NHL Playoffs

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:41 pm

At the beginning of the other thread I picked the Sharks & Senators in the Stanley Cup finals this year. I'll stick to those two finalists although the likes of ANA, NAS, BUF, NJ will have something to say about that.

There's always a cinderella team and I hope that my 'Nucks will be that team this year and the Pens for the East.

Here are the match ups and TV coverage. Bring it on...

2007 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Series A Time (ET) #1 Buffalo vs. #8 NY Islanders Network

Thursday, April 12 8:00 p.m. NY Islanders at Buffalo TSN
Saturday, April 14 7:30 p.m. NY Islanders at Buffalo VERSUS TSN
Monday, April 16 7:30 p.m. Buffalo at NY Islanders VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, April 18 7:30 p.m. Buffalo at NY Islanders VERSUS,TSN
* Friday, April 20 7:00 p.m. NY Islanders at Buffalo VERSUS,TSN
* Sunday, April 22 7:00 p.m. Buffalo at NY Islanders VERSUS,TSN
* Tuesday, April 24 TBD NY Islanders at Buffalo TSN

Series B Time (ET) #2 New Jersey vs. #7 Tampa BayNetwork

Thursday, April 12 7:30 p.m. Tampa Bay at New Jersey RDS
Saturday, April 14 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay at New Jersey CBC, RDS
Monday, April 16 7:00 p.m. New Jersey at Tampa Bay CBC, RDS
Wednesday, April 18 7:00 p.m. New Jersey at Tampa Bay CBC, RDS
* Friday, April 20 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay at New Jersey CBC, RDS
* Sunday, April 22 TBD New Jersey at Tampa Bay CBC, RDS
* Tuesday, April 24 TBD Tampa Bay at New Jersey CBC, RDS

Series C Time (ET) #3 Atlanta vs. #6 NY Rangers Network

Thursday, April 12 7:00 p.m. NY Rangers at Atlanta TSN
Saturday, April, 14 3:00 p.m. NY Rangers at Atlanta NBC, TSN
Tuesday, April, 17 7:00 p.m. Atlanta at NY Rangers TSN
Wednesday, April, 18 7:00 p.m. Atlanta at NY Rangers TSN
* Friday, April, 20 TBD NY Rangers at Atlanta TSN
* Sunday, April 22 1:00 p.m. Atlanta at NY Rangers NBC, TSN
* Monday, April, 23 7:00 p.m. NY Rangers at Atlanta VERSUS,TSN

Series D Time (ET) #4 Ottawa vs. #5 Pittsburgh Network

Wednesday, April 11 7:00 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa CBC, RDS,VERSUS
Saturday, April, 14 3:00 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa CBC, RDS,NBC
Sunday, April, 15 6:00 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh VERSUS, CBC,RDS
Tuesday, April, 17 7:00 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh VERSUS,CBC, RDS
* Thursday, April 19 7:00 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa CBC, RDS,VERSUS
* Sunday, April 22 1:00 p.m. Ottawa at Pittsburgh NBC, CBC,RDS
* Tuesday, April 24 7:00 p.m. Pittsburgh at Ottawa VERSUS,CBC, RDS

2007 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS

Series E Time (ET) #1 Detroit vs. #8 Calgary Network
Thursday, April 12 7:00 p.m. Calgary at Detroit VERSUS,CBC
Sunday, April 15 1:00 p.m. Calgary at Detroit NBC, CBC
Tuesday, April 17 10:00 p.m. Detroit at Calgary CBC, VERSUS
Thursday, April 19 TBD Detroit at Calgary CBC,VERSUS
* Saturday, April 21 3:00 p.m. Calgary at Detroit NBC, CBC
* Sunday, April 22 TBD Detroit at Calgary CBC,VERSUS
* Tuesday, April 24 TBD Calgary at Detroit CBC,VERSUS

Series F Time (ET) #2 Anaheim vs. #7 Minnesota Network

Wednesday, April 11 10:30 p.m. Minnesota at Anaheim TSN
Friday, April, 13 10:30 p.m. Minnesota at Anaheim TSN
Sunday, April 15 8:00 p.m. Anaheim at Minnesota TSN
Tuesday, April 17 9:00 p.m. Anaheim at Minnesota TSN
* Thursday, April 19 10:30 p.m. Minnesota at Anaheim TSN
* Saturday, April 21 TBD Anaheim at Minnesota TSN
* Monday, April 23 10:00 p.m. Minnesota at Anaheim TSN

Series G Time (ET) #3 Vancouver vs. #6 Dallas Network

Wednesday, April 11 10:00 p.m. Dallas at Vancouver CBC, RDS,VERSUS
Friday, April, 13 9:00 p.m. Dallas at Vancouver CBC, RDS,VERSUS
Sunday, April 15 8:30 p.m. Vancouver at Dallas VERSUS, CBC,RDS
Tuesday, April 17 8:00 p.m. Vancouver at Dallas CBC, RDS (JIP)
* Thursday, April 19 TBD Dallas at Vancouver CBC, RDS,VERSUS
* Saturday, April 21 8:00 p.m. Vancouver at Dallas VERSUS,CBC, RDS
* Monday, April 23 TBD Dallas at Vancouver CBC, RDS,VERSUS

Series H Time (ET) #4 Nashville vs. #5 San Jose Network

Wednesday, April, 11 8:00 p.m. San Jose at Nashville TSN
Friday, April, 13 8:00 p.m. San Jose at Nashville TSN
Monday, April, 16 10:00 p.m. Nashville at San Jose VERSUS, TSN
Wednesday, April 18 10:00 p.m. Nashville at San Jose VERSUS,TSN
* Friday, April 20 9:00 p.m. San Jose at Nashville VERSUS(JIP), TSN
* Sunday, April 22 10:00 p.m. Nashville at San Jose VERSUS(JIP), TSN
* Tuesday, April 24 TBD San Jose at Nashville VERSUS,TSN

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:54 pm

The only NHL I use to watch were playoffs. But Its really hard to find VERSUS with what I have. I liked it when ESPN had the playoffs, you could watch 3-4 games a night on the various espn channels.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 10:25 am

Thanks for posting the schedule, James! Every Pens game is on TV here. Woo hoo!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:34 am

Leebo33 wrote:Thanks for posting the schedule, James! Every Pens game is on TV here. Woo hoo!

Good luck to your Pens Lee. A lot of the coverage is on high definition too, check the listings in your area.

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:05 pm

No Leafs

No Canadiens

That sobbing sound you heard coming from the television was CBC sports as their playoff ratings head for the toilet.

Pretty crappy year for original 6 teams.

Best wishes,

Doug

nyisles16 · Post by **nyisles16** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:08 pm

dougb wrote:No Leafs

No Canadiens

That sobbing sound you heard coming from the television was CBC sports as their playoff ratings head for the toilet.

Pretty crappy year for original 6 teams.

Best wishes,

Doug

but we have 3 NY teams & one from NJ!!!! I am excited.. Can "Dubie" magic work?? Reality? Don't think so, but it will be fun to watch!

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 3:27 pm

dougb wrote:No Leafs

No Canadiens

No Oilers either...

To me it just doesnt seem like the playoffs without the Habs or Oilers...Showing my age

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:06 pm

Go Thrashers!!!!

Going to game 2 vs Rangers this Sat afternoon. Look for me on NBC

dougb · Post by **dougb** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:51 pm

XXXIV wrote:
dougb wrote:No Leafs

No Canadiens

No Oilers either...

To me it just doesnt seem like the playoffs without the Habs or Oilers...Showing my age

Yup, I'll never see hockey played that matches the 76-79 Habs, or the early 80's Islanders or mid to late 80's Oilers - How's that for elderly curmudgeonism

The thing I really miss though are those Canada Soviet series - went to the last 2 of the three final series in '87. Grezky, Lemieux, Coffee, Fuhr, Bourque, Yzerman, Messier - that '87 team was the greatest team ever iced. And they had worthy opponents.

Best wishes,

Doug

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:38 am

My favourite time of the year too.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/s ... id=2830880

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:39 am

10spro wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:Thanks for posting the schedule, James! Every Pens game is on TV here. Woo hoo!
Good luck to your Pens Lee. A lot of the coverage is on high definition too, check the listings in your area.

Well, it looks like the games on VS. are going to be blacked out here. F*cking blackout rules get me again. I can't buy the regional sports channel they are on and I can't see them on Center Ice. I've bitched a million times about it, but I'll keep complaining until I figure out how that helps the Penguins, NHL, Fox Sports Pittsburgh, or Comcast.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:04 pm

Hopefully he won't rush his return this time, but it's hard to be on the sidelines at this time of the year. And for the NYI to have any chnace, they need Rocky.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=203576&hubname=nhl

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:12 pm

Sure seems to me that he's rushing. Every concussion is different, but two of them in 12 days isn't good. And his second concussion wasn't that long ago.

The Oilers' Jarrett Stoll suffered two concussions in two weeks in February, and he's been out ever since.

I hope the Isles know what the hell they're doing with DiPietro. This is more than just a "playing the expensive asset" issue; this is a future quality-of-life issue for Rocky.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:34 am

Time for first-round predictions:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Buffalo vs. N.Y. Islanders
Buffalo is too deep, too skilled and too good for the Islanders. Both teams have serious goaltending liability issues, though. If Dubie doesn't continue to stand on his head, the Isles are screwed. If Miller gets hurt, Conklin is a woeful backup. Still, Buffalo has way too much on both ends for the Isles. Buffalo in 5.

New Jersey vs. Tampa Bay
This will be a much closer series than many think because New Jersey relies WAY too much on Brodeur. New Jersey is a lot like Anaheim; if either team's goalie has a bad series, they're done. Tampa has Richards, Vinny and St. Louis, which will put a lot of pressure on Jersey's defense. It also has the most underrated puck-moving defenseman in the NHL in Dan Boyle. But Jersey's defense and Marty will prevail -- barely. New Jersey in 7.

Atlanta vs. N.Y. Rangers
The Rangers have played solid hockey in the last month, and Lundquist is very hot between the pipes. Plus Jagr is healthy, and Avery is being his usual pest and is scoring. This adds up to a Rangers' victory in easier fashion than most thing. The Thrashers are arguably the most overrated team in the NHL, the worst of the three division champions in the East. Rangers in 6.

Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh
The most attractive first-round series in the East, by far, and probably the toughest to predict. Pittsburgh led the regular-season series, 3-1, but that means almost nothing now. Sure, people make a big deal about the lack of playoff experience by the Penguins' kids, but what has experience done for Ottawa in the playoffs in the last 10 years? Ottawa has a history of guys who don't show up in the playoffs, especially Alfie, and I expect that to continue this year. I'm not confident in the Sens' goaltending, while I think Fleury will get the job done in net for Pittsburgh. Both teams are about a wash offensively. I think Therrien is a better coach than Murray -- the most overrated bench boss in the NHL -- and will make the right moves. Pittsburgh in 7.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit vs. Calgary
Another series that will be much closer than people think. Everyone is pointing to Hasek as the difference maker that will help Detroit survive the first round this year. News flash: Mikka Kiprusoff is a better goalie than Dominik Hasek. Detroit also has its well-documented recent history of early playoff exits, led by the disappearing act of Pavel Datsyuk in the postseason. The injury to Kronwall doesn't help, either. But Detroit is a bigger, tougher team than in the past, especially if Bertuzzi contributes, and Calgary is AWFUL away from the Saddledome. The Flames didn't play that well down the stretch, just hanging on to the No. 8 spot. Detroit in 6.

Anaheim vs. Minnesota
Here's your first-round upset: The Ducks are going down. Minnesota has played excellent hockey in the last two months, while the Ducks have been pretty mortal since New Year's. The Ducks, like New Jersey, don't have many scorers outside of Selanne and rely on their defensive corps too much. Giguere has off-ice issues with the health of his young son, so his focus understandably might be errant. Lemaire is a much better coach than Carlyle, and Backstrom is playing great in net for the Wild. Plus there are few offensive tandems better than the Wild's Demitra and Gaborik. Minnesota in 6.

Vancouver vs. Dallas
Yes, Dallas has a dominant defense and has been a very good team considering all of its early injury troubles. But when is the last time Marty Turco has delivered in the playoffs? Try never. Luongo might be the best goalie in the world right now, and he'll steal this series. Vancouver has played great hockey the last two months and can roll three lines. It also has grit guys like Cooke to augment the skills of the Sedins. Vancouver in 7.

San Jose vs. Nashville
Man, it's a shame that one of these teams will be out in the first round because you can easily make the case that either could go all the way and win the Cup. I think these are two of the three best teams overall in the NHL, yet they're matched in the first round. A VERY tough series to predict. Both teams are solid up and down the lineup, and coaching is a bit of a wash, too, although I'll give a slight nod to Trotz. San Jose has the three deepest, most talented lines in the playoffs, yet Nashville has Forsberg and Kariya. I must go with the heat factor here, and no team has been hotter down the stretch than San Jose. This should be a GREAT series, right up there with Pittsburgh-Ottawa as the best of the first round. San Jose in 7.

Drop the puck, boys! Can't wait.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:41 am

Drop the puck Zebras.

There are four games tonight and although 'Nucks play tonight, I think the game to watch will be the Pens & Sens in terms of excitement. There's a lot of talk already between OTT-PIT about who should feel the pressure more and we'll see how Crosby plays in his first playoff game.

VAN-DAL should be a low score affair thru the series, D. Tippet and his boys like to trap you to death and pound you on your mistakes. Will Turco bring his 'season form' finally to the playoffs? A first playoff experience for R. Luongo as well, these two teams are evenly matched and it'll come down to special teams and goaltending.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:54 am

PK, in addition to your selections, I am going to go with ATL and OTT in the east to advance. As exciting as PIT is, I think experience will be dominant in the end, I am not sure if Fleury can handle the pressure and I pick the Sens in 6.

ATL has one scary offense when they all click together and K. Tkachuk has added some toughness up front. NYR has been so inconsistent this season, which team will show up.

Back in the wild West, I still think ANA will top MIN and I would agree with your other predictions as they are all going to be tough series. I wouldn't be surprised if they all go the distance.

Game on!!!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:01 pm

10spro wrote:ATL has one scary offense when they all click together and K. Tkachuk has added some toughness up front. NYR has been so inconsistent this season, which team will show up.

Quick question: Like Turco and Datsyuk, when has Tkachuk ever shown up in the playoffs?

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:13 pm

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:ATL has one scary offense when they all click together and K. Tkachuk has added some toughness up front. NYR has been so inconsistent this season, which team will show up.
Quick question: Like Turco and Datsyuk, when has Tkachuk ever shown up in the playoffs?

Take care,
PK

Definitely missing during his days in St Louis but he's been playing very well since he was traded to ATL. Almost like a rejuvenation for him if you will. We'll see if he can continue that play now.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 2:10 pm

I haven't followed the league very closely the last few months due the Flyers ineptitude, but I'll throw out some picks:

East
BUF v NYI - BUF in 5
NJ v TB - NJ in 6
ATL v NYR - NYR in 6
OTT v PIT - PIT in 7

West (much tougher to predict imo)
DET v CGY - DET in 7
ANA v MIN - ANA in 7
VAN v DAL - VAN in 6
NSH v SJ - NSH in 7

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:59 pm

Grapes will be on NBC's NHL playoffs telecasts!

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?sec ... id=2832669

Look out if you've never seen or heard Cherry at gale force. Quite a treat. He makes most supposedly outspoken U.S. analysts sound and look like Jim Nantz.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:03 pm

Canucks lose B. Sopel for game 1 and maybe more, due to back spasm (bad timing sopes) and PHO start cleaning house as GM M. Barnett gets the pink slip among others. This team is a mess, starting with the questionable acquisitions this season. When O. Nolan (who hasn't played in awhile before this season) is the second player with most points in the team behind S. Doan, something is wrong.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:04 pm

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:ATL has one scary offense when they all click together and K. Tkachuk has added some toughness up front. NYR has been so inconsistent this season, which team will show up.
Quick question: Like Turco and Datsyuk, when has Tkachuk ever shown up in the playoffs?

Take care,
PK

Well i'm not sure about Turco or Datsyuk but in 2004 Tkachuk was at every Cardinals home game against the Astros in the NLCS, and he was at every home game against Boston during the World Series....so he has shown up for the playoffs for sure.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:07 pm

As predicted at the beginning of the year, i'll stick with my Sharks and Sabres final. I like the Sabres to win it all but they better not take the Islanders lightly but Lindy doesn't usually let that happen so they should be ok.

ddtrane · Post by **ddtrane** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:34 pm

I like the the Sharks beating the Sens in the finals. I'm a Stars fan, but with Marty Turco, I just can't give them the nod yet.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:07 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Well i'm not sure about Turco or Datsyuk but in 2004 Tkachuk was at every Cardinals home game against the Astros in the NLCS, and he was at every home game against Boston during the World Series....so he has shown up for the playoffs for sure.

Take care,
PK