NHL - Playoff predictions thread

YeatsCounty

It's simple. Make yore predictions for the first round of the playoff. If you're feeling confident, call how many games each series will last. I won't, I'm not confident enough in my hockey knowledge to do that yet.

Note: I know I will be very wrong on some of these predictions. Please don't hate me for them. :razz:

Eastern:

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay
Carolina vs Montreal
New Jersey vs New York
Buffalo vs Philadelphia

I fancy Ottawa to advance against the 2004 champions.
I can't see Montreal defeating Carolina, unfortunately. Montreal have been far too inconsistant all season. Carolina have won the four matches between the them this season and I'm afraid that they will be too strong for the Habs over seven games. This one will be over after five games (I think Montreal will get one win), maybe six.

New Jersey have been on fire since the Olympic break while the Rangers.....have not. This will be a very close encounter and NY could very well shade it. However, I'm tipping NJ on their end of season form.
Buffalo vs Philly is hard to call. My gut tells me that Buffalo will win this match-up.

Western:

Detroit vs Edmonton
Dallas vs Colorado
Calgary vs Anaheim
Nashville vs San Jose

Detroit won the President's Cup and look very strong indeed. Edmonton scraped into 8th place thanks in part of the Canuck's collapse. I pick the Red Wings here.
Dallas vs Colorado will be a tight affair, I reckon. I think Dallas will get it in six games minimum.

Anaheim are very tricky customers indeed but I have a feeling that Calgary want to revisit the memories of their fantastic 2004 season. Another tight encounter, eventually going the way of the Flames.
San Jose have been on flying form going into this one but they won't have it all their own way against the Predators (♥ the Nashville jersey btw). This could go to seven games, San Jose to progress....just about.


Conclusion: Nothing is certain in sport, and hockey proves that rule. The West seems to be a lot tighter and a lot more competitive than the East and this could serve the eventual Western champions well come the Stanley Cup finals.

evad_lhorg

Eastern:

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay ---- this could be a great match. ottawa had a great season though so its hard to see them losing. 1-1 at the minute but id say ottawa will take it.


Carolina vs Montreal --- woulda said montreal anyway but after managing to score 6 times against carolina in the both games played so far Id say theyll take it.

New Jersey vs New York - New Jersey have this one in the bag

Buffalo vs Philadelphia --- buffalo will win this one but i would like to philly do it


Western:

Detroit vs Edmonton ---- Oilers will win this hopefully
Dallas vs Colorado -- Avs to take this one and go all the way to the final(im biased though:D )
Calgary vs Anaheim --- I think calgary will pip this series in the last game
Nashville vs San Jose --- San jose easy.




would love to see a New Jersey v Colorado final as they are my favourite teams from each conference. Both very dangerous

BrianCalgary

Eastern Conference

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay

Carolina vs Montreal
New Jersey vs New York

Buffalo vs Philadelphia

Western:[/U]

Detroit vs Edmonton ---- Living in Calgary. I hate these guys, I want to knock them out ourselves.

Dallas vs Colorado

Calgary vs Anaheim - Is there any doubt?

Nashville vs San Jose


The city is going mad. The best time of the year. I don't know if we can take anything less than a Stanley Cup win.

evad_lhorg

looks like im right so far:D

evad_lhorg

awww damn carolina ruining it

YeatsCounty

YeatsCounty wrote:

Eastern:

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay
Carolina vs Montreal
New Jersey vs New York
Buffalo vs Philadelphia

Well, I got 100% for my Eastern predictions, unfortunately. Montreal's defeat in this series hurts, there's no denying that. Carolina's winning goal in OT tonight was a horrible way to go out, an intended block by Rivet which ended up deflecting it past Huet. I'm proud of their effort, the furtue looks very bright indeed for the Habs. Huet was magnificant over the series, as was Cam Ward for Carolina (I curse his name ). Koivu's absence dented Montreal's hopes. Their failure to score enough goals when it really mattered (a season long problem, which cost them games 3 and 6 IMO) plus Ward's heroics gave Carolina the victory. It went to six games, Montreal most certainly have their pride intact. The Habs were very unlucky not to bring this to seven games but that's sport for you. Only one game was one by a home team, game 5 in Carolina. The Habs lost all three games in Montreal. You'll not win any series without winning your home games.

Ottawa had a couple of iffy moments against Tampa Bay but they were comfortable enough winners at the end. Tampa put up a fight though, they didn't relinquish their title without a battle. The Ottawa vs Buffalo series will be very interesting indeed.

Philly went out with a whimper after fighting back from 2-0 down in the series to level it at 2-2. They couldn't win away from home and that finished them off. The 8-2 and 7-1 spankings they received in Buffalo had to hurt.

New Jersey, will they ever lose again? :-p I really fancy them to defeat Carolina and reach the conference final. Carolina looked pretty weak during the Montreal series and with the form NJ's in, that is a bad omen for the Canes. New York bowed out with pride, they were unlucky not get one win one of their match against the Devils. However, when you concede more short-handed goals that you score on the PP in a series, you're toast.

YeatsCounty wrote:

Western:

Detroit vs Edmonton
Dallas vs Colorado
Calgary vs Anaheim
Nashville vs San Jose

Edmonton!!! Congratulations to them, they were superb against the Red Wings. They never gave up in game 6 when they were 2-0 and 3-2 down in the third period. Their never-say-die attitude was the key to their success and has led them to become my #2 team for the playoffs (Calgary = #3, Ottawa = #4.......I like Canadian teams. ).

Colorado played some excellent hockey in their disposal of Dallas. The Stars were disappointing, their failure to win any of their home games clearly lost them this series. Glad to see Theodore making some very important saves for the former Quebec Nordiques. These two results led me to be 0 for 2 in my Western predictions. For Theodore and Edmonton's sakes, I'm very happy that this is the case.

San Jose beat Nashville handily enough, as I expected. If they play Colorado in the next round, they could reach the final. The semi's haven't been finalised yet, of course.

The Calgary vs Anaheim series is turning into a right humdinger. I'll be tuning into tomorrow's game 7 hoping for a Calgary victory. They should win on home ice and if they do, they'll set up a "Battle of Alberta" vs Edmonton!

evad_lhorg wrote:

Eastern:

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay ---- this could be a great match. ottawa had a great season though so its hard to see them losing. 1-1 at the minute but id say ottawa will take it.

Carolina vs Montreal --- woulda said montreal anyway but after managing to score 6 times against carolina in the both games played so far Id say theyll take it.

New Jersey vs New York - New Jersey have this one in the bag

Buffalo vs Philadelphia --- buffalo will win this one but i would like to philly do it

Western:

Detroit vs Edmonton ---- Oilers will win this hopefully
Dallas vs Colorado -- Avs to take this one and go all the way to the final(im biased though:D )
Calgary vs Anaheim --- I think calgary will pip this series in the last game
Nashville vs San Jose --- San jose easy.


would love to see a New Jersey v Colorado final as they are my favourite teams from each conference. Both very dangerous

Nice predictions! Carolina spoiled one of them but if the Flames win tomorrow, then you'll have 7 for 8, right down to predicting that Anaheim would take the Flames to seven games! :cool:

BrianCalgary wrote:

Eastern Conference

Ottawa vs Tampa Bay

Carolina vs Montreal
New Jersey vs New York

Buffalo vs Philadelphia

Western:[/U]

Detroit vs Edmonton ---- Living in Calgary. I hate these guys, I want to knock them out ourselves.

Dallas vs Colorado

Calgary vs Anaheim - Is there any doubt?

Nashville vs San Jose

The city is going mad. The best time of the year. I don't know if we can take anything less than a Stanley Cup win.

You're not a bad predictor yourself! It's a pity that you weren't right about Montreal. Ah well, I'm looking forward to next season already.

I can imagine that Calgary is buzzing right now. The air of anticipation leading into tomorrow's game must be massive. How do you feel about the game and the series so far? The whole of Alberta (hell, the whole of Canada) will be watching tomorrow's game. Are you looking forward to a possible Battle of Alberta? It would be terrific if Calgary won the Stanley Cup. The disappointment of 2004's game 7 loss would definitely be erased. Calgary really can do it. If your boys get over Anaheim, then who knows what will happen?

evad_lhorg

here is my predictions for the whole thing......

cant decide on a winner though. I know new jersey would probably take them but i want colorado to win it.

and yes i think buffalo can take ottawa

BrianCalgary

YeatsCounty wrote:

You're not a bad predictor yourself! It's a pity that you weren't right about Montreal. Ah well, I'm looking forward to next season already.

I can imagine that Calgary is buzzing right now. The air of anticipation leading into tomorrow's game must be massive. How do you feel about the game and the series so far? The whole of Alberta (hell, the whole of Canada) will be watching tomorrow's game. Are you looking forward to a possible Battle of Alberta? It would be terrific if Calgary won the Stanley Cup. The disappointment of 2004's game 7 loss would definitely be erased. Calgary really can do it. If your boys get over Anaheim, then who knows what will happen?

I'll be right in front of the tube tonight. Finding it hard to work. The battle of Alberta has already started. The folks up th ehighway have started it already. There really isn't anything in hockey to match a Battle of Alberta.

I'm holding off on buying my car flag until the weekend. I had been flying it since 2004 until I was in Edmonton back in Feb and someone decided I didn't need it anymore. If we don't win tonight, I don't even want to think about it.

Do you guys in Ireland get to see the games?

evad_lhorg

suprisingly yes. sky sports dont show em. they are only on NASN which is like 10euro a month. luckily at midnight setanta sports(part of the standard tv package) turns into NASN so at this minute im watcing a repeat of edmonton beating detroit then its calgary anaheim live

was watchin buffalo and philly last night. very boring to watch when the crowd isnt into it cause there side is getting a whoopin

BrianCalgary

DEVASTATION. What a crummy game. We can't even blame the officiating. The Flames just stunk the joint out.

AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

evad_lhorg

its true. i actually fell asleep. although that could be because it ended at like 6 am;)

updated playoff tree

BrianCalgary

Predictions for round 2:

Edmonton over San Jose
Colorado over Anaheim

Ottawa over Buffalo
Carolina over New Jersey

evad_lhorg

my predictions are

edmonton in 6
colorado in 5

buffalo in 7
newjersey in 5

evad_lhorg

ouch ouch ouch..... 5-0 against anaheim. that sucks a fat one

knew the sabres could take ottawa

solidgear

what a game last night between the sabres & senetors, recon this is buffalos year yall!

evad_lhorg

oh sweet jesus anaheim walked over colorado again. 2 shutouts :mad:

BrianCalgary

Is this something else or what. Bryzgalov just keeps on ticking. How long can he keep it going. Ducks doing a great job of protecting him.

evad_lhorg

what's really annoying me is they havnt showed any avalanche games over here yet. although they will be showing game 3 live here. hopefully home ice will be useful and helpp get the win.

solidgear

avs were on last night bud

evad_lhorg

not on setanta they weren't

YeatsCounty

I know I'm late but I've had a lot on my plate lately. My belated predictions for the semi's, prepared in my head from the moment Anaheim qualified (seriously):

Western:
Edmonton vs San Jose
Colorado vs Anaheim

Eastern:
Buffalo vs Ottawa
New Jersey vs Carolina

BrianCalgary wrote:

DEVASTATION. What a crummy game. We can't even blame the officiating. The Flames just stunk the joint out.

AAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Calgary were pretty muck alright, sorry to say. The "sea of red" couldn't inspire the Flames, the crowd was pretty quiet before Amaheim took the lead and they didn't have very much to cheer for after that. The fact that Anaheim subdued the Calgary crowd (not something which happens very often) with their highly effective style of play is a credit to them. Fair play to Anaheim, they're doing very well so far in the playoffs. I don't want them to win the whole thing though.......

What do people in Calgary think about the Flame's chances next season? I'm really looking forward to next season in Montreal, with a couple of new players le Tricolore can be a real force to be reckoned with. Montreal really needs a good goalscorer and a solid defenceman. If we get those, we can really do things under Carbonneau's leadership next year. Plus Captain Koivu's eye is healing up nicely!

evad_lhorg wrote:

oh sweet jesus anaheim walked over colorado again. 2 shutouts :mad:

I'm afraid that the Avalanche have met their match........still, Colorado have two home games to get themselves back into the series. If Anaheim split the next two games, then it's all over for the Avs, I reckon.

solidgear wrote:

what a game last night between the sabres & senetors, recon this is buffalos year yall!

It was a wonderful game alright. Buffalo got to split the series (at least) and that is a huge building stone for their push towards the cup. I still have faith in Ottawa, they are a good team. Tonight's game should be a cracker as well.

evad_lhorg

oh to have seen carolina and new jersey that game sounded exciting on the live thingy on cbs. 1-1 with a minute left. 2-1 to new jersey with 20 seconds left. 2-2 with 3 seconds left! carolina win in OT. NJ must be kickin themselves

evad_lhorg

Avs are pretty much gone. watched the anaheim game last night. they didnt look good as a team at all. unlucky to lose it in overtime but they realy need to sort out a goalie cause theodore is too messy. he did make some spectacular saves but you just dont feel comfortable with him when the opposition is coming up the ice quick.

BrianCalgary

YeatsCounty wrote:

What do people in Calgary think about the Flame's chances next season?

Pretty positive. We recognize the need for a goal scorer. No one came forward as Martin Gelinas did 2 years ago. The scoring was all on Jarome. Huselius missed his chance for glory in game 6.

Sutter will have to shop for a real goalscorer. Interesting that Phaneuf played the whole series with a fractured bone in his foot. No wonder he was invisible.

evad_lhorg

all the games are still on for a sweep. wonder what the odds are on that?!

evad_lhorg

thank god someone ended the sweep that was happenin all over the place. id love it if edmonton came back now. 2-1 in the series to san jose.


buffalo are goin to win it all i think. they look unstoppable.

cant see ottawa, new jersey or avs(unfortunately) pulling back out of a 3-0 deficit.

Rented Mule

Just out of curiosity, who is broadcasting the games in Ireland ?

evad_lhorg

setanta sports to most people and to the people who pay for nasn on digital. nasn when payed for shows a lot more. setanta sports turns to nasn at midnight but there isnt alwasy hockey even when games are on. bloody baseball:rolleyes:

Rented Mule

I am a transplant from Chicago, so I wouldn't mind seeing my White Sox on the tube.

I used to work along with the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago, but our seasons have usually been over by December the past few years. Now I just support the guys who I know who used to play in the Indianhaed sweater.

It really is a shame that you can't get more games over here at this time of the year, because there is nothing better than the NHL playoffs.

evad_lhorg

sex is. a little bit better

Avs got white washed. boourns!!!!!

BrianCalgary

Another round over. The lady who's office is beside mine is an Oilers fan. Part of me wants the Canadian team to win, but why does it have to be Edmonton. We'll have to put up with them for how long. People in Edmonton just don't have a life outside of sports.

Anyway my predictions:

Edmonton over Anaheim (this is rough, hate them both)

Buffalo over Carolina (used to hate Buffalo in th e70's when I lived in Toronto, over it now and would love to see Buffalo win a championship of some sort)

In the Final:

Buffalo over Edmonton.

evad_lhorg

hmmm i had teerible predictions in the last round.

ill say carolina over buffalo :eek:

and anheim over edmonton.......

both are just guesses tbh. both matches can go either way really. buffalo are so quick but carolinas goalie is on fire. same with anaheim.

YeatsCounty

Stupid power supply on my PC. I've gone a week with just flashes of my wife's laptop for Internet entertainment. Hence why I haven't replied to this thread for yonks.

Let me just say this.......

I LOVE EDMONTON! (but I'm still a Habs fan. )

YeatsCounty

The third period of the Edmonton vs Anaheim game was brilliant! Eight goals and Anaheim nearly tied it up right at the end. A pleasure to watch.

Edmonton are 3-0 up in the series now, w00t!

BrianCalgary

YeatsCounty wrote:

I LOVE EDMONTON! (but I'm still a Habs fan. )

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!

Rented Mule

I am going to guess that all of those Edmonton fans that were slaggin' Roloson are kicking themselves now that he is out for the Finals.

evad_lhorg

cant see edmonton pulling this one back now.

Rented Mule

4-3 overtime Win last night for the Oil'.

There is still a bit of hope left.

BrianCalgary

I hate Edmonton. Although I was actually cheering for them. It is sad when the party for the runners-up is bigger than the party for the chamions. As happened two years ago in calgary. Americans just don't understand the game like we canucks do.

Rented Mule

The majority of Americans could not tell you one single player that was on the ice in any one of those Finals games.

Gary Bettman has done nothing to improve upon that fact.