. New York should take this one swiftly. Though Brodeur is good, they lack the scoring to keep up with the high-flying Rangers. The Rangers should take game 4 at home (first home win in the series) and finish them off in game 5.

Detroit vs Nashville: Detroit. Nashville made a series of it in the last one, and the momentum from that should carry them to a home win in game 4. The Red Wings are just too good however, though the Preds should force this to 6 or 7 games.

San Jose vs Calgary: San Jose. For a while there, it looked like Calgary might pull off the upset. However, San Jose's key players woke up at just the right time to steal game 4 from the Flames. San Jose takes the game 5 win, Calgary takes game 6, and the Sharks finish it in game 7.

Minnesota vs Colorado: Colorado. This has been a neck and neck series, but Colorado's classic offense dominated game 4. Look for a Minnesota win in game 5 at home, but the Avs should rebound and win the final 2 games.

Anaheim vs Dallas: Dallas. The Stars got rocked in game 3 at home, underestimating the Ducks after stealing 2 from them in Anaheim. They won't make this mistake again, and should win the series in 5 games.

[BladeRaptor]

Well, the Flyers just won game 4 of their series against the Capitals 4-3 in double overtime. We're now 3-1 for the series. Now to chase them back to Washington and move in for the kill.

Go Flyers!

[osprey]

Yeah, it's pretty much over for Washington. That was an amazing game though I must say, the best hockey I've seen in a long time.

I'm also 5-2 since my last post! I was only wrong on Montreal (who lost to Boston) and Minnesota (who lost to Colorado).

[TyVulpine]

The Caps were lucky to get the #3 seed at all (had to look it up), much less into the playoffs at all.

[osprey]

The Caps were lucky to get the #3 seed at all (had to look it up), much less into the playoffs at all.

They did make an incredible run but they were lucky to be playing in a weak division. It's funny how with the way teams are seeded right now, 2 points separate the 3rd seed Caps and the 9th seed Carolina Hurricanes, who were knocked out of the running by Washington.

Tonight, we lose our second team, with the NY Rangers eliminating New Jersey 5-3. Thus far, Pittsburgh and the Rangers have secured themselves a spot in round 2, as the Ducks were able to fend off elimination at the hands of Dallas...that series is going to game 6 with Dallas leading 3-2. Also tonight, the Red Wings won at home to take a 3-2 series lead over the Nashville Predators.

[Ibun]

I remember when they actually used to show playoff hockey on American TV, without having to order a special package.

[TyVulpine]

I remember when they actually used to show playoff hockey on American TV, without having to order a special package.

They apparently do show it on "Versus" (formerly "Outdoor Life Network"), a basic cable channel.

[Rooster]

As long as the pantsless Mighty Dykes don't win, I'll be a happy little wolfdog.

[Ibun]

Bruins force a game 7. Go go go!

[osprey]

Bruins force a game 7. Go go go!

This is really shocking me, wow. Price is finally starting to look like a rookie goalie, and the Bruins are winning the special teams battle.

[Extreme-Speed]

As long as the Stanley Cup game doesn't end up being something like Anaheim vs. Washington, I'll be happy.

Oh, and Price is finally starting to look like an experienced goalie, LIKE HE SHOULD.

[TyVulpine]

As long as the Stanley Cup game doesn't end up being something like Anaheim vs. Washington, I'll be happy.

Oh, and Price is finally starting to look like an experienced goalie, LIKE HE SHOULD.

Don't worry about that. Washington has been to the Stanley Cup Finals once in it's 34 years (1998, got swept by Detroit).