NHL '10/'11 Thread.
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Well, the Hawks got the help they needed, and they will get a chance to defend their crown after all. Can't exactly say I'm surprised that Dallas choked...they were playing really good in the middle of the season...but, down the stretch, not so much! Clearly, the Hawks are going to have their hands full with their 1st round match up (Vancouver), but, they (and my old "pal" Hossa) made it....and, once you're in the playoffs, it's a whole new season, and anything can happen!
Yea for sure dude. Wasn't it the Flyers who made it to the playoffs last year by a shootout win to claim the 8th spot, and then they made it to the Stanley Cup finals.
There are so many good first round match-ups, I'm really stoked for the playoffs this year. I'm gonna have to look over each match-up closely and then I will chose two teams from the West, and two teams from the East I think will make it to the Conference Finals.
Prediction time:
First Round:
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Canucks in 7)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 6)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Coyotes in 6)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 6)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres (Flyers in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Bruins in 7)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Penguins in 5)
Second Round:
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Canucks in 6)
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Capitals in 7)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins (Bruins in 7)
Western Conference Finals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference Finals:
Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins (Bruins in 7)
Stanley Cup Finals:
Boston Bruins vs. Anaheim Ducks (Bruins in 7)
The Canucks are a sick team, and are the favourites, but the way that the Ducks finished the season I think will carry into the playoffs and get them through the West. The Bruins have been my pick to win the Cup since before the season began and I see no reason to go back on that, especially with the addition of Tomas Kaberle, who makes their powerplay deadly, and the best goaltender and best goaltending duo in the NHL.
However, the Capitals and Sharks are very dangerous to me this year because they've failed in the postseason year after year and everyone expects them to do so again, which might take the pressure off. And the Capitals are playing a whole different style of hockey this season; they are a vastly improved defensive team and are playing that defensive style of hockey that is played in the postseason and which they have lost to in the postseason the past few years. Another dark horse is the Montreal Canadiens, but Price lets in weak goals all the time and offence will be hard to come by in the first round against Thomas and the Bruins (watch out for David Desharnais of the Canadiens in the first round).
Awards:
Predictions:
Hart Memorial Trophy: Daniel Sedin (VAN)
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas (BOS)
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Shea Weber (NAS)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Jeff Skinner (CAR)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Ryan Kesler (VAN)
Jack Adams Award: Alain Vigneault (VAN)
These (as I specified) are my predictions. However, some of my opinions differ:
Opinions:
Hart Memorial Trophy: Corey Perry (ANA)
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas (BOS)
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Shea Weber (NAS)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Logan Couture (SJS)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Ryan Kesler (VAN)
Jack Adams Award: Dan Bylsma (PIT)
After losing Jonas Hiller, their workhorse goalie, Corey Perry led the Ducks from outside the playoff picture to a team with home-ice advantage in the first round and he's the league's only fifty-goal scorer this season. Any time a goaltender BREAKS the record for the HIGHEST save percentage EVER recorded in NHL HISTORY then he'd better win the Vezina. Shea Weber is, for my money, the best defenceman in the world. Jeff Skinner had a wonderful rookie season, but Logan Couture scored eight game-winning goals for a division-winning and number-two seeded team. Kesler winning the Selke is a no-brainer. And Bylsma led his team to a home-ice advantage in the first round even after losing his two best forwards and the NHL's best player (it's really unfortunate for Marc-Andre Fleury that Thomas had such a superb season because he really deserves some major recognition for the way he played for the Penguins in lieu of the injuries the Penguins faced).
First Round:
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Canucks in 7)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 6)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Coyotes in 6)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 6)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres (Flyers in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Bruins in 7)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Penguins in 5)
Second Round:
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Canucks in 6)
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (Capitals in 7)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins (Bruins in 7)
Western Conference Finals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference Finals:
Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins (Bruins in 7)
Stanley Cup Finals:
Boston Bruins vs. Anaheim Ducks (Bruins in 7)
The Canucks are a sick team, and are the favourites, but the way that the Ducks finished the season I think will carry into the playoffs and get them through the West. The Bruins have been my pick to win the Cup since before the season began and I see no reason to go back on that, especially with the addition of Tomas Kaberle, who makes their powerplay deadly, and the best goaltender and best goaltending duo in the NHL.
However, the Capitals and Sharks are very dangerous to me this year because they've failed in the postseason year after year and everyone expects them to do so again, which might take the pressure off. And the Capitals are playing a whole different style of hockey this season; they are a vastly improved defensive team and are playing that defensive style of hockey that is played in the postseason and which they have lost to in the postseason the past few years. Another dark horse is the Montreal Canadiens, but Price lets in weak goals all the time and offence will be hard to come by in the first round against Thomas and the Bruins (watch out for David Desharnais of the Canadiens in the first round).
Awards:
Predictions:
Hart Memorial Trophy: Daniel Sedin (VAN)
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas (BOS)
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Shea Weber (NAS)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Jeff Skinner (CAR)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Ryan Kesler (VAN)
Jack Adams Award: Alain Vigneault (VAN)
These (as I specified) are my predictions. However, some of my opinions differ:
Opinions:
Hart Memorial Trophy: Corey Perry (ANA)
Vezina Trophy: Tim Thomas (BOS)
James Norris Memorial Trophy: Shea Weber (NAS)
Calder Memorial Trophy: Logan Couture (SJS)
Frank J. Selke Trophy: Ryan Kesler (VAN)
Jack Adams Award: Dan Bylsma (PIT)
After losing Jonas Hiller, their workhorse goalie, Corey Perry led the Ducks from outside the playoff picture to a team with home-ice advantage in the first round and he's the league's only fifty-goal scorer this season. Any time a goaltender BREAKS the record for the HIGHEST save percentage EVER recorded in NHL HISTORY then he'd better win the Vezina. Shea Weber is, for my money, the best defenceman in the world. Jeff Skinner had a wonderful rookie season, but Logan Couture scored eight game-winning goals for a division-winning and number-two seeded team. Kesler winning the Selke is a no-brainer. And Bylsma led his team to a home-ice advantage in the first round even after losing his two best forwards and the NHL's best player (it's really unfortunate for Marc-Andre Fleury that Thomas had such a superb season because he really deserves some major recognition for the way he played for the Penguins in lieu of the injuries the Penguins faced).
Marlo Manson
Hello Sexy girl how your Toes doing?
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Nucks in 7)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 5 or 6)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Red Wings in 5 or 6)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Ducks in 7)
Explanations:
The Canucks will win in 7 because: there is allot of recent playoff history and animosity in this matchup both teams want revenge against one another, it will be a close series, but the Canucks have more depth in the end.
The Sharks will win in 5 or 6 because: they have way more experience, they are hungry and they are a very well rounded team too much for the Kings handle this year.
Detroit wins in 5 or 6 because: Detroit starts @ home and I'm a HOMER and I think Detroit will handle the Coyotes again this year.
I am picking the Ducks in 7 because: The Ducks have home ice advantage, the predators are sound defensively and the Ducks top line is gonna be BURNT out just from playing so much after 2 lines no offensive depth, predators could win this series IMO.
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 5)
Philadelphia Flyer's vs. Buffalo Sabres (Flyer's in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadians (Bruins in 6)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (penguins in 7)
Explanations:
The Caps will win because: I Don't see the Caps losing in the 1st round... PERIOD.
The Flyer's will win because: They have to much depth, the only chance the Sabres win this series is if Miller steals this series with PHENOMENAL play every single game.
The Bruins will win because: They are too BIG, have more depth and Thomas in goal, Me thinks the Canadians will have NO Cinderella run this year.
I am only picking the Penguins because: They have played sensational without there 2 best players, but the Lighting could give the penguins all they can handle, Lighting could win this series if they get solid goaltending.
To be continued.
:clap:
I'm a just gonna do the first round for predictions.
First Round:
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Canucks in 5)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 5)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Coyotes in 7)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Nashville in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 5)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres (Buffalo in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Montreal in 6)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Penguins in 5)
First Round:
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Canucks in 5)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 5)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Coyotes in 7)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Nashville in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 5)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres (Buffalo in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Montreal in 6)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Penguins in 5)
Yay Stanley Cup Playoff prediction time, just gonna do the first round though.
Washington Capitals v.s New York Rangers
Caps in 5
Philadelphia Flyers v.s Buffalo Sabres
Sabres in 6
Boston Bruins v.s Montreal Canadiens
Habs in 7
Pittsburgh Penguins v.s Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning in 6
I hate cry baby Crosby...I hope TB destroys the Pens.
Washington Capitals v.s New York Rangers
Caps in 5
Philadelphia Flyers v.s Buffalo Sabres
Sabres in 6
Boston Bruins v.s Montreal Canadiens
Habs in 7
Pittsburgh Penguins v.s Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning in 6
I hate cry baby Crosby...I hope TB destroys the Pens.
eastern conference.
1.Washington VS 8.NY Rangers ( Rangers in 7 )
2.Philadelphia VS 7.Buffalo ( Flyers in 6 )
3.Boston VS 6.Montreal ( Bruins in 5 )
4.Pittsburgh VS 5.Tampa Bay ( Lightning in 6 )
Western conference.
1.Vancouver VS 8.Chicago ( Chicago in 7 )
2.San Jose VS 7.Los Angeles ( San Jose in 6 )
3.Detroit VS 6.Phoenix ( Detroit in 7 )
4.Anaheim VS 5.Nashville ( Nashville in 6 )
1.Washington VS 8.NY Rangers ( Rangers in 7 )
2.Philadelphia VS 7.Buffalo ( Flyers in 6 )
3.Boston VS 6.Montreal ( Bruins in 5 )
4.Pittsburgh VS 5.Tampa Bay ( Lightning in 6 )
Western conference.
1.Vancouver VS 8.Chicago ( Chicago in 7 )
2.San Jose VS 7.Los Angeles ( San Jose in 6 )
3.Detroit VS 6.Phoenix ( Detroit in 7 )
4.Anaheim VS 5.Nashville ( Nashville in 6 )
PlasmaTwa2
The Second-Hottest Man in my Mother's Basement
Before my predictions, I just want to say something:
I was totally wrong on that one. My bad.
Western Conference Quarterfinals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks in six (No way the Blackhawks can win this one. Vancouver simply outmatches them in every category.)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Sharks in five (Same with Canucks/Blackhawks, only worse in this case. Quick will steal a game or two, but without Kopitar the Kings are going nowhere fast.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes - Coyotes in seven (Complete homer pick right here, but the Coyotes are due, and again no one is giving them credit. Bryz will outplay Howard and that will decide the series, simple as that.)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators - Predators in six (Both teams are on hot streaks, but this series can be summed up in two words: Pekka Rinne. Anaheim's offence simply won't be able to get through both Nashville's defence and Rinne. This will be the best series in the first round, bar none.)
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - Capitals in seven (King Henry will be amazing, but the Caps won't be denied.)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres - Flyers in six (I wouldn't be surprised if this goes to the Sabres, actually. If Miller comes back 100% and the Flyers go without Pronger there could be an upset.)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins in five (Bruins simply outmatch Canadiens. Price has had little success in the playoffs and even if he stands on his head Thomas will likely outplay him. This will be more lopsided than that time Chara checked Ma... well, you know.)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Lightning in seven (Assuming Crosby doesn't return, of course. Could go either way, but Lecavalier has picked the best possible time to find his game and Stamkos will likely figure out where the net is sooner or later.)
Western Conference Semifinals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Phoenix Coyotes - Canucks in seven (Will most likely be a shorter series than this, but I just cannot see the Coyotes winning this series. The Canucks are just too good this year. Bryz will make this competitive, but Phoenix's weak offence will absolutely doom them against Vancouver's D-line.)
San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators - Sharks in seven (Hard one to pick, but the Sharks will be victorious after the Preds put a major scare in them. Would not be surprised at all to see the Predators in the Western Final, though. They're that good.)
Eastern Conference Semifinals:
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Capitals in six (I don't see the Lightning making it past the Caps here. I think Roloson will be a liability more than an asset and no matter what anyone says, Ovechkin is a much bigger threat than Stamkos.)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins - Flyers in seven (This will likely be the best series in the playoffs and the Bruins could easily win. However, I see the Bruins coming out of the first round completely beat up. The Canadiens will bring the pain and the Flyers will just add to it. Thomas' performance will push this to seven but the Flyers will prevail. However, this isn't going to be another 3-0 comeback.)
Western Conference Finals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks - Canucks in seven (If I wasn't a Canucks fan, I would honestly think about picking the Sharks. This will be a good one if it happens.)
Eastern Conference Finals:
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers - Capitals in seven (Battle of the rookie goaltenders once again. My preseason pick for the East was the Caps and I'm sticking with it no matter how much I'd like to say the Flyers will win. Ovechkin is starting to become more than a one-way player and while the Flyers D will give him lots of trouble, if Pronger does not return by this series I can't see the Flyers prevailing.)
Stanley Cup Finals:
Vancouver Canucks Vs. Washington Capitals - Canucks in seven (Would love to say Ovechkin wins his first Cup this year, but not at the expense of easily the best chance Canada has had to return the Cup to Canada. Vancouver's depth will carry them through to the end despite one hell of a showing from Ovy and the Caps. This is assuming, of course, that the guy's on Vancouver's D-line don't get hit in the nuts by pucks again. If Vancouver's defence cracks, they'll be lucky to make it out of the West; but if it is strong, the Canucks will be unbeatable.)
Conn Smyth Winner - Ryan Kessler
I was totally wrong on that one. My bad.
Western Conference Quarterfinals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks in six (No way the Blackhawks can win this one. Vancouver simply outmatches them in every category.)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings - Sharks in five (Same with Canucks/Blackhawks, only worse in this case. Quick will steal a game or two, but without Kopitar the Kings are going nowhere fast.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes - Coyotes in seven (Complete homer pick right here, but the Coyotes are due, and again no one is giving them credit. Bryz will outplay Howard and that will decide the series, simple as that.)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators - Predators in six (Both teams are on hot streaks, but this series can be summed up in two words: Pekka Rinne. Anaheim's offence simply won't be able to get through both Nashville's defence and Rinne. This will be the best series in the first round, bar none.)
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers - Capitals in seven (King Henry will be amazing, but the Caps won't be denied.)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres - Flyers in six (I wouldn't be surprised if this goes to the Sabres, actually. If Miller comes back 100% and the Flyers go without Pronger there could be an upset.)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins in five (Bruins simply outmatch Canadiens. Price has had little success in the playoffs and even if he stands on his head Thomas will likely outplay him. This will be more lopsided than that time Chara checked Ma... well, you know.)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Lightning in seven (Assuming Crosby doesn't return, of course. Could go either way, but Lecavalier has picked the best possible time to find his game and Stamkos will likely figure out where the net is sooner or later.)
Western Conference Semifinals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Phoenix Coyotes - Canucks in seven (Will most likely be a shorter series than this, but I just cannot see the Coyotes winning this series. The Canucks are just too good this year. Bryz will make this competitive, but Phoenix's weak offence will absolutely doom them against Vancouver's D-line.)
San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators - Sharks in seven (Hard one to pick, but the Sharks will be victorious after the Preds put a major scare in them. Would not be surprised at all to see the Predators in the Western Final, though. They're that good.)
Eastern Conference Semifinals:
Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - Capitals in six (I don't see the Lightning making it past the Caps here. I think Roloson will be a liability more than an asset and no matter what anyone says, Ovechkin is a much bigger threat than Stamkos.)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins - Flyers in seven (This will likely be the best series in the playoffs and the Bruins could easily win. However, I see the Bruins coming out of the first round completely beat up. The Canadiens will bring the pain and the Flyers will just add to it. Thomas' performance will push this to seven but the Flyers will prevail. However, this isn't going to be another 3-0 comeback.)
Western Conference Finals:
Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks - Canucks in seven (If I wasn't a Canucks fan, I would honestly think about picking the Sharks. This will be a good one if it happens.)
Eastern Conference Finals:
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers - Capitals in seven (Battle of the rookie goaltenders once again. My preseason pick for the East was the Caps and I'm sticking with it no matter how much I'd like to say the Flyers will win. Ovechkin is starting to become more than a one-way player and while the Flyers D will give him lots of trouble, if Pronger does not return by this series I can't see the Flyers prevailing.)
Stanley Cup Finals:
Vancouver Canucks Vs. Washington Capitals - Canucks in seven (Would love to say Ovechkin wins his first Cup this year, but not at the expense of easily the best chance Canada has had to return the Cup to Canada. Vancouver's depth will carry them through to the end despite one hell of a showing from Ovy and the Caps. This is assuming, of course, that the guy's on Vancouver's D-line don't get hit in the nuts by pucks again. If Vancouver's defence cracks, they'll be lucky to make it out of the West; but if it is strong, the Canucks will be unbeatable.)
Conn Smyth Winner - Ryan Kessler
I forgot about the Western Conference lol.
Vancouver Canucks v.s Chicago Blackhawks
Canucks in 6
San Jose Sharks v.s Los Angelas Kings
Sharks in 6
Detroit Redwings v.s Phoenix Coyotes
I think Detroit is gonna win this series but if Phoenix does
they'll do it in 7. I'm kind of up in the air on this one.
Anaheim Ducks v.s Nashville Predators
Ducks in 6
I'm not gonna break my pics down round by round since I'm lazy about it, but I am going to say the Bruins defeat the Hawks in the finals to bring Stanley back to Bean Town - in 6 games.
Western Conference:
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Canucks in 5)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 5)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Wings in 6)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 5)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres (Buffalo in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Bruins in 7)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Lightning in 6)
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Canucks in 5)
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings (Sharks in 5)
Detroit Red Wings vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Wings in 6)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators (Ducks in 7)
Eastern Conference:
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Capitals in 5)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres (Buffalo in 6)
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens (Bruins in 7)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Lightning in 6)
:surprise:
Damn. I doubt it, son. If you're right, I'll cheer for Tampa Bay next year.
I like the rangers upsetting the capitals. going to be tough but anything can happen.
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