2011 Stanley Cup

**ugly** · April 7th, 2011, 10:44 PM

The thing that's always pissed me off about Winter semester exams is that they run right through the first round of the play-offs. That's the best round - you have multiple games every night.

Only a few races left to play out

The Rangers lost a big one tonight.

And Dallas won.

I kind of hope Chicago doesn't make it. If only because it's fun to see a team choke after winning. If Dallas and Chicago end up tied Chicago will get in, based on non-shootout wins. And Anaheim has them both beat in that.

Dallas definitely has the easier schedule in the final two games, with Minnesota and Colorado.

Chicago has a home-and-home with Detroit. But Detroit has kind of been shitting the bed recently, and Zetterberg just got hurt.

I kind of expect Anaheim to get in since they've been tearing it up lately. I know everyone is talking about Perry, but how about the year Selanne is having? He's 40 and still in the top 10 in points.

I have a feeling New York will fail again at the wire. They have one game left against New Jersey who have turned it around.

Ward seems to be unreal right now, and Carolina always seems to be clutch.

As for play-off teams, my bold prediction is that Philly will be the big choker this year. I have a feeling that Washington is going to have an easy time going through the East. Really, none of the teams seem particularly good in the East.

The West should be really exciting.

**gOOCH** · April 7th, 2011, 10:57 PM

canucks and boston

**0ptik** · April 7th, 2011, 11:10 PM

I've always liked the west better in playoffs. Good fast hockey. As they are, LA/anaheim, and phoenix/nashville will be a great series.

**grum** · April 7th, 2011, 11:29 PM

Canucks beat Lightning

OR

Ducks beat Bruins

**gOOCH** · April 7th, 2011, 11:49 PM

i was heart broken when kopitar broke his ankle i would love to see an la vancouver match up again

**Crayola** · April 8th, 2011, 12:01 AM

its ok guys, san jose wont choke this season! i swear!

**ugly** · April 8th, 2011, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by grum

Canucks beat Lightning

OR

Ducks beat Bruins

Yeah, Tampa is another team I could see making a run. They have a lot of talent up front. And Roloson can be a wildcard.

I'm not so convinced about the Bruins, though. They'll only go as far as Thomas takes them. He's been unreal most of the season, but seems to be coming back down to earth a bit more lately.

Originally Posted by Crayola

its ok guys, san jose wont choke this season! i swear!

I think this would be the year that they don't choke. They just seem really deep. Thornton is having a bit of an off-year, but it's really guys like Pavelski, Clowe, and Couture that have stepped up. It seems like they have a lot more offensive weapons to turn to.

And not having Nabokov anymore should help. It's incredible how such a talented goalie always seems to look so helpless in big games.

**Crayola** · April 8th, 2011, 12:45 AM

its also because they arent relying on thornton as their sole playmaker who would get destroyed in the playoffs

**Blarg** · April 8th, 2011, 02:21 AM

My poor flames didn't make it

. O well, hoping for another first round exit by the Canucks. Ducks look good to make a good run, but I think Philly will win in the end despite my hate for seeing Carcillo raise the cup