***2014 NHL Playoffs Thread***

[BigJCy]

Time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Here are the 1st round match-ups & schedule:

Bracket: http://www.nhl.com/ice/stanleycup.htm

Schedule: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=714402&navid=DL|NHL|home

A few weeks back would have never expected the Blues & Hawks to meet in the 1st round.

 

[Doc]

Sons of *******. I have tickets to the Avs game 2 and was hoping for anytime this weekend other than Saturday night.

 

[whirlybirds]

Go Avalanche!

 

[sunset]

Let's go Kings!

 

[BigJCy]

Quest for the Cup starts tonight. Love to watch playoff hockey action.

 

[Firefighter4Cy]

Lets go Wings!

My first round predictions with the help of ESPN:
Kings in 7
Ducks in 5
Wild in 7
Pens in 6
Blues in 7
Wings in 6
TB in 7
Rangers in 7

 

[BigJCy]

ESPN "experts" 1st round predictions:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10730797/experts-picks

 

[KnappShack]

The best playoffs in our major sports! Physical games where it's all left on the ice and then finished up with a handshake.

What other league can the #8 seed win the title? Looking at you, NBA.

GO KINGS GO!

 

[Firefighter4Cy]

Hey I never said where I got the predictions. My predictions based off the espn folk. Not claiming I wrote the article.

 

[Jordanj6502]

Toews and Kane are both back for the Blackhawks, hopefully they show no signs of rust, and the rest has helped them. The Hawks will need everything the two can give to get past the Blues.

Tonight it starts off with Montreal @ Tampa Bay. Columbus @ Pittsburgh. Dallas @ Anaheim.
I predict the home teams win tonight. But I don't know if I can predict any of the series yet. Anaheim should take care of Dallas easily enough.

 

[Firefighter4Cy]

The Blues are a very tough team, however they need Miller to get some confidence between the pipes. If he doesn't this will be a quick 4 game series.

 

[ZJohnson]

Nervous about the injuries for the BHawks but I am hopeful that if the two have in fact been skating for a bit they should be just fine. Conditioning will be a huge factor for them as well. Bicks needs another stellar playoffs and Sharpie and Keith need to step up as well. In my eyes it comes down to PK and Goalie play. The winner of those battles wins the series. SO ******* PUMPED FOR PLAYOFF HOCKEY!!!!

 

[LindenCy]

Yeah, not quite sure what to expect from the Blackhawks. They had a solid year, but we'll see how they are closer to full strength. Maybe the rest did Toews and Kane some good.

Question: I originally thought both of them were coming back for the playoffs, but saw on Yahoo that Kane is on IR. Doesn't that mean he is done for the season? or does that only apply to the regular season? or is it a Yahoo error?

 

[Jordanj6502]

Yeah, not quite sure what to expect from the Blackhawks. They had a solid year, but we'll see how they are closer to full strength. Maybe the rest did Toews and Kane some good.

Question: I originally thought both of them were coming back for the playoffs, but saw on Yahoo that Kane is on IR. Doesn't that mean he is done for the season? or does that only apply to the regular season? or is it a Yahoo error?

Hockey IR is not permanent. It is similar to MLB's DL.

I think Long Term IR is 24 days, and regular IR is 7 days. Those are minimum days missed. (Not sure if it is games or days, and not sure on the limits)

EDIT: Long Term IR must sit out for at least 24 days and at least 10 games. Regular IR is at least 7 days minimum (no games limit). The other difference between the two is based in salary restrictions.

 

[CarlHungus]

23 straight years for my Redwings! We are 3-1 against the Bruins this year, but it will be tough to advance to the next round.

 

[Firefighter4Cy]

23 straight years for my Redwings! We are 3-1 against the Bruins this year, but it will be tough to advance to the next round.

It makes my heart happy to have a fellow wings fan at CF! LET'S GO WINGS!!

 

[BigJCy]

Pretty sweet Playoff Opening Intro from Hockey Night in Canada tonight:

[video=youtube;xtAeB7EhGv4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtAeB7EhGv4#t=28[/video]

 

[LindenCy]

Hockey IR is not permanent. It is similar to MLB's DL.

I think Long Term IR is 24 days, and regular IR is 7 days. Those are minimum days missed. (Not sure if it is games or days, and not sure on the limits)

EDIT: Long Term IR must sit out for at least 24 days and at least 10 games. Regular IR is at least 7 days minimum (no games limit). The other difference between the two is based in salary restrictions.

Thanks. I just hear IR and think NFL. Looking forward to seeing how these playoffs unfold!

 

[BigJCy]

Stamkos...he good

 

[BigJCy]

OUCH!