The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[DrJones]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I predict first round chaos, followed by predictable meh, followed by everyone getting suckered into anticipating/dreading a VAN/BOS rematch, followed by that not happening.

Canucks over Kings in 7
Sharks over Blues in 7
Coyotes over Blackhawks in 7
Predators over Red Wings in 6
Senators over Rangers in 7
Bruins over Capitals in 5
Panthers over Devils in 7
Penguins over Flyers in 7

Canucks over Sharks in 5
Predators over Coyotes in 5
Bruins over Senators in 4
Penguins over Panthers in 5

Predators over Canucks in 7
Penguins over Bruins in 6

Penguins over Predators in 5

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I think Phoenix could pull off the "upset" on the Hawks. The Hawks are top heavy with nowhere near the depth they had in their Cup-winning season. Phoenix on the other hand has more depth and the edge in net, but they're lacking the top scorers the Hawks have. I mean ****, your guys' best player is 39 year old Ray Whitney, so who knows how this series will turn out. BTW what's the word on Toews? He's back for the playoffs, correct?

Agreed we aren't as deep as our Cup season but we do have better depth than we had last season when we took the Canucks to game 7. Of course if Toews is out then that doesn't really matter, and it is still unknown whether or not he'll be playing. Last I read he is doing better and having no symptoms off the ice but when he practices some of the symptoms return, here's to hoping he feels ready to play by game 1.

[Psyblast]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Canucks over Kings in 7
Sharks over Blues in 6
Coyotes over Blackhawks in 7
Predators over Red Wings in 5

Rangers over Senators in 6
Bruins over Capitals in 5
Devils over Panthers in 5
Penguins over Flyers in 7

Canucks over Sharks in 6
Predators over Coyotes in 7

Rangers over Devils in 6
Penguins over Bruins in 7

Canucks over Predators in 6
Penguins over Rangers in 6

Penguins over Canucks in 6

[goh]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I think the Kings can do it but it's treason to pick against the Canucks so Canucks in 7 in OT.

Blues in 6. Both goalies can't fail right?

Blackhawks in 5.

Red Wings in 6. Win all 3 home games.

It's perfectly fine to pick against the Sens. Rangers in 4. I picked Lundqvist to be the hot playoff goalie last year and he let me down.

Bruins in 4. Caps goalie just got injured didn't he? Either way...

Devils in 7. Long,long series. 5 OT games with 3 multiple.

As I said in the other topic Flyers in 7. Lots of entertainment to be had.

[Blaze125]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Canucks over Kings in 6
Blues over Sharks in 5
Coyotes over Blackhawks in 7
Predators over Wings in 5

Rangers over Senators in 6
Capitals over Bruins in 7
Panthers over Devils in 7
Penguins over Flyers in 7

Predators over Canucks in 7
Blues over Coyotes in 5

Rangers over Capitals in 5
Penguins over Panthers in 6

Predators over Blues in 6
Rangers over Penguins in 6

Predators over Rangers in 7

[ImTellinTim]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

(1) Canucks over (8) Kings in 5
(2) Blues over (7) Sharks in 4
(6) Blackhawks over (3) Coyotes in 7
(4) Predators over (5) Red Wings in 6

(1) Rangers over (8) Senators in 4
(2) Bruins over (7) Capitals in 5
(6) Devils over (3) Panthers in 7
(4) Penguins over (5) Flyers in 7

(1) Canucks over (6) Blackhawks in 7
(2) Blues over (4) Predators in 6

(1) Rangers over (6) Devils in 6
(4) Penguins over (2) Bruins in 6

Blues over Canucks in 6
Penguins over Rangers in 7

Penguins over Blues in 7

[Kobalt]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Western Quarter Finals
1. Canucks over 8. Kings in 7
7. Sharks over 2. Blues in 6
3. Coyotes over 6. Blackhawks in 7
4. Predators over 5. Red Wings in 5

Western Semi Finals
7. Sharks over 1. Canucks in 7
4. Predators over 3. Coyotes in 5

Western Conference Finals
7. Sharks over 4. Predators in 6

Eastern Quarter Finals
1. Rangers over 8. Senators in 5
2. Bruins over 7. Capitals in 5
6. Devils over 3. Panthers in 6
5. Flyers over 4. Penguins in 7

Eastern Semi Finals
6. Devils over 1. Rangers in 7
2. Bruins over 5. Flyers in 6

Eastern Conference Finals
6. Devils over 2. Bruins in 7

Stanley Cup Finals
Sharks over Devils in 6.

I picked Sharks to win Lord Stanley before the season started, might as well stick with them. That's what I want to see, but I bet the teams I hate will be playing in the SC finals

[SidVish]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I guess Toews is centering Hossa and Kane in practice now. That tells me that he's definitely a go for game 1.

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

(1) Rangers over (8) Senators in 5
(2) Bruins over (7) Capitals in 6
(6) Devils over (3) Panthers in 5
(5) Flyers over (4) Penguins in 7

(1) Canucks over (8) Kings in 6
(2) Blues over (7) Sharks in 6
(6) Blackhawks over (3) Coyotes in 7
(4) Predators over (5) Red Wings in 6

(1) Rangers over (6) Devils in 6
(5) Flyers over (2) Bruins in 7

(6) Blackhawks over (1) Canucks in 7
(4) Predators over (2) Blues in 7

(1) Rangers over (5) Flyers in 5
(4) Predators over (6) Blackhawks in 6

(4) Predators over (1) Rangers in 7

[slickdtc]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Not much Flyers love in here. My quick thoughts...

I think WSH/BOS is going to be the most entertaining series. NYR probably disposes of OTT in 4 or 5. I see WSH/BOS going 7. PHI/PIT going 7, maybe 6 in what FEELs like 7 (ha.). The sleeper is whoever wins the FLA/NJ series... I think they're going to pull a run like TB did last year, up to the ECF.. possibly beyond but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Out West, I don't know man. VAN and STL are great teams, but SJ, LA, and PHX have been in playoff-mode for the last 2, 3 weeks fighting for the division and the last few spots in the Conference. I don't want to call the upset, but I can see these series being a lot more interesting then the East's 1/8 matchup. Phoenix will push Chicago, and oddly, though it seems the signs say Chicago is not as formidable as we've seen them in the past and the Coyotes finally won their division, I think CHI wins out in 6 or 7 tough games. I think that's going to be a grinder series, tough physical. Otherwise, I like the Preds... damn them for playing the Red Wings. I don't feel good going against DET.

[pietasterp]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Alright, I'll play...

(1) Canucks over (8) Kings in 5...I'm tempted to say sweep city, but I'd give the Kings one at home.

(2) Blues over (7) Sharks in 6...against anyone but the Red Wings in the playoffs, the Sharks are mere mortals. They've also taken a step or two back this year.

(6) Blackhawks over (3) Coyotes in 5....'Hawks have found their groove lately, after I thought they'd fallen and couldn't get up.

(4) Predators over (5) Red Wings in 7...The Wings' alarmingly bad road performances and turnover-prone "D" will cost them; that game 7 on the road will be the difference.


(1) Rangers over (8) Senators in 5....I always try to give the Canadian team credit for being able to rally at least once at home. But yeah...the Rangers are a lot better.

(2) Bruins over (7) Capitals in 4....I have zero faith in the Caps. They are a more-or-less soft team. A lot of people thought Bruce Boudreau was the problem, and as it turns out, he was the only thing keeping that disaster together....

(3) Panthers over (6) Devils in 7...I'm thinking Florida's got a 1996 post-season run in them all over again. Or something like that....

(5) Flyers over (4) Penguins in 7....there's no way this series isn't going 7, but I just like the Flyers' toughness and the way they aren't afraid to pound their way to victory. It seems like the gritty, dirty teams always do well this time of year, and Philly is nothing if not gritty and dirty...


So yeah...1 upset in the first round in the West, 1 "upset" (if you can even call a 4-5 matchup that) in the East. I'm sure I'm wrong, I just don't know where. Commence pointing and laughing...

[slickdtc]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I've always been of the thought that teams like SJ and WSH, which usually finish atop the standings and an early playoff exit, have a "down" season and squeak into the playoffs like this year.. they finally live up to their past expectations. That's why I can totally see either of them making a run, or at least giving us a hell of a 1st round.

No pressure... or at least, LESS pressure. They're the underdog.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

I'm actually happy to see the Panthers in the playoffs. It's a nice reward for the all the fans that stuck with them during the dark years.

Here are my predictions:

- Canucks over Kings in 6
- Sharks over Blues in 6
- Blackhawks over Coyotes in 7
- Predators over Wings in 7
- Rangers over Senators in 5
- Bruins over Capitals in 7
- Panthers over Devils in 7
- Penguins over Flyers in 7

- Canucks over Sharks in 6
- Predators over Blackhawks in 7
- Penguins over Rangers in 6
- Bruins over Panthers in 6

- Canucks over Predators in 7
- Penguins over Bruins in 6

- Canucks over Penguins in 7

I hope none of the Canuck games go to OT. The 10:30 start time is already bad enough when you have to get up early in the morning in the weekdays.

[SidVish]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

Here are some 2012 playoffs odds.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/final-betting-odds-2012-stanley-cup-champs-conn-190917276.html

Spoiler

After 1230 regular season games, the NHL playoffs have arrived. Things kick off on Wednesday night with three games.

Now that we know all 16 participants, here are the final odds for each team before the puck drops:

From Bovada:

Pittsburgh Penguins 4/1
New York Rangers 11/2
Vancouver Canucks 11/2
St. Louis Blues 15/2
Boston Bruins 8/1
Detroit Red Wings 12/1
Nashville Predators 14/1
Philadelphia Flyers 14/1
Chicago Blackhawks 16/1
San Jose Sharks 18/1
Los Angeles Kings 20/1
New Jersey Devils 25/1
Washington Capitals 30/1
Florida Panthers 35/1
Ottawa Senators 40/1
Phoenix Coyotes 40/1

You know, throwing $100 on the Coyotes at 40/1 and hoping Mike Smith stays hot isn't such a bad idea.

After the jump, Conn Smythe Trophy odds and those wacky prop bets.

Moving on, here are the favorite for the MVP of the playoffs:

Evgeni Malkin (PIT) 11/1
Sidney Crosby (PIT) 11/1
Daniel Sedin (VAN) 16/1
Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) 16/1
Henrik Sedin (VAN) 16/1
Roberto Luongo (VAN) 20/1
Tim Thomas (BOS) 22/1
Brian Elliott (STL) 25/1
Marian Gaborik (NYR) 25/1
Pekka Rinne (NAS) 25/1
Brad Richards (NYR) 30/1
Claude Giroux (PHI) 30/1
Jaroslav Halak (STL) 30/1
Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) 30/1
Pavel Datsyuk (DET) 30/1
David Perron (STL) 35/1
James Neal (PIT) 35/1
Jimmy Howard (DET) 35/1
Alexander Radulov (NAS) 40/1
David Backes (STL) 40/1
Henrik Zetterberg (DET) 40/1
Ilya Bryzgalov (PHI) 40/1
Jonathan Toews (CHI) 40/1
Ryan Kesler (VAN) 40/1
Alex Ovechkin (WAS) 45/1
Anze Kopitar (LA) 45/1
David Krejci (BOS) 45/1
Ilya Kovalchuk (NJ) 45/1
Joe Thornton (SJ) 45/1
Milan Lucic (BOS) 45/1
Patrice Bergeron (BOS) 45/1
Antti Niemi (SJ) 50/1
Jonathan Quick (LA) 50/1
Kris Versteeg (FLA) 50/1
Marian Hossa (CHI) 50/1
Martin Brodeur (NJ) 50/1
Martin Erat (NAS) 50/1
Mike Smith (PHO) 50/1
Patrick Kane (CHI) 50/1
Ryan Callahan (NYR) 50/1
Jaromir Jagr (PHI) 60/1
Jason Spezza (OTT) 60/1
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS) 60/1
Ray Whitney (PHO) 60/1
Scott Hartnell (PHI) 60/1
Tyler Seguin (BOS) 60/1
Patrick Marleau (SJ) 65/1
Stephen Weiss (FLA) 65/1
Tomas Fleischmann (FLA) 65/1
Zach Parise (NJ) 65/1
Andrei Kostitsyn (NAS) 75/1
Jeff Carter (LA) 75/1
Logan Couture (SJ) 75/1
Mike Richards (LA) 75/1
Patrick Sharp (CHI) 75/1
Patrik Elias (NJ) 75/1
T.J. Oshie (STL) 75/1
Valtteri Filppula (DET) 75/1
Daniel Alfredsson (OTT) 80/1
Shane Doan (PHO) 80/1
Alexander Semin (WAS) 85/1
Braden Holtby (WAS) 100/1
Erik Karlsson (OTT) 100/1
Milan Michalek (OTT) 100/1
Radim Vrbata (PHO) 100/1

Some good value to be found there including the likes of Marc-Andre Fleury, Pekka Rinne, David Backes, and Jonathan Quick.

Now comes the fun part with the various prop bets:

How many points will be scored by the point scoring leader in the 2011 NHL Playoffs?

Over/Under: 29.5

Will Sidney Crosby miss a games in the 2012 NHL Playoffs?

YES +150, NO -200

Who will start more games in the 2012 NHL playoffs?

Roberto Luongo -800
Cory Schneider +500

How many times will Roberto Luongo get pulled from a game during the 2012 NHL Playoffs?

Over/Under: 1

How many games will the Stanley Cup winning team play in the 2011 NHL playoffs?

Over/Under: 23.5

How many games will go to overtime in the 2011 NHL Playoffs?

Over/Under: 17.5

[Perceptor]

Re: The Official 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

My picks:

West:

-Canucks over Kings in 6
-Sharks over Blues in 7
-Hawks over Coyotes in 5
-Red Wings over Predators in 7

East:

-Rangers over Sens in 5
-Bruins over Caps in 6
-Devils over Panthers in 5
-Pens over Flyers in 7