Stanley Cup Playoffs thread

rubba19 · Post by **rubba19** » Thu May 04, 2006 3:53 pm

CrazyPsycho wrote:Blame Ottawa. They booked up their arena with 2 days full of "Dora the Explorer" shows. On Saturday and Sunday. WTF were they thinking?!?

I guess the ScotiaBank Place folks thought that the Sens would open the playoffs with the Leafs, and hence it would be open.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu May 04, 2006 6:30 pm

P. Forsberg will have to go under the knife again to repair one IF not both ankles, which will keep him off until the 1st month of the opening 06 season. This guy had shoulder, knee, back, wrist problems, anything else?

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Thu May 04, 2006 7:15 pm

10spro wrote:P. Forsberg will have to go under the knife again to repair one IF not both ankles, which will keep him off until the 1st month of the opening 06 season. This guy had shoulder, knee, back, wrist problems, anything else?

That brings the Flyers postseason surgery count to 7. Forsberg, Hatcher, Rathje, Kapanen, Handzus, Stevenson and Radivojevic. Of course that doesn't inlcude the 3 guys with concussions either that missed the playoffs (Primeau, Johnsson and Therien).

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:33 pm

They said on Philly.com that his groin problems this past season were a direct result of his ankle issues, so hopefully with his ankles fixed his groin won't be a problem in 06-07.

Forsberg was at the team's practice facility in Voorhees, N.J., one last time as the squad put the wraps on another year without a visit from Lord Stanley's grail. He reflected on a season in which he tallied 75 points and often mesmerized the faithful, despite missing 22 games because of a groin injury.

That groin injury, Flyers trainer Jim McCrossin said, is a direct result of an ankle problem Forsberg has battled as long as he can remember. McCrossin called it the "connective chain": When one part of a player's leg is injured, it's almost certain to impact another.

"It's getting worse and worse. My foot doesn't stick in the skate," Forsberg said. "My foot goes up and down in the skate. That's why I lose my balance."

They also said the Flyers led the NHL with 388 man-games lost to injury in the regular season.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:34 pm

Feanor wrote:They said on Philly.com that his groin problems this past season were a direct result of his ankle issues, so hopefully with his ankles fixed his groin won't be a problem in 06-07.

I dont know about that....
I have groin problems and they have nothing to do with My ankles....They have alot to do with women.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Thu May 04, 2006 9:35 pm

And your wrist problems have a lot to do with lack of women?

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 04, 2006 10:01 pm

Id so more as an addition to ...

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu May 04, 2006 10:07 pm

And back to your regular Hockey program: Here are the finalists for the Hart trophy as MVP: M. Kiprusoff, J. Jagr and J. Thornton.

Personally I would vote for Joe Thornton. I mean this guy just changed the fortunes of SJ as early as he arrived and made J. Cheechoo an instant scorer. Not to mention that SJ was the HOTTEST team to finish the regular season.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 04, 2006 10:10 pm

Ill go with Jagr he revived a dead organization. Granted they failed down the stretch but you cant deny the amazing turn around...

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu May 04, 2006 10:22 pm

Thornton wins it hands downs...it won't even be close.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu May 04, 2006 10:25 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Thornton wins it hands downs...it won't even be close.

Yuuuuuuuuck

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu May 04, 2006 11:18 pm

Hart: Thornton (As has been said, he almost single-handedly transformed the Sharks and Cheechoo.)

Vezina: Kiprusoff (The best goalie for the entire season. Brodeur was better down the stretch, but Kipper was strong the entire season.)

Norris: Niedermayer (Sorry, Lidstrom, but Niedermayer was the best defenseman in the Western Conference and the best in the NHL this year. I'm surprised Chara wasn't nominated instead of Zubov. And what about Pronger? He transformed Edmonton.)

Calder: Ovechkin (Easy call -- 50 goals as a rookie.)

Selke: Brind'Amour (Played a big role in that team's resurgence and was counted on for good defense and faceoff wins in Laviolette's run-and-gun system.)

Adams: Laviolette (What a turnaround in Carolina. Took advantage of the "new NHL" possibly better than any other coach.)

Byng: Marleau (Great season in San Jose, leader by example.)

Pearson: Thornton (I would say the majority of NHLPA members are Canadian, so they'll vote for their home boy over Jagr and Ovechkin. And Big Joe deserves it!)

I think it would be a fitting farewell to Steve Yzerman to award him with the Masterton and Clancy trophies. Who else among active players has shown more perseverance and dedication to hockey (Masterton) and leadership and humanitarian contributions to his club and community (Clancy) than Stevie Y?

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:16 am

pk500 wrote:
Adams: Laviolette (What a turnaround in Carolina. Took advantage of the "new NHL" possibly better than any other coach.)

Take care,
PK

Don't count out Lindy Ruff here...

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri May 05, 2006 8:40 am

Okay, as promised, new picks. Went 6 for 8 in round one losing out on Calgary and Detroit, though I have to say, I think this round has a lot more close calls.

Eastern Conference
Ottawa v Buffalo
I said it before so I'll say it again--all things being equal, Ottawa is the best team in the league. Still no Hasek, but given that Emery actually outperformed Miller in Round 1, I don't see goaltending as something holding the team back. Buffalo has made some strides, but they still lack Ottawa's top level talents of Heatley, Alfreddson, Spezza and Havlat, and are even more overmatched on defense. Sens in 6.

Carolina v New Jersey
In case you've been sleeping under a rock, perhaps I should tell you NJ is on a 15 game winning streak. I like Carolina's pluck, and Rod "The Bod" BrindAmour has really stepped up as captain of the team, but Carolina has yet to find their pre-March form. Carolina’s depth at forward will test the Devils relatively slow defense, but I fear it is too little too late for Carolina to hit peak form. I’ll be pulling for the Canes, but my head tells me otherwise. Devils in 7.

Western Conference
San Jose v Edmonton
Okay, I have to admit, the Oil took me by surprise in round 1, but can they do the same to the Sharks? Something tells me the Sharks are more prepared for a low scoring series than the Red Wings were. At the risk of playing the grouch in what could be the cinderella story of the 2006 playoffs, I think the Sharks will penetrate Roloson's armor. Sharks in 7.

Anaheim v Colorado
Okay, I'm going to be brutally honest here, but I'm looking at the Anaheim lineup, and I just don't see where the offense will come from. The Avs aren't exactly bulletproof either, and while the return of Steve Konowalchuk is a boost, they could've used the defensive presence of Vaananen or the explosiveness of Svatos a lot more. The Avalanche have already come through for me once though, and I say they can do it one more time. Avalanche in 6.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:12 am

Interesting calls, Naples. My predictions (edited after Tjung's smart catch of my brain fart):

EAST

Ottawa vs. Buffalo. Buffalo in seven. Something tells me that Emery will be the deciding factor in this series and won't be as solid as he was against Tampa Bay. Buffalo and Edmonton are similar in that all four lines can hurt you, and hurt you badly.

New Jersey vs. Carolina. New Jersey in five. No team is hotter than Jersey. No team left in the playoffs plays defense like Jersey. And no other team has Brodeur. Jersey isn't Calgary, either. It can score. Just look at Elias, Gionta, Gomez, etc. Plus Jersey has lots of role players like Madden who play their role perfectly. Carolina struggled more with Montreal than the 4-2 series scoreline appears, so I think Jersey will cruise in this series.

WEST

Colorado vs. Anaheim. Anaheim in six. I think Colorado is getting way too much respect. I saw Colorado play Edmonton eight times during the regular season, and the Avs don't impress me that much. OK, Theodore played great against Dallas, but I still think he'll cool off quite a bit in this series. Plus I think the Avs' victory over Dallas was more of an indictment of just how piss-poor the Stars played rather than a compliment to the Avs. Anaheim figured out the toughest defensive team and goalie in the West, so I think it will find more offensive legs against the more porous Avs.

Edmonton vs. San Jose. Edmonton in seven. The Oil beat the league's top team in the first round, so why can't it beat San Jose? Edmonton is getting contributions from all four lines, and its special teams have been superb. There's absolutely no reason why Roloson can't continue his fine postseason performance because his gaudy stats are as much a tribute to the Oilers' defensive discipline, forcing teams to the outside, as they are any acrobatics. Plus Edmonton won't have to change its game plan one bit against the Sharks. If they can keep Cheechoo, Thornton and Marleau out of the center of the ice and prevent them from gaining the neutral zone with speed, then the Oil will be OK. Easier said than done, though, as San Jose is playing really well. Plus it is getting contributions from role players like Bernier and Goc. This and the Buffalo-Ottawa series should be the best of the conference semi series.

Get Cup crazy, because it's my MOTHERF*CKING STANLEY CUP, Kiefer, Howie and Denis!

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:26 am

pk500 wrote:Interesting calls, Naples. My predictions:

EAST

Ottawa vs. Buffalo. Buffalo in seven. Something tells me that Emery will be the deciding factor in this series and won't be as solid as he was against Philadelphia. We'll see just how good of a coach Murray is because Ottawa couldn't play two teams with more differing styles and players than the lumbering Flyers and the speedy Sabres. Buffalo and Edmonton are similar in that all four lines can hurt you, and hurt you badly.

Take care,
PK

I don't know if this will change your decision but Ottawa played Tampa Bay in the first round, which would be more of a skating team like Buffalo. I'm hoping the Buffalo depth is the difference here. If Buffalo wins tonight, the Sens are in an awful lot of trouble because the Sabres confidence will be even higher.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:31 am

Sabers in 6....I dont believe in the Senators...

Devils in 5....Easily the biggest mismatch in this round...

Ducks in 7...they will out last the Lanche as they did the Flames....

Oilers in 6...You will see the real Thornton...

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:45 am

Pk,

That's the second time I've gotten 'interesting' as a response to my picks. I think you're just being polite, especially considering you disagree with nearly every pick I made!!!

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri May 05, 2006 9:51 am

XXXIV wrote:Oilers in 6...You will see the real Thornton...

This is an unfair criticism. The guy has one bad playoff series and all of a suddenly people think he is utterly incapable of doing anything ever again in the playoffs. If you take away his rookie season (which you kind of have to, because he only had 7 regular season points that season), Joe Thornton has been roughly a point-a-game player in 4 of his 5 playoff appearances.

http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay ... B%5D=23710

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:05 am

tjung0831 wrote:
pk500 wrote:Interesting calls, Naples. My predictions:

EAST

Ottawa vs. Buffalo. Buffalo in seven. Something tells me that Emery will be the deciding factor in this series and won't be as solid as he was against Philadelphia. We'll see just how good of a coach Murray is because Ottawa couldn't play two teams with more differing styles and players than the lumbering Flyers and the speedy Sabres. Buffalo and Edmonton are similar in that all four lines can hurt you, and hurt you badly.

Take care,
PK
I don't know if this will change your decision but Ottawa played Tampa Bay in the first round, which would be more of a skating team like Buffalo. I'm hoping the Buffalo depth is the difference here. If Buffalo wins tonight, the Sens are in an awful lot of trouble because the Sabres confidence will be even higher.

Ugh. Yeah, brain fart there. Had a tough ride this morning, as I felt like sh*t, especially on the climbs, and I'm still pretty foggy and woozy in the head!

My prediction still stands, though!

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:07 am

Naples39 wrote:Pk,

That's the second time I've gotten 'interesting' as a response to my picks. I think you're just being polite, especially considering you disagree with nearly every pick I made!!!

No, no, no! All of your points are really valid.

Take care,
PK

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri May 05, 2006 10:15 am

pk500 wrote:No, no, no! All of your points are really valid.

Take care,
PK

Well that's good to know. Honestly, you could say just about anything about my picks, it's all in good fun.

"[Naples], what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I've ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response was there anything that could even be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul!"

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri May 05, 2006 11:42 am

Naples39 wrote:
XXXIV wrote:Oilers in 6...You will see the real Thornton...
This is an unfair criticism. The guy has one bad playoff series and all of a suddenly people think he is utterly incapable of doing anything ever again in the playoffs. If you take away his rookie season (which you kind of have to, because he only had 7 regular season points that season), Joe Thornton has been roughly a point-a-game player in 4 of his 5 playoff appearances.

http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay ... B%5D=23710

Well...life is unfair...but...

He does it this series and I will eat my words...which is actually a good bet...Im wrong alot

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri May 05, 2006 2:22 pm

EAST

OTT-BUF: Is there a better offensive potential trio than M. Havlat, J. Spezza & D. Heatley? Add the leadership of D. Alfredsson, a solid D and all of the sudden R. Emery is not that much of a concern anymore. Sure if the dominator was there, everyone would have picked them all the way already ,but this OTT team is capable of controlling a speedy young BUF team. BTW, L. Ruff is my choice as Coach of the year. SENS in 6

CAR-NJ: M. Brodeur & P. Elias will be too much to handle for the Canes. Lou has his boys peaking at the right time and on a leash.

NJ in 5

WEST

ANA-COL: As during the ANA-CAL series, COL will have to control S. Niedermayer & T. Selanne. The flying Finn is playing great and is almost unstoppable. Six rookies on a team and B. Burke has assembled a MIGHTY Duck team indeed. Ilya Who? J. Sakic can't do it by himself and although J. Theodore played very well only on the last game vs DAL where he stopped some 50 shots, I still don't think he's in form, but that weakness was overshadowed by the poor performance of M. Turco.
ANA in 6

SJ-EDM: Right now, J. Thornton and J. Cheechoo are the best one-two punch in the league. And if EDM wants to advance they'll have to find a way to stop those guys and that means M. Peca will have to rise to the occasion. Needless to say, Rollie needs to be solid again and C. Pronger play like L. Robinson as he's done so far. SJ has two great keepers in between the pipes in Toskala and Nabokov and also a terrific PP too, and in the end it may just be the difference in game 7.
SJ in 7

In fact, I pick them to be in the Cup finals with Ottawa.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri May 05, 2006 7:45 pm

First period of Buffalo-Ottawa game: Does anyone in this series know how to play defense?

Take care,
PK