I was thinking about picking the Panthers just because nobody is/will, but I just couldn't bring myself to do t.
Same thought process, that and Brodeur has actually been very underwhelming in his last couple of post-seasons. I think that would be the death blow to Parise even considering re-signing if they lost that series so I guess I am pulling for it. Think it will be long, but who wants to bet on Theodore to best Brodeur even if Marty hasn't been the guy we all remember in the post-season lately.
I think the Blues have swept the Sharks in the 4 games regular season series. So this will be interesting.
Correct, and the Sharks scored a total of 3 goals.
Not sure why people think that series will be an upset. I'm starting to seriously question my 7 games pick for that series given how badly the Blues pwned the Sharks all year. Oh well...
Correct, and the Sharks scored a total of 3 goals.
Not sure why people think that series will be an upset. I'm starting to seriously question my 7 games pick for that series given how badly the Blues pwned the Sharks all year. Oh well...
For me it's about not trusting the new kids on the block, same reason why I don't give the Preds as much credit as others do.
For me it's about not trusting the new kids on the block, same reason why I don't give the Preds as much credit as others do.
I can buy the Blues as the new kids on the playoff block, but the Preds have made the playoffs in 6 out of 7 seasons since the lockout. They made it to the 2nd round last year and gave the Nucks a decent fight. I'd say they deserve some credit for appearing to be trending upward as far as the playoffs go.
The Blues have made the playoffs one other time since the lockout and haven't won a game. That's the team to be skeptical about IMO.
I am terrible at predictions, especially when it concerns the Wings.
Bolded teams are my series winner picks, followed by series length in parenthesis:
1ST ROUND
1. Vancouver vs 8. Los Angeles (4-1)
2. St. Louis vs 7. San Jose (4-2)
3. Phoenix vs 6. Chicago (4-1)
4. Nashville vs 5. Detroit (4-2)
1. New York vs 8. Senators (4-1)
2. Boston vs 7. Washington (4-1)
3. Florida vs 6. New Jersey (4-2)
4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Philadelphia (4-3)
2ND ROUND
1. Vancouver vs 7. San Jose (4-2)
5. Detroit vs 6. Chicago (4-1)
1. New York vs 6. New Jersey (4-1)
2. Boston vs 4. Pittsburgh (4-3)
3RD ROUND
1. Vancouver vs 5. Detroit (4-3)
1. New York vs 4. Pittsburgh (4-2)
STANLEY CUP FINALS
1. Vancouver vs 4. Pittsburgh (4-2)
Conn Smythe: Evgeni Malkin
NOTES
StLouis out i n the 1st round only because of the matchup. If STL played Detroit, Chicago or Nashville, theyd advance. Unfortunately they got the similarly sized but far better scoring team in SJ. I think Detroit goes to the WCFs purely because of matchups. No STL or SJ, who would both beat them. Toughest test will be Nashville in the 1st round. Chicago they would handle easily.
A healthy Pittsburgh will not be stopped by anyone in the league. Its seriously unfair that they have the 2 best players in the world and it isnt even close now. Theyre going to win the Cup, again, because they sucked for the right amount of time at the most opportune time. I hate them, a lot, but my emotions dont control my predictions. If they stay healthy, theyre unstoppable.
I can buy the Blues as the new kids on the playoff block, but the Preds have made the playoffs in 6 out of 7 seasons since the lockout. They made it to the 2nd round last year and gave the Nucks a decent fight. I'd say they deserve some credit for appearing to be trending upward as far as the playoffs go.
The Blues have made the playoffs one other time since the lockout and haven't won a game. That's the team to be skeptical about IMO.
I understand your point on the Preds but a lot of their depth that people think is going to give them a big push is rather unproven and young. Keep in mind this Preds team was lead by Joel Ward last year as far as a key cog. A lot of their D-men outside of the big two are really wild cards even if their pedigree at other levels suggests winners.
I actually think the Blues have more proven winners, a goalie in Halak who has accomplished more in the post-season than most seem to remember. Arnott, McDonald, Langenbrunner have all been there. Backes and Pietrangelo are no stranger to big games representing their countries.
The only guy to win a league on the Preds is Radulov in Russia. I guess there is a time for everyone, but that is kind of the draw back when everything is home grown. You say they have made it 6 out 7 years, I will also point out they only made it out of the first round once in that time. Not exactly a winning track record, and Fisher is the only guy I can remember off that roster playing deep into the playoffs. The Kostitsyn's were bit players on the Halak driven Habs team that made a deep run.
Wow. Looks like board's "heavy hitters" are going to put themselves on the bench when the big games start.
They Kronwalled. (Turtled).
You didn't call me out and I'm craving attention, dammit!
Anyway, here you go. I'm terrible at these things, but last year I hit a home run picking Boston, so even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally.
Lord Bench's Predictions.
Round 1
Vancouver over LA in 5
STL over SJ in 5
Chicago over Phx in 6
Detroit over Nash in 6
Rangers over Senators in 6
Boston over Washington in 5
NJD over Florida in 5
Pittsburgh over Philly in 5
Round 2
Vancouver over Chicago in 7
Detroit over STL in 6
Rangers over NJD in 5
Pittsburgh over Boston in 7
Conference Finals
Vancouver over Detroit in 7
Pittsburgh over Rangers 6
Stanley Cup Finals
Pittsburgh over Vancouver in 6
Conn Smythe: James Neal
I never bet on my favorite team to win the Cup. Just can't do it for some reason. I think if Detroit really does beat NSH and STL they'll probably end up beating VAN, but I'm hedging my bets here. And the James Neal pick assumes that he scores a ton of game winning goals. Probably should go with Crosby/Malkin but hey, I like Neal.
Round 1 Vancouver over LA in 5 SJ over STL in 7 Chicago over Phx in 5 Detroit over Nash in 5
Rangers over Senators in 4 Washington over Boston in 7 NJD over Florida in 4 Pittsburgh over Philly in 7
Round 2 Vancouver over SJ in 6 Detroit over Chicago in 5
Rangers over Washington in 5 NJD over Pit in 7
Conference Finals
Detroit over Vancouver in 6 NJD over NYR 7
Stanley Cup Finals Detroit over NJD in 6
Conn Smythe: Datsyuk
im not going to say I failed. I am just going to say all my west coast teams lost. So i did the opposis of good.
New picks Nash over PHX in 6 STL over LA in 7
PHi over NJ in 6 NYR over wash in 4
STL over Nash in 7 NYR over PHI
FInals the most boring round with 2 trapping teams STL over NYR in 7 ot 1-0game 7
Come on. Where are all the "know-it-alls?"
I'm in!
Right here
Quote:
Originally Posted by 14ari13
I think the Blues have swept the Sharks in the 4 games regular season series. So this will be interesting.
Has anyone picked the Panthers over the Devils? I do not think so. Yet ...
I think the Coyotes actually have a chance passing the Hawks.
I also think the Kings have been much better 2nd part of the season, so that series won't be as easy as it seems on paper.
The most exciting series is the Pens vs Flyers series.
BTW, can anyone stop the Pens? They are the clear favourite IMO.
I did not pick coyotes and Kings to win theri series, but I did not pick anyone, I did not have time.
I tought the Coyotes could handle the Preds just fine. I did not think the Kings would handle the Blues this easily.
