NHL Playoff match-ups

[JonLP24]

East (Season Series next to winner of season series)

#1 NY Rangers
#8 Ottawa (3-1)

#2 Boston
#7 Washington (3-1)

#3 Florida (2-2)
#6 NJ Devils

#4 Pittsburgh
#5 Philadelphia (4-2)

West

#1 Vancouver (2-2)
#8 LA Kings

#2 St. Louis (4-0)
#7 San Jose

#3 Phoenix (3-1)
#6 Chicago

#4 Nashville (3-3)
#5 Detroit

http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/matchups

Pittsburgh & Philadelphia looks very interesting. Not only a 4/5 match-up but rivalry.

[joeybee12]

1. P&P is probably the most competitive match-up

However, one thing is certain in NHL play-offs...nothing is certain.

[JonLP24]

2. I agree

I would add every team in the West is very competitive. Every one of those is what appears to be a tough match-up. The only reason I really cared for the Coyotes winning the division is they start the first round @ home. Other than that it didn't really matter who they played to me as long as they avoided the Red Wings who Bryzgalov(Philly goalie now) just played terrible against. He looked good against any opponent but the Red Wings were something else, it was unreal the stat comparisons. They got Smith now who appears to be better, certainly closed out the season on a strong note. Good thing about not getting a 7-8 seed is avoiding a match-up against St. Louis or Vancouver where I definitely feel that those are the teams to beat but no easy match-ups here in the West.

[bluedigger]

4. Those East match-ups sure don't look like cakewalks, either.

Of course, it's play-off hockey. Who has the hot goalie?

[JonLP24]

5. Oh, I agree

Just not real familiar with all those teams so I don't really know how to judge them. I know teams like Boston, Pittsburgh, and somewhat with Rangers and what I know or picture I have of Washington isn't good.

I follow West teams mostly so I'll let you & others do the analysis of the East games as mine would be total guesses for the most part.

Well if being a hot goalie at the end of the season means anything for the playoffs I like Phoenix's chances at-least for the first round. 2 goals allowed in last 5 games which included a run of 3-straight shut-outs, 97% save percentage @ St. Louis and 96% @ Minnesota in back-to-back nights.

[bluedigger]

7. The hot goalie thing is pretty much self-fulfilling.

Hind sight and all that.

I don't follow the pros too closely, unless there's a UMaine connection. I'm also a new immigrant to the west. Since Denver is out (and I'm halfway between Denver and Phoenix, anyways) you could buy my loyalties for pennies on the dollar...

Otherwise, I'll probably go with Nashville in the West - family there.

[joeybee12]

6. I don't follow as closely as you...just really following the Bruins...

They were on a tear for a while, then cooled off, but have been steady for the last month or so which is a good sign. Always seems like the hottest team going into the playoffs flames out the quickest...it's weird.

[JonLP24]

8. Your picks/guesses probably as good as mine

I don't follow the NHL as closely if I wasn't also trying to follow NBA, NCAA basketball, and now a little of baseball. Heck, I'm currently following the Arsenal & Manchester City match on flashscore which is ending within minutes. Arsenal up 1-0. Also NFL & College football dominates my attention during the early and middle part of the NHL season.

On edit-Also Masters is where I start paying attention to golf for the year.

[Swede]

3. It's gonna be a 2 month long battle.

Like no other in sports. I'm gonna cheer for the Canucks,but almost any team can take it. The battle of Pennsylvania will be epic.

[dhill926]

9. love the battle for the cup......

think it's the best in sports......

[KamaAina]

10. All that work for nothing

and the nobody warm-weather team has to sweep on the road, so we're one-and-done after all.

[chollybocker]

11. I'm going with Bruins vs. Preds in the Finals.

With the Bruins re-hoisting the Cup, as such:

NYR, BOS, PIT, NJ
NYR, BOS
BOS

STL, NSH, CHI, LA
STL, NSH
NSH

Or maybe a NYR vs. VAN rematch. TF I know.