Why arent we talking any hockey?

[The Ancient Enemy]

One of the biggest upsets in hockey history as the Canadiens defeat the Crapitals. That game was awesome. That rebound goal by Moore to put the Habs up 2-0 was amazing. And the last minute was very intense. Jaroslav Halak is the greatest Slovak since TAE!

Pens - Canadiens Friday, and I am slightly concerned. Either the Habs go in there on a roll and get it done, or else they have expended all their energy and the Pens crush them in this series. I would not be opposed to seeing Montreal or Vancouver win this cup, though.

I think Pittsburgh has the defense to REALLY hurt Montreal. They were outshot a million to one in this series, and that's not just bc of Washington's offense, its bc Montreal doesnt have enough offense to produce shots. I really do not think there's a team in the East that can beat Pittsburgh 4 times, and I think Pittsburgh is the most complete team. I am expecting even LESS shots on goal for the Habs in this series, and I think Pittsburgh has enough playoff experience to potentially end this in 5 or 6.

That Philly / Boston series is an afterthought. Boston sucks and I think Philly is not far behind.

In the West, Detroit is once again the team to beat. They just know how to get it done in the playoffs, and as shaky as San Jose looked, I dont have much faith in that squad.

Its now or never for the Sharks though, bc from everything I have heard, they are going to lose Nabokov and Marleau to free agency.

Vancouver and Chicago should be a strong series, probably the best series of all the 2nd round games.

[ham55]

I really think the way the Pens grind it out in the offensive end is going to have a major effect on the way the Canadians play. They were just through one of the toughest situations you could ever think of in the playoffs and as a reward get the defending Stanley Cup champion in the Pens. The Canadians played a short bench for the last 3 games of that Caps series and if not for stellar goal tending they should have been defeated. I think(maybe hope) that the Pens are more of a team than what they Caps are and the way they play together will lead them over the Canadians in 5. If Halak stays this hot, who knows? He's played two of the greatest games in net that I can remember seeing. I guess we'll see if he has the ability to do it 4 more times for the Habs.

I seriously think we're going to see Pittsburgh vs. Detroit again in the Finals.

[abpk2903]

The Pens gotta come out with some intensity in game 1. They will have about a week rest and you know the Habs will have a jump in their step early. The Habs only rotating 4 defensemen in the final period tonight was a move just to get past the Capitals. They will be dragging in game 1 and I wouldn't be surprised if they put some fresh legs in the lineup. If the Pens win game one, this will be over in four. It will take no more than 5.

Montreal has had the best special teams this year. That is what won them the series. Holding the Caps to 1 for 30+ on the power play was one of the better defense performances of late in the NHL. It is going to be important for the Penguins to play as much 5 on 5 hockey as possible in this series.

Ovechkin's problem in a situation like this is the only way he can create offense for his team is by scoring himself. There is a defenseman on you like a blanket, why not run a center drive play with Backstrom? The Habs knew he was going to shoot every time he had the puck down the stretch and they just had Hall Gill or Josh Georges all over him.

[Coach]

ESPN needs hockey back... The NHL (although we have a new view as the Pens have been great for two years), has its new faces of hockey in Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, etc... and VS doesn't reach enough people.

[The Ancient Enemy]

If Comcast takes off the way they are trying to take off, maybe the NHL can get on there and they won't need ESPN or Versus.

I'm a little surprised that San Jose won, but then again, I'm not. Detroit came off a 7 game series 2 days ago and still almost won that dang game. I think Detroit will win this. It might take 6 or 7, but I do think Detroit beats San Jose.

[Crimson09Crazy]

Vancouver vs. Pittsburgh Stanley Cup. write it down now.

[retro1530]

I think it'll be Chicago/Pittsburgh.

Hossa loses for the third straight time in the finals. :lol:

[ham55]

Would there be anything better than that? No. No there would not.

[WALTER4]

Here's my breakdown: starting with the west because the west will take the cup back.

SJ vs Detroit:
It's time for the sharks to take their yearly crap, they're loaded with talent but can't finish when they need to. But they finally got over that round one hump and in interesting fashion by falling behind 2-1 to the 8th seed but finally then waking up and coming back to win 3 straight. Detroit is Detroit, they just win, never impressively but this year they came in the 5 seed because of rookie goaltender Jimmy Howard. They don't have any great players imho, but they are loaded with good players who are the best at 2 way play in the NHL. You can never count them out in any series and I say even with a game 1 loss they win the series in 6.

Vancouver vs Chicago:
Easily the most interesting match up in the second round, 2 high powered offensive teams the Canucks have the better goaltender, but chicago has more depth throughout the line up. Hard to pick a winner of this series but I think even with 2 high powered offense its the team who plays the best defense that comes out the winner. Don't be suprised to see one game end 8-6 and turn around and have the next game go 2-1. In this case i can see either team winning but I'll take Chicago's defense to be able to hold off the Sedin's and Sameulsson long enough for Toews, Hossa, and Kane to get into the head of Luongo. Gimme Hawks in 7

Detroit vs Chicago
I don't really want to get into too much depth so I'll say the younger hawks have something to prove and want vengence from last year's conference finals. Hawks in 6.

Now, on the the turds of the playoffs:

Pittsburgh vs Montreal:
Montreal shocked the hockey world with their upset of Washington. How'd they do it? Shut down 2 offensive players Ovenchicken and Backstrom, that's all it takes yet no team seemed to figure it out in the regular season. The habs don't have great scoring (lets be honest they really don't even have good scoring) but they seem to be able to win close games thanks to Halak. Varlamov was one of the most overrated players in the playoffs last year because he was able to shut down the Rangers who couldn't score a goal on a midget and his "skill" was shown by giving up goals to the Habs.
Pittsburgh by default has become the East favorites again they beat the teams they should and suck against good teams. Luckily for them the caps and devils made early exits from the playoffs. They obviously have the best offensive team in the east now and one of the better defenses. The problem comes down to Fleury and the thing between his ears, when it's on he's amazing, when it's off he smells worse than a hog farm on a warm day. Still the pens should pull out this series in 5, or 6 at the most.

Philly vs Boston:
The worst playoff series I've ever seen. No excitement, no big names, hardly any offense, and shoddy defense. The one bright spot its Tuuka Rask a goalie who should have been the top canidate for the Calder trophy and one of the top for the Vezina. On the otherside is perennial back up Brian Bucher who's played well, but like Varlamov played against one of the worst offensive teams in the league. I want to see Philly win this series just so the pens can take them out of the playoffs 3 years in a row but I see Boston in 6.

East Final:
Again not too much in depth but the Cooke vs The Bruins nation matchup should be interesting. The pens have found ways to score against Rask, and the B's haven't really figured out how to tickle the twine against any team this year and i don't see it happening against the pens. Call me a homer but i'll take the Pens in 5

[WALTER4]

Would there be anything better than that? No. No there would not.

the only thing better would be destroying Philly in the east finals to knock them out for the 3rd straight year before denying hossa the cup again. How do you spell Karma hoss?