Official Nhl Playoff Matchups

[Adman]

WEST
#1 DET vs. #8 NAS
#2 SAN vs. #7 STL
#3 VAN vs. #6 CAL
#4 COL vs. #5 DAL

EAST
#1 TAM vs. #8 NYI
#2 BOS vs. #7 MON
#3 PHI vs. #6 NJD
#4 TOR vs. #5 OTT

K here are the listings of matchups, this is what i'd like for you to do copy the top part of the post and pick the winner and amount of games they will win in.

Example:
WEST
#1 DET vs. #8 NAS Det 5
#2 SAN vs. #7 STL Stl 6
#3 VAN vs. #6 CAL Van 6
#4 COL vs. #5 DAL col 5

it's is really simple. You will get 1(one) point for picking the correct team and an additional 2(two) if you pick the correct amount of games. So for every series you have a possible 3(three) points! I'll keep track of this, maybe some of you guys can help me out, but i am here a lot.

RULES. You can't have a pool like this without rules.

1.) Any editted posts after this wendnesday at 7:00 PM EST (when the games start) will be deemed void.
2.) Please have your post up by 7 pm EST on Wednesday because that is when the puck drops for this year's NHL playoffs! I'll be a little leniant but not much.
3.) Deadlines wil be assigned as the next round(s) start. And points will be increased per round.

PRIZES. Not much for prizes except the respect of your hocket knowledge and other such skills, but maybe if you live close to me i could somehow get you a prize.

Have fun and happy picking.

EDIT: PLEASE BOLD YOUR PICKS!
EDIT2: Changed a the editting rule.

[Adman]

Adman's picks

WEST
#1 DET vs. #8 NAS DET in 6
#2 SAN vs. #7 STL STL in 5
#3 VAN vs. #6 CAL VAN in 6
#4 COL vs. #5 DAL DAL in 7

EAST
#1 TAM vs. #8 NYI NYI in 6
#2 BOS vs. #7 MON MON in 7
#3 PHI vs. #6 NJD PHI in 6
#4 TOR vs. #5 OTT TOR in 5

[Troll King]

Bah. I just spent a couple of minutes setting things up in the other playoff thread. The only difference with mine is that I had an earlier deadline and I allowed edits up to that deadline.

[Exotic]

My Picks.

WEST
#1 DET vs. #8 NAS DET in 5
#2 SAN vs. #7 STL SAN in 6
#3 VAN vs. #6 CAL CAL in 5
#4 COL vs. #5 DAL COL in 7

EAST
#1 TAM vs. #8 NYI TAM in 6
#2 BOS vs. #7 MON MON in 6
#3 PHI vs. #6 NJD NJD in 7
#4 TOR vs. #5 OTT TOR in 7
good luck to me, losers

[Troll King]

Scouting Report: Eastern Conference

Round one matchups:
Eastern Conference -

Tampa Bay Lightening (1) vs N.Y. Islanders (8)

Islanders won the season series 3-1-0 with the Islanders winning two matchups played in the last month... These teams have never faced each other in the playoffs... In the last 10 games going into the playoffs, Tampa is 5-4-0-1 and the Isles are 6-3-1-0... Tampa is a team with a fast high-powered offense, but will that style of play be effective in the playoffs when defense and physical play are more important?... Tampa has a better goalie in Khabibulin, but he has been shaky in the last few weeks, prompting public criticism from the coach... Tampa hasn't had very many injuries in the regular season and are healthy going into the playoffs. Injuries in the playoffs are more likely to occur, so whether Tampa will be able to play if they get injuries in the playoffs is an unknown... The Islanders lead the conference in home wins with 25 but have just 13 on the road... Tampa is third in the league in road wins.

Boston Bruins (2) vs Montreal Canadiens (7)

Bruins won season series 3-0-1-2... In their last playoff meeting, Montreal won in 6 games in 2002... These two teams have had a longstanding rivalry, but Montreal has the edge in the playoffs, winning 22 of 29 matchups... Montreal's goalie, Theodore is one of the best in the league. Boston's goalie Raycroft is a rookie. He had excellent numbers this year, but lacks experience. He has only played in 2 playoff games ever, and both those were in Junior hockey... Boston's best player Joe Thornton is injured though he might be available... Sniper Alexei Kovalev has been in a slump since being aquired by Montreal, and they need him to step up if they want to advance... Montreal has a good record in overtime games, including 2 OT wins over Boston... Montreal has 23 home wins to just 18 on the road. Boston however is a better road team than they are at home. They have 23 wins on the road and just 18 at home, while getting shut out a record 8 times at home... Going into the playoffs, the Bruins are 6-3-1-0 and Montreal is 4-4-1-1.

Philadephia Flyers (3) vs New Jersey Devils (6)

Flyers won season series 3-2-1-0... Flyers goalie Robert Esche is on a 1-4-1 streak while other goalie Sean Burke was acquired to be an upgrade, and still hasn't met expectations... NJ hasn't been the same team since Scott Stevens was injured... NJ Devils are defending Stanley Cup champs, losing only 1 home game during the playoffs last year... Philadelphia had several injuries to major players, but most have returned. Whether they have regained their form hasn't been determined yet... Philadelphia plays a fast game with size and strength, but NJ has a very good defense, giving up the fewest goals in the league... Though the Flyers have a higher seed, they have fewer wins than NJ... Philly has 24 hme wins but just 16 on the road, while NJ has 22 home wins and 21 road wins... Going into the playoffs, Flyers are 4-4-2-0 and the Devils are 6-3-1-0.

Toronto Maple Leafs (4) vs Ottawa Senators (5)

Leafs won season series 4-1-1... Leafs have defeated the Sens in the playoffs the three times they have met, a source of embarassment to Sens fans... Leafs are 12 and 5 against Ottawa in the playoffs... Toronto beat Ottawa 6-0 in Ottawa on the last game of the schedule, and earlier won one game 5-4 in OT coming back from a 4-1 deficit... Ottawa goalie Lalime is fighting an injury and may not be able to start game 1... Leafs goalie Ed Belfour was the defensive player of the week and has 3 shutouts in the last 5 games. The strength of his back may be a concern though... Leafs have more injuries to key players, but have shown the ability to play well even without their better players... Toronto has 22 home wins, 23 on the road, while Ottawa has 23 at home and 20 on the road... In the last 10 games, Toronto is 7-2-1-0 and Ottawa is 5-3-1-1.

[Adman]

perhaps we should've discussed it? lol

[Troll King]

Scouting Report: Western Conference

Round One Matchups:
Western Conference -

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs Nashville Predators (8)

Predators won season series 3-2-0-1... They have never met in the playoffs... First ever playoff appearance by Nashville. Scott Walker, at 574 games is ending he second longest streak in NHL history of career games without a playoff appearance... Nashville won the season series, but in their entire existance, they have only won 1 game in Detroit... Nashville has little playoff experience with only 10 players having played in post-seasons while Detroit is filled with experienced players that have won cups... Red Wings lead the league with 109 points... Nashville goalie Vokoun was tied for third in wins this season but lacks playoff experience. Detroit's #1 goalie Hasek # 2 goalie Cujo are experienced and excellent goalies, but due to injuries, Hasek won't play and Cujo may not be starting the playoffs... Detroit leads the league with 30 home wins but have just 18 on the road. Nashville has 22 road wins and only 16 on the road... Nashville has scored 216 goals this season but gave up 217... In the last 10 games, Detroit is 6-3-1-0 and Nashville is 5-3-1-1.

San Jose Sharks (2) vs St. Louis Blues (7)

SJ won seson series 2-1-0-1... Teams have met twice in last 4 playoffs, winning one each... Blues are in the playoffs for the 25th straight year, leading all North American professional sports franchises... San Jose was a surprise this year, getting the second seed in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year... St Louis lost hall of fame defenceman Al MacInnis for the season and last year's rookie of the year Barret Jackman is out indefinately. They still made the playoffs without them for most of the season however... Goaltending is even but Blues' Osgood has more playoff experience... Sharks have 24 home wins, 19 on road while Blues have 23 at home and 16 on the road... In last 10 games, Sharks are 8-2-0-0 and the Blues are 6-3-1-0.

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs Calgary Flames (6)

Vancouver won season series 3-2-1-0... Last playoff matcup was in 1994, with Canucks winning in 7 games... Calgary's first appearence in playoffs since 1996... Flames Captain Iginla was among leaders in goals scored... Canuck's power forward Todd Bertuzzi suspended through playoffs and the Canucks haven't been the same without him... Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff among leaders in save percentage and goals against average, but is untested in the playoffs. Canucks goalie Cloutier has experience, not all of it good, having a tendancy to give up an embarassing goal once in a while... Vancouver has 21 home wins and 22 road wins, Calgary has 21 wins each at home and on the road... In last 10 games, Canucks are 6-2-1-1 including a 6 game win streak, while the Flames are 6-4-0-0.

Colorado Avalanche (4) vs Dallas Stars (5)

Avalanche won season series 3-1-0-0... Last met in 2000 with Stars winning in 7 games... Ave's goalie Aebischer still trying to fill skates of retired hall of famer Roy. Salo is the backup goalie and has more playoff experience but is not expected to play much... Stars goalie Turco set a personal record with 37 wins this year, second in the league... Avalanche have arguably the best forwards in the league, but many of them are having off years... Ave F Paul Kariya was hurt in the last game and may miss start of playoffs... Both teams have injuries to key players... Colorado has 19 home wins and 21 road wins. Dallas has 26 home wins but just 15 road wins... In the last 10 games, Colorado is 2-5-1-2 and Dallas is 6-1-1-2.

[Troll King]

I still think you should allow edits up to the deadline. Make the deadline earlier if you want to make up for it.

[Adman]

k done.

[Exotic]

so who are your picks, troll king

[Adman]

he's thinking, tk is the master of thinking about his picks, because he know if it rains or the 7th of april the leafs will win the series or something like that.

[Nickname]

Dear TK, please stop mispelling Lightning, there is no e.


Adman, toronto is NOT going to beat ottawa in 5 games.


MY PICKS


T-Bay over Isles in 6.

Against my better judgment i'm going with T-bay. But Isles could upset really easily.

Montreal defeats Boston in 7.

Raycroft vs Theodore = Theodore. No Thornton, boston will fade as always.

Toronto defeats Ottawa in 7.

HUGE MACHUP! Toronto has outscored ottawa 11-2 in the past 2 games and injured Lalime AND Bondra. Thats a bad indication of how things will go though. Lalime will show he's for real, but if he remains injured this oculd be early quick and both Prusek and the other young goalie that is supposed to be good but isn't have shown they're not ready for the big time.

New Jersey over Philly in 6.

Philly has weak goaltending, and once NJ is up by a goal the game is over. Zing to the zang.

Detroit sweeps Nashville in 4.

I fucking hate nashville, fucked over my oilers

San Jose loses in 6 to the Blues.

Blues have been in playoffs for 25 years straight - holy mother of god. In that time though they've never won a cup, so look for them to not win again.

Calgary over Vancouver in 5.

Vancouver seems lost without Bertuzzi, they're not very grity and if you shut down 4 guys, the team is useless. Not to mention Kiprusoff is owning for Calgary and Cloutier has just been the same ol not great but not bad goalie.

Colorado over Dallas in 6.

Why the fuck, if you lived in dallas, would you play hockey?

[Exotic]

you didn't do it in the corrct format :rolleyes,redface:

[Facetious]

People still care about the NHL?

[Troll King]

I'm going to wait a bit before I make my pics. It's too early to tell if some players will play or if they might miss a game or two. For example, how long the Leafs/Sens series will last will probably depend on whether Lalime will play game 1 or if Prusek or Emery play it. If Thornton looks ready to play, that will change the way the Boston/Montreal series wll play out.

Plus, there's the fact that the last time we had a pool, some people waited for my pics and then copied them.

And yes, Facetious, people do care about the NHL. You might not, but you're still welcome to make your picks.