NHL Thread

[TheBig3]

the flyers? really? If the Flyers win, Boston gives it to them.

[Burning Down]

Originally Posted by Chumley

Caps in 6.
Flyers in 6.
Sharks in 7.
Canucks in 6.

More great hockey on the way. Gotta love it.

I really don't see the Flyers taking the series against Boston.

[Thom Yorke]

I wish I could be as confident, but nothing would surprise me after last year.

The Bruins and Flyers are very similar teams though. Both play physical styles and are built on depth. The Flyers have alot more firepower up front in terms of "star" players, but the Bruins have way better goaltending. Should be a great series.

[FRED HALE SR.]

Originally Posted by Chumley

Caps in 6.
Flyers in 6.
Sharks in 7.
Canucks in 6.

More great hockey on the way. Gotta love it.

Those are exactly my picks. I think Caps in 7 however.

[Chumley]

Originally Posted by FRED HALE SR.

Those are exactly my picks. I think Caps in 7 however.

Tampa is playing well. It wouldn't surprise me if it did go 7. I think it's the Cap's year this year. The team changed it's whole philosphy this year to a more of defensive scheme though they struggled adapting to it through most of the first half of season, the last half, basically since the Winter Classic they have been one of the best teams in the second half. Thier defensive scheme is more condusive to win in playoff hockey IMO. Also OV has become less selfish and is playing more of a team game. He think he learned alot over the last two playoffs as has his team. I think the Caps will go to the finals.

Once again, it comes down to the Flyers goaltending. Can Boucher, Leighton and Brobroski get the job done(?). Probably the biggest factor in this series is will Pronger be completely healthy to a regular shift? The Bruins powerplay is brutal. No PP goals vs. the Canadiens. I can't see the Bruins coming close in this series if thier PP doesn't pick up big time. Kaberle has been absolutely useless. Burke got the Bruins back on that trade.

San Jose goaltending is in question. Niemi and Nittimaki(sp)? Niemi struggled in the first round. I think the Sharks big guns will out shot the Wings gunners.

Being a Canucks fan...well, there going to win it all.

[pourmeanother]

Originally Posted by pourmeanother

East - Round 1
1. Capitals vs. 8. Rangers - Capitals in 7
2. Flyers vs. 7. Sabres - Flyers in 5
3. Bruins vs. 6. Canadiens - Bruins in 6
4. Penguins vs. 5. Lightning - Lightning in 6

West - Round 1
1. Canucks vs. 8. Blackhawks - Canucks in 6
2. Sharks vs. 7. Kings - Sharks in 6
3. Red Wings vs. 6. Coyotes - Coyotes in 7
4. Ducks vs. 5. Predators - Ducks in 7

East - Round 2
1. Capitals vs. 5. Lightning - Capitals in 5
2. Flyers vs. 3. Bruins - Bruins in 6

West - Round 2
1. Canucks vs. 6. Coyotes - Canucks in 5
2. Sharks vs. 4. Ducks - Ducks in 7

East - Conference Finals
1. Capitals vs. 3. Bruins - Bruins in 7

West - Conference Finals
1. Canucks vs. 4. Ducks - Canucks in 5

Stanley Cup Finals
1. Canucks vs. 3. Bruins - Canucks in 6


The first year that I haven't been a homer and at least put the Sharks in the WCF. I'm done picking my own team, only primes you for disappointment.

1 Capitals vs. 5 Lightning - Capitals in 6
The Lightning surprised a few and went out and won a series. Hats off for a quality come back from down 3 games to 1. The run ends here against a talented, and now defensive-minded team.

2 Flyers vs. 3 Bruins - Flyers in 6
I know I put the Bruins in the finals, but I feel that in order for the Bruins to succeed here they need Tim Thomas to be superhuman. I agree that Pronger is one of the keys to the series, if healthy I think the overall depth and talent of Philly will carry them in a hard-fought series. The Bruins PP was atrocious, and they'll need to get things clicking in order to contend here.

1 Canucks vs. 5 Predators - Canucks in 6
The Canucks nearly had a letdown in round 1, and while I think they will struggle to find their scoring rhythm against Nashville I still see them pulling this out in 6. The Preds will grind the Nucks into a pulp, but they just don't have the scoring talent to keep up, even if Rinne stands on his head while getting outshot 2-to-1 every night.

2 Sharks vs. 3 Red Wings - Red Wings in 7
Two deeply talented teams going head to head. Wings are a great road team, and the Sharks have shaken their Joe Louis Arena demons- home ice will be meaningless, and every game will be up for grabs. The Red Wings enter the series rested and healthy, which make them about level with the Sharks at this point. The keys I think are going to be the PP/PK matchups, the Sharks ability to limit Datsyuk's puck possession, and most importantly goaltending... Niemi has struggled, and Howard will get tested a lot more than he did against Phoenix. If I have to pick, I say goaltending is a wash here, the Sharks take fewer penalties but their PK lets them down. Wings move on.

[Thom Yorke]

Originally Posted by Chumley

Once again, it comes down to the Flyers goaltending. Can Boucher, Leighton and Brobroski get the job done(?). Probably the biggest factor in this series is will Pronger be completely healthy to a regular shift? The Bruins powerplay is brutal. No PP goals vs. the Canadiens. I can't see the Bruins coming close in this series if thier PP doesn't pick up big time.

Thomas wasn't up to par in the first round (at least for him) and the PP was beyond brutal. At the same time, them winning despite that shows how well they do in other aspects of the game, and there's massive room for improvement.

Kaberle has been absolutely useless. Burke got the Bruins back on that trade.

This. I've always thought Kaberle was one of if not the most overrated player in the league, but it took me watching him on a more consistent basis in Boston to truly see how bad he is. Ridiculous overpayment for this guy.

[Burning Down]

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

This. I've always thought Kaberle was one of if not the most overrated player in the league, but it took me watching him on a more consistent basis in Boston to truly see how bad he is. Ridiculous overpayment for this guy.

I think Kaberle was a little more consistent in terms of being a defenceman early in his career. But now, I think that consistency is gone. During his last few seasons with the Leafs, I think he was trying way too hard to be a two-way player. He was also being given 20-25 minutes of ice time, during which he didn't do much but skate around and maybe block a few shots. Over-payed indeed. The Bruins got ripped off a little.

[Chumley]

Kaberle isn't a "Bruin" type of a player at all. He is soft, always has been soft and is probably more soft now than he ever was. The guy is terrified of getting hit and throwing a hit. Back in the day he was a good D-man moving the puck, on the PP and was intelligent in his own end without being physical. I think it might be time that he goes back home to Czech or play in the KHL.

[TheBig3]

Originally Posted by pourmeanother

2 Flyers vs. 3 Bruins - Flyers in 6
I know I put the Bruins in the finals, but I feel that in order for the Bruins to succeed here they need Tim Thomas to be superhuman. I agree that Pronger is one of the keys to the series, if healthy I think the overall depth and talent of Philly will carry them in a hard-fought series. The Bruins PP was atrocious, and they'll need to get things clicking in order to contend here.

With a guy like Marchon on your squad, it doesn't matter what happens apparently. Bruins leading the series 2-0 with a goal total of

Bruins: 10
Fliers: 5

Frankly, the Fliers forwards need to be super human if they want to compete with Thomas. I think the B's are doing a phenomenal job of keeping pressure off of Thomas (which will come from a squad like Philly) by running up the score quick.