Here's a thread for predictions and discussions on the next round of the NHL playoffs. The pairings (home ice advantage in bold):

EAST
Ottawa vs. Philadelphia
New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay

WEST
Dallas vs. Anaheim
Vancouver vs. Minnesota

The top four East seeds won, but in the West it's 1 vs. 7 and 4 vs. 6.

[ April 22, 2003, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

I will pick the Flyers and Devils to win the east, and Anaheim and Vancouver to win the west.
By the way I missed 3 in the frist round. Not to bad though.

Well, let me get my predictions done...

Ottawa over Philadelphia in 6

...Ottawa is the deepest team they have ever had from offense to defense to goaltending. Philadelphia is deep, too (but tired). I just don't think that Cechmanek will be at the same level as Lalime. Ottawa is still my pick to win the Stanley Cup. That has not changed.

New Jersey over Tampa Bay in 6

...Tampa Bay looked a bit disorganized even though they won. Guys like Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier are tough, but will be covered heavily. Brodeur will be like trying to score on a brick wall.

Dallas over Anaheim in 5

...as exciting as Anaheim and J-S Giguere were, I just don't think they have enough fire power to score on Marty Turco. Even though the West is wild this year, some predictions just can't be overlooked.

Vancouver over Minnesota in 7

I think this will be the best series of them all. Although Cloutier's goaltending can at times be shaky, the offense for the Canucks is really stepping up. Bertuzzi and Naslund are playing like gods. ...and I still cannot get over those incredible fans in Vancouver (where a game 7 would be played). It was as scary to me as game 6 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals (Rangers had to go back to the Garden to barely pull that one out). Kudos to Fernandez, but I still think Roloson is the man in St. Paul. We just might not find this out until game 3 or 4 since I assume Manny is starting.

Okay, here are my predictions (I did well in the East last round, not so well in the west).

NJ over Tampa Bay in 5 games
Philly over Ottawa in 6 games

Dallas over Anaheim in 5
Vancouver over Minnesota in 6.

Trevor

Well, I missed three first-round series (I picked Detroit, Colorado, and Boston) so my picks should be considered suspect, but here goes

WEST:

Dallas over Anaheim in 6...at least two OT games
Vancover over Minnesota in 7

EAST

New Jersey over Tampa Bay in 5
Ottawa over Philadephia in 7...a brutal series

~Adam

Agreed, I think the brutal series will be the Flyers/Ottawa, and maybe the Wild as well. Personally I wouldn;t be at all surprised if they pull a big upset and advance, but I didn't pick them. We shall see though.

I hate the Flyers. Too many years of living close to Pittsburgh.

I would also like to see Tampa Bay win their series just because that was the first, and only, pro hockey team that I've ever seen live. They were playing the Flyers and I think they got crushed. Lindros was playing at the time.

Okay, let me take a guess at these:

Dallas over Anaheim in 6
Minnesota over Vancouver in 7
New Jersey over Tampa Bay in 5
...and...ummmmmm...
Ottawa over Philadelphia in 7

...unless the Flyers win, in which case I pick the Flyers. wink I actually think they have a shot at it, more than I would've thought prior to the Leafs series. I wouldn't be very surprised if the Flyers did win.

And I don't think the series will actually be that brutal even if it goes 7 games. I think the "brutal" series was the one they just finished.

My heart says: Sens, Canucks, Ducks, Lightning.

But, if I had any money, I'd lay it on Philly in 6, Devils in 5, Stars in 5, Wild in 7.

Wouldn't it be something to see the Wild and the formerly-Minnesota Stars in the Western Finals?

Ok here are my picks:

Devils over Tampa Bay in 6 games
Flyers over Sens in 7 games,
I gotta go with Flyers otherwise I would be betraying my homies.

Stars over Ducks in 6
Canucks over Wild in 6.

Hot damn, round two starts today. My heart will be with the Ducks against Dallas, cause I like Dallas, think Mike Modano. wink

my picks
Dallas over Anaheim in 7
Minnesota over Vancouver in 6

Jersey over Tampa in 6
Ottawa over Philly in 5 (sweep if the Flyers score 2 goals again)

what I'd like to see
Tampa-Ottawa in the east .... we all would've laughed 10 years ago if we said that they'd be facing off in an Eastern Conference final today (or any time at that manner)

Minnesota-Dallas in the west ... the Stars connection could give Minnesota it's first BIG rivalry

Personally, what I would love to see is Anaheim against Minnesota for the whole shebang.

from puckman:

what I would love to see is Anaheim against Minnesota for the whole shebang

Watching the first two periods of Dallas/Anaheim--I know, it's early in the series---we may have a battle in this series and Anaheim may be able to handle the Stars. You may get your wish though I am not ready for the center of the sports world to be Orange County California!

~Adam

I am now watching the 3rd overtime of the Dallas Anaheim game. I don't know how much later I can stay up. This game is incredible, the saves by both goaltenders and the up and down action. How can there be so many multiple overtime games this playoff season? Must be parity, hot goaltending or both. Dallas may have a real tough series ahead of them.

Well Ducks just almost won on a disallowed goal but I guess there is more to come so I am going to bed.

[ April 24, 2003, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: phillyrunner ]

I'm not sure why there are more multi-OT games. Does it have to do with teams concentrating more on defense? Is it because the teams are closely matched up? Parity? Talent levels? Better goaltending? Who knows. All I know is, I love it. There is nothing better in ANY sport than overtime in the Stanley Cup playoffs!

It's amazing. Looked like the Ducks got the win but the net was dislodged--slightly, just before the puck bounced into the net. Dallas' Stu Barnes just hit the crossbar...and now they're going into overtime number four! I'm turning off the computer but I'll watch the game a while longer...

Like you guys, I am a little tired this morning. However, the Anaheim/Dallas game is such an obvious example of why the Stanley Cup playoffs are so much more special than anything else in sports.

I did watch all of the Tampa Bay/New Jersey game. It was interesting to watch the Devils methodical (and yes, boring) approach. But it works! They seem to bore a team to death and then go in for the kill. Brodeur had a shutout. However, with the exception of one tremendous save when the game was already over, he really didn't have to do much. Tampa Bay's offense was completely non-existent. They didn't even seem to know what to do. New Jersey has nothing flashy--a terrible power play--so-so offense--but the defense and goaltending is just tremendous.

I know that the Ducks are happy with the result. However, I don't think they should get in the habit of sitting on 3-1 or 3-2 leads against a team like Dallas. Unlike Detroit, I honestly think the Stars (whom I don't like) will strike back, and do it in a hurry.

Last night's games are the ones I am a bit indifferent about. Tonight is what is going to get me excited. Philadelphia and Ottawa, and then, Minnesota and Vancouver, are going to be the big ones for me. ...and we don't have to watch them at the same time like last night. However, I do think that they got pushed over to ESPN2 again (sorry, Puckman!) due to the NBA. I wish you could hang out at my place where there is nothing but hockey on from 1900 hours until the end of the late Western Conference game. :cool:

Well, I only got to watch part of OT #2 last night, but that was it. I have to admit, I'm impressed by how well the Ducks played. The NJ was really no surprise, and I'd probably have been bored by it.

I look foward to the other games tonight, once I get home from the Billy Bean book signing....

Trevor

Five Overtimes! Just incredible. The Mighty Ducks are mighty dangerous right about now. Suddenly I am struck with this nawing feeling that they will win this series, and that I should have picked them!
As far as Devils/Lightning, I wasn't ata ll surprised. I still thinkt hat even though reports are that the Flyers are tired, they will give Ottawa all they can handle tonight, and I think the same can be said for the Wild/Canucks game.
Unfortunately I won't be able to see either tonight, because you all know why. frown

[ April 25, 2003, 06:53 AM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

Oh my word!!!! Just now, a co-worker who has NEVER watched a hockey game before told me he watched last night's Ducks/Stars game and is actually looking forward to the game Saturday. He had turned on ESPN at 8 for "SportsCenter" only to see the 2nd OT--the one during which Levy & Pang seemed to apologize for still being on the air--"thirty seconds after this game ends, we'll switch you over to SportsCenter, and you can follow scores with the ticker at the bottom of the screen"--and kept on the "edge of his seat" (his words) for the rest of the game. If he had my home phone number, he would have called me to talk about the game when it ended.

I don't know what more a fan could want from the game? Great goaltending, some beautiful skating, lots of scoring chances, solid defense. Only quibble was some of the officiating and that seems to be a permanent cavil in all sports.

As for the number of multi-OT games, I have a different take: there are lots of OT games during the regular season & I don't think the percentage of OT games in the playoffs is any greater than regulation season. It's just that playoff games have to have a winner (no OT ties) and so they play on. As to why teams seem to find it more difficult to score in OT than in regulation, I come down on two factors: good defense and fatigue affcting offense speed.

And puckman: I'm sorry you won't be able to see this evening's game--my standard invite remains in effect: head south, the TV in the den will be on.

~Adam

[ April 25, 2003, 10:07 AM: Message edited by: Adam ]

Here's my predictions guys, hope you liked this weeks edition.



GO WILD!!!!

PS the Wild have a better track record against V.C., so I think you'll see us come out on top!

Those Ducks are pulling some amazing hockey out of their butts. First, they sweep my boys from Hockey Town. Then they go out and beat the Stars in 5 OTs. Will anyone stop them?

Who really would have thought we would be in the conference semis without either the Wings or the Avalanche? Shocking is definitely the word.

With the upsets out west, is this the year for the Eastern Conference to take the Cup?

What I want to know is, is Guigere French for puck stopper???? eek!

These marathon playoff games are really doing nothing for my beauty sleep. I managed to stay up til the end of the third overtime, when I keeled over from exhaustion. Don't these guys know how difficult it is to lay on my couch watching eight straight periods of hockey? wink

I suppose the debate over the Ducks’ "goal" in the third OT would be raging today if the Ducks hadn't finally scored (for real) in the fifth OT. But I guess a rule's a rule.

Cattledog, I agree with you that the Devils/Lighting game was dull, dull, dull. Interestingly, the Lightning also lost their first game of their series against the Caps by a 3-0 score, albeit at home. I can still see the Lightning putting up a good fight the rest of the way, and Habby maybe stealing a game or two.

Adam: great theory on OT games!

Btw, puckman, you're also invited up here to watch games. Anytime, buddy!

Gotta go! Puck's just dropped! The Canucks will win if they can stay out of the penalty box.

After a quick start by the Flyers scoring 2 goals in the first period, they simply self destructed in the second period. The Sens buzzed around the net for about 15 minutes then just went into lock down mode after they got the lead. It almost seems like the Sens can turn it off and on when they want. I hope game two is different for the Flyers.

Yow! The collision in the third epriod between Lalime and Laphart was scary (and will definitely be part of every highlight reel.) Both will surely awaken tomorrow with neck aches but I hope nothing more serious. Especially so with Lalime--if he has to miss a game (or more) and the Senators have to rely on a backup netminder, the Senators will be gone.

Side note: Mike Fisher looks like a baby!!! Does he even shave yet??!!??

~Adam

I stayed up and saw the entire 5 OTs. Then I stayed up a while longer. As a result, I fell asleep before tonight's game started and missed the first 15 minutes of the first period. I woke up and saw that the Flyers were up 2-0 and was happy. I fell asleep again and missed the first 14 minutes of the second period. I woke up and saw that Ottawa was now ahead 3-2. I was not happy.

I got to watch the entire third period. It was depressing. If the Flyers fall behind, they're not likely to win the way Ottawa clamps down defensively. And late word on the post-game show was that Eric Desjardins is going to miss 4 to 6 weeks instead of 2 to 4 weeks. So for the Flyers, holding onto a lead is going to be a continuing problem.

Hot Damn! Its game 2 of the Stars/Ducks on ABC at noon, p.s.t., and what should we expect???
I expect a similiar style game like I saw in period 3 of that game. Dallas, pressing, running up and down the ice, which Anaheim basically frustrated them, thanks to Giguere, who would occasionally exert pressure, and then score!
Maybe we will have 7 overtimes today?? wink One can hope!

Wow, two great games last night...

Ottawa slept through that first period, and Philadelphia made them pay. The Sens were off for 8 days, and it definitely showed. However, the true Sens that we have been seeing all year came out to play in the second period. Combine that with some self-destruction from the Flyers, and you come up with a victory. The Flyers need to accept that they are not playing a team like the Leafs or the Rangers, whom is going to do stupid things that result in a Philadelphia victory. Ottawa is NOT a fighting team or a team that takes a lot of stupid penalties. Lalime had a bad first period for the Sens, but so did the rest of the team. However, Cechmanek was dreadful! What was really dreadful, though, was the fact that Ottawa (the Canadian capital) could not sell out in a second round game against Philadelphia. The crowd was so quiet at times, I thought was listening to the MCI Center here in DC.

The second game was even better. Vancouver's forwards are incredible, and I love a team that is not afraid to shoot. I thought the officiating was horrible in this game for both teams. Moreover, the second period goal that taken away from the Canucks was a really bad call. I watched that sucker several times, and it was clear to me that the puck flipped up on its side and cleared the line. I don't why the refs couldn't see that. Manny Fernandez's water bottle didn't impede my vision. Speaking of Manny, I still believe Dwayne Roloson will be the goaltender by game 3 or 4. I am glad to see that the Canucks won this thriller!

By the way, I think I am in love with Todd Bertuzzi!

Since I didn't see the Flers/Sens game, I have to rely on you guys. Thank you! Didn't the Flyers lose game 1 of the Leafs series too? Its apparent to me that 1-this team can score goals, compared to last years dreadful excuse for a team,2- The Flyers notoriously start slow, and 3-they can't hold leads. But having said all that, I expect them to come out "flying" true to form in game 2. Cattledog: I agree with you. Thats terrible that the building wasn't sold out. I noted Steve Levys comments in game 1 of Stars/Ducks that the Stars didn't raise the price of tickets in round one, but they did in round 2. Is this typical with the NHL. That truly sucks in my mind, can you say taking advantage of the situation! :mad: I noted in the Stars home opener there were quite a few open seats there as well.
Go Ducks! Even though I didn't pick you. frown

puckman: after reading your comments about attendance--and I also noticed there were some empty seats--I called the Pond in Anaheim. Though I won't be able to attend any round two games, there are "good seats available." Of course, the Ducks had a terrible time filling seats during the regular season.

At the end of the first period: 1-1.

~Adam

For once I agree with Barry Melrose. The Mighty Ducks believe in themselves, and why shouldn't they? They have come back after being down to tie the game up with the Stars. Its 2-2 headed for overtime baby, who knows how many???? If the Ducks win today, and I feel they will, the Stars can kiss the Stanley Cup goodbye. Go Ducks!!!

[ April 26, 2003, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: puckman1 ]

Ducks win 3-2 in one overtime. Hooo-Rahhhhhh!!!!!
Bye bye Stars...... wink

OMG!!! Those Ducks are just on a tear. Two wins at the Joe, followed by two more at the Pond and out go my Wings. Two wins at AA Center and now headed home to the Pond with a big lead on the Stars. Pretty amazing stuff.

What would a Wild/Ducks conference final look like? Incredibly odd is my guess. The East continues to move along according to form.

The improbable Mighty Ducks have won six (!) games in a row and have tied for the most cosecutive one-goal victories in NHL playoff history. Southern California would be pretty amazing if they win the Cup and the Lakers don't attain their fourth title. It will seem like the world had gone all topsy-turvy!!

~Adam

The Flyers did lose in game 1 of the first round, but I don't think they're notorious slow starters. Sometimes they start slow, sometimes they don't. It depends on the other team as well, and last night Ottawa was rusty at the start. That probably won't happen again, at least to that degree. The big problem is getting the lead and then holding onto it, without Desjardins.

Ticket sales: as far as I know, teams generally increase the ticket prices for the first round of the playoffs as well as the rest. Why the Stars didn't, I don't know. Teams also may price Stanley Cup finals tickets even higher than the earlier playoff rounds.

The non-sellouts seem to be a team-by-team case. Teams in more established hockey markets (which Anaheim really isn't) have an easier time selling out, but even then there are other circumstances. The Flyers didn't sell out their first two playoff games and haven't yet sold out the next two. But they've had some tickets available for most games all season, between the economy and the recent first-round failures. The Devils, I think, almost never sell out unless they're in the finals.

The two games tomorrow will be on ESPN2. Sorry, puckman. frown

Joe: thanks for all the info. Does anybody else now see the Ducks going all the way?? I just think they are almost unbeatable. God I would love to be in Anaheim tomorrow, sellout or not, and if not, thats a damn shame!

I watched the Tampa Bay/New Jersey game yesterday. The Devils played a lousy game and still found a way to come up with the victory. The Lightning should get a victory in St. Petersburg, but I would NOT expect much more. As I expected, the Tampa Bay's big guns are being completely contained (I think LeCavalier has maybe had one shot in the first 2 games).

I am little annoyed that the NHL didn't do a matinee for Sunday's games. Instead of 7.00 and 10.00 EST, 4.00 and 7.00 EST would have worked so much better. I was looking forward to watching the Minnesota/Vancouver game, but it probably won't end until 1.00 a.m. on the East Coast. Like most of you guys, I've got work in the morning. A earlier start (since today is a Sunday) would have made so much more sense for all time zones. :mad:

During the Ducks/Wings series, Brett Hull commented on the "gross," "unprofessional," way the Ducks played and that they were "just lucky" since the Wings "outplayed them" on every level. Now Mike Modano of the Stars is saying: "Our arms look like we're heroin addicts from the slashes and the hooks," blaming the referees for allowing the Ducks to get away with aggressive play. "They're riding that fine line of clutching and grabbing which is worse than in the regular season. The aggressiveness in this series is much worse than it's been for awhile. I don't think we've been outplayed. We've out-chanced them in every category. We feel like we've outplayed them in every aspect of the game."

~Adam

I wonder now if we'll have to endure yet another Disney Mighty Ducks movie sequel. I dont think Emelio Estevez is doing anything right now.

Whatever Mike. Hey whats the scores been??? I think they should change the name to Mighty scary Ducks!

I am sorry Mike and Brett, but I don't call it luck when you win six in a row against the top two teams of the western conference. Luck is winning a game or two you shouldn't win. Winning six in a row takes hard work.

Maybe Modano's team ought to pick up the pace for the playoffs the way the Ducks have. The stuff he says is being done to them, ALL teams do in the playoffs. And the officials are letting a lot go. So much for the obstruction crackdown from the beginning of the year. You do what you need to do to win, don't whine about the officials.

Well, the Flyers took game two from Ottawa. I know I have been ragging on Cechmanek's shaky play of late, but I have said he needs to steal a game to prove he is up to the task. Tonight he came up big with a 2-0 shutout. I hope he can carry this forward in Philly. It may be the only way for the Flyers to win this series, since they are not dominating play like they did in Toronto.

Ottawa was particularly dominant in the second period, but Cechmanek was brilliant. LeClair and Recchi combined beautifully for the second goal.

And let's just say that if Mike Modano were playing for the Flyers, he wouldn't have been happy with the officiating tonight. wink

Well, the Wild pull one out! I was happy to see them get this win, on the road too. Hopefully they will play better at home (dropping their first two home games) this round than they did last round. I would LOVE to see the Western finals be the Ducks and the Wild.

*sigh* the Flyers won, but I figured they would. I still hope they'll lose the series, but I know better.

Trevor

During the World Series at Edison Field, the remarkably annoying "thunder sticks" were the accessory of choice. Tonight at the Anaheim Pond, they will be handing out thunder sticks to every fan. It will be deafening there tonight. Maybe they can also have a Rally Duck?? Though I had hoped to be able to get down to the Pond for the game, upon hearing about the "thunder sticks," I'm glad I'll be at home watching the game on TV.

~Adam

I figured the Flyers would rebound. I didn't see the game but heard about Cechmanek, and The Wild are still making some noise too, aren't they??
Really looking forward to the Ducks home game. If that buidling isn't already sold out, thats flat out a digrace. Go Ducks!!

Thunder sticks are getting around. They even game them out at one of the Flyers-Leafs playoff games at the FU Center. It was sort of a shocking sight. I'm just getting used to rally towels. wink

Good news for puckman--both of tonight's games are on ESPN, as is the Vancouver/Minnesota game tomorrow night!

Kiss me you fool!

Here's an Awesome photo from last nite's Wild - VC game

KISS ME!