2012 NHL Playoffs Prediction/Observations Thread

[gtrower]

Yeah that open net was a scary moment. It looked like the defender (can't remember who) influenced the whiff a little. If Holtby keeps playing at this level the Caps are going to be a very tough out. Who would have ever believed he would outplay Thomas over 7 games?

[GTCrew4b]

I think if Bergeron were 100% the Caps would not have won. Their ability to dominate faceoffs really helped calm the pace of the game more in their favor.

I was more than a little disappointed that once again they tried to sit on a lead. The Caps were pretty much dominating the first 25 minutes of the game, then it was all Bruins, until the game winner due to a bad send-in and the long change in the 1st OT.

The defenseman you're talking about was future hall of famer (if he develops a consistent shot from the point) Karl Alzner.

[GTCrew4b]

Well the East is set. The Atlantic redeemed itself as the Northeast and Southeast put up a good fight...

Now the Caps go from facing Chara/Seidenberg+Thomas to Girardi/Boyle+Lundqvist...again...oh well Semin's playing well so maybe he'll just snipe him high glove side, the king's weakness.

[Allen Koholic]

Is Boyle back in the lineup? The Rangers looked like absolute crap in the third period last night. How they managed a win, I don't know.

Oh, and I'm the only person to make it through Round one unscathed. Which means both the Blues and Rangers will get swept.

[GTCrew4b]

I wasn't sure if he were back...but they still have Staal and McDonagh (sp?) after that anyway so they're still tough on the back end...

I believe so, and would like 2 sweeps of that nature. I'm a closet Kings fan I think.

[Allen Koholic]

Actually, if I lose, we all pretty much lose.

Second round predictions:

Devils over Philly in 6 - I think the Flyers were very good at making the Pens implode, which probably won't happen again. I'd love Philly to win though, so that it's Rangers and Flyers in the East Finals.

Rangers over Caps in 5. - Just because.

Nashville over Phoenix in 6. - Pure guess. I don't really watch West hockey.

Blues over Kings in 5. - Kings looked good against an undermanned Vancouver.

[gtrower]

Originally Posted by Allen Koholic

Is Boyle back in the lineup? The Rangers looked like absolute crap in the third period last night. How they managed a win, I don't know.

Oh, and I'm the only person to make it through Round one unscathed. Which means both the Blues and Rangers will get swept.

"New York Rangers center Brian Boyle might be available for Game 1 Saturday against Washington.
After missing the past two games of the Eastern Conference first-round series with a concussion, the 6-foot-6 forward returned to practice Friday, a sign that he is making progress."

"Brandon Dubinsky, who appeared to suffer a lower-body injury in the third period of the Rangers' 2-1 win in Game 7 Thursday at Madison Square Garden, did not practice Friday."

http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2012...ngton-capitals

[gtrower]

Originally Posted by Allen Koholic

Actually, if I lose, we all pretty much lose.

Second round predictions:

Devils over Philly in 6 - I think the Flyers were very good at making the Pens implode, which probably won't happen again. I'd love Philly to win though, so that it's Rangers and Flyers in the East Finals.

Rangers over Caps in 5. - Just because.

Nashville over Phoenix in 6. - Pure guess. I don't really watch West hockey.

Blues over Kings in 5. - Kings looked good against an undermanned Vancouver.

Caps/Rangers split the season series 2-2 with each getting a win on the road. Caps have Backstrom healthy and playing well plus Holtby stepping up. Rangers have a few key players with injury questions to start the series. What's the basis for thinking it ends in 5?

I'd be surprised if it goes less than 6 games. Not sure I'd go as far as to pick the Caps right now, but I think it's a toss-up. The Rangers will be playing with passion with the memories of the '09 and '11 playoff exits at the hands of Washington. Not to mention the beating they took in the season finale at MSG with the President's trophy on the line.

5 games? Very unlikely.

I also think Philly will win that series. In 6 games.

I also don't really watch any of the West. I'll just be pulling for the underdog Kings.

[GTCrew4b]

well last year the Rangers beat the Caps I think every game. They were without Richards and Gaborik for the playoffs but they then preceeded to lose 4 games to 1. I would not be terribly surprised if the Caps lose quickly. The Rangers are a very good team, but it would require a disastrous failure on the part of Holtby, as I just don't think the Rangers will generate enough chances to beat the caps 4 times in 5 games.

Also the Yotes sneak one away from the Preds...how will Nashville respond in a must-win game 2?

[BuzzCzar]

great game today between the Flyers and the Devils and the Flyers win in OT. Brodeur was money but Briere has been playing at an incredible level

quality game to watch.

so glad that Boston is out, i dont like any team from that city

i picked the Rangers to go to the Cup, but since the Penguins lost to the Flyers im gonna root for the Flyers now - i like going out to the champions, not the also-rans