Playoffs are coming up.

[brshap]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

The Islanders and Blue Jackets are playing over their heads which is exactly what makes playoff hockey so exciting . Regular season stats mean nothing . Good for them . Vegas tied their series wow this is good stuff !!!

I disagree with this. The Isles have been playing like this all season. There is a reason they finished with 103 points and have home ice. The talking heads just failed to take notice.

[rfuerst911sc]

If you are a Tampa fan it's not looking good after only 5 minutes of play .

[Por_sha911]

Emojis NHL Style

[Por_sha911]

And another one for Columbus


So, my Eastern bracket is shot to Hades already. The only consolation is maybe the Bruins have a chance IF they make it out of the first round.

[billybek]

Well, Tampa being gone sure screws up a few brackets!
Wow, who could have seen that one coming.
Nice work, Jackets.
Very surprised that the Islanders made such short work of the Pens.
Didn't see much of that series on the cable that I have.

[Por_sha911]

There are some bookies taking anxiety pills right now.

[VincentVega]

I can't remember seeing so many open net goals. Crazy

[Por_sha911]

NHL.com is offering a "Second Chance Bracket" at the end of the first round.
I guess Tampa/Columbus shredded 90% of the brackets out there (except for the "delusional" Columbus fans who thought they had a chance).

[911boost]

I am not upset to see the Penguins make an early exit.

CBJ surprised me though.

[beatnavy]

I'm really surprised the Pens went without so much as a whimper. Very uncharacteristic for them. They are more than worthy foes to my Caps, and they usually surpass expectations in playoffs.

The Bolts. Until last year Caps fans were well accustomed to underperforming in playoffs, especially after President's cups, etc. I'm not sure they ever actually got SWEPT in the first round, however. It's going to be a long offseason in Tampa, with a lot of soul searching.

I've been able to watch so little of the playoffs it's killing me. Moved into a new house last week and TV service hasn't been hooked up yet. It's probably for the best though

[rfuerst911sc]

I watched the CBJ/Tampa game and it was exciting , Tampa did try and fight back . Stifling defense and great goal tending worked for Columbus . Torts did a great job keeping his guys focused on the plan . Congrats to them . Tampa ......... wow a LOT of soul searching will be done now that they are on the golf course .

Vegas lit it up last night they are getting hot at the right time . I'd like to see the Pred's go deep . I am very happy with Hulu's selection/availibility of NHL games now if I could just stay up later

And congrats to the Islanders , just based on previous experience I'm sure the talking heads favored the Pens . We still have a loooong way to go to get to Lord Stanley

[flatbutt]

I too am surprised by the Pens early exit but I did manage a naughty schadenfreudish giggle. When Mayfield stopped whats his name I thought "oh baby the stars are aligned for this one". Maybe the Devils will invite the Pens to share their tee time?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by brshap

I disagree with this. The Isles have been playing like this all season. There is a reason they finished with 103 points and have home ice. The talking heads just failed to take notice.

Correct. CBJ won seven of their last ten to make the playoffs, and they have a rfeal goalie now. Both teams won on merit.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Hedman is iffy. That would be a major loss.

Bolts have been the best team in several series over the last few years but still lost. Don't anoint them just yet.

The President's Cup is a poor predictor of playoff success. Caps did it last year, 2013 was the previous team.

This is as close as I ever come to predicting a series....I wonder if the Bolts are rethinking the end of season extension they gave to Cooper....

[Por_sha911]

Good to see you. Now is a great time to double down and predict the next few teams to make it.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by beatnavy

I'm really surprised the Pens went without so much as a whimper. Very uncharacteristic for them. They are more than worthy foes to my Caps, and they usually surpass expectations in playoffs.

Winning the Cup is as much mental as it is physical. You have to have hunger as well as skill. Also, momentum going into April seems to say a lot.

The Pens had a really rough start in the fall. They came on strong after the first of the year but were never a force to be reckoned with. I watched all their games and they just didn't have the hunger to make it happen. They played without the drive to win and when they got behind they showed frustration rather than determination. I've read that it is harder to win after the first one because there isn't the same drive to get there and, your mind reminds you of all you have to go through. Maybe the captain is getting tired (no goals and only one point in 4 games). No tears shed for them.

The Bolts seemed to lose it after the game one loss. I think they thought it was going to be "easy" and were mentally unprepared for the second season.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Wow! - everyone's Eastern bracket just went into the 'dumper'.
The Jets came through but I am a little tensed up at the moment
about tonight's Flames/Av's tilt. The Flames should be far more
intense to make up Monday's lacklustre showing.

Cheers
JB

[1990C4S]

I see Calgary versus Avs as Johnny G versus Nathan M.

An Avs victory won't shock me. Calgary is a better team, but they haven't shown it.

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye's-911T

... I am a little tensed up at the moment about tonight's Flames/Av's tilt...Cheers JB

You and me both. Seeing these top (well, regular season, anyway) teams struggling, makes me nervous.

[Por_sha911]

The Bruins got the win tonight. Tampa had way more offensive zone time.
Fortunately they don't ask "how pretty?" but just "how many?".

In other news, the Preds are getting crushed. How am I going to get a Cup final ticket if the Preds aren't there to play the Bruins?