The conference finals for the National Hockey League playoffs have been set.
The Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (presented to the Western Conference Champion) will be contested between the Edmonton Oilers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The Prince of Wales Trophy (presented to the Eastern Conference Champion) will be contested between the Buffalo Sabres and the Carolina Hurricanes.
One would almost root for the Oilers just because they are the only name out there with a true legacy.
BUT..This is the new NHL and it gives a new team the chance to create that legacy. So...GO DUCKS!!
i *think* both series could be close contests. The Oilers proved they got grit, but the Ducks totally outplayed and outbattled the Avalanche so it should get interesting. Can Bryzgalov continue to star?
In the East I have to give the edge to the Hurricanes who I believe have a bit more talent on the team. Ofcourse while typing that I am reminded of how much guys like Brierre have been ruling in the past games.
Cannot wait for the series to begin. Many sleepless nights..I am loving it :)
My pick: Edmonton in round in the West, and Buffalo in the East. It's interesting, because I disliked both Buffalo and Edmonton when I lived in Toronto and Calgary, respectively.
It's nice to see so many small market teams go far.
"At the end of every hard-earned day, people find some reason to believe." -- Bruce Springsteen
The matchups are death for TV ratings but great for hockey fans - 2 series that promise to be fast & wildly entertaining based on what we have seen in the playoffs so far.
I like Edmonton & Carolina but so far my predictions have sucked, so I would not be at all surprised to see Anaheim & Buffalo.
How I long for the good ole' days, when you all were declaring "Calgary in 5", or "Calgary in 6". You remember - it was, like, a month ago...
I warned people not to underestimate the Ducks. Did you listen? No. Did I still manage to lose money betting on the Ducks because they lost the one game I had money on? Yes.
Go Ducks!
"Those of you who think you know everything are annoying to those of us who do." David Brent, The Office
"Oedipus ruined a great sex life by asking too many questions." Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report
Because the United States is allegedly classless, we use other markers to tell people apart, such as race, jobs or income. Roger Ebert, Review for Kicking and Screaming (1995)
Originally posted by dunkndollazThe matchups are death for TV ratings but great for hockey fans -
I think the TV ratings are already dead. I don't think it matters who is playing.
I have been a Bruins fan since I can remember (late 1960s) and I watched a grand total of about 20 minutes of hockey this season. Now, that may have to do with them trading Joe Thornton and stinking to high heavens, but I haven't watched any other hockey either (besides UMaine Black Bear hockey, that is).
My Hurricanes are at it again for the second time in four years ...
This year, unlike 2002, I feel they LOOK like a team that's ready to hoist the cup. In 2002, the whole playoff run felt like a fluke - and I knew it was a matter of time. Since Ward took over for Gerber (whom I still like a great deal and would not be opposed to seeing start a few games!), they've been on fire. They have depth, and most importantly, heart. Even when Jersey scored a go-ahead goal with 20 seconds to play in Game 3, they NEVER gave up - and tied it with 3.
My purely biased assumption is that Carolina makes short work of Buffalo (5 games), because Ottawa was overrated to the extreme anyway and I did predict Buffalo to thwomp 'em. In the West, the Ducks will make their second appearance in the main event since 2003.
This playoff year has been one of much excitement. Although with the Sens gone, I have no one to actively root against as hard.
This is a great final four for the NHL. I don't think anyone could have predicted any of these teams being here, back when we wondered what this new league of parity would bring. It's nice to see Peca discover his talent again.
I think a good final would pit Buffalo against Edmonton. Ultimately, I'd like to see the Sabres hoist the Cup.
Originally posted by cfgbMy Hurricanes are at it again for the second time in four years ...
This year, unlike 2002, I feel they LOOK like a team that's ready to hoist the cup. In 2002, the whole playoff run felt like a fluke - and I knew it was a matter of time. Since Ward took over for Gerber (whom I still like a great deal and would not be opposed to seeing start a few games!), they've been on fire. They have depth, and most importantly, heart. Even when Jersey scored a go-ahead goal with 20 seconds to play in Game 3, they NEVER gave up - and tied it with 3.
My purely biased assumption is that Carolina makes short work of Buffalo (5 games), because Ottawa was overrated to the extreme anyway and I did predict Buffalo to thwomp 'em. In the West, the Ducks will make their second appearance in the main event since 2003.
This playoff year has been one of much excitement. Although with the Sens gone, I have no one to actively root against as hard.
Originally posted by dMpOne would almost root for the Oilers just because they are the only name out there with a true legacy.
BUT..This is the new NHL and it gives a new team the chance to create that legacy. So...GO DUCKS
The Sabres have a decent legacy, with some Hall-of-Famers and a few Finals appearances plus the big Brett Hull screwjob in 1999. The 'Canes even have sort of a history if you count the Whalers era (though I can't root for any team south of the Mason-Dixon line to win a Cup...well, maybe LA because they've been around for a while).
"He looks like a perverted roofer who knocks off early on warm spring days to drink beer and ogle teenage girls at the river, but wrestles like a man who actually cares about his job." ---DVDVR's Raven Mack on "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray
No offense to the Anaheim fans here, but seriously...
IF this is how it goes down, and this is a big IF, how lame is it going to be, ten years from now, looking at the Stanley Cup, and seeing "The Mighty Ducks" on it? It needs to have a name other than one named after a Disney movie.
Originally posted by thefrasermanGoing to toss my 2 cents in...
No offense to the Anaheim fans here, but seriously...
IF this is how it goes down, and this is a big IF, how lame is it going to be, ten years from now, looking at the Stanley Cup, and seeing "The Mighty Ducks" on it? It needs to have a name other than one named after a Disney movie.
Other than that, Go Oilers! Sweep the Ducks!
I always liked how they refer to the team as "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim" rather than "The Anaheim Mighty Ducks". It really stands out.
I understand the franchise will be dropping the "Mighty" portion of the name after this season. So when they play their last game, it will be the last time you see the "Mighty Ducks". I've seen some rumoured new logos/jerseys for next season, but I wasn't sure how legitimate they were.
Good Riddance (nypost.com) Yet another former all-star who came to the Elephant's Graveyard of 50 Goal Scorers to cash his checks and underperform. I would have taken a left handed Koho and a bag of used practice pucks for him last year.
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