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Canucks in 4 over the Kings
I can't see LA taking one game. They might get one if Luongo gets shaky in that game.
Sharks in 7 over the Blues
Hard fought series but I think the Sharks will come on top mainly because of their playoff experience and that they underperformed this season and I think they'll wake up during the playoffs. On the other hand, if Halak can repeat what he did with habs, maybe the Blues can quickly end it even if they lack the offensive production.
Coyotes in 6 over the Blackhawks
This choice is biased since I'm a fan of the Coyotes but I think they can do it depending on Smith's performance. They also have a certain wizard who can make them win in unlikely situations. Vrbata will also have to be strong and their defensive end will need to shutdown the likes of Kane, Toews, Hossa and Sharp as well as helping the team offensively. Crawford is also a question mark but I don't think he'll look that bad considering he did well against the Canucks last year.
Red Wings in 6 over the Predators
Even if I take the Wings in 6, I think the Predators will give the hell of a fight each game and I think there will be many 1 goal games. I'm also a big Red Wings fan so there is a little bias in it but I know that if they can get their game going, they are hard to stop and with all their playoff experience, I'm sure they can do it.
Rangers in 6 over the Senators
I don't like the Rangers because I think they are overrated and I also think that Marian Gaborik will not be a factor but I think the Senators are worst so that's why I'm taking the Rangers in 6 anyway.
Bruins in 6 over the Capitals
I hate both teams but I'm not blind and I know how to give credit where it's due and I think Boston will be too good for the Capitals. I don't think the Capitals have what it takes. Tim Thomas will be the question mark but I think he'll be able to face the challenge as he did last year.
Devils in 6 over the Panthers
I don't really know both teams but what I know is that the Devils have Martin Brodeur who can be excellent.
Penguins in 5 over the Flyers
I would really like to see the Flyers beating the Penguins but I don't think they'll even come close. Losing Briere(their best player statistically coming playoff time) and looking at the healthy Penguins roster, it'll be way too much for the Flyers. The factor here will be if Giroux can up his game by a LOT, if he can, then maybe the Flyers will be able to upset but their goaltenders needs to be decent too because the offensive talent in Pittsburgh is too high.
Happy playoffs everyone. Go Wings Go. Go Coyotes Go.
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New York > Ottawa in 6
Rangers are just a better team and I'm not convinced the Sens offense can keep scoring versus one of the best defensive teams in the league with Lundqvist in net.
Boston > Washington in 5
Washington has been streaky all year and shaky defense and goaltending vs one of the best offenses in the league? On top of that I think the Bruins are going to elevate in the playoffs much like last year.
New Jersey > Florida in 5
Nothing impresses me about the Panthers. Congrats for making the playoffs.
Philadelphia > Pittsburgh in 7
Homer pick. Won't surprise me if the Pens win but I hate them almost as much as I love the Flyers. When Pronger got injured early in the year I wrote this year off because he's that important to the team especially come playoff time. Since new years and specifically post all star break Bryzgalov has been good and the additions of Kubina and especially Grossmann (I'm so glad they signed him) has helped a lot. This series is gonna be awesome either way but I really hope Flyers can get it done.
Vancouver > LA in 6
Quick is gonna be stud but it won't be enough. Vancouver has elevated their game in every "important" game in the regular season, Playoffs should be no different. LA has been pretty good since the Carter trade though and I can see them taking a game or 2.
St. Louis > San Jose in 6
I'm not so sure about this pick because I don't know how the Blues are going to play come playoffs especially since they came in losing quite a few games. I don't think the Blues will go far though, they just don't have the offense.
Phoenix > Chicago in 7
This kinda depends on if/when Toews comes back but I think the Phoenix's better goaltending will be the difference.
Nashville > Detroit in 7
Nashville kinda scares me. Spread out scoring and Radulov coming back with a good defense and world class goalie? Detroit coming in with quite a few losses lately but they're Detroit so they'll force it to 7 anyway.
Good luck to everyone in the playoffs!
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On April 10 2012 02:30 Kralic wrote:
There is no favourite, Bettman knows and will not tell, the analysts know a little bit, but they do not know the ultimate decision. The favourite would probably be Seattle over Quebec in this case. I picked my favourite, now I don't really care to have to explain anything on my choice because I do not care.
Seattle has no arena, no owner and no fans.
The Key Arena can not house NHL Hockey. The scoreboard hangs over 1 of the nets and 4,000 of the seats are obstructed view for hockey. The thunderbirds know this already.
407 million reasons why Quebec City is not only the favourite but its already been decided.
7 million in "emergency renovations" to the Colisee and then its replaced in 3 years by a new 400 million dollar hockey arena.
there is only 1 reason a canadian city of 700,000 will have a 400 million dollar hockey arena.
because the NHL is arriving in short order.
the Ramparts are the best draw in the QMJHL and this is the fan base of the team that is moving to Quebec City.
The "analysts" who work for the 2 media companies that owns 60% of the Maple Leafs say Quebec City is a lock.
Quebec City over Seattle by a large large margin. All these Quebec bureaucrats and politicians and the new French language sports network ATV are all spending an amount of time on all these issues commensurate with the arrival of an NHL hockey team. Nothing of substance is happening in Seattle except caveat filled "visions". No construction schedule at all.
If Vancouver is eliminated from the playoffs this year will there be another riot?
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I think you are under-estimating Bettmans insistance on making hockey more popular in the USA.
Seattle does have a owner BTW. Chicago Wolves owner Don Levin wants to own the team.
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On April 10 2012 08:15 JimmyJRaynor wrote:Show nested quote +On April 10 2012 02:30 Kralic wrote:
There is no favourite, Bettman knows and will not tell, the analysts know a little bit, but they do not know the ultimate decision. The favourite would probably be Seattle over Quebec in this case. I picked my favourite, now I don't really care to have to explain anything on my choice because I do not care. Seattle has no arena, no owner and no fans. The Key Arena can not house NHL Hockey. The scoreboard hangs over 1 of the nets and 4,000 of the seats are obstructed view for hockey. The thunderbirds know this already. 407 million reasons why Quebec City is not only the favourite but its already been decided. 7 million in "emergency renovations" to the Colisee and then its replaced in 3 years by a new 400 million dollar hockey arena. there is only 1 reason a canadian city of 700,000 will have a 400 million dollar hockey arena. because the NHL is arriving in short order. the Ramparts are the best draw in the QMJHL and this is the fan base of the team that is moving to Quebec City. The "analysts" who work for the 2 media companies that owns 60% of the Maple Leafs say Quebec City is a lock. Quebec City over Seattle by a large large margin. All these Quebec bureaucrats and politicians and the new French language sports network ATV are all spending an amount of time on all these issues commensurate with the arrival of an NHL hockey team. Nothing of substance is happening in Seattle except caveat filled "visions". No construction schedule at all. If Vancouver is eliminated from the playoffs this year will there be another riot?
I don't think so. The city is taking extreme precautions to avoid another 2011 playoff riot. It bugs me that the 16-20 yr old kids took the moment of losing in the playoffs to start the riot and from there it was just a hivemind doing the rest. It wasn't Canuck fans that started it but its the Canuck fans that are going to pay the price this year in the playoffs. They are not going to allow large audiences during the stanley cup finals to gather (I don't know about the other series). Pubs are most likely going to be given strict rules about consumption during the playoffs, same with liquor stores.
West: If the Canucks don't make it to the finals, I feel Nasville is going to take it. Blues will be out second round. I can't see Chicago making a run with their goalie.
East: I'm gonna have to take Pits to make it to the finals BUT if philly plays the dirty game and goes out to hurt them... Pits might fall a part later on. I've got a bad feeling about the rangers and at best they make it to the Eastern conf finals but not the stanley cup.
First idea: Van beats Pits game 6 to the cup
Second: Pits beats Nas game 5
Wild Card pick Third: Nas beats New Jersey in 7
EDIT: These are thoughts from a nucks fan... fyi
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On April 10 2012 05:41 Essbee wrote:
Penguins in 5 over the Flyers
Losing Briere(their best player statistically coming playoff time)
Briere their best player? Uhhh.. Giroux? Not to mention the other 5 or 6 players they have who are better, lmao...
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As a Vancouver fan, I'm worried about the kings. Since the all star break, the two teams have had equal goals for, goals against, and PK. LA has had a significantly better PP. Daniel Sedin has a concussion and Kesler isn't the same superhero he was before hip surgery. Will be a close one!
PS. ii.blitzkrieg I liked the thinking behind your predictions sir! If you're a flyers fan, I wonder are you worried about Bryzgalov's history of flaking out in the playoffs?
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On April 10 2012 09:37 EPO wrote:Show nested quote +On April 10 2012 05:41 Essbee wrote:
Penguins in 5 over the Flyers
Losing Briere(their best player statistically coming playoff time) Briere their best player? Uhhh.. Giroux? Not to mention the other 5 or 6 players they have who are better, lmao...
I think you should check your facts, Briere has many points in playoffs. I know their best player is Giroux but that wasn't the point at all...
Losing Briere will hurt them a ton...
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On April 10 2012 10:00 a-game wrote:
As a Vancouver fan, I'm worried about the kings. Since the all star break, the two teams have had equal goals for, goals against, and PK. LA has had a significantly better PP. Daniel Sedin has a concussion and Kesler isn't the same superhero he was before hip surgery. Will be a close one!
Johnathan Quick is also very capable of stealing the whole serise. He can beat Lou in the goalie duels
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The lack of Boston fans on this thread makes me sad. #2 seed in the east and zero people pick them to do any better then beating the Caps. I'm all alone. 
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On April 10 2012 10:20 Zdrastochye wrote:The lack of Boston fans on this thread makes me sad. #2 seed in the east and zero people pick them to do any better then beating the Caps. I'm all alone.
I just fucking hate boston and their shitty way of playing. (Total canuck bias) I understand that they are extremely strong and have a high chance of a repeat but I really really hope they don't. Pretty much the same thing going for them like last year. Amazing first and second goalies, toughness with a scoring touch, plus they have strong set of core defencemen. Only thing different is the other Eastern teams are stronger this year than last year.
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Will be interesting to see Crosby's pens vs the Bruins if it comes to that
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This is why I read these forums because they give me a hilarious lol insight into the minds of some people. The polls are laughably biased with most people not even looking at them or voting. And by biased I mean the only people voting are people voting for favourite teams are teams based on seeding not logic or head to head match up. As far personal picks I have read. Three things jump off the page at me.
1) The Ottawa Senators losing to the New York Rangers - being a fan of the sens it will be somewhat biased and maybe be taken with a grain of salt, however, from what I have watched they purposely tanked the end of year to just to get this match up to avoid the Bruins, simply because they match up better and are somehow far superior to the Rangers. Not even just this season, but for the last few years the Senators have dominated the Rangers, and lets face it the Rangers are genuine CHOKE ARTISTS, they only team they have managed to beat in the play-offs in the last couple years to my memory is the Atlanta Thrashers. Sens in 6 ( and that is giving the Rangers too much credit )
2) The Vancouver Canucks are the most OVERHYPED team in the NHL. Being regular season giants means absolutely nothing. They even managed to make themselves worse by picking up Kassian for Hodgson. The Kings gave them a struggle last time they played winning in 6 games, I expect nothing less this time around since the Kings have gotten much stronger since the last encounter 2 years ago. Vancouver will most likely manage to take this series barring some awkward OT losses, but it will take so much out of them any team they play in the 2nd round will crush them into the ground, they are skilled enough, but not strong enough. Vancouver in 7, but all for not cause they won't make it out of round2.
3) The most hilarious thing I seen in this thread is the notion that the Phoenix Coyotes a team not won't exist in Arizona within the next 3 years will somehow manage to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Even without Toews this series is a complete joke, the Coyotes come from the ill-talented, toss up division that is the Pacific. The whole division is a joke, and is why the current play-off format off 1-2-3 division leaders should not be on the table. Every season series from that inter-division play was just tossing around points to bad teams who do not belong. Chicago will laugh their way through this series with ease, use your head people Phoenix is a shit team in a shit division. Chicago in 5 ( and Phoenix only gets a win because Brent Seabrook thinks there won't be any sweeps in the first round )
Side note - I notice alot of people quoting Phoenix's goaltending is better, but truthfully also not true, Crawford is better than Smith, and worse comes to worse they have a back-up goalie who has been to the Stanley Cup Finals in Ray Emery, and he could easily step up and take over when needed.
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On April 10 2012 11:30 Shelke14 wrote:Show nested quote +On April 10 2012 10:20 Zdrastochye wrote:The lack of Boston fans on this thread makes me sad. #2 seed in the east and zero people pick them to do any better then beating the Caps. I'm all alone. I just fucking hate boston and their shitty way of playing. (Total canuck bias) I understand that they are extremely strong and have a high chance of a repeat but I really really hope they don't. Pretty much the same thing going for them like last year. Amazing first and second goalies, toughness with a scoring touch, plus they have strong set of core defencemen. Only thing different is the other Eastern teams are stronger this year than last year.
Yes, it's just your Canuck bias. You got to be able to bang bro. That's what it's all about.
I cannot wait to get this shit started.
On April 10 2012 12:41 yurta wrote:
This is why I read these forums because they give me a hilarious lol insight into the minds of some people. The polls are laughably biased with most people not even looking at them or voting. And by biased I mean the only people voting are people voting for favourite teams are teams based on seeding not logic or head to head match up. As far personal picks I have read. Three things jump off the page at me.
1) The Ottawa Senators losing to the New York Rangers - being a fan of the sens it will be somewhat biased and maybe be taken with a grain of salt, however, from what I have watched they purposely tanked the end of year to just to get this match up to avoid the Bruins, simply because they match up better and are somehow far superior to the Rangers. Not even just this season, but for the last few years the Senators have dominated the Rangers, and lets face it the Rangers are genuine CHOKE ARTISTS, they only team they have managed to beat in the play-offs in the last couple years to my memory is the Atlanta Thrashers. Sens in 6 ( and that is giving the Rangers too much credit )
2) The Vancouver Canucks are the most OVERHYPED team in the NHL. Being regular season giants means absolutely nothing. They even managed to make themselves worse by picking up Kassian for Hodgson. The Kings gave them a struggle last time they played winning in 6 games, I expect nothing less this time around since the Kings have gotten much stronger since the last encounter 2 years ago. Vancouver will most likely manage to take this series barring some awkward OT losses, but it will take so much out of them any team they play in the 2nd round will crush them into the ground, they are skilled enough, but not strong enough. Vancouver in 7, but all for not cause they won't make it out of round2.
3) The most hilarious thing I seen in this thread is the notion that the Phoenix Coyotes a team not won't exist in Arizona within the next 3 years will somehow manage to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Even without Toews this series is a complete joke, the Coyotes come from the ill-talented, toss up division that is the Pacific. The whole division is a joke, and is why the current play-off format off 1-2-3 division leaders should not be on the table. Every season series from that inter-division play was just tossing around points to bad teams who do not belong. Chicago will laugh their way through this series with ease, use your head people Phoenix is a shit team in a shit division. Chicago in 5 ( and Phoenix only gets a win because Brent Seabrook thinks there won't be any sweeps in the first round )
Side note - I notice alot of people quoting Phoenix's goaltending is better, but truthfully also not true, Crawford is better than Smith, and worse comes to worse they have a back-up goalie who has been to the Stanley Cup Finals in Ray Emery, and he could easily step up and take over when needed.
Your post isn't any better. Sorry bud, come off your high horse. You call other people bias yet look at what you just said. Derpa-derpa-do-day.
._.
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On April 10 2012 12:41 yurta wrote:
This is why I read these forums because they give me a hilarious lol insight into the minds of some people. The polls are laughably biased with most people not even looking at them or voting. And by biased I mean the only people voting are people voting for favourite teams are teams based on seeding not logic or head to head match up. As far personal picks I have read. Three things jump off the page at me.
1) The Ottawa Senators losing to the New York Rangers - being a fan of the sens it will be somewhat biased and maybe be taken with a grain of salt, however, from what I have watched they purposely tanked the end of year to just to get this match up to avoid the Bruins, simply because they match up better and are somehow far superior to the Rangers. Not even just this season, but for the last few years the Senators have dominated the Rangers, and lets face it the Rangers are genuine CHOKE ARTISTS, they only team they have managed to beat in the play-offs in the last couple years to my memory is the Atlanta Thrashers. Sens in 6 ( and that is giving the Rangers too much credit ).
No point reading past here. Your blatenly biased too. Not even a shred of credit is given to the rangers vesina canditate goalie. I agree ALOT of people are underestimating the sens and I belive the Sens winning might not even classify as an upset given the season set they played but NYR is not at the top of the east cause they suck and are chock artists.
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On April 10 2012 12:41 yurta wrote:
This is why I read these forums because they give me a hilarious lol insight into the minds of some people. The polls are laughably biased with most people not even looking at them or voting. And by biased I mean the only people voting are people voting for favourite teams are teams based on seeding not logic or head to head match up. As far personal picks I have read. Three things jump off the page at me.
1) The Ottawa Senators losing to the New York Rangers - being a fan of the sens it will be somewhat biased and maybe be taken with a grain of salt, however, from what I have watched they purposely tanked the end of year to just to get this match up to avoid the Bruins, simply because they match up better and are somehow far superior to the Rangers. Not even just this season, but for the last few years the Senators have dominated the Rangers, and lets face it the Rangers are genuine CHOKE ARTISTS, they only team they have managed to beat in the play-offs in the last couple years to my memory is the Atlanta Thrashers. Sens in 6 ( and that is giving the Rangers too much credit )
2) The Vancouver Canucks are the most OVERHYPED team in the NHL. Being regular season giants means absolutely nothing. They even managed to make themselves worse by picking up Kassian for Hodgson. The Kings gave them a struggle last time they played winning in 6 games, I expect nothing less this time around since the Kings have gotten much stronger since the last encounter 2 years ago. Vancouver will most likely manage to take this series barring some awkward OT losses, but it will take so much out of them any team they play in the 2nd round will crush them into the ground, they are skilled enough, but not strong enough. Vancouver in 7, but all for not cause they won't make it out of round2.
3) The most hilarious thing I seen in this thread is the notion that the Phoenix Coyotes a team not won't exist in Arizona within the next 3 years will somehow manage to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Even without Toews this series is a complete joke, the Coyotes come from the ill-talented, toss up division that is the Pacific. The whole division is a joke, and is why the current play-off format off 1-2-3 division leaders should not be on the table. Every season series from that inter-division play was just tossing around points to bad teams who do not belong. Chicago will laugh their way through this series with ease, use your head people Phoenix is a shit team in a shit division. Chicago in 5 ( and Phoenix only gets a win because Brent Seabrook thinks there won't be any sweeps in the first round )
Side note - I notice alot of people quoting Phoenix's goaltending is better, but truthfully also not true, Crawford is better than Smith, and worse comes to worse they have a back-up goalie who has been to the Stanley Cup Finals in Ray Emery, and he could easily step up and take over when needed.
In playoff hockey anything can happen.
And lol at Crawford being better than Smith. Clearly you haven't watched any Coyotes game this season. Smith is in the run to win the Vezina. Yes Chicago may have a better team but the Coyotes will play their usual hard working type of game and will do everything to get to that second round.
You can't laugh at predictions since EVERY YEAR has surprises and upsets. How many times do these hockey "experts" get all their predictions right? Probably never so that speaks a lot. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. That's why the playoffs are amazing, all the stats means nothing there.
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It's okay. We know he's a hypocrite. o;
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NYR>OTT in 6: Ottawa is just really outclassed in this match up, and their one strength goes against the Rangers' biggests strength. The Rangers issues with scoring at times will probably lose them a game or two, but they should have this pretty wrapped up by game four.
BOS>WAS in 5: The Capitals have looked like ass most of the season, Hunter was far better at elbowing unsuspecting victims than he is as a coach. Plus, they're down to their back up goalies
FLA<NJD in 6: Another match up where one team is pretty thoroughly outclassed. However, the Devs have the potential to lose a game or two in stupid fashion, so I just picked six.
PITT<PHI in 7: Just a gut feeling, and this really can go either way. I just think that Philly has better offensive depth all around, and is more physical, while Pitt boasts two of the top players in the league, and a better and deeper D. I think they also have the goaltending edge as far as this season is concerned, but if Bryz plays like he did at the tail end of the season, he will be the difference.
VAN<LAK in 7: I think LA is deceptively talented. They've got more than enough skill and grit to run with Vancouver as far as skaters, even if those skaters did shit in the regular season. Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Gagne, Brown... that's a lot of talent that has the potential to heat up at any time, and a lot of those guys have playoff experience. Quick has also been amazing this year, and I think he really turns it up in the playoffs. Vancouver demonstrated last year that they have the ability to really shit the bed at bad times despite being really good, and I think being down one sedin will really hurt, especially since they forfeited secondary scoring in trading away Hodgson.
STL>SJ in 5: The Blues have been amazing since Hitch came on and I don't see that changing. Great defensively, great goaltending, even from Brian Fucking Elliot, lots of talented forwards who can play physically. This team, along with the Rangers, are very, very similar to the Bruins club that won last year, and both will be going far.
PHO<CHI in 6: I think Tippet is a great coach with a great system and gets a lot out of what isn't a whole lot talent wise, but Chicago is just a better team all around.
NAS>DET in 6: This could easily go 7, but I think this is the year Nashville really makes a push. I think that is a great team from top to bottom, and Radulov might just be what pushes them over the top.
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On April 10 2012 12:41 yurta wrote:
This is why I read these forums because they give me a hilarious lol insight into the minds of some people. The polls are laughably biased with most people not even looking at them or voting. And by biased I mean the only people voting are people voting for favourite teams are teams based on seeding not logic or head to head match up. As far personal picks I have read. Three things jump off the page at me.
1) The Ottawa Senators losing to the New York Rangers - being a fan of the sens it will be somewhat biased and maybe be taken with a grain of salt, however, from what I have watched they purposely tanked the end of year to just to get this match up to avoid the Bruins, simply because they match up better and are somehow far superior to the Rangers. Not even just this season, but for the last few years the Senators have dominated the Rangers, and lets face it the Rangers are genuine CHOKE ARTISTS, they only team they have managed to beat in the play-offs in the last couple years to my memory is the Atlanta Thrashers. Sens in 6 ( and that is giving the Rangers too much credit )
2) The Vancouver Canucks are the most OVERHYPED team in the NHL. Being regular season giants means absolutely nothing. They even managed to make themselves worse by picking up Kassian for Hodgson. The Kings gave them a struggle last time they played winning in 6 games, I expect nothing less this time around since the Kings have gotten much stronger since the last encounter 2 years ago. Vancouver will most likely manage to take this series barring some awkward OT losses, but it will take so much out of them any team they play in the 2nd round will crush them into the ground, they are skilled enough, but not strong enough. Vancouver in 7, but all for not cause they won't make it out of round2.
3) The most hilarious thing I seen in this thread is the notion that the Phoenix Coyotes a team not won't exist in Arizona within the next 3 years will somehow manage to beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Even without Toews this series is a complete joke, the Coyotes come from the ill-talented, toss up division that is the Pacific. The whole division is a joke, and is why the current play-off format off 1-2-3 division leaders should not be on the table. Every season series from that inter-division play was just tossing around points to bad teams who do not belong. Chicago will laugh their way through this series with ease, use your head people Phoenix is a shit team in a shit division. Chicago in 5 ( and Phoenix only gets a win because Brent Seabrook thinks there won't be any sweeps in the first round )
Side note - I notice alot of people quoting Phoenix's goaltending is better, but truthfully also not true, Crawford is better than Smith, and worse comes to worse they have a back-up goalie who has been to the Stanley Cup Finals in Ray Emery, and he could easily step up and take over when needed.
So basically, "Hahaha, your foolish and biased viewpoints amuse me. In response, let me make my point by prefacing with how biased I am."
P.S. Vancouver made it to game 7 of the finals last year. They're almost the same team now. Wow, how overhyped.
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NYR in 6 NYR --- Ottawa
Boston in 5 Boston --- Washington
New Jersey in 5 Florida --- New Jersey
Pittsburgh in 7 Pittsburgh --- Philadelphia
Vancouver in 6 Vancouver --- Los Angeles
San Jose in 7 St. Louis --- San Jose
Chicago in 5 Phoenix --- Chicago
Detroit in 7 Nashville --- Detroit
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EPT
