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| #1 Posted on 4.4.04 2104.41 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2104.44 | Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/matchups
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Tampa Bay (106 pts) vs (8) NY Islanders (91 pts) PREDICTION: Tampa in 5. Isles have played Tampa tough all season but they're not a Playoff team. Yashin disappears. DiPietro won't steal them games. Tampa will steamroll through them.
(2) Boston (104 pts) vs (7) Montreal (93 pts) PREDICTION: Montreal in 7. Even if Thornton plays, I don't think he'll be 100%. Theodore can be gold in the Playoffs. Raycroft's never been there. I think the Habs can score the upset.
(3) Philadelphia (101 pts) vs (6) New Jersey (100 pts) PREDICTION: Devils in 6. Flyers are the ones with everything to prove in the Playoffs. Can they score in the playoffs? Will they get good enough goaltending? A bunch of 2-1, and 1-0 games here with the Devils taking it.
(4) Toronto (103 pts) vs (5) Ottawa (102 pts) PREDICTION: Ottawa in 6. Here we go again. I know the Leafs had the Sens number all year long but in the Playoffs, I'm still going with Ottawa. Leafs always find a way to self-destruct. I'm banking on Lalime being healthy, though.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Detroit (109 pts) vs (8) Nashville (91 pts) PREDICTION: Detroit in 4. The only trouble the Wings will have is if Legace collapses and Cujo isn't ready.
(2) San Jose (104 pts) vs (7) St. Louis (91 pts) PREDICTION: San Jose in 6. I haven't been impressed with the Blues all year. I don't think they matchup well against the Sharks either. San Jose doesn't get much press and they'll surprise a lot of people, I think.
(3) Vancouver (101 pts) vs (6) Calgary (94 pts) PREDICTION: Vancouver in 6. A rough and tough series. Canucks have much more depth then the Flames even without Bertuzzi. Kiprusoff will steal two games for the Flames.
(4) Colorado (100 pts) vs (5) Dallas (97 pts) PREDICTION: Dallas in 7. The Avs can't score and Aebischer can't take that amount of pressure. Avs start strong in Colorado but let it slip away in Dallas. Promote this thread! | | Bullitt
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| #2 Posted on 4.4.04 2121.00 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2123.53 | Bring it, Leafs. Come on. Ignore that 6-0 game from Saturday night. Bring it. You and the CBC and every journalist in the country that wants nothing more than the Leafs to go deep into the playoffs...bring it.
Go Sens Go. | cfgb
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| #3 Posted on 4.4.04 2131.20 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2134.08 | Ignore that 6-0 game from Saturday night.
Okay, we'll bring up the 4-0 game that turned into a 5-4 Leafs victory a couple months back. :-)
(1) Tampa Bay (106 pts) vs (8) NY Islanders (91 pts) WINNER: Tampa Bay in 7
(2) Boston (104 pts) vs (7) Montreal (93 pts) WINNER: This one is going to be a BITCH of a series... Boston in 7
(3) Philadelphia (101 pts) vs (6) New Jersey (100 pts) WINNER: New Jersey in 5. Bobby Clarke immediately blames Esche, and deals him for a stunning new line of first rate tough guys
(4) Toronto (103 pts) vs (5) Ottawa (102 pts) WINNER: Toronto in 4, not even close
(1) Detroit (109 pts) vs (8) Nashville (91 pts) WINNER: Detroit in 5
(2) San Jose (104 pts) vs (7) St. Louis (91 pts) WINNER: St. Louis in 6. They're a fiesty bunch
(3) Vancouver (101 pts) vs (6) Calgary (94 pts) WINNER: Vancouver in 4
(4) Colorado (100 pts) vs (5) Dallas (97 pts) WINNER: Colorado in 5 | Freeway
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| #4 Posted on 4.4.04 2131.37 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2134.11 | West: QUARTERS: Detroit [1] over Nashville [8] 4-1 San Jose [2] over St. Louis [7] 4-1 Calgary [6] over Vancouver [3] 4-2 Dallas [5] over Colorado [4] 4-2 SEMIS: Detroit [1] over Calgary [6] 4-3 San Jose [2] over Dallas [5] 4-2 FINALS: Detroit [1] over San Jose [2] 4-2 East: QUARTERS: Tampa Bay [1] over NY Islanders [8] 4-0 Boston [2] over Montreal [7] 4-2 New Jersey [6] over Philadelphia [3] 4-3 Ottawa [5] over Toronto [4] 4-3 SEMIS: New Jersey [6] over Tampa Bay [1] 4-2 Ottawa [5] over Boston [2] 4-3 FINALS: Ottawa [5] over New Jersey [6] 4-3 CUP FINALS: Ottawa [E] over Detroit [W] 4-2
(edited by Freeway420 on 4.4.04 2136) | The Goon
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| #5 Posted on 4.4.04 2210.49 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2211.11 | East: Tampa in 6 over Isles Montreal in 6 over Boston Philly in 7 over Joisey Toronto gets a bye round
West: Detroit in 5 over Preds St.Louis in 6 over San Jose Dallas in 6 over Colorado Calgary in 6 over Vancouver | BigVitoMark
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| #6 Posted on 4.4.04 2214.45 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2216.26 | *Tampa Bay over NYI in 6: NYI has played Tampa tough this year, but they just don't have it talent wise.
*Habs over Boston in 6 or 7: Theodore > Raycroft.
*Flyers over NJ in 7: I'm a Flyers fan, I can't go against them.
*Leafs over Sens in 6: As much as I hate the Leafs and as much as I know nothing would screw Leafs fans more than losing to the Ottawa Senators, the Sens have no goaltending right now and have been inconsistent this year.
*Wings over Nashville in 4, maybe 5: No comparison talent wise or experience wise, and Vokoun is no Giguere. Next.
*Blues over Sharks in 7: Nabokov is tough, but the Blues have much more talent than San Jose. Probably as good a 7 seed on paper as there has been in a while.
*Calgary over Vancouver: Calgary just has too much of that 'refuse to lose' factor going for them, plus a smoking hot goalie to boot. The Canucks are no better than they were last year (add depth, less Bertuzzi) and Cloutier is worthless come playoff time.
*Avs over Dallas: Another crapshoot, I'm picking this more or less by the home ice advantage. Dallas has been hot lately while Colorado struggled, so it could go the other way and I wouldn't be surprised.
I guess for the second round, in short...
EAST:
*Tampa over Montreal in 5 *Flyers over Leafs in 6
*Flyers over Tampa in 6
WEST:
*Wings over Blues in 5 *Calgary over Avs in 6 (not sure if I believe that, Colorado is just so up in the air right now)
*Wings over Calgary in 7
CUP:
*Flyers over Wings in 6 | Bullitt
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| #7 Posted on 4.4.04 2234.06 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2234.25 | Originally posted by The Goon Toronto gets a bye round
Flag on the play...10 yards for piling on. | redsoxnation
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| #8 Posted on 4.4.04 2251.32 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2252.29 | East 1st round Islanders in 6 Canadians in 6 Leafs in 5 Devils in 5
semis Leafs in 5 over Islanders Devils in 7 over Candians
finals Devils in 6 over Leafs
West 1st round Colorado in 5 Detroit in 4 San Jose in 7 Calgary in 6
semis Detroit in 5 over Calgary Colorado in 6 over San Jose
finals Detroit in 5 over Colorado
Stanley Cup Detroit in 5 over Devils | Socks
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| #9 Posted on 4.4.04 2311.21 Reposted on: 4.4.11 2313.29 | Ok here we go... East
Tampa in 5 Montreal in 7 New Jersey in 6 Ottawa in 5
West
Calgary in 7 San Jose in 6 Detroit in 4 Dallas in 6
Due to injuries suspensions, etc...I will base my other predictions at the end of the first round.
I tried to predict all the way through last year, but a team by the name of the Ducks screwed it all up for me. ARGH | Big Bad
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| #10 Posted on 5.4.04 0012.47 Reposted on: 5.4.11 0012.48 | 4) Toronto (103 pts) vs (5) Ottawa (102 pts) PREDICTION: Ottawa in 6. Here we go again. I know the Leafs had the Sens number all year long but in the Playoffs, I'm still going with Ottawa. Leafs always find a way to self-destruct. I'm banking on Lalime being healthy, though.
You've got to be fucking joking me. So when the Leafs lose in the playoffs it's "self-destructing," but what do you call it when the Sens have their regular shitting of the bed? And three of those times it's been at the hands of the Leafs! Face it, the Senators are the Red Sox to the Maple Leafs' Yankees.
Predictions..... Tampa in 6 Montreal in 7 (this series will kick major ass) Jersey in 6 Leafs in 5 Wings in 4 Sharks in 6 Flames in 6 (Kiprusoff will be this year's J.S. Giguere) Stars in 7
| Bullitt
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| #11 Posted on 5.4.04 0024.00 Reposted on: 5.4.11 0024.06 | Originally posted by Big Bad Face it, the Senators are the Red Sox to the Maple Leafs' Yankees.
Except for the glaring lack of championships in Toronto since 1967. | fuelinjected
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| #12 Posted on 5.4.04 0134.09 Reposted on: 5.4.11 0134.17 | The Senators were a young team building towards a possible championship. The Leafs were an older, high priced, free agent grabbing, high expectations team for about the past five years.
The Senators learned through failure and got within one game of the Stanley Cup Finals last year while the Leafs just got a year older.
If the Senators blow it this year then they deserve a "shitting the bed" label because they've established themselves as a team that CAN go deep in the Playoffs and they're an upper echelon team.
The Leafs MUST win the Cup to justify their team of guys whose bodies are falling apart. | The Goon
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| #13 Posted on 5.4.04 0736.56 Reposted on: 5.4.11 0737.10 | Neither Toronto nor Ottawa will win the Cup this year. Toronto is an old team; injuries and general wear n'tear (see Roberts, Gary) will take their toll.
There's something missing with Ottawa-I don't want to say it's heart, but it's disappointing that with home ice and potentially the division title at stake this past Saturday night, they took a night off.
I have these horrifying visions of a Philly-Dallas final. | JoshMann
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| #14 Posted on 5.4.04 0852.33 Reposted on: 5.4.11 0853.18 | Tampa Bay (1) vs N.Y. Islanders (8)
This is going to be tougher than your average 1v8 series. New York matches up well with Tampa and I'm still not convinced they didn't get a 1 seed by playing in a weak division. But the home ice counts for something and while I don't see the Lightning going much further than this, they're good enough to beat a team that's had trouble all year staying consistant.
Lightning in 6 ==== Montreal v Boston
I haven't been convinced by Andrew Raycroft as a playoff goalie yet. That doesn't mean he won't succeed, because I would have said the same thing about Giguere this time last year, but Theo's back in 2002 forum, and if he's any kind of on, this is going to be a tough series between two teams who know each other well. However, IF Raycroft can play up to the challenge he has the better team behind him.
Bruins in 7 =======
Devils vs Flyers
Phily's albatross in playoffs past is not only goaltending, but it's habit of playing goalie by committee, and usually it kills one goalie for the playoffs every year. This year they have Goalie 1 and 1A yet AGAIN, while Brodeur had yet another Brodeur-like year.
To be the man, you gotta beat the man...and Phily isn't the man, home ice or not.
Devils in 5
=======
Toronto vs Ottawa
re "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back":
Justice: You're no match for my Shaolin Monk. Sissy: Yeah, but I'll bury you with me Crouching Tiger. Justice: A little Venus Flytrap? Sissy: I'll counter with Dragon Queen. Justice: How 'bout a little 'Bitch, My Man Ain't Your Baby's Daddy'? Sissy: BRING IT ON
And that's roughly what this series is going to look like...but to paraphrase what one great philospher once said, the time for talk is over and now they gotta both walk (WHOO!) that aisle.
This game is going to, however, come down to a Game 7. In Toronto. Most likely in overtime. Which is how it should go down.
Toronto in 7, as they win the blowoff for this feud. At least for THIS year...and yes, I'm biased.
======
Detroit vs. Nashville
Nashville, welcome to the playoffs...hope you're happy to be here. The Wings only choke early every other year, not every year.
Detroit in 5
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Sharks in 6 over St. Louis (sorry, Wade)
Same problem for St. Louis that St. Louis always has: goaltending. Plus I think San Jose is getting hot at just the right time.
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Flames in 5 over Canucks
Speaking of teams getting hot and cold at the right and wrong time: Calgary is on a definite roll right now and Vancouver has been sputtering since the Bertuzzi incident. Plus, the two-headed monster in goal will claim a casualty...Cloutier most likely
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Stars in 7 over Avs.
Maybe I put too much stock in goalies during the playoffs, but Dallas has been able to successfully make themselves over and that includes Marty Turcotte showing his promise this year. Colorado is a nice team, and they always have been, but Dallas is just a little bit better in most categories. Could be the most evenly played series of the 1st round.
(edited by Blanket Jackson on 5.4.04 1331) | haz
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| #15 Posted on 5.4.04 0945.01 Reposted on: 5.4.11 0945.40 | TB vs NYI
I think the Lightning win this, but I agree with those who say this will be tougher series than most 1/8. The Isles have played very well down the stretch, holding off the Sabres.
TB in 6
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Mont vs Bost
I think the Bruins win this one fairly handily. No worries about the G situation.
Bost in 5
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Philly vs NJ
I am sorry, but the one team I would not want to play in the East is NJ. Neither of the Flyers goalies even comes close to the man in NJ.
NJ in 6
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Toronto vs Ottawa
Speaking of goalies or lack thereof, the Senators are screwed. Lalime is not even close to 100% and even so, his season has been far from stellar. Belfour is rounding into form and the Leafs will kiss the Sens good-bye again... (should be easier this time, too...)
Leafs in 5
---- Next round
Leafs over TB in 6 NJ over Bost in 6
Conf
Leafs over NJ in 7
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Det vs Nash
Should be no contest, but I remember saying that last year too. CuJo or Legace???
Det in 5
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SJ vs StL
Should be interesting, but I don't think Osgood is up to shutting anyone down consistently.
SJ in 6
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Vanc vs Calg
Canucks are playing well, now that they are used to being without Bertuzzi. Flames are good, but I don't think they are that good. If there is one upset I can see without picking it, though, it's this one.
Vanc in 7
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Colorado vs Dallas
Which Avs team shows up for this one. They can be so, so good, but also seem to be so so bad sometimes... Turco over Aebischer.
Dallas in 7
---- Next round
Detroit over Dallas in 7 SJ over Vancouver in 7
Conf Final
Detroit over SJ in 6
Stanley Cup
Detroit over Toronto in 7
Leaf fans all over the world kill themselves as they come closer than ever, then hockey goes on strike and it will never happen again.... | Mr. Heat Miser
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| #16 Posted on 5.4.04 1119.53 Reposted on: 5.4.11 1120.02 | OK - knowing that there is very little chance of actually predicting the whole way through the playoffs, let's give it a whirl! I'm not predicting number of games because, c'mon, who can do that? I think I'll go with the better/hotter goalie in each round.
Round 1:
Tampa over NYI Toronto over Ottawa New Jersey over Philadelphia Montreal over Boston (toss-up here)
Detroit over Nashville San Jose over St. Louis Dallas over Colorado Calgary over Vancouver
Round 2
Tampa over Montreal (another toss-up) Toronto over NJ (Eddie is hotter than Marty right now)
Calgary over Detroit Dallas over San Jose
Semis
Toronto over Tampa
Dallas over Calgary
FINAL:
Maple Leafs over the Stars for the Cup, Conn Smythe trophy to Ed Belfour.
| evilwaldo
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| #17 Posted on 5.4.04 1135.07 Reposted on: 5.4.11 1139.00 | Let's see...
OLD SCHOOL NAMES~~~
Prince of Wales Conference:
Islanders over Tampa Bay. The Islanders seem to coming together at the right time and match up well against the Lightning.
Boston over Montreal. I just think that Boston is the better team.
New Jersey over Philadelphia. Bobby Clarke never learns.
Toronto over Ottawa.
Campbell Conference:
Detroit over Nashville
San Jose over St. Louis
Dallas over Colorado
Vancouver over Calgary | pieman
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| #18 Posted on 5.4.04 1347.59 Reposted on: 5.4.11 1349.05 | Originally posted by fuelinjected PREDICTION: Montreal in 7. Even if Thornton plays, I don't think he'll be 100%. Theodore can be gold in the Playoffs. Raycroft's never been there. I think the Habs can score the upset.
What's with all the Bruins haters? The Canadiens are much inferior team than the Bruins. This is not last year. Or the year before or the year before.
Bruins in 5. Let Josie and the Pussycats try and get through Boston.
Go Bruins! Go Senators! | fuelinjected
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| #19 Posted on 5.4.04 1402.13 Reposted on: 5.4.11 1404.44 | Originally posted by pieman
Originally posted by fuelinjected PREDICTION: Montreal in 7. Even if Thornton plays, I don't think he'll be 100%. Theodore can be gold in the Playoffs. Raycroft's never been there. I think the Habs can score the upset.
What's with all the Bruins haters? The Canadiens are much inferior team than the Bruins. This is not last year. Or the year before or the year before.
Bruins in 5. Let Josie and the Pussycats try and get through Boston.
Go Bruins! Go Senators!
I'm just worried about Raycroft. He has to outplay Jose Theodore. That's a lot of pressure for a rookie in his first playoffs. Even the great Marty Turco wasn't spectacular last year in his first playoffs. | tarnish
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| #20 Posted on 5.4.04 1441.05 Reposted on: 5.4.11 1441.39 | Originally posted by pieman
What's with all the Bruins haters? The Canadiens are much inferior team than the Bruins. This is not last year. Or the year before or the year before.
Bruins in 5. Let Josie and the Pussycats try and get through Boston.
You are very correct, sir, this is not last year, nor is it the year before: Montreal actually has offense this year.
And the man between the pipes has shown in the past that he's got that elusive "playoff mode". If Theodore plays his playoff best the Bruins are done. With or without Thornton. Unless, of course, Raycroft turns out to be the real thing too, in which case it might well be the best series of the entire playoffs.
Toronto/Ottawa could be a barn-burner as well, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's going to be a walk for Toronto. People are all over the "grizzled" Leafs, but seem to conveniently forget that Detroit's last couple of Stanley Cup winning teams have been far from "young and hungry." Ditto Jersey's last winning team.
I agree that the Islanders match up well with Tampa Bay, but I think Tampa's got enough firepower to push them through the first round at least.
Jersey/Philly is a push. I don't much like either team (Jersey plays the most boring-to-watch-but-maddeningly-effective hockey on Earth; Philly is the most underachieving team on Earth), but I tend to give the nod to proven goaltending. Brodeur's a safe bet there, I think
I can't say I've watched enough Western Conference action to even have an opinion. Detroit's always strong, the Avs look sick on paper, San Jose is a talented team, and Dallas is always strong (especially if Turco is on). That doesn't bode well for Calgary and Vancouver, though St. Louis' playoff streak is amazing, but I don't think they're a true contender this year. Nashville needs a year to "mature" (look at Anaheim and Minnesota this year) but they could play spoiler in a first-round series. |
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