Wow...as i was sifting through the beloved Tribe Board, i noticed that there wasnt even a NHL playoffs thread??! !? ..and were supposed to be Canadian!! 
So.....who looks good this year..and who dosent? Now that the NHL second and REAL season begin, are we going to see some upsets? I personally think this WILL be the year of upsets. Alot of teams who were *supposedly* going to kick some ass this year, have been anything but impressive. I see some teams (and some powerhouses at that) taking an early exit in the first round.
EASTERN CONFRENCE
(1)Boston Vs. (8)Montreal - Boston has been a dominant team this year, and especially in the second half. They have a well balanced offence which relies heavily on defence...the Habs are on the same boat except on the fact that their offence isnt quite up to par as Boston's is. The wild card in this series is on what emotional level Montreal will be with the return of the much beloved Saku Koivu. Will this inspire Montreal to the point of a HUGE upset? Maybe..just maybe. Montreal in seven.
(2)Philadelphia Vs. (7)Ottawa - Ottawa is a team which I think is SO cabable of defeating this powerhouse Philly team..only because of Philly's shaky goaltending...however, look for Philly to pound Ottawa into submission. Philly in six.
(3)Carolina Vs. (6)New Jersey - New Jersey has been stepping it up lately, and has shown that the addition of Langenbruner and Newendyk (mind the spelling) has done quite a bit for their team. NJ in six.
(4)Toronto Vs. (5)NY Islanders - NY has been looking good as of late, and has shown that this team, however young they may be, are a team to be reckoned with. Their only downfall is obviously inexperience, and age. something the Maple Leafs certainly do not lack. Toronto in six.
WESTERN CONFRENCE
(1)Detroit Vs. (8)Vancouver - What a monumental task it must seem to the Canucks to have to take on one of the best teams EVER, let alone this year. Detroit has absolutely EVERYTHING from defence to goaltending to offence. Unfortunately for the Canucks, this powehouse Detroit team will overcome, but not without a little trouble from the 'Nucks. Detroit in six.
(2)Colorado Vs. (7)Los Angeles - Colorado is showing their true colours by making a hell of a run in the second half of the season. A very impressive team which looks to go extremely deep in these playoffs...LA just dosent have the team to do any sort of serious damage to Colorado..ESPECIALLY if Forsberg makes it back soon. Colorado in Five.
(3)San Jose Vs. (6)Phoenix - San jose has looked like a fine team all year, with a few hiccups here and there. Phoenix has looked troubled, and has lacked any sort of good strong defence. Look for San Jose to dominate this series. SJ in five.
(4)St Louis. Vs. (5)Chicago - This will be a great series, depending on which Blues team actually shows up..if its the uninspired one which has reared its ugly head in the last half of the season, chicago shouldnt have many problems taking this Blues team down. But you cant count out the Blues IF they get on a roll nd start playing like we all know they can..this in the end will determine this series. Chicago in seven.
So there you are..a quick look at this years playoffs (and my humble predictions), i think itll be a great one. Especially for the LEAFS who have been playing some stellar hockey as of late and look like they're ready to finally go deeeeep in the playoffs..and i mean STANLEY CUP FINALS deep.
So share your predictions, arguments or whatnot...and let the playoffs BEGIN!!! Yay!
-Chris
So.....who looks good this year..and who dosent? Now that the NHL second and REAL season begin, are we going to see some upsets? I personally think this WILL be the year of upsets. Alot of teams who were *supposedly* going to kick some ass this year, have been anything but impressive. I see some teams (and some powerhouses at that) taking an early exit in the first round.
EASTERN CONFRENCE
(1)Boston Vs. (8)Montreal - Boston has been a dominant team this year, and especially in the second half. They have a well balanced offence which relies heavily on defence...the Habs are on the same boat except on the fact that their offence isnt quite up to par as Boston's is. The wild card in this series is on what emotional level Montreal will be with the return of the much beloved Saku Koivu. Will this inspire Montreal to the point of a HUGE upset? Maybe..just maybe. Montreal in seven.
(2)Philadelphia Vs. (7)Ottawa - Ottawa is a team which I think is SO cabable of defeating this powerhouse Philly team..only because of Philly's shaky goaltending...however, look for Philly to pound Ottawa into submission. Philly in six.
(3)Carolina Vs. (6)New Jersey - New Jersey has been stepping it up lately, and has shown that the addition of Langenbruner and Newendyk (mind the spelling) has done quite a bit for their team. NJ in six.
(4)Toronto Vs. (5)NY Islanders - NY has been looking good as of late, and has shown that this team, however young they may be, are a team to be reckoned with. Their only downfall is obviously inexperience, and age. something the Maple Leafs certainly do not lack. Toronto in six.
WESTERN CONFRENCE
(1)Detroit Vs. (8)Vancouver - What a monumental task it must seem to the Canucks to have to take on one of the best teams EVER, let alone this year. Detroit has absolutely EVERYTHING from defence to goaltending to offence. Unfortunately for the Canucks, this powehouse Detroit team will overcome, but not without a little trouble from the 'Nucks. Detroit in six.
(2)Colorado Vs. (7)Los Angeles - Colorado is showing their true colours by making a hell of a run in the second half of the season. A very impressive team which looks to go extremely deep in these playoffs...LA just dosent have the team to do any sort of serious damage to Colorado..ESPECIALLY if Forsberg makes it back soon. Colorado in Five.
(3)San Jose Vs. (6)Phoenix - San jose has looked like a fine team all year, with a few hiccups here and there. Phoenix has looked troubled, and has lacked any sort of good strong defence. Look for San Jose to dominate this series. SJ in five.
(4)St Louis. Vs. (5)Chicago - This will be a great series, depending on which Blues team actually shows up..if its the uninspired one which has reared its ugly head in the last half of the season, chicago shouldnt have many problems taking this Blues team down. But you cant count out the Blues IF they get on a roll nd start playing like we all know they can..this in the end will determine this series. Chicago in seven.
So there you are..a quick look at this years playoffs (and my humble predictions
), i think itll be a great one. Especially for the LEAFS who have been playing some stellar hockey as of late and look like they're ready to finally go deeeeep in the playoffs..and i mean STANLEY CUP FINALS deep. So share your predictions, arguments or whatnot...and let the playoffs BEGIN!!!
Yay!-Chris
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