NHL playoff predictions

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jaeger66

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Originally posted by: Garet Jax


Agreed, but when players like Zubrus and Nylander are getting points (goals even), then Washington will be a very tought team to beat.

Tampa is a young, up and coming team. And every young, up and coming team loses in the 1st round at least once. I thought Khabibulin's red hot play would continue and shut down what is basically a one line team but so far it hasn't. Still, whoever wins this series is just fresh meat for round 2 unless the Isles somehow beat the Sens.
 

jaeger66

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Originally posted by: Wingznut
I blame the Wings lack of scoring more than anything else. I'm sorry, but 3 goals over 8+ periods of hockey isn't going to win squat.

Maybe, but in the playoffs you're not going to go on any wild scoring sprees too often. What it comes down to is that Jospeh did exactly what he's famous for, letting in a soft goal late in a tie game.
 

rh71

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Aug 28, 2001
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Don't take what I said as gloating. I had no expectations of the Caps playing so well as a team coming into even this series. They are playing with a ton of effort right now, which is quite evident when 2 of the 3 forwards come all the way back to backcheck hard on every shift. They want this bad. They know there are holes in the defense and they are plugging them very well so far.

It's just that Tampa, after beating so many tough teams just before coming into the playoffs, is giving such a poor showing of effort right now. The fact that some of you picked them to win the series in 5 or 6 games shows exactly how much of regular season play means nothing in the playoffs. BUT if you want to go that route, Tampa hasn't won a game in Washington in... damn how long have the Bolts been around?!

I'm more pissed about the Caps not getting any respect, is all... not as a true playoff contender, but as a team playing an inexperienced one. Given, I couldn't have predicted an 0-2 effort from Tampa coming out of their home rink thus far... but for them to beat the Caps in 5 or 6 ?!
 

jaeger66

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Originally posted by: rh71

I'm more pissed about the Caps not getting any respect, is all... not as a true playoff contender, but as a team playing an inexperienced one. Given, I couldn't have predicted an 0-2 effort from Tampa coming out of their home rink thus far... but for them to beat the Caps in 5 or 6 ?!

The Caps get no respect because they haven't earned it. This team of mega paychecks couldn't even win the worst division in hockey, and has gotten out of the 1st round once in the last 7 years. And as a long time Pen fan I can tell you it only means bad things when Jagr starts whining about his injuries BEFORE the playoffs begin.
 

Atlantean

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May 2, 2001
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Hey guess what you are wrong. The Canucks will win... GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO, GO CANUCKS GO
 

rh71

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Aug 28, 2001
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Originally posted by: jaeger66
Originally posted by: rh71

I'm more pissed about the Caps not getting any respect, is all... not as a true playoff contender, but as a team playing an inexperienced one. Given, I couldn't have predicted an 0-2 effort from Tampa coming out of their home rink thus far... but for them to beat the Caps in 5 or 6 ?!

The Caps get no respect because they haven't earned it. This team of mega paychecks couldn't even win the worst division in hockey, and has gotten out of the 1st round once in the last 7 years. And as a long time Pen fan I can tell you it only means bad things when Jagr starts whining about his injuries BEFORE the playoffs begin.
Re-read what I wrote.

 

jaeger66

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Originally posted by: rh71
Re-read what I wrote.

I read what you wrote. I said earlier I picked Tampa because they had the hot goalie, experienced team or not. And nothing is more crucial in the playoffs than a hot goalie, ask Anaheim. Besides, it's not like Washington has a huge edge in experience, only Jagr and Berezin have rings.
 

Wingznut

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Dec 28, 1999
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Originally posted by: jaeger66
Originally posted by: Wingznut
I blame the Wings lack of scoring more than anything else. I'm sorry, but 3 goals over 8+ periods of hockey isn't going to win squat.

Maybe, but in the playoffs you're not going to go on any wild scoring sprees too often. What it comes down to is that Jospeh did exactly what he's famous for, letting in a soft goal late in a tie game.
I'm not expecting a scoring spree... But you also can't expect a shutout against every opponent. Thus, more than one goal will be needed.
 

rh71

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Aug 28, 2001
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Originally posted by: jaeger66
Originally posted by: rh71
Re-read what I wrote.

I read what you wrote. I said earlier I picked Tampa because they had the hot goalie, experienced team or not. And nothing is more crucial in the playoffs than a hot goalie, ask Anaheim. Besides, it's not like Washington has a huge edge in experience, only Jagr and Berezin have rings.
Experience = playoff experience. Not SC wins.

If you haven't been watching, and I'm sure you haven't... Olie took the Caps to the playoffs this year. He has been a wall behind a very unstable defense all year long. So don't tell me Khabibulin can win this one just because he was hot for Tampa. Again, no respect...

The Caps came into round 1 a few years ago as a hot TEAM, including Olie. But their competition was the mighty Penguins, and the Caps quickly came crashing down against Jagr and Lemieux (whom we beat the crap out of, but it didn't seem to matter)... I've learned it's not who's hotter... it's who plays the system better (where experience and poise comes in), because a ton of goals scored in the playoffs are ugly ones.

You have a 7-game series against the same team. A system/strategy will be employed. It's the team who makes the fewest mistakes that will come out on top. A bunch of "rookies" ain't gonna do it. It's the reason Minnesota will fall just the same.
 

jaeger66

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Originally posted by: Wingznut
I'm not expecting a scoring spree... But you also can't expect a shutout against every opponent. Thus, more than one goal will be needed.

True, but I don't think what's happened to the Wings is like what happened to Philly last year. I really don't think they could have dominated game 1 any more than they did, but Giguere shut them down.
 

Aquaman

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Dec 17, 1999
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McKenzie: Turco playing inconsistently

TSN.ca Staff
4/14/2003

(TSN) - Marty Turco had a couple of things going for him during the regular season. One was excellence and one was consistency. And when you put those two things together, you get the best goals against average in the post-war National Hockey League.

But what we've seen of Turco in the playoffs has been very streaky - good and bad. In Game 1 he gave up two goals in a span of three minutes and 48 seconds and the Oilers won that game. He then shut the door for a long period of time - one goal in Game 2 and through a stretch of 115 minutes and 23 seconds, which carried over into Sunday?s Game 3. In the third period of Game 3 however, Turco allowed three goals in three minutes and five seconds.

Some of the goals scored on Turco in Game 1 were not of the vintage variety. Certainly Ryan Smyth's goal wasn't and some people think Shawn Horcoff?s game winner should have been stopped on the short side. Fast-forward to Game 3 where Turco had to stop a shot by Fernando Pisani but didn?t.

Everybody wondered about Turco going into the playoffs, saying his goaltending was not going to be an issue because he's so cocky, has so much athleticism and is so strong handling the puck. Even though he hasn't played any playoff games in the National Hockey League, this is a guy who's had mounds of experience in college and the minors.

I?m not blaming all the Stars' woes on Marty Turco but his goaltending has been very inconsistent in the playoffs.

Cheers,
Aquaman
 

Garet Jax

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Feb 21, 2000
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Originally posted by: jaeger66
Originally posted by: Garet Jax


Agreed, but when players like Zubrus and Nylander are getting points (goals even), then Washington will be a very tought team to beat.

Tampa is a young, up and coming team. And every young, up and coming team loses in the 1st round at least once. I thought Khabibulin's red hot play would continue and shut down what is basically a one line team but so far it hasn't. Still, whoever wins this series is just fresh meat for round 2 unless the Isles somehow beat the Sens.

Normally I would agree with this, but Washington has played two very good games of hockey. They are getting their top scorers to score (namely Lang, Jagr and Bondra), but they are also getting contribution from the less likely guys (Miller, Nylander and Zubrus). Most importantly, they are playing great defense which is allowing Kolzig to see and stop the puck. They key to playoff hockey is back checking forwards to close down the neutral zone. Washington is doing this amazingly. Even more, they are causing TB to turn the puck over in the neutral zone which is giving Washington great odd man chances.

If Washington can keep this up, then they will beat TB and will also have a good chance of beating their second round opponent.
 

KokomoGST

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Nov 13, 2001
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Anyone else notice that NJ is the only high seed to win all it's games in authortative fashion? Because of their defense and goaltending consistency.

Methinks that Dallas misses Guerin, Turgeon, and Hatcher (just for the last game) more than they let on. Turco isn't really to blame for this last game where Oiler forwards
were just able to sit in front of the net or crash it without hesistation.

TB at this rate will prolly lose to the Caps but defeating their 2nd round opponent is an altogether different story. Until I see a tighter defense out of the Caps and an ability to play against a team that's strong defensively... I don't think they have a chance. Similar to Toronto/Philly... defense (or lack thereof, esp in front of the net) is going to be a big swing factor either way.
 

Aquaman

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Dec 17, 1999
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Originally posted by: KokomoGST
Anyone else notice that NJ is the only high seed to win all it's games in authortative fashion? Because of their defense and goaltending consistency.

Methinks that Dallas misses Guerin, Turgeon, and Hatcher (just for the last game) more than they let on. Turco isn't really to blame for this last game where Oiler forwards
were just able to sit in front of the net or crash it without hesistation.

TB at this rate will prolly lose to the Caps but defeating their 2nd round opponent is an altogether different story. Until I see a tighter defense out of the Caps and an ability to play against a team that's strong defensively... I don't think they have a chance. Similar to Toronto/Philly... defense (or lack thereof, esp in front of the net) is going to be a big swing factor either way.

Come on :Q 3 goals in under 3 minutes :Q Me thinks Turco is having some trouble transitioning frrom regular season to playoffs :D

Go Canucks Go!!! :D :D :D

Cheers,
Aquaman
 

Garet Jax

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Feb 21, 2000
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Originally posted by: KokomoGST
Anyone else notice that NJ is the only high seed to win all it's games in authortative fashion? Because of their defense and goaltending consistency.

Methinks that Dallas misses Guerin, Turgeon, and Hatcher (just for the last game) more than they let on. Turco isn't really to blame for this last game where Oiler forwards
were just able to sit in front of the net or crash it without hesistation.

TB at this rate will prolly lose to the Caps but defeating their 2nd round opponent is an altogether different story. Until I see a tighter defense out of the Caps and an ability to play against a team that's strong defensively... I don't think they have a chance. Similar to Toronto/Philly... defense (or lack thereof, esp in front of the net) is going to be a big swing factor either way.

I think Colorado has played pretty well and met expectations. They are only leading the series 2-1, but they have played well in the last two games.

 

jaeger66

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Jan 1, 2001
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Originally posted by: Garet Jax


Normally I would agree with this, but Washington has played two very good games of hockey. They are getting their top scorers to score (namely Lang, Jagr and Bondra), but they are also getting contribution from the less likely guys (Miller, Nylander and Zubrus). Most importantly, they are playing great defense which is allowing Kolzig to see and stop the puck. They key to playoff hockey is back checking forwards to close down the neutral zone. Washington is doing this amazingly. Even more, they are causing TB to turn the puck over in the neutral zone which is giving Washington great odd man chances.

True, but you can say that about almost any team who jumps out 2-0. As a Pens fan I've seen the Caps come out on fire only to crash and burn too many times to put them on the short list of contenders just yet. Tonight will be the first game ESPN shows in the series so I'll have a better idea about things after that.
 

wyvrn

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Feb 15, 2000
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I totally agree in that third game Turco had a stinker. Actually it was just the third period that stunk, but it cost them the game nonetheless. But Turco's first two games weren't bad, allowing only 3 goals. It helped in Game 2 that the Dallas offense led a barage on Edmonton that resembled the marines march into Iraq. So it looks like overall, Turco has had one great game, one good one, and a stinker. That's not the only reason for Dallas being down 2-1 either, since the Dallas offense has been just as inconsistent in the playoffs. While they exploded in Game 2, the other two games have been average efforts. Of course, this has been Dallas problem the last month heading into the playoffs as they deal with injuries to two important offensive players Turgeon and Guerin.


Originally posted by: Aquaman
Originally posted by: KokomoGST
Anyone else notice that NJ is the only high seed to win all it's games in authortative fashion? Because of their defense and goaltending consistency.

Methinks that Dallas misses Guerin, Turgeon, and Hatcher (just for the last game) more than they let on. Turco isn't really to blame for this last game where Oiler forwards
were just able to sit in front of the net or crash it without hesistation.

TB at this rate will prolly lose to the Caps but defeating their 2nd round opponent is an altogether different story. Until I see a tighter defense out of the Caps and an ability to play against a team that's strong defensively... I don't think they have a chance. Similar to Toronto/Philly... defense (or lack thereof, esp in front of the net) is going to be a big swing factor either way.

Come on :Q 3 goals in under 3 minutes :Q Me thinks Turco is having some trouble transitioning frrom regular season to playoffs :D

Go Canucks Go!!! :D :D :D

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

jaeger66

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Jan 1, 2001
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My first look at the postseason Caps was unimpressive. Instead of coming out and sticking the dagger in they stood around while Tampa had their way. The Caps were lucky to escape the 1st tied instead of down by 3. The OT penalty of Klee was solid, the one on Jagr was ticky-tacky but anyone who's watched hockey for more than 5 minutes knows the ALWAYS call retaliation on stuff like that.
 

Wingznut

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Dec 28, 1999
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I'm still standing by my "Wings will win 4 straight" prediction. (Ok, ok... So, I forgot to mention that the Ducks might squeak out a win or two... or three.) ;)
 

Garet Jax

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Feb 21, 2000
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Originally posted by: Wingznut
I'm still standing by my "Wings will win 4 straight" prediction. (Ok, ok... So, I forgot to mention that the Ducks might squeak out a win or two... or three.) ;)

I agree that it is too early to count the wings out, but it is not looking good.
 

rh71

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Aug 28, 2001
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Originally posted by: jaeger66
My first look at the postseason Caps was unimpressive. Instead of coming out and sticking the dagger in they stood around while Tampa had their way. The Caps were lucky to escape the 1st tied instead of down by 3. The OT penalty of Klee was solid, the one on Jagr was ticky-tacky but anyone who's watched hockey for more than 5 minutes knows the ALWAYS call retaliation on stuff like that.
It was too bad you had to see an effort like that by the Caps last night. The difference between games 1/2 and last night's to me was marginal on the Caps' end, but Tampa was just flying like never before. That was the energy I was calling for from them, to make this an exciting series (not that I was complaining about the Caps sound defensive game). Last night, Tampa forechecked a lot more and were able to get through the neutral zone with the puck to even get in there. Great effort by the Caps on the comeback front, but Tampa wanted it much more... credit to them.

In the end, Jagr/Kubina ... when the Caps scored the tying goal with 2-something minutes left in regulation, Kubina took a blatant run at Jagr after he got rid of the puck. I'm talking a gloved fist to his face, making him bleed on the ice. Yes there was blood... and no, there was no call. Now a few minutes later into OT, Kubina runs Jagr again, but didn't let up after Jagr got rid of the puck. Kubina was doing his job to the extreme, with an additional 2 crosschecks to make sure Jagr was out of the play. Jagr was PO'd at that point and started to respond. What would you want him to do in that situation? LaRue calls Jagr and not Kubina for his "extracurricular activities" and that's why Jagr was pointing to his mouth the whole time while skating to the penalty box. "You're gonna call me for taking his helmet off, but not him for punching me in the mouth that resulted in blood?" What a crock of $#!t. Take them both or not at all.

About Klee on Andreychuk... am I the only one who saw 'chuk embellish his fall to the ice by doing an additional 180 ? Klee should've gone, IMO, but where's the dive ?

Not to mention the fact that you NEVER call marginal penalties like that to put a team down 5-on-3 in an OT situation during PLAYOFF TIME. Rules are rules, but have you EVER seen this done before? EVERYBODY knows the teams should decide their own outcome in OT, and not by putting them at an obvious disadvantage when they already had one. They were MARGINAL calls that could've went both ways. Where were the calls the entire game when Kubina was taking liberties at Jagr before that? You're right I'm pissed... but thank God game 4 is tonight. We'll have to see how Jagr responds... and I hope I can keep it short in my next post with a smiley.
 

Garet Jax

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Feb 21, 2000
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Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: jaeger66
My first look at the postseason Caps was unimpressive. Instead of coming out and sticking the dagger in they stood around while Tampa had their way. The Caps were lucky to escape the 1st tied instead of down by 3. The OT penalty of Klee was solid, the one on Jagr was ticky-tacky but anyone who's watched hockey for more than 5 minutes knows the ALWAYS call retaliation on stuff like that.
It was too bad you had to see an effort like that by the Caps last night. The difference between games 1/2 and last night's to me was marginal on the Caps' end, but Tampa was just flying like never before. That was the energy I was calling for from them, to make this an exciting series (not that I was complaining about the Caps sound defensive game). Last night, Tampa forechecked a lot more and were able to get through the neutral zone with the puck to even get in there. Great effort by the Caps on the comeback front, but Tampa wanted it much more... credit to them.

In the end, Jagr/Kubina ... when the Caps scored the tying goal with 2-something minutes left in regulation, Kubina took a blatant run at Jagr after he got rid of the puck. I'm talking a gloved fist to his face, making him bleed on the ice. Yes there was blood... and no, there was no call. Now a few minutes later into OT, Kubina runs Jagr again, but didn't let up after Jagr got rid of the puck. Kubina was doing his job to the extreme, with an additional 2 crosschecks to make sure Jagr was out of the play. Jagr was PO'd at that point and started to respond. What would you want him to do in that situation? LaRue calls Jagr and not Kubina for his "extracurricular activities" and that's why Jagr was pointing to his mouth the whole time while skating to the penalty box. "You're gonna call me for taking his helmet off, but not him for punching me in the mouth that resulted in blood?" What a crock of $#!t. Take them both or not at all.

About Klee on Andreychuk... am I the only one who saw 'chuk embellish his fall to the ice by doing an additional 180 ? Klee should've gone, IMO, but where's the dive ?

Not to mention the fact that you NEVER call marginal penalties like that to put a team down 5-on-3 in an OT situation during PLAYOFF TIME. Rules are rules, but have you EVER seen this done before? They were MARGINAL calls that could've went both ways. Where were the calls the entire game when Kubina was taking liberties at Jagr before that? You're right I'm pissed... but thank God game 4 is tonight. We'll have to see how Jagr responds... and I hope I can keep it short in my next post with a smiley.

I agree totally. It is unfortunate when the refs take the game out of the player's hands and make game changing decisions like those last night.
 

KokomoGST

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Nov 13, 2001
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Well, let's see how many of my predictions are now toast?? :p

Detroit gets swept... Blues look a lot stronger... Oilers are giving Dallas a run for their money...

Colorado, NJ, Ottawa are dominating and playing well. Toronto/Philly + Tampa/Wash are both good battles.