Stanley Cup Playoffs 2002

[RoadDawg]

I'm just wondering who everybody thinks is gonna win it this year. My bet is on the Red Wings.

[Quiet]

I'm rooting for the underdog - Ottawa. Don't think they've ever won the cup before.

[pumpamatic]

Gonna have to be the Wings, their on a 6 game streak, just hope they get this one tonight. If they win 3 in the series you can bank on them moving on, and walloping the Sharks. I hope the Av's lose their series. I was a little disappointed to see the Devils go down so easy, so my money's on Detroit all the way.

[MikeCouves]

Yeah the Wings are quite a powerful team.

It's good to see that many Canadian teams in it this year, it makes alot of Canadian fans turn their heads to watch the boob tube.

I hope Montreal wins, lol that would be a shock to the world. Toronto would be good too. I don't like Ottawa that much though, too many Russian players, get some Canadians or Americans.

[StuDawggie]

First off, let me say that I was suprised to see that Dallas didn't make a showing in the play offs. Next, I live just outside of Detroit, and thr red wings are mostly hype. The only reason they win is because teams are scared to play them so they mentally lose before the game even begins. Look at last night's game against the Blues. They got blown away 6-1. I hate to say it be the Blues are going to win the series in 7, and face Colorado in the Western Conference Finals, with the Av's taking the cup (again). Sorry to say it, but this is coming from a Red Wings fan, and I just don't beleive the hype with the wings. What needs to be done in the NHL is a reorginazation of the teams, because anyone who watches hockey will tell you that the west has almost all of the good teams, and the east is mediocre to say the least. Out of the past 7 years, the West has won the cup 5 times. Something needs to be done, to make the playoffs and season, more interesting such as putting a few more teams in the east. Okay with that said go ahead and bonus ball me for bashing the wings, but when I'm right don't be suprised to hear a big "I TOLD YOU SO" coming from me.

[RoadDawg]

After watching the St Louis vs Detroit game I'm wondering if I am going right. Here are my predictions though:

ST. Louis Vs Detroit= Detroit in 6
Colorado vs SJ= SJ in 7

Carolina vs Montreal = Montreal 6
Toronto vs Ottawa = Toronto 7

Detroit vs SJ = Detroit in 5
Toronto vs Montreal = Montreal in 7

Detroit vs Montreal = Detroit in 6

Now as I've said before every team I've rooted for has lost (example being Islanders, Kings, and New Jersey)I hope I'm not wrong this time.

[ThePatriot]

The Rangers are no doubt going to win...they always win, Rangers rule....

[pumpamatic]

Ok, so that game 3 wasn't too hot. Brent Johnson was a brick wall there. I will agree that Detroit will take it in 6. Detroit defenitely has an all-star line-up this year, although they don't always get it rolling right away, as in games 1 and 2 of their first round. They could easily win if they play every game with a lot of enthusiasm. SJ will have a tough time getting past the Avs, as will Toronto with the Sens. I think Montreal will go far. I hope the Avs don't advance. Toronto vs Montreal would make for an excellent series. 2 strong goaltenders would make it a fight til the end. Detroit needs to bounce back in game 4, and move on. You just got to trust that Scotty Bowman will do things a little different next game.

BTW, anybody ever wonder if Shartley is related to Bob Hartley, Avalanche coach?

[HeerophantG]

RED WINGS ! RED WINGS ! RED WINGS !

:o :o :o :o

[StuDawggie]

I was wrong

Okay I'll admit it I was wrong. I wish to appologize for doubting the red wings. But you can quote me on this. No matter who wins the western conference (Detroit, or San Jose) they will be the ones to win the cup. Let's face it the east is week. Always has been always will be. Sorry, if you're an eastern conference fan, but those are the facts, the west is by far a harder conference than the east.

[RoadDawg]

Keep in mind though the East was dominate for awhile as well. Especially the 80's.

[StuDawggie]

Originally posted by RoadDawg
Keep in mind though the East was dominate for awhile as well. Especially the 80's.

You just said the key word yourself Rdawg... WAS... "the east WAS dominate for a while in the 80's". Let's face it, the 80's were a decade that time should have forgotten.

[Thordic]

Rangers are definitely gonna win, I agree with ThePatriot

But seriously, I hope Carolina wins. Everyone shat on them all season long about how they were an "easy" win. Even when they got into the playoffs, people were saying "Teams will be looking to play Carolina for an easy series."

Anyone else see the 'Canes whip up on Montreal last night? I'm sorry, what was the score? Oh yeah, 8 to 2 Theodore musta been on a mental vacation.

As dominant as the Red Wings look, both Detroit and Chicago (just listing Chicago because they are a historically similar team) have a habit of having awesome teams with terrific talent, only to pull some sort of bonehead move and miss the cup. I have had a feeling that they'll blow it.

Look at Philadelphia. They are a similar team. They dominated the league for the last 1/3rd of the season, they looked like a sure shot for advancing through the playoffs. But, they have a history of blowing it at the end of the season too. And what happens? They lose in the playoffs. No one was surprised.

Look for the Rangers next year. They will be a presence

[ShooterJM]

I'd like to see carolina in the east. Just on principle.

West: Gonna go with the Avs in Game 7 to take the series.
Conferance finals, I guess Avs in 6. Detroit isn't as physical a team as the Kings or SJ and has had trouble dealing with that all year. They also have problems with defenive players joining the rush.

It will be an interesting series. Usually detroit gets 3-5 BS calls per game because they dive (look at the vancouver series) and get away with a lot of cross checking (chelios in particular). If they play a higher profile team then there is less of a chance of the refs allowing BS calls. Either way the officials have been warned to watch for it in the conference finals.

God I love the playoffs!

[SqueegeeKid]

I keep telling my Mom and a coworker that the Toronto Maple Laffs are gonna get their a**es handed to them everytime the go out and play. But they keep winning (barely).

So i bet if i keep saying they'll lose, they'll keep winning. The god's like to play tricks like that on me.