The Official 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoffs Talk Thread

[SPTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by ImTellinTim

Hockey will always be a niche sport. I think they've just accepted it. I don't like it, but it is what it is. I'm not gonna get all worked up about it.

It wasn't a niche sport in 1994....Hockey was at its highest profile ever in the US at the time what with the Rangers' quest for the cup and you factor in the impact that Gretzsky had to the sport when he went to LA a few years earlier and you had the foundation for what would've been a golden age for the NHL in the US.

Unfortunately, like almost every good thing that happens to the NHL they flush it all down the toilet with the lockout that killed all the momentum the league had going for it at the time. It didn't help that when the game came back it was guys like Jacque Lemaire who killed any kind of excitement the sport had built up for itself with the ushering in of the Dead Puck Era.

It's a shame really....

[slickdtc]

Quote: Originally Posted by skydog71

We're pretty much a lock for elimination when it comes to round 1 in the playoffs (0 for 5), but I did hear an encouraging stat today: Rinne is 3-0 against the Ducks this year.

I feel badly for the Predators. It seems whoever they draw in the playoffs, they're one of the top teams. Red Wings, Blackhawks last year, this year the Ducks who we all know is a tough playoff squad. Ugh! However, they have their best chance this year with Rinne in net. I'll be rooting for them.

ESPN's LeBrun has the Flyers going down in 7 to the Sabres. Honestly, I couldn't argue with it. The March swoon has me feeling pretty lowly about our chances... and seeing all you mofo's pick us in 6 or 7 means only one thing: we're gonna lose!

I just hope we can flip the switch. We've been able to do it the last few years in the playoffs.

Just goes to show you that all year I had us pegged as Cup Finalists at least with how well we were playing. One big down month and all the sudden I'm scared we're gonna be one and done.

[slickdtc]

Quote: Originally Posted by TSOLEliot

Philly vs. Buffalo: Buffalo in 5

I LOL'ed. I can feel ya, though...

[Blaze125]

Washington vs. New York: Washington in 6
Philidelphia vs. Buffalo: Buffalo in 7
Boston vs. Montreal: Boston in 6
Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay in 5

Vancouver vs. Chicago: Vancouver in 4
San Jose vs. Los Angeles: San Jose in 5
Detroit vs. Phoenix: Phoenix in 7
Anaheim vs. Nashville: Nashville in 6

[TSOLEliot]

Quote: Originally Posted by slickdtc

I LOL'ed. I can feel ya, though...

Guess I meant to say Buffalo in 4...
Philly has shown me nothing...they were bad even when Pronger was in the lineup the second half of this season...The d is falling down everywhere.
And the forwards make too many blind behind the back passes. I feel for Lavy- he's a good coach but I don't think they're listening to him. You know its bad when Zherdev and Carcillo are your gritty leaders.

Richards and Carter are non-existent except for bad penalties.
I do have a feeling that Briere will tear it up against his old team though.

Regardless, playoffs should be great as usual.....and no shootouts!!!

[Psyblast]

Sounds like Philly and Detroit fans (or just me among the Wings fans, maybe?) are similar in their line of thought about their teams' chances.

[goh]

I love hockey playoffs though I can never pay much attention to the regular season.

Canucks in 6.
Red Wings in 6.
Kings in 7 and the best first round series.
The Predators have only let me down and I hate the Ducks so I'm just not picking.

Rangers in 5,Lundqvist will be this years beastly playoff goalie.
Bruins in 4.
Flyers in 4.
Lightning in 7.

[SidVish]

Quote: Originally Posted by Psyblast

Sounds like Philly and Detroit fans (or just me among the Wings fans, maybe?) are similar in their line of thought about their teams' chances.

I'm not too high on the Hawks getting out of the first round either.