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| Posted By | Discussion Topic: NHL Playoffs Predictions Thread | ||||
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| Francine Banger | posted on 04-11-2001 @ 11:58 PM |    | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00  | OK lets see who likes who in the Stanley Cup Finals and who will win it. Ive included in here my detailed summary of First Round Series' NEW JERSEY VS. CAROLINA The #1 seed has not been to kind to the Devils. 3 of the previous 4 seasons, The Devils have had that spot and have won a total of 1 playoff series in that span. The Devils luck out because Carolina is a typical #8 seed in that they are not explosive, and they are an inexperienced playoff team. Then again thats exactly what the Ottawa Senators were in 1998 when they defeated the Devils. This Devils team is certainly better than those Devils teams that lost back to back 1st Round Series' in 98 and 99, and probably even better than the team that won the Stanley Cup a season ago. Can Carolina beat the Devils? Sure. Anything can happen in the NHL Playoffs, where an 8 seed knocking off a 1 seed is far from shocking. Will Carolina beat the Devils? Most likely no. This series will probably go anywhere from 4 to 6 games. If Carolina can steal a game in Jersey over the weekend, this could possibly go to 6, but the Devils will be able to rebound as they are a better road playoff team anyway. PREDICTION: Devils in 5 OTTAWA VS. TORONTO This is by far the weakest Toronto team since they moved to the Eastern Conference a couple of years back. You cant totally count Toronto out, because Goaltending wins in the Playoffs, and they have one of the best in the game in Curtis Joseph. Ottawa is a very solid team, with very few weaknesses. The key for Ottawa is their Goaltending in Patrick Lalime. Lalime has had a good season, but hasnt proven that he can win in the Playoffs thus far. Figure for Joseph to keep Toronto in some games, and Toronto will play with a nothing to lose attitude, but Ottawa is just far and away a better hockey team and should prevail here. PREDICTION: Senators in 6 WASHINGTON VS. PITTSBURGH It wouldnt be the Stanley Cup Playoffs without a meeting between Washington and Pittsburgh. 7 times in 11 years these two teams will meet in the Post Season. Pittsburgh has dominated Washington, and looks to do it again this year. Alot of people are high on Pittsburgh, but dont count out Washington. Sure the Penguins are a very explosive team, and have the two best players on the ice in Lemieux and Jagr. And have dangerous players in Kovalev, Straka, and Lang. But offensive Firepower DOES NOT win in the Playoffs. Goaltending Does. And the Penguins go into the Playoffs with the Biggest Question Mark in that area. Will it be Hedberg, Aubin, or Snow. None of them can make a Pittsburgh fan very confident. Meanwhile, Washington goes with Olaf Kolzig, one of the most underrated goalies in the NHL, and probably a Top 5 Goalie in the entire League, and last year's Vezina Trophy Winner. Washington is the #3 seed, but a huge underdog. They are sick of losing to Pittsburgh. Don't count out the Capitals, remember this team did make a Stanley Cup Finals run 3 years ago. PREDICTION: Capitals in 7 PHILADELPHIA VS. BUFFALO This is another matchup that has been seen frequently the past few years. These teams know each other well and play similar agressive games. The Flyers have more fire power on Offense, but Buffalo has the Best Goaltender in the World. The Flyers are going with an inexperienced Goaltender in Roman Cechmanek. Their's no Eric Lindros for the Flyers, John LeClair just recently returned from almost a season long injury. In a series this close, you have to go with the Best Goaltender in the World over a Goaltender new to the playoffs. PREDICTION: Sabres in 6 COLORADO VS. VANCOUVER This may be the biggest mismatch in the NHL Playoffs in quite some time. Vancouver is making its first Playoff appearance in 5 years. They had a good season but that was mainly due to MVP Candidate Markus Naslund. Naslund is out for the season and Vancouver slumped down the stretch and fell to the 8 spot. Colorado is loaded and are the Favorite to take home the Stanley Cup. #1 seeds have fell to #8 seeds frequently in the recent past, if it happens here, it would be the most shocking. PREDICTION: Avalanche in 5 DETROIT VS. LOS ANGELES These two teams met in Last Year's playoffs in which Detroit swept Los Angeles. Los Angeles hasn't won a Playoff game since their Run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993. That should change this year. The fact that they havent won a Playoff series since than, should not change however. Detroit may be on one of their last runs as they are not getting any younger. The one thing that may hold back Detroit later in the Playoffs, is their lack of Big Time Goaltender in Chris Osgood. If Detroit is not careful, LA has alot of firepower and can sneak up on Detroit, but Detroit's playoff experience should pull them through in this one, but it might not be as easy as some people think. PREDICTION: Redwings in 6 DALLAS VS. EDMONTON For the 5th straight time, these two hookup. Edmonton the underdog once again. Only once in the previous four times was Edmonton able to pull off the upset. This may be Edmonton's best chance to do it again. Dallas is still a formidable team, but not quite the dominant team they have been the past couple of seasons, in which they have played in the last 2 Stanley Cup Finals. Tommy Salo has had a breakout season for Edmonton. Salo played a great series against Dallas last year but lost some hardluck games in that tight series. The once big Goaltending advantage Dallas once had, is now almost completely gone, as Salo is right on Belfour's level. You have to believe that Edmonton is more hungry in this series, and that may put them over the top. PREDICTION: Oilers in 6 ST. LOUIS VS. SAN JOSE Last year, The Sharks shocked The Blues by beating them as the #8 seed. This year its a #4 vs. #5 and the Best Matchup in the First Round. The Sharks sure have alot of Firepower with the addition of Teemu Selanne and the return of Vincent Damphousse from Injury. The Blues though have last year's painfull loss in their memory and you have to believe that St. Louis is not prepared to go through that again. This should be an emotional series and a well played series. Turek vs. Nabakov is a wash in goal, and these should be well contested games, but The Blues will not allow themselves to be beat again by the Sharks. PREDICTION: Blues in 6 2nd Round: Devils over Sabres in 6 Senators over Capitals in 6 Avalanche over Oilers in 6 Redwings over Blues in 5 Conference Finals: Devils over Senators in 4 Avalanche over Redwings in 7 STANLEY CUP FINALS Avalanche over Devils in 7 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS COLORADO AVALANCHE  | ||||
| Sloatsburgh | posted on 04-12-2001 @ 12:03 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | Well, I'm a Homer and this is how I predicted it (note NJ is not my home) NJ over Car in 4 Ott over Tor in 5 (Tor on a skid) Pitt over Wash in 7 (Sentimentality) Buff over Phil in 6 (maybe 5 since they won the first game) NJ over Pitt in 5 Buff over Ott in 5 Buff over NJ in 7 (Homer) Col over Van in 4 Det over LA in 4 Edm over Dal in 7 (Homer, has to happen sooner or later) StL over SJ in 7 Col over Edm in 6 Det over StL in 7 Col over Det in 7 Buf over Col in 6 (Homer) "I have no wife, I have no parents, I have no children for the next 6 weeks. It's PLAYOFF Hockey!"  "I use you for good board I'm not your friend" Guided by Dryblood. | ||||
| slackjaw The Cunt-Twat is my WORLD! The Great Pumpkin | posted on 04-12-2001 @ 6:30 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | Well, while I agree with most of what you said F.B., I wouldn't count out Pittsburgh or Philadelphia just yet. As I have said before, you have to figure Lemieux to bring some of that "superstar magic" that just somehow carries a team. However, goalies win playoff games and the Pens are hurting there, no question. As for Philadelphia, they always seem to lose game 1 at home in the first round, especially against Buffalo. Heck, the Flyers are notorious for losing the firt two games at home, so we shall see. Keep in mind, the Flyers know Hasek as well as anybody, they meet Buffalo in the playoffs damn near every year, but with a rookie goalie, who's to say? Devils in 5 Senators in 6 Penguins in 7 (quite possibly the most exciting matchup in the east) Flyers in 7 Avalanche may sweep, but lets call it 5 Dallas in 6 Detroit in 5 Sharks in 7 As for the second round, well I will hold off there until we see how things unfold, but as of now I see a Colorado vs. New Jersey Finals.... time will tell.  Say hello to my little friend(s)! Proud adoptive parent of punkrocker.... inform me of any improper behavior! | ||||
| RigidMachine | posted on 04-12-2001 @ 11:10 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | I definitely wouldn't want to be out west ...... whatever happens, Colorado/Dallas/Detroit will probably have 1 if not two bloody series. While they are beating up on each other, Devils over the Senators in 6 (hopefully 5, cause I will be there then), and whoever make it out of the west should be battered and beaten, Devils in 5 for the Stanley Cup!!!! -Someday, sometime, I will get my lazy ass to transfer to another site ... until then ..... This message was edited by RigidMachine on 4-12-01 @ 11:13 AM | ||||
| Francine Banger | posted on 04-25-2001 @ 7:52 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | Well I was 4-4 as was Jaw. I guess Sloatsburg was the best at 5-3. We are on the Eve of the 2nd Round here are my predictions. EASTERN CONFERENCE #1 NEW JERSEY vs. #7 TORONTO Toronto shocked alot of people by not only beating Ottawa, but sweeping them. Ottawa has had its difficulties in the Playoffs the past couple of years since they upset the Devils in 98. I think it was more of Ottawa struggling, then Toronto dominating. The Devils got a wake up call in the Carolina series and realized that teams are going to just lie down for them. These two teams met in the Playoffs last year and the Devils defense dominated Toronto holding Toronto to single digits shot totals. It should be much of the same this time around and Toronto will be overwhelmed by New Jersey. Maybe Toronto can win 2 games in this, but not more than that. They will be just as much underdog as Carolina was. PREDICTION: Devils in 5 #5 BUFFALO vs. #6 PITTSBURGH A Very interesting meeting here and a contrast of styles. Buffalo is a defensive oriented team with the best Goaltender in the World between the pipes. The Penguins are an explosive offensive team, with an unproven Goaltender in Johan Hedberg. If Hedberg plays as well as he did against the Caps, the Pens have an excellent shot of advancing. These teams are meeting for the very first time in the a Best of 7 Series in the Playoffs and is a very competitive matchup that can go either way. These teams are very even, but Ill take the Best Goalie in the World over the Unproven Goalie, and the Homeice. PREDICTION: Sabres in 7 WESTERN CONFERENCE #1 COLORADO vs. #7 LOS ANGELES LA right now is a very exciting team to watch and are running on a high. They came out of nowhere to take 4 straight games from heavily favored Detroit. Now They run into the league's best team the Colorado Avalanche. The subplot of this series is the matchups between Rob Blake and Adam Deadmarsh who were traded for one another back before the NHL Trading Deadline. Never in their wildest dreams, did they figure they would meet in the 2nd Round of the Playoffs as Los Angeles was figured to not even make the playoffs. Los Angeles can keep it close and maybe steal a few games here and there, but Colorado is just too good, and are looking to play better than they did against Vancouver, even though they swept them. Colorado isnt going to take Los Angeles for granted either. PREDICTION: Avalanche in 5 # 3 DALLAS vs. #4 ST. LOUIS This is definetly the best matchup of the 2nd Round. 2 Heavyweights going at it. St. Louis finally got the monkey off the back and revenged last year's playoff disaster against San Jose, while Dallas fought off another pesky attack of the Edmonton Oilers. These two met in the playoffs in 1999 in a very competitive series that was won by Dallas on their way to the Stanley Cup. This one should be just as entertaining, but I see St. Louis taking it this time, but this series should be a war. PREDICTION: Blues in 6 REST OF PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Devils over Sabres in 6 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Avalanche over Blues in 6 STANLEY CUP FINALS Avalanche over Devils in 7 2001 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS Colorado Avalanche  | ||||
| Unicron | posted on 04-25-2001 @ 9:03 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Mar. 01 | EASTERN CONFRENCE #7 Toronto Maple Leafs vs - - - - - - NJD in 6 #1 New Jersey Devils #6 Pittsburgh Penguins vs - - - - - - BUF in 7 #5 Buffalo Sabres WESTERN CONFRENCE #7 Los Angeles Kings vs - - - - - - LAK in 7(gotta go with da DarkHorse) #1 Colorado Avalanche #4 St. Louis Blues vs - - - - - - DAL in 5 #3 Dallas Stars  | ||||
| Sarcastro | posted on 04-25-2001 @ 10:16 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Nov. 00 | The Hurricanes made the Devils angry. I dont think Toronto is going to like the Devils angry. Ive got a feeling the Devils are gonna sweep. The more I hear about how the Leafs are "built for the playoffs" the more Im convinced this is gonna be over, quick. Of course, since my predictions arent based in any logical facts, take it as you will. LA is going to get swept. They just are. Pittsburgh is going to win in 6 just because you wouldnt expect them to win in 6. Buffalo has had the best goalie in the universe for a long time. I dont see their playoffs turning out any different this year. Dallas is going to win in 7. No reason except they are the defending Western Conference champs. Ill give them the respect. Plus, one series should go seven. Conference Finals: Devils vs. Pittsburgh: Hmm, who am I gonna go with there? Um, Devils? In, like, 6 Dallas vs. Colorado: Colorado would be the favorite. Dallas is going to win. In 7. Both teams that know how to win the big game, but I dont think its going to go by the chalk here. Like I said, Ive got no good reasons for my picks. I just have my picks. | ||||
| Sloatsburgh | posted on 04-26-2001 @ 10:39 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | Actually I think I was 1 for 8. OK Buf over Pitt in 6 NJ over Make Me Laughs in 5 Buf over NJ 7 (Homer) St Louis over Dalla$$ in 6 (Homer) Colorado over LA in 6 Col over St Louis 7 Buf over Col in 6 "I use you for good board I'm not your friend" Guided by Dryblood. | ||||
| Goat Pupil | posted on 04-26-2001 @ 11:54 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Apr. 01 | Yeah right. there is no way buffalo would be able to beat the devils. How do you expect them to win the cup? | ||||
| 1888RUSTYTROMBONE It took me 3 minutes to edit nothing | posted on 04-26-2001 @ 12:28 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | It's real simple here: NJ over Tor 6 games Pitt over Buff 6 games NJ over Pitt 7 games Col over LA 6 games StL over Dal 7 games Col over StL 6 games Col over NJ 7 games I close my eyes when I get too sad I think thoughts that I know are bad Close my eyes and I count to ten Hope it's over when I open them I want the things that I had before Like a Star Wars poster on my bedroom door I wish I could count to ten Make everything be wonderful again - Everclear playing at Marist on April 29th | ||||
| Francine Banger | posted on 04-26-2001 @ 1:22 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | quote: If Carolina can take the Devils to Six Games, then the Sabres are capable of beating the Devils. Will they beat the Devils? Thats a different story. | ||||
| Sarcastro | posted on 04-26-2001 @ 11:31 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Nov. 00 | Well, I guess the Devils arent going to sweep. I guess that feeling was gas. Oh well. Oh yeah, Buffalo can beat the Devils. Anyone can beat the Devils. Its not like the Yankees on ice there. Damn, I really thought they'd sweep. I really should have known better. | ||||
| Francine Banger | posted on 05-11-2001 @ 7:03 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | Ok here we go with the NHL Conference Finals. EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS New Jersey Devils vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Alot has changed since these two teams met in the First Round in 1999, when the 8th seeded Penguins shocked the #1 seeded Devils. Both teams are coming off exhausing 7 game series' so neither team has an advantage in the rest category. The Penguins though played 3 straight Overtime games with the Sabres, while the Devils basically cruised in their last 2 games against the Leafs. The Devils are a better team and the Penguins dont match up well with the Devils. The Devils are a very good defensive team and they can at least contain Jagr and Lemieux, if not stop them. The Penguins are weaker at Defense, and the playoff bubble of Goaltender Johan Hedberg is likely to burst soon. The Penguins surely can make this competitive, but I would be very surprised if they can get past the Devils here. The Devils are a Great Playoff Road team, while the Penguins have struggled at home the past 2 years in big Playoff games. Even if the Penguins take a game or two at the Meadowlands, the Devils will not panic. PREDICTION: Devils in 6 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues The Avalanche suffered a major blow when Peter Forsberg was announced to be out for the remainder of the playoffs. Not to mention, the Avs were surprisingly extended to 7 games by the fiesty Los Angeles Kings. The Avalanche may have survived the Kings, but beating the Blues is going to be a very large task for them now. The Blues were very impressive in sweeping the back to back defending Western Conference Champion Dallas Stars. Roman Turek seems to be back to his form that he had that led the Blues to the Presidents Trophy in 2000. Maybe this is the Blues makeup year. If you look back at the Detroit Redwings, they had GREAT years in 1995 and 1996, but didnt win the Cup. They fell back a bit in 1997 and 1998, but won the Cup both of those years. Last year the Blues won the Presidents Trophy and lost in the First Round of the Playoffs, this may be their makeup year. And with Forsberg out for the playoffs, the rested Blues should take advantage. PREDICTION: Blues in 6 REST OF THE PLAYOFFS STANLEY CUP FINALS Blues over Devils in 7 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS St. Louis Blues | ||||
| Francine Banger | posted on 05-25-2001 @ 6:53 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | Its Stanley Cup Finals time and here we go. 2001 STANLEY CUP FINALS COLORADO AVALANCHE Vs. NEW JERSEY DEVILS Their is no question about it that these two teams have been the best teams in Hockey all year, and they will meet for the Stanley Cup. Will the Devils win their 2nd straight Cup, and 3rd in 7 years, or will the Avalanche win their 2nd cup in 6 years, just like the Devils accomplished last year. The Avalanche have Home Ice Advantage, but that means absolutely nothing when you are playing the Devils. The Devils are 13-1 on the road in Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final action. The Big Key in this series is the absence of Peter Forsberg for the Avalanche. The Avs got by St. Louis without him, but as time carries on, they are going to miss him more, and they will certainly miss him against the Devils. If the Avalanche have any chance of winning this series they need Patrick Roy to continue playing the way he has these playoffs, where he has been playing like the old Patrick Roy of his Montreal days. Joe Sakic needs to play like the eventual MVP he is going to be. In the 2nd round against Los Angeles, Joe Sakic was non-existant. If Sakic doesnt show up, the Avalanche have no chance. Milan Hejduk and Chris Drury have to continue to be the break-out stars that they have been. The Avalanche have to be right on their game. The Devils are not going to be intimidated by the Avalanche, and they are a very confident team right now. They were put on the ropes by the Mapleafs, but they survived that. Alot of times when you let a Giant escape from a tough situation, their is no stopping them. I originally went with Colorado to win this series before the Playoffs began, but with the injury to Forsberg, that slight edge that Colorado had, turns into an edge for the Devils. The Devils are just too good of a TEAM, and have very very few weaknesses. I do however think the Avalanche will be competitive in this series and it will not be a cake walk. I expect the teams to split the first two in Colorado, split the two in the Meadowlands, and then the Devils to win the Final 2 and to win their 2nd consecutive Stanley Cup. PREDICTION: Devils in 6  | ||||
| Tequila Fez claims this land in the name of Portugal! Why worry about the train if it never makes it around the tracks?? IrishAlkey wuz here!!! | posted on 05-25-2001 @ 11:03 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Veteran Registered: Jan. 01 | First thing I want to say is Goat please get that fucking sig pic off. Ok now that being said I am going to say that the Aves will win the cup.  AOL - oanda1027fm | ||||
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