[Carolyn]

Hey everyone, the NHL Playoffs are just about to begin.

Here are the eight team in the Eastern Conference - that's the good conference BYW.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals
Pittsburg Penguins vs Ottawa Senators
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers
Montreal Candadiens vs Boston Bruins

Montreal came in first in the Eastern Conference BTW

And just in case anyone cares about the Western Conference:

Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche
Anaheim Ducks vc Dallas Stars

And Detroit was 1st in points in the -snore- Western Conference

My prediction is that an Eastern Conference team will win. Sorry Sidney but it's not your year yet. I'm going for the Canadiens.
And please someone clean Avery's clock!!!

[Saja]

2 days early hahah!!!!
Ill be cheering for Ottawa, and a little for Dallas(2 islanders, how can i not hahah). I change my mind pretty quickly though hahahh

[Marisol]

Carolyn - made it a sticky so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

[Carolyn]

Thanks Marisol

Saja
I didn't realize that that teams would be decided on Sunday.
Plus I'm starting to feel some withdrawl - must...find... hockey...fix.

Ottawa is not gonna last this time - They desperately need Alfredsson. However will Emery get to the games on time - being pulled over all the time with that eye catching Hummer...

[Karren_Hutton]

Well I'm a little concerned about my Pens playing the Sens... Haven't fair too good aginst them lately! So well see!!! Hopefuly Sid and Malkin can kick ass and take names!!!

Truth be know I've been a Red Wings fan since way way way back... The Olympia Arena days... Does Gordy Howe still play for them?? Hahahaha

[Karren_Hutton]

Originally Posted by Saja

2 days early hahah!!!!
Ill be cheering for Ottawa, and a little for Dallas(2 islanders, how can i not hahah). I change my mind pretty quickly though hahahh

Ohhh I forgot to mention........

BOO HISSsssssssssssss

And Dallas?? Ice hockey shouldn't be allowed where ice doesn't form naturally!!

[Saja]

Originally Posted by Karren_Hutton

Ohhh I forgot to mention........

BOO HISSsssssssssssss

And Dallas?? Ice hockey shouldn't be allowed where ice doesn't form naturally!!

Well Id love to see Sid win, but I feel the need to cheer for a Canadian team hahaha. And you are right about the no ice, but im sure i wont have to cheer for them for long hahah!

[Darla_G]

hey i guess i will root for the Capitals. That Ovetchkin guy is pretty good.

Do you know if anyone has a pool like we had for NCAA basketball?

I was watching the commentators the other day and they were thinking the way they have teams get into the hockey playoffs is all wrong! what he thought was that a certain number should be guaranteed but maybe a couple of other ones would be by invitation. So if your team started poorly but did well toward the ends they would be in vs. a situation where a team trails off and has injuries etc. and obviously aren't doing anything in the playoffs. I somehow think they got too many teams in the playoffs. maybe this is an idea?

[Carolyn]

Darla, were these commentatories non Canadians by chance?
Seriously, each team plays 82 games. Every team has ups and dows. Every team has injuries. Every team has the same salary cap. yuda yuda yuda.
It's equal across the board. And it gives every team the same opportunity to reach the play offs.

This is how it unfolds:
Each division has 8 teams that make the playoffs. So 16 in total.
The 16 become 8. The 8 become 4, and the 4 become 2.
And finally a Canadian team from the eastern division wins!!!

[Darla_G]

Originally Posted by Carolyn

Darla, were these commentatories non Canadians by chance?
Seriously, each team plays 82 games. Every team has ups and dows. Every team has injuries. Every team has the same salary cap. yuda yuda yuda.
It's equal across the board. And it gives every team the same opportunity to reach the play offs.

This is how it unfolds:
Each division has 8 teams that make the playoffs. So 16 in total.
The 16 become 8. The 8 become 4, and the 4 become 2.
And finally a Canadian team from the eastern division wins!!!

it probably was a US commentator. i take it you don't like the idea?

[Kathy]

Honestly, since the Sabres didn't make the playoffs I haven't been paying too much attention.

[Carolyn]

Darla, I like the game the way it is. I'm more concerned with no touch icing - maybe that should be changed.

Karren, Pitts played really poorly against Phil on Sunday, the game that determines which team they play against in the play offs.
I wonder if they "threw" the game to play with an easier Ott?

[Darla_G]

i detected a little testiness there. I was just passing on what the commentor suggested. why did you think he was from US? ( you know me stirring the pot. no i have no reason to change things regarding who is in.)

I do think the playoffs is too long, but it is not just hockey, i think the same thing is true for baseball, basketball, and even football.

[Carolyn]

I never asked if the commentator was from the US, I said non Canadian.
I don't want anyone thinking I'm prejudice against the US.

I'm just pulling your leg Darla.
I watch TSN all the time - kind of like Canada's ESPN.
The commentators are all really fanatical, but very knowledgeable.
However, some of what they say is editorial. It's just their opinion. Doesn't mean it has been well thought out or is based on any facts.

Some of them want to see more teams in Canada, pulled from the US. Columbia is a good example, Florida is another.
Southwestern Ontario and Winnepeg would kill for a team.
Las Vega would love to have a team.

The league is not that large. But it is important that all the seats are filled for every game.

The NHL is going to expand into Europe. There will be about 8 teams to start with. May take a few years to get going.
Right now, some of the NHL exhibition games are being held in European cities to entice fans.

There is a new Russian league starting next year. The starting salaries will be about 1/2 of what a player in the NHL would receive. Ovechkin and Malkin would definetly play in North America. But some of the other average European players might prefer to play closer to home.

The NHL playoffs used to be shorter in duration. Now, every round is the best out of seven.
Not all hockey fans think the playoffs are too short.
Personally, I'd love to see them go on longer.