NHL Playoffs '07

[Parrothead]

Puck drops this evening in the run for the Cup.

For me the two match-ups to watch in the first round are Ottawa-Pittsburgh and Vancouver-Dallas. I believe these are going to be hard fought, close battles.

East matchups:

(1)Buffalo vs (8)NYI - Buffalo in 6. Isles will steal 2.
(2) Atlanta vs (7)NYR - Thrashers in 7.
(3)NJ vs (6)Tampa Bay - Jersey in 5.
(4)Ottawa vs (5)Pittsburgh - Hate going against a Canadian team, but Pens in 7.

West matchups:

(1)Detroit vs (8)Calgary - Calgary in 6. Hasek vs Kiprusoff, a battle of goalies.
(2)Anaheim vs (7)Minnesota - Minnesota had a heck of a finish to the season. Wild in 7.
(3)Dallas vs (6)Vancouver - Should be a heck of a battle, Vancouver in 7.
(4)Nashville vs (5)San Jose - I should pick Nashville, as they have collected much of the revenue sharing funds, which the Leafs paid into Another hard fought battle, San Jose in 6.

Decisions, decisions, the playoff television schedules for Round 1:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stan...edule-rd1.html

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=684

I see channel hopping in my future.

[Parrothead]

Ok, replying to self, here. There'e got to be more hockey fans around, c'mon. What a start to the playoffs!

Pittsburgh @ Ottawa: Ottawa out played Pittsburgh in all aspects and won easily 6-3. It ended with many hard hits and a chippy attitude. Should make for a good game 2, Saturday afternoon. (Why does NBC think Sat. afternoon is a good time, to air a hockey game?)

SJ @ Nashville: A great matchup which was settled almost midway through 2 OT. Sharks lost Cheechoo through an unintentional knee-on-knee hit in the 2nd period of play. Sharks' Rissmiller scores at 8:14, 2OT.

Minnesota @ Anaheim: A close game, Anaheim scores with just under 5 minutes left and hangs on to win it, 2-1.

Dallas @ Vancouver: A marathon match. Tied at 4 at the end of regulation, these two teams play until 18:06 of 4OT, to settle it. Being in the eastern time zone, I was fighting to stay awake watching this. By 2OT, I was drifting off, waking from time to time. The game ended shortly after 3:30 am EDT, Henrik Sedin scoring with 1:54, remaining in 4OT. Canucks win the game 5-4. Luongo in his first playoff start, stops 72 of 76 shots for the win.

What a start to the playoffs!

Islanders @ Buffalo, Tampa Bay @ NJ, NYR @ Atlanta and Calgary @ Detroit go tonight.

[teddyv]

Nucks fan here. That indeed was a marathon last night.

Dallas definitely played a better game and probably deserved the win, but we'll take. It looked like everyone was skating in concrete by the third OT.

I've got tickets to game 2 on Friday. Maybe I'll bring a pillow.

[Fazor]

Ok, replying to self, here. There'e got to be more hockey fans around, c'mon. What a start to the playoffs!

Well, I live in Columbus. Our professional hockey season ends within a month of the season opener.

I love going to hockey games but can't afford to on the professional level. When the Jackets came in our AA (or was it AAA?) club moved out. And as for watching the games on tv; hockey just isn't the same televised. I can't stand watching it on tv. But it's probably my favore sport to watch in person (perhaps tied with baseball, which I also don't like watching on tv. go figure).

[Maksutov]

How ironically appropriate that the Flames coach's name is "Playfair"!



Meanwhile, how 'bout them Rangers?

[LurchGS]

Well, since (as usual) the Blackhawks have gone home, and even their substitute in my affections (the Avs) have chose to sit out this year, I'm pretty much out of the loop.

[peter eldergill]

Too much beer during hockey playoffs makes me forget that I can post! Go Sens! (You were a bit off on that one...also the Rangers!)

Pete

[Parrothead]

Second round match-ups:

Buffalo vs. NYR: Go Sabres!

Ottawa vs. NJ: Go Sens!

Anaheim vs Vancover: Go 'Nucks!

Detroit vs San Jose: Go Sharks!

Hmmm, thinking ahead, how upset would Bettman be with a Vancouver vs Ottawa Cup final? (I have probably jinxed the Canadian teams now)

[Click Ticker]

Second round match-ups:

Buffalo vs. NYR: Go Sabres!

Ottawa vs. NJ: Go Sens!

Anaheim vs Vancover: Go 'Nucks!

Detroit vs San Jose: Go Sharks!

Hmmm, thinking ahead, how upset would Bettman be with a Vancouver vs Ottawa Cup final? (I have probably jinxed the Canadian teams now)

Come on, man! This is the second straight series you've picked against the Wings. Where's the love for the 'D'?

I know they're the Yankees of the NHL - but there's a cap in place now and they still win. So they blew it against Edmonton last year - this is a new year and we've got The Dominator between the pipes! I didn't know they could use walkers on ice, but whatever it takes.

[jrkeller]

Come on, man! This is the second straight series you've picked against the Wings. Where's the love for the 'D'?

I know they're the Yankees of the NHL

You obviously didn't live through the Dead Wing Years, mid 60s through mid 80s. They were almost always at the bottom.

[Pinemarten]

Edmonton fan, now Canadian for the finals.

Vancouver.
Ottawa.

Vancouver!
Ottawa!

Vancouver!!!!
Ottawa!!!!

VANCOUVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OTTAWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This post has degenerated into a heated pointless argument, that may have political and religious undertones and therefore is now closed.

[Click Ticker]

You obviously didn't live through the Dead Wing Years, mid 60s through mid 80s. They were almost always at the bottom.

I did. Mostly 80's - but at least at that time we had Yzerman and there was hope.

I also survived the "Teal" era of the Pistons and the previous 14 years or so of the Tigers. Then there are the Lions for which there is no hope, but at least we were able to enjoy Barry for a while.

[Parrothead]

I did. Mostly 80's - but at least at that time we had Yzerman and there was hope.

I also survived the "Teal" era of the Pistons and the previous 14 years or so of the Tigers. Then there are the Lions for which there is no hope, but at least we were able to enjoy Barry for a while.

A die-hard Leafs fan here. They had a nice celebration in March honouring the '67 Leafs. Nice ceremony, nice to see many of the players from that team, but it also came across as celebrating 40 years of futility.

[Fazor]

I did. Mostly 80's - but at least at that time we had Yzerman and there was hope.

I also survived the "Teal" era of the Pistons and the previous 14 years or so of the Tigers. Then there are the Lions for which there is no hope, but at least we were able to enjoy Barry for a while.

Being a Cleveland fan, I can definately identify with anyone that's had to spend time watching the Lions and the Tigers (and the Bears? Oh my, it's time to rename you're BBall or Hockey team ). Cleveland doesn't have a hockey team, but Columbus does. And it would sure fit in in Cleveland.

At least the Indians are doing good (even after an embarrasing series in NY). And apparently the Cav's are still in it, tho I don't follow NBA.

[Click Ticker]

I am posting this with the full knowledge that they could just as easily lose the next two.

How's that Wings prediction looking? Up 3 - 2 with two chances to close it out. Not bad. My teams all thrive when the expectations are the lowest.

For Fazor: The Detroit Pistons name dates back to when they were the Ft. Wayne Zollner Pistons owned by Fred Zollner. They obviously played int Ft. Wayne, Indiana at the time. Fred moved the team to Detroit in the 1950's - but the Pistons name still fit (automotive capital and all). The reason they were first named the Pistons was because Zollner owned a Piston manufacturing company.

Don't ask me how the name "Jazz" survived the franchise move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Utah.

[Pinemarten]

I have settled down since this post:

http://www.bautforum.com/showpost.ph...0&postcount=11

Ottawa vs the Ducks.
The team that beats Vancouver usually makes the final series.

[Maksutov]

Devils: GONE!

Rangers: GONE!

Neidermeyer: GONE!

Dean Wormer: GONE!

(sorry, I was on a roll...)

Go Red Wings!

[Maksutov]

[edit]Don't ask me how the name "Jazz" survived the franchise move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Utah.

That's no problem. They play Utah "Jazz" every time you take an elevator.

[peter eldergill]

Go Sens GO!

This'll be a great series: Ottawa/Buffalo

My 100 % accurate prediction (satisfaction "guaranteed"!): Ottawa in 7

Pete

[Click Ticker]

Red Wings completed their second consecutive upset in the minds of many. Not bad for the winners of the Presidents cup.

Next!

[Parrothead]

Yeah, but Buffalo won the President's Cup this year.

Detroit is a talented team, no doubt. My problem, from what little I've seen of them the past number of years (after the Leafs moved back into the Eastern Conference), is their style of play is boring to watch.

Buffalo-Ottawa should be a great series, I'd like to see the winner of that series win the Stanley Cup.

[Click Ticker]

Just wanted to bump the thread.

I believe Buffulo and Detroit had the same number of points this year. Buffulo got the tie breaker by virtue of total wins.

Either way - Detroit appears to be sitting quite well in this series. Up two games to one with arguably the most important player for Anaheim suspended for game 4.

Detroit vs. Ottawa for the cup.

[Parrothead]

I was reading an article yesterday, which pointed out from 1927 (when the NHL started officially playing for the Stanley Cup) through 1997, each time the year ended with a 7, either a Canadian team or Detroit has won the Cup.

Buffalo avoided a series sweep last night, Miller has been the star of the series. Next game is in Buffalo, Saturday afternoon (I still find it ridiculous scheduling games on a Sat. afternoon). Ottawa will take the series, I don't see Buffalo winning three straight the way they've been playing.

[peter eldergill]

It ain't over...two crossbars by Ottawa...stress city!

Pete

[peter eldergill]

Go Sens go! Hop on that bandwagon!

A whole week off, though...could be good or bad

Pete

[The Supreme Canuck]

*Cough* *Cough*

Ha!

[Pinemarten]

I have settled down since this post:

http://www.bautforum.com/showpost.ph...0&postcount=11

Ottawa vs the Ducks.
The team that beats Vancouver usually makes the final series.

Did anyone else call it right?

[TheOncomingStorm]

a team name for a bunch bird brains vs a team named for a type of bird.
edited to add, I guess it is all for the birds, now.

[Click Ticker]

Good thing I'm primarily an NBA fan. GO PISTONS!!!!

DEEEEE - TROIT BASKETBALL!!!

I typically pick up Hockey once the playoffs start and drop it once the Red Wings are eliminated.

[Parrothead]

It should be a good Stanley Cup Final. I feel sorry for NBC viewers as one can't help but wonder, when else they may pre-empt playoff OT.

How long before the Kitchener-Waterloo Blackberries appear as an NHL team, now that Balsille has agreed to purchase the Predators? A couple of years?