Official 2012 NHL Playoffs Thread *Poll*

Think it is right sbout time we get a NHL thread. What is everbody's thoughts on this NHL season? Favorites to win the Stanley Cup?

PS if I can get a sticky that would be nice.

needs more work to be sticky quality :P

munchlax99

So many questions going into the season. Will Shana-ban keep up his suspensions? Can Tomas Vokoun lead the Caps to the Cup? Can Reimer keep his cool under the intense pressure of Toronto. And the biggest question of all: When will Crosby be back?

Those are my questions at least:P

I picked Tampa to win it over LA. Probably one of the more "out there" picks. But I look at the talent and I think both teams have what it takes to get there. Solid D and goaltending, some experienced vets, and very good offenses. The pick-up of Richards with be huge for LA.

Looking at the other teams...Vancouver has a down year, SJ got rid of some key pieces, Nashville doesn't have the offense...to me, the Wings are the biggest competition to the Kings. Lightning just have to pick up where they left off, and Roloson has to stay healthy. They got basically the same team that went to Gm 7 of the ECF, minus Bergenheim.

And as for my team...Leafs will finish 8th at the highest, 12th at the worst. All depends on Reimer, Burke's ability to get a first-line centre, improved ST and backend scoring and if the scoring can show up from the 2nd line like last year. Wow...that's a lot of "it depends on...":P

[QUOTE="munchlax99"]

needs more work to be sticky quality :P

sherman-tank1

Seriously, though. It's not like the MLB stick had a lot of work put in to it.

I am so relieved that it is finally time! I want to go to Opening Night, here in DC, but I'm hoping my tickets sell ;)

I'm hoping the Caps get it together this year, I want the Cup here - but in all honesty, I think Tampa has an amazing team and Nashville, while it lost some pieces, seemed to surprise everyone last Spring...I can't go against my boys in red - so I have to pick the Caps, and why not - choose them over the Sharks - they are both perennial teams in the playoffs that...choke...

Just a couple of predictions.

Sharks choke AGAIN. Sharks are just professional choke artists. Nothing will fix them.

Caps choke AGAIN. Bruce Boudreau is the problem and he is still coaching.

Wings if healthy win the cup and Lidstrom goes off into the sunset as the 2nd best defenseman of all time.

[QUOTE="sherman-tank1"]

[QUOTE="munchlax99"]

needs more work to be sticky quality :P

The-Apostle

Seriously, though. It's not like the MLB stick had a lot of work put in to it.

needs less work to be sticky quality? :P

anyway, only 2 days :D

I'm just excited that the Stars are finally getting a new owner. To be out from under the raincloud of Tom Hicks will help this thing tremendously, and I like what I'm seeing from our new coach. Not sure about GM Joe yet, but he hasn't had a stable ownership situation to work with yet so it's a little unfair to judge him at this point. I fully expect a 10th or 11th place finish in the west this year, but wouldn't be shocked to see them sneak into 8th if things go well.

Will Reimer flop?;)Will the Leafs have a swiss cheese D.:roll: Can Toronto not bumble away its chances for the playoffs?:cry: Will the Leafs flop into 13th place and hear those idiots call into Leaf talk and tell them to lose to get a kid T.S.N. hypes as the next Orr/Gretzky? Chances are sadly YES.

roulettethedog

Such a short off season when your team wins the cup. I think it will be difficult for Boston to repeat. Though I think its wide open I will say Washington and The Kings in the cup final.Swanogt19

[QUOTE="Swanogt19"]Such a short off season when your team wins the cup. I think it will be difficult for Boston to repeat. Though I think its wide open I will say Washington and The Kings in the cup final.Los9090

Lets go Canucks!

[QUOTE="Los9090"][QUOTE="Swanogt19"]Such a short off season when your team wins the cup. I think it will be difficult for Boston to repeat. Though I think its wide open I will say Washington and The Kings in the cup final.Swanogt19

Lets go Canucks!

kozzy1234

Plan the parade! Leafs won! First in the Northeast! WOO, going all the way baby! 82-0!

/sarcasm

Now that I've got basically every dumb Leafs fan comment out of the way, it was a really good game. Thought they had no chance after that pathetic 1st. But as he did so many times last year...Reimer saved us. 32 save SO. Great on Lombardi scoring in his first game in a long time. Phaneuf scored as well. Gardiner looked good and, didn't think I'd say this, but so did Komi. Good physical play, puck movement, no really stupid moves I've come accustomed to seeing, and stood up for Reimer when the Habs got in his face. All this without Connelly, Kadri and MacArthur.

Wonder who gets sent down/traded when they come back...Dupuis probably through waivers. Hmmm.

All I have to say is GO WINGS!!!

3-3 against the Pens so far, 3rd period.. LETS GO CANUCKS.

I thought the Leafs didn't have a chance after the first period... Then Lombardi scored (shorthanded no less!) and Reimer stole the show yet again!

I'm incredibly happy for the win and the SO, but still need to see how the rest of the season plays out. :v

(And yes, I am back) (:

GO LEAFS GO

Our goalie problems have been solved!!!!

THANK YOU LORD STANLEY :D

That was a pathetic third period by all means for the Leafs, but they stuck through it and got the win.

Kudos to Ottawa for two straight third period comebacks on consecutive nights!

And Congrats to Kessel on the hat-trick! (:

Yay the Caps win in OT. :)

But for this team it is all about the postseason. I expect them to finally win it all.

Yay the Caps win in OT. :)

But for this team it is all about the postseason. I expect them to finally win it all.

Seabas989

[QUOTE="Seabas989"]

Yay the Caps win in OT. :)

But for this team it is all about the postseason. I expect them to finally win it all.

Los9090

It's stupid how the Leafs don't play for a week. 2 great wins, and now....nothing. At least there are some things to look forward to...MacArthur is back, Connolly should be back, and next week is the Jets game.

+1Easports48

Evgeni Malkin doesn't play due to a "lower body injury". Could be a big blow for the Penguins but then again they did a great job without Malkin and Crosby... Anyone think that Brendan Shanahan is getting a bit out of control with his suspensions?Los9090

[QUOTE="Los9090"]Evgeni Malkin doesn't play due to a "lower body injury". Could be a big blow for the Penguins but then again they did a great job without Malkin and Crosby... Anyone think that Brendan Shanahan is getting a bit out of control with his suspensions?JohnBean42

[QUOTE="JohnBean42"][QUOTE="Los9090"]Evgeni Malkin doesn't play due to a "lower body injury". Could be a big blow for the Penguins but then again they did a great job without Malkin and Crosby... Anyone think that Brendan Shanahan is getting a bit out of control with his suspensions?Los9090

[QUOTE="Los9090"][QUOTE="JohnBean42"] Malkin is fine, an injured knee tends to happen after what he had...ACL I think. No, I don't think that about Shana-ban at all. He has to set an example, and players are getting accustomed to the new rules and revisions to current ones. And that has led to a lot of them. I think they will die down significantly after a couple weeks. Some of his decisions confused me. He suspended MacArthur for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTolekEvjB4 He was find on the play BTW. But didn't suspend this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp4UxGZaz-Q Malone is a repeat offender, MacArthur is not. Apparently Campoli sightly moved his head away, but still. He wasn't hurt either though. Everyone in hockey, even Malone, expected 5 game at the least based on what Shanahan had doneJohnBean42

[QUOTE="JohnBean42"][QUOTE="Los9090"] Yeah, I think its going to be a "Darned if you do, Darned if you don't" for Shanahan. Hopefully he'll be consistent, especially with star players.Los9090

Well, Connolly's injury is worse than thought, more than day to day, but still want him back soon. Wow, didn't see this coming:roll:

the Flyers are 3-0 8)

So 3 straight OT wins by the Caps.

A win is a win. :P