NHL Playoffs 2014

Can’t get this thread started up in earnest yet, but the playoffs begin 1 week from today (Wed, Apr 16). Always love this time of year and wanted to provide an outlet here for all the hockey fans on the forum.

@General:

Don’t like the new playoff format at all, there are already so many divisional games as it is. After having the Rangers play the Flyers six times a year I don’t need to see Philly seven (most likely) more times in the first round.

Agreed. It is simpler and more natural to just do high seeds vs low seeds.

@Young:

Not surprised that we haven’t heard from Gargantua…. (hee hee hee)

Probably doesn’t even want to think about the playoffs. Vancouver has turned into a very poorly managed organization. Hopefully they don’t pull a Calgary and stay that way for two decades.

@Gargantua:

CANUCKS!

Wait… nvm. :(

HA!     :lol:

Actually… that is kinda sad. Sorry Garg.  :cry:

@Young:

I sent you my picks… What do you think? (lol)

You picked some good guys, providing it works out the way you envision. That is always the caveat.

I have tended to do something similar in the past (pick guys from the 4 teams you think will make it to the conference finals). It can either work out really well, or you can be sunk after the first round.

The thing about this year, more so than others in recent memory, is that (almost) anyone could win a given series and go deep (except for Columbus that is). Really though, how do you pick between LA and San Jose? Montreal and Tampa Bay? New York and Philadelphia? Chicago and St. Louis? Colorado and Minnesota?

Even Boston and Detroit… wacky things can happen and the Red Wings cannot be shrugged off. Last year they were in about the same position and defeated No. 2 and very nearly took out No.1. Like Mike Babcock said, it is amazing what you can do to a number 1 seed (Toronto should have done it last year). It is Boston’s series to lose. All that said, I still think Boston is going to win, especially in a 7 game series, but Detroit has the capability to give Boston heavy poolies a heart attack.

The matchups are so close, between such quality teams, anything could happen. It is so scary to have to pick guys from LA and San Jose that the inclination is to stay away and not pick any, but not picking any can hurt you just as bad as picking the wrong ones. Fortune favors the bold in a pool setting and somebody is going to end up looking real smart.

I have no idea what I am going to do, but I think you have some solid picks. I do not trust Colorado though… great record, but they have incredibly little playoff experience (not counting Roy). If Varlamov breaks down at all, they are done for. But the same could be said of Minnesota… Bryzgalov ended the season amazingly well, but he has been a trainwreck in the playoffs. It will be interesting to watch.

@Young:

maybe I’m wrong and Columbus meets LA in the final.

I don’t mind LAK… however, I would hate it if it was something like Columbus vs Dallas or Tampa Bay vs Minnesota for the final. Don’t really care about any of them unless it pertains to pool picks.

Kinda reminds me of the 2004 final between Calgary and Tampa Bay: No one cares to watch and mostly forgettable.

Amazing night for the Habs last night. If they can tighten up defensively a bit, they look dangerous. Leave it to Briere to come through yet again.