2009 NHL Playoffs

[Boz]

EAST

8 Montreal vs. 1 Boston
(Ruh-roh...I was really dreading this matchup, but I'll take the B's in 6 or 7).

7 NY Rangers vs. 2 Washingon
(Caps in a walk...I really wanted the Rangers to get the 8 seed)

6 Carolina vs. 3 Devils
(Would really like to see an upset here, but don't think it's going to happen).

5 Philadelphia vs. 4 Pittsburgh
(I think this has 7 games written all over it. The Flyers are probably the better team, but I think this depends on who's goalie plays least awfully. I'll take the Flyers.)


WEST

8 Anaheim vs. 1 San Jose
(Anaheim's got some playoff experience, but San Jose should win this in no more than 5).

7 Columbus vs. 2 Detroit
(I could see the Blue Jackets giving Detroit a real run here. Don't think they'll win, but it'll take Detroit 6 or 7).

6 St. Louis vs. 3 Vancouver
(This is a pick 'em. I love the Blues ever since they had Adam Oates, but in this one, I'll go with the better goalie and I think that's Luongo. Say Canucks in 6)

5 Calgary vs. 4 Chicago
(I'll go with the slight upset here, since the Flames didn't beat the Blackhawks once in the regular season. I just think Chicago is going to get a little deer in the headlights in the playoffs and not sure how they'll react. Say Calgary in 7.)

No, I don't think I picked any upsets, unless you cound the 4-5, and that really doesn't count. I do think MOST of the higher seeds will prevail here. It gets really intersting in the second round with a potential Caps-Devils matchup, Bruins-Flyers...who HATE each other since last season. I have San Jose and Detroit clearly head and shoulders above in the West, with Detroit going to the SC Finals again.

In the East I am hesitant to make a prediction. I would love to see the Bruins and Caps in the conf. finals, but I'm too superstitious to actually make that call.


Discuss.......(the five others of you who are following this)

[jgalt]

Apr 13, 2009 8:26:00 GMT -5 Boz said:

Discuss.......(the five others of you who are following this)

;D ;D ;D ;D Five may be too generous

I think your picks are good Boz. I agree that there shouldnt be many upsets (i dont count 5 over 4 as an up set either) but it probably wont shake out that way.

East
BOS vs MTL
This match up couldnt have been set up better. Reverse of last year in the match up and im going with a reverse in the results, Bos in a physical, hard fought 6

WSH vs NYR
I wanted MTL, against anyone but BOS they are dead in the water, but the Blue Shirts arent that much better. Torts has a bit of a chip on his shoulder against the Caps (last game between bolts and caps last year he sent out the goons in the last minute of a caps blow out- punk move), and the Rags have something to prove- WSH took 3 of 4, with the only loss coming in OT, but were all under the disposed coaching regime.
I am worried, as i always am, i think Caps in 6, with a really bad loss in game 3 for the Caps.

NJD vs CAR
This is a surprisingly intriguing match up, with each team going in different directions. If Brodeur is hot its Devs in 5, if not its Devs in 7- but i wont be surprised if the Canes blow them out in 5. This match up has too many angles to call.

PIT vs PHI
Just like Bos/Mtl, you couldnt write this better. PHI has been more consistent all season, and i am still questioning whether the Pens can keep up the pace into the post season (remember what happened to the Caps last year?). The NHL will hate it, but I think the Flyers are too balanced, PHI in 6 or 7, and somebody big-time is getting hurt

West

SJ vs ANA
Battle of California, Battle of the old timers, SJ in 5, they are too good

DET vs CBJ
Steve Mason for Calder, period. Can he stay hot? Is he the next Carey Price? Det is awesome, how do they do it year in and year out? Det takes it, but it goes 7, two shut outs- neither for Mason.

VAN vs STL
Vancouver is the bandwagon underdog team this year. And i may jump on. St. Louis has had a good run- Van in 5

CAL vs CHI
This is the best match up in the west, by far. There are much more compelling story lines and underdogs to pull for, but this is the most competative of the series. I havent seen much of either team, but i have seen enough to know they are both great. I think Chicago's goal tending becomes suspect and Calgary pushed though- The Flames in an exciting 6

From there well lets see- Many think that the West is the most clear cut, but i think the East is easier to predict. Caps over Flyers and Boston over Devils (or Canes). The match up Boz and I want- and i am going to jinx it (sorry Boz)

In the West- Im taking Calgary over SJ and Detroit over Vancouver. From there it is Detroit over Calgary.

For the Cup- Got to take the Caps vs Detroit in a rematch of the only other time the caps have made the finals. In 98 they got swept, but not this year. Caps take it on home ice in 6.

Now when the Caps lose in the first round, if i don't post on this board after oh say a week, Admins you guys have my email- contact Gtown and have them come check my room.

[theexorcist]

People aren't picking a lot of upsets, and there's usually one good one.

I'm not sold on the Caps. The Rangers aren't that good, so I'll pick Washington in the first round.

After that, I can't see them advancing - NJ, Philly, or Pittsburgh all seem to be more mentally ready.

[hoopsmccan]

Let's just say I'm going to make sure I have Game 3 tickets at the Garden, while hope will still be in the air...

hm

[Boz]

To be honest, exorcist, I fear a very bad upset, but the one which I fear is not one which I can allow myself to contemplate.

As jgalt noted, the Habs are nothing this year, but you can pretty much throw that out the window when they get together with Boston. If they were playing anyone else, I'd think they'd go out in 4, but that is why I really didn't want this matchup at all.

On paper, the Bruins should destroy them. But it won't happen. And I am just hoping the Bruins can squeak by, because I think they'll be able to win in the second round a LOT easier, no matter who the opponent, than the first round.

I officially have Garth Algar's tingly feeling like when we used to climb the rope in gym class. I am excited and unbelievably nervous all at the same time.

[The Stig]

I just got my tickets to Games 1 and 2 at Verizon!

8 Montreal vs. 1 Boston
Boston's clearly the better team, but Montreal should get up for this matchup. B's in a tough 6.

7 NY Rangers vs. 2 Washington
Caps seem to do well against the blueshirts. Caps in 5.

6 Carolina vs. 3 Devils
You know what? I'm going to pick an upset here. Devils haven't been playing great hockey as of late, and the Canes had a strong second half of the season. Canes also won the regular season matchup 3-1. Canes in 6.

5 Philadelphia vs. 4 Pittsburgh
WAR! BLOODY WAR! In the stands, that is. On the ice I think the Penguins will win easier than most expect. Pens in 5.


WEST

8 Anaheim vs. 1 San Jose
The Ducks are better than a lot of people think, and they've been playing important games for a couple weeks. I can see them taking the first two games of this series, but the Sharks will come back because they're the better team. Sharks in 7, but I wouldn't be shocked at an upset here.

7 Columbus vs. 2 Detroit
Neither team is playing terribly well right now and they split the regular season series, but it's Stanley Cup winning experience vs. almost no playoff experience. Wings in 5.

6 St. Louis vs. 3 Vancouver
St. Louis is hot right now, but Luongo is an absolute wall come playoff time. Canucks in 6.

5 Calgary vs. 4 Chicago
This one hurts because the Flames are my team, but they've really sucked down the stretch. If they lose one of their first two home games it'll be over quick. Chicago in 5.

[jkhoya12]

WEST

Ducks in 6 over Sharks

Detroit in 6 over Jackets

St. Louis over Vancouver in 7

Chicago in 6

EAST
Boston in 7 over Montreal
Caps over Rangers in 4
Devils over Carolina in 6
Philadelphia over Pittsburgh in 5

[whatmaroon]

I watch about 1/200th the hockey I did 7-8 years ago, so no predictions from me. I'm just so happy the Hawks are in it-first playoff appearance in 7 years, and this is the first time there's been actual, legitimate hope once they got there since '96.

[Boz]

Quality hockey in Chicago (and St. Louis for that matter) is nothing but good for the NHL.

Those are two outstanding hockey towns, but they haven't had much of a product for a while. With Chicago, I think it will last longer; St. Louis, I'm still skeptical.

[jgalt]

Apr 13, 2009 13:16:38 GMT -5 The Stig said:

I just got my tickets to Games 1 and 2 at Verizon!

If you, ya know, have like an extra or something, im like totally free on saturday, just saying ;D ;D


You know how at college football games they separate the two fan bases? yeah they should probably do that for the flyers/pens games or there will be blood.

[Boz]

BTW, for anyone who is interested, but did not purchase NHL Center Ice for the season, or half-season, the playoff package is available for only $19.95.

This will give you every game that is not televised by NBC or Versus throughout the playoffs. (it might even include alternate coverage for the Versus broadcasts, I'm not sure, or include those games if you don't happen to get Versus).

Not much point if you are a Caps, Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Sharks or Ducks fan, since it looks like Versus & NBC are picking up pretty much every game from those three first-round series.

But if you are a fan of the other teams, and don't happen to get CBC, that's not a bad price to be able to catch every game in the first couple of rounds. By the time it gets to the conf. finals and SC finals, obviously, it'll be national TV the whole way.

[The Stig]

Will Versus be picking up CBC coverage for some games again this year?

[theexorcist]

Apr 14, 2009 14:51:08 GMT -5 The Stig said:

Will Versus be picking up CBC coverage for some games again this year?

Hope not - Don Cherry's suits burn up an image on your HDTV.

[Boz]

Apr 14, 2009 14:51:08 GMT -5 The Stig said:

Will Versus be picking up CBC coverage for some games again this year?

I think for the series that Versus is covering, they are sending their own teams, which include guys from local broadcasts, like Andy Brickley & Joe Beninati. Though I'm sure you'll get some bonus coverage from CBC.

On Center Ice, it will probably be ALL CBC (which is going to make watching the Bruins-Canadiens oh so much fun for me).

[HoyaSinceBirth]

Go Caps! and Go Flames! that is all.

[mchoya]

As long as the Caps are starting Jose Theodore in goal, there is hope for the Rangers. Henrik has bailed out the Rangers this year; if he's hot during the playoffs, the Caps are in trouble.

I can realistically predict Rangers in 6 and not be an unabashed homer while doing it. So that's what I will do.

[jgalt]

Apr 14, 2009 18:54:44 GMT -5 mchoya said:

As long as the Caps are starting Jose Theodore in goal, there is hope for the Rangers. Henrik has bailed out the Rangers this year; if he's hot during the playoffs, the Caps are in trouble.

I can realistically predict Rangers in 6 and not be an unabashed homer while doing it. So that's what I will do.

You are aware that teams have to score goals to win, and the Rags aint to good at that lately.

[Boz]

I am extremely nervous, since Barry Melrose yesterday said that of the two #1 seeds, San Jose is in more jeopardy of losing their first round matchup.

Superstitious people like me hate to hear things like that.

(His point is well taken though, and one I agree with: Anaheim is not all that far removed from winning the Stanley Cup. Plus, San Jose has had tremendous success in the regular season recently but haven't done anything in the playoffs. I just happen to think the Sharks won't choke this year.)

Melrose also picked the Caps to come out of the East, so jgalt, you can be nervous too. ;D

[jgalt]

Apr 15, 2009 9:12:28 GMT -5 Boz said:

Melrose also picked the Caps to come out of the East, so jgalt, you can be nervous too. ;D

Man he has been saying that all season and i hate hearing it every time! ;D it is so funny how fans will come up with thousands of reasons why their team is the best, but when someone actually says it we cower in fear of jinxing it.

[mchoya]

Pitt wins handily while the Devils look to be well on their way to doing the same. The Rangers hold on in a nail-biter. Now, who's ready for Vancouver/St. Louis?