[OT] Hockey Fever: The NHL Playoffs Thread

[Tom Cashel]

Hey there, fellow hockey maniacs (I know there are a few...)!

Instead of hijacking every Rangers thread with photos of the Broadway Blueshirts, I figured I'd start my own OT thread (for a change).

So--who do you like this year? I'll tell you now, if you don't know: I've been a Rangers fan since I met Don Maloney and the rest of the team at age 8. But I'm over it; one must move on, for the love of the sport!

Detroit...hmmm. Yes, they are the Crusher of Crushers...but they've been sagging. I think Hasek's fishlike flopping onto the ice every time he gets a love-tap is going to hurt them. I think they're running out of steam.

Colorado's going all the way in the west (especially now that Forsberg is cleared to play). They'll have a tough series against LA, but nobody else will stop them.

In the east, I'm putting my money on the unlikely Habs...I think Saku Koivu's triumphant return is going to give them that intangible 'lift' that can take them all the way (if the hated, maligned, despised Devils don't get in their way...)

What's your take? How do you feel about the Blackhawks or the Long Island Fishsticks?

 

[mikebr99]

Leafs in six.

Montreal in seven.

Like to see Vancouver get past the wings...

Flyers in five.

Jersey in five.

Avs in four.

Sharks in six.

Blues in six.

 

[Lady Dragon]

Go Red Wings

 

[LostSoul]

Go Leafs!

 

[Jax]

overall i'm pushing for the Kings in the west (but they're not real great and colorado will probably stomp them) and either NJD or Philly in th East. NJD because they picked up my favorite player Neiuwendyk(sp) and Flyers because I like them

I hope Detroit loses.. i don't like hasek.

 

[Schmoe]

Avs all the way, Peter Forsberg wins the MVP of the playoffs!

Quite frankly, though, Colorado's offense has been absent most of the season. They really need to find a spark if they want to make it past San Jose or Detroit, assuming they get that far.

In the east, I like the winner of the Boston/Montreal series to make it to the finals, but the east is so close it's really hard to call.

 

[Crothian]

Go Blue Jackets!! Ya, we didn't have a hope or a prayer of making it this far, but that just means I get to sit back and enjoy the games. I'm not sure who I'm rooting for yet. But as usualy, it should a some great playoff games.

 

[Acmite]

Oilers?

Grrrr....stupid Calgary, putting the Oilers out of the playoffs. I hate Calgary.

Vancouver in 7 (I hate the following players: Hasek, Chelios, Hull--and you have to cheer for the canadian team, eh?)

Colorado in 5 (Sakic has been my favorite player since his early
Quebec days--man, he's got a sweet wrist shot)

San Jose in 6 (Phoenix's lack of experience will hurt them here)

Chicago in 6 (Of the two teams, I like St. Loius more....but I don't think TChachuk <sp?> can stay out of the box long enough to make a difference and their goaltending leaves much to be desired. Hopefully the defense corps can prove me wrong.)

Boston in 5 (I really wish I could say Montreal, but I think Boston is going to go really far this year.)

Ottawa in 7 (OK, this is a bunch of crap, but I still hope it happens. Realistically? Philly in 5)

New Jersey in 6 (I think Carolina will give them a run for their money even though Stevens will put their major players out of commission for the rest of teh season)

Toronto in 7 (I don't like Toronto. Period. But they have enough grit to cancel out Peca's influence, which should just be enough to beat the Islanders led by the playoff-weak Yashin. Toronto's goaltending is a little sketchy though....Barrasso out, Cujo hasn't been the same since the Olympics, never mind his injury, and they won't start their backup (who's been playing very well) unless something seriously goes wrong)


Overall: Leafs suck, Oilers should have made it, I'm happy that Dallas didn't make it, Chelios sucks.

 

[King_Stannis]

because my pens are out of it this year, i'm rooting for t-billy's canucks.....but so long as none of those boring, trapping teams make it to the finals, i will be happy. you should not be rewarded for crawling all over someone, ripping the shirt off their back and then sitting on them.

i've said it before and i'll say it again, the neutral zone trap and the fear to call clutching and grabbing penalties are ruining this great game.

 

[Mark]

Hockey is one of two games I played growing up (along with Baseball)! Having been born in Philly and now living in Chicago, you know who I'm hoping will win. Barring the Hawks winning, or the Flyers, I'll cheer for any team from the Original Six (maybe the Winged Wheels). I don't usually have much Hockey that I'd want to watch this late in this season...