OT Matchups & Predictions for Stanley Cup Playoffs
Schedule came out late last night and the matchups are finally set for the Eastern Conference after the Ottawa-Boston game last night
EC
Pens-Islanders - May 1, 7:30
Canadiens-Senators - May 2, 7
Capitals-Rangers - May 2, 7:30
Bruins-Maple Leafs - May 1, 7
WC
Blackhawks-Wild - April 30, 8
Ducks-Wings - April 30, 10:30
Canucks-Sharks - May 1, 10:30
Blues-Kings - April 30, 8
Lots of good matchups this year in the first round. I wouldn't be surprised if any of the top seeds were upset outside of the Pens and Blackhawks. I think Capitals-Rangers and Blues-Kings are the two most exciting series. Really looking forward to those.
But what are your predictions for the playoffs? I haven't watched a ton of games outside of the Wings, but I think the Blackhawks are going to beat the Capitals in the finals. My upsets are Leafs over the Bruins (if you call that an upset), Sharks over Canucks and Wings over the Ducks because I'm a homer.
April 29th, 2013 at 10:46 AM ^
Wings over Ducks is not unlikely at all I feel like. While it may just be homerism, the Wings have been playing their best hockey of the year the past 2 weeks and Howard has been phenomenal. A hot goaltender that can steal games is almost essential for any playoff run and Howard is showing the signs of being there this year.
Contrarily the Ducks have been struggling as of late. I forgot the exact numbers but they started the year with ~20ish wins to only a handful of losses, but regressed in the last third of the season. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wings took them at all, but getting by the Hawks in the next round will be difficult.
April 29th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
The Ducks are a paper tiger. After a hot opening streak, they've been .500 for the second half of the "season."
April 29th, 2013 at 10:48 AM ^
Also, I really hate these 10:30 start times and am so glad the Wings will be moved to the eastern conference.
April 29th, 2013 at 10:51 AM ^
and pick Pens v Hawks in the finals. I would love to see the Wings play the Hawks, seeing that it is their last year before moving to the Eastern Conf. Detroit has a hot goalie right now...
One other thing of note, all of the original 6 are in the playoffs this year! That is always good to see.
April 29th, 2013 at 10:52 AM ^
The Wings couldn't play the Hawks in the Western Conference Finals because the NHL re-seeds after each round. If they both get out of the first round the Hawks will be the highest remaining seed and the Wings the lowest, so they'll be matched up in the second round.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ^
Never said Wings-Hawks in conf. finals
April 29th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
Caps STH here. I'd rather have a hot team going into the playoffs (Caps, Wings, Pens) than a possibly better overall team that is cold (Habs, Bruins, Sharks). I think specifically for the Caps, the way Ovie and Holtby have been playing the last 20-25 games could really help us make a run in the East. Still terrified of Pittsburgh though, followed by Ottawa of all teams. We tend to lose to great goalies that can steal a series, like Halak a few years ago.
In the Western Conference I think Anaheim also has an excellent chance of making their way into the Finals. Wouldn't mind Boudreau getting his name on the Cup.
April 29th, 2013 at 10:59 AM ^
Barry Melrose said the Redwings could be like the Kings last year, enter the playoffs on a hot streak and win the cup.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^
And he has a mullet so I tend to side with him on everything.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:09 AM ^
...MaizeRage would tend to do the same.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:28 AM ^
April 29th, 2013 at 11:58 AM ^
Barry Melrose is the Lou Holtz of the hockey world. He is a complete numbskull and absolutely everything that he says is worthless.
April 29th, 2013 at 12:55 PM ^
No way. I'll take a mullet over a lisp 24-7. Now if we could get an MgoPainter to give Holtsss a mullet...
He doesn't have the lisp, but he pronounces lots of guys' names wrong (e.g. when he pronounces Jagr, it rhymes with "dagger")
April 29th, 2013 at 11:05 AM ^
April 29th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
The Wings have been playing some real good hockey as of late, so it wouldn't be a total surprise to see them upset the Ducks. I'm predicting a Ducks win, but that's about as close to a coin flip there is outside of the Kings/Blues series.
The way Pittsburgh and Chicago have played, though, it's real tough for me to see any team giving them a legitimately tough test except each other. And, really, the Penguins ran over a lot of teams down the stretch with injuries to Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Letang. A full-lineup Penguins team is going to be incredibly difficult to beat, and I don't think anyone will. I'm picking them over Chicago in 6 games.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^
Boston is the worst possible match up. Boston in 4 or 5. Can't wait to see the Redwings play in Toronto regularly again. It has been too long.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:20 AM ^
Hawks, Wings, Sharks, Kings & Pens, Habs, Rangers, Leafs.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^
2nd round would be so awesome
Huge wings fan but both teams play puck possession style so it should be a fun series.
No guarentee to beat Ducks first but Original Six match-up in second round would be sweet.
Just moved back to Detroit from Chicago and my favorite sports memory from Illinois was United Center wings / blackhawks playoff hockey--such a blast.
April 29th, 2013 at 11:30 AM ^
Red Wings in 6
Sharks in 7
Kings in 6
Pens in 4
Habs in 6
Rangers in 7
Boston in 6
April 29th, 2013 at 11:31 AM ^
April 29th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^
Hawks in 5
Ducks in 7
Sharks in 7
Kings in 6
Pens in 5
Habs in 6
Caps in 6
Boston in 7
April 29th, 2013 at 11:40 AM ^
Ducks in four!! #Justbeingabitterdouchebag
April 29th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
April 29th, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
Playoff fantasy Pool step on sportsnet's website if any of you would to join.
3 F, 2D, 1G from each conference. No draft, just login and make your picks for each round.
Group name: Mgoblog Pool
Password: denard
April 29th, 2013 at 12:27 PM ^
Having watched many a Wings team through the years just crush it in the regular season only to watch them flame out in round 1 I would dearly love it if the skate was on the other foot for a change and the Wings won.
The only thing that would make it sweeter would be if we got outshot something like 46 to 17 every game and we won through a combination of Howard absolutely standing on his head for the entire series and a bunch of fluke, lucky, you'll never see that again type goals for the good guys.
Cause Lord knows I've watched enough of that going against us over the past 21 seasons.
April 29th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ^
While I would never hope to be outshot 46 to 17 (especially in the playoffs), I agree with you that it would be strange yet sweet to see us win that way. If Jimmy can steal a series, let's hope it is against the Ducks too. I still have nightmares about Giguere and the (Mighty) Ducks..
April 29th, 2013 at 12:56 PM ^
He means that it used to be how we lost in the Playoffs, by outshooting the other team by double digits and yet still losing. It would be like trailing MSU in football, but beating them with 0 seconds on the clock. Not the way you want to win, but sweet warm sticky revenge. I agree with the sentiment. Let's get outshot 80-0 and win on an own goal. That would be karma catching up to us.
April 29th, 2013 at 12:29 PM ^
Blackhawks in 5
Red Wings in 6
Vancouver in 6
Kings in 6
Pens in 5
Habs in 7
Rangers in 7
Maple Leafs in 7
(I'm biased towards original 6 teams, and after Detroit, Canadian Original 6 teams (Sorry Boston fans))
Playoff Hockey. Nothing beats it. Except Michigan football on a Saturday.
April 29th, 2013 at 12:37 PM ^
I hope a Canadian team does. They're overdue
I tend to root for the Canadian teams as well, but another Vancouver loss in the finals would be just as entertaining as a Canadian team winning.
except that I'm good friends with some girls from British Columbia, so I always enjoy some Vancouver schadenfreude. I definitely agree that it would be entertaining.
Pens-5 Blackhawks-5
Habs-6 Wings-6
Rangers-6 Canucks-7
Bruins-7 Blues-7
Shirt XL