Yumcha

It's been awhile now that I've had such difficulty picking a winner from the final 4 batch...so, here's my stab at it:

=====

Boston vs. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh in 7

From a match-up perspective, the Bruins do not come close to the Pens' offensive abilities. But, I would give Boston the edge on defense, goaltending, and even toughness. Still, we are talking about facing an offence that can just plain plow over anyone if it wants to. So, because of that firepower, I have to give Pittsburgh the edge. I think with coaching, both teams are equal. The one unknown is just how galvanized this Bruins team is with the snub they got from Iggy (and possibly Morrow) and the fact they get to play their pal, Cooke, again. I would not be shocked at all if Boston won this series too.

=====

Chicago vs. LA: Chicago in 7

Naturally, I can't pick against my favorite team. But, I would not be surprised if LA handed it to Chicago because the Kings are exactly the type of team that THIS Chicago team has had issues with: trapping, big, and hard-hitting. LA's depth at center is undisputed as is their edge in goaltending (no snarking here). Chicago has the edge on team speed, skill on the wings, and marginally slight edge on defense. Coaching...again, both Sutter and Q are terrific coaches. Waldorf may not like my analogy here but if I were to think of LA, I would compare them to the Predators except with actual star-power and meanness. And I know Chicago usually has fits against Nashville.



Anyhow, got my and booze ready for the weekend. LOTS of TV watching...

Yumcha

^ Clearly, those above comments were assuming and negative.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Jesus, we'll be hearing about this 5 years from now just like the name brand goalie

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Nashville Kings... Sounds better than Sacramento at least

Yumcha

Ad nauseam. Is that negative and assuming enough for ya?

Moog-Type-S

I'll make it simple on my picks:

Kings in 6
Bruins in 6

Yumcha

97Ack is gonna e-hate you for being negative and assuming for picking the Bruins over the Pens.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Yumcha

Penguins vs. LeHeat: LeHeat in 1



Yup, that's hating. Right there. Assuming and negativity...big-time. Booyah.

dom

I just looked at the schedule for the semi's. No 12PM or 1PM games?!?!?! NBC didn't get their way and hockey finally getting some respect down south??

Holy shit.

Yumcha

^ Interesting that Hawks/Kings play back-to-back though. Is that a first...?

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

8 PM starts

Moog-Type-S

Looks VERY likely that Stoll will be back in action for game one!

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Doubt it's a first, it's based on building schedules and TV. I'm sure Chicago has a week long Justin Bieber festival they had to schedule around or something...

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Who?

black label

That's straight out moronic IMO.

The Boston and NY series started last in the second round because they both went 7 in the first. Now that Chicago and LA both had to go 7, they start the same day as the teams who got at least 7 days rest, then have to play back to back games while the teams who got at least 7 days rest get a day off after game 1.

black label

Nah, that's Boston, and it's not Bieber, it's the New Kids on the Block

Moog-Type-S

It's the Rolling Stones.

Unfortunately it's the Kings that are stuck with that little girl from Canada who shows up to Kings playoff games.

Stupid

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

:gheylaugh:

Moog-Type-S

^^ Yup...there she is.

Thanks, dom.

Yumcha

So, is it fair to say 97Ack is being assuming and negative because he thought Chicago got Justin Beaver when it was LA...?

Yup. Wow, talk about not practicing what he preaches.

dom

Just when you though Celine was the gift that keeps on giving we give you the Beib.

Yumcha

So, Beaver is a Kings fan? Coming from Ontario, you'd think he'd be a diehard Leaves fan...

dom

Yes, he's a Kings fan. Leaf fans have class.

Yumcha

Well, with Elisha dating Captain Dion, she has changed her allegiances from the Kings to Leaves...

So, in theory, you guys traded Elisha for Beaver...?

Moog-Type-S

he?

It's a tween girl.

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

I said they were probably having a concert festival, not having him attend games

srika

go Hawks!

Moog-Type-S

SOOOO much negativity!!!! :gheylaugh:

Suck it up ya pansies!!!

Moog-Type-S

Oh noes!!!! Chicago Tribune predicts Kings in 7?!?!?!?

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...-marcus-kruger

Sounds like they are "negative" on their hometown team. :wink:

srika

I'm done with trolls.

Yumcha

Pierre Lebrun picks the Hawks in 7...!

What are you gonna do, Waldorf!

Moog-Type-S

Dead French poets know nothing about hockey.

Not worried

Yumcha

Nah. I'm not surprised the Hawks are projected as the underdogs in this series. Your Kings are good...not gonna argue that. You can't call me being "myopic" for this series.

We have at least 4 games to determine if the predictions are correct.

Moog-Type-S

The home team is gonna be slightly favored for each game of the series.

On paper it appears to be a very tight series.

All will be revealed in about 2-3 games.

black label

It's best of 3 in the conference finals? I'm having trouble with these post lockout rule changes.

black label

I would say that the brand name goalie in LA has something to do with that. NHL.com is ready to hand him the Conn Smythe with the playoffs only half over.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=6...d=nhl:topheads

Yumcha

If Quick comes as good as advertised, he may steal a game in Chicago. And that would mean, Chicago needs to respond and steal one in LA.

Both respective home teams have been pretty darn good at home...with the Kings undefeated. Chicago has just that one loss to Detroit in Game 2. So, yeah...we'll know in about 3-4 games how this series will play out.

Then again, I thought the series was over in 4 games when Detroit took a 3-1 lead. So, who knows. But, if anything, this will be a fun series to watch!

Fibonacci

Not sure which is worse: losing a game 7 after being up 4-1 with 10 minutes in the 3rd. Or, losing a series after being up 3-1. But thanks for letting me hit your pipe, I'm a bit calmer now.

I have to grudgingly agree. All four teams deserve to be here and its tough to pick a winner. Most compelling story line for me will be to see if the Kings can be the first repeat champs since Detroit.

Bye-bye Western Conference, looking forward to being back in the East next season.

dom

Your heart was ripped out slowly over a 3 or 4 day period while mine was ripped out quickly in under 30 minutes. Both painful but at least I didn't suffer for days