NHL Second-Round Predictions Thread

[Carlitto H@kk]

Ok Hockey Fans!
The Second Round of the Cup Chase is set.
Time for everyone to make their predictions

I hope the Nucks/Ducks series doesn't
cause big problems in a certain household :D

My predictions:

Rangers over the Sabers in 6: Rangers have been on fire for the past 2 months,
Jagr is healthy/hungry again, the Jagr/Nylander/Whoever line is HOT
and Lundquist (serious Conn Smythe contender) is seeing the puck in slow-motion.
The Sabers are built for speed and I wonder if guys like Briere, Drury and Zubrus will be able to
handle the Ranger's physical play and intense forechecking. Who will Avery piss off first???

Ottawa sends the Devils packing in 7: If the Sens can bring the same intensity/goaltending
they brought night-after-night to the Pens, NJ is in BIG trouble. Alfredssen is another serious
Conn Smythe contender right now; he is playing great, smart hockey right now.
And sure, Brodeur can probably stop 50 pucks a night if he needs to but the Devils
just can't score enough to back him up unless guys like Parise and Gionta can maintain
their stellar play against a stingey Sens team and better goaltending than NJ faced with TB.

The Sharks will knock out the RedWings in 5: Hasek isn't gonna get off easy this
time like he did against the Flames. He will face more than 22 shots a night and they will
predominantly be quality scoring chances. I think 'age' catches up to Hasek and the rest
of the team and the Sharks advance.

Now the tough one...

The Nucks and Ducks are about as evenly matched as could be. I think the difference
maker will be if the Nucks can get more production/shots from their forwards and the
expected netminding out of Luongo (serious Conn Smythe contender right now).
Throughout most of the Dallas series, Nucks defensivemen were taking a majority of
the shots from the perimeter. The star forwards of the Nucks need to step it up a notch.
The same can be said about the Ducks. Someone other than Pronger needs to start
putting points on the board and they will need SOLID goaltending throughout from
their deadly combo of Bryzgalov and Guigere...
This is a tough one...
I think the Nucks sink the Ducks in 6.


Alrighty...
Fire away with your own predictions and/or any blasts
at me for mine

[Rockindeano]

I agree with the majority of your post, except...

Buffalo vs NY Rangers.

Buffalo smokes the Rangers. They didn't have the best recoed in the league for nothing. They have Ryan Miller, aka Superhuman Goalie. Add to that, Briere, and his line....wow. I love Lindy Ruff, as I I also hate Tom Renney. I got booted out of the old pacific Coliseum in Vancouver for heckling him, and he was the Canucks' coach...I will never forget that. Dumbass coach.

Buffalo in 5. Short and sweet.

Ottawa vs The NJ Devils.

Ottawa has it going with Alfredsson on fire. Add to that Emory in the pipes is solid...However, NJ slows the game down, and is flatout boring, but they know how to win.

Devils in 6


WEST

San Jose vs Detroit.

San Jose is a monster. Thornton, Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau....no chance for Detroit.

Sharks in 5


Vancouver vs Anaheim

This kills me. I seriously cannot predict this one. If Vancouver can get pressure on Bryzgolov and get point shots through, the Twins can do some damage. Anaheim has the best two defenceman in the league in Neidermayer and Pronger and Bryzgolov, but Bryzzy is NO Luongo. If Matt Cooke comes back, and Ryan Kessler, Nucks chances improve greatly.. Remember, they beat Dallas scoring barely a goal a game. I seriously don't think the Ducks are nasty enough to win it.

Also, remember, Ducks GM Brian Burke came from Vancouver, and He drafted the Twins. Something has to give.

Canucks in 7

[Carlitto H@kk]

Good points all, Dean.

Just a few thoughts...
You are dead-on about the Sabers; they didn't have the best record in the East for nothing.
But these Rangers are night & day from the Rangers the Sabers faced in the Reg Seaon.
And it is going to be a battle of TWO SuperHuman goalies with the way both have played.
I just don't think the Sabers catch match the physical play the Rangers are bringing, especially their forechecking.
Either way, this should make for a great series.

As for the NJ/Sens series, this could go either way. Both are playing exceptional
defense right now. I still think Ottawa pulls this one out.

[Behshad]

Buffalo - Rangers
Buffalo wins the series 4-2

Ottawa - NJ
Senators wins the series 4-3

San Jose - Red Wings
Red Wings win the series 4-3

Ducks - Canucks
Canucks wins the series 4-2


Dean, how about DOUBLE OR NOTHING . I say Red Wings will accomplish what Nashville couldnt......

[Rockindeano]

Buffalo - Rangers
Buffalo wins the series 4-2

Ottawa - NJ
Senators wins the series 4-3

San Jose - Red Wings
Red Wings win the series 4-3

Ducks - Canucks
Canucks wins the series 4-2


Dean, how about DOUBLE OR NOTHING . I say Red Wings will accomplish what Nashville couldnt......

No. I want Grey Goose, BUT, I will bet you 20 bucks. I say SJ smokes em.

[Behshad]

No. I want Grey Goose, BUT, I will bet you 20 bucks. I say SJ smokes em.

You got it bud

[Carlitto H@kk]

I still say you're both nuts.
Buffalo isn't getting past the Rangers.

But seriously, aren't these ALL some pretty awesome match-ups???
I thought the first round was great (except for the Rangers//Thrashers series)...
This round is looking to be majorly exciting

[Rockindeano]

I still say you're both nuts.
Buffalo isn't getting past the Rangers.

But seriously, aren't these ALL some pretty awesome match-ups???
I thought the first round was great (except for the Rangers//Thrashers series)...
This round is looking to be majorly exciting

20 bucks? I have Buffalo. Deal?

[Carlitto H@kk]

I still say you're both nuts.
Buffalo isn't getting past the Rangers.

But seriously, aren't these ALL some pretty awesome match-ups???
I thought the first round was great (except for the Rangers//Thrashers series)...
This round is looking to be majorly exciting

20 bucks? I have Buffalo. Deal?

"I'll be your Huckleberry"

Deal.

Speaking of bets, what kind of wager do you and Lu
got going for that Nucks/Ducks series???

[Rockindeano]

What we should do is this. 20 bucks for every win in the series. Example, if the Sabres win 4 and NYR 1, you owe me 60, and so on. Make it more of a wager. You are high on the Rangers. Come on, go for it.

[Carlitto H@kk]

What we should do is this. 20 bucks for every win in the series. Example, if the Sabres win 4 and NYR 1, you owe me 60, and so on. Make it more of a wager. You are high on the Rangers. Come on, go for it.

Dude, like you, I got a baby on the way and a new house being built as well...
The wife would kill me

$20 for the whole series.

And I am high on the Rangers right now.
My Pens are out and since Jagr is STILL my
favorite player and looking like the Jagr of the mid-nineties
right now, I gotta go with them.
He and Nylander are just clicking on all cylinders right now.

[Behshad]

What we should do is this. 20 bucks for every win in the series. Example, if the Sabres win 4 and NYR 1, you owe me 60, and so on. Make it more of a wager. You are high on the Rangers. Come on, go for it.

Dude, like you, I got a baby on the way and a new house being built as well...
The wife would kill me

$20 for the whole series.

And I am high on the Rangers right now.
My Pens are out and since Jagr is STILL my
favorite player and looking like the Jagr of the mid-nineties
right now, I gotta go with them.
He and Nylander are just clicking on all cylinders right now.

Come on now,,, dont chicken out,,,, yes youre gonna have a baby girl, but look at it from his point of view. for every $20 he loses to you, that comes out of Daniel and Henriks college funds. Plus since you know your Rangers gonna win by 4-2 you got nothing to worry about

[Lula]

I hope the Nucks/Ducks series doesn't
cause big problems in a certain household :D

No worries, Carlitto. We survived last year just fine. Even went to a few games in our respective gear cheering on our teams.
Of course the Ducks won .

As for wagers.... we'll think of something I'm sure. Dean has already stated his desire for our boys to be named after the Sedin boys.

[Moon Beam]

What we should do is this. 20 bucks for every win in the series. Example, if the Sabres win 4 and NYR 1, you owe me 60, and so on. Make it more of a wager. You are high on the Rangers. Come on, go for it.

Dude, like you, I got a baby on the way and a new house being built as well...
The wife would kill me

$20 for the whole series.

And I am high on the Rangers right now.
My Pens are out and since Jagr is STILL my
favorite player and looking like the Jagr of the mid-nineties
right now, I gotta go with them.
He and Nylander are just clicking on all cylinders right now.

Come on now,,, dont chicken out,,,, yes youre gonna have a baby girl, but look at it from his point of view. for every $20 he loses to you, that comes out of Daniel and Henriks college funds. Plus since you know your Rangers gonna win by 4-2 you got nothing to worry about

Your wifeless and kidless aren't you?

[Behshad]

What we should do is this. 20 bucks for every win in the series. Example, if the Sabres win 4 and NYR 1, you owe me 60, and so on. Make it more of a wager. You are high on the Rangers. Come on, go for it.

Dude, like you, I got a baby on the way and a new house being built as well...
The wife would kill me

$20 for the whole series.

And I am high on the Rangers right now.
My Pens are out and since Jagr is STILL my
favorite player and looking like the Jagr of the mid-nineties
right now, I gotta go with them.
He and Nylander are just clicking on all cylinders right now.

Come on now,,, dont chicken out,,,, yes youre gonna have a baby girl, but look at it from his point of view. for every $20 he loses to you, that comes out of Daniel and Henriks college funds. Plus since you know your Rangers gonna win by 4-2 you got nothing to worry about

Your wifeless and kidless aren't you?

Um, not exactly. Its just easier to see Carl lose the $20's to Dean than me

[Carlitto H@kk]

Holy Shit!!!
Ottawa already up 4-2 early in the second!
SJ up 2-0 in the first???
Could we get 2 more blow-outs tonight like last night???
GOD DAMN! I love this time of the year!!!