[OT] Hockey Fever: The NHL Playoffs Thread Part II

[Moulin Rogue]

Wow, I spoke too soon. I thought Game 1 was gonna be a write-off just like the first game against Ottawa, but now Toronto will come home with at least a split! Game 2 isn't till Sunday, some regulars are coming back soon, and Joseph is on his game again. But, Carolina can play a lot better than tonight.

 

[Nightfall]

I don't think Carolina played THAT bad. They just couldn't get their bread and butter stuff going (cycling down low, getting more shots from the point, etc.) The Leafs just managed to block shots and keep them from getting any presence in the neutral zone as well as standing them up on the Blueline. But I do agree, we haven't see the best of either team just yet. God I can't wait for Saturday! I'm just praying for an all out on ice brawl, with Patty Roy and Hasek going at each other.

 

[Welverin]

Well I don't know Wel, we got two nut cases in both Roy and Hasek in net...I'm think this will be even better than the Shark series! Mike Keene is also back but I do wish they'd kept Shjon Podein. He's been a favorite of mine since he was with the Flyers. I'm glad he won a Cup last year, but I wish they'd kept him for one more season.

I bet Hasek it has more of a grudge against Hull than any of the Avs.

It was kind of hard to see Shjon (and Chicken Parm) on the bench as the Blues lost their last game.

Eastern conference wise, this will be a snoozer, even with the BBC line (which you can again thank Clarke for, not that I will ever thank that ungrateful SOB for ruining the flyers) BUT at least with Cole on that line, they got some REAL skill and speed. Though I don't know about ole stonehands Brindamor. Still a consistant guy nonetheless.

Rod and Ron are the reasons I?d like to see Carolina in the finals, that and my hatred of the Leafs, imagine if the Flyers had that kind of character!

What do you think of Hitchcock as the coach? I like him as a coach, but have doubts about his chances to succeed. I believe it was in the Sporting News that I read he?s the type of coach who needs support from management (a little thought lead me to the same conclusion) and that?s not going to happen in Philly and the players know it so why would they listen?

 

[Quickbeam]

In no particular order...

* Congrats to the Avs on advancing after yet another tough seven game series. This is the Western Conference Finals most observers (and the league) wanted to see. I hope it lives up to the hype!!

* Purple: I do not believe anyone has prevailed in three seven game series before, but I'll try to confirm that.

* Prediction updates: after two rounds I am 9 for 12, mainly due to the fact that I've refused to see Carolina as a capable team until just recently. Well, that and the fact that San Jose couldn't win one of the last two games. Oh well, hopefully I'll go 3 for 3 in the remaining two rounds .

* Last night's game was surprisingly close, and yet again Toronto manages to find just enough energy -- and healthy bodies -- to scrape out a victory.

* Predictions for the Conreference Finals
Wings/Avalanche: Hasek has a better career record than Roy in head-to-head contests between the two, and Detroit has been firing on all cylinders. It's very simple in my book...Hasek knows that he was brought in to win these four games, and it's time to put up or shut up. The Wings haven't been concerned about their potential Eastern Conference foes should they reach the Cup Finals, but rather advancing past Colorado. This is what it's all about for detroit fans, management and players. Wings in six.
Leafs/Hurricanes: Despite last night's loss, Carolina has made a believer out of this hockey fan. Toronto has won their previous two series thanks to home ice, which they don't have this time around. That, and the increasing body count for Leafs, will spell doom in seven games. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see traditional Norris Division rivals Detroit and Toronto square off for the Cup, but I don't think the Leafs have enough left in the tank.

 

[Nightfall]

Rod and Ron are the reasons I?d like to see Carolina in the finals, that and my hatred of the Leafs, imagine if the Flyers had that kind of character!

What do you think of Hitchcock as the coach? I like him as a coach, but have doubts about his chances to succeed. I believe it was in the Sporting News that I read he?s the type of coach who needs support from management (a little thought lead me to the same conclusion) and that?s not going to happen in Philly and the players know it so why would they listen?

Well I understand that but I don't HATE the leafs. I just find their fans amusing! But You are right, Ron francis DESERVES another chance at the cup. So does Rod, a REAL character guy even if he only does think well and not great. (Which is fine for this Carolina team!)

I like Hitch. I liked him in Dallas and I like him still now that he's working with the Flyers. That said I don't think though he will have the kind of good relationship that he and Gainey managed to have, SINCE Gainey not an SOB like Clarke. But you are right, and so's the Sporting New, he won't get help from Upper management because Upper Management doesn't GIVE a rat's ass.

Quick: Well as much as I believe in this Carolina team (Hell I though they'd lose the first series and they wouldn't even BE this far into it.), I Still think Heart and Character matter. That's not to say I doubt Carolina's ability or heart. They got this far, and that's saying something about their heart, ESPECIALLY after game 4 against the Habs and coming back to win it. My own vote is still Leafs, not just because they have heart but I REALLY think Cujo has managed to decide to shine a lot in this playoff series. He really proved that to me last night.

Now I admit, I'm biased to Colorada, and that's not to take away from these mighty Wings. BUT I just don't know if I see what I see in Colorado. Hasek is a great goalie...but can he seem to turn it on and off like Roy does? I don't really know but if he CAN turn it on now, then maybe that will be the difference in this series. I still hold to Colorado squeaking by...but part me also hopes the Wings advance. Mainly because I still think an original Six Match is LONG over due.

 

[Lady Dragon]

what an awesome game even better because the wings won!!!

I think having played 14 grueling games have really gotten to the Av's and the wings have won nine of the last ten games they have played.The Wings were a little slow in the first period but they really picked it up in the third I think this was from the 6 days off they have had.

I predict wings in 5 the Av's will steal one in colorado.

GO WINGS!!!!

 

[Nightfall]

No so fast Lady D. While I admit, the Wings came out with more jump in the second, the fact STILL remains that Colorado had PLENTY of chances to bury them in the first, AND they still could have come back EVEN if it had just been McCarthy scoring the hatrick. What killed them, poor defensive thinking, and especially over committing by the defense. In any case I don't think this proves that the Avs will go down with out a SERIOUS fight. I'm still holding to my seven game prediction, but no way it will be a 5 game near sweep. Not by a long shot.

 

[GreyOne]

....snore......hrmmmm

*cough*

The regular season start yet?

 

[GreyOne]

I despise Colorado and Detroit's hockey teams almost equally (for so many obvious reasons), but when it comes down to it, I think St. Roy will outplay Hasek the Turtle. That will decide it.

 

[Purple]

Well, pretty good game through the first two periods. Third kind of sucked, however.

On the other hand, the Red Wings did something that they really shouldn't have done - score 5 goals on Roy. While playing for Colorado, he has won every game in the playoffs when that has happened. That seems to be his magic number - score 4 and he is upset but will get over it; score 5 and he takes it very personally. So the series will be 1-1 going back to Colorado.

Go Avs!

-Purple