2013-2014 NHL Playoffs
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Jalili
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Surprising that no one has posted here yet.
My Finals picks (as much as I wouldn't want to see it happen) are LA vs. Boston
My Finals picks (as much as I wouldn't want to see it happen) are LA vs. Boston
hockeyfan1
New member
Boston vs Detroit
Can the Red Wings pull up an upset as they did in last year's Round l against Anaheim? Everyone knows Detroit had no business beating the Ducks, but somehow the rebuilding Wings pulled it off.
Experience, speed and goaltending are what will make this a series to watch. Even with their best players injured (Zetterberg & Datsyuk), Detroit will still be a force to be reckoned with. Enter Gustav Nyquist or Johan Franzen and you get the idea.
Of course, the Bruins are no slouches either. Talk about another experienced hard working team with plenty of playoff appearances under it's belt. The towering Chara and the tenacious Lucic, not to mention the pesky Marchand are enough to handle as is, never mind the rest of the Bruins team.
Then there's Tukka Rask who does an admirable job in net.
Can Detroit's Jimmy Howard outshine Rask in this series, and can the Wings defence handle Boston's in-depth forechecking? We'll find out soon.
Can the Red Wings pull up an upset as they did in last year's Round l against Anaheim? Everyone knows Detroit had no business beating the Ducks, but somehow the rebuilding Wings pulled it off.
Experience, speed and goaltending are what will make this a series to watch. Even with their best players injured (Zetterberg & Datsyuk), Detroit will still be a force to be reckoned with. Enter Gustav Nyquist or Johan Franzen and you get the idea.
Of course, the Bruins are no slouches either. Talk about another experienced hard working team with plenty of playoff appearances under it's belt. The towering Chara and the tenacious Lucic, not to mention the pesky Marchand are enough to handle as is, never mind the rest of the Bruins team.
Then there's Tukka Rask who does an admirable job in net.
Can Detroit's Jimmy Howard outshine Rask in this series, and can the Wings defence handle Boston's in-depth forechecking? We'll find out soon.
hockeyfan1
New member
Tampa Bay vs Mont?al
Many were anticipating for these two teams to face each other in these playoffs, and for fans of fast-paced anything goes hockey, they got their wish.
This series has it all including two very reliable goaltenders in the Habs Carey Price and the Lightning's Ben Bishop who has became one of the NHL's best after languishing as an unknown quantity ( before being traded from Ottawa to Tampa Bay). Ben who? Ah yes, you should ask but no more, as he and he alone may decide the Lightning's fate in this series.
How so? Bishop's recent wrist injury was cause for concern and if he shouldn't feel a hundred per cent, the Lightning's chances of stopping Habitant goals will be greatly reduced. Sure they have Anders Lind back, but you know, it always feels better to have your best defending you against them.
Oh well, good luck to Tampa Bay, and as for the Habs, expect them to soar. Lots of expectations for both sides. For their fans. Can't wait.
Many were anticipating for these two teams to face each other in these playoffs, and for fans of fast-paced anything goes hockey, they got their wish.
This series has it all including two very reliable goaltenders in the Habs Carey Price and the Lightning's Ben Bishop who has became one of the NHL's best after languishing as an unknown quantity ( before being traded from Ottawa to Tampa Bay). Ben who? Ah yes, you should ask but no more, as he and he alone may decide the Lightning's fate in this series.
How so? Bishop's recent wrist injury was cause for concern and if he shouldn't feel a hundred per cent, the Lightning's chances of stopping Habitant goals will be greatly reduced. Sure they have Anders Lind back, but you know, it always feels better to have your best defending you against them.
Oh well, good luck to Tampa Bay, and as for the Habs, expect them to soar. Lots of expectations for both sides. For their fans. Can't wait.
Madferret
New member
Its a perfect match-up for the Habs as TB won't test or push them physically...on top of the fact that TB is pretty green behind the ears in terms of post season play. I don't see the Habs going on a huge run but they should make quick work of TB. Then get spanked by the Bruins in round 2.
hockeyfan1
New member
Pittsburgh vs Columbus
On paper, the Columbus Blue Jackets resemble a middle-of-the-road up and coming team with some good offensive youngsters and a good hard-working core group. This has translated into the team's first-ever playoff appeaounce much to the excitement of their Ohio fans.
However, the Jackets success at securing a playoff wildcard spot has them facing an opponent 1hat is loaded with depth both on paper as well as on the ice.
How then docs one stop these Penguins, who have all hands on deck plus a raring-to-go better-than-ever Sydney Crosby et al?
True that Pittsburgh was white-washed by Boston in four straight and that they narrowly beat the Islanders in last year's playoffs. Fleury was inconsistent, Crosby wasn't himself, and the Pittsburgh defence & system sputtered by the time they played the Bruins. Those results are something the Pittsburgh Penguins of this year would like to forget.
Enter Columbus. The Blue Jackets aren't expected to accomplish an upset, but, should the Jackets' 'keeper Sergei Bobrovsky (better know as "Bobo" to Columbus fans), who knows, anything can happen. If the Penguins and Crosby and Fleury all fall apart figuratively speaking., or somehow forget how to play hockey, then David will have slayed Goliath once again.
Frankly my dear, many doubt it.
On paper, the Columbus Blue Jackets resemble a middle-of-the-road up and coming team with some good offensive youngsters and a good hard-working core group. This has translated into the team's first-ever playoff appeaounce much to the excitement of their Ohio fans.
However, the Jackets success at securing a playoff wildcard spot has them facing an opponent 1hat is loaded with depth both on paper as well as on the ice.
How then docs one stop these Penguins, who have all hands on deck plus a raring-to-go better-than-ever Sydney Crosby et al?
True that Pittsburgh was white-washed by Boston in four straight and that they narrowly beat the Islanders in last year's playoffs. Fleury was inconsistent, Crosby wasn't himself, and the Pittsburgh defence & system sputtered by the time they played the Bruins. Those results are something the Pittsburgh Penguins of this year would like to forget.
Enter Columbus. The Blue Jackets aren't expected to accomplish an upset, but, should the Jackets' 'keeper Sergei Bobrovsky (better know as "Bobo" to Columbus fans), who knows, anything can happen. If the Penguins and Crosby and Fleury all fall apart figuratively speaking., or somehow forget how to play hockey, then David will have slayed Goliath once again.
Frankly my dear, many doubt it.
J
Jalili
Guest
Kudos for the analysis, hockeyfan. Lots of good points made.
I'm a bit disappointed that Detroit drew Boston because I really think they would have been a nightmare opponent for anyone else. I had them pegged to upset Pittsburgh, but obviously, things didn't turn out that way. I don't think they're good enough to lock horns with Boston given that Boston is at full strength.
I think Bishop being injured tilts the advantage in that series to Montreal. I'm not too confident Lindback, so I think even if Tampa outplays Montreal the advantage in goaltending would give Montreal a fighting chance.
Pittsburgh is damn lucky to draw Columbus and not Detroit. That's all I'm gonna say.
New York/Philadelphia is the series I really don't have a clue about. I guess when in doubt you go with the team that has goaltending and defense, so my pick would be New York for that reason.
My picks are Boston, Montreal, Pittsburgh, New York
I'm a bit disappointed that Detroit drew Boston because I really think they would have been a nightmare opponent for anyone else. I had them pegged to upset Pittsburgh, but obviously, things didn't turn out that way. I don't think they're good enough to lock horns with Boston given that Boston is at full strength.
I think Bishop being injured tilts the advantage in that series to Montreal. I'm not too confident Lindback, so I think even if Tampa outplays Montreal the advantage in goaltending would give Montreal a fighting chance.
Pittsburgh is damn lucky to draw Columbus and not Detroit. That's all I'm gonna say.
New York/Philadelphia is the series I really don't have a clue about. I guess when in doubt you go with the team that has goaltending and defense, so my pick would be New York for that reason.
My picks are Boston, Montreal, Pittsburgh, New York
hockeyfan1
New member
New York Rangers vs Philadelphia
The Rangers were the team with the best record in the second half of the season, while the Flyers stopped their downward spiral and steadily but surely began to secure the #3 position in the Metropolitan Division.
One can then say that both teams, with new coaches in tow, started the season on a lowdown, eventually improving by playing sound hockey over the course of the regular season. Thus can we say that this will be a tough series featuring two hard-working teams that are nearly equal?
Well, for starters, the Rangers have all the big names in Nash, St.Louis, Lundqvuist ("King Henrik") the goaltender and a big reason behind the Rangers' successful turnaround, plus a slew of good offensive and defensive talent.
The Flyers possess one of the NHL's sharp shooters, sniper Claude Giroux, a goaltender with a steady hand in Steve Mason, a big reason for their successful turnaround, and a slew of big forwards and defencemen not aftraid to throw their weight around.
Will the Rangers break down the Flyers defence and will Philadelphia solve Lundqvuist enough to garner themselves the series?
Plenty of questions here, but no easy answers. There's only one way to know who the winner will be...let the series begin!
The Rangers were the team with the best record in the second half of the season, while the Flyers stopped their downward spiral and steadily but surely began to secure the #3 position in the Metropolitan Division.
One can then say that both teams, with new coaches in tow, started the season on a lowdown, eventually improving by playing sound hockey over the course of the regular season. Thus can we say that this will be a tough series featuring two hard-working teams that are nearly equal?
Well, for starters, the Rangers have all the big names in Nash, St.Louis, Lundqvuist ("King Henrik") the goaltender and a big reason behind the Rangers' successful turnaround, plus a slew of good offensive and defensive talent.
The Flyers possess one of the NHL's sharp shooters, sniper Claude Giroux, a goaltender with a steady hand in Steve Mason, a big reason for their successful turnaround, and a slew of big forwards and defencemen not aftraid to throw their weight around.
Will the Rangers break down the Flyers defence and will Philadelphia solve Lundqvuist enough to garner themselves the series?
Plenty of questions here, but no easy answers. There's only one way to know who the winner will be...let the series begin!
hockeyfan1
New member
Colorado vs Minnesota
Oh those Avalanche! Not long ago, Colorado was in rebuilding mode wtih young prospects and making changes to the team. Along the way they insert a new coach, Patrick Roy, and voila...the Avs are back with a bang! Colorado's young offensive talent along the likes of Duchene, Landeskog, O'Reillly, MacKinnon et al exploded and finished with the NHL's fourth best offence. Add a solid netminder in Semyon Varlomov and you've got some recipe for success. The only questionable area for the Avalanche is their defence, which...
...is where Minnesota excels. The Wild play a good defensive system led by workhorse Ryan Suter, but are a little suspect on the offensive side, though they have been led by Zach Parise, Mikael Granland, and Matt Moulson, to name a few. The Wild do not contain the explosive offence that the Avalanche are capable of. They're specialty appears to be to play a defensive game.
One other questionable aspect of Minnesota's game is their goaltending. As injury-prone or unhealthy prone it has been -- Josh Harding's battle with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) while still maintaining an excellent record in net (in whatever games he has played) and back-up Darcy Kuemper who has done a decent job in that capacity when called to play, plus the addition of vetern Ilya Bryzgalov who could provide the turning point for Minnesota in this series -- the Wild simply hasn't had the word steady and solid written in that area in the same way the Avalanche have. Kudos to Minnesota for taking the wild card position in the manner that they have. Not all had been going well for them this season.
Anyways, if all goes according to plan, the Avalanche should have a not-too-difficult task of eliminating the Wild in due time.
Oh those Avalanche! Not long ago, Colorado was in rebuilding mode wtih young prospects and making changes to the team. Along the way they insert a new coach, Patrick Roy, and voila...the Avs are back with a bang! Colorado's young offensive talent along the likes of Duchene, Landeskog, O'Reillly, MacKinnon et al exploded and finished with the NHL's fourth best offence. Add a solid netminder in Semyon Varlomov and you've got some recipe for success. The only questionable area for the Avalanche is their defence, which...
...is where Minnesota excels. The Wild play a good defensive system led by workhorse Ryan Suter, but are a little suspect on the offensive side, though they have been led by Zach Parise, Mikael Granland, and Matt Moulson, to name a few. The Wild do not contain the explosive offence that the Avalanche are capable of. They're specialty appears to be to play a defensive game.
One other questionable aspect of Minnesota's game is their goaltending. As injury-prone or unhealthy prone it has been -- Josh Harding's battle with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) while still maintaining an excellent record in net (in whatever games he has played) and back-up Darcy Kuemper who has done a decent job in that capacity when called to play, plus the addition of vetern Ilya Bryzgalov who could provide the turning point for Minnesota in this series -- the Wild simply hasn't had the word steady and solid written in that area in the same way the Avalanche have. Kudos to Minnesota for taking the wild card position in the manner that they have. Not all had been going well for them this season.
Anyways, if all goes according to plan, the Avalanche should have a not-too-difficult task of eliminating the Wild in due time.
hockeyfan1
New member
St.Louis vs Chicago
Wow what a series this one's going to be! You have the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks on one corner, as excellent as they continue to be, even with injuries to some of their star forwards, Kane and Toews.
On the other corner, you have the St.Louis Blues, a team that's firmly back on top. among one of the best if not the best in the NHL. They've had it all, led by a plethora of not-too-big names but excellent forwards and defencemen, the likes of T.J.Oshie, Backes, Steen. Pietrangelo, Colaiacovo, etc., and adhere to coach Ken Hitchcock's two-way system with near perfection, it's hard to find a crack in the Blues style of play. But...
...with their dismaying freefall in the last several games of the regular season, that's as in a six game-in-a-row losing streak folks, at the worst possible time in the schedule leading close to the playoffs, the Blues certainly don't seem like the successful team they crafted themselves to be. Uh oh, what's happened here?
In a sense, injuries to key players, namely Backes and Oshie, and a not too sollid display of goaltending by Ryan Miller (who had been acquired at the trade deadline in March). Miller displaced the departed Halak (traded to the Sabres in exchange for Miller), and somehow it seems that there was something lacking here. Either Miller shores up and regains his penchant as a reliable playoff performer or St.Louis will suffer the goaltending B-lues.
Yikes! That's something that shouldn't happen but that Chicago's scorers will only be too happy to exploit.
Promises to have all the makings of a great playoff matchup.
Wow what a series this one's going to be! You have the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Black Hawks on one corner, as excellent as they continue to be, even with injuries to some of their star forwards, Kane and Toews.
On the other corner, you have the St.Louis Blues, a team that's firmly back on top. among one of the best if not the best in the NHL. They've had it all, led by a plethora of not-too-big names but excellent forwards and defencemen, the likes of T.J.Oshie, Backes, Steen. Pietrangelo, Colaiacovo, etc., and adhere to coach Ken Hitchcock's two-way system with near perfection, it's hard to find a crack in the Blues style of play. But...
...with their dismaying freefall in the last several games of the regular season, that's as in a six game-in-a-row losing streak folks, at the worst possible time in the schedule leading close to the playoffs, the Blues certainly don't seem like the successful team they crafted themselves to be. Uh oh, what's happened here?
In a sense, injuries to key players, namely Backes and Oshie, and a not too sollid display of goaltending by Ryan Miller (who had been acquired at the trade deadline in March). Miller displaced the departed Halak (traded to the Sabres in exchange for Miller), and somehow it seems that there was something lacking here. Either Miller shores up and regains his penchant as a reliable playoff performer or St.Louis will suffer the goaltending B-lues.
Yikes! That's something that shouldn't happen but that Chicago's scorers will only be too happy to exploit.
Promises to have all the makings of a great playoff matchup.
hockeyfan1
New member
Anaheim vs Dallas
Sporting the absolute best offence in the NHL by the likes of Getzlaf, Perry, Cogliano, Bonino, including the "Fininish Flash" himself Teemu Selanne, and a comparably sound defence by the likes of Beauchemin, Robidas, and backed up by equally sound netminding to the likes of Hiller and Anderson, what, pray tell me, is wrong with the Ducks, if any? Absolutely n-o-t-h-i-n-g the matter. They are the art of perfection beautified.
And what of the Stars? It has been seven years that the Dallas Stars last played in an NHL playoff series. The Stars' management set out to change all of that as they introduced a new coach, the qualified Lindy Ruff, he of former Buffalo Sabres fame, acquired or more likely, gambled on acquiring former Bruin youngster Tyler Seguin, a gamble by the way, that has paid of in spades. Teaming him with Jamie Benn, and revampling the Dallas roster by adding speed to the mix, Dallas fans had themselves a legitimate playoff-bound team to cheer for. Goaltender Ken Lehtonen is fine if not spectacular.
So there you have it: speed and skill versus big shooters and all around playmaking. Which will win? Who will outlast whom? Will Anaheim's Bruce Boudreau outcoach Dallas' Lindy Ruff?
Watch the series to find out.
Sporting the absolute best offence in the NHL by the likes of Getzlaf, Perry, Cogliano, Bonino, including the "Fininish Flash" himself Teemu Selanne, and a comparably sound defence by the likes of Beauchemin, Robidas, and backed up by equally sound netminding to the likes of Hiller and Anderson, what, pray tell me, is wrong with the Ducks, if any? Absolutely n-o-t-h-i-n-g the matter. They are the art of perfection beautified.
And what of the Stars? It has been seven years that the Dallas Stars last played in an NHL playoff series. The Stars' management set out to change all of that as they introduced a new coach, the qualified Lindy Ruff, he of former Buffalo Sabres fame, acquired or more likely, gambled on acquiring former Bruin youngster Tyler Seguin, a gamble by the way, that has paid of in spades. Teaming him with Jamie Benn, and revampling the Dallas roster by adding speed to the mix, Dallas fans had themselves a legitimate playoff-bound team to cheer for. Goaltender Ken Lehtonen is fine if not spectacular.
So there you have it: speed and skill versus big shooters and all around playmaking. Which will win? Who will outlast whom? Will Anaheim's Bruce Boudreau outcoach Dallas' Lindy Ruff?
Watch the series to find out.
hockeyfan1
New member
San Jose vs Los Angeles
These two teams might as well be singing "California, here we come!" as in
adversaries on the California rivalry hockey stage. (Sorry, Anaheim, not to be outdone).
Both teams are described as having depth, lots of it.
The Los Angeles Kings, for starters, sport one of the better goaltenders in the NHL, American-born Jonathan Quick (and my, isn't he Quick!), plus one of the best if not the best two-way defenceman in Canadiian double Olympic gold medallist Drew Doughty, and a very astute Anze Kopitar, a coach in Darryl Sutter who guided the Kings to their first ever Stanley Cup in 2012 while incorporating a good hockey system that still stands, with an emphasis on the hitting game, and the Kings may very well challenge for a Stanley Cup ring again. That is if they can get past the salivating Sharks...
...who too sport some of the best the league has to offer. Experienced veterans in Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau give the team presence up front, add in Logan Couture, while the young rookie phenom Thomas Hertl performs his offensive histrionics. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Dan Boyle and Brent Burns (who can also alternate on the forward line) provide several levels of defence capable of giving any team nightmares. Round it out with Niemi in goal and long-standing coach Todd McLellan who has managed to guide them well once again, and it's easy to see why San Jose won't make for an easy out.
We can honestly say "California, here's looking at you!" Puck drop!
These two teams might as well be singing "California, here we come!" as in
adversaries on the California rivalry hockey stage. (Sorry, Anaheim, not to be outdone).
Both teams are described as having depth, lots of it.
The Los Angeles Kings, for starters, sport one of the better goaltenders in the NHL, American-born Jonathan Quick (and my, isn't he Quick!), plus one of the best if not the best two-way defenceman in Canadiian double Olympic gold medallist Drew Doughty, and a very astute Anze Kopitar, a coach in Darryl Sutter who guided the Kings to their first ever Stanley Cup in 2012 while incorporating a good hockey system that still stands, with an emphasis on the hitting game, and the Kings may very well challenge for a Stanley Cup ring again. That is if they can get past the salivating Sharks...
...who too sport some of the best the league has to offer. Experienced veterans in Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau give the team presence up front, add in Logan Couture, while the young rookie phenom Thomas Hertl performs his offensive histrionics. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Dan Boyle and Brent Burns (who can also alternate on the forward line) provide several levels of defence capable of giving any team nightmares. Round it out with Niemi in goal and long-standing coach Todd McLellan who has managed to guide them well once again, and it's easy to see why San Jose won't make for an easy out.
We can honestly say "California, here's looking at you!" Puck drop!
J
Jalili
Guest
Peter D. said:
I wouldn't sweat it. I really don't think our guys would have what it takes to compete in these playoffs anyway.
bustaheims
Active member
Peter D. said:Yeah, I was thinking that exact thing while watching these games.
Oh, it would have been an embarrassment of epic proportions. Possibly worse than how their season actually played out.
Redleaf
Active member
It would have been an embarrassment had they continued to play the way they finished the season. There was no relief in sight for them either with Bernier out for the rest of the year.
All and all, I'm ok with how it worked out. An off season of necessary upgrades and improvements, a much needed change in direction with the Shanahan hire + a high draft pick is better than seeing them lose out quickly in the playoffs.
I think part of the problem last year was that management read into and reacted way too much to the playoff performance and the game 7 meltdown, and decided that they only needed a few pieces to beat the Bruins next time. The piece they brought in (Clarkson) has actually hampered this team more than anything else. The other piece (Bernier) was a good move though.
Just a guess of course, but had they missed the playoffs last year, I don't think they would have gone after Clarkson or Bolland. The playoff berth rushed along Nonis's plan a bit faster than it should have.
All and all, I'm ok with how it worked out. An off season of necessary upgrades and improvements, a much needed change in direction with the Shanahan hire + a high draft pick is better than seeing them lose out quickly in the playoffs.
I think part of the problem last year was that management read into and reacted way too much to the playoff performance and the game 7 meltdown, and decided that they only needed a few pieces to beat the Bruins next time. The piece they brought in (Clarkson) has actually hampered this team more than anything else. The other piece (Bernier) was a good move though.
Just a guess of course, but had they missed the playoffs last year, I don't think they would have gone after Clarkson or Bolland. The playoff berth rushed along Nonis's plan a bit faster than it should have.