The 2012 NHL Playoff Thread

[Mako]

The playoffs are set! This year should be very exciting and the teams are so even that anyone has a chance to win, it will be whoever wants it the most/ whichever goal tender gets hot at the right time. Feel free to make predictions for the first round/ predict the cup champion and what not.

[KingBroly]

The Washington Capitals

[gtt]

fav team? nj devils.

cup prediction? ...I'm gonna say... blackhawks.

[Mako]

So far so good for my Wings. (2-0) We are adding more young players every year.

I wonder when Crosby will make his comeback. I had no idea a concussion could put someone out for so long. Although, I'm not really complaining.

[KingBroly]

It's the coach's fault (and that guy got Coach of the Year?) for putting him out there 2 days after initially getting the concussion.

[Styster]

Chicago Blackhawks, represent!

[Mako]

First Round Predictions

East

NY Rangers Vs Ottawa: Rangers in 7

Boston Vs Washington: Bruins in 6

Florida Vs New Jersey: Devils in 6

Pittsburgh Vs Philadelphia: Penguins in 7

West

Vancouver Vs Los Angeles: Canucks in 6

St. Louis Vs San Jose: Blues in 7

Phoenix Vs Chicago: Black hawks in 6

Nashville Vs. Detroit: Red Wings in 7

[KingBroly]

Round 1
NYR > OTT in 6
WSH > BOS in 6
NJD > FLA in 5
PIT > PHI in 4

VAN > LAK in 5
SJS > STL in 6
CHI > PHX in 5
DET > NSH in 7

Round 2
WSH > NYR in 6
PIT > NJD in 4

VAN > SJS in 7
CHI > DET in 6

Round 3
WSH > PIT in 7
CHI > VAN in 7

Stanley Cup
Washington > Chicago in 5 games

[chris_the_wing]

Can I predict another Vancouver riot?

Seriously, Vancouver needs to win a cup sooner on later and this year looks as good as any.

[someone17]

Pens all the way!

[Mako]

Well, I never expected that Philadelphia would be up 3-0 against the Penguins or that the Kings would be up 2-0 against the Canucks. So far all the other series seem very even with a TON of overtime periods in these opening games. My Wings are down 2-1 in the series, but I'm confident they can come back and win it with how they played today. Also, the following goal was amazing:



Edit: I never expected the Kings to make it to the finals, but congrats to them. It looks like they will be facing the Devils unless the Rangers make a comeback. I can't say I will be excited about the match up, but it should still be entertaining to watch.

[gtt]

is dat my devils winning? awwwww yea.

[aqpl3seeD]

LOVED the Devils/Rangers series. Such great history and a fantastic ending with a rookie, Henrique, scoring the series winner in OT for New Jersey!

In contrast, I didn't much care for the LA/Phoenix series only because of the terrible officiating. Two things really bothered me, 1) Dustin Brown's obvious dives- including the Hanzal shove from behind, and 2) the fact that the Kings' defense were allowed to literally tackle people. I felt as though this could have been a great series featuring two of the best unheralded goaltenders this season. Yes, unheralded, because Jonathan Quick has long been considered a placeholder for Bernier despite his play.

Really looking forward to the Stanley Cup Final! Hopefully, the officiating will be consistent so that, even if tackling is allowed, the Devils can reciprocate and it won't cost them the series.

May the best team win!

V

[Mako]

With the Kings being up 3-2 in the series and 4-0 in game 6 it looks like they will get it done tonight! I really didn't care which team won, but it was still pretty entertaining to watch. It would have been terrible if the Kings hadn't won this game because a game 7 in New Jersey would have been hard for them to win. The Devil's have a lot of composure and confidence to go out there and win two games after being down 3-0, but it wasn't enough.

Great run by the Kings. I can honestly say I never expected them to hold the Stanley cup in the end, but that is what makes hockey so great. Anybody can win any given year because the teams are so even. Unlike the NBA...