Playoffs Thread

[TouchEmAllTime]

The Caps and Flyers are as good as dead, book it.

Edit: add the Jackets to that group, sorry

[skatingtripods]

San Jose is back to doing their usual playoff choke job. I can't believe the way that Jonas Hiller has stepped in and played. He's been brilliant in both games. Like I said on last week's show, Anaheim is the most dangerous team for SJ to play, and this has been Exhibit A.

Vancouver is a machine. I love the prospect of a Vancouver-Chicago series. That's going to be an incredibly enjoyable series.

New Jersey and Carolina living up to what I figured it would be. Two OT games already. None of the multiple variety yet, but one is coming.

Detroit is simply dominating. Add Boston to that group.

I have not been intrigued in the slightest by PHI-PIT. Probably has something to do with the fact that I don't like either team. The games really haven't been that great thus far.

New York is the surprise team of the playoffs so far. Going home up 2-0 and Henrik Lundqvist is to thank. Theodore got sat for a rookie in Game 2, and Varlamov played quite well. The Caps are in big trouble.

[TouchEmAllTime]

Ok, Washington and Philly are making it interesting, I underestimated the Caps. Ducks and Canucks looking good so far too, have to say I love the NHL playoffs and it sucks I can't get them on my cable package unless it's the Pens or NBC.

[jack_tors]

The Caps and Flyers are as good as dead, book it.

Edit: add the Jackets to that group, sorry

66% Right on this statement. Looks like Alexander and the boys decided to make a series of it..

[CLEfan86]

What a comeback by the Capitals. The Rangers were probably the better team all series, but up 3-1 they needed to finish them off at MSG in six.

Lundqvist was solid throughout, but their lack of finishers finally caught up to them.

On our preview show I predicted Carolina in seven which seemed wild at the time. New Jersey was hot there for a bit, but they faltered down the stretch.

Game seven looked to be New Jersey's, especially with Brodeur and his track record. Carolina was stopped for 18+ minutes of the third, but caught lightning in a bottle at the most opportune time. That's game 7 in a nutshell.

As for the 2nd round matchups... Bettman and fans alike have to just love the Caps/Pens matchup. Crosby/Ovechkin end of story.

[jack_tors]

What a comeback by the Capitals. The Rangers were probably the better team all series, but up 3-1 they needed to finish them off at MSG in six.

Lundqvist was solid throughout, but their lack of finishers finally caught up to them.

On our preview show I predicted Carolina in seven which seemed wild at the time. New Jersey was hot there for a bit, but they faltered down the stretch.

Game seven looked to be New Jersey's, especially with Brodeur and his track record. Carolina was stopped for 18+ minutes of the third, but caught lightning in a bottle at the most opportune time. That's game 7 in a nutshell.

As for the 2nd round matchups... Bettman and fans alike have to just love the Caps/Pens matchup. Crosby/Ovechkin end of story.

Yep, I didnt think Washington would make it back but they did. Nice series, one of the better ones so far. Now, I will be sure not to miss any of the Pens/Caps games in this series as this should be excellent.

[TouchEmAllTime]

Ok, I was 2 for 3....Washington sacked up, but I don't think they will beat the Pens as much as I despise them, they are too talented, and teams from Pittsburgh who are not the Pirates normally go deep in the playoffs and don't lose games or series they are supposed to win as much as it pains me to say that. Penguins win 4-2. Ok, now for some more round 2 predictions, I like Detroit over Anaheim 4-2, Boston over Carolina 4-3, and Vancouver over Chicago 4-3.

[skatingtripods]

What a comeback by the Capitals. The Rangers were probably the better team all series, but up 3-1 they needed to finish them off at MSG in six.

Lundqvist was solid throughout, but their lack of finishers finally caught up to them.

Disagree. Lundqvist was terrible in the first 3 losses with a save percentage in the .840s. He shined in the wins, sure, but was a lot to blame for the losses.

Boudreau going with Varlamov won the series for Washington.

On our preview show I predicted Carolina in seven which seemed wild at the time. New Jersey was hot there for a bit, but they faltered down the stretch.

Game seven looked to be New Jersey's, especially with Brodeur and his track record. Carolina was stopped for 18+ minutes of the third, but caught lightning in a bottle at the most opportune time. That's game 7 in a nutshell.

Good call on the Canes. But I trump you by calling Anaheim beating San Jose.

As for the 2nd round matchups... Bettman and fans alike have to just love the Caps/Pens matchup. Crosby/Ovechkin end of story.

I really hope Ovechkin shuts Crosby's whiny little ass up.

We'll talk about it on Thursday's show, but easily my favorite series is VAN/CHI. I'm looking at that one to be epic. Two extremely different styles and the explosive Chicago offense against Luongo. That layoff's going to hurt him I think.

[CLEfan86]

Disagree. Lundqvist was terrible in the first 3 losses with a save percentage in the .840s. He shined in the wins, sure, but was a lot to blame for the losses.

Boudreau going with Varlamov won the series for Washington.

Solid throughout is obviously wrong, but the fault lies with the offense more so I think. Stole both in Washington, put them on the brink with a split at home, but just couldn't finish the deal. Played well in game seven, let in goals that make games seven what they are.

As for Varlamov, that was a slam dunk move to make the switch. The Vezina version of Theodore isn't coming back.

Good call on the Canes. But I trump you by calling Anaheim beating San Jose.

Yep. Generally the Sharks go a series before choking. No Nashville for them to run over this year.

I really hope Ovechkin shuts Crosby's whiny little ass up.

We'll talk about it on Thursday's show, but easily my favorite series is VAN/CHI. I'm looking at that one to be epic. Two extremely different styles and the explosive Chicago offense against Luongo. That layoff's going to hurt him I think.

I prefer Ovechkin to Crosby as well; mentioned on the show I like Pittsburgh's experience factor (especially Fleury). That and Pittsburgh is a better team than the Rangers. Granted, Henrik is a better goaltender than MAF, but at least Pittsburgh has the players to balance the shots out a bit. Rangers warts and all took them to seven.

Did Lundqvist finally breakdown? I think that's the big question.

[skatingtripods]

Solid throughout is obviously wrong, but the fault lies with the offense more so I think. Stole both in Washington, put them on the brink with a split at home, but just couldn't finish the deal. Played well in game seven, let in goals that make games seven what they are.

As for Varlamov, that was a slam dunk move to make the switch. The Vezina version of Theodore isn't coming back.

The fault lies with Sean Avery, and I firmly believe that. They were lucky to overcome his bullshit antics in Game 4. By Game 5, Tortorella had enough and played Korpikoski. By Game 6, Tortorella was suspended for arguing with fans due to his frustration. Game 7, you knew it was over.

I agree to a point on Varlamov being a slam dunk, but think of what it takes to bench a battle-tested veteran and go with a kid in the playoffs. Slam dunk in terms of talent and ability, yes. Slam dunk in terms of the intangibles and the balls of the coach to do it? No. I give Boudreau a lot of credit for being proactive.

It's a little bit of an apples to oranges comparison, but let's say Giguere sucks it up in Game 1. Does Carlyle make the decision to go to Hiller?

I prefer Ovechkin to Crosby as well; mentioned on the show I like Pittsburgh's experience factor (especially Fleury). That and Pittsburgh is a better team than the Rangers. Granted, Henrik is a better goaltender than MAF, but at least Pittsburgh has the players to balance the shots out a bit. Rangers warts and all took them to seven.

Barnaby said the same thing last night on ESPN. The Rangers took the Caps to 7 because of Lundqvist's play in the first 2 games. Pittsburgh has the experience factor and the more physical team, but Washington's much more explosive than Philly.

I still like Washington.

Did Lundqvist finally breakdown? I think that's the big question.

Absolutely not. He'll be a Vezina finalist next year.

[jack_tors]

Solid throughout is obviously wrong, but the fault lies with the offense more so I think. Stole both in Washington, put them on the brink with a split at home, but just couldn't finish the deal. Played well in game seven, let in goals that make games seven what they are.

As for Varlamov, that was a slam dunk move to make the switch. The Vezina version of Theodore isn't coming back.

I agree to a point on Varlamov being a slam dunk, but think of what it takes to bench a battle-tested veteran and go with a kid in the playoffs. Slam dunk in terms of talent and ability, yes. Slam dunk in terms of the intangibles and the balls of the coach to do it? No. I give Boudreau a lot of credit for being proactive.

That stick save by Varlamov today was freakin sick!! He looked good, as did the Capitals. Should be a good hard fought series.

[skatingtripods]

Of course I missed the best game of the playoffs to date. Anaheim 3-2 over Detroit in the first minute and a half of the third OT.

As a side, Cam Ward has won every must win game for Carolina so far in the playoffs. Dude's clutch.

[TouchEmAllTime]

Freaking Pens, on to the ECF after one more game. They will take out Carolina or Boston, to be honest, I think they take it all this year. Steelers SB Champs, Penguins Stanley Cup, just like Pirates and Steelers '79, lucky bass-turds.

[Steve Buffum]

Freaking Pens, on to the ECF after one more game. They will take out Carolina or Boston, to be honest, I think they take it all this year. Steelers SB Champs, Penguins Stanley Cup, just like Pirates and Steelers '79, lucky bass-turds.

Chickens. Counting. Plonk.

[TouchEmAllTime]

Freaking Pens, on to the ECF after one more game. They will take out Carolina or Boston, to be honest, I think they take it all this year. Steelers SB Champs, Penguins Stanley Cup, just like Pirates and Steelers '79, lucky bass-turds.

Chickens. Counting. Plonk.

Unfortunately they're not dead yet.

[TouchEmAllTime]

Pens-Canes is going to be interesting, but I'm going to call a Pittsburgh-Chicago Stanley Cup Finals circa 1992.

[TouchEmAllTime]

Pens-Canes isn't going to be interesting, and I'm going to call a Pittsburgh-Detroit Stanley Cup Finals circa 2008.

Fixed it.

[skatingtripods]

Carolina's been downright terrible in front of Cam Ward. They're a solid team, but they don't have the skill players to hang with Malkin and Crosby.

Detroit destroys either team. Detroit killed Chicago today without Lidstrom, Draper, and Datsyuk. Those are three huge pieces. If Ericsson can play big minutes now, he can certainly handle the regular season. Their top 6 is going to take them right back to the Cup final again next year.

[jack_tors]

Anyone care to post their Stanley Cup predictions?

I say, Wings in 5.

[skatingtripods]

My preview on the front page is up. I say Wings in 5, 6 at most.

Tonight backed up my point. Crosby had no free ice, Detroit dominated in the faceoff circle (significant because they match up better), and Fleury has to be shaken as hell right now. Three bad bounces, Pittsburgh loses 3-1. Detroit controlled 3/4 of the game outside of those bad bounces anyway.

[jack_tors]

My preview on the front page is up. I say Wings in 5, 6 at most.

Thanks for the reminder, it was a good read! I always fit to read the front page and scroll around the boards. You were right on, a few bad bounces and the Wings pounce all over Pittsburgh. I am disappointed with this series as I was hoping for a little bit more of a battle. Detroit is simply too good for Pittsburgh.

[Funky Cold Luis Medina]

This could be easily a 2-1 Pittsburgh lead or even 3-0 either way if not for a few bad calls and unlucky/lucky bounces.

In the first two games, unlucky bounces sunk the Pens. Not to mention the no-call on Zetterberg twice covering the puck in the crease. Game 3 was the first game where I really feel both teams showed what this series can and should look like. No bad bounce goals, no bad calls (except for the 20 seconds where the Pens had too many men, but it didn't affect the game at all).

This series seems a lot more evenly matched than it was last year.

[skatingtripods]

The Pens did deal with some unlucky bounces, but Detroit has completely and totally dominated this series at 5 on 5. Two undisciplined penalties did them in during Game 3, and that's a game where they outshot PIT 26-11 through two.

If Datsyuk plays tonight, Babcock has two lines to match up with Crosby/Malkin. Malkin's doing all the damage, Crosby is invisible.

[Funky Cold Luis Medina]

A few numbers through four games...

Score: 10-10
Shots: 124-117 Detroit
Hits: 141-127 Pittsburgh
Blocks: 56-35 Pittsburgh
Power Plays: Pittsburgh 4/9, Detroit 1/10 with a SHGA
Giveaways: 51-44 Detroit
Takeaways: 30-23 Pittsburgh

If you want to break it down a bit regarding games in Pitt vs. Games in Detroit...

Games In Detroit
Scoring: 6-2 Detroit
Shots: 64-56 Pittsburgh
PP: Pitt 1/3, Detroit 0/4
Hits: 77-72 Detroit
Blocks: 24-21 Pittsburgh
Giveaways: 41-25 Detroit
Takeaways: 20-17 Detroit

Games In Pittsburgh
Scoring: 8-4 Pittsburgh
Shots: 68-52 Detroit
PP: Detroit 1/6, Pitt 3/6
Hits: 68-50 Pittsburgh
Blocks: 32-14 Pittsburgh
Giveaways: 19-10 Pittsburgh
Takeaways: 13-3 Pittsburgh

The blocked shots really surprised me. Everyone always talks about how great Detroit's defense is at blocking stuff in front of Osgood, when the Pens have blocked more shots so far. Even in the regular season, Pittsburgh was 4th in the league in shot blocking, while Detroit was last.

The stat I wish I could find: number of posts hit. It feels like it's been about 9-3 for Pittsburgh so far.