Stanley Cup Playoffs

[TrekStar]

Any hockey fans out there that have a favorite team in the playoffs, or have a prediction on which
team will win the cup this year? The Stanley cup playoffs are just about the most exciting of all the
4 major sports so interesting to see which team goes the distance? Usually it's the team with the hot
goalie, 8th seeded teams have won the cup in the past, because of there goalie getting hot at the right time.

Just curious who follows, and who thinks which team can win it all this year, also very suprised that
not one team from Canada made the playoffs, when did that ever happen before?

I'm liking the Anaheim Ducks this year, healthy and playing there best at the moment.

[mego maniac mark]

I'm a big Ranger fan and can only hope they find a way to get it done this year. I hope for best, but expect the worst

[warlock664]

(Sorry, Mark ! )

[Duncan]

I'm a Jackets fan, so already looking to the draft. However, I'm originally from Philly and will jump on that bandwagon if they look good. Unfortunately, they drew the Caps in the first round, and they're (Caps) my pick. I think this is Ovi's year.

Oh, and yeah - the Canada thing. What's up with that? Florida, Tampa, Dallas & Nashville make the playoffs, but not one from Canada?

[rykerw1701]

I'm originally from the Buffalo area, and sadly have maintained my allegiances to those teams. So what are these things you call "playoffs?"

[Vermillion-Windmere]

As a Capitals fan, I will not be getting my hopes up, as great as they were this season, the playoffs are a whole different beast.

[Donkey Hoatie]

Not really a hockey fan, but I live in the Chicago suburbs, so I'll watch the games from time-to-time during the regular season and then try to watch a good chunk of the playoffs. Feel like their recent success has been wasted on guys like me. I keep trying to get into the sport, but as kid I played baseball, basketball, and football, so my attention goes to them.

[megojim]

Right now there aren't many teams playing as well as the Stars . . . . still a young team but the way they've firmed up their D with the highest scoring Offense in the league, the Cup is theirs for the taking

[Duncan]

Random stuff:

- St Louis has a case. I'm OK with the Chi goal they allowed, but St Luois wasn't offsides; that goal should've counted.
- crazy goal for Dallas tonight. I'm OK with it, but surprised it stood.
- Hope Philly isn't swept, but it could happen.

[megojim]

Unfortunately St. Louis WAS offsides but it took 5 minutes of replay to decide it . . . mere inches on a play like that should not decide the outcome of a game. The video showed his back foot off the ice which placed him the offensive zone. In Dallas' case the rule they refereced was pretty clear in that the mooring was still in place into both the ice and the goal. Dubnyk had pushed the puck over the line by trying to keep it out of the goal. Both Odd plays and I would have been OK had both plays stood as called on the ice. Less is more in regard to replay

[J.B.]

Not looking good for my Kings.

[Duncan]

Unfortunately St. Louis WAS offsides but it took 5 minutes of replay to decide it . . . mere inches on a play like that should not decide the outcome of a game. The video showed his back foot off the ice which placed him the offensive zone. In Dallas' case the rule they refereced was pretty clear in that the mooring was still in place into both the ice and the goal. Dubnyk had pushed the puck over the line by trying to keep it out of the goal. Both Odd plays and I would have been OK had both plays stood as called on the ice. Less is more in regard to replay

I'm still not sold on the St Louis offsides. The foot can be off of the ice if part of it is still over the blue line and not entirely in the zone, but obviously that makes it harder to call. Still, now that they're up 2 games to 1 it's kind of moot. If they lose the series it won't be because of that call.

On an unrelated note, I'm still waiting for our first double OT game. Hope it's not a west coast game, though.


***OK, I saw an article that explores the offsides. It's kind of a grey area, but the foot in the air usually leads to an offsides call...I guess this call is consistent. Fair enough; maybe clean up the rule in the offseason.

[Duncan]

Ugly Caps/Flyers game tonight; lucky we didn't see a guy literally break his neck. Mason was awful. I'd be OK with awarding the series to the Caps right now.

[MegoMark71]

Well you finally got your double overtime goal last night. Chicago can still pull it off. I have been a Hurricanes fan since 1977 when they were the New England Whalers so my favorite team has next year to look forward to. I am pleased with the young guys they have. My second team is the Flyers. They avoided the sweep, but I'm afraid the Caps are a much better team. They should close it out at home tonight. I can't stand Ovenchicken. I wish someone would just knock him into next week. Of course with a clean hit. And my motto has always been, there are no ducks in hockey. Saying that, they are looking tough. Came back to beat Nashville twice in their barn to tie up that series. I love the 1st round of the playoffs. Hockey playoffs are like no other sport. You take a game that is already a tough sport, then everyone turns it up. And the changes hockey has made over the last 8 years or so have given us the best game they can. While you still have to rough stuff, it is a much cleaner game. There is not nearly the same amount of fighting as in the past. The game is more open now. So your skill guys can be their best. I look back at the former greats, Gretzky, Messier, Howe and Lemieux, to name a few. Just how many goals they could score if they played today. And the rule changes they have made have come from the woman's game, where they highlight skill. Anyone who knows me or has spent a few minutes talking with me can tell i have a passion for the game. God lord i have already turned this post into more than it should be. So i have watched every team and had a chance to really look at them. Washington has the horses to win it all. Holtby in net has looked amazing. Their power play is just sick. Not a fan of course but one of my favorite players is Justin Williams. I also think Pittsburgh has a good chance, but they need solid goal tending. And that might be their downfall. Tampa who went to the cup last year also looks good. They have been hit all year with injuries. And are still missing their #1 guy. But i can see it coming down to them and the Capitals in the eastern finals. Now the west has been dominated over the past several years by the Blackhawks and the Kings. I think we might have a new team come out of the west this year. The Stars have looked solid the entire year. I believe they are the best team in the west right now. The best series has been the Hawks and Blues. I love the hawks simply cause of all the old former Whalers on the coaching staff. And the just do things the right way. I can see them coming back and winning game 6 to force a game 7. But i look for the Blues to come away the winners. Sorry Chicago. Both the Ducks and San Jose should advance with game 5 wins tonight. The west is pretty stacked. Dallas is the best, but the Ducks or Blues can make a run. Damn i love Hockey!!!

[Duncan]

Flyers win another one. I didn't see that coming.