[Big Sky]

Might as well start an official NHL Playoff thread seeing as the playoffs are just a few games away.

With Vancouver, Ottawa and probably Montreal the Canadian teams in it this year, who will you be pulling for?

[Coldrsx]

East - Washington - IN OVY WE TRUST

West - LA and PHX - DO IT FOR SCHMITTY, LOVE THE STORY

[SHOFEAR]

With Vancouver, Ottawa and probably Montreal the Canadian teams in it this year, who will you be pulling for?

Whoever plays Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal.

[Surrealplaces]

Chicago, Phoenix or LA.

If I had to pick a Canadian based team, it would be Ottawa.

[Look way up]

I'm going with Phoenix, being that they've never won a playoff round before.

[lubicon]

Another season without the Oilers in the playoffs means I watch WHL hockey instead. But if I had to pick a team it will be the Caps. Watching Ovi is just way too much fun.

[David1gray]

redwings and montreal

[ST1]

I'm pulling for Washington, Chicago, or whoever is playing Montreal. Sorry Hab fans, but the thought of suffering through Nikko's posts any time Montreal wins a game is just too much.

[Ayreonaut]

Montreal, Ottawa, and Chicago. So who do I vote for?

[kirjtc2]

Caps fan since 91.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Chicago.

[Yume-sama]

DOWN WITH CANADA! :P

I'm pulling for anybody but Detroit. And I'm sure my Crosby-hate will regenerate before June.

[Habanero]

Any team other than Vancouver that hasn't won the cup before. I have sinking feeling that Vancouver might represent the Western conference though.

[Smooth]

I like how this poll has already written off Calgary making the playoffs ;)

[Yume-sama]

I like how this poll has already written off Calgary making the playoffs ;)

Don't worry, they'll do that themselves tonight.

[David1gray]

if the playoffs started today, the match ups would be:
In the West:
San Jose Vs. Colorado
Chicago Vs. LA
Vancouver Vs. Detroit
Phoenix Vs. Nashville

In the East:
Washington Vs. Phillie
New Jersey Vs. Boston
Buffalo Vs. Montreal
Pittsburgh Vs. Ottawa

Calgary loses tonight in regulation and Colorado wins the flames will be eliminated.

[Smooth]

Don't worry, they'll do that themselves tonight.

Sounds like the Calgary Flames need some "Nikki Yanofsky - I believe" playing in their dressing room tonight.

[Yume-sama]

I have a feeling the Calgary / Colorado race will go down to the final game, Calgary vs. Vancouver.

Like the East, it will be a race of who can be the least inept. Colorado with the advantage, with 1 more game to try to not suck against Edmonton.

Sounds like the Calgary Flames need some "Nikki Yanofsky - I believe" playing in their dressing room tonight.

They need Iginla to start earning that "C". :P Can't say he's lead the team to do really anything at all the last couple of years.

Kiprusoff should get it, but we can't have two teams dumb enough to give their goalie a "C" in the same division.

[Rico Rommheim]

Chicago for the cup! Yahhh!

[Coldrsx]

Go Avs Go

[Western Spaghetti]

I like how this poll has already written off Calgary making the playoffs ;)

That's the one and only area I'll credit to Flames fans. At lest they're smart enough to know their team is done for.

[Jay in Cowtown]

That's the one and only area I'll credit to Flames fans. At lest they're smart enough to know their team is done for.

fuck would I laugh if they got in now!

There won't be a Canadian team making it out of the first round anyway.

[Nicko999]

Interesting results...:rolleyes:

[Nicko999]

A GM told ESPN that from all Eastern teams starting on the road, they fear the Habs the most.

The Canadiens have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference after the Olympics. Given the play of Jaroslav Halak, you wonder if the Habs aren't the best bet for a first-round upset, unless, of course, they end up playing Washington. But, for example, if it's Buffalo-Montreal in the first round in the 3-6 matchup, would anyone be that shocked if the Canadiens prevailed? Sure, Ryan Miller is Vezina-bound this season, but doesn't Halak almost even that out? Food for thought. Just look at Montreal's 3-0 win over Buffalo on Saturday for the latest evidence.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=lebrun_pierre

That being said, I'm cheering for the Caps once the Habs are out.:tup:

[Calgarian]

WAshington has questionable goaltending, so won't get past the second round. San Jose has no heart, and will be lucky to get to the second round. As much as I hate to say it it will probably be Vancouver and Chicago in the west and Pittsburgh and New Jersey in the west. Pittsburgh for the reapeat!

[Smooth]

WAshington has questionable goaltending, so won't get past the second round. San Jose has no heart, and will be lucky to get to the second round. As much as I hate to say it it will probably be Vancouver and Chicago in the west and Pittsburgh and New Jersey in the west. Pittsburgh for the reapeat!

Vancouver and Chicago will likely meet in the 2nd round again. I expect the winner of that series to take the western conference.

[0773|=\]

I'm cheering for the Sens, Coyotes, and anybody who plays against the Canucks.

[NetMapel]

Albertan fans are so hateful...

[Tobyoby]

Albertan fans are so hateful...

It's because we hate each other so much, it just comes natural. ;)

[Tobyoby]

That's the one and only area I'll credit to Flames fans. At lest they're smart enough to know their team is done for.

We know we're done because Colorado plays Edmonton, and thus is guaranteed at least one win :)

[Yume-sama]

Albertan fans are so hateful...

DIEEEE!

:jester:

[Bdog]

I'm cheering for the Winnipeg Jets... to come back, that is...

[Jay in Cowtown]

My picks in the west are either Detroit or Chicago and keep your eye on LA for the sleeper.

The only reason I'm counting out Vancouver in the first round is because they'll probably be playing Detroit.

[Just Build It]

We know we're done because Colorado plays Edmonton, and thus is guaranteed at least one win :)

You make Edmonton sound easier than a 25 year old blonde on 25 year old scotch.

[Nicko999]

2 min from clinching...:no: then 2 posts in extra time:no:

Now the ONLY way we miss the playoffs is...

We lose our 2 last games
+ NYR wins their last 3
+ Philly loses one of their 2 last games against NYR in OT
+ Boston gets a minimum of 3pts out of 6 in their last 3 games

[Urban_Genius]

Colorado, if they make it.
Anybody playing the Canucks or Red Wings.
That's how it's always for me.

Chicago will come out of the west in my opinion. The east will be more interesting. Although I'm not on the Caps bandwagon. Personally I think their goal tending is suspect and honestly we have yet to see (as great as he is) Ovechkin elevate in crunch time. Until they're knocked off, I'll go with Pittsburgh, with Ryan Miller as my dark horse.

Can't wait for playoffs!

[manny_santos]

I'm going to cheer for Toronto. :D

More seriously, I'll cheer for Montreal if they make the playoffs, and whoever is playing against Ottawa.

I wouldn't mind a Vancouver vs. Buffalo final.

[CoryHolmes]

*paints face in a giant blue "C"*
*puts on Canucks jersey*
*straps foam fin on back*
*wades into the thread* All you unbelievers! Vancouver will win! I'll take you all on!
*begins swinging said stick like Ron Hextall at his worst*

There. That should balance things out a bit :)

[Tarsus]

2 min from clinching...:no: then 2 posts in extra time:no:

Now the ONLY way we miss the playoffs is...

We lose our 2 last games
+ NYR wins their last 3
+ Philly loses one of their 2 last games against NYR in OT
+ Boston gets a minimum of 3pts out of 6 in their last 3 games

Or your team suddenly finds itself in the western conference. ;)

[Nicko999]

Or your team suddenly finds itself in the western conference. ;)

Well, fortunatly that won't happen.:)
99.6% chance of making the playoffs...
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Eastern/Northeast/Canadiens.html

[theman23]

I'll be rooting against the Devils, Coyotes, Bruins (if they make it), and the Sabres- pretty much all the teams that play boring ass, defense first, trapping hockey.

[Ayreonaut]

Albertan fans are so hateful...

AKA divisional rivals. :rolleyes:

[O-Town Hockey]

Sens got no respect to start this season, but they are definately a force going into the playoffs! My boys will play like a team, our young goalie's gonna come up big, and the cup will roll right by my condo this Spring!

In Alfie we trust....1000 games baby!
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/0415/nhl_a_dalfredsson_300.jpg

Our Father
who art in Scotia Bank Place,
Hockey be thy Name,
All others will be outdone.
The cup will be won
on ice,
as well as in the stands.
Give us this puck
Our hockey sticks,
And forgive us our penalties
As we forgive those who cross-check against us.
Lead us not into elimination,
But deliver us to victory,
In the name of the fan,
Lord Stanley
and the Ottawa Senators.
Amen.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object2/1863/57/n18029289557_3203.jpg

[Coldrsx]

You make Edmonton sound easier than a 25 year old blonde on 25 year old scotch.

:tup: :cheers: haha well played

[feepa]

We know we're done because Colorado plays Edmonton, and thus is guaranteed at least one win :)

This game won't even matter. YOUR TEAM IS FINISHED. No consolation prizes either (draft picks) going to be a long summer at the links for the flames and their respective fans.

[Coldrsx]

^rumours have begun about iggy...

should be an interesting off season

[Yume-sama]

When I was in Boston for the Flames vs. Bruins game, there was A LOT of speculation that he could be a Bruin next year :P

Re-united with his two best friends, Andrew Ference and Marc Savard :D

Boston would probably send Bergeron, Wheeler, etc. back. Which would honestly probably be better for the Flames.

I think it's also one of the only teams he would waive his NTC for.

[Ayreonaut]

In the long run, I guess two or three solid younger guys would be better. But I still couldn't imagine Iggy not wearing the flaming C.

[Yume-sama]

Well, imagine over half the games this year when you didn't see him at all anyways. It'd be kind of like that, only with the addition of other offensive players.

[Nicko999]

I'll be rooting against the Devils, Coyotes, Bruins (if they make it), and the Sabres- pretty much all the teams that play boring ass, defense first, trapping hockey.

I'll be cheering for Toronto tonight.;)

The Leafs could clinch us a playoff spot...:cheers:

[Yume-sama]

I'll be cheering for Toronto tonight.;)

The Leafs could clinch us a playoff spot...:cheers:

GO RANGERS GO! :jester:

I look forward to seeing the Habs goaltending situation this playoffs. Halak had a nice Olympics, was one of my favorites.

[MrOilers]

I'll pull for Ottawa. I always feel sorry for them for some reason.

I hope Vancouver chokes, and the only way I'll cheer for the Montreal Toilet Seats is if they play Vancouver for the cup.

[Ayreonaut]

I'll pull for Ottawa. I always feel sorry for them for some reason.

Probably because they have to drive to Kanata to attend games.

[drizzo_613]

Kanata is so far from Orleans, Can't wait until ottawa has 16 million residents so that we can have 2 teams like LA n NY ;)

[Denscity]

Second vote for Vancouver (duh). I welcome the hatred from across the Rockies because i hate Alberta teams more. :thrasher:

[Jets4Life]

Chicago Blackhawks. With the exception of Kane, all their stars seem to hail from Manitoba or Northwestern Ontario.

[Cowtown_Tim]

Chicago Blackhawks. With the exception of Kane, all their stars seem to hail from Manitoba or Northwestern Ontario.

Three of their best players come from Winnipeg (Toews, Keith, and Sharp), but the rest come from a pretty broad spectrum.

[Nicko999]

Well, even if we lose our last game(which we probably will), we still have 92.4% chance of making the playoffs.
But it's going to be 4 easy games for the team we play...

[Yume-sama]

I don't think even the Habs could lose to Toronto on Saturday.

To miss the playoffs it would have to be a wonderfully perfect storm of Montreal losing, Boston winning 1 more, New York beating Philadelphia twice... both in OT.

It would be hysterically wonderful if it happened that way, but, I think your Habs will make it :P

[Nicko999]

The Flyers could clinch 3 teams' spot tonight with a win...

BTW-Do you guys cheer for players who previously played on your team(Like Koivu or Kovalev for the Habs)? After the Habs are out, I wouldn't mind seeing the Sens go far because of Kovalev and the Caps winning the cup because of Theodore.

In the West, it's the Hawks(because I like them and because of Huet).

[Darkoshvilli]

Cheering for the Sens? I rather eat vomit.

[Nicko999]

Cheering for the Sens? I rather eat vomit.

I'm not cheering for them but I wouldn't mind seeing them in the second round. That's all.

[Darkoshvilli]

I'm not cheering for them but I wouldn't mind seeing them in the second round. That's all.

Well I would.

[Nicko999]

At the beggining of the game I was cheering for the Flyers then switched to the Rangers at 3-1.
Flyers tied the game so I was once again cheering for the Flyers. After Gaborik scored, it was Rangers all the way.

They had to avoid extra time.:rolleyes:

This is not the best scenario but not the worst either.

BTW-Kind of funny because if we clinched a playoff spot today, we would currently be in 8th while now we're still in 7th but hasn't clinched yet.:P

[Nicko999]

Well I would.

NVM what I said earlier, Kovalev is out for the playoffs so fuck the Sens.:)

[O-Town Hockey]

Go Sens bitches! I can't believe so many people in Canada hate my team....gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Keep ya head up Crosby!

[Yume-sama]

So, the Bruins are officially in. If the Habs lose tonight, they will finish 6th. If the Habs win, and the Bruins lose tomorrow, they will finish 7th.

I don't see them going too far with their injuries. However, if Tuukka Rask can keep his GAA of below 2 in the playoffs, there's a good chance the Bruins can score at least 3.

Maybe. Half the games anyways.

[Yume-sama]

The Habs clinch now. It's all up to the Rangers vs. Flyers game tomorrow, to decide which of those teams will get in.

Buffalo vs. Boston and Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa are the only two guaranteed series at the moment.

If Flyers win tomorrow, they will play New Jersey (leaving Montreal to play Washington). If Rangers win, they will play Washington, and the Habs get the Devils.

[Darkoshvilli]

Habs are fucked either way. I just hope they can win one.

Rangers Flyers tomorrow will be insane.

BTW Nicko, tell Halak to pick up his game. He was atrocious tonight and the last couple games.

[Nicko999]

The Habs clinch now. It's all up to the Rangers vs. Flyers game tomorrow, to decide which of those teams will get in.

Buffalo vs. Boston and Pittsburgh vs. Ottawa are the only two guaranteed series at the moment.

If Flyers win tomorrow, they will play New Jersey (leaving Montreal to play Washington). If Rangers win, they will play Washington, and the Habs get the Devils.

No, Buffalo could win against the Devils tommorow and finish the season in second place.

[Nicko999]

Habs are fucked either way. I just hope they can win one.

Rangers Flyers tomorrow will be insane.

BTW Nicko, tell Halak to pick up his game. He was atrocious tonight and the last couple games.

Tonight yes but not during the last couple of games. If we want to win ANY games in the playoffs, the goalie has to be outstanding. Tonight's game should never even finish in OT because we dominated.


Please keep Markov with MA. Bergeron! Markov was the best player out there... WOW, what a performance.
1 goals, 2 assists, 3 pts
Play him more than 30 minutes... please...because the rest of the defensive squad (except Bergeron) have no vision at all.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8181/scr1270959215.png

[Flamesrule]

I'n going to be really quiet here because the Flames are not in the playoffs......

[feepa]

I'n going to be really quiet here because the Flames are not in the playoffs......
slow clap:banana:

[NetMapel]

Canucks vs LA Kings, go go go !

[Darkoshvilli]

Habs get the Caps lol

[Smooth]

Canucks vs LA Kings, go go go !

They are the opponent I was hoping for. Between Nashville, LA and Detroit, they are the closest distance to Vancouver. This is important if we want to avoid fatigue if we make it past the first round. We played strongly against them in all the games except the last one that we faced them in this year. Finally the bad loss in the last game that we suffered to them might motovate Vancouver to come out strong early on in this series. If we had swept the regular season games I think Vancouver would have treated LA like the inferior team... and this is something that has always come to bite Vancouver in the ass.

[Nicko999]

Habs vs Caps... Caps in 5 but at least it should be entertaining.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4649/scr1271033663.png

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/5468/scr1271033728.png

http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/4804/scr1271033801.png

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4864/scr1271033900.png

[frinkprof]

East

Washington beats Montreal in 4

New Jersey beats Philadelphia in 5

Boston beats Buffalo in 7

Pittsburgh beats Ottawa in 5


West

San Jose beats Colorado in 5

Chicago beats Nashville in 4

Vacouver beats Los Angeles in 6

Phoenix beats Detroit in 7

[manny_santos]

frinkprof - your predictions aren't too far off mine, with one important exception - I think Philadelphia will beat New Jersey in 7. New Jersey did not do well against Philly this season.

My predictions:

EAST

Washington (1) beats Montreal (8) in 6
Philadelphia (7) beats New Jersey (2) in 7
Boston (6) beats Buffalo (3) in 7
Pittsburgh (4) beats Ottawa (5) in 6

WEST

San Jose (1) beats Colorado (8) in 6
Chicago (2) beats Nashville (7) in 6
Vancouver (3) beats Los Angeles (6) in 5
Phoenix (4) beats Detroit (5) in 6

I am predicting the Stanley Cup final will be between Washington and San Jose.

[Nicko999]

Caps vs Canadiens: Caps in 5
Devils vs Flyers: Devils in 6
Sabres vs Bruins: Sabres in 6
Penguins vs Senators: Penguins in 5

Sharks vs Avalanche: Sharks in 7
Blackhawks vs Predators: Blackhawks in 5
Canucks vs Kings: Canucks in 6
Coyotes vs Red Wings: Red Wings in 7

[Urban_Genius]

Caps vs Canadiens: Caps in 3 (Okay maybe 4 lol)
Devils vs Flyers: Devils in 6 (Flyers major downfall is the fact they once again have decided that they don't need a goalie)
Sabres vs Bruins: Sabres in 5 (Rask will steal 1 game, but Boston can't score and Ryan Miller is just as good as Rask)
Penguins vs Senators: Penguins in 6 (Defending champs should win in what will be a good series)

Sharks vs Avalanche: Sharks in 6 (The homer in me wants to take my avs and pick an upset...anyways the Sharks will choke maybe not this round though)
Blackhawks vs Predators: Blackhawks in 6 (Really good test for the Hawks in my opinion. Nashville's a solid team)
Canucks vs Kings: Kings in 6 (Luongo is playing like a sieve and I hate the Canucks)
Coyotes vs Red Wings: Coyotes in 7 (I can't in good conscience pick the dead things to win, it's against my core beliefs)

Chicago will come out of the West. I think it's a toss up between 3 teams in the east being Pittsburgh, Washington and Buffalo. I'll take the defending champs though. By far the best team in hockey down the middle and their goal tending is light years better then whatever Theodore will ever do.

Pittsburgh beats Chicago, I`ll say.

[Darkoshvilli]

My predicitons:

I have no fucking idea, anything can happen

[Rico Rommheim]

The Canadiens crawl into the playoffs only so we can get booted out in 5. bleh.

[francely57]

Caps vs Canadiens: Caps in 3 (Okay maybe 4 lol)
Devils vs Flyers: Devils in 6 (Flyers major downfall is the fact they once again have decided that they don't need a goalie)
Sabres vs Bruins: Sabres in 5 (Rask will steal 1 game, but Boston can't score and Ryan Miller is just as good as Rask)
Penguins vs Senators: Penguins in 6 (Defending champs should win in what will be a good series)

Sharks vs Avalanche: Sharks in 6 (The homer in me wants to take my avs and pick an upset...anyways the Sharks will choke maybe not this round though)
Blackhawks vs Predators: Blackhawks in 6 (Really good test for the Hawks in my opinion. Nashville's a solid team)
Canucks vs Kings: Kings in 6 (Luongo is playing like a sieve and I hate the Canucks)
Coyotes vs Red Wings: Coyotes in 7 (I can't in good conscience pick the dead things to win, it's against my core beliefs)

Chicago will come out of the West. I think it's a toss up between 3 teams in the east being Pittsburgh, Washington and Buffalo. I'll take the defending champs though. By far the best team in hockey down the middle and their goal tending is light years better then whatever Theodore will ever do.

Pittsburgh beats Chicago, I`ll say.

WOW! :haha: :haha: I said the exact same thing 2 days ago!
I must be an Urban Genius!

...seriously, they might as well cancel the 4th game if the series look like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xT2fnoUJs8)



I expect the same from the Cavaliers vs Raptors in the NBA. (oh wait the Raptors are 9th now, maybe they won't make it)

[waterloowarrior]

Habs-Caps will be on TSN.... I guess CBC thought Sens-Pens would be more entertaining/last longer

[Yume-sama]

The Penguins have been considered more of a Canadian team than the 5 teams who aren't Toronto, since Crosby was drafted.

Don't fool yourself in to thinking they're doing it for Ottawa :P

[Darkoshvilli]

Habs and caps would have been a much bigger draw in Canada, lets not even go there. I don't care about the Crosby bandwaggon, there's tons of habs fans all over the country. CBC must have went with the series they thought would go the longest.

[Flamesrule]

slow clap:banana:
I wouldn't be talking since YOUR team wasn't even close to making the playoffs this year.(cough cough, last place, cough cough)

[Berklon]

I bet the Habs will give the Capitals some troubles.

The Caps will probably win the series, but I can see this series going to 6 games.

[feepa]

I wouldn't be talking since YOUR team wasn't even close to making the playoffs this year.(cough cough, last place, cough cough)
Ya, but my team has an excuse (Record man-games lost to injury), and is in the middle of rebuild with tons of draft picks and youth. We have a bright future... You have ... Well an aging Kipper and Iginla, and left overs from the Maple leafs... Sutter sold the future in hoping for a playoff birth this season. It's going to be a rough year for the Flames and their fans next year.

(The Oilers might not make the playoffs next year either, but we will be shown a team that is young and capable of being great in the very near future)

[ZiZiPop]

Washington/Montreal - Washington in 5

New Jersey/Philadelphia - Philadelphia in 7

Boston/Buffalo - Boston in 5

Pittsburgh/Ottawa - Pittsburgh in 4



San Jose/Colorado - Colorado in 7

Chicago/Nashville - Chicago in 4

Vacouver/Los Angeles - Vancouver in 6

Phoenix/Detroit - Detroit in 7

[O-Town Hockey]

Habs-Caps will be on TSN.... I guess CBC thought Sens-Pens would be more entertaining/last longer

CBC does not like to share viewership. They show this time and time again during the regular season with their control over Saturday night broadcasting in Canada. The one exception is Montreal as RDS is allowed to broadcast their games in parallel or on their own if the Habs aren't featured on HNIC. I think CBC would rather have 100% control of the Sens/Pens audience then split things 80/20 or 85/15 with RDS for the Montreal series. TSN is happy to take what they can get.

Go Sens!

[Yume-sama]

Ya, but my team has an excuse (Record man-games lost to injury), and is in the middle of rebuild with tons of draft picks and youth. We have a bright future... You have ... Well an aging Kipper and Iginla, and left overs from the Maple leafs... Sutter sold the future in hoping for a playoff birth this season. It's going to be a rough year for the Flames and their fans next year.

(The Oilers might not make the playoffs next year either, but we will be shown a team that is young and capable of being great in the very near future)

Until Hall or Seguinn refuses to sign with the Oilers, and re-enters the draft next year :P

If there's one team this could happen to, it's looking like it could be the Oilers.

[Jay in Cowtown]

Sutter sold the future in hoping for a playoff birth this season. It's going to be a rough year for the Flames and their fans next year.


No it's not, Darryl told me so today at his press conference. The Flames are fine, they're not talentless and slow... "they just need to win at home next season!" :koko:

Everytime Ken King opened his mouth I thought his hand was going to come through the stereo in my office and jerk me off... everything's fine in Flamesland now! :haha:

[Yume-sama]

And don't forget, 97% of people renewed their season tickets! Nevermind the deadline was March 3rd, and the Flames were in a playoff position when the forms were sent out in early February.

[O-Town Hockey]

Holy crap, no more Alberta hockey talk in the 2010 Playoff Thread! This forum is always too Calmonton heavy. So who are you guys all adopting this year since neither of your teams made it?

[Flamesrule]

Ya, but my team has an excuse (Record man-games lost to injury), and is in the middle of rebuild with tons of draft picks and youth. We have a bright future... You have ... Well an aging Kipper and Iginla, and left overs from the Maple leafs... Sutter sold the future in hoping for a playoff birth this season. It's going to be a rough year for the Flames and their fans next year.

(The Oilers might not make the playoffs next year either, but we will be shown a team that is young and capable of being great in the very near future)Ok, heres the deal. Edmonton hasnt made the playoffs since the finals in 05-06. And well Edmonton hasnt really made big trades on the deadline. (Here it comes) For me i think Edmonton started the rebuilinng last season.

You do have a point though for the rebuilding stage for the Oilers. Flames will probably have to do the same thing as the Oilers did in a couple more seasons.

[MrOilers]

If there are any upsets in the West, it will be in the Avs/Sharks series.

Thornton will disappear (like he always does for the Sharks, and like he did in the Olympics this year).

[0773|=\]

I think the Kings / Canucks series will be exciting to watch.

Both teams play an exciting brand of hockey. Too bad I'm obligated to hate the Canucks. Furthermore, I really like LA's roster--Smitty and Greene for obvious reasons, but add to that Brown, Kopitar and Doughty and yes, ladies and gentlemen, you have 'pure awesome'.

With any luck, Dustin Brown will crash the net enough times that by game 3, Lu is shakier than he was last week...

[Canadian Mind]

With 33 votes, Canucks are in the lead at 33%

Lotta closet 'nucks fans in here. :P