NHL playoff bracket

petek

petek

Active member
Post your first round playoff bracket.

My playoff bracket:

East

Sabres vs Leafs/Isles

Sabres take it 4-2

The Leafs have proven that they can beat the Sabres, their only problem this year has been ridiculous inconsistency, especially from raycroft. The Isles under Nolan cannot be taken lightly. But these are the sabres. An upset is definately possible, especially if either the leafs or the isles can beat up the sabres defense. Also, if Miller goes down, Conklin cannot replace him.

Devils vs Bolts

Devils take it 4-2

Bolts will put up a fight, but they aren't physical enough to get to the devils. If any team can beat the devils, its the team that can hurt them. Gionta and Gomez spent a bit of time in the infirmary this season, and Elias is showing his age. Bolts have better offense. Devils have a better, more systematic defense. Goaltending definately belongs the Brodeur.

Thrashers vs Rangers

Thrashers in 7

This is pick'em. Lundqvist is capable of anything, and a motivated and healthy Jagr is a great thing. Cullen and Shanahan will be great in the playoffs. At the same time the thrashers have a now versatile defense, as opposed to the inconsistent rangers defense. Goaltending is almost equal, but in big games I give the edge to Lundqvist. The offense of the thrashers has more snipers then enemy at the gates, but the rangers have a great mixture of grit, skill and experience. It will be a story of goaltending in the end.

Sens vs Pens

pens take it 4-1

Ottawa is my team, no doubt about that. They simply cannot win close games, and cannot win important games. Sure they can claw their way back into games (they couldnt last season) but they can't ride the momentum for a win in important games. They also can't hold leads. Fleury has gotten hot again, emery has been mediocre the last few games. Pens offence is more clutch than sense offense. The only edge sens have is in their defense, but they play less of a system than pittsburgh does.

West

Detroit vs Calgary

Detroit takes it 4-1

Calgary really has not had a good season. The only reason they are in the playoffs is because Jose Theodore gave the Avs a huge hole to dig themselves out of, and Edmonton has played with less than 1/2 its roster in the past 3 months(injuries and trades are the culprits here). Defense, no team is better than Detroit. Offense, Datsyuk has yet to prove that he is any good in the playoffs, but the addition of Bertuzzi will show. I would say that it is almost even here (most people will disagree with me here, but hey, Conroy , Iginla and Tanguay are playoff performers, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Holmstrom are not).

Anaheim vs Minnesota

Minnesota pulls the upset, 4-3

Rematch of the 2003 western conference semi-finals but both teams are completely different. Anaheim has perhaps the best playoff defense you can ask for with Pronger and Niedermayer. They have a ridiculous depth with young stars up front, but this is where Minnesota may have an edge. Goaltending I also give to Minnesota as Bryzgalov has most definately lost almost all confidence in himself. Giguere just had a kid, and his mind might be someplace else. Backstrom has the best GAA and save percentage in the league. Backing him up is promising Josh Harding, and on the sidelines is Manny Fernandez. The offense of the Wild is oft cold, but yet very deep. They play a more systemic brand of hockey in Minnesota, and have been deadly both at home and on the road when Gaborik is healthy.

Vancouver vs Dallas

pick 'em, Vancouver in 7.

Dallas has habitually had canadian teams' numbers before. Turco is unproven in the playoffs, but the idea is he played too much in the regular season. He has no such disadvantage this year. Before, he never had much of a back-up behind him, but should Turco falter, Mike Smith has had a promising seasons so far. Luongo is Luongo though, although he perhaps has played a bit too much this year. Dallas has no doubt the superior defense, and both teams have inconsistent offense. The Sedins are unproven in the playoffs, whereas modano, morrow and all the finnish players they seem to have, make up for it in experience. The story will be goaltending, is Luongo twice as good as Turco? Can Smith come in and get hot? How will the Sedin's play? Too many question marks on both sides.

Nashville vs San Jose

Nashville takes it 4-3

Nashville may lose early because of their lack of depth from injuries, but when they get bodies back the San Jose defense won't be able to handle them. Home ice advantage is HUGE in this series. I like Nasvhille's defense, their goaltending, and if they get healthy, their forwards. Thornton has proven to be somewhat of a dud in the playoffs, but Marleau is teh heart and soul of the team.
 
East:

Buffalo v Toronto/NY Isles

Buffalo in 4/6

Buffalo is too deep offensively to be beat by either of these teams. If the Isles get in, I think they will put up a little more of a challenge to the Sabres, just because they had to fight their way in.

New Jersey v Tampa Bay

NJ in 5

Broduer is too good. He'll shut down the Tampa Bay offense, so the Devils offense will just have to put up enough goals.

Atlanta v NY Rangers

Atlanta in 6

Goaltending is pretty much even, and even though the Rangers have Jagr, I think the Thrashers have the better offense.

Ottawa v Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh in 7

The Pens are young, but they have so much talent it's unreal. If their goaltending stays solid, I think they'll be able to take the Sens. Should be a great series though.

West:

Detroit v Calgary

Detroit in 6

Calgary has been relatively cold recently, so unless Kipprusoff plays an epic series, Detroit will win. It would probably have been better for the Flames if they had to clinch against Colorado tonight, just because they'd come into the playoffs with intensity.

Anaheim v Minnesota

Minnesota in 6

Anaheim started out hot but has cooled significantly. Minnesota has been played great when Gaborik has been healthy, and they have showed amazing goaltending depth, so I think they'll be able to take this series. Anaheim could make this interesting by bringing a lot of grit, but shutting down Minnesota's offense and breaking through their defense will be a big challenge.

Vancouver v Dallas

Vancouver in 7

Providing Turco doesn't choke, this should be a good series. Luongo is amazing though, and will pull the Canucks through. There's a reason he's a solid candidate for MVP.

Nashville v San Jose

Nashville in 6

This is the only matchup in the West that doesn't have a tied season series. The Sharks are good, but Nashville has been hanging with Detroit all year. Nashville has also showed they can beat the Sharks, as they won the season series 3-1.

I'm really looking forward to the Series in the West. They're all so evenly matched, it's amazing. Should be some great hockey.
 
Pens and the Red Wings, my two favorite teams hell ya! I've been a fan my entire life, so glad to see the pens with so much talent.
 
I think the Ducks are gonna take Minnesota in 7. theyre a playoff team and minnesota does have goaltending, but thats not everything. they dont have the defence the ducks do.
 
You easties are so, so wrong about the wild. They're going to get swept.

Det-Cgy: Detroit in 7

Kiprusoff makes series go 7 games. And for some reason, Detroit's scoring has had a tendency to dry up in the west quarters in years past. The big decision factor in this one will be whether Detroit gets goaltending (Calgary will), and whether they get defensive scoring. If Lidstrom and Schneider run the PP to good effect, they'll produce enough to win 4 games. Obviously Holmstrom is a part of that equation as well, since he'll be tipping them in and banging in rebounds. Still... Colorado would've been easier.

Ana-Min: Anaheim in 4.

This team is too fucking tough for the already-beat-up Wild to deal with. They looked very tired down the stretch, and now they have to play against the most physical team in the league. Anaheim is healthy, and they look very sharp. Goaltending is strong whether they have Bryzgalov or Giguere. For minnie, they'll need a Giguere/Kiprusoff-of-years-past level performance from Backstrom to make this a series.

Van-Dal: Vancouver in 6.

Bobby Lou! People are saying it's his first playoffs, and who knows how he'll play with that kind of pressure. Fair point. But he's gotten the team this far, and as for playing too much, he's said he feels less tired now than he ever has at the end of any season in FLA. Dallas tends to choke in the postseason, and I think they'll be a much easier team to beat than the very large Sharks, depending on whether Nagy and Ribeiro produce. If the new guys solve Roberto, and Turco comes through, this could go the Stars' way. It'll be a question of average goals per game, just like NJ-TB... if the Canucks (read: the sedins + the defense) can beat 2.5 against Turco they should be okay. Of course if Naslund finally decides to show up, this is over already... and he's been showing signs the past few games.

SJ - Nas: San Jose in 7

Toss up, very hard to call. Nashville has so much talent up front, but they've played weak in big games lately, especially against Detroit. Their goaltending is unproven and streaky, but then, so is Nabokov, who always seems to look beatable no matter how well he's playing. I wouldn't be surprised if Thornton made the difference in this (or any) series.

East:

Buf / Tor: Buf in 6

I'm guessing the Devils win today. If they don't, well, NYI has Dubey in nets, and the Sabres look like a young, unproven goalie's worst nightmare, so let's just write them off either way.

Toronto has toughness and perseverance. I hate them, but they do. What they don't have is steady goaltending. Raycroft was TERRIBLE last night when they needed him most. That first Ryder goal was disgusting. All in all, the line up is too thin to compete with the depth of scoring on Buffalo, and the best the Leafs can hope for is to squeeze out a couple of home wins. They have beaten the sabres this year.

NJ - TB: New Jersey in 5

Bolts haven't got goaltending, and their defense is suspect. Brodeur wins series. I'm guessing the Devils' offense, anemic as it is, can produce an average 3 goals a game or thereabouts against that suspect defense and lack of goalie. I'm guessing St Louis and Lecavalier can't against Brodeur.

Atl - NYR: Atlanta in 6

The thrashers are a complete, if streaky team. Every time I watch the Rangers I see holes. If Renney can keep them playing like he has the last little while, they've got a good chance. But there are more weapons on Atlanta, a better all-around defense, a stronger powerplay, and comparable goaltending. It'll be tough going for the Rangers.

Pit - Ott: Pittsburgh in 6

This could be a close one, or it could be over very quickly. I barely need to mention Ottawa, we know how they play. I've been saying for a while that if the pens goaltending gets hot, they win the cup. But that seems unlikely. Alternatively, for this series, the question is how youth responds to pressure. If all the young, talented kids playing in their first playoff game for the Penguins get nerves, they're screwed. If that first big playoff game translates to energy, they could easily waltz in and steal home ice advantage and never look back... in which case this will be over quickly.

Those are my picks... but remember, in the playoffs, goaltending changes everything, for better or worse. The really hard to call series: Van/Dal, Nas/SJ, NYR/Atl, Pit/Ott.
 
Yeah, I mean, Minnesota only has the lowest team GAA in the league.

And to J.D.:

I can understand if you think the Wild are going to lose the series, but a sweep? C'mon. The Wild have been hot as hell down the stretch. Since Jan. 19th they are 24-6-5 and 11-2-1 in the past month (Anaheim is 18-9-6 and 8-3-3 in those stretches). I agree the Ducks have toughness on their side, but the Wild have a solid offense (five 20+ goal scorers) and one of the best defensive systems in the league. Add to that arguably the hottest goaltender in the league right now (top in GAA and Sv. %) and I'd say the Wild look pretty good. Toughness alone is not going to get the Ducks a sweep.

Granted, I am a little biased coming from Minnesota, but having watched this team for 6 years, this is the best I have ever seen them. And that includes their Conference finals run in 02-03. Of course, this is also the best I've ever seen the West, so it should be interesting.
 
I agree, the ducks have better overall players, but Lemaire has the players playing a very effective system. The ducks may have grit, skill and youth, but have very little playoff experience and have been known to get really cold in stretchs. Plus, one of their leading scorers from the playoffs last year (Lupul) is gone. I never said it wasnt going to be close, just that it is going to be the one major upset that always seems to happen.
 
EAST

1. Buffalo vs. 8. Toronto/Islanders

Buffalo 4-0

Buffalo could go all the way, too deep and fast. they stretch the ice and will outclass either team.

2. New Jersey vs. 7. Tampa

New Jersey 4-2

New Jersey has the best goalie in the league. Gionta, Gomez, and Elias on attack with Madden and Pandalfo on d. Tampa's St. Louis and Lecavalier cant contend.

3. Atlanta vs. 6. Rangers

Rangers 4-3

Atlanta will choke in its first playoffs. Rangers, behind Jagr, will show experience with a better goalie

4. Ottawa vs. 5. Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 4-1

Pittsburgh will win this one easily because of Crosby, Malkin, and Stall, but it might be the only series they win.

WEST

1. Detroit vs. 8. Calgary

Detroit 4-2

Detriot will contain Iginla and run to the next round. Zetterburg and Datsyuk...enough said.

2. Anaheim vs. 7. Minnesota

Anaheim 4-3

I'm a Minnesota fan here, but Anaheim's defense is so good. This could be the only real upset if Minnesota can win this one.

3. Vancouver vs. 6. Dallas

Vancouver 4-3

one word. Luongo

4. Nashville vs. 5. San Jose

San Jose 4-3

Even with Forsberg, San Jose's Thorton and Cheechoo combo will win this one at the end.
 
i wanna see sabres and anahiem in the cup finals. but i agree that if miller goes down conklin will not be able to replace him. Proof? sabres lose to philly flyers 4-3, with conklin in. reference- flyers are 15th in the east. but it culd also be cuz the sabres arent rely gonna try that hard, seeing as they already got the presidents trophy. also connelly is suffering from post- concussion syndrome so hes gonna be out if he gets hit hard. and i wanna see stafford get back up in the game after he was moved down to the amerks a couple days ago.
 
I'm not making a whole bracket. I'm just gonna say the Pens are coming out of the East, and the Sharks out of the West...yes I have two 5's fighting it out for stanley!
 
buffalo of course in 4-5

new jersey in 5 (brodeur is good)

atlanta in 6-7

pit in 5 due to goaltending

detroit in 4

anaheim in 5

vancouver in 7

nashville in 5
 
Buffalo 4-1 NYI

it's buffalo...

NJ 4-3 Tampa Bay

this is brodeur's thing, he does playoffs, NJ out 2nd round

NYR 4-3 atlanta

new york with a come back from being down 3-1 with jagr getting some zest

Ottawa 4-2 penguins

penguins are going to get battered. fleury will choke. emery is probably the best playoff goalie the sens have had in a long time. all the sens players are experienced in the playoffs while the penguins are going to try and play the same old game. the fact that this IS playoff hockey is what is going to make the difference. watch for crosby getting flustered and rocked the first game

 
toronto is gay.

i was watching the NYI vs NJ game on TSN (toronto sports network) and the guy was taring appart the leafs as he should have.

They had a poll that said: "should new jersy feel obligated to start brodeur?" and 70% said yes and 30% said no.

the commentators were commentating on this and they all said : "we agree there is no reason they should need to play brodeur, this game essentially means nothing, so why potentially put the prime time goal tender in danger, if its not a must?" then one guy says "and about hte other 30%, you who voted are clearly leaf fans and wanted NJ to win. If your going to have a favourite team, they should be able to clinch a play off spot on their own and not have it be up to other teams" however he said it so much more demanding, it was such a shot at toronto, it made me laugh, and think: Toronto does not deserve that spot and im actually glad they didn't get it.
 
I don't follow anyone really but the canucks, so even if i thought they couldn't beat dallas(which i don't), i would say canucks can do it.

However, you can't always count on the canucks, they like to surprise audiences, good or bad.
 
I've pretty much lost all hope for Toronto ever being a decent team. I just cheer for any Canadian team.
 
East:

Buf vs NYI : Buffalo in 5, they just got Afinogenov and Connelly back and are already loaded up without them...

NJD vs TBL : New Jersey in 6, New Jersey has the experience and are pumped to play for Lamoriello behind the bench. Tampa still wants another Cup but not this time, they have no defense and no goalie.

ATL vs NYR : This one's tough... but I'll go with the Rangers in 7 because they were swept last year by New Jersey and they've got something to prove.

OTT vs PIT : Ottawa in 4. They are so hungry for the Cup and they have such a great team. The Pens are too young for this year. Maybe next year.

West:

DET vs CAL : Calgary in 5. Kipper can do the job, so does Iginla. The Red Wings have a reputation of getting out in the first round lately. And the Flames have an excellent team offensively and defensively.

ANA vs MIN : Anaheim in 7. This might just be the toughest matchup but I'll go with Anaheim because of Pronger and Niedermeyer. Also they have a lot of tough guys that will be glad to drop the gloves and intimidate the Wild's players such as Gaborik, Bouchard, etc.

VAN vs DAL : Vancouver in 6 because of Luongo and the Sedins. Turco doesn't do very well in the playoffs.

NAS vs SJS : San Jose in 6: Thornton, Cheechoo, Marleau, Guerin, etc. They are very young and yet very experienced in the playoffs! (Also my 2nd favorite team after Boston...)
 
the past two seasons, a "struggling" canadian team (as in, the least popular canadian team as far as ticket selling goes), and the team doing the worst overall (again, ticket sales) meet in the finals. It could be coincidence, or it could be corruption.

So far, Nashville is in financial trouble, atlanta and pittsburgh are developing a base but nothing too big, and if Ottawa loses early again, it is possible every fan will bail on them even though only New Jersey and Detroit have longer playoff streaks.

Take what you want from that.
 
round 1

west

detroit over calgary in 7

minni over anaheim in 7

vancouver over dallas in 6

san jose over nashville in 6

east

buffalo over islanders in 5

nj over tampa in 5. 6 if lecavalier, st loius and richards steal another game

atlanta over the rangers in 6

ottawa over pittsburgh in 7
 
Buffalo sweeps islanders

NJ and Tampa are tied at 2 apiece

Rangers sweep atlanta

Sens beat Pens in 5

although the teams are pretty much right in who would win, I think I underestimated everyone, haha
 
The playoffs so far have been surprising to me. Not so much as who's winning the series, but how far apart they are.

Almost no one predicted the Rangers would sweep Atlanta, a lot of people thought Anaheim and Minnesota would go to 7, and many people expected Pittsburgh to win, or at least take Ottawa to a 7th game.
 
Aparts from the Sens-Pens and the Rangers-Thrashers series, things are pretty much playing out how I though. I thought New Jersey could take TB in 5, but that one looks like its going to 7 as well.

The Vancouver-Dallas series is playing out exactly how I thought. Unfortunately. I was really hoping than the Canucks would have finished em' off last night.
 
Apparently I understand the west better than the east. Well, also no one could predict Brodeur screwing up like he has, nor the Thrashers getting swept.
 
In a pool with money I did predict Rangers over Atlanta in 5... so close... Also I predicted Ottawa over Pittsburg in 5, again very close...

I predicted Anaheim, Calgary, San Jose, Vancouver, New Jersey, Buffalo

So its going pretty well for me
 
Aha, I was in a players pool which went off goals, assists and plus minus. We could pick 3 players and a goalie so i took Crosby, Lecavalier, Nylander and Luongo. Lecavlier and Nylander have bsacially handed me the 70 bucks alone
 
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