My second round playoff preview.

My picks:
Montreal in 6
Pittsburgh in 7
Detroit in 7
San Jose in 6

Montreal in 6
Pittsburgh in 6
Detroit in 6
San Jose in 7

Seems like most everybody is picking the Habs over the Flyers...I am thinking that Montreal has some areas of concern, namely around their play in front of Price, AND the other area of concern I have is the play of Price. The Bruins exploited this in several key games. The key for the Flyers IMO are Briere obviously and Biron....we shall see...

so with that its the Avs' @ the Wings this afternoon/evening. DROP THE PUCK!!!

Time to look back at our predictions...

A reminder that it was 5 Points for predicting the winning team, an additional 10 Points if you got the right number of games with that winning team, an additional 5 Points if you got the right number of games but wrong team winning.

1st Round:

Marc: 55 Points (7-1)

Philly Runner: 50 Points (6-2)

Go Kings Go: 50 Points (6-2)

Sooners2727: 50 Points (4-4)

Just Eddie: 45 Points (6-2)

Joe in Philly: 45 Points (7-1)

Enigma: 40 Points (6-2)

BlueRaider: 30 Points (6-2)

George Twins Fan: 35 Points (5-3)

Dan85: 30 Points (5-3)

***

2nd Round Predictions...

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS

(1) MONTREAL x (6) PHILADELPHIA

Flyers in 7

(2) PITTSBURGH x (5) NY RANGERS

Rangers in 6

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI FINALS

(1) DETROIT x (6) COLORADO

Avalanche in 7

(2) SAN JOSE x (5) DALLAS

Sharks in 6

OK - if any of you were familiar with the results of my predictions - you would be betting every penny available on results the opposite of these.

Rangers in 7
Canadiens in 6
Wings in 6
Sharks in 7

Leafs in 2018.

Speaking of the Leafs - they have struck out in their hope for landing Burke as their new GM, Rutherford from Carolina is apparently at or near the top of their list. Of course right now nobody is running the show for the Leafs so stupid things continue to happen. For example Pogge - supposedly the future of Leaf goaltending - is sitting on the bench and not being played during the Toronto Marlies AHL playoff series. How stupid is that. Anybody from Hamilton (where I'm originally from) is not at all surprised by the success of Carey Price as goaltender for the Habs this year - nor surprised by the poise he has shown through at least one round of the playoffs - especially in Game 7. He was the rock that anchored the Hamilton Bulldogs when winning the Calder Cup last year in the AHL. No doubt that playoff experience has helped him this year, and gave the Habs front office an indication of what he was capable of.

Leafs front office on he other hand - seem more interested in pursuing the purchase of a Premier Division Soccer Club over in the UK, or promoting the fact that they'll be handing out 20,000 red t-shirts to Raptors fans (me included) at the ACC tonight. Meanwhile over in MLSE hockey offices.... zzzzzzzzzz.

Barry Melrose wighed in on his picks on Sportscenter this morning.
Flyers ( are picking up a few more votes I notice)
Pens
Avs (whoa! says the Av's goaltending is the reason why.)
and lastly Sharks...

Congrats Marc on his point total for the first round. Attaboy!

Everyone below Sooners on that list picked more winning teams yet all have fewer points. I think the point system needs to be tweaked for the future.

Thanks, it's an honour to be the winner, but I still consider it more of a 'consolation prize' than anything else, considering the outcome of a certain game. Of course if it was MONEY instead of points, I might see it differently

Final in overtime: Canadiens and NHL officials 4, Flyers 3.

Clearly the second Montreal goal should not have been allowed. The puck hit the stick, which was coming down, over the crossbar. The stick actually HIT the top of the crossbar after the puck went off it. It couldn't have been below the crossbar and then gone above it.

And how you can call a kneeing penalty on Mike Richards in the last minute when there was NO CONTACT with the knee -- he knocked the guy down with his SHOULDER! -- well, only the Blind Mice in Stripes can come up with that call.

I'm just good like that, yo.

But to be fair, since I missed the first two games tonight, I won't make any predictions for the conf semis... unless someone tells me it'll be okay...



I was out of the house and didn't see the questionable goal... but he definitely stuck his knee out there... whether or not there wasn't any contact, replay wasn't conclusive to me.

Yea I realized as I was inputing the results that it was skewed... I failed you all...

*Walks away with head hanging*

As I figured, the Av's gave Detroit all they could handle and then some....re: the Flyers. I saw the replay of the goal in question, and my first response was It should not have been allowed, but having said that the Flyers blew a 2 goal lead. This is going to be some series....

I just saw the replay of the controversial Habs goal...

It seems to me that the stick was above the crossbar, but from the replays I saw - there was no clear evidence that the puck hit the part of the stick that was above the crossbar. And given the fact that the referee initially ruled it a goal - there wasn't enough evidence to over rule it.

A tough break for sure... but just remember, this is a 7-game series... no doubt the Flyers will get their revenge.

No posts from last night?? Must have been alotta fun someplace else. Otherwise, I need to stop picking teams with my heart and use my head. The Rangers blow a 3 goal lead, only to come back to tie the game, and then lose, when with about 2 seconds left Jagr hits the post. The Pens are explosive and fast similair to Montreal in some ways.....and then I see where the Stars take game 1 in San Jose. The Sharks again don't seem to be playing up to their potential, although its very early in the series.
Today get the Av's/Wings, and then the Flyers/Canadiens on the later game.

You would think. But many (probably biased) observers say that when it comes to official calls, Montreal and Toronto get preferential treatment. It's tough enough to beat a team, but when you have to beat both the team and the Blind Mice in Stripes...

The league said they had "conclusive" proof that the goal was not scored with a high stick. It's odd that they may have extra cameras that aren't part of the telecasts, but if they have such "conclusive" proof they need to release that video.

Didn't see any hockey last night since I was up in New York seeing Xanadu with canmark. Side note: Rangers lose, Yankees lose, Mets lose. A bad night for NY...a good night for everyone else. Pittsburgh's goals after being down 3-0 came swiftly -- two in 14 seconds in the second period, two in 20 seconds in the third.

I talked about Colorado having to stay healthy. Wojtek Wolski is probably out for the entire Detroit series with an "upper body injury" and Peter Forsberg has a groin injury, missing both games in the series so far. Peter Forsberg hurt? Wow, who could ever have expected that?

Too bad for the Avalanche today as someone forgot to tell them they had a hockey game to play. They came out flatter than a pancake, but then I am wondering if that was because Forsberg was not able to play. I am thinking that was alot of it. Whatever, they were down 4-1 before they knew what hit them. If I am Joel Quenville, I would have called a time out in addition to the goalie change. Didn't help much, then ref calls went totally against them for almost all of the second period. The good news? They killed off a 5-3. I turned this game off early. I expect a different style from Colorado once they get home. I take nothing away from the Wings, note. But this wasn't much of a contest. Now, looking forward to round two of the Flyers/Montreal.

I liked it!!!

Well game 2 between the Flyers and Canadiens was much like the first, where the Flyers got out to a 2-0 lead. But this time they held on for the win 4-2. Biron once again came up big in the second period, and even stopped a breakaway shot. Briere scored his seventh goal of the playoffs. I still think Montreal has more energy especially during the powerplay, which looks like a shooting gallery. But as long as Biron can hold strong the Flyers have a chance.

Montreal is being allowed to skate and make plays almost at will. The Flyers have to tighten up. They are way too careless with the puck at times. Biron saved them tonight.

I wasn't really listening closely but John Stevens said something in his postgame comments about a Canadien player or players being "cowardly." Sounds like things are heating up.

He's likely refering to I believe it was Tom Kostopolous or Tomas Pleckanic, who sucker punched one of the Flyers from behind just after RJ Umberger scored his second of the game to make it 4-2.

It was pretty classless.

I had to work so I didn't see the game, but I saw the highlights on TSN's midnight Sportscentre broadcast, which included the comment by the Flyers' coach, excerpted here from TSN's web site:

Stevens was not happy with a shot from behind given by Montreal's Tom Kostopoulos to the Flyers top defenceman Kimmo Timonen after Umberger's goal with 2:21 left in the game, which led to a skirmish.

"He's a tough kid and I have a lot of respect for him and (Steve) begin, but to go up and sucker punch Kimmo on the play at the end there - that's cowardly, in my opinion," said Stevens. "There's no place for that.

"Kimmo's our best player. He was totally unsuspecting. That leaves a bad taste in your mouth."

Biron was SENSATIONAL in this game. He had so many unbelievebale saves...while on the other side of the net, former Tri-City American Carey Price again showed vulnerability, and was occasionally sloppy around his goal. This was a highly entertaining game, and was extremely physical. I could hear and feel the bodies being crunched along the boards all the way through my tv set. I should expect the Flyers will return the body check favors now that the series shifts to Philadelphia. Like I thought, this is gonna be some series. A line brawl coulld have very well formed after the sucker punch.

S.O.R. stands for same old Rangers. They expend so much energy killing penalties, they have little left for the game. Disputed goal though, where they almost tied it up at 1-1, but the whistle blew, I guess, before the puck slit under Fleury. Not lookin good for th eBoradway blue shirts now, down 0-2. Can I change my pick????

Would somebody please tell the San Jose Shakrs they ARE involved in a second round matchup with Dallas. Again they seem to be underperforming, and limp into Dallas now behind 0-2 in this series. They just continue to make things harder on themselves than they should be, but from what I saw of the game last night, Dallas appears to be the hungrier team. Ron Wilson had better shake things up in a hurry or this series is over!

Meanwhile I expect the bodies to be hitting the boards at Wachovia Center this evening, as the Flyers are home with the Habs for game 3. It will be interesting to see how Carey Price responds. He has not played up to expectations so far, and must have a ton of pressure on his shoulders right now.

I'm ready to change my prediction of the Sharks winning the Cup. At this point Detroit is the best team in the West.

No score so far in Flyers-Canadiens at Playoff Central, also known as the Wachovia Center. Check out this schedule:

Friday: NBA-Sixers vs. Detroit game 3
Saturday: AHL-Phantoms vs. Albany game 6
last night: NBA-Sixers vs. Detroit game 4
Tonight: NHL-Flyers vs. Montreal game 3
Tomorrow:AHL-Phantoms vs. Albany game 7
Wednesday: NHL-Flyers vs. Montreal game 4
Thursday: NBA-Sixers vs. Detroit game 6

Wait...Scottie Upshall scores!!!

Edit to add:

...and the Flyers win 3-2 to take a 2-1 series lead. They had to hang on after opening up a 3-0 lead in the second period and driving Carey Price from the goal. It wasn't until Montreal got a 5-minute power play that they finally put some pressure on. But Marty Biron continues to outplay Price.

Some random thoughts about the Flyers-Habs game/series:

1. The Canadiens are a far superior team - outshot the Flyers by a wide margin; faster and more disciplined.

2. Biron has been masterful and tonight, Price was pathetic.

3. The officiating has been putrid.

4. The Flyers have an exciting young team and IMO an excellent coach. I doubt that this is their year, or series for that matter, but they will be fun to watch in years to come.

I agree with some of your points. As far as Canadians being superior, they may be in talent, but so far it has not translated into wins. Prior to the Hatcher major penalty, I thought the Canadiens were a little lethargic especially in the second period. But once they get a spark (powerplay) they can pour it on. In hockey more than any other sport, one guy can make the difference, and that is the goalie. So if Biron can stand on his head for two more games, and more importantly if the Flyers can limit their visits to the penalty box, they have a chance to steal the series.

Most of the disparity in shots came in that third period when Montreal had all that power play time. But so far the Flyers' best game of the series was game one, which they lost.

Hey they got the job done, thats all that matters. Kind of a chippy game to watch though. Not alot of flow, LOTS of whistles. The difference again for the Flyers was Biron, while again, Price looked vulnerable and was chased out of net. As I expected there was lots of "facewashing" going on.

Well the Rangers can just about hang it up and break out the golf clubs.

Picking the Rangers over the Penguins was not my smartest move!

I almost picked the Rangers. They played really well down the stretch and in the first round against the Devils. They're just running into a better team.

The Atlantic Division is the toughest in the league. The only reason why all 4 remaining East teams aren't from the Atlantic is that two of them (Rangers and Devils) played each other in the first round.

San Jose is about to be sent home by Dallas. The Sharks are seriously underachieving.

The Red Wings are giving me renewed hope.Unfortunately,last nights game didn't start until 10 pm our time.

Indeed about the Sharks SERIOUSLY underperforming. I can imagine the pressure on Ron Wilson, and I seriously thought the Avs would win at least 1 game. Meanwhile back to the war tonight with the Flyers/Habs. I expect more facewashings.

Sean Avery's season is over.

The Flyers expect that Mike Knuble will be able to play tonight.

Although I wish him a full recovery, I can't say that I'm too choked up about his absence, being the a**hole that he is. It's almost irrelevant at this point anyway, with the Rangers one game away from elimination by the Penguins.

No, Eddie, it was not. I also think that me picking the Pens to win in 6 was incorrect. I hope I get a chance to bring out my broom soon....

This game had everything, the usual shooting gallery at Biron for a period and a half, a 2-0 lead by the Flyers, followed by two late goals by Montreal to tie it up. The Flyers put on more pressure in the third period even though they gave up two goals and their energy level allowed them to take advantage of dumb Montreal penalty near the end of the game. That gave the Flyers one final powerplay and Danny Briere wasted no time in putting it away.

Flyers win 4-2 WooHoo!

The Flyers actually played pretty well in the third period. The two Montreal goals, though very sudden, were the result of very fortunate bounces -- the first a shot that ticked off Derian Hatcher and changed direction on Marty Biron, the second a shot that was blocked in front and bounced wide to a Canadien with an open net. Memo to Flyers: get out of the way and let Marty stop them.

Is the Flyers-Canadiens series a battle of good vs. evil?

San Jose finally wins to stays alive. Is it too little, too late?

I'll have the BIG pushbroom out Thursday night at work. Stop on by. LET'S GO PENS!!! (And Flyers too!)

Pens sweep tonight. Now, the Flyers/Montreal was somewhat tamer than I expected, not that there weren't some serious body bruisings going on. Biron, again, was sensational, when he had to be. Habs can be explosive, like the Pens. You KNOW the Canadiens house will be rocking for game 5. They aren't done just yet. Neither it appears for the Sharks, MUCH to my surprise...they fell behind against the Flames, but not this far behind. Its all up to them back in the Tank though. We'll see.

The Rangers are still alive, at least for now. Detroit is destroying injury-riddled Colorado and they're going to sweep. Someone said something about the Avs having to stay healthy to have a chance...hmmm...

Way to go Wings!! Shows how much Barry Melrose knows!

The Rangers played like they should have in their losing games. Namely lots of pressure on Fluery, and lots of body banging, as well as stellar goaltending from Lundqvist. I can't see them making much of a comeback though. There were spots of the game that were frequently testy to say the least...meanwhile Sharks at back at home. Lets see what they can accomplish in this next tangle.

Well..well...well..the CKC's ( Cardiac Kids from California) live to play another day. Somebody forgot to tell the Sharks they were supposed to have been eliminated by now. Come through again with a HUGE win in the Shark Tank. Now it REALLY gets interesting back in Big D....meanwhile this evening back at the Bell Centre, which should be deafening as has been Wachovia Center....Habs will be playing desperate hockey.

And it will be Carey Price back in net for the Canadiens tonight. I'm sure CBC are pulling for Montreal to at least extend the series so they can get another game or two with good ratings in the 2 million viewer range. They'll probably lose 25% without a Canadian team into the next round.

And the increased interest this year in the World Hockey Championship - being played for the first time EVER in this hockey crazed country - with Halifax and Quebec City co-hosting the event - may perhaps steal some attention from the Stanley Cup playoffs if the Habs do lose and no Canadian teams are left the next round. Even though the start time for many games in Quebec and Halifax are going to be late afternoon ET - so as not to compete directly with the evening prime time Stanley Cup games and also because that allows live games on evening TV over in Europe - you just know that the BIG Canada games and medal round games are likely to be replayed in prime time on TSN taking viewers away from CBC. The article I read today said that 100 million people world wide are expected to watch at least one game of the World Championships.

Today for instance most of the front page in the Toronto Star Sports section, along with the top story on page two and over half of page 3 are all about the World Hockey championships including articles on Canada's easy 5-1 win over Slovenia and the US 4-0 over Latvia. The Price starting story was on page 2 and other Stanley Cup stories did not show up until Page 4.

By the way tomorrow it is Canada vs Latvia and the US vs Slovenia and on Tuesday Canada vs the US to finish their pool round play.

Going back with Price, eh? Kind of a risky move IMO, but then I am not Guy Carbonneau, and he must know something I do not. Price has been hot and cold though, and the Habs need one HOT goalie tonight to extend this series. I expect lots of boards will be rattled by the Habs in Bell Centre this evening. Flyers will have to be ready and expecting it...can't wait for it.

The Flyers move on to the Eastern Conference finals thanks to the game-winning goal from Scottie Upshall!!! What a wild game. I think the Montreal move back to Price in goal really backfired. Once they went to Halak for game 4, they should have stayed with Halak, or they should have kept Price in all the way. He did make some good saves throughout the game, but the Flyers scored 3 goals in 3 minutes in the second period and the last two of those three should have been stopped.

The first hockey game I can remember watching on TV was game one of the 1972-73 semifinals. The Flyers had won a playoff series for the first time in their history and went up against history-laden Montreal. The Flyers shocked everyone by winning game one in overtime at the Forum on a goal by Rick MacLeish. The Canadiens went on to win the next four and the Cup, but it was a big stepping stone for the Flyers, and it led to their two Cups the next two seasons. I'm taking tonight as payback for that series.

Edit to add: Oh, and remember how the Penguins basically tanked that last regular-season game against the Flyers so they would play Ottawa in the first round instead of the Flyers? Heh heh heh...there's no avoiding them now...

And who exactly benefited most from the Foppa to Nashville deal? Ugh...

But definitely nice to see the former Preds move on to the conference finals... good luck!

Like I said, IMO, Price is not quite yet ready fo rprime time. Give him a couple of years of seasoning though. Flyers survived the first period and opened it up. Umberger was just flying around all over the place. I did not know he is a Pittsburger. Hmmmm....that should factor in quite nicely when the Flyers take on the probably inevitable Pens.......Habs will be back and strong next year. They made some critical mistakes last night.