2010 NHL Playoffs Thread

The end of the regular season has passed, and now is the time for real hockey to begin!  Begone you weak Shootouts of yesteryear, begone your 4 on 4 overtimes, begone Calgary and New York!  For they do not belong in the golden times of hockey this year.   This thread will be for playoff game discussion and predictions not involving the Pittsburgh Bettmans.  I'm personally betting on the Capitals vs. Coyotes in the Finals.
 
Today's Games (6/9/2010) - All times EDT
Game 6 - CHI 4-3 (OT)
 
Stanley Cup Finals:  Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers (Chicago wins the Stanley Cup 4-2)
Game 1:  Saturday 5/29 - @ Chicago - CHI 6-5
Game 2:  Monday 5/31 - @ Chicago - CHI 2-1
Game 3:  Wednesday 6/2 - @ Philadelphia - PHI 4-3 (OT)
Game 4:  Friday 6/4 - @ Philadelphia - PHI 5-3
Game 5:  Sunday 6/6 - @ Chicago - CHI 7-4
Game 6:  Wednesday 6/9 - @ Philadelphia - CHI 4-3 (OT)

Eastern Conference Finals 
#7 - Philadelphia Flyers vs. #8 - Montreal Canadians (PHI wins 4-1)

Western Conference Finals 
#1 - San Jose Sharks vs. #2 - Chicago Blackhawks (CHI wins 4--0)

Eastern Conference Semifinals 
#4 - Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 - Montreal Canadians (MON wins 4-3)
#6 - Boston Bruins vs.  #7 - Philadelphia Flyers (PHI wins 4-3)
 
Western Conference Semifinals 
#1 - San Jose Sharks vs. #5 - Detroit Red Wings (SJS wins 4-1)
#2 - Chicago Blackhawks vs. #3 - Vancouver Canucks (CHI wins 4-2)

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
#1 - Washington Capitals vs. #8 - Montreal Canadians (MON wins series 4-3)
#2 - New Jersey Devils vs. #7 - Philadelphia Flyers (PHI wins series 4-1)
#3 - Buffalo Sabres vs. #6 - Boston Bruins (BOS wins 4-2)
#4 - Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 - Ottawa Senators (PIT wins 4-2)

Western Conference Quarterfinals
#1 - San Jose Sharks vs. #8 - Colorado Avalanche (SJS wins 4-2)
#2 - Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 - Nashville Predators (CHI wins 4-2)
#3 - Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 - Los Angeles Kings (VAN wins 4-2)
#4 - Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 - Detroit Red Wings (DET wins 4-3)

I am picking the Coyotes to win it all.

Even though I'm a Habs fan. I think this is ovie and the caps year. 
edit: I was dumb

 Hopefully the Rangers can pull through in their last game and sneak in past the Flyers.  I'd like to see a Chicago-Wasshington Finals too, but I'll be happy as long as Pittsburgh and Detroit aren't there.

" I am picking the Coyotes to win it all. "

Boston clinched against the Hurricanes today.  They got 3 shorthanded goals ON THE SAME power play.  Just wow.

The Coyotes should not be able to make the playoffs.  Who gets to hold the cup after the players? Gary Bettman?  If you're owned by the league, you shouldn't be eligible to win that same league.  Please either get that team a real owner or move them to Hamilton or Winnipeg.
 
That being said, the playoffs should be wide open and almost every team could take any other in a series.  I guess Im picking Chicago just due to how complete they are across the board.  I'd love to see the Red Wings win again, but I dont think they have the depth needed for a long run.

Red Wings against Washington in the Finals with Detroit winning in 6

I haven't cared about hockey, or a team, since #33 Patrick Roy retired from the Avalanche and them losing there best players soon there after. I guess i would go for Avalanche, even though i have no idea how good they are anymore, for old times sake.

I don't see why my beloved Penguins can't win a second in a row. The one team that scares me is Washington. They swept us this year and Alex The Great is probably the best player in the league.

" The Coyotes should not be able to make the playoffs.  Who gets to hold the cup after the players? Gary Bettman?  If you're owned by the league, you shouldn't be eligible to win that same league.  Please either get that team a real owner or move them to Hamilton or Winnipeg. That being said, the playoffs should be wide open and almost every team could take any other in a series.  I guess Im picking Chicago just due to how complete they are across the board.  I'd love to see the Red Wings win again, but I dont think they have the depth needed for a long run. "

1) Go BLUES! 
2) Since the Blues aren't in it, I'll be rooting for the Red Wings
3) I think the Sharks will take the Cup this year.

Going to be Bruins--Boston fan-- and Chicago, with Chicago probably winning it.

Capitals are going to win it.

Hmm... Habs won't make it past the first round so.... I'll pick... The Kings! Why the Kings? I dunno XD

" @KennyPowers said:

" The Coyotes should not be able to make the playoffs.  Who gets to hold the cup after the players? Gary Bettman?  If you're owned by the league, you shouldn't be eligible to win that same league.  Please either get that team a real owner or move them to Hamilton or Winnipeg. That being said, the playoffs should be wide open and almost every team could take any other in a series.  I guess Im picking Chicago just due to how complete they are across the board.  I'd love to see the Red Wings win again, but I dont think they have the depth needed for a long run. "

This isn't MLB.  Bettman wants the team to stay in Phoenix, and he'll do that by any means necessary. "

I'm still disappointed that the Thrashers fell short of the playoffs again this season. Since Atlanta is out of it, I think I'll root for the Sharks. Hopefully they can maintain their excellent regular season level of play for once.

I'm a Colorado fan (hence the name), but I can't see them taking it this year. A first round match-up with Chicago or San Jose just seems like too much.  I've got Chicago and Washington in the finals this year, those teams just have too much firepower.

I'd love for my Caps to get to and win the Finals, but the overcast of Gary Bettman's love affair for all things Sidney Crosby gives me pause.

I say the Hawks in the West and Ovie....I mean the Caps in the East. Caps take it in 6.

" I say the Hawks in the West and Ovie....I mean the Caps in the East. Caps take it in 6. "

I'm a huge Habs fan, but their defense is awful, and they don't deserve to be in the playoffs.
 
I hope the Sharks win, because Joe Thornton is the most underrated player in the league.

As much as I wish the Canucks can finally win a cup this year I have doubts they will be able to. Realistically I think Chicago might take it against Washington this year.

As much as i'd like to see the Nucks go somewhere this year, Loungo's just to bad to be reliable in the playoffs now. His GAA since the olympics has been over a 3.50 and he's been playing worse than he ever has for Vancouver.

With New Jersey winning and Pittsburgh losing, the Devils win the Atlantic while the Pens will be hosting Ottawa.  Montreal survived regulation so they get a point, and that means Playoff time for them.   It all comes down to Philly and New York tomorrow. 
 
Washington, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Boston, Vancouver, Phoenix and Colorado cannot improve their position.

The West playoffs are set, and the Rangers/Flyers are going to the shootout for the final spot in the East.  Nerveracking to say the least. 
 
EDIT:  And we're set.  The Flyers will face NJ/BUF while the Canadians face the Caps

" I am picking the Coyotes to win it all. "

As a Rangers fan, I want nothing to do with this. 
 
I hope the Devils demolish the Flyers.

" As a Rangers fan, I want nothing to do with this.   I hope the Devils demolish the Flyers. "

I updated the OP, and put my prediction down.  I mainly say Coyotes in the finals because I think Bettman is going to do something to get them there.  I mean he did it the last 2 years with the Penguins, but clearly the Coyotes are better than the Pens. 
 
I agree that the NYR/PHI shootout thing was tough.  That's the rules I guess.  Maybe they could change it in the future because it definitely didn't feel right.  In case anyone wants to go betting, WSH/MON (2-1-1 for WSH) and PIT/OTT tied their season series with one another and PHI won 5 of the 6 meetings with NJ this season.

With the Wings getting the Coyotes in the first round thanks it the sweet OT win I think they have a really good shot of making it through. A easier first round will help us get ready for the tougher 2nd and 3rd before we face the Caps in the finals.

I really feel that if Loungo can get his shit together and perform in the play-offs then the Nucks have a chance. The chances of that are kind of slim though. If not the Canucks then I'll root for Ottawa just cause I'd prefer for a Canadian team to win the cup. I also don't want Washington to win cause if they do a friend of mine will never shut up about it.

If he's a true Caps fan, he wants Pittsburgh gone first.

Capitals over Blackhawks in 6.

Washington vs. Chicago or Detroit in the cup. Whichever West team makes it there is gonna win it all. 

Pittsburgh lost, which is a plus for me.  But I have a feeling Bettman will be along shortly to pull them out the fire like he usually does.  It's late in the PHI/NJ game with Philly up.  I'm guessing they'll win. 
 
I don't know however since I can't watch playoff hockey because I have DirecTV and no other means to watch (unless of course someone gives me a hint) :(

So far most of the game one's have been really great. The Phoenix/Detroit game was insane, and if they keep up that pace, both teams will be dead by the end of the series. Full disclosure: I'm a Canes fan who hasn't decided which bandwagon to hop on yet. I'm going with Phoenix or Chicago in the west but I don't really want anyone from the east to make it out of the first round. I'll probably end up pulling for the Caps.

i wany my flyers to go all the way but dam why did we have to get stuck with  New Jersey 

My poor Stars missed them again (STH) so go Hawks/Caps!

Niklas Backstrom saved the Caps season as they win 6-5 31 seconds into Overtime.  They better play like they did in the third against Montreal, or else.  Theodore has something wrong in his head about the Canadians.  Don't know why, either.  Let's hope we make it to the Pens, because I'm sure he could stop their shots. 
 
All series up until now are tied.  Canucks/Kings are coming up in just a little bit.

this thread needs to be stuck!   and march madness should be taken down.    DET and PHX 1-1 with 5 left in the 2nd.

Then please make a recommendation about it. 
 
I put the daily schedule up so people will know when games are going on. 
 
EDIT:  Welp, that didn't take long.

haha i know 2-1 Phx   :(  detroit needs to get their shit together.
 
Edit: 3-1....FUCK!

3-1 now.  Pretty sweet goal, too. 
 
EDIT:  3-2 Phoenix after the quiet Detroit goal.

only 8 minutes to go.  detroit needs to score fast.
 
4-2 fuck fuck fuck  weak goal let up by howard

...and Phoenix goes back up by 2.  Detroit seems to let down a lot after scoring goals.  Just like Washington.