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So, we are heading into the final few weeks of the Season, and teams are starting to get locked into the play-offs at this point. Of course, play-off Hockey is a whole new level of play, so what are your thoughts going into the play-offs?

I keep hearing the Stanley Cup goes through Colorado, and they do seem impressive. However, there are a lot of talented teams out there.

Thoughts?

Colorado is indeed the team to beat imo.

However, my St. Louis Blues is current on a pts streak of 11 games and score BUNCH of goals now. They can be a factor if they keep going on their current torrid pace.

But, again, getting into the playoff series is one thing. Once those games start, is almost a crapshoot!

Yeah, my Wild just clinched the play-off spot, but I am hoping we do not have to play the Blues. That is the way things are going, and I feel like the Blues are looking really strong right now.

I see Florida taking it this year. If the Wild can beat their nemesis in STL I think they come out of the West.

Florida is super scary.

Both the Aves, Wild and Blues could get hot and beat Florida, but I would bet against them.

That is just wrong! A team in Florida should not be good at hockey! LOL


I just watched the Predator/Wild game, and it really illustrated the challenges the Wild will have with the Blues. I am hoping we can get Home ice, and that gives the Wild a chance, but the Blues keep winning too!

The Blues vs. Ducks games was a bit crazy!

 Easy E wrote:
That is just wrong! A team in Florida should not be good at hockey! LOL

As a Red Wings fan, could not agree more. States where ice is not a naturally occurring phenomenon should not be good at hockey.

We are heading into the first round of the play-offs. Who has predictions?

There are some really good match-ups first round!

Wow, play-off Hockey is so much better than the regular season.

Who else thinks the regular season has too many games and runs too long?

 Easy E wrote:
Wow, play-off Hockey is so much better than the regular season.

Who else thinks the regular season has too many games and runs too long?

I think that is a pretty common belief. I do enjoy regular season games, because hockey is just such a fun sport to watch. I’m willing to watch games where players can’t give the proverbial 110% night and at night out. I know a number of Canadians I have worked with over the years pretty much ignore the NHL until the postseason starts to get close.

But, yeah, with 82 games players simply can’t bring the same level of intensity, night in and night out, that you see in the postseason.

Games equals ticket sales equals money for the owners. So I suspect you will never see a professional sports league reduce the number of games played. If anything, I think the eternal impetus will be for more games. C.f. The NFL.

Valete,

JohnS

 Hoitash wrote:

 Easy E wrote:
That is just wrong! A team in Florida should not be good at hockey! LOL

As a Red Wings fan, could not agree more. States where ice is not a naturally occurring phenomenon should not be good at hockey.

As a Kings fan living in Florida, hush you. You just want the teams gone for less competition so the Wings might actually make the playoffs.......

Mike Smith is still a flopping douche. Nice to see Tampa even the series.

Sorry to see the Wild go Easy E. I really liked their squad this year. Tough first round match up.

Yeah, going in I figured the Blues had their number.

5 on 5 the Wild are very strong. However, their special teams was very weak. You could penalize them with little fear they could capitalize on it, and if they retaliated they had a not-great kill unit.

Welp, my Capitals are now down to needing to win two up in a row -after blowing two very, very winnable games in a row- to avoid exiting in the first round for the fourth straight year (after, to be fair, winning Lord Stanley’s Cup).

That missed ENG attempt (by literally centimeters) in game 4 looks to have completely turned the series. Hit that and they’re up 3-1… Heck, even hit the post solid and there’s no icing and maybe that tying goal forcing OT never happens.

Earlier in the series it was clear Florida wasn’t comfortable playing playoff hockey. Now? I think Florida knows they can win. Not so sure the Capitals do…

Guess we’ll see.

If not, I’m mostly done with hockey ‘till next season. Except I’m really rooting for the Leafs to finally get out of the first round. If only to see the resulting LFR video!

Valete,

JohnS

No fan of the Leafs but definitely hoping they can go on a bit of a run for the long suffering fans like Dangle.

Amazing weekend on tap. 5 Game 7s!

 Eldarain wrote:
No fan of the Leafs but definitely hoping they can go on a bit of a run for the long suffering fans like Dangle.

Amazing weekend on tap. 5 Game 7s!

Wish we’d’ve been able for force another….

Valete,

JohnS

Was hoping for it too. They went out on their shields against a beast of a team.

Almost pulled it off by giving the cats a rude awakening on what it takes. That team is so deep with size and talent that as they got comfortable it started to take over.

 Eldarain wrote:
Was hoping for it too. They went out on their shields against a beast of a team.

Almost pulled it off by giving the cats a rude awakening on what it takes. That team is so deep with size and talent that as they got comfortable it started to take over.

Caps, still, coulda won it with just a smidge of puck luck and maybe a few fewer lapses. Sammy played great overall, but you can’t let that Giroux slap shot through to tie it up. Just can’t.

Overall, they just didn’t stick with the game plan for a full 60. When they got rolling, they seemed to forget what got them there and they let the Panthers play their game, and failed to impose the Capitals game on them for the whole game. Against other teams, that might work, but the Panthers could throw up goals wast too fast for that.

But if you told me the Capitals would win the third period for the series; that they’d go, what, 18 for 18 on the PK; that they’d get a PP goal in (I think?) every game and click at about 30% for the series; and that Sammy might have been the better net minder than Bob? Yeah…. I’d take that in a heartbeat and expect the Caps to get the upset.

But the hockey gods are fickle, and could not care less about what I expect.

Valete,

JohnS

Well, at least no one went out like the Preds….. well except the Preds.

I'm kind of sad about the Leafs, Pens and the Stars bowing out, but not surprised.

Binnington (The Bues goalie) being taken out by Kadri of the Avalanche in game 3 will probably be a series changer.