Boston Bruins (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8) Washington Capitals (2) vs. New York Rangers (7) New Jersey Devils (3) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (6) Philadelphia Flyers (4) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (5)
Western Conference:
San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (8) Detroit Red Wings (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7) Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. St. Louis Blues (6) Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs. Calgary Flames (5)
Picks:
Boston in 6 Washington in 5 New Jersey in 6 Philadelphia in 7
San Jose in 5 Columbus in 6 St.Louis in 7 Chicago in 6
Eastern Conference Habs in 7 Caps in 7 Devils in 5 Pens in 6
Western Conference Sharks in 7 Wings in 5 Canucks in 5 Blackhawks in 6
Originally posted by The GoonColumbus in 6
Normally, I'd dismiss you as a bitter Wings hater, but you could possibly be right given Detroit propensity to choke early against hot goaltending. And Mason has been excellent... thus far.
Originally posted by Reverend J Shaft Normally, I'd dismiss you as a bitter Wings hater, but you could possibly be right given Detroit propensity to choke early against hot goaltending. And Mason has been excellent... thus far.
Yeah, the goaltending is why I consider there to be a possible upset, plus I heard that Draper's going to miss a couple of games as well.
I also think St.Louis could upset Vancouver because the Blues seem to be the hot team heading into the playoffs, and they also have a hot goaltender named Mason.
Originally posted by Reverend J Shaft Normally, I'd dismiss you as a bitter Wings hater, but you could possibly be right given Detroit propensity to choke early against hot goaltending. And Mason has been excellent... thus far.
Yeah, the goaltending is why I consider there to be a possible upset, plus I heard that Draper's going to miss a couple of games as well.
I also think St.Louis could upset Vancouver because the Blues seem to be the hot team heading into the playoffs, and they also have a hot goaltender named Mason.
It is ridikolus how St. Louis has exploded over the past couple weeks over the Blues. After ignoring them the past four years it's almost like an expansion franchise. I get the feeling that games three and four will have the HOTTEST CROWD. I'm no ice hockey expert, but if they can feed off this they can definitely pull off the upset.
If nothing else, next year will be quite interesting.
1 BOSTON BRUINS vs. MONTREAL CANADIENS 8 Game 1 @BOS Thu. 7PM Game 2 @BOS Sat. 8PM Game 3 @MTL Mon. 7PM Game 4 @MTL 4/22 7PM Game 5 @BOS 4/25 7PM * Game 6 @MTL 4/27 TBD * Game 7 @BOS 4/29 TBD *
2 WASHINGTON CAPITALS vs. NEW YORK RANGERS 7 Game 1 @WAS Wed. 7PM Game 2 @WAS Sat. 1PM Game 3 @NYR Mon. 7PM Game 4 @NYR 4/22 7PM Game 5 @WAS 4/24 7PM * Game 6 @NYR 4/26 2PM * Game 7 @WAS 4/28 TBD *
3 NEW JERSEY DEVILS vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES 6 Game 1 @NJ Wed. 7PM Game 2 @NJ Fri. 7:30PM Game 3 @CAR Sun. 7:30PM Game 4 @CAR 4/21 7:30PM Game 5 @NJ 4/23 7:30PM * Game 6 @CAR 4/26 TBD * Game 7 @NJ 4/28 7:30PM *
4 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS vs. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 5 Game 1 @PIT Wed. 7PM Game 2 @PIT Fri. 7PM Game 3 @PHI Sun. 3PM Game 4 @PHI Tue. 7PM Game 5 @PIT 4/23 7PM * Game 6 @PHI 4/25 3PM * Game 7 @PIT 4/27 TBD *
WESTERN
1 SAN JOSE SHARKS vs. ANAHEIM DUCKS 8 Game 1 @SJ Thu. 10:30PM Game 2 @SJ Sun. 10PM Game 3 @ANA Tue. 10:30PM Game 4 @ANA 4/23 10:30PM Game 5 @SJ 4/25 10PM * Game 6 @ANA 4/27 TBD * Game 7 @SJ 4/29 TBD *
2 DETROIT RED WINGS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 7 Game 1 @DET Thu. 7PM Game 2 @DET Sat. 6PM Game 3 @COL Tue. 7PM Game 4 @COL 4/23 7PM Game 5 @DET 4/25 7PM * Game 6 @COL 4/27 TBD * Game 7 @DET 4/29 TBD *
3 VANCOUVER CANUCKS vs. ST. LOUIS BLUES 6 Game 1 @VAN Wed. 10PM Game 2 @VAN Fri. 10PM Game 3 @STL Sun. 7PM Game 4 @STL Tue. 8PM Game 5 @VAN 4/24 10PM * Game 6 @STL 4/26 8PM * Game 7 @VAN 4/28 TBD *
4 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs. CALGARY FLAMES 5 Game 1 @CHI Thu. 8:30PM Game 2 @CHI Sat. 9PM Game 3 @CAL Mon. 9:30PM Game 4 @CAL 4/22 10PM Game 5 @CHI 4/25 9PM * Game 6 @CAL 4/27 TBD * Game 7 @CHI 4/29 TBD *
Now, I don't know about the NBC stuff...NHL.com says it, but the TV Guides still say it's a bunch of "Law & Order" reruns tonight. We'll know soon enough!
Originally posted by BullittWhere did you get the Versus listings?
I stole them all from NHL.com, but the ones you linked to are quite believable since they actually have NBC weekend games. Like I said, we'll find out soon enough.
So hard to find rooting interests in the other series. I usually root for the Devils when they aren't playing the Rangers...but the Devils scare me much more than Carolina does. Similarly, I hate the Flyers with great passion...but I like our chances of knocking them off a lot better than our chances of beating Crosby & company. Of course, we may not even get there, anyway. Meanwhile, when I flip the late games from the Western Conference on, I have no idea who to root for except to root for the upset of the Red Wings. Anyone have a reason for me to root for someone in those series?
Man, it is tough to be a Sharks fan during the playoffs. What a disappointment. Hey, they're ONLY 0-1, I should be more optimistic! Ah ha ha.
On the other hand, must be nice to be a hockey fan in Chicago (all of a sudden). I don't mind overtime games like that, but I think I still like the multiple period ones more.
Just announced: Saturday will be NHL Network's first ever playoff telecast with Game 2 of the Detroit/Columbus series that evening. Press Release (nhl.com) I don't get that channel in HD, so no worries about me not watching NASCAR that night. ;-)
Originally posted by Peter The HegemonRangers game one was a great one tonight.
So hard to find rooting interests in the other series. I usually root for the Devils when they aren't playing the Rangers...but the Devils scare me much more than Carolina does. Similarly, I hate the Flyers with great passion...but I like our chances of knocking them off a lot better than our chances of beating Crosby & company. Of course, we may not even get there, anyway. Meanwhile, when I flip the late games from the Western Conference on, I have no idea who to root for except to root for the upset of the Red Wings. Anyone have a reason for me to root for someone in those series?
I missed Rangers Game #1 because I was on a plane but I did catch Rangers in 60 the next morning - Ovechkin is an animal but Henrik was up to the task. Rangers have to keep out of the box. It would be nice to win Game 2 as well but I just don't want to be blown out on NBC. I am going to Game # 3.
Canes in 7 over devils. I can never cheer for the devils ever. Boston in 6 over Montreal. Pittsburgh in 5 over the Flyers. Anyone but the red wings in the west - I am cheering for the Blues just because of JD
I am the Grand Poobah of the Benevolent Society of Angry Misanthropes
Originally posted by CRZOn the other hand, must be nice to be a hockey fan in Chicago (all of a sudden). I don't mind overtime games like that, but I think I still like the multiple period ones more.
I was at the game last night, and that was the hottest I've heard a Hawks crowd since they tore down the old Chicago Stadium.
After standing during the intermission between 3rd period and OT I said as they dropped the puck "alright, now I get to sit for a little while." I had just enough time to finish saying that before jumping up to see Havlat's goal.
The Hawks looked very out of sync, like they had some major jitters, early in the game. The fact the Flames didn't capitalize to take that game could be a huge turning point for this series. The Hawks tried to gift wrap the game for them, and Calgary didn't take it.
If Game 1 is any indication of the series to come, Columbus can just pack up now and start making tee times. Some of the sloppiest puck handling by the Wings defense I've seen all season (and that's saying a lot for this season) and the Jackets could barely do squat. Here's hoping that's how it goes.
Also, I'm going to love watching the Bruins/Habs series. I hope it goes 7 games and both teams blow the other out every game so I can see more of the fisticuffs they had last night. Man do these guys hate each other... fantastic.
And, finally, if I'm Cammalleri, I might think about finding someone OTHER than Havlat to piss off with a cheap shot during a game. Here's a hint: I'd also keep my elbows away from Toews and Kane unless you want similar results to last night.
Originally posted by Reverend J Shaft Also, I'm going to love watching the Bruins/Habs series. I hope it goes 7 games and both teams blow the other out every game so I can see more of the fisticuffs they had last night. Man do these guys hate each other... fantastic.
For the Habs, it always used to be the Leafs who were our biggest rivals. Boston was up there as our second biggest one for several years. Then the 70's hit and that was that. Boston then became 1B to Toronto's 1A, especially with the old divisional playoff format. Why will the series rock? Because it's an old ADAMS DIVIVSION THROWDOWN where two teams do NOT like each other after playing against each other so often in the playoffs several years in a row. Familiarity breeds contempt. ESPECIALLY when the Bruin's coach is a former Habs coach.
It's going to be an awesome series.
GO HABS GO.
(edited by El Nastio on 17.4.09 1320) You know, I really don't know what to put here. Close your eyes and thank of something funny!
Capitals have pulled Joe Ted after one 1-goal loss and gone with the villain from Harry Potter? I heard Varlamov is good though. Nice backcheck on the only goal of the game, MVP. But why start now.
Originally posted by JustinShapiro Playoff hockey is the best thing. IMO.
IMO? This should be absolute truth. There's no better hockey than playoff hockey (I challenge anyone to find me better hockey). In somewhat controversial fashion, I'll even go so far as to say that the run for the Stanley Cup is the most phsyically gruelling in all of professional sports and that it's the hardest championship to win.
You know, I really don't know what to put here. Close your eyes and thank of something funny!
Originally posted by JustinShapiro Playoff hockey is the best thing. IMO.
IMO? This should be absolute truth. There's no better hockey than playoff hockey (I challenge anyone to find me better hockey). In somewhat controversial fashion, I'll even go so far as to say that the run for the Stanley Cup is the most phsyically gruelling in all of professional sports and that it's the hardest championship to win.
I think a NFL run might be more grueling, but I'll agree that a Cup run is probably harder to pull off. Going down 3-1, and having to win 2 just to GET to a winner-take-all game? Overtimes that can go twice as long as regulation? Guys who have absolutely no business doing so growing beards? Score!
Originally posted by JustinShapiro Playoff hockey is the best thing. IMO.
IMO? This should be absolute truth. There's no better hockey than playoff hockey (I challenge anyone to find me better hockey). In somewhat controversial fashion, I'll even go so far as to say that the run for the Stanley Cup is the most phsyically gruelling in all of professional sports and that it's the hardest championship to win.
I think a NFL run might be more grueling, but I'll agree that a Cup run is probably harder to pull off. Going down 3-1, and having to win 2 just to GET to a winner-take-all game? Overtimes that can go twice as long as regulation? Guys who have absolutely no business doing so growing beards? Score!
You've got six days to get ready for an NFL playoff game, with extra time between the Super Bowl. By no means am I saying other sports aren't easy, but The Cup is the hardest to win.
You know, I really don't know what to put here. Close your eyes and thank of something funny!
Originally posted by The GoonI also think St.Louis could upset Vancouver because the Blues seem to be the hot team heading into the playoffs, and they also have a hot goaltender named Mason.
Actually, going by records since February, St. Louis are the second-hottest team in the league heading into the playoffs - the Canucks are first.
I didn't pick any Wings players in my hockey pool because I thought they could be susceptible to a first- or second-round upset, but after watching today's game against the Jackets - damn. No team is better at controlling puck possession than the Wings.
The ceremony is in Toronto on June 14th, here are the nominees. There are 4 nominees for the Vezina Trophy as opposed to the normal 3, as there was a tie for the 3rd most votes. Calder Trophy (outstanding rookie)