NHL 2010-2011 Season Thread

[ElCapichan]

I know, I was just messing with you. I just have a good feeling about the Preds this year.

[Changeling]

Prediction:

There has to be an upset somewhere in here....

Eastern Conference:

Caps vs Rags: Rags in 7. Caps have no heart. Zero grit. Henrik will stonewall them.

Flies vs Sabres: Flies in a sweep. Miller is shakey and they really don't have the firepower to challege Bobo into making any serious mistakes.

Bruins vs Habs: Bruins but in a tight match. Thomas vs Price. I always bet on the vet.

Pens vs Lightning: Pens in 6. This should be easier than it'll be. Our PP is the sticking point. Tampa would be scarier if they had D and someone decent in goal. our defense will be the difference maker.

Western Conference:

Canucks vs Blackhawks: Something feels weird here. Hawks in 7. Even with Crawford in net, I still feel that the Canucks are gonna choke in this series, esp Luongo.

Sharks vs Kings: Sharks with only a couple speedbumps from Quick. no Kopitar or Williams? Early exit... (Im still bitter about the Kopitar injury costing me the final)

Red Wings vs Coyotes: The wings are too old. Bottom line. 'Yotes in 7.

Ducks vs Predators: Tough one. I say Anaheim's depth overwhelm the Preds D and the Ducks win it in 6.

[FakePlasticTree]

I was surprised to see Dallas lose, but I'm glad Chicago at least gets the chance to defend their title.

My picks for the first round:
East:
WAS/NYR - WAS in 5
PHI/BUF - PHI in 7
BOS/MTL - BOS in 7
PIT/TB - PIT in 6

West:
VAN/CHI - VAN in 5
SJ/LA - LA in 7
DET/PHX - DET in 4
ANA/NAS - NAS in 7

[haohmaru]

WOW. Washington in FIVE? Detroit in FOUR? That's pretty bold.

[jyoung]

The one x-factor in the Nashville/Anaheim series is that the Ducks' goalie, Jonas Hiller, is still dealing with vertigo and hasn't played much since the All-Star break. Last time Hiller played was actually against Nashville, and he got pulled after letting in 3 first period goals.

Anaheim's backup goalie, Dan Ellis, was also the Predators' starting goalie last season before Pekka Rinne became the #1 and ultimately TOOK ER DOOB in the off-season.

Intrigue!

[FakePlasticTree]

WOW. Washington in FIVE? Detroit in FOUR? That's pretty bold.

I don't think the Rangers D is good enough to fend off Ovechkin and co.

And I think Phoenix is just too young and inexperienced to compete against Detroit's playoff veterans.

[haohmaru]

I don't think the Rangers D is good enough to fend off Ovechkin and co.

The Rangers were 3-1 this year against the Caps and outscored them 16-6 in the process. I think they'll win more than a game.

And I think Phoenix is just too young and inexperienced to compete against Detroit's playoff veterans.

No Zetterberg (to start) and Jimmy Howard in goal = no chance at a sweep for the Wings. Phoenix has a bunch of players with playoff experience - Roszival, Korpikoski, Whitney, Aucoin, Jovanovski, Bryzgalov, Vrbata, etc... They've been tough all year, no way do I see a sweep here.

It'll be fun to see who's the closest.

[jyoung]

NHL.com is running a playoff challenge, so check the other thread and join the TNL league if you guys want to make your picks official.

[Geo]

What luck the Rangers/Haoh and Blackhawks/Dyne had getting into the playoffs, wish the Leafs could have had that.

Oh well, best of luck to you guys with teams involved.

[ElCapichan]

My first round picks.

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