The Road To Lord Stanley's Cup 2014

[stringertom]

Regular season is done, down to the Sweaty 16!

First rounds are set:

The East

Bruins vs Red Wings

Penguins vs Blue Jackets

Lightning vs Flyers

Canadiens vs Rangers

The West

Ducks vs Stars

Avalanche vs Wild

Blues vs Kings

Sharks vs Black Hawks

Discuss!

 

[acura9927]

Getlafz to Perry for the goal!!

Go Ducks.

 

[Alex78]

Shouldn't that be Rags-Flys and Habs-Bolts in the East as well as Sharks-Kings and Blues-Hawks in the West???
Anyway, picking the Rangers to emerge from the East this year and beating whoever survives the West...

Edit: This wildcard rule for seeding teams is not really necessary, no?

 

[acura9927]

Ridiculous new rules for playoff seeding. When such good teams like the Kings and Sharks meet in the 1st round something is wrong.
Blues and Hawks also.

 

[chrischris]

Go Flyers..

 

[Feña14]

All season i'd had the Blues against Bruins in the finals, with the Blues winning.

After the way the Blues ended the regular season, and with the Bruins up against the Red Wings (who are surging and seemed to have the Bruins number in the regular season), i'm not so sure now.

Maybe it's time the Sharks did something, whilst the Kings are always dangerous. The winner of that first round could go on to do some damage.

 

[McLovin]

Go Flyers..

Go Caps!













...oh, wait, they didn't make the playoffs this year...

 

[stringertom]

Shouldn't that be Rags-Flys and Habs-Bolts in the East as well as Sharks-Kings and Blues-Hawks in the West???
Anyway, picking the Rangers to emerge from the East this year and beating whoever survives the West...

Edit: This wildcard rule for seeding teams is not really necessary, no?

I went by the 1 thru 8 rankings from yahoo sports.... 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 and so forth. Did they change that up? If so, sorry!

 

[stringertom]

OK, here's the real matchups, and sorry for the confusion:

The East

Bruins vs Red Wings

Penguins vs Blue Jackets

Lightning vs Canadiens

Rangers vs Flyers

The West

Ducks vs Stars

Avalanche vs Wild

Blues vs Black Hawks

Sharks vs Kings

 

[ArliHawk]

Go Bruins!

 

[dParis]

I went by the 1 thru 8 rankings from yahoo sports.... 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 and so forth. Did they change that up? If so, sorry!

Yes. Now you must "fight your way out of your division" :-? Unless you are the top of your division. Or the bottom.

The West seems like a more interesting field. Maybe because I'm a Blackhawks fan. Very strange what's been happening with the Blues the past two weeks. They haven't been able to manage more than two goals in a game in their last nine contests. It's like last year's issue coming back to haunt them. The Hawks could walk all over them, but I think the Blues will snap out of their funk at some point. It should be a good, old school Norris clash.

 

[Feña14]

Yes. Now you must "fight your way out of your division" :-? Unless you are the top of your division. Or the bottom.

The West seems like a more interesting field. Maybe because I'm a Blackhawks fan. Very strange what's been happening with the Blues the past two weeks. They haven't been able to manage more than two goals in a game in their last nine contests. It's like last year's issue coming back to haunt them. The Hawks could walk all over them, but I think the Blues will snap out of their funk at some point. It should be a good, old school Norris clash.

Yeah the format is a strange one, next year it's going to be even more complicated!

The first round matchups are interesting, the top seeds are up against teams who have had success against them in the regular season, which doesn't really count for much when the playoffs come round, but Dallas will fancy themselves against Anaheim, same for the Red Wings against the Bruins. The Penguins and Avs should both win fairly easily, but the rest are all up in the air it seems. We could be in for some early game 7's, which is never a bad thing

 

[stringertom]

Yeah the format is a strange one, next year it's going to be even more complicated!

The first round matchups are interesting, the top seeds are up against teams who have had success against them in the regular season, which doesn't really count for much when the playoffs come round, but Dallas will fancy themselves against Anaheim, same for the Red Wings against the Bruins. The Penguins and Avs should both win fairly easily, but the rest are all up in the air it seems. We could be in for some early game 7's, which is never a bad thing

And you, as a fellow Isles fan must know there is no winner in a Rangers/Flyers matchup. I can maybe lean towards the Rangers to root for bcoz Lundqvist is cool.

 

[Bdarb]

Go Bruins!

Can't wait! Should be such a good match up. Albeit an incredibly difficult one, and probably one of the strongest 8 seeds ever in Detroit!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

Ridiculous new rules for playoff seeding. When such good teams like the Kings and Sharks meet in the 1st round something is wrong.
Blues and Hawks also.

As opposed to the old way where it would have been sharks blackhawks and blues kings? The west is just stacked.

Avs finishing first makes me rethink my west. East should be bruins vs nyr/phi winner. Don't think teams fear the pens anymore. I was thinking blues ducks for west. Might take avs, will be fresh after the first round. But avs have no playoff experience and goalies and D take over in the playoffs.

 

[Feña14]

And you, as a fellow Isles fan must know there is no winner in a Rangers/Flyers matchup. I can maybe lean towards the Rangers to root for bcoz Lundqvist is cool.

Yeah that's an ugly one! Looks to me like being one of the ones that could go to 7, hopefully they tear each other apart and it's a physical series. Hard to see it not going that way.

As for the Islanders, seeing a few of our final games and the lineups put out, it was quite sad to see, especially after the high of this time last year when playing for a seeding in the playoffs. Even after losing to the Penguins in the first round there was so much to be hopeful about, but it's just fallen apart spectacularly.

On the NHL bracket challenge i've got Bruins v Pens in the East, Sharks v Blackhawks in the West, with the Bruins beating the Sharks in the finals.

 

[stringertom]

I'm going like this in round 1:

Bruins in 5

Lightning in 7

Pens in 4

Rangers in 7

Ducks in 5

Kings in 7

Avalanche in 4

Hawks in 6

 

[Andyroddickfan]

Final 4: bruins, flyers, hawks, ducks.
So dumb, cbc covering both games today. 7&7:30. Now that I mention it I'm sure many of you are american so it doesn't really affect you.

 

[Alex78]

My complete 1st round predictions:
Bruins 4 - Red Wings 2
Penguins 4 - Blue Jackets 1
Lightning 2 - Canadiens 4
Rangers 4 - Flyers 2

Ducks 4 - Stars 3
Avalanche 4 - Wild 2
Blues 1 - Black Hawks 4
Sharks 3 - Kings 4

 

[uliks]

Bruins in 6

Canadiens in 5

Penguins in 5

Rangers in 7

Ducks in 5

Kings in 7

Wild in 7

Hawks in 6

 

[Topspin Shot]

Avalanche in 6.
Blues in 6.
Ducks in 6.
Sharks in 6.
Bruins in 6.
Lightning in 6.
Penguins in 6.
Rangers in 6.

I know nothing about the teams, so I'm going on seeding and pure probability here. Let's see how I do compared to all you guys.

 

[Fifth Set]

...
Wild in 7
...

 

[stringertom]

All close games on the first night with the Habs going to OT for the lone road win.

Let's hope it stays this exciting!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

All close games on the first night with the Habs going to OT for the lone road win.

Let's hope it stays this exciting!

Surprised how bad the bolts habs game was. Way too many turnovers and sloppy plays. Subban is such a liability out there it's unreal.

Colombus should of won that game. Bobrovski let them down. 3 weak ones and the pens dominated the 3rd.

Only saw the first period of ducks/stars because you have to be a vampire to stay up that late to see the end.

 

[dParis]

Surprised how bad the bolts habs game was. Way too many turnovers and sloppy plays. Subban is such a liability out there it's unreal.

Colombus should of won that game. Bobrovski let them down. 3 weak ones and the pens dominated the 3rd.

Only saw the first period of ducks/stars because you have to be a vampire to stay up that late to see the end.

Didn't see any games last night, but I thought Bob was supposed to be one of CBJ's strengths. All close games.

Getting psyched for Blackhawks vs. Blues with some homemade pizzas tonight!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

Didn't see any games last night, but I thought Bob was supposed to be one of CBJ's strengths. All close games.

Getting psyched for Blackhawks vs. Blues with some homemade pizzas tonight!

He is. Real solid tender. Just had a bad game. Let in some softies. Cbj fans have to hope it's just one bad game, he didn't do well in the playoffs when he played for the flyers.

 

[Fifth Set]

St. Louis still looking pretty shaky. Therein lies the problem with such a long season. You can win a ton of games in the first 70 or so, but if you lose momentum heading into the playoffs, it can suddenly be a very difficult sport.

 

[stringertom]

Miller righted himself after that shaky 1st period...80 plus minutes of SO net minding!

Wild were a tough out in Game 1. Will give credit where it's due but I still think Colorado beats them handily.

 

[stringertom]

57 minutes of scoreless hockey before Datsyuk breaks the duel up.

I dare say this might be the toughest 1 vs 8 ever.

 

[Andyroddickfan]

57 minutes of scoreless hockey before Datsyuk breaks the duel up.

I dare say this might be the toughest 1 vs 8 ever.

I only saw a bit of it. Looked like boston was dominating from the 7-10 minutes I saw. Lots of pressure, good cycle. Saw lucic spear buddy in the nuts. That guy is a piece of ****. So soft, I remember him after the cLean emelin (mtl D) hit on him, solid hip check and post interview he was Complaining saying how dirty it was.

 

[CCNM]

Gooooo Penguins!!!! I've always liked them. Really hope Montreal can go to 6 or 7 games. Very cool that the anthem singer chose to sing part of O Canada in French (I've never heard the French version).

 

[Andyroddickfan]

Gooooo Penguins!!!! I've always liked them. Really hope Montreal can go to 6 or 7 games. Very cool that the anthem singer chose to sing part of O Canada in French (I've never heard the French version).

Unreal stick work by Keith today. Nice job refs 9 penalties calked on Chicago from period 2 on, 2 for st.louis. Including brutal 5min and game for brooks. Either let them play or get it more even.

 

[Mike Bulgakov]

I have been to a few Sharks games and want to see them win it all, but it is not very likely. It is interesting that there is a small and vocal group of hockey fans in the Bay Area that fills the stadium, but not many people follow the sport.

Hockey is much more popular in Russia, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Sweden's hockey team has produced some of the craziest celebrations and sports fans I have seen.

 

[Andyroddickfan]

I have been to a few Sharks games and want to see them win it all, but it is not very likely. It is interesting that there is a small and vocal group of hockey fans in the Bay Area that fills the stadium, but not many people follow the sport.

Hockey is much more popular in Russia, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Sweden's hockey team has produced some of the craziest celebrations and sports fans I have seen.

Or Canada... Biggest in canada.

 

[stringertom]

Kings and Quick are in trouble...13 goals for San Jose in the first two games.

Les Habitants looking strong...could sweep the higher ranked Lightning.

18-year-old Mackinnon is the real deal for the Avalanche...great wheels!

 

[stringertom]

Three shutouts in four games tonight! Minnesota (in OT), Chicago and Dallas all edged closer in their series on home ice and proved playing "D" wins games as easily as 1,2,3!

 

[stringertom]

We've had one sweep (Habs), another working (Sharks) but everything else has been competitive with home ice being defended for the most part. Stars are making it tough on #1 Ducks. CBJ has recovered vs Pens...amazing that each game has had a winner down by 3-1 but bouncing back (tonight it was 3-0!).

What's with Blues/Blackhawks? It's end of regulation and already near midnight CDT...late start or lots of fighting???

Just got the update...Chicago in OT so they're all knotted up too!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

We've had one sweep (Habs), another working (Sharks) but everything else has been competitive with home ice being defended for the most part. Stars are making it tough on #1 Ducks. CBJ has recovered vs Pens...amazing that each game has had a winner down by 3-1 but bouncing back (tonight it was 3-0!).

What's with Blues/Blackhawks? It's end of regulation and already near midnight CDT...late start or lots of fighting???

Just got the update...Chicago in OT so they're all knotted up too!

Really bad loss for the ducks. Would have been huge to bury the stars without Getz. Now their goalie is up in the air. Not any fighting in Blackhawks game, just late start I guess.

 

[stringertom]

Really bad loss for the ducks. Would have been huge to bury the stars without Getz. Now their goalie is up in the air. Not any fighting in Blackhawks game, just late start I guess.

That's disappointing about the Blues/Hawks game...that series is made for Warren Zevon's "Hockey Song"!

 

[Fifth Set]

The paltry 7 game suspension handed to Cooke for knocking out one of the most exciting offensive defensemen in the game (Barrie) for 4-6 weeks reminds me why I tune out the NHL so often.

It's basically accepted NHL policy that the career goons can injure and destroy the careers of the skilled players. This lowers scoring, reduces excitement and generally makes the league look stupid.

If it ever wants to compete with the other, more popular sports, the NHL is going to have to clean up its act. That doesn't mean eliminating fighting or anything that drastic.

But how about a simple "20 strikes and you're out" policy?!

 

[stringertom]

Bruins win in OT, Wild even up vs. Avs and Kings avoid the broom. Gr8 night!

I tell u one thing...there is no love lost between the Sharks and the Kings! If LA can steal Game 5 the cauldron will bubble a bit more!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

Unreal night of puck tonight. Mason back in net. Ducks' Getz questionable. And more blues hawks drama. It just screams pizza and brews tonight. In all of the series' tonight is the biggest and most momentum swinging game of the season.

 

[dParis]

Captain Serious clutch in OT in St. Louis! Hawks can now clinch back at The Madhouse on Sunday.

 

[stringertom]

I feel an epick choke coming on...Kings are up 2-0 end of the 1st vs Sharks. If they steal this one tonight they will win Game 6 in LA and force a mammoth Game 7!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

I feel an epick choke coming on...Kings are up 2-0 end of the 1st vs Sharks. If they steal this one tonight they will win Game 6 in LA and force a mammoth Game 7!

I mean it's not like the sharks always choke in the playoffs......(they do).
Would be surprised if la came back to win, sharks deep, skill, fast etc..
Huge win for the avs.
Too bad cbj lost. Still think they can grind out the series win though.

 

[stringertom]

Blue St. Louis tonight...Hawks cruise into round 2 with a four-goal barrage in the third.

Gr8 series everywhere...Flyers now have their backs to the wall but home for Game 6. Same for the Wild and Stars (tonight) and of course the aforementioned Kings on a mission! Would be nice if one or more of these pesky underdogs force and win a Game 7 on the road!

 

[CCNM]

All right B-hawks. Go Rangers! Go Penguins!

 

[max]

Big fan here of BOTH the Chicago Blackhawks (my home town honies) and the Boston Bruins!

(Last year's SC was a gift from God).

I'm apprehensive about the Hawks: they seem to have stuck in their heads ALL SEASON the "hey, we can turn it on anytime we want to, in the last minute, and pull out a win" mentality.

Exceptionally dangerous mindset, if this is the case.

Happy they move on. Fingers here are crossed.

 

[stringertom]

Stars blow 4-2 lead under three minutes of the third. Going to OT!

 

[Andyroddickfan]

Ducks win!
Way to go Hal gill. What the hell were the flyers thinking?