NHL 14-15 season
- Thread starter rickjames
- Start date
West I found slightly easier. Blues to sweep the Wild. Chicago to refind the form that their talent suggests. Ducks to get past the Jets and the Flames to scrape past the Canucks in what will be the best tie of the round.
The Habs always struggle against Ottawa and I think this will go the same way, although it will take all 7 games to decide. Tampa will beat Detroit. The Rangers will get past the Pens, finding it easier to score with Letang being injured. Washington will keep their momentum going in beating the Islanders.
Soldato
Cheers, I'll try that site - I don't mind paying a small amount if it's hassle free as I can't be bothered with any messing about.
Looks like deej picked almost the same bracket as me - GO Blues!
Shows how tight it all is though - My mates don't follow the sport but are happy to come and watch it with some beers now and then so think i'll get them over this weekend to watch some. Can't wait.
Looks like deej picked almost the same bracket as me - GO Blues!
Shows how tight it all is though - My mates don't follow the sport but are happy to come and watch it with some beers now and then so think i'll get them over this weekend to watch some. Can't wait.
Soldato
Tonight's the night!
Wife is away on business for 3 days so think I'll stay up and watch the Sens vs Habs tonight, then catch up on the others tomorrow at work.
Wife is away on business for 3 days so think I'll stay up and watch the Sens vs Habs tonight, then catch up on the others tomorrow at work.
Soldato
Well there was some exciting stuff last night. The Hawks/Preds game was pretty crazy.
Both goalies struggled on the first 10-15 shots then Darling came in and just played like a beast, and Rinne picked his game up too and it just turned into a battle of the goaltending.
Caps were pretty poor so they will have to pick up their game. Islanders were a bit hot and cold during the season but if they stay hot the Caps will struggle to get anywhere against them.
Both goalies struggled on the first 10-15 shots then Darling came in and just played like a beast, and Rinne picked his game up too and it just turned into a battle of the goaltending.
Caps were pretty poor so they will have to pick up their game. Islanders were a bit hot and cold during the season but if they stay hot the Caps will struggle to get anywhere against them.
Soldato
So how was everyone's first games? 
Saw the Pengs got scored on within the first 28 seconds
Ducks did alright, game hadn't finished before I got up for work, but watching the highlights it was funny to see the ref got drowned out by the crowd cheering on a reviewed goal
Saw the Pengs got scored on within the first 28 seconds
Ducks did alright, game hadn't finished before I got up for work, but watching the highlights it was funny to see the ref got drowned out by the crowd cheering on a reviewed goal
Soldato
So how was everyone's first games?
Pretty damn crap. lol
I disagree with the call to pull the goalie when down by just 1 goal vs a team like the Wild. They battle too hard and look what happened, they get the empty net goal, then the Blues come back and score short-handed then the Wild get a 2nd empty net goal when they pulled the goalie a 2nd time.
I would prefer their chances by just keeping Allen in net and maybe just cheating on the defence a little by pushing up more and hope Allen makes the key save if you give up a rush.
But...I knew the series would be tight as they are pretty well matched teams.
Blues need to bounce back on Sat night - wouldn't like to go 0-2 with home ice advantage.
Caps are gonna lose this series I feel, too inconsistent.
Soldato
Well don't think the Jets are too happy
19 seconds till game end and Ducks score, apparently the first time in playoff history that a team has gone into the 3rd in the 1st and 2nd game losing and come out to win the game!. Comeback kids
19 seconds till game end and Ducks score, apparently the first time in playoff history that a team has gone into the 3rd in the 1st and 2nd game losing and come out to win the game!. Comeback kids
Soldato
Must better game Sat night by the Blues. Didn't let the Wild take them off their game plan and they dominated the play. That's the key to winning this series - there is little doubt that the Blues are a better team than the Wild (even though the Wild are really good) so just force their own style and play their own game and they will win.
I think if the Blues come out of the next 2 games with the series at 2-2 then I feel they will take it.
I predicted NYI to take that series and still think they will. They are a better team IMO, just had a really bad run in the regular season.
Preds will come to rue that Game 1 loss as I now believe it will cost them the series.
I feel the Sens have been unlucky to be 3-0 down in their series to be honest. All 3 games could have went either way.
Flames / Cannucks series is really kicking off and full credit to the Flames for getting on top there. Hope they get through.
Ducks in control over the Jets as expected so all they need to really do now is take 1 of the games @Jets and come back to win it at home if they can't get the sweep.
Hopefully the Jets come out and make a tough series of it or the Ducks will be mega fresh by the time they reach the WCF....I won't be looking forward to that if the Blues make it there to face them.
Whatever happens, it's been a cracking Round 1 already so bring on the rest.
I think if the Blues come out of the next 2 games with the series at 2-2 then I feel they will take it.
I predicted NYI to take that series and still think they will. They are a better team IMO, just had a really bad run in the regular season.
Preds will come to rue that Game 1 loss as I now believe it will cost them the series.
I feel the Sens have been unlucky to be 3-0 down in their series to be honest. All 3 games could have went either way.
Flames / Cannucks series is really kicking off and full credit to the Flames for getting on top there. Hope they get through.
Ducks in control over the Jets as expected so all they need to really do now is take 1 of the games @Jets and come back to win it at home if they can't get the sweep.
Hopefully the Jets come out and make a tough series of it or the Ducks will be mega fresh by the time they reach the WCF....I won't be looking forward to that if the Blues make it there to face them.
Whatever happens, it's been a cracking Round 1 already so bring on the rest.
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ill eat my hat if the oils dont trade him right off the bat.
watched preds/hawks and caps/isles yesterday
the goal for goal play by the predators was superb. really caught them sleeping.
darling did loads better than i thought he would. good shout from the coach putting him in there.
caps isles was an entertaining affair i thought. really shut down Ovi, i can see NY sweeping that one.
that Boychuck clearance at the end of the second was bloody brilliant.
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Soldato
******** of the night goes too:
Come on, I know its your first time in the stanley cup since 1994 and your frustrated but punching someone in the back of the head is a bit extreme. Your sloppy defensive skills were the problem there.
2 minute penalty wasn't enough I don't think.
Come on, I know its your first time in the stanley cup since 1994 and your frustrated but punching someone in the back of the head is a bit extreme. Your sloppy defensive skills were the problem there.
2 minute penalty wasn't enough I don't think.
Soldato
That was a hell of a cheap shot like. It was well after the goal so no excuses for it.
Mind you, the Blues were getting frustrated after being completely outplayed last night and started some things they shouldn't have towards the end.
That was a shocking display - they just got utterly owned. Most 1 sides game of the entire playoffs so far.
I wish they would stop trying to bully the Wild - it will NOT work. The Wild are a fast, disciplined team so the Blues need to come out and play their skill game they worked so hard to produce during the season. If they do that they will have the edge.
Saying that, the Wild are going to surprise some other teams too. Everyone just keeps going on about Dubnyk but their success goes far beyond just 1 goaltender. They are a very dangerous team and exciting to watch.
I'll be routing for them if they knock the Blues out to take their place against my fave from the east, Tampa in the final.
Mind you, the Blues were getting frustrated after being completely outplayed last night and started some things they shouldn't have towards the end.
That was a shocking display - they just got utterly owned. Most 1 sides game of the entire playoffs so far.
I wish they would stop trying to bully the Wild - it will NOT work. The Wild are a fast, disciplined team so the Blues need to come out and play their skill game they worked so hard to produce during the season. If they do that they will have the edge.
Saying that, the Wild are going to surprise some other teams too. Everyone just keeps going on about Dubnyk but their success goes far beyond just 1 goaltender. They are a very dangerous team and exciting to watch.
I'll be routing for them if they knock the Blues out to take their place against my fave from the east, Tampa in the final.
Just caught last nights Caps game, that was intense!
As for not much Ovechkin, 2 goals, an assist so far in playoffs and high shot numbers, he's there just not being overly flash with it. Islanders doing a good job muffling him too.
It's all about the Backstrom at the moment anyway!
Still reckon Caps will lose the series but will see what happens
As for not much Ovechkin, 2 goals, an assist so far in playoffs and high shot numbers, he's there just not being overly flash with it. Islanders doing a good job muffling him too.
It's all about the Backstrom at the moment anyway!
Still reckon Caps will lose the series but will see what happens
Soldato
Quite Chuffed today!
Ducks ground the jets in 4 It seem's the Jets "whiteout" didn't go the way they planned it 
Now to sit back and relax while the Canucks and Flames battle it out!
Ducks ground the jets in 4
It seem's the Jets "whiteout" didn't go the way they planned it Now to sit back and relax while the Canucks and Flames battle it out!
Soldato
6-1 sweeeeeet
Now that's more like it. Now to take the series lead at home....hopefully.
So Ducks are the first team through - not too surprising really. I think the Jets could have caused other teams more problems but the Ducks just seem to match up really well against them.
Surprised to see Detroit 2-1 up against Tampa but guess you can rarely count out the Wings fully.
Chicago are riding their luck / goaltender like.
Nashville have been the better team but find themselves 3-1 down.
Now that's more like it. Now to take the series lead at home....hopefully.
So Ducks are the first team through - not too surprising really. I think the Jets could have caused other teams more problems but the Ducks just seem to match up really well against them.
Surprised to see Detroit 2-1 up against Tampa but guess you can rarely count out the Wings fully.
Chicago are riding their luck / goaltender like.
Nashville have been the better team but find themselves 3-1 down.
Soldato
I think other teams underestimate the ducks scoring lines, everyone thinks "ah they only have the getzlaf/perry line as scorers" but in reality we have the kesler line bringing them up and even the 3rd line with cogliano scoring too.
They concentrate too much on keeping Getzlaf and Perry grounded and find that the other lines just pick up the slack.
Defense have also seemed to pick their game up.