NHL Playoffs

[HoustonRaven]

I am going to spin off the hockey discussion from the Pitt thread, since we seem to have some puck heads.

Myself and PSU are both puck fans (Caps and Pens, respectively). Nice to see other posters are as well.

Thoughts and predictions?

[madmikey]

I'm a Flames fan, so neutral at this point.

I was expecting a Vancouver-Pitt. final, so uh I'm going to refrain from any more predictions.

[HoustonRaven]

I'm a Flames fan, so neutral at this point.

I was expecting a Vancouver-Pitt. final, so uh I'm going to refrain from any more predictions.

You were not alone in that regard. Melrose was commenting on it this morning on ESPN that he knew of a few former NHL-ers who had that same prediction.

[pyite32]

The Flyers are looking good. I really thought the Caps would take the Bruins from that douchebag city until last night, now unfortunately I doubt they will get out of the first round.

I predict a massive fight in the next Pens/Flyers game, hopefully involving someone knocking Crosby the F out as he tries to cheap shot his way through the game without the stones to back it up.

[Iscull]

Flyers fan here. I have to say I'm loving the way they're playing. If their goalie can handle it, I could see them going all the way. Glad to see Philly beating the shit out of the penguins on Sunday.

[GOTA]

I'm a Devils fan. We're going to get through this round but the Flyers are a tough matchup. I'm hoping for a Penguins miracle.

Taking my fan hat off for a moment, I had Bruins/Blues in the Finals before this started with the Blues winning in 5 games. The Blues are the closest thing to a defensive monster that we've seen in years but they can also score when they need to. That's a tough combination. Blues/Rangers would be a hell of a final but the Rangers always choke so it won't happen.

[alienrace]

Hockey is easily the most unpredictable sport.

[HoustonRaven]

Hockey is easily the most unpredictable sport.

Agreed.

I am somewhat of a neophyte but what struck me when I first started following the Caps, I was amazed at the parity, particularly during the season and into the playoffs.

[bmorebirds_24]

Caps fan here. Not really a die hard but I tuned in to a game a few years ago in the playoffs and got hooked! I can't say I know a bunch about the game itself or the players around the league but I enjoy rooting for the Caps. It is a very intense sport!

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[blah3]

I see the Blues taking the Cup this year.
Flyers fan myself, but they are just to young and don't have enough defense to win the cup this year.

[CodyPKA]

big Flyers fan. its hard not to be confident in our chances considering how we have played the first 3 games.

[NCRAVEN]

big Flyers fan. its hard not to be confident in our chances considering how we have played the first 3 games.

The only thing worse than the Flyers defense is the Penguins. I don't dislike the Flyers but I wouldn't use this series a measurement.

Personally I think the Blues are going to take it all, and if not them (as much as it kills me as a Caps fan) I think it will be the Bruins.

[EdReed4HOF]

Die hard Caps fan here. Hoping we can bounce back and win game 4. Really don't wanna go into a 3-1 hole. Hopefully Holtby can go back to being a stonewall like he was in games 1 and 2. He didn't seem focused last night.

[Americanmade2012]

Holtby has been impressive for a first timer in the playoffs he has not seemed nervous from the games I have been able to watch. It is hard to predict playoffs every year but I think the blues will make a run to the final and the devils with the devils winning it all. However, id love to be wrong and see the caps make a run

[HoustonRaven]

I don't think Holtby was nervous at all.

What did concern me was how he handled the Bruins crashing the goal and otherwise camping out in front of the goal. He seemed to be very timid. I'd like to see him (and the Caps defenders) be more physical with the Bruins when they are camped out in front of the net.

[NCRAVEN]

Die hard Caps fan here. Hoping we can bounce back and win game 4. Really don't wanna go into a 3-1 hole. Hopefully Holtby can go back to being a stonewall like he was in games 1 and 2. He didn't seem focused last night.

The difference to me seemed to be the amount of traffic in front of the net and Boston had guys there to get the rebounds unlike the previous games.

[EdReed4HOF]

True, but the first goal he gave up at the start of the 2nd period was inexcusable. A very stoppable shot but it just deflected off of his catching mitt and in the net.

The fact that Brad Marchand is a diving little punk didn't help us either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2m4c...ayer_embedded#!

[alienrace]

I don't think Holtby was nervous at all.

What did concern me was how he handled the Bruins crashing the goal and otherwise camping out in front of the goal. He seemed to be very timid. I'd like to see him (and the Caps defenders) be more physical with the Bruins when they are camped out in front of the net.

He's probably a little timid because when he did start protecting, he got a penalty. The officiating has been awful, across the league, in the playoffs this year.

[dandrews]

I'm a Penguins fan

[JustaslowZ06]

Caps fan here also, and being such stop watching as soon as the playoffs start.

It would almost be like the Ravens, constantly get to the playoffs and poop it out, EXCEPT the Caps woul be like the Ravens going 15-1 every year and dominating everyone and than losing every year after their first round bye.