Playoffs! Who Ya Got? [Archive] - Orioles Hangout Community

Flip217

04-13-2010, 09:03 AM

It's that time again ladies and gents -- NHL playoffs. My Flyers made it in by the skin of their teeth, and the Caps have to be favorites to go far. But the Pens are dangerous, Jersey has looked good, and who the hell knows what's happening out West? Make your predictions!

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Caps vs. #8 Montreal -- CAPS IN 5
#2 Jersey vs. #7 Philly -- PHILLY IN 6
#3 Buffalo vs. #6 Boston -- BOSTON IN 7
#4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Ottawa -- PITT IN 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose vs. #8 Colorado -- SAN JOSE IN 4
#2 Chicago vs. #7 Nashville -- CHICAGO IN 5
#3 Vancouver vs. #6 Los Angeles -- VANCOUVER IN 6
#4 Phoenix vs. #5 Detroit -- DETROIT IN 6

I'm gonna wait for the next round before posting further predictions, but I could certainly see a Caps - Sharks final....

MuhladaOs

04-13-2010, 09:54 AM

tywright

04-13-2010, 09:04 PM

If all the higher seeds in the East win in the first round then the Caps and Pens meet up in the semis. I just don't think that will happen again this year.

Caps
Devils
Bruins
Pens

SJ
Nash
LA
Detroit

Steel Curtain

04-13-2010, 09:36 PM

I hope Caps make it to the Stanley Cup this year, but I just can't picture Theodore taking us there (sorry guys just being honest).

However, call me simply nuts, but I think the Flyers are going to upset the Devils and who knows maybe Brian Boucher will stand on his head and completely carry them through the playoffs this year.

Chris Pronger, ladies and gentleman, be ready to hate him in the East. He is simply a beast in the Playoffs and I absolutely hate him. But he is that good come playoffs.

I'm gonna guess Flyers vs Canucks this year.

I'm not sure I follow.

Theodore can't take a offensively stacked team to the finals, but Brian Boucher can take a mediocre team all the way? Not trying to criticize, I just don't understand the logic there.

Someone posted this same thing on another forum the other day, so I'll copy/paste them here. Not sure how strongly I feel about most of these:

#1 Washington Capitals vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens
Capitals in 6.

#2 New Jersey Devils vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers in 6.

#3 Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 Boston Bruins
Sabres in 5.

#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Ottawa Senators
Penguins in 5.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche in 6.

#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators
Hawks in 5.

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings
Canucks in 5.

#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings
Wings in 6.

DuffMan

04-14-2010, 06:37 AM

Caps in 5
Flyers in 7
Buffalo in 6
Pittsburgh in 6

San Jose in 5
Chicago in 6
Vancouver in 7
Detroit in 5

Orioles18

04-14-2010, 08:08 AM

Caps vs. Habs -- Caps in 5
Devils vs. Flyers -- Devils in 6
Sabres vs. Bruins -- Sabres in 7
Pens vs. Sens -- Pens in 6

Sharks vs. Avs -- Sharks in 5
Blackhawks vs. Predators -- Blackhawks in 5
Canucks vs. Kings -- Canucks in 6
Coyotes vs. Red Wings -- Red Wings 6

Wow, I just noticed I picked all the 1-4 seeds except for the Red Wings. No way that happens.

DuffMan

04-14-2010, 08:14 AM

http://www.whatifsports.com/nhl_playoffs_2010/bracket.asp

Their picks.

Bosibus

04-14-2010, 11:00 AM

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Caps vs. #8 Montreal -- Caps in 6
#2 Jersey vs. #7 Philly -- Jersey in 7
#3 Buffalo vs. #6 Boston -- Boston in 6
#4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Ottawa -- Pitt in 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 San Jose vs. #8 Colorado -- San Jose in 5
#2 Chicago vs. #7 Nashville -- Chicago in 6
#3 Vancouver vs. #6 Los Angeles -- Los Angeles in 7
#4 Phoenix vs. #5 Detroit -- Phoenix in 6

Dr. FLK

04-15-2010, 08:06 AM

Surprisingly, the Devils and Penguins lose in Game 1 last night. I expected both of them to win their series with ease.

Hopefully the Caps are ready to play tonight!

DuffMan

04-15-2010, 08:15 AM

Surprisingly, the Devils and Penguins lose in Game 1 last night. I expected both of them to win their series with ease.

Hopefully the Caps are ready to play tonight!

The Flyers took the season series from NJ, so they matchup well with NJ. Ottawa beating Pittsburgh is a surprise, but I'm more surprised about Phoenix beating Detroit who's been cruising since the Olympic Break.

I picked San Jose to win the series, but maybe I should have given more thought to with their playoff troubles.

Dr. FLK

04-15-2010, 08:45 AM

The Flyers took the season series from NJ, so they matchup well with NJ. Ottawa beating Pittsburgh is a surprise, but I'm more surprised about Phoenix beating Detroit who's been cruising since the Olympic Break.

I picked San Jose to win the series, but maybe I should have given more thought to with their playoff troubles.

Wow...I just saw that SJ lost in game 1. That's pretty surprising, even with SJ's playoff troubles. I'm not too surprised with DET losing, since they really didn't seem to be all that impressive this season. PHX really seems to have a good squad.

MuhladaOs

04-15-2010, 09:04 AM

I'm not sure I follow.

Theodore can't take a offensively stacked team to the finals, but Brian Boucher can take a mediocre team all the way? Not trying to criticize, I just don't understand the logic there.

Have you been watching Boucher's game the last stretch in the regular season? He's been playing just as well as any top goalie as of late.

And please man, mediocre team? This is the playoffs. There are no more mediocre teams anymore, you should know all about that watching the Senators fourth line score 3 goals on Fleury. HAHA Chris Neil I mean come on?

All I'm saying is I think the Flyers have a game changer in Chris Pronger this year and he's going to make a difference in the East considering he's been out West in the playoffs. Not to mention he can play up to and over 30 mins (if they go into Overtime) at the same intensity without being gased. If the Flyers had Pronger against the Penguins in the playoffs last year, I wouldn't have been shocked if they ended up playing the Redwings in the finals.

I don't care how red hot Theodore has been, he has never been a playoff goalie and I just can't seem to think he would ever hold the Stanley Cup.

Steel Curtain

04-15-2010, 09:53 AM

Have you been watching Boucher's game the last stretch in the regular season? He's been playing just as well as any top goalie as of late.

And please man, mediocre team? This is the playoffs. There are no more mediocre teams anymore, you should know all about that watching the Senators fourth line score 3 goals on Fleury. HAHA Chris Neil I mean come on?

All I'm saying is I think the Flyers have a game changer in Chris Pronger this year and he's going to make a difference in the East considering he's been out West in the playoffs. Not to mention he can play up to and over 30 mins (if they go into Overtime) at the same intensity without being gased. If the Flyers had Pronger against the Penguins in the playoffs last year, I wouldn't have been shocked if they ended up playing the Redwings in the finals.

I don't care how red hot Theodore has been, he has never been a playoff goalie and I just can't seem to think he would ever hold the Stanley Cup.

Just because the playoffs started, doesn't mean there aren't mediocre teams. That's not to say a mediocre team can't beat a better team, but they still exist.

The Flyers are a mediocre team compared to the top 4 teams in the East. They've had the Devils number all year, so it won't be a surprise if they win this series. I'll be shocked if they make it any further though.

Theodore might not have ever been a playoff goalie, but neither have Howard, Rask, Anderson, Halak, etc. And if you're going off of track records, Boucher hasn't seen more than 2 playoff games in a season in 10 years.

Bottom line, anything can happen. But you can't discard an entire season worth of evidence.

Bosibus

04-15-2010, 09:56 AM

If the Flyers beat the Devils, we might have to put TyCobb on a watch!

BAM

04-15-2010, 12:07 PM

Sabres all the way. This is Ryan Miller's year.

Flip217

04-15-2010, 03:30 PM

All I'll say about the Flyers is that they aren't a mediocre team by any stretch, but they sure know how to play like one. They've been disappointing all season long, partly because of injuries.

And a goalie who gets hot at the right time can take a team a long way.

Birds08

04-15-2010, 04:06 PM

MuhladaOs

04-15-2010, 07:53 PM

Wings will take Phoenix. I have no doubt about that. They struggled this year because of injury, but caught fire once everyone came back. To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that Howard hasn't been tested, they'd be my pick to make the finals. Even so, they still may be.

Lidstrom got high-sticked and drew blood and the Refs didn't call the double-minor penalty. Figures though, the NHL owns the Coyotes franchise right now.

And I'm being serious about that.

PaulBako

04-15-2010, 08:54 PM

Looking at thses predictions...

There is a hockey team in Phoenix? :o Of all of the places, they have one there? There has to be like 12 coyotes fans max.

CrimsonTribe

04-15-2010, 09:58 PM

I don't really feel good about how the Caps are playing right now. Montreal is killing us in OT.

MuhladaOs

04-15-2010, 10:20 PM

I don't really feel good about how the Caps are playing right now. Montreal is killing us in OT.

Halak played great, Caps had plenty of scoring chances and he came up huge. The Habs PK unit totally owned the Capitals PP, didn't allow them to move the puck around like they are so use to, BB needs to address this, Habs were good at getting their sticks in our passing lanes.

What's funny is - Thomas Plekanec talking $hit about Theodore to the Media and he backs it up by sniping it top shelf.

Gotta give it to the Habs they skated well tonight (the way they were entering our offensive zone was working against our D, kept pushing us back and they had shots from the top of the slot), I think the Caps will adjust and be just fine going into game two.

P.S. The refs didn't call that tripping penalty on Mike Green on Brian Gionta, I couldn't believe they didn't call that but I was pretty happy they didn't.

Steel Curtain

04-20-2010, 10:37 PM

If the Flyers beat the Devils, we might have to put TyCobb on a watch!

Might want to start the watch now. Not to jinx it, because I don't want to see any more of the Devils this year... but it's not looking good for ole' Marty.

MuhladaOs

04-21-2010, 09:41 AM

Might want to start the watch now. Not to jinx it, because I don't want to see any more of the Devils this year... but it's not looking good for ole' Marty.

Flyers have great depth in all positions except in net, but I definitely believe Boucher can keep his play going.

I predicted the Flyers in the Stanley Cup this year from the East, and I'm sticking too it.

Chris Pronger in the East for 4 more seasons after this one is over. Kind of sucks!

DuffMan

04-21-2010, 09:45 AM

Pedro Cerrano

04-21-2010, 10:19 AM

DuffMan

04-21-2010, 10:34 AM

As an aside, wtf is the deal with the San Jose Sharks?

I feel like every year they pee on teams in the regular season and then the playoffs roll around and some average team comes along and beats them.

They're very lucky that they're still alive this year.

This is what a "hot" goalie can do in the playoffs.

San Jose flat out dominated that 3rd game. Out shooting them 42-7. That's just unreal, unfortunately Anderson was even more unreal and single handedly one them that game.

allstar1579

04-21-2010, 10:40 AM

This is what a "hot" goalie can do in the playoffs.

San Jose flat out dominated that 3rd game. Out shooting them 42-7. That's just unreal, unfortunately Anderson was even more unreal and single handedly one them that game.

Yeah the NHL is funny like that. No matter how good a team you are facing, a hot goalie will win every time. The theory is that over 7 games, the better team will win more than a hot goalie, but goalies tend to get hot for weeks at a time, not just a game here or there. Look at Varly last year, he took off for 2 weeks thru the Rangers series and beginning of the Pens series. That's why when you get matched up with teams like NYR or BUF even if the team isn't playing well you have to be worried because that goalie can come to life and win a series by himself.

Steel Curtain

04-21-2010, 01:53 PM

Flyers have great depth in all positions except in net, but I definitely believe Boucher can keep his play going.

I predicted the Flyers in the Stanley Cup this year from the East, and I'm sticking too it.

Chris Pronger in the East for 4 more seasons after this one is over. Kind of sucks!

I really don't get the man-crush on Pronger. Maybe a few years ago... but I just don't see it any more.

The East will be represented by the Caps or Pens and you can take that to the bank.

I agree 100%. It seems like the Habs/Capitals series has been over since the 3rd period of Game 2. That's not the say the Canadiens can't pull it off, but they haven't shown anything since then.

I also don't think either of Boston/Buffalo have the scoring to keep up in the next rounds.

As an aside, wtf is the deal with the San Jose Sharks?

I feel like every year they pee on teams in the regular season and then the playoffs roll around and some average team comes along and beats them.

They're very lucky that they're still alive this year.

They're professional choke artists. Reminds me a lot of the Chargers. They'll put up gaudy regular season numbers, and have one of the best teams on paper. Once the playoffs hit, you know they'll find a way to lose.

MuhladaOs

04-21-2010, 03:04 PM

I really don't get the man-crush on Pronger. Maybe a few years ago... but I just don't see it any more.

It's not a man crush on Pronger, he's simply just an amazing play off performer through out his career. And him coming over to the East will have an effect.

Let me put it this way, if the Flyers had Pronger last year I bet they would of beaten the Penguins. It would of allowed better defensive pairings matching up against the Pens top 2 lines. Instead of just putting Timonem-Coburn out against Sid's line, you also have a combo against Geno's line with Pronger - Carle.

That would of paid dividends, and as a Penguins fan you should know that a shut down pairing like Gill & Scuderi basically was your bread and butter for winning the Stanley Cup last year.

They shut down offense, maybe not 100% but they certainly keep the scoring chances down to a minimum.

A top 4 defense is so crucial come play off time. Because like all coaches have stated in their interviews, it's about matching up shift to shift and always keeping an eye out for what line is on the ice.

2008 Stanley Cup Champs - Lidstrom - Rafalski & Kronwall - Stuart (stuart was acquired at the deadline for that reason too, for a top 4 pairing)
2009 Stanley Cup Champs - Orpik - Letang & Gill - Scuderi
2010 Flyers Top 4 Pairing - Pronger - Carle & Timonen - Coburn

Everyone one of those defense-man are capable of logging 25+ minutes per game AND for 2 1/2 months of playoff performance which in my mind is the key. To be able to keep up physically for the whole playoffs and not losing gas in the later rounds.

And as a Capitals fan if we end up playing the Flyers in the 2nd round, I'm almost positive they would go back to Timonen on Ovechkin which would allow Pronger to match up against Semin on the 2nd line. Capitals have a huge task on hand if this is the case and to win the series we would have to either capitalize on our PP chances or rely more on 3rd - 4th line scoring while playing 5 on 5. I haven't even began to mention the heavy forecheck the Flyers have that will exploit our soft defense (they are going to eat Mike Green up), just look at what they are doing to the Devils if you have been watching, Flyers match up very well against the Caps. In any event that would be a sick ass series.

MuhladaOs

04-21-2010, 03:38 PM

They're professional choke artists. Reminds me a lot of the Chargers. They'll put up gaudy regular season numbers, and have one of the best teams on paper. Once the playoffs hit, you know they'll find a way to lose.

I'm also a firm believer in that when it comes to playoff series, Evgeni Nabokov is much like Jose Theodore. They simply can not rely on their talent to win in key situations. They may be able to hold their own in one or two games in a 7 game series, but certainly not enough to win four games.

With that being said Nabokov has been playing good though, but Craig Anderson has been god-mode for these young Av's.

MuhladaOs

04-21-2010, 04:07 PM

The East will be represented by the Caps or Pens and you can take that to the bank.

Well with Varly in net, you may have your wish.
Before the playoffs started though, Theodore was the starter. And I just couldn't see Theodore get to the Finals. And if Bruce Boudreau didn't play Theodore in the playoffs, the Media would of been all over him and bad media and losses means your ass in any professional sport for a coach, except ofcourse the Baltimore Orioles. (just kidding just kidding put the gun away kids)

Funny how it only took 2 shots to change his mind, even though deep down I knew Bruce wanted to start Varlamov from the very beginning, in an interview I I watched after the season ended, they were talking about Theodore's unbeaten streak in regulation in the regular season and Bruce said something along the lines of "well yeah I guess were gonna go with Jose, he's our guy", but it just didn't sound confident at all.

Steel Curtain

04-21-2010, 11:08 PM

Well with Varly in net, you may have your wish.
Before the playoffs started though, Theodore was the starter. And I just couldn't see Theodore get to the Finals. And if Bruce Boudreau didn't play Theodore in the playoffs, the Media would of been all over him and bad media and losses means your ass in any professional sport for a coach, except ofcourse the Baltimore Orioles. (just kidding just kidding put the gun away kids)

Funny how it only took 2 shots to change his mind, even though deep down I knew Bruce wanted to start Varlamov from the very beginning, in an interview I I watched after the season ended, they were talking about Theodore's unbeaten streak in regulation in the regular season and Bruce said something along the lines of "well yeah I guess were gonna go with Jose, he's our guy", but it just didn't sound confident at all.

It's looking a lot like Pens/Bruins and Capitals/Flyers in the 2nd round. Should be interesting for you: your boy Pronger vs your team.

As a Pens fan, I don't mind seeing the Bruins instead of the Devils. What will be interesting is if Savard makes it back on the ice for the series.

Then again, wouldn't be surprised if someone digs their way out of the 3-1 hole and makes everything I said moot.

Flip217

04-22-2010, 03:44 PM

Flyers lose Gagne and Carter with fractured feet. So maybe the Devils can be the team that digs itself out of the hole.... :mad:

allstar1579

04-22-2010, 04:18 PM

Flyers lose Gagne and Carter with fractured feet. So maybe the Devils can be the team that digs itself out of the hole.... :mad:

I hope not, cause we'd get the Flyers next round without 2 of their 3 best players.

ChaosLex

04-22-2010, 11:32 PM

If the Flyers beat the Devils, we might have to put TyCobb on a watch!

The Devils got outplayed in all facets of the game, IMO.

Orioles18

04-23-2010, 10:15 AM

The Devils got outplayed in all facets of the game, IMO.

Pretty much. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one scared of playing the Flyers in round 2?

MuhladaOs

04-23-2010, 02:23 PM

Pretty much. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one scared of playing the Flyers in round 2?

If the Flyers continue to forecheck like they did against the Devils, they will beat the Capitals. Varly is going to have to make some huge saves because I foresee a lot of defensive turnovers and mental mistakes from our back end.

DuffMan

04-23-2010, 02:32 PM

If the Flyers continue to forecheck like they did against the Devils, they will beat the Capitals. Varly is going to have to make some huge saves because I foresee a lot of defensive turnovers and mental mistakes from our back end.

Are you even a Caps fan, because it seems like all you do is rag on them? If the Flyers keep taking all these penalties like they have been the Caps will have a field day. Remember that 8-2 beatdown from December.

allstar1579

04-23-2010, 03:33 PM

Pretty much. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one scared of playing the Flyers in round 2?

Caps >>> NJ. Not even close.

MuhladaOs

04-23-2010, 05:00 PM

Are you even a Caps fan, because it seems like all you do is rag on them? If the Flyers keep taking all these penalties like they have been the Caps will have a field day. Remember that 8-2 beatdown from December.

Ofcourse I'm a Capitals fan. But I'm brutally honest as a HOCKEY FAN. I call it as I see them. Being a Caps fan means I can't point out what we need to watch out for and what Philly does well as a team? I mean serious Duffman........is it illegal to criticize your own home team and their efforts? Your an Orioles fan right? I think I already know the answer.

I'm going to always rag on Jose Theodore, Mike Green, Jeff Schultz because honestly they have been playing like total crap since the playoffs. (Do I want to see them succeed, OFCOURSE!) And I think they will be a huge reason we might lose the series against the Flyers. Do I want to see that happen, ofcourse not! I want to see the Caps destroy the Flyers.

Granted Theodore isn't playing right now which is the right decision by BB, even though I know deep down he wanted to go with Varlamov from the very beginning.

I've been a fan of the NHL since 1990, not just the Capitals, but the NHL as a whole. It's the best sport in the world. Wow 20 years I've been watching hockey, I hate feeling old :-/

Bosibus

04-26-2010, 09:15 AM

We need to win tonight.

DuffMan

04-26-2010, 09:20 AM

We need to win tonight.

Halak played like Superman on Friday night, tonight I see him playing like Clark Kent.

Orioles18

04-26-2010, 10:25 AM

Caps >>> NJ. Not even close.

This is true but any team can beat any other team in a 7 game series. This series Caps >>>>>>>>> Montreal but we should be down 3-2 not up 3-2. I have faith in this team winning tonight, we should have won Friday if not for Halak.

MuhladaOs

05-25-2010, 09:45 AM

Chris Pronger, ladies and gentleman, be ready to hate him in the East. He is simply a beast in the Playoffs and I absolutely hate him. But he is that good come playoffs.

I'm gonna guess Flyers vs Canucks this year.

I was pretty close with my prediction.

How about Chris Pronger and them Flyers? The guy is no joke when it comes to the playoffs. And as a leader he naturally commands respect and his team mates work harder because he sets the tone for how his team will play.

He is a 25+ min guy and in the playoffs that's one stat that you can not overlook.