The 2012 Stanley Cup Play-Offs

[VicVegas 70]

Well fellow "puckheads", it's that time of year again.

 

Some interesting match ups in the first round. As a Pens fan I'm not too excited about playing the Flyers - they handled the Pens pretty well this season. Still I like our chances with both Malkin and Sid The Kid seemingly healthy.

 

I'm glad the Devils are back in post season play. I like them to beat the Panthers.

 

Rangers should take care of Ottawa, but I won't be surprised if the Caps give the Bruins some trouble . As bad as they've played all season they still have Ovechkin and nothing to lose.

 

Even better match ups in the West. The President's Cup winning Canucks should have their hands full with a talented young Kings team. Blues/Sharks will be interesting. The Desert Dogs don't even have an owner but they're back in the hunt for the cup and playing Chicago in the opening round. My underdog pick to come out of the West is the Predators, mainly because I like their bright yellow jerseys.

 

 

So, did your team make it? Who do you like to win it all? Ya gotta love NHL play-off hockey.

[nkped 1,208]

By affinity, I'm hoping the Red Wings can make a respectable showing despite their late season fall-off. By geographic proximity, waiting to see how and when the Canucks choke this year.

[Bear194 51]

Hey VicVegas,

 

I would not count out the Senators too early...I think the Rangers are going down.

[JohnnyK 28]

Many observers here in Canada are favouring the Pens. Lucky me, I get the Pens-Flyers today at 4pm, Preds-Wings and Canucks-Kings doubleheader later on. Heading out to stock the fridge now!

[VicVegas 70]

_{Ugh! Flyers beat the Pens in Pittsburgh in OT. THIS is why no teams in the East wanted a first round match-up with the Flyers.}

Edited April 12, 2012 by VicVegas

[JohnnyK 28]

Watched two games yesterday.

Pens ran the Flyers out of the rink... for 20 minutes. Not a Flyers fan but you have to admire their grit, they like to keep coming and they did. Pens went to sleep, a few dumb errors and a gift to the Flyers on the first goal. Never mind, missed calls and bad calls are part of the game. Bryz steadied himself and gave them a chance and the Flyers deserved the win. Good to see both laid off the stupid stuff and just played good tough hockey.

 

Vancouver-LA was a really hard-hitting affair, entertaining with huge hits all game long. Canucks were crap and LA definitely outplayed them. Home ice advantage for the Canucks has been nullified for now.

 

Tonight's games are less appealing to me other than Boston-Washington. Don't know much about St. Loo or Phoenix except both are defense-first teams which is less fun to watch IMO than freewheeling, scoring teams.

 

Here we go!

[The Mook 105]

I've rooted for the NYR my whole life.

This is not the easy first round [#1 vs. #8] you may have seen in the past.

The Sens match up very well against my guys. I'm with the Blueshirts rain or shine.

Edited April 12, 2012 by The Mook

[The Mook 105]

[JohnnyK 28]

Just watched 1st period NYR-Sens. NYR look much the better team.

[The Mook 105]

They had a lull, coach called a timely TO and got them focused.

Good game for the NYR but it takes 4 to put 'em away. Here's

hoping they (*NYR) keep the intensity.

[JohnnyK 28]

Flyers 8 Penguins 5 - Game of the Year.

Thunderous hits, great saves (Bryz might have made save of the year), incredible grit by the Flyers, furious end-to-end action all game, no stupid stuff.

Flyers down 1-3 end of the first. Pens getting go ahead goals unti it was 5-5 then Philly went ahead for the first time and wrapped it up. Best game I've seen in a very long time.

Edited April 14, 2012 by JohnnyK

[VicVegas 70]

Wow, lots of games going to OT. How about Martin Brodeur racking up his 100th play-off win. Too bad the Pens are going into Phillie down 0-2. That'll be a tough hole to climb out of.

[JohnnyK 28]

^{Coyotes-Hawks pretty good so far. Don't know the Yoyes but they are pretty good. No stars but clearly well-coached. NYR-Sens was vaudeville tonight. Real bullshit, atrocious refs they should be laid off.}

[Bear194 51]

Sens-Rangers series - tied 1-1. After all that testosterone last night I hope both teams settle down and play some real hockey - not just try and pummel each other.

[JohnnyK 28]

Its getting ridiculous and dangerous now. The league is ineffectual on punishnments so the players are taking it into their own hands. Someone is going to be seriously injured if the refs keep being inconsistent as well as overlooking and missing really blatant thuggery. I don't enoy seeing skill and talent overshadowed by goonery.

Some surprises:

Phlyers blowing out the Pens.

Pens crumbling, losing all focus, playing like kids.

Kings playing solid tight hockey on the way to tossing the 'nucks.

Hawks-Coyotes playing two well-matched entertaining games.

[VicVegas 70]

That's more like it! Penguins pound the Flyers in game 4, 10-3! Of course it won't mean much unless they come out and pound them again in game 5. Go Pens!!!

[Bear194 51]

Sens - Rangers - series tied 2-2. Do not count the Sens out too soon. Two great teams in a hardfought series makes wonderful TV watching.

[JohnnyK 28]

Is this the wackiest playoffs in years?

Pens rise from the dead and blow out the Phlyers with 10(!) goals.

Broons-Caps a low-scoring affair, tighter than I expected.

Sens-Rangers is interesting and there could be an upset as Sens did well vs. NYR during the season.

Coyotes-Hawks is a good series, well-matched.

Canucks in tough against a #8.

Personally I don't have much interest in Devils-Panthers or Blues-Sharks as all four are pretty unknown to me.

[steamer 158]

Raffi's indefinite suspension seems harsh compared to some of the other suspensions or non suspensions for cheap shots.

[VicVegas 70]

Say goodbye to a couple of teams who have been play-off mainstays - The Red Wings and Sharks are toast. Nashville and St Loius move on.

 

The Canucks are on the brink of elimination, having been totally outplayed by the Kings.

 

The Blackhawks are trying to fight back vs the Desert Dogs, an amazing series where every game has gone to OT. They won't have to worry about the Coyotes Raffi Torres, who was suspended for 25 games after his hit on Hossa.

 

Can the Caps finish the job and eliminate Boston? I have a feeling the Bruins will push it to game 7.

 

And how about Ooooootawa, shutting out the Rangers in game 5 and taking a 3-2 series lead. Craig Anderson was a brick wall in the net.

 

Keeping my fingers crossed for my Pens.

[Bear194 51]

As I said before - Do not count the Sens out yet...they now lead the sries against the Rangers 3 games to 2 and it is great hockey...The next 1 or possibly 2 games will be very good. Not bad at all for an 8th place team in year one of rebuold. GO SENS Go!!!!!

[JohnnyK 28]

As I said before - Do not count the Sens out yet...they now lead the sries against the Rangers 3 games to 2 and it is great hockey...The next 1 or possibly 2 games will be very good. Not bad at all for an 8th place team in year one of rebuold. GO SENS Go!!!!!

Bear, the Sens' "rebuild" is going nicely. Not so well for some other teams 555!

Your wife and I went to the same high school, remember?

[Bear194 51]

Bear, the Sens' "rebuild" is going nicely. Not so well for some other teams 555!

Your wife and I went to the same high school, remember?

 

Yes I remember - have not bumpedinto you my last few trips - She wqas with me this last trip for the month of Feb. I will be back for the month of August. Are you still in Hua Hin?

[VicVegas 70]

Kings and Flyers moving on to round 2.

 

Bruins/Caps going down to the wire. Can't believe this is the same Caps team that stunk most of the season.

[JohnnyK 28]

Yes I remember - have not bumpedinto you my last few trips - She wqas with me this last trip for the month of Feb. I will be back for the month of August. Are you still in Hua Hin?

In Canada right now but come to HH every year for 3 months.