Well, I figured we all are going to keeping track of the whole playoffs and not just the Blackhawks. So, I guess we can discuss it here. Mods, move it if you'd like.
A Pittsburgh/Philadelphia series is the first official matchup. Pittsburgh has clinched a higher seed. That series is going to be physical, chirpy, full of skill, and awesome. The fans on HF and other places are going to grow even loss fond of each other.
Your entire post should've been bolded. That is one boisterous prediction, my friend.
I see the Playoffs unfolding like this for the Rags and Blues...
EAST:
1) NYR vs 8) WSH= Washington can beat them with Backstrom in the lineup, but most likely not. Lets say NYR win. Their next opponent will most likely be 6) NJD who has played them well all year. I think Crosby/Malkin and the Penguins lighting up the Rangers the last 2 weeks has shaken Lundqvist, who already has a lot to prove in the playoffs. I dont see how Kovalchuck, Henrique, Parise, Elias, Zajac, and the rest of the Devils, who are on a 5 game win streak, wouldn't be able to beat the Rangers.
WEST:
2) STL vs 7) LAK= STL could easily lose that series. Quick is having a Vezina caliber year and Carter has made the Kings deadly. Lets say STL wins. Their next opponent will most likely be any one of the Hawks, Predators, or Red Wings. This is a Blues team where most of their players have ZERO playoff experience. Playoff hockey is a different game. STL hasn't experienced it yet and when they go up against a resurging Kings team or red hot Central opponent, they dont stand a chance IMHO.
If Chicago/Detroit beats Nashville, they'll have proven they can beat a team with world class goaltending and a world class defensive scheme. Exactly what STL has.
No team is safe in the 1st round this year. Its certainly possible for all/most of Vancouver, Rangers, Boston, St. Louis, Florida, Phoenix, Nashville, and Pittsburgh i.e. all 1-4 seeds, to be eliminated in the first round.
Well, at the moment, St. Louis and Vancouver have 109 points. St. Louis has 45 ROW, Vancouver has 42. At the end of the 1st, Vancouver and Edmonton are scoreless. Vancouver needs to get a point at home tonight to get home-ice and the President's trophy. If Vancouver loses in regulation, New York wins the President's trophy and St. Louis is the top seed in the West.
I didn't look at Vegas lines or anything like that. I just went with what I though. Detroit has sucked lately. Ottawa's goaltending is nothing special. Boston will amp it up come playoff time, and Washington has some goaltending concerns at the moment. I only went with Pittsburgh due to home-ice. Philadelphia has played them well. Florida is actually pretty good, but New Jersey has more talent and experience.
good god, the main board sucks. Just wandered in there and saw the cansucks win presidents trophy thread. Its just full of casuck fans who are all claiming things like "the canucks coasted to the presidents trophy" "the canucks are easily going to win cup, they only tried for 1/4 of the year". I'd say that I hoped there was a fire that burned down that ****hole town, but I already know that all it will take is the inevitable failed postseason and casuck fans will burn it down for me.
Both have the potential to be great series. Hard not to like the Sharks experience against the Blues, despite their poor play all year. And hopefully Quick can steal the show.
Now what the **** am I gonna do the next 3 days til this **** gets going? Glad the Sox are back, at least.
