2012 NHL Playoffs Thread

[flaccopoe]

I know it doesn't matter, but the Jackets are on fire now. Cam Atkinson has 5 goals in the past 2 games, including a hat trick. I never even heard of him a couple days ago!

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1333848094' post='1045142']


My money's on AZ. [color=#ff0000]Viva Mike Smith[/color]
[/quote]
Not quick? I think quick is an awesome name for a goalie lol

[flaccopoe]

[color=#0000ff][size=5]Way to go, Tampa!!! Not only did Stamkos get his 60th goal, but Teddy Purcel got a hat trick, including a wrist shot in OT!!![/size][/color]

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1333849427' post='1045162']
[color=#0000ff][size=5]Way to go, Tampa!!! Not only did Stamkos get his 60th goal, but Teddy Purcel got a hat trick, including a wrist shot in OT!!![/size][/color]
[/quote]
Just seen it. Congrats to Steven Stamkos!!
I like him. He is just golden.

[cursona pirate]

It looks like coyotes are gonna be Pacific division champs. If they win they have a total of 97 points.
The sharks and LA have 94 points.
Looks like the sharks are gonna play Canucks or Blues. Great. They suck against them both. Well in the playoffs records don't matter so I'm not losing hope.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1333850228' post='1045175']
It looks like coyotes are gonna be Pacific division champs. If they win they have a total of 97 points.
The sharks and LA have 94 points.
Looks like the sharks are gonna play Canucks or Blues. Great. They suck against them both. Well in the playoffs records don't matter so I'm not losing hope.
[/quote]

Would you rather play the 'Nucks or Blues?

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1333849712' post='1045168']
Just seen it. Congrats to Steven Stamkos!!
I like him. He is just golden.
[/quote]

Literally and figuratively!!

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1333850410' post='1045178']


Would you rather play the 'Nucks or Blues?
[/quote]
Blues. They have not been sharp as of late. The nucks have been hotter. Also it would be easier to watch the games then.

[XxSizzleXx]

Penguins and Flyers playoff series is going to be the one to watch, no better teams to watch in a 7 game series than these two. Can't wait.

[bdravens]

Playoff predictions anyone?

East:
1. Rangers vs. 8. Senators
My pick: Rangers in 6.
The Sens have fought well with the Rags this year, but Lundqvist will carry them through the first round. I really expect Ottawa to put up a huge fight, and wouldnt count this out as an upset.
2. Bruins vs. Capitals
My pick: Capitals in 6.
This is partly a homer pick, but not completely. The Capitals have the ability to keep up with/outscore any team in the league. Guys like Hamrlik and the pair of Carlson and Alzner are peaking on defense. This is another good shot for an upset.
3. Panthers vs. 6. Devils
My pick: Devils in 5
It's not even close. Florida is the worst team in the playoffs, they have a MINUS 24 goal differential, and got into the playoffs only because of 18 points in EIGHTEEN overtime losses. The ony reason I see this series making it to 5 games is because the Panthers have home ice.
4. Pittsburgh vs. 5. Flyers
My pick: Penguins in 7
This is gonna be a brutal series. It's gonna be last man standing, and Pittsburgh has a little more firepower with Crosby healthy. The Penguins are also the odds on Cup favorite.

West:

1. Canucks vs. 8. Kings
My pick: Canucks in 6
The Kings have limited offense, while the Canucks have unlimited offense. The Kings are very defensively sound, though, and have arguably the best goaltender in the game in Jonathan Quick - who will arguably give them a fighting chance in the series.
2. Blues vs. 7. Sharks
My pick: Blues in 5
One of the best defensive and all around teams in hockey, versus a fairly high powered offense with goalies issues. The Blues also have an incredible duo in goal with Elliott and Halak. Sharks will be lucky to pull a game or two out of this series.
3. Coyotes vs. 6. Blackhawks
My pick: Coyotes in 7
Much of this pick hinges on the health of Jonathan Toews. If he is in for any more than 2 games of this series, Chicago wins. But also playing in is that this could be the end of the Coyotes in Phoenix...barring a run that would have to be fueled by wanting to stay.
4. Predators vs. 5. Red Wings
My pick: Predators in 7
Probably the toughest series to pick. The Predators are an incredible team with an incredible goalie. The Wings are highly, highly skilled and are the most fundamental team you'll see. Again, I think this series comes down to home ice, and I think the Preds get it done.

What RD 2 will look like IMO:
1. Rangers vs. 7. Capitals
4. Penguins vs. 6. Devils

1. Canucks vs. 4. Predators
2. Blues vs. 3. Coyotes

[cursona pirate]

If me. Neimi plays like he has the last couple games perhaps we have a chance against those Blues.

[flaccopoe]

The Rangers really dropped the ball getting blown out at home to lose the President's Trophy...

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='bdravens' timestamp='1333863570' post='1045234']
Playoff predictions anyone?

1. Canucks vs. 4. Predators
2. Blues vs. 3. Coyotes
[/quote]

Care to join my Hockey Bracket Challenge?

[flaccopoe]

[url="http://playoffschallenge.nhl.com/playoff_challenge/leagues/112?locale=en"]http://playoffschallenge.nhl.com/playoff_challenge/leagues/112?locale=en[/url]

If anyone's interested, this is my NHL Bracket Challenge League. Tell me if you join it so I'll know you're in it.

[flaccopoe]

St. Louis is going AWOL with their goaltending. Wouldn't surprise me if they go to the Stanley Cup.

[cursona pirate]

I have low expectations for the Sharks. If the Kings beat the Canucks and the sharks beat STL
Then I will start to believe.

[FerrariFan87]

Caps actually have a good shot drawing the Bruins considering how well we've played them this year... sadly, we seem to choke every year, so I have ZERO expectations for this year's playoff run...

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1333996526' post='1046029']
Caps actually have a good shot drawing the Bruins considering how well we've played them this year... sadly, we seem to choke every year, so I have ZERO expectations for this year's playoff run...
[/quote]

'Koun and Neuv will watch in horror as the Bruins shoot at Holtby like an action flick, barring a sooner-than-expected recovery for them.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Anyone excited to see the new playoff format next year? I definitely am! Incase you missed it, the nhl will have 4 conferences instead of 6 smaller divisions. Top 4 in each conference makes the playoffs the (1vs4 seed, 2vs3 seed) with the winners playing in the second round..then down to a final 4, then the traditional east vs west finals..cant wait!
How do you all feel the caps will fare moving into a division with the pens,flyers,rangers,and devils?

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' timestamp='1334185067' post='1047294']
Anyone excited to see the new playoff format next year? I definitely am! Incase you missed it, the nhl will have 4 conferences instead of 6 smaller divisions. Top 4 in each conference makes the playoffs the (1vs4 seed, 2vs3 seed) with the winners playing in the second round..then down to a final 4, then the traditional east vs west finals..cant wait!
How do you all feel the caps will fare moving into a division with the pens,flyers,rangers,and devils?
[/quote]

The conferences don't bode well for the Caps, as well as other teams. They're going to have to run the gauntlet every time they play a conference opponent. Personally, I wish only the top 3 teams made the playoffs. 16 teams is too much: that's over half of the league and it makes the playoffs longer than they need to be.

[flaccopoe]

Damn, the Pens are all over Bryzgalov: 2 goals in the first 12 minutes!

[cursona pirate]

Those better not be the new playoffs. Don't change the playoffs there fine.

[flaccopoe]

The Flyeres are getting steamrolled!!!

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1334191313' post='1047359']
The Flyeres are getting steamrolled!!!
[/quote]
Flyers score. Close defecit to 2. My dad is a flyers fan so I see them play all the time. Flyers can come back.

[codizzle]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1334191579' post='1047362']

Flyers score. Close defecit to 2. My dad is a flyers fan so I see them play all the time. Flyers can come back.
[/quote]
Flyers can definitely come back.. But I expect the pens to hold onto this one at home

[flaccopoe]

I'm surprised by how cicvil this game has been so far. Everyone was expecting a melee. We'll have to wait and see...

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1334191963' post='1047365']
I'm surprised by how cicvil this game has been so far. Everyone was expecting a melee. We'll have to wait and see...
[/quote]
I have seen some dirty play here and there.

[flaccopoe]

The Preds Wings game is as close as it was advertised to be! Go Preds go!

[cursona pirate]

Why are Pens fans booing Jagr?
It's there fault they traded him to the Rangers!

[flaccopoe]

My boy Halischuk is keeping the Wings at bay!