2008 Stanley Cup goes to...

[CharvelRocker]

on that line of thinking i'd like to see the Habs get another cup. the fans really deserve it... every game i've seen in Montreal it's loud and a sea of red jersey's... that's the way it should be across the league.

Never been to a Flyers game have you

I think it's funny after their Orange Crush, EVERY team in the league started copying it.

[anuske9]

Go Blues!

[semagic]

Go Blues!

now they are a true darkhorse in this year's playoffs... nobody's even talking about them

[jcs21]

Go Flyers

[T@rgetDrone]

I'm too biased to make a formal prediction. I've been a die hard Caps fan since day one. It is an exciting time for us for all of the obvious reasons. So I will just be what I am... a loyal Caps fan, watch the games, rant and rave, scream so loud the neighbors call the cops, throw some shit across the room... enjoy the show.

It's playoff time. Anything and everything is possible. And a lot of it will happen - the predictable and the unpredictable. Injuries! Let's not forget those.

I watch a lot of hockey. Or at least as much as I can. It is the greatest sport ever. From what I have seen, I think Pittsburgh and San Jose have among the best two teams. If not the best. Anaheim, Detroit and the HABS are right there too. Though it may not be a good idea to have the HABS win it all (not that i'd mind so much). We'd have to listen to the still endless whining of other coaches about how Montreal gets all the homie calls.

[Rupe]

Pens looked awesome tonight while thumping Ottawa.

[Spivonious]

It's playoff time. Anything and everything is possible. And a lot of it will happen - the predictable and the unpredictable.

Just the reason why the Flyers will make it to the Eastern Finals

[semagic]

Pens looked awesome tonight while thumping Ottawa.

what happen to the senators? they looked disintrested last night, the penguins looked good... i thought the rangers looked the best out of last nights games.

[Spivonious]

I made a western conference grid too.

Detroit      -- D
Thu           |----
Nashville    --   |  D
                  |-----
San Jose     -- S |    |
0-1           |----    |
Calgary      --        |   A
                       |-------
Minnesota    -- C      |
0-1           |----    |
Colorado     --   |  A |
                  |-----
Anaheim      -- A |
Thu           |----
Dallas       --

[Razor]

If the Pens play physical, then they have a chance. Who would have thought Ryan Whitney of all people would have stepped up and put a thumping on Wade Redden? They keep that up and they'll have a chance at the Conference finals anyway.

[Rupe]

Getting Gary Roberts back in the lineup is the shot in the arm that the Pens needed. They don't have anyone else to play tough in front of the net. He's the physical presence that they've lacked since Kevin Stevens was in his prime.

[T@rgetDrone]

Getting Gary Roberts back in the lineup is the shot in the arm that the Pens needed. They don't have anyone else to play tough in front of the net. He's the physical presence that they've lacked since Kevin Stevens was in his prime.

Agreed. It's not like Ganchar is going to step up unless it's to step up into the play. While I appreciate his snipe abilities, he is legally a 4th forward. Not a defenseman. Roberts is the bad ass presence in the pits they were lacking. Another reason I consider Pittsburgh as the second best overall team in the league. No Fleury. They still win. No Crosby. They still win. No Roberts. They still win. Now that they have all 3 in the lineup, Ottawa is going to get a beat down! Damn that's hard to face and admit, being a Caps fan and all. But that's the way I see it.

I was going to say (before their 1st game) that NY shouldn't be overlooked. But I didn't want to post it ATF like one of those hind-sight 20/20 deals. NJ has their hands full. NY is dedicated and motivated to winning it all. It prolly won't happen but I'm confident it will get them past NJ.

Flyers and Caps are even money. As a Caps fan I am a bit concerned about how well the Flyers put constant, calculated, and accurate pressure at the opponent's own blue line. But we have better net minders. And we have THE Weapon. I bought all the Orville Reddenbocker's popcorn I could find. I'm stoked! My only prediction is whichever team gets to the next round is going to be so spent that it will take its toll. Neither the Flyers or the Caps get past round 2.

[semagic]

well so far so good for the stars 4-0 over the ducks... game two will be a hard win to to get... the ducks will come out blazing, hopefully the stars can match that intensity... we will see. the habs looked strong tonight as well, they are fast skating team... and carbo gave them the green light to hit in this series, game 2 in each of these series will be brutal...

[CharvelRocker]

Flyers and Caps are even money. As a Caps fan I am a bit concerned about how well the Flyers put constant, calculated, and accurate pressure at the opponent's own blue line. But we have better net minders. And we have THE Weapon. I bought all the Orville Reddenbocker's popcorn I could find. I'm stoked! My only prediction is whichever team gets to the next round is going to be so spent that it will take its toll. Neither the Flyers or the Caps get past round 2.

Your new goalie had to play doormats though. The Flyers had like two push overs (two Leafs games and two Islander games) the rest were against Pittsburgh, the Rangers, and the Islanders (in regards to the last 23 odd). The caps played the Panthers, the Lightening, the Thrashers, the Hurricanes, and the Blackhawks. Then for 3 games you played the Flames, Penguins, and maybe you could consider the Bruins a though team.

Caps also lack the ability to beat up on the Flyers. Ovechkin and Brashear are tough. Poti is good for a cheap shot too. The Flyers have a whole line of bruisers (Dowd-Cote-Downie), along with Richards, Hartnell, Knuble, Hatcher. I don't think Patrick Thoresen or Ryan Parent is going to shy away from popping you one either.

Both teams do lack experience, but the Caps are better at finishing a game than the Flyers. In a 7 game series though, I give the Flyers an edge, as they ARE the team that will wear you out via physical play. Ovechkin is going to be tough to counter for sure, as the only guy they really have who is an all around complete player who can score and beat you up is Richards, but not to the same degree at all, plus he is much smaller than Ovechkin.

I think it will be an interesting series, but the Flyers are such a complete team, it's going to be tough for the Caps to compete with them. The only thing I do fear is there ability to implode over the series.

[Rupe]

I'm pulling hard for the Caps over the Flyers...hopefully skill can win out over cheap shots and dirty play. I was shocked at how dirty they played during their two late season meetings with the Pens prior to Pittsburgh letting them have the season finale. Hartnell is simply a cheap shot artist...anyone who says differently is a Philly fanboy. Going for Crosby's head after the the play??? What a POS.

Every team takes a cheap shot every once in a while (Roberts hit on Bass Wed night would have pissed me off if I were a Sens fan) but Philly seems to make it a part of their game plan. The "Legion of Doom" era team had class...these guys they have now are bums.

Anyone in a series with Philly is going to come out of it scarred and most likely less than ready for their next series. Part of me wants to see the Pens play those thugs but another part would prefer to keep the team healthy. We'll see where the chips fall.

I think the Rangers may be one of the toughest teams to beat in the playoffs. Their defense and penalty kill is top notch. If Jagr can step it up and Drury and Gomez get hot, watch out. I'm curious to see how the Devils respond to that thumping they took.

Obviously, you can't count out Montreal either...they are a complete team.

I love playoff hockey!!!