NHL Playoffs 2010

[Scenicdrive]

Has any team ever won the CUP without a 25 goal scorer on the roster?

Interesting statistical question and perhaps some hockey historians will answer your question. That said, is it a requirement to have a 25 goal scorer in a team in order to win the Cup? It is highly doubtful that there is such build in requirement. In fact, it is much more desirable to have balance scoring on all lines in a hockey team instead of a 25 goal scorer. The former will make it much more difficult for opposing team to defend against.

 

[Rockslinger]

That said, is it a requirement to have a 25 goal scorer in a team in order to win the Cup? It is highly doubtful that there is such build in requirement. In fact, it is much more desirable to have balance scoring on all lines in a hockey team instead of a 25 goal scorer.

From memory, I seem to recall that every Stanley Cup winner had at least one (maybe more) dominent goal scorer on the team. Sidney Crosby being the latest and going back to Wayne Gretzsky, Mario Lemiuex, Guy Lafleur, Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard.

 

[21pro]

don't agree with ^. the Ducks won largely because of their defense and goaltending, not dominant scoring. or the 03 Devils? Jeff Friesen or Sergei Brylin? naw, don't thinks so... again, defense and goaltending. and the Penguins didn't win until they increased their grit... as I recal, they had Malkin and Crosby since '05 and never won.


anyhow, for this year, it is the hardest year to predict, imo.

Washington is the favourite, but I question goaltending. Pittsburgh is playing mostly flat, Buffalo can't score and has no defence, Ottawa goaltending? Philly is really weak lately, Devils are worse with Ilya, Canadiens are too small, Bruins are only there cause everyother team sucks, Phoenix has goaltending, but FAN SUPPORT? I don't trust Luongo for Vancouver, Chicago is the best bet out of the west, 2nd is Detroit- but they may be expired come playoff time... Sharks are Sharks. Nashville is always good to make post-season (sleeper here- may surprise) LA Kings are shitty of late, same with AVS.

so my earlier Sabres/Canucks is still a reality, but so is any other combination you can think of. better bet would be first to get eliminated- my pick is Boston. if they make post-season.

 

[r_s426]

I'd love to see the Coyotes make a good run of it because that would make for a great story.

Would it get fans in Phoenix to actually go to games? Who knows? If not, it would definitely put pressure on the NHL to relocate the team.

 

[fromPittsburgh]

Has any team ever won the CUP without a 25 goal scorer on the roster?

more teams have NOT won the cup with a 25 goal scorer... fact is, simply most teams have atleast 1 25 goal scorer... not a requirement at all, but common.

 

[Scenicdrive]

anyhow, for this year, it is the hardest year to predict, imo.

Washington is the favourite, but I question goaltending. Pittsburgh is playing mostly flat, Buffalo can't score and has no defence, Ottawa goaltending? Philly is really weak lately, Devils are worse with Ilya, Canadiens are too small, Bruins are only there cause everyother team sucks, Phoenix has goaltending, but FAN SUPPORT? I don't trust Luongo for Vancouver, Chicago is the best bet out of the west, 2nd is Detroit- but they may be expired come playoff time... Sharks are Sharks. Nashville is always good to make post-season (sleeper here- may surprise) LA Kings are shitty of late, same with AVS.

so my earlier Sabres/Canucks is still a reality, but so is any other combination you can think of. better bet would be first to get eliminated- my pick is Boston. if they make post-season.

For the Western Conference, Detroit is the best team as of now and peaks at the right time. For the Eastern Conference, Ottawa is playing the best hockey of the top 8. It will be no surprise if both these teams will go to their respective conference finals.

Canucks' Luongo is not the goalie who can carry the team to Stanley Cup. So as Sabres' Miller. He was the best goalie in the Olympics tournament but it is doubtful he is the best in NHL. He will often times do enough to give his team a chance to win the game but he is unlikely to steal any game in playoffs. Furthermore, Miller's team just does not show enough character and inspiration to win it all. Tonight's game against the very beatable Toronto team is a good example that the Sabres does not have it. Until they can win the majority of the remaining tough games against Montreal, Rangers, Boston, Ottawa, and NJ, this team is a pretender instead of a Cup contender. May be their never do enough GM saw that and gave up on them on the cup run this year. *Where is the disgusted smilie Freddie???*

Seriously, if the Sabres want a Stanley Cup, the first one they should fire is GM Darcy Regier. In his 13 years tenure as Sabres' GM, the team has 8 playoff appearances but never won a Stanley Cup. He is simply no Stanley Cup material. *How about another disgusted smilie Freddie???*

 

[K Douglas]

In the East I like the Devils. Fleury isn't playing well right now for Pitt and I don't trust a Varlamov or Theodore in net for the Caps.

In the West I'd love to see the Blackhawks make it, they are so fun to watch. But I'm going to choose the Canucks. Luongo's the man, the Sedin's are for real, Kesler and Burrows provide nice offensive depth and the blueline is underrated.

As much as I'd love to see the Canadian team win the Cup for the first time since forever, I think the Devils will take it in a tough 7 game series. Parise will win the Conn Smythe.

 

[Rockslinger]

When is the first playoff game?

 

[shack]

One week and 2 hours.

 

[K Douglas]

Playoffs start on Wed Apr 14.

 

[Rockslinger]

Playoffs start on Wed Apr 14.

Thanks. And it will end at the end of June?

 

[Scenicdrive]

The Rangers by defeating the Leafs 5-1 Wednesday night are one point behind the eighth place Bruins. One of these teams (Montreal, Philadelphia, Boston, Rangers) are going to be out of luck soon and fall off the playoff wagon.

 

[Saskatchewan]

Canucks/Sabres if I were to pick today... but, I don't wanna make any bets until last game- too many good teams are playing really awful.

Close - I'd bet on seeing the Devils and the Canucks in the final.

The West is a lot harder to peg than the East though, because San Jose are playoff chokers, Hawks lost their star goalie Khabibulin, LA, Colorado and Pheonix don't have the offense to go deep, and that leave Nashville, Detroit and Vancouver. Detroit's rookie goalie won't get past the second round, likely meaning a Nashville - Vancouver conference final.

In the East, conference final is likely to be Washington vs New Jersey. I predict the Pens to make a first round exit, and the Sabres only have Miller with not one forward who has more than 25 goals. Lack of a quality sniper means Buffalo will probably fall in round 2.

 

[fromPittsburgh]

as of right now;

the most skill in the East - Pittsburgh or Washington
in the West - Chicago or Vancouver

it should be 2 of these 4 that make it to the finals. but statistical logic says that the 2 most skilled teams make the finals in only 1 of ever 4 years.

 

[The Bandit]

The Habs have just backed into the playoffs..they didn't play well against the Leafs tonight, and they had a terrible game against the Canes on Thursday. Not a good time to tank....

 

[lovelatinas]

I am going with Washington in the East and Gary Bettmen's team the Coyotes in the West. The fix is in. Bettmen will make sure the Coyotes will win the cup so he can say "I told you so".

 

[The Bandit]

I am going with Washington in the East and Gary Bettmen's team the Coyotes in the West. The fix is in. Bettmen will make sure the Coyotes will win the cup so he can say "I told you so".

I'm trying to hold my laughter.....I wouldn't be surpirised if they go out in the first round. Cinderella season, but not the playoffs.

 

[21pro]

not around much more guys... very busy.

anyways, how is everyone? here are my picks for rd 1.

WSH
PHILLY
BUF
PIT

SJ
CHI
VAN
DET

nothing too rediculous this year...

 

[fromPittsburgh]

wsh
nj
buf
pit

which would mean pit / wsh meet in only rd 2!

col
chi
van
phx

went with all good goaltenders for the west.

 

[insidevoice]

Washington (1) vs. Montreal (8)

Unless Theodore tanks and Halak stands on his head, this will be a very short series for Washington. And I see no way Montreal wins no matter what. A mortal lock for Washington.

New Jersey (2) vs. Philadelphia (7)

Philly has New Jersey's number and traditionally 7 has done well against 2 in the East. Who am I to argue? Philly in an upset.

Buffalo (3) vs. Boston (6)

Boston has played better as of late but with Savard out, they are sadly lacking in scoring. And Buffalo has this Miller guy in nets. A bad combo if you are a fan of the Bruins. Buffalo takes this one.

Pittsburgh (4) vs. Ottawa (5)

I like the way that Ottawa has played in big games this year. I would not be surprised to see them upset the reigning Stanley Cup champs. Beating anyone after that might be a chore for the Sens (unless there are big upsets) but you gotta cross one bridge at a time.

San Jose (1) vs. Colorado (8)

Heads would roll if SJ lost this one! I figure they're good enough to get out of the first round with the overachieving and inexperienced Avalanche as their foe. Cry-baby Heatley will be the NHL scoring leader ... after round one.

Chicago (2) vs. Nashville (7)

Another 2 versus 7 and I wouldn't wanna be the 2. Chicago is no doubt a heavy favourite and certainly the more talented team. I'm calling upset though as the hockey world will realize what a good coach Trotz is and what a budding star Pekka Renne is.

Vancouver (3) vs. Los Angeles (6)

The Kings probably have enough talent to upset the Canucks but Luogo will right the ship and oust the Kings - French Revolution guillotine style: swift and painless.

Phoenix (4) vs. Detroit (5)

So this is Phoenix's reward for having such a good regular season? Bye bye Coyotes.