Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread...

[JR]

Double or nothing

You'e on. :)

 

[Double J]

beef,

you are way too quick to toss aside thunderlips point about the playoff ots. the nhl will have a major decision to make in the near future about its tv package. just wait until the first night nbc stations lose their local news because a game goes into quadruple ot. (thats if it happens, since the new penalty calls will make those games much rarer than before.)

think about it: nhl tv ratings are miniscule, and the biggest problem in the united states is that most fans dont really care once their team is out. so, lets say youre in oklahoma city (or even philadelphia if the flyers are gone) and your late local news is wiped out by a looooooooong game. you are going to freak. same thing happened to abc in the previous contract. remember the night reagan died? abc wanted to move the freaking game -- game 6 of the stanley cup final.

now, one thing nbc loved was the shootouts. the first two weeks that network did games, it had shootouts. the fans go bonkers, and the games get off the air on time. so, what the nhl will be faced with is some nbc bigshot looking at the numbers -- which will be weak compared to, say, law & order -- and saying, "you wiped out our news on some nights. our affiliates went ape****. and this great piece of entertainment you have, this goal-scoring competition thing, its outstanding! great entertainment! best thing about your game! why arent we showing it? you know what, mr. commissioner? you want this to stay on a main network? get to our news on time, because even at no rights fee, this is costing us money and local ad revenue."

dont think it wont happen. now, bettman is on record as saying he wont have a shootout in the playoffs. but, there are whispers around the nhl that what has been discussed is going to four-on-four after the first 20-minute ot.

and once you break with tradition, who knows how far theyll go. if the league -- and the pa -- decide that nbc is more important that six overtime games, i have no faith theyll make the right decision.

Maybe when a World Series game is still tied after the 10th inning, it should be settled by a home run derby. And if an NBA game is tied after one overtime, a slam dunk contest should decide the outcome.

Here's a better idea – if a network TV deal in the U.S. means giving up overtime in the NHL playoffs, tell the networks to stick it up their asses.

This isn't intended as a slam at you, soccer dad, I know you're just playing devil's advocate.

 

[JR]

And Colorado calls up our local superstar Wojtek Wolski from the out-of-the-playoffs Brampton Battalion.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3728700

First time in Ontario Hockey League history that a player has been recalled just for the NHL playoffs. Wojtek played nine games at the beginning of the year for the Avs.

 

[Armchair_QB]

And Colorado calls up our local superstar Wojtek Wolski from the out-of-the-playoffs Brampton Battalion.

First time in Ontario Hockey League history that a player has been recalled just for the NHL playoffs. Wojtek played nine games at the beginning of the year for the Avs.

What is he being called up for? To run Mike Modano?

 

[Beef03]

And Colorado calls up our local superstar Wojtek Wolski from the out-of-the-playoffs Brampton Battalion.

First time in Ontario Hockey League history that a player has been recalled just for the NHL playoffs. Wojtek played nine games at the beginning of the year for the Avs.

I remember that. He was really starting to heat up and then they had the controversy of whether he should bve sent down or kept up. If he can pickup where he left off it will be a nice offensive boost for them, but it still does not solve their defensive and goaltending woes.

 

[soccer dad]

no offence taken double j. however, i see a way it could happen. friedmans been saying it on radio for awhile now, that there will be pressure. we both hate the idea.

of course, the way nba tv ratings are going on abc, you might see the free-throw competition as well.

 

[JR]

Sorry, I hit the image icon instead of the url icon on my first post attempt.

He's been brought back up to add some potential scoring.

This guy can flat out play.

 

[Double J]

"All I know is, that dyke can play." [/dodgeball]

 

[hockeybeat]

My playoff picks, and do with them what you will:

EAST

Ottawa vs. Tampa Bay: One vs. eight. This series draws parallels with the Rangers-Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche) first round series in 1994-95. The Lightning are the Rangers, the defending Stanley Cup Champion who struggled to defend its championship. The Senators are the Nordiques, a fabulously talented team that had subtle flaws; Quebec backed down if they were literally, physically, metaphorically or metaphysically punched in the mouth. I believe Ottawa is the same way. Tampa Bay wins in six games.

Carolina vs. Montreal: "To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high." According to sources in Montreal, the Canadiens have edited that statement. It now reads: "To you from failing hands we want you to put the bloody puck in the net; c'mon, we're the Habs!" Carolina has too much scoring. The Hurricanes in five.

New Jersey vs. New York Rangers: This will be a nasty, nasty series, that should draw viewers in the New York Metropolitan Tri-State area. It would have been Gary Bettman's wet dream, had it been for Eastern Conference Finals. Jersey is hot as can be, winning its last 11 games. The Rangers have scuffled, losing five of its last six. Jersey has the X factor in Martin Brodeur. There is no better, no more experienced playoff netminder than Brodeur. It's been a great season on Broadway, with the promise of more, but the Devils win in five.

Buffalo vs. Philadelphia: The Flyers named Robert Esche as their playoff starter, despite not being a playoff goalie. Swarovski crystal is not as fragile as Peter Forsberg's groin. And Donald Brashear is due to commit stupid penalties. Buffalo in five.

WEST

Detroit vs. Edmonton: Edmonton is the sexy pick to beat the Wings. Detroit romped through the worst division in hockey, while the Oilers figuratively and literally waged war in the Pacific Division. That said, does the sport's last great dynasty have an answer for Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Brendan Shanahan? I don't think so. Detroit in six games.

Dallas vs. Colorado: The end of the Avs. Dallas in four games.

Calgary vs. Anaheim: This will be the nastiest series of the first round, and maybe, of the entire playoffs. These two teams took turns beating on each other Monday night. The hate will carry over, leading to a wonderfully nasty series. Calgary in six games.

Nashville vs. San Jose: The Predators lost netminder Tomas Vokoun prior to the playoffs. San Jose has played up-tempo hockey since robbing Boston of Joe Thornton. Jonathan Cheechoo became the league's leading goal scorer once paired with Thornton. The Sharks are going to the Cup Finals. San Jose in five games.

 

[Captain_Kirk]

Ottawa in 7. Sens survive in what should be a hogh scoring, entertaining series.
Carolina in 5. Habs continue end of season free fall.
New Jersey in 6. Games should be close enough for Rangers to steal a couple, but Brodeur and the hot team move on.
Buffalo in 5. Appears to be a mismatch to me. Could see the Flyers get blown out a lot in this series

Detroit in 4. Wings: "Next."
Dallas in 7. Colorado keeps it closer than most think, but gets blown out in game 7.
Anaheim in 7. Ducks ride late season surge to upset.
San Jose in 6. Two teams entering playoffs in different directions continue their same paths.

 

[wireguy]

Senators in 6 - Should be close, but the Senators have Alfredsson and Heatley.
Carolina in 5 - Too much offense for the Hurricanes
Devils in 7 - Ranger fans can hope to get it this far but the Devils are just too hot right now
Buffalo in 6 - The Flyers can't beat the Sabres in the regular season, can't see that changing here

Detroit in 5 - Maybe the Oilers get a game
Dallas in 6 - I don't like the AVS but they can still get two
Flames in 7 - If you like chippiness watch this entire series and see the Flames win Game 7
Sharks in 6 - If Nashville had Vokoun, I'd be more inclined to lean in their favor. But maybe not considering the way Cheechoo and Thornton played down the stretch.

 

[hockeybeat]

I believe spnited, Crassy and Buck will enjoy this:

Tonight's NHL on OLN games:


7:00pm DETROIT RED WINGS VS EDMONTON OILERS
9:30pm NHL ON OLN POST GAME SHOW
10:00pm CALGARY FLAMES VS ANAHEIM MIGHTY DUCKS

 

[spnited]

The one that says "Devils ... 2006 Stanley Cup Champions" will be even nicer.

 

[Pastor]

The one that says "Devils ... 2006 Stanley Cup Champions" will be even nicer.

FACT. ;D

 

[Sea Bass]

The one that says "Devils ... 2006 Stanley Cup Champions" will be even nicer.

Not to mention rarer.

 

[hockeybeat]

The one that says "Devils ... 2006 Stanley Cup Champions" will be even nicer.

FACT. ;D

Not to mention rarer.

That may be, but I'm not convinced that Jersey can beat Carolina or Buffalo in the East. Out West, San Jose, Detroit and Dallas are better than the Devils, and Calgary is the Devils' equal.

 

[JR]

A Dallas/Buffalo final would be fabulous.

I'm gonna sell "Still No Goal" T-shirts the minute it starts.

 

[bmf]

The Red Wings scare the crap out of me. I know they have won the last two Stanley Cups that have been in the same year as the Olympics ('98 and '02), but Game 1 is always a crap shoot with these guys.

 

[soccer dad]

no datysuk for the wings tonight. no moreau for the oilers -- thats a huge loss for them.

 

[the_rookie]

Not one person shot for the Preds. I believe number two can get it done. However, it all depends on solid D and lots of scoring. Preds in 7.
Dallas will be a close one. But remember, they have Sakic and friends. So, don't count them out just yet. Dallas in 6.
Wings and Oilers will also be a close one. Is it just me or do they Oilers try their hardest and still fail? Or is just because Smyth pays them so he can compete for Team Canada? Wings in 6.
Flames have experience and the coaching. But will they be able to stop Teemu? Flames in 6.

If Emery pops out of no where, Sens in 5. If the Lightning finally get their goalies (notice the "s"), then Bolts in 7Upset.
I think Huet and/or Ab will choke. Unless, Kovalev, Zednick and Bonk play like the use to. But it should be Canes in 5.
If they can hold back Jagr, Devils in 4. They have been on a roll, so why stop now?
Sabers in 6. Just hurry up and bring back the old jerseys already.