2006-2007 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Post by **Captain** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:34 am

Eastern Conference

(1) Buffalo vs (8) NY Islanders
(2) New Jersey vs (7) Tampa Bay
(3) Atlanta vs (6) NY Rangers
(4) Ottawa vs (5) Pittsburgh

Western Conference

(1) Detroit vs (8) Calgary
(2) Anaheim vs (7) Minnesota
(3) Vancouver vs (6) Dallas
(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose

The countdown to Lord Stanley's Cup starts on April 11th.

It's tough to say who will take it all and that's what I love about the new NHL. Buffalo's the fastest and highest-scoring team right now, but Ottawa has had their number all season long. Ryan Miller is a good goaltender, but he's nothing without the strong defence that Teppo Numminen, Tony Lydman, and Henrik Tallinder bring. That being said, I'm hoping for an Ottawa-Pittsburgh series in the Eastern Quarterfinals.
As for Calgary, I'm skeptical. Kiprusoff has carried them to the playoffs 2 seasons in a row, but he can't do anything about Calgary's inconsistent scoring and piss-poor defence.
Detroit I'm sure will not make it past the first round, especially if they're paired up with San Jose or Calgary. They win games because of the divisional scheduling. Playing against Columbus, St. Louis, and Chicago all year will guarantee you at least 100 points.

Your thoughts?

Post by **StarShrieker** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:19 am

I'd like to see Ottawa or Buffalo take it all...one of those two *will* represent the east. As for the west, I'd like to see the Sharks make it to the end, but I believe it will be the Wings (ack) or Anaheim.

I really haven't paid much attention to this season other than glancing at the standings here and there. I'll still watch the playoffs religiously, but I guess nowadays I care more about the NCAA Frozen Four.

Still

the NHL, but it needs an overhaul.

Post by **Wizard .3** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:09 am

Buffalo is on the downhill. They looked unbeatable before Christmas, but they're pretty plain right now (if the injured heal up, it's a whole new game). The West is dominating so hard right now, but whoever makes it out of the conference finals alive will be ripe picking for the Eastern champion. As always.

Post by **Captain** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:23 am

After all these years, Vancouver finally has a more than decent shot at taking it all. Although I'm not a great fan of him, Luongo has played extremely well. And in the playoffs, it all comes down to goaltending.

Post by **Doombrain** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:30 am

woo go team.

Post by **Captain** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:36 am

lol, Edmonton went winless in 11 after trading Ryan Smyth. He'll probably be back when free agency starts. If he doesn't, he's one smart man because he's been pretty damn good with the Isles so far.

Post by **MKJ** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:20 pm

Stanley Cup

Post by **LawL** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:23 pm

Gayoffs

Post by **Captain** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:25 am

wtf, Anaheim shutout by Detroit 1-0?

Tomorrow night is a clutch game for the 6 Eastern teams battling for a playoff spot. Toronto has a do-or-die ahead of them against Carolina.
In the injury front, Buffalo's Ales Kotalik could be back as soon as Thursday. Maxim Afinogenov will return pretty soon as well if I'm not mistaken.

Post by **Hendrix** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:37 am

Thorton, Cheechoo, Marlaeu and Guerin are coming for you.........
go sharks.

Post by **Dr_Watson** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:45 am

Captain Mazda wrote:wtf, Anaheim shutout by Detroit 1-0?

Tomorrow night is a clutch game for the 6 Eastern teams battling for a playoff spot. Toronto has a do-or-die ahead of them against Carolina.
In the injury front, Buffalo's Ales Kotalik could be back as soon as Thursday. Maxim Afinogenov will return pretty soon as well if I'm not mistaken.

last week-ish i remember quinn on the local broadcast saying the training staff is pretty positive that everyone will be back for the playoffs.
hell, even connoly is skating again... granted he's gotta be rusty as hell; so probably can't make 1/2 the impact he had last year.

Post by **Captain** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 4:47 pm

Everyone but Paul Gaustad *slice*.

Post by **Captain** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:25 pm

An Ottawa-Pittsburgh quarterfinal would be awesome. Heatley and the Sens would shut Crosbaby up once and for all.

Post by **HM-PuFFNSTuFF** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:26 pm

Captain Mazda wrote:An Ottawa-Pittsburgh quarterfinal would be awesome. Heatley and the Sens would shut Crosbaby up once and for all.

clearly you know nothing about hockey. this is consistent with the rest of what you know.

Post by **Hendrix** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:54 pm

not a lot of love for the western conference eh you guys?
I mean most likely its cuz of the teams u rep, so thats fine.

I predict a team from the west will win the cup this year, too much talent.

Post by **Captain** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:34 am

HM-PuFFNSTuFF wrote:
Captain Mazda wrote:An Ottawa-Pittsburgh quarterfinal would be awesome. Heatley and the Sens would shut Crosbaby up once and for all.
clearly you know nothing about hockey. this is consistent with the rest of what you know.

lol, with the pics I saw of you, it's clear you don't even PLAY hockey, so shut the hell up

Crosby being a crybaby pissant is pretty general knowledge because of the way he throws himself on the ice when someone breathes on him.

Post by **Captain** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:35 am

Hendrix wrote:not a lot of love for the western conference eh you guys?
I mean most likely its cuz of the teams u rep, so thats fine.

I predict a team from the west will win the cup this year, too much talent.

The Sabres tend to steal away most of the media attention, but it's another huge goaltending duel between Kipper and Backstrom tonight

:icon14:

Post by **HM-PuFFNSTuFF** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:46 am

Captain Mazda wrote:
HM-PuFFNSTuFF wrote:
Captain Mazda wrote:An Ottawa-Pittsburgh quarterfinal would be awesome. Heatley and the Sens would shut Crosbaby up once and for all.
clearly you know nothing about hockey. this is consistent with the rest of what you know.
lol, with the pics I saw of you, it's clear you don't even PLAY hockey, so shut the hell up

Crosby being a crybaby pissant is pretty general knowledge because of the way he throws himself on the ice when someone breathes on him.

I've played hockey more years than you've been alive you dorky dipshit.

Post by **Dark Metal** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:02 am

Christ you're old.

Post by **Wizard .3** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:33 pm

Captain Mazda wrote:
Hendrix wrote:not a lot of love for the western conference eh you guys?
I mean most likely its cuz of the teams u rep, so thats fine.

I predict a team from the west will win the cup this year, too much talent.
The Sabres tend to steal away most of the media attention, but it's another huge goaltending duel between Kipper and Backstrom tonight :icon14:

Kipper FTW!!

Post by **Captain** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:59 pm

Damn straight!

:icon14:

It was a clinic, 1-0 Calgary in the shootout. Both goalies showed why Finland is the dominating goaltending force.

Post by **HM-PuFFNSTuFF** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:55 pm

Captain Mazda wrote:Damn straight! :icon14:

It was a clinic, 1-0 Calgary in the shootout. Both goalies showed why Finland is the dominating goaltending force.

lol you're such a Homer Gomer it's not even funny.

3 goalies in the top 12-13 in the league hardly makes Finland the dominating goaltending force.

Post by **Captain** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:28 pm

lol, I wonder where Backstrom, the leader in G.A.A and save percentage is from.

I also wonder why every team in need of goaltending is going for the young Finnish draft pick. Throw Brodeur into a shit team such as Boston and he'll play worse than Grahame. Look at Kiprusoff taking a pathetic and disorganized Flames team into the playoffs. Look at Backstrom turning the Wild around and clinching a playoff spot for them. Lehtonen giving Atlanta a division berth. Toskala taking the Sharks deep and clinching yet another playoff spot.

Need I go on?

Post by **HM-PuFFNSTuFF** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:42 pm

yeah like I said, 3 goaltenders how dominating...

Post by **Captain** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 6:44 pm

lol, Markkanen is going to wrestle away Roloson's job next year. That'll make at least 7 starters from a country of 5.5 million. I can also name a few other goalies who honed their skills in the SM-Liiga with Finnish goalie coaches before making it to the NHL.

The hybrid style was invented in Finland and perfected by Kipper.