NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2008!

[Knightfall]

Round two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs starts on Thursday (April 24) and Friday (April 25).

In the East we have the following match-ups . . .

Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers
Series starts Thursday, April 24
-- I think the "real" Montreal team will show up for this series. However, if they don't then they're going to be in big trouble. The Flyers will pound them on the ice an on the scoreboard if the Habs keep believing in their own hype. This series could go either way, but I think the Habs will win in 7 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Rangers
Series starts Friday, April 25
-- Can the Penguins shell the NY Rangers like they did the Senators. I say yes but the Rangers have a lot of offense of their own. Sid the Kid and company will use speed and skill to skate circles around the Rangers. This will be a great series and, as long as Marc-Andre Fluery doesn't crack, the Penguins will win in 6 games.

In the West we have the following match-ups . . .

Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado Avalanche
Series starts Thursday, April 24
-- Detroit got lucky against Nashville. The Avs are surging. Colorado has too much talent and the Red Wings cannot rely on Hasek (or home ice) to save them. I want the Red Wings to win, but I don't think they will. Avalanche in 6 games.

San Jose Sharks vs Dallas Stars
Series starts Friday, April 25
-- Joe Thornton and the Sharks need to hit a higher level if they are going to have an chance against the Stars. Unfortunately, they don't have a higher level. The Stars beat the defending champs and are hungry for more. Stars in 5 games.

 

[freyar]

I've never really followed hockey before, but I've caught a little of the excitement about the Habs (living in Montreal about 1-1/2 years, I guess I have to pay some attention to hockey now ). I'm surprised that there were riots the other night, though; it was just the first round for cryin' out loud!

 

[Lord Zardoz]

Regarding riots, I have a theory about that.

I think that in general, riots are likely when the following apply.

- The team was the best in the league for a while (ie, a Dynasty or near Dynasty)
- The fan base was particularly engaged
- the team started to suck for 10 or so years
- The team then rebounds and makes a run that comes out of nowhere.

Examples:

Calgary's 2004 cup run. Back in the 1980's, they would have probably picked up at least 2 and maybe 3 Stanley cups if the Oilers dynasty had not happened. The rivalry with Edmonton was intense. They spent most of the 1990's sucking. Then out of nowhere the team catches fire and makes it into the cup final. This resulted in drunken mayhem, property and random women flashing their boobs.

Edmontons 2006 cup run. Back in the 1980's, they were the dynasty, winning the cup with ease. They had the absolute best team the league had ever seen. Then they lost Gretzky, and then Messier. The 1990's sucked for them. And then they squeak into the playoffs, and start pulling off heavy upsets. This resulted in drunken mayhem, some property damage, and at least one stabbing.

If Montreal does make a deep run, I expect the results will be much the same. The Canadiens are historically the most dominant team, and were even dominant after the initial expansions with two dynasties within the 1970's. After the 1993 cup, they were simply mediocre. But now they are in the 2nd round and the city is hungry for it. St Catherines street will be the place to avoid after playoff home games for a while, I expect.

And in the event that Hell Freezes Over and the Leafs make it to the cup final any time soon? That city has been waiting since 1967, and has a massive and way too engaged fan base, but has managed to miss the playoffs for a few consecutive years. That city would probably become a warzone.

Conversely, if Detroit gets to the cup final this year, I do not expect anything extraordinary to happen. Though it has been a while since Detroit's last cup, they have been a good team for way too long for anyone to be surprised much by them getting into it.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[Knightfall]

So, Montreal won game one and so did the Red Wings. Unfortunately, I missed both game because I was so sick that I had to go to the hospital. Damn stomach flu!

Anyway, Dallas vs. San Jose and Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers tonight. Avery better not pull any antics or Big Georges will kick his ass all over the ice.

 

[Knightfall]

Round three of the Stanley Cup Playoffs starts tonight...

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Detroit vs Dallas
Series starts tonight

I predict that Osgood won't be able to out-duel Turco. Detroit has an insane amount of offense, but I think they've had it easy up until now. Thus, the Stars will win the series in 6.

And...

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL
Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh
Series starts Friday

This series either is going to be the series of this year's playoffs or is going to end quicjkly. I predict it will go 7 and Pittsburgh will win through sheer firepower.

 

[Agamon]

This season was just a tune up for the centennial next year. I'm betting the talking heads in T.O. don't predict the Habs to finish 13th next pre-season....

Looking forward to off-season, should be interesting. And I'm hoping the Pitt makes the finals and loses. That pretty much puts the kabosh on them doing anything of significance next season, as history tells us.

 

[Knightfall]

And I'm hoping the Pitt makes the finals and loses. That pretty much puts the kabosh on them doing anything of significance next season, as history tells us.

3-2 Pittsburgh after the first period of Game One. Both teams are flying and both goalies look a little unprepared. This is going to be the series to watch.

 

[Knightfall]

Wow, I really misjudged the Detroit-Dallas series. The Red Wings are mopping the ice with the Stars' faces. They are outworking and outscoring them at will.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

All I have to say is "Go Redwings!"

Olaf the Stout

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

It seems as if my Stars could start a new foundry with all the iron they're finding...

I mean, there is the opening blitz of shots & action (best in Game 3, so far) where they just can't find the net...and then the Redwings go nuts.

They are outworking and outscoring them at will.

I wouldn't go that far. There were periods of time when Detroit was simply bottled up and thoroughly outplayed...but Dallas couldn't put the biscuit in the basket.

I mean, its the same stuff any team has to deal with- skipping pucks, a missed shot, a great save or an inopportune deflection- but it is as if all the breaks are going Detroit's way.

I mean, not scoring on a 4 on 1 break? 4 on 1? I believe the term is "snakebit."

At this point, I'd have to say the Stars are in a dangerous psychological state where, if Detroit scores first in Game 4, that will signal the end of the series.