The website I used to watch games on got seized by the US Government

Minnesota is now my favourite team for the night.

Love you bitter Edmonton fans. I'd imagine Dallas is now Nesquick's favorite as I'm sure the last team he wants to face in the first round is Chicago especially when the alternative is Dallas.

UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE

The team I work with won the first hockey NCAA D-1 championship in school history last night. We did it in St. Paul in front of a ton of our family and friends. Just a surreal feeling. 16,000 people going nuts and being on the ice celebrating with all the guys was just incredible.

I actually meant I want Minnesota because I love the intensity of Hawks-Nucks playoff games, not about being bitter, champ.

I'm just screwing with you.

Shit, nice.

And I was cheering for Dallas. Not because I don't think we can beat the Hawks, but because fuck the Hawks anyway.

East Predictions

Washington 4 - 1 New York
Philadelphia 3 - 4 Buffalo
Boston 4 - 2 Montreal
Pittsburgh 3 - 4 Tampa Bay (unless Crosby is back, then I think Pitt takes it in 7)

West Predictions

Vancouver 4 - 2 Chicago
San Jose 4 - 2 Los Angeles
Detroit 4 - 1 Phoenix
Anaheim 4 - 3 Nashville

I still can't believe it actually happened. I'm from a small school in northern MN and the town is absolutely hockey crazy. We've been waiting 50 years for a title and it finally happened. To be a small part of it was the most memorable thing of my life.

Just look at this celly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XqjBvwU5rs

Are you talking about atdhe.net? It still exists, just under a different name now. It's now atdhenet.tv

Nick you can try the website that I just mentioned.

East:

Washington 4 - 2 New York
Philadelphia 2 - 4 Buffalo
Boston 4 - 3 Montreal
Pittsburgh 2 - 4 Tampa Bay (assuming Crosby doesn't play)

West:

Vancouver 4 - 1 Chicago
San Jose 4 - 1 Los Angeles
Detroit 3 - 4 Phoenix
Anaheim 3 - 4 Nashville

Without Kopitar and Williams, I don't see the Kings putting up much of a fight against San Jose. I also have little faith in Philly's goaltending, plus the fact that they've been awful lately while the Sabres have been playing incredibly well.



Congrats man, I wasn't aware that that was the school you work with. I was rooting for Minnesota-Duluth because I had heard that they'd never won it.

Bruins-Canadiens series should be good. I can really only get into hockey during the playoffs. you gotta admit though, the games are thoroughly more entertaining than regular seasong games. this is true for any sport but i think the difference is much more radical here.

That Red Wings/Blackhawks game was really fun to watch but it basically was a playoff game for the blackhawks even though the team they were playing already solidified their spot and ended up winning anyways

I watched this game, and am very happy for UMD. (I live in St.Paul)
Congrats on their first title!

East Predictions

Washington 4 - 3 New York
Philadelphia 2 - 4 Buffalo
Boston 4 - 2 Montreal
Pittsburgh 2 - 4 Tampa Bay (unless Crosby is back, then I think Pitt takes it in 7)

West Predictions

Vancouver 3 - 4 Chicago (because why not)
San Jose 4 - 1 Los Angeles
Detroit 4 - 2 Phoenix
Anaheim 2 - 4 Nashville

Think the Rangers matchup well with Washington and it will be hard fought but I think Lundquist runs out of gas and Washington wins it in a tough 7. With Philly I think their goal tending is really shaky and with their shaky overall play I don't think they win against a team that's hot and has Miller. Montreal and Boston should be intriguing and its the best goalie matchup but I like the rest of Boston's team better. Pittsburgh Tampa you called my feelings on it although Pittsburgh has done way better than I ever thought (scary team next year).

With the west I still like Chicago's matchup with Vancouver even with their inconsistencies. I think Bolland makes it back and that will be huge. Chicago is a very dangerous team (they have a top 5 goal differential) and I think they are still in Vancouver's head. That said they don't have your "favorite" player anymore and a lot of the other pieces that made them so strong against the Canucks. This is my least confident pick and is really more of a guy thing than anything else. As for San Jose that is my most confident pick. Simply put without Kopitar LA is cooked. They missed their chance to win a series by losing back to back to Anaheim (serves them right the fucking cunts letting Anaheim in). Detroit v. Phoenix I thank Bryzgalov wins two for the Coyotes and Howard makes it interesting but Detroit is just too good. Then we get to the four-five. This is another exceptionally tough one to pick. The Ducks may be hot but they fit the classic profile of a playoff flameout team with their low goal differential. Also while they may have the best record in one goal games since the lockout the ten teams with the best record in one goal games have all flamed out before the third round save one. Tough for me to take Nashville when they've never gotten past a 6th game but they've got possibly the best backend tandem in the league which can neutralize one of the two strongest lines in the league. If they do that coupled with a disciplined system and the best goalie in the league outside of Tim Thomas (and maybe even better than him) I think they get over the hump.

Should be a fun playoffs and even though the Stars are out and I lose at least two more games to attend this year I'm still OK with it because I think we had at most a 5 game series with Vancouver.

I guess I could do a matchup breakdown.

I think the Rangers are a pretty good team, but Callahan is a big loss and Gaborik isn't convincing me he can contribute in the playoffs. Sure, Lundqvist will stand on his head, but Washington seems to be putting it all together at the right time and though I don't think Green is a great defenseman, he'll be a welcome addition to a Capitals team that has filled most of it's weaknesses.

I like how we everyone thinks Buffalo will win. They've been too hot to ignore and I'd take Miller over whoever Philly throws in any day. Of course the new ownership has everyone excited and I see no reason why guys like Gerbe and Ennis can't get over Philly's size. For Philly, I like them a lot better if Pronger is back, but goaltending is a question and their recent struggles have me wondering. They do have a lot of players that play playoff style hockey, but fatigue might be an issue. It's a close call, but I might have gone with Buffalo just because they are my favourite East team.

If it comes down to Carey Price vs. Tim Thomas, then Montreal might have a shot. Of course Price would have to play out of his mind because if Thomas falters (unlikely), then they still have Rask. I think Boston is in Montreal's head, too, and their size is hard for the Habs to deal with. Speed only does you so much when you can't finish.

Pittsburgh has been a pleasant surprised since losing Crosby & Malkin and they have a lot of playoff type guys, but Tampa Bay has been hot of late. I'm not too excited about Tampa's defense, but it should be sufficient to give themselves a chance to outscore Pittsburgh. Of course Stamkos has a lot to prove and Roloson can't act his age. Fleury will be the key to Pittsburgh if they plan on winning.

I have to go with Vancouver because that's my team. I'm a little bit nervous about this, but Luongo is a lot more rested and was great in his last two games against Chicago. The difference to me is that there is no Byfuglien or Ladd to get to Luongo and no Burish or Versteeg or (maybe) Bolland to get to the Sedins. Even if they do get to the Sedins, I'm confident enough in the Kesler line and even our other support guys to make up for it. Also, don't forget that Schneider has been great for us all season. Not to mention Chicago may be fatigued.

I think LA is better than they're given credit for without Kopitar, but they still don't stack up against a hot Sharks team. Quick does have the potential to steal the series, though, especially if Thornton and Heatley are Thornton and Heatley of playoffs old. Still, Kopitar is a huge loss and it's harder to make up for his absence without Williams, too.

I'm not sold (get it?) on Phoenix and Detroit just has too much experience and defensive ability (forwards included).

I figure Nashville will have a hard time dealing with Anaheim's physical style, but I'm hoping that Anaheim struggles big time with the burnout factor.

Washington 4 - 1 New York
Philadelphia 3 - 4 Buffalo
Boston 4 - 2 Montreal
Pittsburgh 2 - 4 Tampa Bay

Washington 4 - 2 Buffalo
Boston 4 - 2 Tampa Bay

Washington 2 - 4 Boston

-----

Vancouver 4 - 2 Chicago
San Jose 4 - 1 Los Angeles
Detroit 4 - 2 Phoenix
Anaheim 3 - 4 Nashville

Vancouver 4 - 1 Nashville
San Jose 4 - 2 Detroit

Vancouver 3 - 4 San Jose

San Jose 4 - 3 Boston