Stanley Cup Bracket 2018

[911 Rod]

^^ I thought the Pens won game 3?

[Eric 951]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

^^ I thought the Pens won game 3?

I think he means game 2, the Pens did win game 3--game 4 tonight!

[beatnavy]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Pool Ovi. Just once I'd like to see him make it to the 2nd round.

Uh, I assume you mean PAST the 2nd round. He's been to the second round quite a lot. Never the Conference Finals, though. The Caps recent conference semi's/2nd round choking history includes:

2008/9 - Lost to Pens in 7 (had a 2-0 lead before dropping 3 in a row)
2010/11 - Lost to Lightning in 4
2011/12 - Lost to Rangers in 7 (went through Bruins in 1st round. Never forget Tim Thomas trying to make the little kid feel better after they lost)
2014/15 - Lost to Rangers in 7 (had a 3-1 lead)
2015/16 - Lost to Pens in 6
2016/17 - Lost to Pens in 7 (paid $$$ to take wife and daughter, big Caps fan, to game 2 where we were embarrassed 6 to 2 - and surrounded by Pens fans in our row).

Not that I'm counting or anything...

[Por_sha911]

Yes to both corrections. The Flyers won game 2 and Ovi needs to make it past the 2nd round. That's what I get for posting without my second cup of coffee.

Oh BTW, in regard to the Q about Rinne and away games... I have never been a goalie but the way I understand it, once the opponent is inside your head it seems like you get crushed. That's why a coach will pull a goalie when there are multiple goals against him even when there was nothing he could have done. It's more about sports psychology rather than the skill. I've heard that boxers that are undefeated lose a major edge once they have their first loss.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

How bout dem Vegas Knights? Quick was out of his mind & playing far too well to have suffered the rather ignominious fate of 'no run support'.
If but for him, these games might have been blow-outs. It should be taken into account Drew Doughty was the one other King who came to play - a helluva D-man to be sure.

This series may have sounded a death knell of sorts for 'heavy hockey'. In the final analysis, Vegas was just too fast. At this point I am wondering
& looking forward to seeing just how far they will go. Stay tuned Gentlemen!!

Cheers
JB

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Remember the holiday song? "Its the most wonderful time of the year..."
There is nothing like playoff hockey.

Vegas has nailed my prediction of a sweep of L.A. - (step one in my plot for Bruins World Domination mwa ha ha)

Most everyone seems to be following my script as written other than I picked the Caps in 5. Pool Ovi. Just once I'd like to see him make it to the 2nd round.

The Pen's/Flyers is interesting. Just when everyone thought a sweep the Flyers win 5-1 in game 3. Tonight will tell us whether we have a series or not.

The Leafs played a much better game #3. Anderson had an answer to our shots - I think this was due to Babcock finding a combo that would slow down our #1 line. We'll see THursday if "Butch" has a counter-measure answer to get the goals going again. BTW, PASTRNAK is on the leader board with most points and most goal!

Just remember, keep your head up & keep your stick on the ice.

Pastrnak has been more than a little impressive. My guys did well Monday but tonight is the test. We MUST hold home ice.

edit; now we're in trouble

[flatbutt]

Joe, Rask was awesome

[Por_sha911]

Rask played well and the rest of the top players were the top players. The Pastrnak pass to Marchand was a thing of beauty. The goal by March was a layup shot after that pass. Gosh, Chara has slowed down this year. Yet, he is still a great defense man.

I'd like to see NJ give the Pens fits Friday and bring it to 3-2. Gonna be an uphill battle.

Ovi looked good tonight and the Caps tied up the series at 2 each.

San Jose took their series against the Ducks as I had predicted in my brackets (albeit I picked them to take it in 6 instead of 4). Step two of my Bruins World Domination plot has been completed mwa ha ha.

[beatnavy]

So the Caps / Jackets is actually shaping up to be a series. Every others series has a 3-1 split and an obvious favorite right now. Playoff hockey - what a rollercoaster.

I love John Tortorella. Especially when Torts is pissed off

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by beatnavy

So the Caps / Jackets is actually shaping up to be a series. Every others series has a 3-1 split and an obvious favorite right now. Playoff hockey - what a rollercoaster.
I love John Tortorella. Especially when Torts is pissed off

Torts is worth the price of admission all by himself! He's a blast at the press conferences when he forgets his manners!

Looks like the Wild are going down in flames (not to be confused with Ottawa which also went down in flames...)

[Por_sha911]

Awesome game going on in Pittsburgh right now
2-2
Flyers playing to stay alive and tempers are flaring.

Edit: Coutrier gets a goal and Neuvirth made the clutch save of the game and we go to game 6!

[Por_sha911]

So far it looks like the Avs are playing a regular season game. OK but no desperation. That won't cut it in the playoffs.
In the meantime, the Wild are out (as I had predicted in my bracket although I predicted 6 games and not 5).
One step closer to
Bruins World Domination mwa ha ha

I am happy to see a game six on Sunday in Philly. I hope they go 7 games.
As much as I would like to see it, I wish I had as much faith in a game 6 for NJ (sorry flat)

[Por_sha911]

The Hamburgler won that game!
Also, I didn't think the first Preds goal would stick

[Por_sha911]

I could have agreed with goal or no goal and since the call on the ice was no goal I didn't think it was distinct enough to overturn the call on the ice. As it turns out, it didn't matter.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

I didn't like the call reversal at all, but thankfully the point was rendered moot.
Nathan MacKinnon has to be in the conversation for MVP.
Once again, the speed of the 'Lanche' appeared to be a factor in this game.
However, I do think the Preds will prevail unless Hammond catches more lighting in a bottle.
Sure does make for another interesting game.

Good on the Jets - it was over halfway through the first period so the rest of the game amounted to a coronation of sorts.
The Buds have to pull out all the stops today - so that should also be interesting.
I cannot believe I am pulling for a team from Trawna!!

Cheers
JB

[flatbutt]

sigh. Why oh why do I care? Oh well nice try fellas. Now who do I pull for?

[Por_sha911]

Sorry flatbutt. They played bravely and died valiantly.
The Tampa win (I picked them to take it in 5) puts the B's one more step closer to
Bruins World Domination mwa ha ha

Tonight is a big night for Boston. I'm sure they are already preparing a welcoming party for Kadri...

[flatbutt]

Thanks Joe, I may throw my support your way (not that they need it) but I respect the Bruins so I can live with the Cup bring filled with baked beans.

[Por_sha911]

I'm noticing there isn't as much chatter coming from the Pens bench lately. Maybe not as confident as usual? I'm fairly confident that they will take game 6 (although I would love to see a game 7).
The big question is can the Caps take one of the next 2 games and move to round 2?

[Hawkeye's-911T]

I'm noticing there isn't as much chatter coming from the Pens bench lately

You were saying?