so yo sayin ma Bruins gonna be ez meat eh?

well we comin at yo wit all dey guns a blazin!

huh, wat guns yo say?

huh....

ok mebe yo gots me der coz r guns iz banged up bad.

huh, yo say yo habs gots all da guns?

we gonna see wat Zdeno Milan n Shawn gonna do bout dat coz dey packin all da muscle we gonna need fo yo lil pipsqueak pop guns.

So the first round starts Wed.
East
1 - Montréal Canadiens
vs
8 - Boston Bruins

2 - Pittsburgh Penguins
vs
7 - Ottawa Senators

3 - Washington Capitals
vs
6 - Philadelphia Flyers

4 - New Jersey Devils
vs
5 - New York Rangers

West
1 - Detroit Red Wings
vs
8 - Nashville Predators

2 - San Jose Sharks
vs
7 - Calgary Flames

3 - Minnesota Wild
vs
6 - Colorado Avalanche

4 - Anaheim Ducks
vs
5 - Dallas Stars

Here are my picks. Post yours
East
Montréal Canadiens in 5
Pittsburgh Penguins in 6
Washington Capitals in 7
New Jersey Devils in 6

West
Detroit Red Wings in 5
San Jose Sharks in 6
Colorado Avalanche in 6
Anaheim Ducks in 7

Here is a bracket:
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3084/example5kc5.jpg

My Picks:

West:
Detroit (5)
Calgary (7)
Minnesota (6)
Anaheim (6)

East:
Montreal (4)
Pittsburg (6)
Philidelphia (7)
New York (6)

Ill take a stab, but i didnt do so well last year:

West
Detroit in 5
San Jose in 6 (but Im still rooting for Calgary)
Minnesota 6
Dallas in 5

East
Montreal in 5
Pittsburgh in 6
Washington in 7
New York in 7

I am so tempted to change my Ottawa Pittsburgh prediction to Pittsburgh in 4.

I gotta go with my Bruins and not with the conventional wisdom:

East
Boston in 6
Pittsburg in 5
Washington in 7
New York in 6

West:
Detroit in 5
San Jose 6
Minnesota in 7
Anaheim in 5

Update from today's games
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6274/example5fw7.jpg

Another Update:
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6513/example5il3.jpg

Only one thing to say..

GO HABS GO!!!!

But meh,yesterday loss wasn't really convincing.The bruins are not giving their life away easily but it's still 2-1..anyway I said MTL in 5 so they had to lose one someday..

Bracket Update:
http://img355.imageshack.us/img355/9704/example5kq7.jpg

I am upset at the Habs loss last night, of course. But am I afraid? It depends if they use this as a wakeup call. The Habs have not played the last to games up to their potential. Actually the game 3 OT they played exceptionally well but anything can happen in OT. If they can play with that intensity in game 4 then they should be able to win without a problem. If they don't wakeup then Boston can win.

Lucic, Hnidy & Co. will make sure they don't wake up!

Not in thier control.
They can outplay them if they want but the wakeup is what will either happen or not between the end of the last game and Tuesday night 7pm.

Thomas played really well last night. Price as well. It could just come down to the goaltending if things continue to go the way they did in the last two games.

I totally agree with you about the goaltending Sticky. I love to watch Thomas stand on his head and Price so cool and always collected.
Lot's of great saves and only three goals netted makes for an exciting and suspenseful game.

The last period and the OT were great to watch, I hope the excitement keeps up.

Bracket Update:
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8985/example5yu7.jpg

I'm with you there. Nothing like an Original 6 matchup. And a Leaf fan cheering for the Habs eh?

There are no Leafs fans in the post-season, lately. Hard to root for a team that didn't make it.

Since Ottawa's pretty much out and Calgary's chances aren't that great, Montreal is where it's at right now.

Bracket Update:
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8210/example5ow8.jpg

Martian, Montreal has been where it's at all season.
Montreal did somethign special this season. No one thought they would be where they are. Very few thought they had a chance to make the post-season and most picked them to place outside of the playoffs at teh bottom end of the division.

Of course, I didn't mean to imply otherwise. At the same time, die-hard fans are going to stick with their club of choice. I knew in September that the Leafs were going to suck, but I was still on the couch every Saturday at 7:00. They're the team I've chosen to back, and even though I'm unhappy with the direction they've gone in I'll still stick with them.

Post-season, the landscape changes. There's only 16 teams there, so a fan's options are limited. I'm sure as hell not going to stop watching, so I choose another team instead; I'd really like to see the cup come back to Canada, hence my analysis above.

None of that diminishes the accomplishments or Montreal this season, which have been nothing short of astounding.

I actually feel bad for you Leaf fans.
As We discussed earlier I think that it is going to take a lot to turn things around there. It is not about the players and the team, it is about the management/ownership. They are just stuck in a deep hole.

I still think that Calgary has a shot.

Bracket Update:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5249/example5df2.jpg

So Pittsburgh movee on. No surprise there.
I should have changed my prediction.

It is a big night tonight, 5 games.
- The Canadiens have a chance to wrap things up tonight against Boston
- The rest of series are all really close.

Wow the Canadiens completely blew that game.

Bracket Update:
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/3226/example5gw0.jpg

B's vs Habs game 6
wow
What a game. Best I've seen in quite some time.
Looking forward to game 7 on Monday.

Montreal dropped the ball on that one big time. That third period was a disaster.

Holy crap the 3rd period of the B's game had to be one of the best I have seen in a while... (Course I root for the Bruins)

Hey Montreal, welcome to Game Seven.

Well, that was easy getting past the Bruins!

Going to game seven was just what this team needed, I think.

I agree.
The team got to see that a series is not just over becuase you are up 3-1.
They would not have had the lesson if they won game 6.

I can't wait for tonight.
I would like to see Calgary win and I think that I want the Flyers to win.

Bracket Update:
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5733/example5dc8.jpg

Sticky needs to update his graphic.

Two more games, I'll likely watch both tonight.

EDIT - That was interesting timing.

Something is bothering me about the bracket. I am not sure why they are calling the next round the semifinals. They are not technically the semifinals they are the quarterfinals.

This is where I got it:
http://www.habsinsideout.com/main/6399

they are the semifinals, for the conference. Technically they are the quarterfinals for the Stanley Cup Championship, but they have always been refered to as the conference semis, just like the next round is called the conference finals.

Anywho, anyone have any comment on Burke and the NHL colluding to eliminate the 500k fine on Neidermeyer for skipping training camp? IMO, its rediculous that every one, including Burke, agreed and signed off on the CBA which includes the clearly defined rule that Scott should be fined, yet now they wanna let him off with a slap on the wrist and tell all the other GMs they will enforce the rules from now on. If they wanna wave his fine, then they need to enforce the portion of the rule that states Neidermeyer's full contract counts against the cap, and crucify Anaheim for being over the cap. To me this is indicative of not only how far Burke's nose is up Betttman's ass, but the entirely inadequate management the NHL is under in general. This wishy washy attitude is the same way they approach league promotion, TV rights, officiating, ... you name it.

Caps Flyers, game 7 overtime, what more can you ask for.

OK, let's start with the Bracket Update:
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1289/example5rg1.jpg


I wne through the pics from the first round and awarded
- 1 point for picking the winner of a series
- 1 point for getting the number of games correct (and the winner correct)

Here is how we scored:
m0rpheus - 6
Sticky - 6
Nikilidstrom - 6
Bees - 4

Time to make predictions for the next round. If anyone wants to join I will start you off at 4 points (unless Bees objects).

Western Conference
Detroit in 6
Dallas in 6

Eastern Conference
Montreal in 5
Pittsburgh in 7

oh what the hell... I'll jump in...

Eastern
Montreal in 6
Pittsburg in 5

Western
San Jose in 7
Detroit in 7

I'll take the 4 points regardless. Probably be the only points I get... :)

Detroit in 6
Dallas in 7
Montreal in 6
Pittsburg in 7

No objection Sticky

My picks:

Detroit in 5
San Jose in 7
Montreal in 7
Pittsburg in 6

My picks
Detroit in 6
San Jose in 7
Montreal in 6
Rangers in 7

I'll get in on this. I'm going to say:

Pittsburgh in 6
Detroit in 5
Montreal in 6
San Jose in 7

Four points is a blow, because I would've gotten at least six had I gotten my predictions in for the first round. But I suppose that's what I get for not paying attention.

Here is the bracket update from last night.
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9726/example5ck8.jpg

I am glad that we have some new players.
Here is the list of those playing now and their current points:
m0rpheus - 6
Sticky - 6
Nikilidstrom - 6
Bees - 4
Fotzlid - 4
Martian - 4

Martian I could not go higher than 4 as it would not be fair to Bees.


Did anyone else watch the Canadiens-Flyers game last night? That was excitement - for a Habs fan anyway. I felt bad that I sent my 5 year old son to bed after the 3rd. He does not really pay much attention anyway he just likes being up and he likes the idea of "watching" the game.

Bracket Update:
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2804/example5hg7.jpg

Looks like that Rangers pick is working well for me so far...:shakehead:

No, and my Habs are not going to win in 5 either.
http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/6942/example5pr2.jpg

Wow, 3 series at 3-0.
Who would have predicted that.

The Habs need to take tonights game in Philedelphia if they do not want to be in a similar position.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6898/example5oz4.jpg

Every series has a team on the brink now
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9540/example5gy2.jpg

Like I said...it will probably be the only points i get...lol

Well you picked Detriot. And you will likely be right with Pittsburgh as well.

Can you believe how good Detroit looked last night?
Is it becuase they played Nashville and an aging Colorado or are tehy just so good. They look like they are able to pass, shoot, and score at will. They move around the other palyers as if they are pilons and they pass the puck as if it is conected by string from one player's stick to another. They looked so good last night.

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/167/example5ih6.jpg

I am a huge Wings fan obviously, and while I think they are damn good, alot of last night was Colorado just giving up on themselves, which made it easy to get alot of pretty plays going, and also the realization that both Theodore and Budaj are not starting goalies. However, there isn't a team in the league that they can't outskate and out chance, and if they had top calibur goaltending, they would be unstoppable. Dallas is probably the next best all-round team, with a huge edge in net, and they hopefully are going to be at it next round. That'll be a helluva series.

A representative of San Jose better be on a plane to Toronto right now, ready to blow everyone of those goal officials in the "War Room".

Wow who would have thought that Philly would win 4 in a row against Montreal?

I can't believe my habs lost..now I have to wait one more year for hockey..

The Habs had a great season. A much bette season than anybody predicted.
The playoffs were gravy. Should they have beat Philadelphia? Probably. They just could not get it done. Next year.

Here is the bracket at the end of the second round:
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9638/example5gf7.jpg

Anyway, another round down.

Let's check hwo we all did this round - 1 point for the correct winner and another for the correct number of games.
Sticky - 4
Nikilidstrom - 3
Fotzlid - 3
m0rpheus - 2
Bees - 2
Martian - 2


Totals so far:
Sticky - 10
Nikilidstrom - 9
m0rpheus - 8
Fotzlid - 7
Bees - 6
Martian - 6


Predictions for the next round?
Detroit in 6
Pittsburgh in 5

Hey, you sound like a Leafs fan. My condolences...

That was harsh. I totally didn't see the semi-finals going so fast.

I'll say Detroit in 5 and Pittsburgh in 6.

good call.

I'll say Detroit in 7 and Pittsburgh in 6.

Man, Wings/Stars is going to be a helluva series

Wings in 6
Pitt in 7

I want to see a Wings/Pittsburgh final.

I would say that's as close to guaranteed as it's possible to get at this point.

I am conflicted. I'm not particularly a fan of Pittsburgh, but I really dislike Detroit (long story). As all of the Canadian teams have been eliminated, I have no idea at this point who to cheer for.

root for Hockey.
That would be Pittsburgh.

Well, the way I see it, even during the Original 6 era (by the way the last time the Leafs ever won a cup was during the O-6 Era) only 33% of the teams were Canadian based. Nevertheless, the make up of the players was primarly Canadian. Even today, the teams tend to be canadian/american/euro in descending order so if Toronto (yes a big If I know!) is not in the playoffs, I go for the underdog, or the team with more character. Right now it's a tough choice between the Flyers & Penguins, But since I've worked in Pittsburgh before, I'll root for them.

I meant to say

Detroit in 5
Pittsburg in 6

My picks for the next round:

Detroit in 6

Pittsburg in 6

I'd hardly say it's guaranteed. The Stars are looking good after beating both the Ducks and the Sharks and Biron is on fire for Philly. That said I think Detroit and Pittsburgh will still win, I just don't think either will be a blowout.

"The National Hockey League will not suspend any Dallas Star or Detroit Red Wing players for late game antics that occurred late in Game 2 of the Western Conference final. Stars forwards Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott and Red Wing goaltender Chris Osgood have been fined undisclosed amounts by the NHL."

Yet another balless move by the NHL officials. It will apparently take nothing short of an on-ice death to cause the league to take penalties commited with intent to injure seriously.

I agree.
Forget about intent to seriously injure for a minute (I don't believe the intent was to seriously injure - if so he would have swung at his head).
No one should ever get away with swinging a hockey stick like that.


Is what Osgood did wrong and is it punishable? Maybe, I don't really know but that does not excuse swinging a stick like a bat.


Oh yeah, and as if that hurt Osgood.



http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5313/example5ms9.jpg

your video is no longer available.... but really, all that padding and the ability to stop 100 mph pucks yet a stick hurts Osgood?

any ways, it was pretty poor to swing a stick like that too.

The video still workls for me.
How about this one

oh, don't get me wrong, if they had suspended Osgood and Ribeiro, while not happy, I would have at least been satisfied. And by no means do I think the swing actually hurt Osgood. The problem is, if you start swinging sticks, you never know where its gonna land. Osgood could have seen it coming too late, tried to duck and been hit in the head. In my mind, if you throw a 2-hander at someone, you mean to hurt them, even if its just a little. And that move has no place in pro sports, unless you concider the WWE a pro sport.

My answer would have been 1 game for Osgood, 2-3 for Ribeiro, and don't even get me started on Otts attempt at a Bertuzzi.

I still don't know the rules on what Osgood did, but I definately agree that swinging a stick should be a suspension.

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/7051/example5vp0.jpg





Are we going to have two sweeps?
I think so.

Penguins vs Red Wings in the final. Man this should be a good series. Personally I think it will be one of the more even, and exciting Stanley Cup finals in recent history.

my prediction

Detroit in 6
or
Refs in 7

Yeah I'm going Detroit in 6 too.

I'm picking Pittsburg in 7.

I'll go out on a limb.... Pittsburgh in 6.

Nice way for my Wings to start off the finals.

Detroit in 6

Wow Detroit is just shutting down the Penguins.

I was away for a bit.
Looks like I will not be able to participate in the last final round...And I was doing so well.

Here is how we all did in the Conference Finals - 1 point for the correct winner and another for the correct number of games.
Sticky - 4
Nikilidstrom - 3
Fotzlid - 2
m0rpheus - 2
Bees - 3
Martian - 2


Totals so far:
Sticky - 14
Nikilidstrom - 12
m0rpheus - 10
Fotzlid - 9
Bees - 9
Martian - 8

I am glad that you made your prdictions for the next round in my absence.

Here is the Bracket as it stands today
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/17/example5id4.jpg

Three down, one to go and my Wings are hoisting the Cup again.

What a fantastic Game 5 so far (its about to go to OT as I'm posting). Pittsburgh really made Detroit look bad up until about half way into the second, then the Red Wings just dominated them for the second half. God I'm nervious for OT now.

c'mon Wings....finish it off...

Playoff Hockey is the only kind of Hockey I can watch. I gotta say that last night's overtime game was spectacular. The announcer was brilliant, he reminds me of Chick Hearn - so quick and accurate with his descriptions. The desperate sudden death action was amazing to watch.

All hockey games should be sudden death.

I agree with the sudden death. While the reg season shoot out format may be a exciting as well, I love the sudden death aspect. No 3 point games.

Which network were you watching? CBC or NBC?

NBC

I was switching between the two, to see which broadcast was better. Actually my NBC cable reception was better than CBC, so I was watching it more. Mike Milburry and Pierre MaGuire provided some good commentary between periods, but it seemed that the panel was generally in favour of the Penguins.

On CBC, Don Cherry was definitely a Penguins fan. I think the best team will win (The Wings).

Woohoo!!!!!!!!

Even playing the entire series 5 on 7, the best team won the Cup. To bad the celebration has to be wasted on the Pittsburgh fans.

GO WINGS!

Congrats to the Red Wings. I love seeing the champ come from a real hockey town, not Florida etc, just seems right. Too bad according to Tiger Woods, no one cares about hockey.

I care about the sweet sport. Who cares what Tiger thinks? Unless it the original Tiger, Tiger Williams: #22.


Oh ya, Congrats to the Red Wings. And if they can get 4 cups after a 42 year drought, who knows what will happen next year.....

This rounds Score
m0rpheus - 2
Nikilidstrom - 2
Bees - 0
Leto - 0
Fotzlid - 2
Sticky - 0 (no pick)

The final tally is:
Sticky - 14
Nikilidstrom - 14
m0rpheus - 12
Fotzlid - 11
Bees - 9
Martian - 8


By the way, the CBC broadcast sucked compared to NBC.
Too bad you guys don't have access to RDS. They are the best right now.

Go Wings!
Nice to see them put in a few firsts too.
First European captain to win the Cup, First Newfoundlander to win the Cup, and (I believe) the first European to win the Conn Smyth.

Four cups in 11 years, who says there are no more dynasties?

Although I couldn't help but laugh when Hasek raised the cup. Yeah, good job riding the pine when it counts Dominik.

Second Euro to win the Conn Smythe, the first being Nick Lidstrom.

What I thought was more odd than even Hasek raising the cup was allowing all of the rookies who hadn't even played a large number of games in the regular season (Meech, Quincey, Abdlekader) to raise it. And, as classy as it was, I really wished Yzerman would have come down for a turn, but I understand the reasoning.

Can't wait to go to the parade tomorrow, hope the weather is good.

So I know it's a week old or so but how fucking stupid is the CBC for letting the HNiC theme get scooped up from under them.

Niklidstrom,
You as excited as I am that the Wings have signed Hossa to a one year deal?

are you kidding me? It fan-freakin-tastic! I almost hosed my laptop down with cherry coke when I took a drink and read the headline on TSN. I thought we'd be sitting around all summer waiting for Sundin to gives us the finger and end up with squat. The only thing better than Detroit getting Hossa is all of the Pittsburgh fans cursing Hossa and Hollands names in all the hockey forums.

I've been having dreams of a season full of the Datsyuk-Hossa connection ever since the signing.

Yeah Hossa sort of screwed over the Pens, and that's hilarious.
Being born and raised in Calgary, of course I'm a huge Flames fan. My buddy is a huge Wing's fan. He would honestly take a bullet for Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetts, or especially Yzerman. The only player he hates on the Wing's (and I have to agree with him on this one) is Lilja, who is horrible! And yet he's been resigned.

I used to hate the Wing's, but his love for them seemed to rub off on me for a bit. Plus, I really really really disliked Hasek and Chellios, both of which have retired (has it been official for Chellios yet?). So now that both aren't on the ice anymore, I actually like the Wing's. They are a force to be reckoned with and will definitely continue to be cup contenders for years to come.

Hasek is official, Chelios will be resigned to play 40-60 games this season. Lilja is a bum, and I was extremely suprised to see them sign him cosidering the amount of blueline talent they have available to bring up from the AHL this year, some of whom can't be sent down this year.

The orignal Chelios trade was a hard pill to swallow as I had spent so much time hating him and the rest of the Blackhawks, especially Roenick. I have over the years grown to appreciate his talents, and anyone who hates Bettman as much as he does can't be all bad.