Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread: Kings win 2nd Cup in 3 seasons (1 Viewer)

[Insein]

NHL throws Miley Cyrus out of the Wells Fargo for playoff hockey!!

Apparently, NHL > Miley Cyrus. Her 4/22 show is gonna be postponed because of Flyers-Rangers.

Flyers vs Rangers: April 17-20-22-25-27-29-30

They're really dragging that out. Two 2-day breaks and then back to back for possible games 6 and 7.

Those breaks in between are going to suck.

 

[Insein]

Atlantic

A1 Boston vs W2 Detroit ; 4-1

A2 Tampa Bay vs A3 Montreal ; 4-3

Metropolitan

M1 Pittsburgh vs W1 Columbus ; 4-0

M2 New York vs M3 Philadelphia ; 4-2

Central

C1 Colorado vs W1 Minnesota ; 4-2

C2 St. Louis vs C3 Chicago ; 4-2

Pacific

P1 Anaheim vs W2 Dallas ; 4-3

P2 San Jose vs P3 Los Angeles ; 4-3

 

[Johnny Rock]

Was going to go with StL or BOS but I'll go with the Wild. Playing well down the stretch and Bryzgalov has been the hottest goalie that moved at the trade deadline.

 

[HughHoney]

Boston vs Kings and the Kings to win it all.

This is my prediction as well.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Bryzgalov has been the hottest goalie that moved at the trade deadline.

Until tonight.

 

[Raider Nation]

Eastern Conference Playoffs at a glance ... SI.com

Boston vs. Detroit

The underdog Red Wings looked comfortable in the role of giant killer last spring, knocking off the second-seeded Ducks in a seven-game opening-round thriller…and this year, they’re primed to do it again. While they’re up against a tougher opponent in Boston, they’ve given Bruins fits all year, taking three of four. More importantly, they’ve found ways to win games in which they were outplayed as they were in a 3-2 victory on April 2. They can’t match Boston’s depth or playoff experience, but they have a knack for hanging around just long enough to take advantage of an opportunistic offense. If they can steal one early, they might work their way into the heads of the Bruins.

Tampa Bay vs. Montreal

With Steven Stamkos out for much of the season, there’s no denying who stepped up as Tampa’s MVP — Ben Bishop provided the Lightning with the kind of goaltending they haven’t had since Nikolai Khabibulin tended the twine, finishing among the league leaders in GAA, save percentage and wins. But the big keeper missed the final three games of the regular season with a wrist injury, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be fit for this series against the Habs — if can he come back for it at all. The drop-off to back-up Anders Lindback is significant, and while Olympic hero Kristers Gudlevskis is an option, he’d be a bit of a Hail Mary with just one NHL start under his belt. Bishop has experience questions of his own–he’s never started an NHL playoff game–but he clearly gives Tampa their best chance to advance. His status could swing the series.

Pittsburgh vs. Columbus

All eyes will be on Marc-Andre Fleury and his efforts to prove he can step up to the pressure of the postseason, but the one to watch in this one will be his teammate, Kris Letang. His game fell apart as completely, if not as glaringly, as Fleury’s did last spring and he never quite found his footing this season before a stroke sidelined him for nearly three months. He returned just in time to get his feet wet before the playoffs, skating in two games to generally solid reviews. The Pens dearly missed his transitional skills and his ability to kick start the offense this season. If he’s able to move the puck effectively and limit the turnovers that plagued him early on, he could be the difference-maker in this series.

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia

It wouldn’t be Philly if the lead story wasn’t goaltending. The health of Steve Mason is in question after the starter was involved in a nasty collision in Saturday’s game against the Penguins, and while coach Craig Berube says he’ll be ready to go, the Flyers might be better off if he weren’t. Mason hasn’t played a postseason game since 2009, and his 0-4 record doesn’t suggest anyone in Philly should set aside some cash for round two tickets. But what if Berube played a hunch and went with backup Ray Emery? The veteran has a sterling record against the Blueshirts, going 7-2-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .936 save percentage. Of course, he gave up four goals on 35 shots in his only appearance against them this season, a 4-1 loss on Jan. 12, and he’s dropped four of his past five decisions this season, so…yeah, goaltending could be a problem.

 

[rockaction]

Watched highlights of Pavel Datsyuk last night. Made me nauseated. Boston doesn't need this in the first round.

 

[Johnnymac]

I can't wait!!

 

[Johnny Rock]

Bryzgalov has been the hottest goalie that moved at the trade deadline.

Until tonight.

I watched some and fast forwarded through last nights Wild game on the DVR after I was finished watching the Masters late. Meaningless game but c'mon!

 

[Billy Bats]

Penguins preparing for the inevitable?!

Dan Rosen: Penguins recalled Tomas Vokoun from WBS, which will lead to speculation if Fleury stumbles at all. Vokoun missed season with blood clot.

9:09am - 14 Apr 14

 

[JaxBill]

Eastern Conference Playoffs at a glance ... SI.com

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia

It wouldn’t be Philly if the lead story wasn’t goaltending. The health of Steve Mason is in question after the starter was involved in a nasty collision in Saturday’s game against the Penguins, and while coach Craig Berube says he’ll be ready to go, the Flyers might be better off if he weren’t. Mason hasn’t played a postseason game since 2009, and his 0-4 record doesn’t suggest anyone in Philly should set aside some cash for round two tickets. But what if Berube played a hunch and went with backup Ray Emery? The veteran has a sterling record against the Blueshirts, going 7-2-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .936 save percentage. Of course, he gave up four goals on 35 shots in his only appearance against them this season, a 4-1 loss on Jan. 12, and he’s dropped four of his past five decisions this season, so…yeah, goaltending could be a problem.

Personally, I think the Flyers biggest problem with this matchup is their total inability to score on Lundquist.

 

[Lutherman2112]

Penguins preparing for the inevitable?!

Dan Rosen: Penguins recalled Tomas Vokoun from WBS, which will lead to speculation if Fleury stumbles at all. Vokoun missed season with blood clot.

9:09am - 14 Apr 14

Most likely Vokoun will be 3rd goalie behind MAF and rookie Jeff Zatkoff. Vokoun played two games this season, and those games were over the weekend (04/11 and 04/13).

 

[Insein]

Eastern Conference Playoffs at a glance ... SI.com

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia

It wouldnt be Philly if the lead story wasnt goaltending. The health of Steve Mason is in question after the starter was involved in a nasty collision in Saturdays game against the Penguins, and while coach Craig Berube says hell be ready to go, the Flyers might be better off if he werent. Mason hasnt played a postseason game since 2009, and his 0-4 record doesnt suggest anyone in Philly should set aside some cash for round two tickets. But what if Berube played a hunch and went with backup Ray Emery? The veteran has a sterling record against the Blueshirts, going 7-2-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .936 save percentage. Of course, he gave up four goals on 35 shots in his only appearance against them this season, a 4-1 loss on Jan. 12, and hes dropped four of his past five decisions this season, soyeah, goaltending could be a problem.

Personally, I think the Flyers biggest problem with this matchup is their total inability to score on Lundquist.

That has a lot to do with the Rangers defense. They manage to keep everything outside and in the corners. Flyers never seem to get the inside pressure consistently to make Lundquist nervous. He can just sit back and collect the long shots from then point all day long.

 

[kentric]

The only prediction I will make with any confidence is that the Rangers/Flyers series will go seven games. Most likely Rangers in 7.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Watched highlights of Pavel Datsyuk last night. Made me nauseated. Boston doesn't need this in the first round.

Detroit is a fast team, maybe the fastest in the Eastern Conference. Problem is fast equals youth and youth makes a lot of mistakes. The Wings are always criticized for keeping their prospects in the minors too long, but the reason is they have to learn the Babcock system of passing and defense before they are thrown out there. This leads to less mistakes but Boston will force them into forced errors, and if the Wings start making unforced errors then this series won't last long.

I think if Hank was back they would be an incredibly tough out, but Jimmy Howard is going to have to win two games in this series if they have any chance at all. He did it last year vs the Ducks, but I think Boston is a much more well-rounded team.

 

[rick6668]

 

[Billy Bats]

Eastern Conference Playoffs at a glance ... SI.com

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia

It wouldnt be Philly if the lead story wasnt goaltending. The health of Steve Mason is in question after the starter was involved in a nasty collision in Saturdays game against the Penguins, and while coach Craig Berube says hell be ready to go, the Flyers might be better off if he werent. Mason hasnt played a postseason game since 2009, and his 0-4 record doesnt suggest anyone in Philly should set aside some cash for round two tickets. But what if Berube played a hunch and went with backup Ray Emery? The veteran has a sterling record against the Blueshirts, going 7-2-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .936 save percentage. Of course, he gave up four goals on 35 shots in his only appearance against them this season, a 4-1 loss on Jan. 12, and hes dropped four of his past five decisions this season, soyeah, goaltending could be a problem.

Personally, I think the Flyers biggest problem with this matchup is their total inability to score on Lundquist.

That has a lot to do with the Rangers defense. They manage to keep everything outside and in the corners. Flyers never seem to get the inside pressure consistently to make Lundquist nervous. He can just sit back and collect the long shots from then point all day long.

I'm not expecting them to win this series, expectations are low. Surprised you have a convincing 4-2 flyers series predicted. Hope it comes true, just don't see then solving Hank. They just have to crash the net and make his life a living hell and collect garbage goals.

 

[Insein]

Eastern Conference Playoffs at a glance ... SI.com

New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia

It wouldnt be Philly if the lead story wasnt goaltending. The health of Steve Mason is in question after the starter was involved in a nasty collision in Saturdays game against the Penguins, and while coach Craig Berube says hell be ready to go, the Flyers might be better off if he werent. Mason hasnt played a postseason game since 2009, and his 0-4 record doesnt suggest anyone in Philly should set aside some cash for round two tickets. But what if Berube played a hunch and went with backup Ray Emery? The veteran has a sterling record against the Blueshirts, going 7-2-0 with a 1.87 GAA and .936 save percentage. Of course, he gave up four goals on 35 shots in his only appearance against them this season, a 4-1 loss on Jan. 12, and hes dropped four of his past five decisions this season, soyeah, goaltending could be a problem.

Personally, I think the Flyers biggest problem with this matchup is their total inability to score on Lundquist.

That has a lot to do with the Rangers defense. They manage to keep everything outside and in the corners. Flyers never seem to get the inside pressure consistently to make Lundquist nervous. He can just sit back and collect the long shots from then point all day long.

I'm not expecting them to win this series, expectations are low. Surprised you have a convincing 4-2 flyers series predicted. Hope it comes true, just don't see then solving Hank. They just have to crash the net and make his life a living hell and collect garbage goals.

I feel we can take them at home and possibly steal one of the first 2 in the garden.Easier said then done of course.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Hank to practice today

He will not play when the first-round series against the Presidents' Trophy-winning Boston Bruins begins Friday, nor will he be available for Game 2 on Easter Sunday. That much already has been determined, general manager Ken Holland said.

In fact, Zetterberg, even provided that he has no setbacks, isn't likely to be available until the second round. But for a team that has missed its captain since the Olympics, his readiness to foray onto the ice is welcome news.

"He appears to be right on track for the original time frame," Holland said today. "He's skated a little bit on his own, and now he wants to see how he feels going up and down the ice with the guys, maybe do some light shooting."

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Go Stars.

 

[Foosball God]

Tuffy!!

 

[HughHoney]

B's over Wings in 6

Habs over Bolts in 4

Pens over Blue Jackets in 5

Flyers over Rags in 7

Ducks over Stars in 6

Kings over Sharks in 7

Avs over Wild in 6

Hawks over Blues in 5.

 

[Wrigley]

16

 

[rockaction]

Watched highlights of Pavel Datsyuk last night. Made me nauseated. Boston doesn't need this in the first round.

Detroit is a fast team, maybe the fastest in the Eastern Conference. Problem is fast equals youth and youth makes a lot of mistakes. The Wings are always criticized for keeping their prospects in the minors too long, but the reason is they have to learn the Babcock system of passing and defense before they are thrown out there. This leads to less mistakes but Boston will force them into forced errors, and if the Wings start making unforced errors then this series won't last long.

I think if Hank was back they would be an incredibly tough out, but Jimmy Howard is going to have to win two games in this series if they have any chance at all. He did it last year vs the Ducks, but I think Boston is a much more well-rounded team.

Problem is fast also gives Boston absolute fits. See last year's series against Toronto. Crud.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

San Jose over Tampa

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Tuffy!!

 

[Foosball God]

Tuffy!!

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Tuffy!!

See you in the finals.

 

[Copeman]

Yeah, just not very confident in the Pens chances this year. Until MAF proves otherwise, and unless some of the guys can come back from injury and play at a high level, the confidence just isn't there. Not enough line chemistry because of the injuries.

 

[Kenny Powers]

As a Pens fan, Im glad we got the Jackets in the 1st round. As someone going to Game 2, I wish we were playing the Wings or Flyers but Im not complaining.

 

[Tom Servo]

Rangers..... except I have to deal with a flyers fan in the house..... oh well...

Sorry for both of you.

 

[Tom Servo]

Don't take these to a betting window.

Atlantic
A1 Boston vs W2 Detroit ; 4-2
A2 Tampa Bay vs A3 Montreal ; 4-2

Metropolitan
M1 Pittsburgh vs W1 Columbus ; 4-1
M2 New York vs M3 Philadelphia ; 4-2

Central
C1 Colorado vs W1 Minnesota ; 4-2
C2 St. Louis vs C3 Chicago ; 4-3

Pacific
P1 Anaheim vs W2 Dallas ; 4-1
P2 San Jose vs P3 Los Angeles ; 4-3

 

[Bill Brasky]

As a Pens fan, Im glad we got the Jackets in the 1st round. As someone going to Game 2, I wish we were playing the Wings or Flyers but Im not complaining.

Jackets are no slouch IMO. losing Horton hurts because they are much better with him, but they are a solid, hard working team that will give the Pens some troubles.

 

[Tom Servo]

Penguins preparing for the inevitable?!

Dan Rosen: Penguins recalled Tomas Vokoun from WBS, which will lead to speculation if Fleury stumbles at all. Vokoun missed season with blood clot.

9:09am - 14 Apr 14

It was kinda the plan all along.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Habs 4-1

Rangers 4-3

Pens 4-2

Stars 4-3

B'Hawks 4-1

Kings 4-2

Avalanche 4-3

 

[Tom Servo]

As a Pens fan, Im glad we got the Jackets in the 1st round. As someone going to Game 2, I wish we were playing the Wings or Flyers but Im not complaining.

Jackets are no slouch IMO. losing Horton hurts because they are much better with him, but they are a solid, hard working team that will give the Pens some troubles.

CBJ's best chance to be competitive is to force the Pens out of their game - which can be easily done. I definitely see the Jackets stealing a game, most likely 3 or 4 at home.

 

[Kenny Powers]

As a Pens fan, Im glad we got the Jackets in the 1st round. As someone going to Game 2, I wish we were playing the Wings or Flyers but Im not complaining.

Jackets are no slouch IMO. losing Horton hurts because they are much better with him, but they are a solid, hard working team that will give the Pens some troubles.

Sure. I guess the biggest reason Im glad is because we were 5-0 vs them in the regular season, albeit most of thos games were close.

 

[Franknbeans]

Best playoffs in any sport

 

[msudaisy26]

I have to admit the last season was one of the more enjoyable Red Wings playoffs runs I got to watch even though it ended in the second round. Them going in with no pressure and pulling off one upset and nearly another one was really cool, I hope it happens again.

My husband was working in Chicago at the time and he was taunting all the other guys he was working with, he even had me buy him 4 stuffed octopus animals and he hung them in the lunch tents from the ceilings and made a huge sign that said Hockey Town West, after they went up 3 - 1.

After the Blackhawks came back they bought him a bunch of Blackhawk bumper stickers and covered his entire car with them, except the windows and got him a Blackhawk Stanley cup T-Shirt and he even agreed to get a Blackhawk emblem painted on his cheek and leave it there for a week if the came back and beat the Wings which they did.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

@strombone1 12m
690 PLAYERS
30 TEAMS
14 QUALIFIERS
BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE GOAL
ONE NIGHT ONLY

#weliveforthis #nhldraftlottery

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

GO SABRES!

 

[ffldrew]

Atlantic
A1 Boston vs W2 Detroit ; 4-2
A2 Tampa Bay vs A3 Montreal ; 4-2

Metropolitan
M1 Pittsburgh vs W1 Columbus ; 4-1
M2 New York vs M3 Philadelphia ; 4-3

Central
C1 Colorado vs W1 Minnesota ; 4-2
C2 St. Louis vs C3 Chicago ; 4-2

Pacific
P1 Anaheim vs W2 Dallas ; 4-2
P2 San Jose vs P3 Los Angeles ; 4-3

 

[Foosball God]

Atlantic
A1 Boston vs W2 Detroit ; 4-2
A2 Tampa Bay vs A3 Montreal ; 4-2

Metropolitan
M1 Pittsburgh vs W1 Columbus ; 4-3
M2 New York vs M3 Philadelphia ; 4-3

Central
C1 Colorado vs W1 Minnesota ; 4-1
C2 St. Louis vs C3 Chicago ; 4-0

Pacific
P1 Anaheim vs W2 Dallas ; 4-2
P2 San Jose vs P3 Los Angeles ; 4-3

 

[Billy Bats]

Ray Emery to start game 1 against the Rangers.

#### you Jason Megna.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Ray Emery to start game 1 against the Rangers.

#### you Jason Megna.

Well, unless he is going to try to start a fight with the king, I like our chances.

On a related note, The Rangers won the Stanley Cup last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On my XBox 360.

I am the GM.

Glen Sather can eat me.

 

[Bill Brasky]

I find it interesting that the consensus is so heavily in favor of Colorado when Minnesota is a +110 series dog in a 7-2 matchup without home ice.

 

[Billy Bats]

Ray Emery to start game 1 against the Rangers.

#### you Jason Megna.

Well, unless he is going to try to start a fight with the king, I like our chances.On a related note, The Rangers won the Stanley Cup last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On my XBox 360.

I am the GM.

Glen Sather can eat me.

You don't fear the "team rally's around their backup" theory??? I'm just searching for something to not make me completely unenthused. But if they just happen to steal game 1, could be trouble....

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Ray Emery to start game 1 against the Rangers.

#### you Jason Megna.

Well, unless he is going to try to start a fight with the king, I like our chances.On a related note, The Rangers won the Stanley Cup last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On my XBox 360.

I am the GM.

Glen Sather can eat me.

You don't fear the "team rally's around their backup" theory??? I'm just searching for something to not make me completely unenthused. But if they just happen to steal game 1, could be trouble....

I was at the Flyers Capitals game where Emery went all Vin Diesel in the bench clearing brawl. He's a crap goalie but he throws a mean punch.

 

[Billy Bats]

Ray Emery to start game 1 against the Rangers.

#### you Jason Megna.

Well, unless he is going to try to start a fight with the king, I like our chances.On a related note, The Rangers won the Stanley Cup last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

On my XBox 360.

I am the GM.

Glen Sather can eat me.

You don't fear the "team rally's around their backup" theory??? I'm just searching for something to not make me completely unenthused. But if they just happen to steal game 1, could be trouble....

I was at the Flyers Capitals game where Emery went all Vin Diesel in the bench clearing brawl. He's a crap goalie but he throws a mean punch.

Now you're just rubbing it in. Maybe that's our secret plan, have Razor KO Hank. It's genius.

 

[RUSF18]

Hank would never allow that beautiful face to be punched.