[OT-NHL] The Annual NHL Playoffs Thread: 2003

[Nightfall]

Tom,

Maybe so, but they still have one of the best goals for and goals against averages of the top teams in the East. I'm not saying the rangers will roll over and die...but they just might if they don't shape up soon.

Josh,

Detroit and Dallas are pretty much my picks for the third round, (if not the second) It will not be an easy series. I do think Detroit had better hope for some rest between series, otherwise their age WILL catch them. (The Avs still have a great shot so long as key players stay healthy and keep scoring.)

 

[Desdichado]

Detroit's got some real talented new blood too, though. And age hasn't slowed them down too much yet, they're not only really good players, but pretty scrappy still.

We don't have any real bruisers, though.

 

[Hejdun]

Gotta root for the hometown Avs, but I don't know. We just got hot a few weeks ago, but now we've kind of cooled down a little, and I'm not sure if we can kick it back up when playoffs roll around the corner.

 

[Nightfall]

I give the Avs the benefit of the doubt for three reasons:

Forsberg, Sakic and Hedjuk.

Josh,

Not saying they don't have some young guys but the majority of the team (ESPECIALLY on defense) is pretty old. Doesn't mean they aren't good, just might be longer in healing than some other teams.

 

[Acmite]

This is the Canucks' year.

Eh, I'm from Edmonton, so I'm hoping we can make it at least past the first round. As long as we don't go up against Dallas, I think we've got a chance.

Losing Carter at the deadline didn't help, though. If the Oil can't go all the way, I'm hoping it's the Canucks.

As far as the hopeless east goes, I don't know? Anyone but the Leafs, I guess. Ideally it would be Canucks v. Sens, but I have a sickening feeling the Sens will buckle in the first again. Which is sad, really. They have the potential to take it all.

Oh, and I think Sather may have hit his head somewhere on the flight to New York from Edmonton. That's not the GM we lost.

 

[Acmite]

Billy, lay off the Sedin sisters .
I so love whenever the Rangers lose.

Everyone knows that the cup winner will come out of the west, with a Vancouver/Detroit final. My predictions:
Standings:
1)Detroit
2)Dallas
3)Vancouver
4)St Louis
5)Colorado
6)Aneheim
7)Minnesota
8) Edmonton

Round 1)
Detroit over Edmonton in a long series

I hope it's a long series, but I'm hoping it's not against Detroit or Dallas, but I don't want them to face Vancouver 'cause then we lose a Canadian team in the first round guaranteed.

I haven't looked at the math recently, but can't Edmonton still take 6th?

 

[Broken Fang]

Gotta go with the Avs as well...they are rolling. If somehow they overtake Vancouver it would be plain amazing considering how far back they were!

Patrick is playing great. Offense is coring, defense is scoring - everything is coming together at the right time.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Joshua Dyal: I'd like to thank you and your Detroit Red Wings for keeping the Rangers in the hunt. I always love watching the Islanders implode.

 

[Desdichado]

Joshua Dyal: I'd like to thank you and your Detroit Red Wings for keeping the Rangers in the hunt. I always love watching the Islanders implode.

Yeah, uh, we do our best!

Speaking of staying in the hunt, we've got a decent chance of passing up the Stars, too!

 

[Tom Cashel]

Your team is rock solid. They have a kick-ass power play and they take advantage of any mistake the other team makes; plus they're patient and not fragile mentally. Being down by a goal or two doesn't seem to phase them. Anything can happen in the playoffs (as we know), but the Wings will do very well, I think.