Now that there have been a few games played, I'm getting super excited to see how this year unfolds. Surprising to see the Islanders skate with Buffalo but I can't see the Sabres losing this series... I thought Pittsburgh could skate with Ottawa but it doesn't look good for them... no other surprises really, most of them are really good match-ups....
here are my predictions:
Buffalo over New York
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh over Ottawa
Atlanta over New York
Detroit over Calgary
Anaheim over Minnesota
Vancouver over Dallas
San Jose over Nashville
Buffalo and San Jose in the finals (hard not to pick Detroit but San Jose looks really strong this year. They just need Nabokov to stand on his head)
If there are any other hockey fans here, I'd love to see some other predictions
Hah, you've been mistaken:
results are:
Ottawa crushed Pittsburgh
Calgary is pressing on Detroit=(
Anaheim over Minnesota - really
Vancouver over Dallas - there is a hard tie
| Quote: |
Buffalo over New York
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh over Ottawa
Atlanta over New York |
Yeah, that Rangers/Thrashers series sure didn't work out the way you wanted now did it? I'm very happy the Rangers won a playoff series for the first time in 10 years. They spend too much money on washed up talent, and don't ever seem to win. Nice change of pace here. | HDirtwater wrote: |
| Quote: | Buffalo over New York
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh over Ottawa
Atlanta over New York |
Yeah, that Rangers/Thrashers series sure didn't work out the way you wanted now did it? I'm very happy the Rangers won a playoff series for the first time in 10 years. They spend too much money on washed up talent, and don't ever seem to win. Nice change of pace here. |
Vancouver pulled it off. Go Canucks 
The sight of all those Dallas players faces was priceless. At least they will have a good golfing year I'll say this much; Next Year: the Pittsburgh Penguins will be simply amazing. They will grow into the dream team of the NHL with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal [Stall?] for years to come.
With the new arena coming in the coming in the next 3-5 years; not sure when the exact date is; hockey will continue to be dominate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I am excited to see hockey grow in this region as Wheeling, Johnstown, and Youngstown have minor league hockey teams, which are doing better due to the increased popularity of hockey in that region.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE NHL TEAMS.
Don't hate.... those were some pretty good predictions. You nailed the west. And that was a good early call on San Jose. As predicted, they are dominating.
Anaheim really dominated Luongo last night. I think 5 goals is probably almost as many as Dallas scored that whole first series. It's not looking good for Vancouver. I'm disappointed to see Calgary out because I think Kipper deserves a cup, same for Iginla.
As for Buffalo, which appears to be your team, they're looking strong. A neglected point this year is how little travel they're having to do (which is a big deal). They don't even have to leave New York state in the first 2 rounds, and the third is going to be either Ottawa or New Jersey which are both super close. They're going to come in rested. But I think the West has it this year.
Surprised to see some intelligent hockey posters here 
Yes, my east predictions were a little off, who knew New York would smoke Atlanta like that? And Ottawa, they were just too much for Pittsburgh.
This Buffalo playing NY teams idea reminds me of Pat LaFontaine's career (who happens to be my favorite player). He didn't have to leave the state and still played for 3 different teams. San Jose had a pretty damn good start (doh!) and beated Detroit 2:0. Buffalo is still going well. I think, they would be the finalists.
New Jersey suddenly lost over Ottawa. 5:4 - not bad for defencive team, but they lost!
Vancouver... cannot say much. Poor Luongo=) I saw that backup for the first time=) Like Clemenson from NJ Devils=)
@tribe:
I don't sure that Pittsburgh will keep so good results. These Crosby and Malkin and Staal could repeat the story of Dagle - I remember, there was one mega-newbie, and who is he now?
At the beginning of the playoffs, I was predicting that the Predators would face the Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals. But at this point of the playoffs, I'd still stick with the Devils, but vouch that the Sharks will reach the finals. Anybody that can win a talented team like the Predators mean business...
The Rangers/Buffalo series is the one to watch. Hard hitting and tied at the moment.
Too bad I won't be getting Versus after May 11th since I'm switching to Dish. They'd rather carry ESPN and 24 hours of crap poker.
Ottawa is going to finish New Jersey off either Friday night or Sunday night. Then hopefully they can do the same to Buffalo/New York in the semi-final. This could be my Senators year 
The Canucks will have some free time starting tomorrow to go do some golfing. Luongo was fantastic in goal, but it's too bad the rest of the team let him down. Well there's always next year.
Why why WHY!!!!!! Buffalo scored to send game 5 of the Rangers/Sabres series into OT. Ugh...
I hope the Sabres will do it
Vankek ftw For the upcoming round I'm hoping for Anaheim to upset Detroit and Ottawa to take out the Sabres. I like the sabers, but i gotta go for the Canadian team Buffalo has to get it together. Good showing saturday night but came up short. Look for them to take both of their road games. (hopefully)
I was so worried when the Sens went into overtime against the Sabres.... :x From past games, they never seemed to do too well in overtime.. I'm so glad they pulled it off. ^^
(Seriously, though, in those last 10 seconds of the third period? I almost DIED.)
:X I'm a huge Sens fan, so I'm happy with last night's game, but I'm not going to relax until we actually have the 4 games.
@____@ Though it's a good start.
AH Go Ottawa. I live in Ottawa. You should see the hype. Everyone's so radical about it.. it's crazy. Though I cheer for them, it's only because I don't want to get mauled by my fellow colleagues or friends (I really like Calgary)
| southy wrote: |
| AH Go Ottawa. I live in Ottawa. You should see the hype. Everyone's so radical about it.. it's crazy. Though I cheer for them, it's only because I don't want to get mauled by my fellow colleagues or friends (I really like Calgary) |
*mauls you from Ottawa, also* D:!!East is done (hurrah home team!).
Anyone with predictions/preferences for the West?
I secretly hope it's Detroit. :)
Buffalo all the way baby!!
Interesting outcome so far. I expected Detroit to beat Anaheim, but they've proven that they're the team that is superior in the West. Ottawa is good but it looks like the Ducks are just too much for them. I think if Ottawa had a better goalie, they could squeak this series out, but Emery just lets in too many soft goals and gives away a lot of rebounds. (although he did play really well last night, the goal he ended up letting in was very soft.)
Before this series, I was hoping that the Ducks would destroy the Sens in the finals, so I predicted that they'd win in 5 or 7. Being a Leafs fan, I really dislike the Sens, so go figure. I believe in the idea that Defense wins championships, so let's hope its true for the Ducks this time around. Giguere will definately play his best game on Wednesday and Prongers coming back, so WATCH OUT!
| Geminh wrote: |
| Before this series, I was hoping that the Ducks would destroy the Sens in the finals, so I predicted that they'd win in 5 or 7. Being a Leafs fan, I really dislike the Sens, so go figure. I believe in the idea that Defense wins championships, so let's hope its true for the Ducks this time around. Giguere will definately play his best game on Wednesday and Prongers coming back, so WATCH OUT! |
I've never fully understood why it is that Toronto dislikes Ottawa so much-- I understand for the reverse (slaughter in the playoffs for years....), but why do you, as a Leafs fan, dislike the Sens?
Anyway, I thought the Sens did a piss poor job in the finals, and the Ducks deserved the cup. However, I think that Anaheim (as a city) will pretty much.... not care. And that bums me out. I would have been okay with any of the top 4 teams winning EXCEPT Anaheim. :/ Such a bummer. | zanzou wrote: |
I've never fully understood why it is that Toronto dislikes Ottawa so much-- I understand for the reverse (slaughter in the playoffs for years....), but why do you, as a Leafs fan, dislike the Sens?
|
I'll tell you why. Three reasons:
1. Provincial rivalry. Anyone in Ottawa who isn't a Leaf fan from before OTtawa had it's team back, hate the Leafs.
2. Because once upon a time, Mats Sundin got a penalty for throwing his stick over the boards. Sometime after that, when playing in Toronto Alfreddson pretended to do the same thing, jokingly since he and Sundin are countrymen and friends. Of course the Toronto fans hated that, so now they hate him and the team. Though if you ask a Leaf fan, most won't be able to remember that story.
2. The Senators have done more in 15 years than the Leafs have done in 40. | eday2010 wrote: |
1. Provincial rivalry. Anyone in Ottawa who isn't a Leaf fan from before OTtawa had it's team back, hate the Leafs.
2. Because once upon a time, Mats Sundin got a penalty for throwing his stick over the boards. Sometime after that, when playing in Toronto Alfreddson pretended to do the same thing, jokingly since he and Sundin are countrymen and friends. Of course the Toronto fans hated that, so now they hate him and the team. Though if you ask a Leaf fan, most won't be able to remember that story.
2. The Senators have done more in 15 years than the Leafs have done in 40. |
It doesn't really help that, apparently, you get Leaf games everywhere in Ontario except for the Ottawa valley (I'm not positive on this, but from people I've spoken to so far it seems to be true).
:) I'm pretty sure that 3. is a new thing, but I agree..
I so can't wait until the games start up again.
(Randomly: Emery might be getting sued for... something. Whatever he's getting sued UNDER, it's because he acted really crazy on the road.
