05-04-2004 05:31									#91
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Have you paid attention to how Colorado has played lately? They both stink, but they'll rise for the playoffs. Turco is a better goalie than either Salo or Aebischer. Other than that, the series is even.

I think Tampa will run out of steam, but that's pretty uncertain.

Leafs over Ottawa is the easiest pick other than Detroit to smoke Nashville. The Leafs beat them in the season series and have always dominated (with a capital D) them in the playoffs.

Theodore might be the difference between Boston and Montreal, if Raycroft wasn't playing so brilliantly this year.

Jersey have problems but they do have a better goalie - so that one might conceivably go the other way.

Vancouver have too much class for Calgary (as do half the teams in the East).

Who really cares about the Blues and the Sharks?

	05-04-2004 05:36									#92
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quote: Originally posted by joncha Put 'em up Asher. If only to give yourself bragging rights when round 2 rolls around.

I don't do predictions.

Though I know I will be amused at how everyone underestimated the Flames.

	05-04-2004 05:41									#93
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No one underestimates the Flames. Apart from Iginla and the coaching, they pretty much suck.

Joncha - you might want to revise your Toronto Ottawa prediction given how badly the Leafs ****ed up the Sens last night.

	05-04-2004 05:45									#94
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quote: Originally posted by Agathon No one underestimates the Flames. Apart from Iginla and the coaching, they pretty much suck.

and Kiprusoff.

The Flames have one of the lowest (if not the lowest?) GAA in the league, and also have the league's top scorer...put them together with a coach that has had a huge positive impact on a team that only continues to improve, and I think it's pretty deadly.

	05-04-2004 05:47									#95
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quote: Originally posted by Agathon No one underestimates the Flames. Apart from Iginla and the coaching, they pretty much suck. Joncha - you might want to revise your Toronto Ottawa prediction given how badly the Leafs ****ed up the Sens last night.

The drubbing just gave Ottawa more of an incentive to get their revenge in the playoffs. But, as usual, they will fall short.

And, yes, the flames suck.

	05-04-2004 05:49									#96
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quote: Originally posted by Asher I don't do predictions. Though I know I will be amused at how everyone underestimated the Flames.

And Asher weighs in on the discussion.

	05-04-2004 06:00									#97
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At least the Flames aren't a low-life team that sinks to sucker punches from behind.

	05-04-2004 06:01									#98
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If Vancouver makes the finals, I swear to all that is holy, I'll eat a haggis.

	05-04-2004 06:08									#99
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I can dream, can't I? Besides, they're going in to the playoffs riding a winning streak for a change.

	05-04-2004 06:11									#100
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quote: Originally posted by Asher and Kiprusoff. The Flames have one of the lowest (if not the lowest?) GAA in the league, and also have the league's top scorer...put them together with a coach that has had a huge positive impact on a team that only continues to improve, and I think it's pretty deadly.

And I thought you were deluded about the Mac OS.....


The Flames have Iginla, a good coach and a goalie who has yet to prove himself. Other than that they are manned by second string no-talents who work hard. They don't have the extra punch that a playoff team needs from experienced playoff veterans or the maturity from the same.

So let's say the Flames have two excellent players.

Let's compare that with say, the Leafs (who I don't think will win the Cup).

The Leafs have an experienced Cup winning goaltender who is probably second only to Brodeur in the entire league.

They have the league's top offensive defence duo in points terms in Leetch and McCabe.

To back them up they can pick from Klee, Johansson, Marchment, Kaberle and Berg.

Up front they have Sundin, Mogilny, Nieuwendyk, Francis, and Roberts along with a cast of very experienced NHLers like Fitzgerald, Tucker and Renberg.

The Flames have only one player who is in this class and that is Iginla.

But what you should really be afraid of is Vancouver's roster. They are simply a better team. You are lucky they don't have Bertuzzi.

	05-04-2004 06:12									#101
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quote: Originally posted by Asher At least the Flames aren't a low-life team that sinks to sucker punches from behind.

No - they are a low life team that resorts to the trap and fighting because they aren't very skilled.

They are the NHL's version of a typical Scottish second division side (although the Flames have more teeth between them).

	05-04-2004 06:21									#102
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I'm not the one that's deluded. You say Kiprusoff has yet to prove himself...

The man is getting less than half of the average NHL goaltender salary, he's been brutally consistent all year -- even when he missed 16 straight games due to an injury. In fact, he was even BETTER after he came back.

Just because he's "only" been in the Playoffs twice before doesn't mean he's not the best goalie in the league right now, even in the Playoffs.

You did know that Kiprusoff just set a new NHL record for lowest goals against average, right? And you do know that Kiprusoff leads the league in lowest GAA (obviously) and save percentage?

And it's not a small difference. Kiprusoff (#1)'s GAA was a record 1.69, while Belfour(#12) was 2.13 and Brodeur (#4) was 2.03.

All of this talk about Belfour and Brodeur being so damn good, not to mention how "awesome" their teams defenses are is bullshit, if the "crappy" Calgary Flames defense with their "unproven" goalie get far less goals scored on them. Hell, last year in the Playoffs Belfour had a high 2.71 GAA. Like hell he's one of the best...

	05-04-2004 06:25									#103
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quote: Originally posted by Agathon No - they are a low life team that resorts to the trap and fighting because they aren't very skilled.

The trap? The Flames?

Christ, how many games have you watched of theirs this year? 1, 2?

They also don't fight very much, maybe one or two per game max...The Sutter/Oliwa "incident" was a fluke.

	05-04-2004 06:31									#104
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My Predictions:

EAST: ROUND ONE

Tampa Bay(1) vs. Islanders(8) - Tampa in 4
Boston(2) vs Montreal(7) - Boston in 7
Philadelphia(3) vs. New Jersey(6) - New Jersey in 5
Toronto(4) vs. Ottawa(5) - Toronto in 7

WEST: ROUND ONE

Detroit(1) vs. Nashville(8) - Detroit in 4
San Jose(2) vs. St. Louis(7) - San Jose in 7
Vancouver(3) vs. Calgary(6) - Vancouver in 5
Colorado(4) vs. Dallas(5) - Dallas in 7


EAST: ROUND TWO

Tampa Bay(1) vs. New Jersey(6) - Tampa in 6
Boston(2) vs Toronto(4) - Toronto in 6

WEST: ROUND TWO

Detroit(1) vs. Dallas(5) - Detroit in 6
San Jose(2) vs. Vancouver(3) - Vancouver in 7


EAST: ROUND THREE

Tampa Bay(1) vs. Toronto(4) - Toronto in 6

WEST: ROUND THREE

Detroit(1) vs. Vancouver(3) - Vancouver in 7


FINALS
Vancouver(3) vs. Toronto(4) - Vancouver in 7


I'm going with my heart on Vancouver's last two matchups - my head tells me Detroit over Toronto in 6.

	05-04-2004 06:44									#105
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Asher, you are the only one who doesn't think the Flames will get smoked.

	05-04-2004 06:46									#106
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I'm willing to live with that.

I still think you're a moron for underestimating Kiprusoff, and your ridiculous assertion that Belfour is probably second only to Brodeur...

Belfour is ****ing OLD. OLD. OLD. Older people have slower reflexes. He's an old man trying to play a young man's game. His regular season performance is average at best, and his post-second performance sucks (2.71 from "one of the best" goalies? Gimmie a break)

	05-04-2004 06:53									#107
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As long as we all assert that Brodeur is the best playoff goalie in the league today, all of you are forgiven .

	05-04-2004 07:02									#108
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Belfour has a 2.17 career playoff average, the second highest shut-outs this year and he still plays better than the kids that'll be playing.

	05-04-2004 07:06									#109
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quote: Originally posted by Tingkai Belfour has a 2.17 career playoff average, the second highest shut-outs this year and he still plays better than the kids that'll be playing.

Even Kipy?

And why are we looking at his career average? The man's old, and the last playoffs he played in was 2.71. He's clearly on a slide in pressure situations.

The only reason the GAA is even that low is because Toronto has good defense.

	05-04-2004 07:12									#110
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The last playoffs Turek played in, our backup goalie, he had a 2.05GAA.

Kiprusoff has a 1.91 GAA career playoff record, btw. And that was back when he was a rather bad goalie.

	05-04-2004 07:14									#111
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My Predictions:
EAST Quarter-finals
Tampa Bay vs. Islanders - Tampa in 5
Boston vs Montreal - Montreal in 6
Philadelphia vs. New Jersey - New Jersey in 5
Toronto vs. Ottawa - Toronto in 6

WEST Quarter-Finals
Detroit vs. Nashville - Detroit in 6
San Jose vs. St. Louis - San Jose in 7
Vancouver vs. Calgary - Calgary in 6
Colorado vs. Dallas - Dallas in 7


EAST Semi-Finals
Tampa Bay vs. Montreal - Tampa in 7
Toronto vs New Jersey - Toronto in 6

WEST Semi-finals
Detroit vs. Calgary - Calgary in 7
San Jose vs. Dallas - Dallas in 7


EAST Conference Finals
Tampa Bay vs. Toronto - Toronto in 6

WEST Conference Finals
Dallas vs Calgary - Calgary in 7

FINALS
Calgary vs Toronto - Toronto in 7


EDIT: I'm not sure about Caglary over Detroit, this is more the heart speaking than the head. If Detroit wins, then they take down the Stars and then lose to Toronto.

Last edited by Tingkai on 05-04-2004 at 07:25

	05-04-2004 07:21									#112
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quote: Originally posted by Asher Even Kipy?

The odds are stacked against him because he doesn't have play-off experience, but neither did Giguere.

I think the Flames could go to the cup if Kipy stays hot, but that's a big if. Even if the Flames do make it, they won't win the grail, but you're in for a fun ride.

quote: Originally posted by Asher And why are we looking at his career average? The man's old, and the last playoffs he played in was 2.71. He's clearly on a slide in pressure situations.

You can't look at just one series. The Leafs had a lot of trouble last year. This year they're a far better team. The D is incredible with Leetch being added, McCabe playing smart, and (I never thought I would say this) Calle Johansson is playing great.

The front is deadly with snipers like Sundin, Mogilny, Francis plus Roberts and Nieuwendyk and grinders like Domi. So which line is the other team going to shut down?

quote: Originally posted by Asher The only reason the GAA is even that low is because Toronto has good defense.

That's true for any goalie.

	05-04-2004 07:28									#113
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quote: Originally posted by Asher The last playoffs Turek played in, our backup goalie, he had a 2.05GAA. Kiprusoff has a 1.91 GAA career playoff record, btw. And that was back when he was a rather bad goalie.

That reminds me of a goalie that finished the season with a 1.95 GAA in 65 games. Then in the play-offs, Turek and the Blues went down in one series.

And Kippy's playoff experience is three games and seven minutes of another game.

	05-04-2004 07:37									#114
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MWHC predicts the Red Wings will take it all. I see them doing it in 18 games.

	05-04-2004 08:13									#115
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Totally Correct Predictions:

(Bank-Takeable!)

WEST

Detroit over Nashville in 4
St. Louis over San Jose in 7
Calgary over Vancouver in 6
Colorado over Dallas in 6 (Sakic & Forsberg make the difference, though I do think Turco is a strong, strong tender.)

EAST

Tampa over Islanders in 5
Boston over Montreal in 5
New Jersey over Philly in 7 (Brodeur...)
Toronto over Ottawa in 6

ROUND 2 (That's right, I'm goin' there...)

Detroit over St. Louis in 5
Calgary over Colorado in 7

New Jersey over Tampa in 6
Toronto over Boston in 6

CONFERENCE FINALS

Detroit over Calgary in 6

Toronto over Jersey in 7

STANLEY CUP FINALS

Detroit over Toronto in 7

Brodeur wins the Conn Smythe.

	05-04-2004 08:19									#116
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Also: Everyone must immediately cease calling Miika Kiprusoff "Kipy". It's so, so lame. Especially when you can call him by the much more natural nickname of "Kipper". Thank you.

	05-04-2004 08:20									#117
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quote: Brodeur wins the Conn Smythe.

WOW... a loser in the Conference Finals wins the Conn Smythe. That would be... well pretty incredible .

--

My (biased) look:

EAST Quarter-finals
Tampa Bay vs. Islanders - Tampa in 5
Boston vs Montreal - Montreal in 7
Philadelphia vs. New Jersey - New Jersey in 6
Toronto vs. Ottawa - Toronto in 7

WEST Quarter-Finals
Detroit vs. Nashville - Detroit in 5
San Jose vs. St. Louis - San Jose in 6
Vancouver vs. Calgary - Vancouver in 6
Colorado vs. Dallas - Dallas in 7


EAST Semi-Finals
Tampa Bay vs. Montreal - Tampa in 7
Toronto vs. New Jersey - New Jersey in 6

WEST Semi-finals
Detroit vs. Dallas - Detroit in 5
Vancouver vs. San Jose - San Jose in 7

EAST Conference Finals
Tampa Bay vs. New Jersey - New Jersey in 6

WEST Conference Finals
Detroit vs. San Jose - San Jose in 7

FINALS
New Jersey vs. San Jose - New Jersey in 5

Conn Smythe: Scott Niedermeyer, NJD

	05-04-2004 09:04									#118
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quote: Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui quote: Brodeur wins the Conn Smythe. WOW... a loser in the Conference Finals wins the Conn Smythe. That would be... well pretty incredible .

That was just a bone thrown in the general direction of the otherwise downtrodden and hopeless Devils fans.

(The Conn-Smythe will actually go to... Stevey frickin' Y.)

	05-04-2004 11:55									#119
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quote: Originally posted by Asher I'm willing to live with that. I still think you're a moron for underestimating Kiprusoff, and your ridiculous assertion that Belfour is probably second only to Brodeur... Belfour is ****ing OLD. OLD. OLD. Older people have slower reflexes. He's an old man trying to play a young man's game. His regular season performance is average at best, and his post-second performance sucks (2.71 from "one of the best" goalies? Gimmie a break)

You are clearly insane.

If you asked any coach which goalie he would want in the playoffs, it would be Brodeur and then Belfour. Not some untried hack like Kiprusoff.

	05-04-2004 12:00									#120
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Brodeur I could see, Belfour I do not see. He's simply not that good.