Official 2009 NHL Playoffs Thread - Round One, FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

[bishoptl]

*ahem*



Hello out there we're on the air it's hockey night tonite
Tension grows the whistle blows-& the puck goes down the ice.
The goalie jumps and the players bump and the fans all go insane
Someone roars "Sundin scores!" at the good ole hockey game

Oh the good ole hockey game is the best game you can name
And the best game you can name is the good ole hockey game

Prediction time, mofos! Here we go, no fuss, no muss - just Grade A hockey knowledge spurting from my fount onto your eagerly awaiting monitors.

Western Conference
San Jose vs Anaheim - I am not convinced that the Sharks have figured out what it takes to win in the playoffs. Anaheim has also been known to score in bunches. If the Ducks get ahead in this series, look out - but for some reason I don't think they have the goaltending to get it done. San Jose in 6.

Detroit vs Columbus - How the fuck does Osgood have multiple Cup rings? Ty Conklin hasn't seen enough pucks to work off the rust, I have no faith in Osbad at ALL. Columbus is just happy to get to the dance, I think they'll take one game off Detroit then it'll all be over. Detroit in 5.

Vancouver vs St Louis - Yeah, right. Congratulations for squeaking into the dance, Blues - but we own your ass in the playoffs and this year will be no different. Vancouver in 4.

Chicago vs Calgary - My esteemed colleague Calder made a crack a few years back about Vancouver and Edmonton fighting over the last playoff spot in the West like "two drunks rolling in the gutter over a cigarette butt". This year's homeless, deranged alcoholic defecating themselves and wandering in and out of traffic, begging for change and trying to sell stolen Safeway aluminum foil? Ladies and gentlemen, youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuur Calgary Flames! Chicago in 6, and that's being generous.


Eastern Conference
Boston vs Montreal - Toss up of the year. I have no idea who will win here. Boston has looked strangely mortal the past two months, I don't know if Lucic's game is going to translate well into the playoffs, ie. can he tame himself without taking his edge out of his game? Montreal is all over the fucking place, one day they look like world beaters, the next day Kovalev is glaring daggers at his linemates and Price refuses to come out of the bathroom. I guess the better team is Boston based on their play throughout the year, so I guess I have to give the series to them. Seriously though, who knows? Boston in 7...maybe.

Washington vs NY Rangers
Lundqvist is a fraud, Ovechkin is a god. Avery tries anything and Brashear will have his guts for garters. Capitals in 5.

New Jersey vs Carolina
Carolina is hotter than Billy-Bob era Angelina Jolie, and Brodeur looks like he barely gives a shit anymore now that he has the wins record. That said, NJ has been coming on a bit over the last couple of games, but when you take into account the "I'm so fucking glad to be out of Edmonton, here let me show you" factor, you can bank on Erik Cole scoring at least 2 hat tricks in this series. Hurricanes in 7.

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
If the Flyers put the boots and body to Pittsburgh like I know they can, Pittsburgh goes home in a closed casket. If Pittsburgh shows the same sort of resiliency they've displayed over the latter third of the season, this series is done early. Which team is going to show up? God knows this thread is going to be deluged by Pens-age's shitty photoshops either way, so I guess we all lose. Penguins in 7.

TIME FOR HOCKEY, BEST GAME ON THE PLANET. GOT A PROBLEM?

yyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

[vas_a_morir]

Lets do this.

[Marty Chinn]

Schedule is up:

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 8 Montreal Canadiens
Thursday, April 16, Montreal at Boston, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 18, Montreal at Boston, 8 p.m.
Monday, April 20, Boston at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22, Boston at Montreal, 7 p.m.
*--Saturday, April 25, Montreal at Boston, 7 p.m.
*--Monday, April 27, Boston at Montreal, TBD
*--Wednesday, April 29, Montreal at Boston, TBD

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Rangers
Wednesday, April 15, NY Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, NY Rangers at Washington, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 20, Washington at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22, Washington at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
*--Friday, April 24, NY Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m.
*--Sunday, April 26, Washington at NY Rangers, 2 p.m.
*--Tuesday, April 28, NY Rangers at Washington, TBD

No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
Wednesday, April 15, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, New Jersey at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, New Jersey at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
*--Thursday, April 23, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.
*--Sunday, April 26, New Jersey at Carolina, TBD
*--Tuesday, April 28, Carolina at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m.

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers
Wednesday, April 15, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Friday, April 17, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
*--Thursday, April 23, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
*--Saturday, April 25, Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 3 p.m.
*--Monday, April 27, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD


Western Conference

No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 8 Anaheim Ducks
Thursday, April 16, Anaheim at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, Anaheim at San Jose, 10 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, San Jose at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 23, San Jose at Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.
*--Saturday, April 25, Anaheim at San Jose, 10 p.m.
*--Monday, April 27, San Jose at Anaheim, TBD
*--Wednesday, April 29, Anaheim at San Jose, TBD


No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets
Thursday, April 16, Columbus at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, Columbus at Detroit, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, Detroit at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 23, Detroit at Columbus, 7 p.m.
*--Saturday, April 25, Columbus at Detroit, 7 p.m.
*--Monday, April 27, Detroit at Columbus, TBD
*--Wednesday, April 29, Columbus at Detroit, TBD


No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 6 St. Louis Blues
Wednesday, April 15, St. Louis at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Friday, April 17, St. Louis at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, Vancouver at St. Louis, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, Vancouver at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
*--Friday, April 24, St. Louis at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
*--Sunday, April 26, Vancouver at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
*--Tuesday, April 28, St. Louis at Vancouver, TBD


No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Calgary Flames
Thursday, April 16, Calgary at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, Calgary at Chicago, TBD
Monday, April 20, Chicago at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22, Chicago at Calgary, TBD
*--Saturday, April 25, Calgary at Chicago, 10 p.m.
*--Monday, April 27, Chicago at Calgary, TBD
*--Wednesday, April 29, Calgary at Chicago, TBD

[NetMapel]

Should have added to the title "No Leafs fans allowed"

Also, as much as I like the Canucks, I really do not think they will steam roll over the Blues like that. We lost to them pathetically in our previous game ! I say Vancouvers in 6.

[negitoro7]

Doesn't the winner of 1 vs 8 play the winner of 4 vs 5?

[Mike Works]

schedule's up: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=418004

[bishoptl]

Doesn't the winner of 1 vs 8 play the winner of 4 vs 5?

That's the beauty of my playoff tree, I can fill in the blanks however I damn well please

[Marty Chinn]

Doesn't the winner of 1 vs 8 play the winner of 4 vs 5?

Nope, they recalculate it to be like the first round. So the best remaining team plays the worst remaining team and so forth.

[negitoro7]

Nope, they recalculate it to be like the first round. So the best remaining team plays the worst remaining team and so forth.

Ah right, different from the NBA playoffs.

[Sanjuro Tsubaki]

Second season is finally here. Praying for a change for once.

[NYR]

LET GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!

[purg3]

WEST
Sharks in 6
Wings in 4
Canucks in 5
Flames in 7

EAST
Bruins in 5
Caps in 5
Canes in 7
Pens in 6

God knows this thread is going to be deluged by Pens-age's shitty photoshops either way, so I guess we all lose. Penguins in 7.

[negitoro7]

West:

Ducks over Sharks in 7
Wings over Blue Jackets in 5
Canucks over Blues in 6
Flames over Hawks in 7


East:

Bruins over Habs in 5
Capitals over Rangers in 6
Devils over Canes in 5
Penguins over Flyers in 7

[bkw]

Oh boo... Canucks get the Sunday games and not the Saturday HNICs.

[Pochacco]

I went nearly 100% in my predictions (got 2 series wrong) all the way to the Stanley Cup finals last year (or was it last last year?) so I'm gonna throw down some unlikely upsets this year:

Sharks in 4. Sweep!
Wings in 6. Osgood will suck and Conklin will take over the #1 job.
Blues in 7. Yup. Can't wait to see the tears on Robson.
Hawks in 6.

Habs in 7. BELIEVE!
Caps in 6.
Devils in 7.
Pens in 5.

[jacket320]

Hey, when does Dallas pla... oh. Right :(


West:

Sharks in 6
Wings in 5
Canucks in 5
Hawks in 6


East:

Boston in 6
Caps in 5
NJ in 5
Pitts in 7

[bishoptl]

Pochacco, I should drive to your apartment right now and throw a brick through your window.

What floor do you live on?

[Kingpen]

WEST
Sharks in 7 (I'm sorry Sharks, but if you have ancient Claude Lemieux on your team, you have a battle)
Wings in 6 (Mason is great, Nash will be huge, and Osgood/Conk-Block suck ass right now)
Canucks in 5 (I think St. Louis is good enough to not get swept, but thats it)
Hawks in 7 (Those kids in Chi town will put together something special)

EAST
Bruins in 5 (sounds about right, could be a slaughter though)
Rangers in 7 (I'm sorry, but Theodore is not going to do shit in a playoffs, when it is all about goal tending. I think Lundquist steals this series, and one of Semin/Backstrom gets nerfed by Avery Rangers PK is the best in the league as well, and that will be huge)
Canes in 6 (I don't think Brodeur has the nuts right now, and Cam Ward does)
Pens in 6 (Home ice is huge, will be a battle either way)

[KilledByBill]

Gotta love the hilarious official bracket pic! The tougher match-ups seem to be in the East with the West more top-heavy. Now on to the picks....

WEST

(1)San Jose vs (8)Anaheim - Is this the year the Sharks show some mental toughness in the playoffs? In the first round at least I think they'll come out with something to prove and take care of business. Although like against Detroit a couple years ago, if SJ suffers a gut-punch loss where they blow a lead, the whole thing could unravel. The Pick: San Jose in 5.

(2)Detroit vs (7)Columbus - I'm sure my Red Wings-fanatic friend is terrified at the thought of facing a goalie like Mason, who can steal the series. But the BJ's played lousy under the pressure of potentially locking up a higher seed. Plus Columbus doesn't have enough offense to take advantage of the Red Wings weakness, their sometimes suspect D/goaltending. The Pick: Detroit in 5.

(3)Vancouver vs (6)St. Louis - Props to the Blues for fighting their way in somehow, they've been one of the hottest teams over the past month and should be feisty. They're playing with house money but I can't see them overcoming the Canuck's stingy defense/goaltending. The Pick: Vancouver in 6.

(4)Chicago vs (5)Calgary - The Blackhawks smoked Calgary in the regular season and should have confidence; in addition to a boost at home from fans who have been waiting a decade for this revival. This is still the toughest opening series in the West to pick since the Flames should have the edge in coaching/experience and Kipper can steal a series or two if he gets on a roll. The Pick: Chicago in 7


EAST

(1)Boston vs (8)Montreal - Boston turned it up the last couple weeks to lock-up the #1 seed and only looked "mortal" once they accomplished their mission. The Habs usually give Boston a hard time in the playoffs but past success does not define the present. Montreal is banged-up and struggled just to make it to the tournament so I don't see upset material. The Pick: Boston in 6

(2)Washington vs (7)NY Rangers - Unless Theodore completely shits the bed (which is possible) the Rangers don't have a prayer against the Oven-chicken offense. It's a bad match-up for the Rags, much like Pittsburgh was for them last year. Torterella is a pretty good coach (as well as a pretty big asshole) but he's stuck with Sather's awful roster and only a queen to lead them in a man's game. The Pick: Capitals in 5.



(3)New Jersey vs (6)"The Franchise Stolen from Hartford by a Greedy/Shitty Owner" - This series will be a battle as every regular season game was close. But I was at the Prudential Center on Saturday and the Devils had the ice tilted against the 'canes the whole game, even though Carolina had much more to play for and could have moved up as high as #4 with a victory. The Devils took an ugly swoon once it became obvious they weren't going to catch Boston but it seems like they have their swagger back; if the NJ powerplay was more effective I'd say this would be over sooner. The Pick: Devils in 7.

(4)Pittsburgh vs (5)Philadelphia - Although analysts seem to think this is the marque match-up of the first round I think it ends relatively quickly with only half the games really "close". The Penguins players already consider this year a success since they got the coach they despised fired. They also have momentum heading into the playoffs while Philly has to be crushed that their inconsistent play cost them home ice advantage, which might have been their only chance to stem the tide. The Pick: Penguins in 6

[Buba Big Guns]

First time Ottawa hasn't made the playoffs for me. FUCK THIS.

San Jose vs Anaheim - Anaheim can win this as they're a good team, but SJ playing like they should will take it. I expect the sharks to go for a great run.

Detroit vs Columbus - I hate over rating experience but yeah, Jackets will be nervous as shit. However, Vermette will give an amazing speach about what he learned from Godfredsson and thats all she pretty much wrote.

Vancouver vs St Louis - I expect Vancouver to make the finals. Their whole situation feels just right

Chicago vs Calgary - A couple months ago Calgary was a top team, now they enjoy sucking copious amounts of dick. They can still win but I dunno....it's kinda hard to predict this one. Havlat is a sexy beast and he will not accept a loss.


Boston vs Montreal - Habs last 7 wins: NYI, Toronto, Chicago, Tampa, Atlanta, Edmonton, Dallas. The only good team in there is Chicago. Every other game against a half talented team was a loss. This team has been awful since the allstar break and thats never a good sign. Im gonna enjoy watching them get absoluetly destroyed. Lucic, Chara, Krejci, Savard are beasts. If Montreal does win however, good on them.

Washington vs NY Rangers - Ovechkin will shit on everyone. Don Cherry will cry.

New Jersey vs Carolina - NJ has been shit, sorta like a mini Calgary. I want Brodeur to win but Carolina's been hot. Or maybe they peaked early.

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia - Flyers gave away home ice and now we have to suffer watching games in the god awful Melon arena. Probably the toughest series in the 1st round. I like Flyers' forwards better but Crosby is a Philly killer. Pens in 7.

[NetMapel]

So it seems like the general consensus is that after this first round, only one Canadian team will be left (GO CANUCKS !!!). Poor Canada :(

[Mike Works]

East

1. Boston vs. 8. Montreal - Boston in five
2. Washington vs. 7. New York - Washington in six
3. New Jersey vs. 6. Carolina - Carolina in seven
4. Pittsburgh vs. 5 Philadelphia - Pittsburgh in six

West

1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim - San Jose in six
2. Detroit vs. 7. Columbus - Detroit in six
3. Vancouver vs. 6. St. Louis - Vancouver in five
4. Chicago vs. 5. Calgary - Chicago in five

[Big-E]

Everyone taking the Pens? Bullshit, future Captain Canada and his number one pal are going to see through that they at least make round 2.

[Rapping Granny]

Fuck it, I am jumping on the nucks bandwagon.

[Karakand]

Pronger's elbow in 3.

[Pochacco]

Now with descriptions!

Sharks in 4.
Anaheim's a pretty dangerous team. They have the same core that won the fricking cup just 2 years ago. Giggy sucks, but Hiller's hot. Pronger, Nieds, and Teemu are a little older but the kids are also a lot better. Still, if the Sharks can play like they did for most of the year, they should be able to steamroll the Ducks. This is gonna be a very defensive and boring series.

Wings in 6.
The Jackets just aren't good enough. Mason might steal a game and Osgood might lose a game, but I just can't see Lidstrom and co. fall in the first round. Hossa's gonna be hungry and is gonna be great. Will Franzen go nuts like last year too?

Blues in 7.
The Canucks are nicely balanced and have a good chance this year. However, all that will go down the drain when Mats gives a locker room speech based on his experience in Toronto. Speaking of the Leafs, they'll probably end up signing the Twins pretty soon. Sorry Luongo. It took you 5 years to get to the playoffs. I'm sure you'll get past the 2nd round by 2015. Not the Nucks' fault tho. The Blues are playing insane. They were last in the West on Feb.12th and have gone 20-6-3 to finish the year.

Hawks in 6.
LOL Flames.

Habs in 7.
I don't really care who wins. I just hope it's the kind of hard-fought series that most are expecting it to be.

Caps in 6.
The Rangers don't have enough depth. For entertainment's sake, I hope Avery does some crazy shit.

Devils in 7.
This is probably one of the most even series. Cam Ward is gonna be amazing, but Parise and co. are just too much.

Pens in 5.
Should be a great series. I'm expecting Malkin to struggle again. And Richards/Carter/Gagne/Briere are pretty awesome... but Philly's goaltending is gonna suck.

[shagg_187]

Habs in 7. BELIEVE!

I love you.

The last montreal/boston game was FUNFUCKIN' SEXTASTICALLY AWESOMENESS BITCHIN! Montreal showed that they want it BADLY now and even had injured players in the fucking lineup!

Ofcourse, where Montreal losses is that they have two great goalies but their number one goalie loses his confidence real quick (Price) and the fact that they don't have any fighters (Laraque is their only fighter and he can't play for SHIT), so facing a team like Boston will be a fucking massacre (last game showed how EASILY and BADLY they can bully them and disorient their concentration. Poor Komisarek!)

Here's my prediction:

East

1. Boston vs. 8. Montreal - Montreal in seven
2. Washington vs. 7. New York - Washington in five
3. New Jersey vs. 6. Carolina - New Jersey in six
4. Pittsburgh vs. 5 Philadelphia - Philadelphia in seven

West

1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim - San Jose in six
2. Detroit vs. 7. Columbus - Detroit in five
3. Vancouver vs. 6. St. Louis - St. Louis in seven
4. Chicago vs. 5. Calgary - Calgary in six

[Slurmer]

I was going to do summaries for all of them, but after being forced to start over for the third time (thanks IE!), I will not...

Western Conference
San Jose vs Anaheim
SAN JOSE IN 5

Detroit vs Columbus
COLUMBUS IN 6

Vancouver vs St Louis
VANCOUVER IN 4

Chicago vs Calgary
CHICAGO IN 6


Eastern Conference
Boston vs Montreal
Two overly emotional goalies. Look at Tim Thomas the wrong way and he will clothesline your grandmother; score a weak goal on Carey Price and he will cry in the corner like a little girl. That basically sums up these two teams--rugged/physical squad vs. unstable finesse/skill squad. But if the Bruins go overboard in their tough-guy act and lose their composure, they could be burned by a PP unit that has been vastly improved since the addition of Schneider. But an unhealthy Markov is a big deal, and I don't think the Habs can overcome it. Look out for quadragenarian Mark Recchi to make a big impact BRUINS IN 5

Washington vs NY Rangers
CAPS IN 5

New Jersey vs Carolina
DEVILS IN 6

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia
FLYERS IN 7

[Marty Chinn]

Now with descriptions! Sharks in 4. Anaheim's a pretty dangerous team. They have the same core that won the fricking cup just 2 years ago. Giggy sucks, but Hiller's hot. Pronger, Nieds, and Teemu are a little older but the kids are also a lot better. Still, if the Sharks can play like they did for most of the year, they should be able to steamroll the Ducks. This is gonna be a very defensive and boring series.

You didn't see how the Sharks and Ducks ended their last game a week ago did you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqgKX1QbOOw

That doesn't even show the replay close ups where Perry after the game ended took a punch to Bouche's, the Sharks' goalie, head which started the whole mess. It also doesn't show when Vlassic was down on the ground, the deliberate stick to the head which really got everyone all pissed off. The Ducks were desperate and dirty at the end of that game and there's going to be bad blood going off into the series. That's not even factoring in when Perry did a cheap shot to Nabokov's leg in a previous game. Corey Perry is a cheap player. I'm afraid how hard hitting the game will be because of all this that either team is going to be banged up going into the next round.

[TemplaerDude]

mmm playoff hockey so close.

[Karakand]

Perry: "San Jose's gonna get it!"

[Buba Big Guns]

Bob Gainey played Laraque on a 5 on 3. Thats pretty much all that needs to be said.


And my god at Getzlaf's bald spot.

[Pochacco]

You didn't see how the Sharks and Ducks ended their last game a week ago did you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqgKX1QbOOw That doesn't even show the replay close ups where Perry after the game ended took a punch to Bouche's, the Sharks' goalie, head which started the whole mess. It also doesn't show when Vlassic was down on the ground, the deliberate stick to the head which really got everyone all pissed off. The Ducks were desperate and dirty at the end of that game and there's going to be bad blood going off into the series. That's not even factoring in when Perry did a cheap shot to Nabokov's leg in a previous game. Corey Perry is a cheap player. I'm afraid how hard hitting the game will be because of all this that either team is going to be banged up going into the next round.

Hope you're right. The Sharks and Ducks tend to play low scoring games so it'd be nice to see some more scoring. The Sharks are the better team, so it would be smart (and entertaining for non-Sharks fans!) for the Ducks to do their thang and get the Sharks off their game with some cheap shots.

Oh, and I love Corey Perry. Not only did he help me win my hockey pool this year, how could you hate a guy for this classic?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUr_qek_W2I
Sharks are gonna get it.

[Pochacco]

And my god at Getzlaf's bald spot.

I was watching Ducks-Nucks game last week (the Ducks won that one 6-5). During the intermission, they were interviewing Getzlaf and the network dude commented on the high-scoring affair by saying something along the lines of, "this game is thinning both coaches' hair lines!". There was an awkward pause. Getzlaf then just gave some canned "yea, as long as we come out on top" type response

[Big Chief Crazy Cone]

East
Boston in 6
Washington in 7
Carolina in 6
Pittsburgh in 6

West
San Jose in 6
Detroit in 5
Vancouver in 5
Chicago in 7

[Slurmer]

I was watching Ducks-Nucks game last week (the Ducks won that one 6-5). During the intermission, they were interviewing Getzlaf and the network dude commented on the high-scoring affair by saying something along the lines of, "this game is thinning both coaches' hair lines!". There was an awkward pause. Getzlaf then just gave some canned "yea, as long as we come out on top" type response

poor guy :(

[R_GILL]

Damn Getzlaf has lost a lot of hair, he needs to get Theodore to hook him up with some of the stuff he uses.

[DarkJediKnight]

Damn Getzlaf has lost a lot of hair, he needs to get Theodore to hook him up with some of the stuff he uses.

Yep, that is on a Mark Messier scale.

[TemplaerDude]

the only thing worse than going bald is not being able to admit your going bald. it's over buddy. you had a good run. just lop it off.

[darkwings]

as long as crosby goes out I am happy.


East
Habs in 4
Washington in 7
Carolina in 6
Flyers in 7

West
Ducks in 6
Detroit in 5
Vancouver in 6
Chicago in 6

[pizzaguysrevenge]

Sharks Playoffs 2009: This Time We're Serious!

[Mii]

East

#1 Boston over #8 Montreal in 5.
- Game 5 will have Boston singing 'Ole', emptying the skeletons from the closet of a nightmarish decade versus Montreal. The Habs seem to have a number of injuries, and Boston has been in great shape as of late.

#2 Washington over #7 NY Rangers in 6.
- Caps had a 3-0-1 record against the Rangers, but 3 of their 4 games were 1 goal differentials, 2 ending in OT. I don't know much about either team honestly, but I do know Lundqvuist has never really impressed me, but Ovechking certainly has.

#6 Carolina over #3 New Jersey in 5.
- Carolina has been hot for months. New Jersey has been cold. Carolina is 3-1-0 against New Jersey this year. Unless Brodeur decides to wake up, I don't see this series going in NJs favor.

#5 Philadelphia over #4 Pittsburgh in 6.
- My most anticipated matchup in the east. I love it when these two teams meet up in the playoffs. Have to go with Philadelphia, mostly because I have a soft spot for them, but I do think Biron plans to stand on his head a couple times.


West

#1 San Jose over #8 Anaheim in 5.
- If we don't finish in 5, the Sharks will have no shot at the Cup. Anaheim was probably the worst possible team for us to face first. They play like a western Canadian team - extra rough, extra grit - and I don't like our record against that type of play. Our players will not be in good health to continue to the cup if we take too long here. This Hiller fellow looks awful though, so I do think we'll win.

#7 Columbus over #2 Detroit in 6.
- Joel Quenneville, Ken Hitchcock, Andy Murray? Sounds like we're back in 2001. Know what happened in 2001? All 3 of these coaches got their teams to the 2nd round. Know what also happened in 2001? Detroit was upset first round (by Andy Murray). I forget the exact statistic, but apparently its very likely that one of the two 2v7 match-ups in the NHL Playoffs will result in an upset. I'm pegging this as the upset. Hitchcock has got his team working like a well oiled machine. I've been quite impressed with Columbus's consistent play whenever I watch.

#6 St Louis over #3 Vancouver in 7.
- LOLuongOAL will be in net these playoffs. He isn't at his peak, and St Louis has been in playoff mode for months already.

#4 Chicago over #5 Calgary in 5.
- "Khabibulin, UNBELIEVABLE!"



Oh, and 'Puck Fronger' and 'Check Selanne's stick' and 'Quack... lol' and all that jazz.

[sefskillz]

Perry: "San Jose's gonna get it!"

ah damnit, thanks for reminding me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUr_qek_W2I

yea, now im going with the ducks. they might drop game 1, but perry is able to get everyone on the sharks to make sure to let someone else know that 'they're gonna get it' and the sharks are too intimidated to get anything really going the rest of the series. ducks in 6!

East

1. Boston vs. 8. Montreal - Bruins in six
2. Washington vs. 7. New York - Caps in five
3. New Jersey vs. 6. Carolina - Carolina in six
4. Pittsburgh vs. 5 Philadelphia - Flyers in seven

West

1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim - Ducks in six
2. Detroit vs. 7. Columbus - Detroit in six
3. Vancouver vs. 6. St. Louis - Canucks in five
4. Chicago vs. 5. Calgary - Hawks in seven

No way the Jackets beat Detroit. They don't have the style of play or the defense to get it done (blah blah blah, mason mason mason).

[Hitman]

West
1. San Jose vs. 8. Anaheim - Sharks in 5
2. Detroit vs. 7. Columbus - Detroit in 7
3. Vancouver vs. 6. St. Louis - Blues in 6
4. Chicago vs. 5. Calgary - Hawks in 5

East
1. Boston vs. 8. Montreal - Bruins in 6
2. Washington vs. 7. New York - Caps in 4
3. New Jersey vs. 6. Carolina - Carolina in 6
4. Pittsburgh vs. 5 Philadelphia - Pens in 5

[Doytch]

PICKS!!

Boston vs Montreal - Boston in five
Washington vs New York - Washington in five
New Jersey vs Carolina - Carolina in seven
Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia - Pittsburgh in seven

San Jose vs Anaheim - San Jose in six
Detroit vs Columbus - Detroit in seven
Vancouver vs St Louis - Vancouver in five
Chicago vs Calgary - Calgary in six

Bettman would jizz in his pants if my Pittsburgh/Washington matchup holds.

[Alucard]

WEST:
Chicago vs. Calgary - Flames have been choking it all away lately, and Chicago's full of hot, young talent, but I still think Kipper's going to save Calgary. Flames in 6.

Vancouver vs. St. Louis - Sorry, Blues. Thanks for showing up. I'm sure you're just happy to be here. Canucks in 5.

Detroit vs. Columbus - Time for Detroit's goaltending to be exposed. It would be awful poetic justice if Conklin somehow carries the Wings back to the Cup Final, where they would face the Pens, and dem's words of "he will betray you" will finally come true. Anyway, in regards to this series, it's more of a hope than a firm belief, because I can't stand the Wings and think it would be funny if Hossa got knocked out in the first round after saying he signed with Detroit because of their Cup chances. So...Columbus in 6.

San Jose vs. Anaheim - As typical as it would be for the Sharks to lay down and die, this team does seem different from years' past. Sharks in 6.

EAST:
Boston vs. Montreal - Sorry, Habs. No upset this year. Bruins in 4.

New Jersey vs. Carolina - Devils are slumping, Brodeur is drunk, and the Canes are red hot, despite a lame effort against Buffalo recently. I think Carolina will be playing the spoiler role in this one. Canes in 6.

Washington vs. New York - This is an interesting match-up. AO in the second round? Make it so. Washington in 7.

Pens vs. Philadelphia - Interesting match-up. On paper, the Pens are worse than last year, and the Flyers are better. That said, we seem to find a way to win against these guys, and I don't see that changing here. Pens in 5. Yeah, I said it.

[Kingpen]

I love the fact everyone is so confident in Washington. When was the last time Washington actually won a first round series? It has been over a decade since they went the finals and got swept by Detroit.

Has Mr. Ovechkin ever been past the first round, no....

And they have a shit goalie playing against one of the best goalies in the league. I'm standing by my upset pick, more so against Washington tripping over their own heels vs. the Rangers being dominant against them....

[pringles]

West

#1 San Jose over #8 Anaheim in 6
#2 Detroit over #7 Columbus in 5
#3 Vancouver over #6 St.Louis in 4
#5 Calgary over #4 Chicago in 6

East

#1 Boston over #8 Montreal in 4
#7 New York over #2 Washington in 7
#6 Carolina over #3 New Jersey in 7
#5 Philadelphia over #4 Pittsburgh in 5

[Panda Bear]

Detroit vs Columbus - How the fuck does Osgood have multiple Cup rings? Ty Conklin hasn't seen enough pucks to work off the rust, I have no faith in Osbad at ALL. Columbus is just happy to get to the dance, I think they'll take one game off Detroit then it'll all be over. Detroit in 5.

Osgood is actually a pretty damn good goaltender when he turns it on. Despite his performance lately I have faith in him.

[Alucard]

Osgood is actually a pretty damn good goaltender when he turns it on. Despite his performance lately I have faith in him.

His .887 save percentage (worse than Toskala, Elliott, and Gerber just to name a few) and 3.09 GAA say differently this season. Statistically, he is the THIRD WORST goaltender in the NHL.