[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I'm excited. I predict the finals will either be the Wings, Sharks, or Ducks against the Penguins.

[Lurker]

No way man! It's gonna be the gazelles and the badgers!

[uhler]

are the lightening in the playoffs? i haven't payed much attention to anything lately.

[Lurker]

Man-U are the bookies favourite.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

Originally Posted by uhler

are the lightening in the playoffs? i haven't payed much attention to anything lately.

No. They're last in the conference. They traded for a better goaltender though and alieved their salary structure a bit, so they should be good again soon.

[pantophobia]

Jennthebenn and I are heading to the final Capitals game on Saturday, hoping they get atleast an 8 seed, maybe luck out and get the 3 seed if Carolina falters, hottest team in the league and has the best player in the league in Alex Ovechkin who has now scored 65 goals on the year

I think Pittsburgh is a great team, and the Hossa deal is turning out well for them, but i just don't think they are ready enough for the cup this year, I think right now Montreal is too strong a unit and Carey Price has stepped up in net while my Caps have benefited from getting Huet

my thought is the Sharks (who have been just blazing hot lately) vs Montreal in the finals

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I don't think Montreal is going to make it past the 1st round. Price is unproven and they aren't as deep as other teams. They've got a good coach and they've played well this season, but I just don't see them making the finals.

The Pens are totally ready. They've struggled with tons of injuries this season and they are number 1 in the East right now.

Going into the playoffs they'll be totally healthy and ready to kick butt. There defense has really been solid as of late and they are really starting to show themselves as an offensive juggernaut. They had 3 seven goal games in March, all of which without Crosby, and 2 of which without Hossa.

The Pens have more firepower than any other team in the league, their defense has solidified this year with the additions of Letang and Gill and the improved play of Scuderi, Gonchar, and Orpik, and Fleury is a phenomenal goalie, and a solid backup goalie in Conklin.

[jennthebenn]

San Jose will represent the West, either Montreal or Pittsburgh from the
East. If the Caps make it as the number 8 in the East, likely they would
face the Pens, which is undesirable for a number of reasons, namely the
level the Pens are playing at and the convergence of black-and-gold supporters that will befoul the air at Verizon Center. After several years of
non-stop suckage, however, a playoff appearance period would be a
fantastic achievement.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I'll be happy if the Caps make the playoffs. If the Flyers lose tonight all they'll have to do is win their last game.

But against the Pens, they'll send either Orpik and Gonchar or Scuderi and Gill out against Ovechkin, and they'll be able to shut him down. The Capitals defense isn't good enough to shut down Malkin, Crosby, Hossa, Sykora, and Malone. And if they somehow do, the Pens still have a pretty good 3rd line in Roberts-Staal-Kennedy.

[looking glass spectacle]

i'm not really a huge sports person, but i like watching devils hockey.

[jennthebenn]

Well...yeah. That was the greatest sporting event I've ever attended,
and makes me rather glad I have a blog.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS, SOUTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS.

Unbelievable. Pantophobia and I were in Section 100, directly behind
the Cap bench...his mom taped it and said we were pretty prominent
in the broadcast. I hope somewhere someone saw Pantos' red
Sleater-Kinney shirt and felt a twinge of pride.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

i'm glad that the Caps got in, and I'm glad they aren't playing the Penguins so I don't immediately have to root against them

[krastian]

Originally Posted by jennthebenn

Well...yeah. That was the greatest sporting event I've ever attended,
and makes me rather glad I have a blog.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS, SOUTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPIONS.

Unbelievable. Pantophobia and I were in Section 100, directly behind
the Cap bench...his mom taped it and said we were pretty prominent
in the broadcast. I hope somewhere someone saw Pantos' red
Sleater-Kinney shirt and felt a twinge of pride.

Holllllllllerrrrr!!!!


Who would've thunk it??! Long live the Caps!! Long live the Caps actually making some SMART decisions/trades!!


PSYCHED

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

My predictions:
1st round

Montreal Vs Boston- Montreal in 6
Pittsburgh Vs Ottawa- Pittsburgh in 5
Washington Vs Philly- Washington in 6
NJD vs NYR- Rangers in 7
Detroit vs Nashville- Detroit in 4
San Jose vs Calgary- SJ in 6
Minnesota vs Colorado- Colorado in 5
Anaheim vs Dallas- Dallas in 7

2nd Round
Montreal vs New York Rangers- New York Rangers in 7
Pittsburgh vs Washington- Pittsburgh in 6
Detroit vs Dallas- Dallas in 7
San Jose vs Colorado- San Jose in 6

3rd Round
Pittsburgh vs New York Rangers- Pittsburgh in 5
San Jose vs Dallas- San Jose in 7

Stanley Cup Finals-
Pittsburgh vs San Jose- Pittsburgh in 7

[krastian]

You see, when it comes to hockey, I really have no clue about predictions. The Caps have sucked since I was in like high school, so I haven't been paying much attention.


But the Caps were my fucking TEAM back in the Bondra days.....that's why the Penguins make me puke


Imagine if Crosby would have fell to the Caps??! I was watching that Draft Lottery a few years back with my fingers crossed. That goal he add the other night between his legs was rediculous, I have to say.

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I feel no ill-will towards the Caps because the Pens usually beat them in the playoffs

[krastian]

That's-a-why-I hate them

[jennthebenn]

http://www.trapperjennmd.org/2008/04...hers-game.html

Montreal Vs Boston- Montreal in 5
Pittsburgh Vs Ottawa- Pittsburgh in 5
Washington Vs Philly- Washington in 6
NJD vs NYR- Rangers in 6
Detroit vs Nashville- Detroit in 4
San Jose vs Calgary- San Jose in 7
Minnesota vs Colorado- Minnesota in 5
Anaheim vs Dallas- Dallas in 6

2nd Round
Montreal vs New York Rangers- Montreal in 6
Pittsburgh vs Washington- Pittsburgh in 6
Detroit vs Dallas- Dallas in 6
San Jose vs Minnesota- San Jose in 4

3rd Round
Pittsburgh vs Montreal-Montreal in 6
San Jose vs Dallas- San Jose in 7

Stanley Cup Finals-
Montreal vs San Jose- San Jose in 5

[SpectralJulianIsNotDead]

I think Montreal took a huge gamble betting on their rookie goaltender, and they're not going deep.

[jennthebenn]

My anti-Pens, pro-Habs bias may wreak havoc on my predictions, however I
can't resist a Habitants team with a 100+ point season. Wonder how much
they'll come to regret getting rid of Huet.