The NHL Playoffs Thread

[Louis Lame]

Given that my dear old Toronto Maple Leafs have been denied from the postseason for the eighth(?) consecutive time I'm not really feeling any glow or anticipation. That being said, there seem to be more crap shoots than usual so I'm looking forward to great hockey.

Western Conference
Vancouver defeats Chicago; 4-1
San Jose defeats LA Kings; 4-2
Detroit defeats Phoenix; 4-2
Anaheim defeats Nashville; 4-3
 
Eastern Conference
Washington defeats NY Rangers; 4-2
Philadelphia defeats Buffalo; 4-3
Boston defeats Montreal; 4-2
Tampa Bay defeats Pittsburgh; 4-2

[dcgut]

Been a Calgary fan since the 90's. Tough to see us go back to stinking. I figure it will be Anaheim or Canucks in the west, Philly and Boston coming out in the East.

[buffcoat]

The Hurricanes, in addition to their unlikely Stanley Cup in 2006, have the distinction of finishing in exactly 9th place 4 times in the past 12 years.

[bmills]

Part of me wants to see the Coyotes make a run but for the sake of everyone in Phoenix I hope they get swept. Imagine watching a team win knowing that they won't exist in three months.

Caps
Sabres
Canadiens
Pens

Canucks
Shorks
Wings
Preds

[Louis Lame]

Do Phoenix fans actually exist? Aside from all the retired Canadian teachers that seem to migrate to Arizona anyways. But yea that would be rough, it would be awesome to see the Jets come back though. I'd root for them ahead of Vancouver. The Nordiques would quickly take up residence in my #2 spot behind Toronto if they were to ever come back. I just did a playoff draft for a pool at this diner called Cosy's this week, I picked late so not my ideal choices. Kind of glad I stayed away from the MTL/BOS series given last night.

Pavelski (SJ)
Heatley (SJ)
Vanek (BUF)
Stafford (BUF)
Gagne (TAMP)
Purcell (TAMP)
Downie (TAMP)
Moore(TAMP)
Williams (LA)
Zetterberg (DET)

[wood and iron]

I wouldn't count the Flyers out yet. They've been known to do some major comebacks. However, the lack of Pronger and failure to capitalize on Power Plays both cast large shadows over their chances.

[hardweek]

Go Canucks go!

[bmills]

Do Phoenix fans actually exist? Aside from all the retired Canadian teachers that seem to migrate to Arizona anyways. But yea that would be rough, it would be awesome to see the Jets come back though. I'd root for them ahead of Vancouver. The Nordiques would quickly take up residence in my #2 spot behind Toronto if they were to ever come back. I

I feel for them and can't kick them when their down. Ultimately, I'm just over the schadenfreude involved with the struggles of any non traditional franchise and will pull for any team that galls the old Canadian hockey guard. It's too bad because they are winning, but can't bank on that because there's no emotional pay off for a fan. Come get emotionally invested in our team and watch as we raise the championship banner 1400 miles away. I'd be into the Jets and Nords for nostalgia's sake though.

Expert analysis:

Letang sucks.
Gaborik sucks.
Two up on Chicago so almost time for Luongo to suck.
Boston sucks.
I didn't see the game but Selanne scored and he's the best.

[nec13]

This Pens-Lightning series is shaping up to be the proverbial dogfight. Can the Pens generate enough offense? Can the Pens D contain Stamkos, Lecavalier, and St. Louis? Can they turn around their anemic power play? I hope the answer to all of these questions is a resounding yes.

[hardweek]

After watching the Blackhawks completely dismantle the Canucks in the playoffs the past two years, it is mind-blowing watching this 180 degree turn.

I've watched the Canucks blow their spots for my entire life. The idea that they might be able to actually close the deal this year is jarring to my psyche.

[bmills]

The debacle that is the Pens power play was to be expected but their PK is awful. Lucky for them most Lightning forwards have been no shows at even strength except for maybe St. Louis. Stamkos looks like he's out of gas but he's not the first guy to get lost in his first playoffs. That Downie hit was a crazy charge but awesome and Kunitz is dumb. Michalek is so rad.

Later Phoenix, Hawks.
Philly looks like they got this.
I could get psyched for a Ranger come back.

[Louis Lame]

Yea that Downie hit was a definite charge but nothing more in my opinion. I could see a Buffalo series comeback happening and I'm super curious to see how this habs/boston series works out. I guess every year that a Canadian city hosted the Olympics (Mtl/Calgary) that same city went on to win the Stanley Cup the following year. Bodes well for Vancouver.

[dcgut]

Alot of talk about Stamkos and St. Louis but Lecalvier looks like the player he USED to be. Nice to see him using his body again.

[Gilly]

I'm not a hockey fan but I was reading an article somewhere... maybe ESPN the magazine about a new breed of stats that are finally taking hockey to where SABR took baseball and PER took basketball. Anyway, I mention this because while Stamkos is considering one of the best in the game, he comes up way short in whatever these new stats are, barely average if I remember right.

[hardweek]

I can just hear him with that Swingers Sega Hockey trash talk.