NHL Playoffs - First Round

[superstar_88]

All I'm saying is that if I think you're severely underestimating the Winnipeg Jets. They won their first round in seven games, yes, but they were also hampered with injuries of key players in that series -- and they still won. Two players were still on the injury list last night -- Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrisey. Scheifele has now recovered and will play Wednesday and Josh Morrisey is listed as day-to-day, so they should be firing on all cylinders by Wednesday when Round 2 starts for them.

Of course Jets have a good team. It's Hellebuyck. Not the regular season Hellebuyck. The playoffs Hellebuyck. Jets will be facing teams supposedly better than St. Louis with better offense.

That goal with 1.6 seconds left was exceptional and well executed. It was no fluke.

 

[roddermac]

All I'm saying is that if I think you're severely underestimating the Winnipeg Jets. They won their first round in seven games, yes, but they were also hampered with injuries of key players in that series -- and they still won. Two players were still on the injury list last night -- Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrisey. Scheifele has now recovered and will play Wednesday and Josh Morrisey is listed as day-to-day, so they should be firing on all cylinders by Wednesday when Round 2 starts for them.

I picked the Blues to win the series because Hellebuyck leaves his top corners too exposed and it shows in every game. He's been pulled for two of the games. Dallas has better scorers and defense than the Blues do. If the games become physical the Jets have the advantage. If it comes down to the men between the pipes. Both goalies are the same. Stand on their head one game. Shit the bed the next.

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

Of course Jets have a good team. It's Hellebuyck. Not the regular season Hellebuyck. The playoffs Hellebuyck. Jets will be facing teams supposedly better than St. Louis with better offense.

That goal with 1.6 seconds left was exceptional and well executed. It was no fluke.

This agree with. Hellebuyck has a nasty habit of shitting the bed when the heat gets turned up. I cite the second half of many recent Jets' seasons as examples.

 

[superstar_88]

This agree with. Hellebuyck has a nasty habit of shitting the bed when the heat gets turned up. I cite the second half of many recent Jets' seasons as examples.

By the way, Florida had 98 pts and Ottawa had 97 pts. To the untrained eye one would think they are the same caliber teams.

 

[Ref]

6 out of 8 in the first round.

I thought the Tampa/Florida series would be a drawn out 7 game battle but the Lightning fizzled. Colorado and Dallas was a great series and the Oilers comebacks against the Kings was fun to watch.

Second round I am going with:

* Vegas over the Oilers in 6. If only Edmonton had a decent netminder.
* Jets over Stars in 6. Now that the first round jitters are gone, the Jets will get back to their normal game.
* Caps over Canes in 7. Just think the Caps are the better team.
* Panthers over the Leafs in 6. I hope I am wrong as I think the Leafs could win the next round if they beat Florida. Leafs will have to play tough and disciplined and Stolarz must stand on his head.

 

[roddermac]

6 out of 8 in the first round.

I thought the Tampa/Florida series would be a drawn out 7 game battle but the Lightning fizzled. Colorado and Dallas was a great series and the Oilers comebacks against the Kings was fun to watch.

Second round I am going with:

* Vegas over the Oilers in 6. If only Edmonton had a decent netminder.
* Jets over Stars in 6. Now that the first round jitters are gone, the Jets will get back to their normal game.
* Caps over Canes in 7. Just think the Caps are the better team.
* Panthers over the Leafs in 6. I hope I am wrong as I think the Leafs could win the next round if they beat Florida. Leafs will have to play tough and disciplined and Stolarz must stand on his head.

Oilers have no defense either. It's all McD and Leon

 

[tml]

5 out of 8 correct. Meh!!
Here are the next round of predictions.
Florida over Toronto in 5(hope I'm wrong again).
Washington over Carolina in 6.
Vegas over Edmonton in 5.
Dallas over Winnipeg in 6.

2 for 4. Only good in baseball.
Here's the next round of picks.
Florida over Carolina in 6.
Edmonton over Dallas in 7.

 

[Ref]

1 - 3 in the second round.

I look for Florida and Edmonton to win and have a rematch of last years final.

For years Edmonton has had spotty goaltending, like the Leafs, however the difference is that their big Stars find a way to score.

 

[K Douglas]

I've been so off on my predictions these playoffs. So take this for what its worth

East. Carolina over Florida in 7. This is a super tough call. But if TOR could take FLA to 7 games then I cannot see CAR not being able to do so. Their D is better than ours.
West: Dallas over Edmonton in 6. Dallas was my pre-season favorite to win the Cup. I didn't take them in earlier rounds because of their injury situation. But now they are fully healthy I can't not take them.

 

[tml]

2 for 4. Only good in baseball.
Here's the next round of picks.
Florida over Carolina in 6.
Edmonton over Dallas in 7.

2 for 2 in this round, 9 for 14 overall.
The final is tough to pick, but I'll take Edmonton in 6.
I think Edmonton has gotten better as the playoffs proceeded, and the level of their competitors in the playoffs has been higher than Florida's. My only concern is the absence of Hyman.

 

[K Douglas]

I was 0-2 in my predictions. Never been worse picking anything hockey related its crazy.
I do agree Edmonton has improved so much as the playoffs have progressed. They are getting some pretty solid goaltending from Skinner. Even losing Hyman I think they have a legitimate chance at beating Florida.
But wow Florida is so good they disposed of Carolina in quick fashion. Its a juggernaut. However, I have been noticing a chink in their armor - that being Bobrovsky. If it comes down to goalies I give the advantage to Edmonton. Skinner is playing so confident.
Also McJesus and Leon are on missions. This is a tough call but I'm going Oilers in 7. Great players always find a way to win and McDavid isn't going to let the opportunity pass again. I hope I'm right for a change.

 

[Ref]

2 out of 2 for the last round and I am going with Edmonton.

Time off for this round and between games in the final is silly.

 

[superstar_88]

That was a very well crafted OT goal by the Oilers. Got Jones to chase Nuge up high to get him out of position. 3 quick passes later Nuge to Perry to McD to Draisaitl to get the prime shooting position by a premier shooter with the goalie moving.

Oilers recognized they needed to counter the Panthers bully tactics. Hence Frederic. They also have Perry, Kane, and Nurse as well as the injured Hyman. Draisaitl and McD can play freely cause they know teammates got their backs.

 

[K Douglas]

Oilers deserved to win that game, they were the better team. Draisaitl was incredible and that pass McJesus made on the Ekholm goal was a thing of beauty.

 

[The Oracle]

Oilers deserved to win that game, they were the better team. Draisaitl was incredible and that pass McJesus made on the Ekholm goal was a thing of beauty.

https://x.com/ABDanielleSmith/status/1930780486848405636

 

[superstar_88]

Bobrovsky was solid in OT.
Skinner was weak in OT.