The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

[justblaze09]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

First off, sorry to Psy and the rest of my fellow Red Wings fans. I didn't wear my "lucky" shirt in the first period, and it did the team in at the end of the day.

This series has taught me to love having Jimmy Howard. I hated the dude these past couple of years, but dude was just great for us.

I think Lidstrom is done, but I've thought that since 09 so who knows.

As for the finals, I'm pulling for a Cancuks/Lighting final.

[slickdtc]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Canucks/Sharks
Lightning/Bruins

Good matchups here, and good matchups for whatever the Cup Finals end up being. I'm thinking Vancouver/Boston with Vancouver winning.

[Scottdau]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

I hope Sir Nick comes back!!

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Great series right there.

Predictions:
Canucks in 7 in a close battle to see who can piss away the series before the other. Game 7 involves three 3rd period lead changes and OT.

Bruins in 6

[TSOLEliot]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Congrats Sharks- gotta always make it interesting in the 3rd period...
It seems like every time there is a little breathing room, they start strangling themselves. Glad Marleau finally did something.

Detroit will be back- they have a great GM and system in place.......
And I hope they don't get shifted to the east if Atlanta relocates.....

Lightning in 6
Sharks in 7

[Money99]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Great series and great game 7 win for the Sharks.
I thought if the Wings would have scored first they would take it.
Oh well. It was a very entertaining series.

I think it's a coin-flip for who goes to the Cup now.
Boston has more depth but Roloson has been insane. And Lecavailer hasn't played this well since '06.
This series could go either way. I'd bet on Boston, but it's going to be tight.

Same with Van-SJ. Both teams have great depth, but I like SJ's defense better.
If Marleau has turned the corner, look out.
Another coin flip, but I think SJ takes it.

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

No more reason for a superstition-laden OS black-out now, I guess...seemed to be working for a while, anyway...

So, first-off, congrats to the Sharks and their fans. The team is talented and strong between the pipes with Niemi, and should stand a good chance against anyone. Off to the Western Conference finals for you, and who knows? The sky's the limit for both the 'Nucks and Sharks at this point - both appear talented enough to skate the cup in 4 weeks. Doc and Scott, play nice now, you hear?

What a great series. The best I've seen in a while. After I get over the hurt, I'm sure I'll be able to look back and appreciate it. As far as the Wings...I'm depressed, but I will say that they put up a valliant effort in the face of overwhelming odds. They had every reason to lay down and die, and they never did - they showed heart and guts the likes of which I haven't seen in a few seasons. It's small consolation, but in time I'm sure I'll appreciate the effort. And maybe it'll pay dividends in the near future, who knows? I don't know if character carries over, but if their new-found grit is a future hallmark, I'll consider this series the turning point.

That game last night was a perfect microcosm of the entire series - fast start by the Sharks, Wings claw back in when you think they're done, but in the end just 1 goal short. Just enough to make you believe, but not enough to finish the job. In the end, last night and in the series, the fast start by the Sharks was the difference. I'm getting a little peeved at losing to the Sharks, by the way...not as mad as, say, losing to the Avalanche cira 1996-2000, or to the Penguins in Game 7 2 years ago, but they're starting to really be a huge annoyance in my life...

Agree w/ Psy's GM analysis. Cut bait on Ericsson, ditch Hudler, make D-man a priority. We also need to hope Abdelkader and Miller start to come along as scorers, because outside of Dats, Hank, and St. Nick, we were sorely lacking goal-scorers when we really needed it. Our anemic power play was evidence of that (although the Sharks D had something to do with it). I'm not sold on them yet...

Also, I was beaten to the punch on giving Jimmy Howard his due props. Much love for the way he played and developed before out eyes - I think we have a good solid future with him between the pipes for the forseeable future. The best player in the series for us other than Dats. Maybe 1 and 1a.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Same with Van-SJ. Both teams have great depth, but I like SJ's defense better.

Really? I'm surprised. I'm leaning towards the Sharks myself (haven't decided yet), but if I have to choose one area in which the Canucks have a clear advantage, it's depth on D.

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

The sky's the limit for both the 'Nucks and Sharks at this point - both appear talented enough to skate the cup in 4 weeks. Doc and Scott, play nice now, you hear?

I'm too old now to do anything but play nice. Good thing the internet wasn't around for Canucks/Flames in '89 or '94. Angry times, my friends.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Really? I'm surprised. I'm leaning towards the Sharks myself (haven't decided yet), but if I have to choose one area in which the Canucks have a clear advantage, it's depth on D.

I think you guys beat them and it won't even be close, I was tempted to pick the Canucks in a sweep but I decided to go 5 games, don't see the Sharks getting swept in the conference finals 2 years in a row, but I think they get sent out early again.

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

First off, sorry to Psy and the rest of my fellow Red Wings fans. I didn't wear my "lucky" shirt in the first period, and it did the team in at the end of the day.

Dam* you, justblaze!!! You cost us the Cup! I put up the OS black-out in my home for nothing...

I'm too old now to do anything but play nice. Good thing the internet wasn't around for Canucks/Flames in '89 or '94. Angry times, my friends.

Tongue in cheek, mon ami. The hockey sub-forum is by far the most rational and civil at OS, in my opinion. I mean, this is Charlie Rose compared to the Jerry Springer antics over at some of the other sub-forums...been to the Pro Basketball forums lately? I prefer my discourse civil and logical, or at a minimum one of the two...

[porky14]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

In my crystal ball:

I see;

Tampa
vs
Vancouver

For: Lord's Stanley Cup

[SidVish]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

The best part of San Jose playing Vancouver is that one of them will lose.

Spoiler

Of course I'm kidding.

Spoiler

Or am I?

If I had to pick I would say Vancouver vs Tampa Bay in the Finals. Bergeron being out will hurt Boston and San Jose seems to come up short every year.

Also, playoff hockey is the best. I'd rather be racking my nerves watching my team but now I'll enjoy some stress-free hockey.

[Psyblast]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

There you go, Doc. Burnside has the Canucks over the Sharks in 6.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

Not exactly on topic, but I flipped on the replay of the Finland/Russia semis on NHL Network a few minutes ago and this happened:

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xgv_Hfueiho" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Ridiculous.