Hockey Thread! (NHL etc.)

[SkyPikachu]

My predictions of round 2.

St. Louis v Nashville - This is more just me really wanting Nashville to win. However they are a fantastic team as well and anyone that can sweep the blackhawks is a contender.

Anaheim v Edmonton - Anaheim are playing amazingly well lately and Edmonton are lacking playoff experience however I want Edmonton to win.

Ottawa v New York Rangers - They'll probably sweep Ottawa Rangers are a good team and Ottawa is imo the worst team left.

Washington v Pittsburgh - Washington have a habit of losing in round 2 and Pittsburgh are insanely good. Still expect 6/7 game series.

3 for 4 not bad.

Now onto Round 4

Nashville v Anaheim - Anaheim is just really really good and are my favorites (sadly) to win it all.

Ottawa v Pittsburgh - Penguins just have way to much talent and I still believe Ottawa really isn't top 4 good.

I'd prefer a Nashville Ottawa stanley cup though as I'd like to see a team that hasn't won it/won it in a while win it instead of teams that have won it this century.

[Kong Wen]

The nice thing about Pens vs. Sens in the East is that I'm guaranteed to have a team I like in the Finals. I hope the Sens win, but I think the Penguins are going to beat them. As for the West, obviously pulling hard for Nashville now. Vengeance for the Oilers!

IIHF-related LOL: Barrie injured himself wrestling with a teammate in the hotel and is now out of the World Championships. It's actually sad news, and I know these guys can't just go rest in sensory-deprivation chambers between games, but come on!

[Claytone]

My sports-watching brain is really stupid. I always have the feeling that the last thing that happened is what will happen in perpetuity.

So emotionally, I feel like we're gonna lose 4-1.

But hopefully that won't happen.

[Claytone]

Ryan Johansen was somehow hurt in last night's game, and after surgery, he's out for the remainder of the playoffs. Fisher is also out, but idk how long.

We're fucked. I'm really torn up about this. I lead a tortured sports-watching existence, but I thought that might finally be changing.

[Kong Wen]

Johansen being out isn't the end of the world. You do have a rest of the team worth of good players. They'll put in their best performance for him.

[Claytone]

Ryan Johansen was somehow hurt in last night's game, and after surgery, he's out for the remainder of the playoffs. Fisher is also out, but idk how long.

We're fucked. I'm really torn up about this. I lead a tortured sports-watching existence, but I thought that might finally be changing.

[Claytone]

Was not expecting the Senators to pull off a Game 6 win. Really hoping they can win the whole series. I think they'd be an easier opponent for the Preds, and despite my general amusement at the notion of keeping the cup out of Canada, I value a new team getting a cup over that (plus, I will obviously be cheering for my Preds to defeat the Sens if they advance anyway). NSH-OTT would guarantee a new cup winner. Go Sens!

[Kong Wen]

despite my general amusement at the notion of keeping the cup out of Canada

Pretty hard to keep the Cup out of Canada. Regardless of which team wins, 40-50% of the parades will be taking place up here.

(I know whatchu mean though.)

The Sens would probably be a weaker opponent for the Preds than the Penguins would be, but to be honest I think it would be the more interesting hockey match-up, partly because they necessarily make up in scrappiness what they lack in firepower and goaltending.

[Claytone]

Preds vs Pens it is! They say to be the man, you gotta beat the man, so I guess that's what we gotta do. Let's Go Preds! I'll post some pics from Bridgestone's very first SCF game at my earliest convenience.

despite my general amusement at the notion of keeping the cup out of Canada

Pretty hard to keep the Cup out of Canada. Regardless of which team wins, 40-50% of the parades will be taking place up here.

(I know whatchu mean though.)

Yes, and my annual consolation prize for the Super Bowl and NBA Championship is that for the past couple years, at least one Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket alumnus has been on the winning team. That's not really a substitute for a victory by the Falcons or Hawks, though (especially since the former group features a GT alum as well anyway).

[Kong Wen]

Oh man, do we have any LA Kings fans here?

They just signed Bokondji Imama after getting him in a trade from Tampa Bay. I've seen this guy play in Saint John a couple times, and he's a really promising young player, a big fast power forward who can score. Once he hones his play style for the big leagues (starts playing a big more disciplined), he could be a real asset for them.