2011 NHL Playoffs Thread

2011 NHL Playoffs

2011 NHL Playoffs Preview

Written by Derek Felska | 10 April 2011

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament has the 'Sweet 16' as the 2nd round of their tournament, but the sixteen teams that qualify for the NHL's playoffs are all thinking about earning 16 wins which will give them the honor of hoisting the Stanley Cup over their heads. The real madness for NHL fans begins in April rather than March and the first round of this post-season already provides a number of intriguing storylines. Can Washington finally make their mark in the post-season? How far can Pittsburgh go without Sidney Crosby? Will Philadelphia power its way to its first Stanley Cup since 1974? Can Vancouver keep the momentum rolling from being the league's best team through the regular season and bring a Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993? Will San Jose finally show that dominance in the regular season means a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals? Does Chicago still have what it takes to be defend its championship? Not to poke too much fun at the old NHL ad campaign, but "is this the year" for these teams? Or does someone else make their mark in these playoffs. Last year, how many would've guessed a team that qualified for the playoffs after a shootout in its last game of the season would end up just two short of 16 wins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? No offense to Flyers fans, but I doubt many did; I know I certainly did not.

For other teams its about avenging its demons from playoffs past. Will the Predators finally advance beyond the first round? Can Boston put the memory of losing their series to the Flyers after being up 3-0 in their series last year behind them or will those ghosts come back to haunt them? These questions will all be answered soon enough. That is what makes the playoffs fun, even for fans like myself whose favorite team is probably out golfing somewhere right now. Here is a complete rundown of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs including my prediction as to who will win their respective series. Also included is a complete schedule, all times are for Central Standard Time. Please share what you think, whether you agree, disagree etc. GAME ON! (click on the link for the rest of the article)

Talk about the playoffs here. Put down your predictions and anything else playoff related. I heard Zetterberg is supposed to miss Game 1 of their series against Phoenix.

GO!
Preds
Kings
Sharks
Yotes
Caps
Sabres
Lightning

BOO
the rest of em

Preds
Coyotes
Pens (Fuck Brewer)
Caps
Bruins
Flyers

And I hope the jumbotrons fall on the players of the other two series.

But, if I gotta pick...Chicago and LA

Go Hawks
Preds
Wings
Sharks
Caps
Lighting
Bruins
Sabres!

Man, San Jose straight punked LA last night.

I think everyone had given up on San Jose after LA was up 4-0... wow, could they have played anyworse... followed by any better?

Dear Gabby,

While the Wild could desperately use your talent for even 40 out of 82 games, you STILL suck! You're still getting injured and still sucking in the playoffs. You had one great regular season last year. High fives all around. Good luck with the New York media and all the trade rumors.

Sincerely,

OTH

Funny thing, he went east to play a more wide-open game, and to go somewhere with more talented linemates.... and he's basically in the same exact situation in NY that he was here. Playing very defensively with little to no talent around him.

Boogie is an assist machine damnit!

The goal scoring, assisting machine!

that goal he had earlier in the season was cracking me up. looked like he knew what he was doing.

if i recall, wasn't it against Miller too? The same Ryan Miller that had let Tie Domi score a shoot out goal against him?

Heads up to all enforcers, Miller is scared of you, shoot the puck!

NHL Semi-Finals Preview

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Semi-Final Preview

Written by Derek Felska | 28 April 2011

I think the refrain from the classic Bachman Turner Overdrive song refrain, "You ain't seen nothin' yet, B-b-b-baby, you just ain't seen n-n-nothin' yet, Here's something that you never gonna forget, B-b-b-baby, you just ain't seen n-n-nothin' yet" fits the NHL playoffs up until now with hopefully more excitement and thrills to come. It has been absolutely incredible the intensity of most of the series thus far; with multiple teams battling back from big series deficits to either run the table and advance or stopping just short. There has been plenty of hitting and the occasional controversy that goes with it to keep people talking and the last minute of 3rd periods and overtime have served as the backdrop some truly magical playoff moments this post-season alone. I went into the playoffs feeling not sure if I was going to be able to get caught up in them with the Wild missing the post-season for a 3rd straight year but it didn't take long after watching the tenacity, speed and energy of the crowds as they hold their breath in anticipation of each shot and then either cheer, boo in disgust or just give a sigh of relief. The emotional rush of the playoffs is incredible and while it is unfortunate the Wild are not there as a hockey fan I can still greatly appreciate the outstanding level of play and genuine drama that each game brings.

On a more personal note, I may have to consider to start playing the lottery. I was a perfect 8 for 8 in my previous gameday post. Check it out yourself http://www.stateofhockeynews.com/2011-articles/april/2011-nhl-playoffs-preview.html While I was wrong about the length of most of the respective series; I picked the winner correctly each time and isn't that what really matters anyways? Of course, just like in any broadcast on TV or radio I probably just jinxed myself. Although a simulation run through Electronic Arts' by the league on their video game NHL '11 also went 8-for-8, so maybe it wasn't that big of a deal. Before my ego gets too much bigger, the next round has plenty of intriguing questions waiting to be answered. Will the Predators be able to re-focus themselves after their 1st ever playoff series win by toppling the top-seeded Canucks? Will the Canucks live up to the experts predictions now that they have managed to defeat their recent-playoff nemesis Chicago? Will Philadelphia be able to dominate Boston the way it dominated the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7? Who is tougher, the hard charging Flyers or the newest version of the Big Bad Bruins? Which Southeast Division star will shine brighter, Alexander Ovechkin or Steven Stamkos? Can Detroit add another sweep to its resume by routing the Sharks, or will San Jose and Joe Thornton finally live up to their potential? Perhaps none of these questions will be answered, but it certainly will be fun watching it all. Just as the case with my previous Playoff Preview I will provide a summary of each series as well as my own pick as to how I see the series will result. Enjoy! (click on the link for the rest of the article)

Should be another fun set of series' if the 1st round was any indication! ENJOY!

Joe, Boogie scored on Michal Neuvirth? of the Capitals.

AND LET'S GO PREDS!

thats right, it was the Caps. Boogie will have a break out year next year. 5 goals, 10 assists. 212 PIM

Didn't get to see the Preds last night, but sounds like the Canucks owned that game.

NHL Conference Finals Preview

Sorry for being late, tennis has had me hyper busy. Enjoy!

le sigh

GOOOOOOO BOSTON!
no way in hell tampa could beat the nucks.

Yeah, I'm putting all support behind the Bruins. Although if some crazy miracle happens and TB comes back...I don't think they could be stopped.

it's done, canucks will win it

Cocksucking Canucks.

that should be on a shirt somewhere!

To cafe press!

have a picture of burrows biting on a dick and not a finger

00Xtremeninja wrote:

have a picture of burrows biting on a dick and not a finger

I'm going to burn in hell for this, but the first thing that came to mind when reading that comment was, "You are what you eat." It sure would explain why that guy is such a dick, now wouldn't it?

Note, there are many exceptions to the above rule. However, none of those exceptions apply to Burrows.

burrows and cook, both cock suckers.

OTH, you are what you eat would go great on the back of the shirt!