NHL: Playoffs

[Kaiden]

The first round matchups are set and ready to start later this week.

East:

1. Washington(1) v.(0) 8. New York(R)
2. Philadelphia(0) v. (0) 7. Buffalo
3. Boston (0) v. (0)6. Montreal
4. Pittsburgh (1) v. (0)5. Tampa Bay

West:

1. Vancouver (1) v. (0) 8. Chicago
2. San Jose (0) v. (0) 7. Los Angeles
3. Detroit (1) v. (0) 6. Phoenix
4. Anaheim (0) v. (1) 5. Nashville


I'm from Buffalo so I have a rooting interest with them. I am a San Jose fan for the west. They have had a lot of ex Sabres and some of my favorite players in the past. I hate Heatly though, so I don't know about them anymore. Probably watch a lot of games but really just hope the Sabres beat the Flyers. Anyone else ready for the playoffs, they are usually really good hockey games to watch.

Edit: I screwed up the Title when I went to make sure I had the matchups right haha opps.

[Pete]

As long as the Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Bruins, Canadiens and Red Wings DON'T win, I'll be content.

I'm an Islanders fan, so I hate the Rangers, Flyers and Canadiens with a passion. I'm tired of the Bruins, and as a hockey fan, I just can't like the Pens. I'm also so sick of the dream team that was the Red Wings.

Ideally, it just won't be a team from the East. I wouldn't mind Vancouver, but I still don't really like Bertuzzi, and I'd rather him not win. Hockey in California just seems to be a bizarre concept to me, so I can't really root for any of those teams.

I suppose I'll just watch it without any team in mind. Buffalo would be one team that is possible. I have a lot of Sabres fan friends from college. It's really so hard for me to root for anyone other than my beloved Isles... if only we hadn't dropped 22 of 25 in that one span. That KILLED us, but ultimately got us Capuano as a coach, and he's been great so far.

[Kaiden]

Yeah the Isles had a huge turn around about the same time as the Sabres and Devils. They were just a lot further behind than the other two and didnt get as much pub atleast from what I saw. I understand the point about finding a rooting interest in hockey if the hometown team isnt around. I just love playoff hockey more than any other sporting event really. So I wanna watch it no matter what. I hate playoff football because I haven't had a team in it for the last decade.

What are the Isles gonna do in Goal moving foward? They have a really good young team, but goalie just seems like it needs to be settled... or maybe I just dont know enough about the team.

[Pete]

Oh I totally agree about playoff hockey. There's something about it that seems so much more captivating than the other sports. Baseball would be a close second though; for me at least.

The Isles have DiPietro, who should just hang his skates up. I loved him before he signed that huge 15 year/64M contract, because it seems like after he signed it, he's literally fallen apart. Montoya's alright, but I'm not sure if he's a keeper, and Poulin is our new guy. He seems pretty solid for having only played 10 games, going 4-2-1, which is pretty encouraging.

I love our core... I just wish we could have gotten our act together a little bit sooner. The good news though is that they named Capuano the official head coach now, and not just interim.

[Zargabaath]

I won't be as interested in these playoffs since the Devils couldn't climb out of that deficit they created in the first half of the season. It was a long shot for them to actually make the playoffs but they were at one point 6 points behind the 8th seed.

I'll third about playoff hockey being really good, though I find hockey overall not to be as good as before the 2004/2005(?) lockout.

I'll be rooting for Washington that way if they win the Pens fans & Canadiens can quite down about Crosby. Since my Aunt lives in Detroit I will be rooting for the Red Wings as well.

[Pete]

I agree. I thought hockey was much better before the lockout. I think a lot of it has to do with the rule changes, and putting that goalie limiting trapezoid behind the net. On one hand, goals have gone up, which does bring more interest, but I feel like it takes away from some of the strategy of the game.

Then again, I miss teams like the Nordiques and Whalers... and NHL 94 in general

[Kaiden]

Here is a big reason why I love Playoff hockey!

YouTube - Pittsburgh Penguins VS. Tampa Bay Lightning - Orpik Hits Stamkos - 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Updated the OP to reflect the winners of last night. Lets go Sabres tonight!! Doesn't look like Pronger will play so they gotta take advantage and win tonight.