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The stage is set

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 6:10 AM EDT 08/04/08

Canadiens, Senators, Flames seek to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada as the NHL's first-round playoff match-ups are finalized ...Read the full article

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  1. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Don't agree with you Eric.

    If (and it's a big IF) the Sens manage to shred their bugaboos and beat Pittsbourgh.... I will pick the Sens as the favourites in the east.

    That said.

    I'm picking Habs, Pens, Flyers and Rangers in the east.
    Wings, Sharks, Avs and Ducks in the west.

    Cheers
  2. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: I'd have to agree with those picks with a single exception.. Caps over the Flyers. Maybe its just wishful thinking but picking the Flyers would be to much like rooting for them and I just cant do that.
  3. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Bill Weston.... I hear you... I hate the Flyers.... have since 1972.

    But my worry is that Washington has blown their load by making the playoffs.

    Notice that the Pens didn't want them (Phili) as a first round matchup.

    I will cheer for Ovechkin.... but I will probably pick Phili in my pools.

    Cheers
  4. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: That could well be, Scot. Unfortunately, for Bettman only knows what reason, the Wings being in the Western Conference, we dont get to see the Eastern teams much. I'll take your word for it but my hearts still going to be saying 'Go Caps! Go Alex!'
  5. garlick toast from Canada writes: now the question is,''how badly will the sens embarrass themselves?''they should have spent more time on their defensive play instead of piling up meaningless lopsided wins early in the season.
  6. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: With ya Bill... and I'm cheering for the Wings too... SJ first though.... gotta love Joe.

    Cheers
  7. sam themacman from Waterloo, Canada writes: I wouldn't be writing off the Flyers. They played well in spurts during the season, and really played well the last two weeks, when everyone wrote them off, they came together, even without Briere, and held their own. Biron has played well and is entering the post season for the first time. He should do fine. The Caps may have used whatever fuel they had to get to the dance, and may have little left. Huet, is not that great a playoff player. I don't think Huet nor Holzig will bale out the Caps. The Flyers will be physical, and the skill players they have will do what they do best, hammer the Caps, and counter punch, and wait for an opportunity and then score. That is the story of the last two weeks. Personally, as much as I like Ovechkin, it is not about individuals but about teams. The Flyers will match the Caps, and beat them in seven. The Pens and Sens will be interesting to watch. Crosby won't be up to much. His ankle is still in bad shape. The hopes of the Pens rest in Malkin and Hossa. This is Hossa's opportunity to show the reason for the trade. If he doesn't perform well and the team suffers, it will not bode well for a long term contract in the summer. Fleury will be the difference in this series. If he stands on his head, it will be the Pens who prevail. If not, there is enough of a cast of characters left in Ottawa for Ottawa to take it in seven. The Rangers and Devils won't be much of a series, unless Brodeur takes his team on his shoulders and they shut down the Rangers. They haven't done it all year, why would they start now. The Rangers in five. The Habs and Bruins will be more of the same. The Bruins will be physical, take penalties and the Habs will score, and ice the series in four or five games. Ideally as a Habs fan, you hope to end the series quickly, and rest up, and hope for the other teams to just go the distance, seven games, so the next round, whatever team you face is banged up and tired.
  8. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Agree with you Sam themacman....

    Learn to type in paragraphs though... ok.

    Rule is... if you have less than 840 characters left... they will get rid of your paragraphs...
    Cheers
  9. garlick toast from Canada writes: the sens are in freefall.they'll be lucky to win a game.georges laracque is going to take chris neal out to the woodshed.
  10. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: lol garlic toast....

    And I am going to love it.

    Cheers
  11. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: garlick - not many people are expecting much out of the Sens this year, with their recent play and untimely injuries.

    However, they play Pittsburgh well, and were able to get into Malkin's head last year and render him ineffective. The Sens still have a lot of experience.

    Should be a good series, though. The Penguins have been on a tear, and this could be Crosby's chance to really prove himself.

    I wouldn't be expecting a blowout, though. This Sens team could surprise people - they have pretty much been counted out by most already.
  12. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ryan M.

    you are a classy Sens fan. As I said in my first post... if the Sens can win this one... they are the faves in the east.

    I will be cheering for them

    Cheers
  13. garlick toast from Canada writes: in the past,the pens always seemed like a team content to sit back and let crosby git'er done.his injury might have been a blessing in disguise.
    i've posted this before [i watch a lot of hockey] but i'm amazed at hal gill's transformation. the pens could be as surprising as my beloved habs.
  14. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: garlic....

    I liked Gill as a Leaf defenseman.... just not having to play with Wozniewski.

    Slow? yes.
    Beat on the outside often? yes.

    But put him with the right partner and he was a good Dman.

    Cheers
  15. T J from Canada writes: I've previously said the Sens wouldn't ever win the cup with Alfie as their captain......now with him out they may well not win their series. One hope for whomever wins the East (and I'm rooting for the Habs) is that the Western teams will have so mercilessly beaten each other into submission that the finalist will be but a wisp of its former self.
  16. Fester Boyle from Bert's, Barbados writes: Sens in the first round in 7. They beat the Pens last year, they beat them this year. The Pens avoided Phili - not good to have fear going into the playoffs. Goaltending is slightly better for the Sens, defense as well. Alfie, Fisher and Kelly are hurt, but Sid is as well and Hossa will be a no-show (as usual). I expect Alfie, Fisher and Kelly to be back sooner than later.

    As for the others, it will be Habs, Caps and Devils. In the west, Wings, Sharks, Ducks. Wild-Avalanche????
  17. Fester Boyle from Bert's, Barbados writes: One more thing. Redden will have an outstanding series to showcase his talents for the next team he plays for.
  18. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Fester... too much time in the sun dude.

    NYR over NJ in five.

    Cheering for the Caps but I think Phili will beat them up.

    As I said before.... If the Sens can beat out the Pens.. they become faves... but I don't see it happening.

    The west you pretty much got right :)

    Cheers
  19. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Thanks, Scot, it's nice dealing with level-headed leaf fans as well.

    I'm not so sure I would give the Habs a bye into the second round just yet. They've had Boston's number for a couple of years now, but this mathcup could be closer than most think. I think the Bruins are going to beat up on the Habs. They'll need to stay out of the box to do so, though. Boston also has a tough time scoring. But Chara vs. Kovalev could be the key. If Chara can take Kovalev out of the equation, then things could level out pretty quickly.

    Not to mention that there is going to be so much hype around the Habs. Not sure that young team can handle it. Although, they did win the Calder Cup last year.

    I could see the Bruins bullying the Habs around. Anything can happen!

    Fester - agree about Redden. I think he'll step it up.
  20. Fester Boyle from Bert's, Barbados writes: Scot, betcha a dacquiri.
  21. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Fester....can't wait for either the payback or the collection.. man I loved that bar.

    Cheers
  22. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ryan... I am by no means a Habs fan.... but they haven't beaten the Habs for a long time.

    Will Tim Thomas be the man?

    Kinda like your situation.... Neither the Sens or the Pens have a big stopper that is going to win them a game.

    Looking forward to tomorrow to see where the Leafs end up in the lottery.... then.... wednesday when real hockey starts.

    Cheers
  23. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: Scot - Tim Thomas can be the man, but only when he plays Ottawa. I don't know why, but that guy has the Sens' number. I'm guessing he had a bad breakup with a girl from Ottawa and has sought his revenge everytime he plays us.

    No playoff experience, though. He could really stink it up against the Habs. I just don't know if that young Habs team will be able to handle so much pressure, or a physical series against the Bruins. I could see Lucic, Thornton, Chara, and the rest banging up the Habs pretty well.

    I like our matchup as well. Pittsburgh won't play as physical a game as some of the other teams out there, and their goaltending is suspect. Fleury has always been inconsistent, but then again, so has Gerber. Should be very interesting. I'm looking for some of the veteran guys, i.e. Redden, Phillips, Stillman, Lapointe, Commodore etc. to play their roles pretty well. I think many are underestimating the experience needed to win a couple of series in the playoffs.

    Guess we'll have to wait and see, though.
  24. garlick toast from Canada writes: the habs have seven 50 point scorers.can chara cover them all?
  25. Ryan M from Ottawa, Canada writes: garlick - no, he can't. But he could take their best player out of the picture. Kovalev has been their offensive player who leads by example this year. The rest seem to follow suit.

    And the Bruins play a defensive game. They could tighten up in the playoffs. Or, they could just fold, too. Boston has been incredibly inconsistent.

    If they can stay out of the penalty box, they could have a good chance. That Montreal PP is very dangerous.
  26. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: I pick Montreal in 5.... NYR in 5.... Washington and Phili will go 6 or 7.

    Ottawa? If its 5 the pens win.. if it's seven? Ottawa.... then look out.

    Cheers
  27. John White from Canada writes: Montreal in 5, but Ottawa and Calgary face uphill battles. But then again anything can happen...

    The one thing I am looking forward to is HNIC's extensive and indepth coverage of the Maple Leafs throughout the first two rounds..(wait, I don't see them in the playoffs? WTF???)
  28. R A from Canada writes: I think Ottawa would be a threat if Alfredson wasnt hurt - their record without him in the line up is brutal although Vermette is hot and he can make a difference...but I doubt not enough to make up for Krusty.
  29. Czar Nicholas from Ottawa, Canada writes: R A - also the Fisher and Kelly factors. If they are both back sooner, the absence of Daniel Alfredsson would be felt less.

    Well, time to shake off that 3/4 of the season slump they were in and gear up for a good run over the next couple months!
  30. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: 2nd season is starting. Wont see many games, with work sched, but here are my takes. Montreal, Ottawa, New Jersey and Washington in the East, Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim and Colorado in the West. Scotty, I can not see NYR beating NJ in a series. At all. I can see Philly beating Washington but I dont think so. Out west, its a given with the choices I think, although, I would love to see Nashville beat Dead Wings but it wont happen. My thoughts.
  31. B Fulsom from Menlo Park, United States writes: The Habs are looking good for the East, but this year's playoffs turn into a replay of last year's, except this time it will be the Habs that go all the way only to get the snot beaten out of them whatever team comes out of the West.

    I'm a Sens fan, and even I have to admit they won't make it past the first round. Putting aside the total collapse their season has become, in my mind it comes down to one question: what has their record been without Alfie in the line-up? That says it all.

    I suppose I can forgive Eric for hyping up his Flames, but they don't have a chance. San Jose has depth in scoring, stable goaltending, experienced leaders, and they are the hottest team in the West. It's looking good for us in the Bay Area this year; expectations are high. I would have liked to have the Sharks pound Nashville out in the first round again though.
  32. Fire Every Sports Journalist Who Doesn't Agree With Me from Canada writes: As a Sens fan I have to say the only thing the Sens have going for them against Pittsburgh is that they're overwhelmingly the underdogs. If specialty team are the key, the absence of Alfredsson, Fisher and Kelly will be especially felt on the PK seeing that the Pens have the 4th best PP in the league. Two questiion marks for the Pens: Is Crosby 100%? Will Malkin be a playoff performer? H e was invisible last year. Out west the question mark is Thornton. Will he shake off the ghosts of playoffs past.
  33. Swifty J from Mtl, Canada writes: If the Bruins try to bully the Habs, they won't stay out of the box. Simple as that.

    As for Chara vs. Kovalev: in open ice, Kovalev makes Chara look like a pylon because he's not only shifty but faster than he looks. Along the boards, where Chara excels, Kovalev is a master at digging out the puck. Either way, Kovy trumps Chara most of the time. If anyone cheapshots Kovalev (or any other Hab), it'll get ugly but the Habs won't roll over.

    IMO the Bruins need to go all-out to pot a couple of early goals then play their defensive shell. The Habs never let them do that this season, so we don't know whether it it will work in this series but I think it's their best if not only hope.

    But what I really expect is something like 2002 and to a lesser extent 2004: the Bruins will be so preoccupied with "establishing the physical game" that they'll forget to score. Or they'll continue the regular-season pattern: they'll be so busy defending against the fast transition game that they won't play deep enough to get the ugly goals they need.

    The big intangible in the Bruins' favour is the potential return of Bergeron around game 2 or 3. Should give them a big emotional boost.
  34. Ryan Hickman from Canada writes: Good luck to the Canadian teams in the playoffs this year. Please, please bring the Cup back to Canada where it belongs....even of this American team nonsense.

    I know most of the players are Canadian....I'd still like a Canadian team to hoist the Cup this June.
  35. Juan Valasquez from Scarborough, Canada writes: I have this terrible feeling that Ottawa is going to make it out of the first round. They are huge underdogs, and Malkin and Crosby are yet to perform in the playoffs.
    Should be an interesting series.
    Am i the only one having a terrible time picking for the playoff pool?
  36. David Snider from Ottawa, Switzerland writes: Awwww, Scot Louks .... I always knew you were a closet Sens fan. ;)

    Thanks for the vote of confidence. And I agree (although the Pens, Caps and Habs look good).

    If not the Sens, then the Habs; if not the Habs, then the Caps. Would love to see AO do well.

    GO SENS!
  37. John McMortimer-Boyles from An Undisclosed Underground Location Safe From Nuclear Attack, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: I'm picking Habs, Pens, Flyers and Rangers in the east. Wings, Sharks, Avs and Ducks in the west.

    I pretty much agree with you Scott. While seeded third, the Capitals won't make it out of the first round. They were the top team in the lacklustre south east division. In the west, I'm betting Minnesota will get into the second round instead of the Avs.
  38. paddy o'reilly from Canada writes: Still can't believe the continuing hype about Chara. Swifty beat me to it. . . Chara is an overgrown pylon with a long stick, head fake the stick out of the equation and the good players walk right around him. The only thing that's improved since his days with the Sens are his poke check and shooting on the PP.

    I won't be surprised if Kovalev goes back to sleep, but maybe the Captaincy (heresy that it is) will keep him focused. Watch out for Lucic. . .regardless I expect Boston to self destruct.

    Sad to say the Sens are toast. Heatley has forgotten how to check, anywhere, anytime. Spezza is still a flake. Redden is on a cloud somewhere. Aside from Phillips they've all been going through the motions for months. Bad habits like those don't suddenly disappear overnight. Fisher and Kelly are the two they really miss but even those two can't stem the lackadaisical tide. Fleury could stink the joint out and still out perform Gerber.

    I expect Malkin and Hossa to be no-shows but Pitt will still win, probably in 5.

    As said elsewhere whomever wins the east ain't gonna win any cup any time soon. West in a cake walk, probably sweep.
  39. D W from Switzerland writes: yo, David Snider above: where the heck is Ottawa, Switz.?? anyways, so many good teams this year, and so few people picking powerhouse Detroit to burn through the playoffs: so, I will. RedWings win it all

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