Puck drops this evening in the run for the Cup.

For me the two match-ups to watch in the first round are Ottawa-Pittsburgh and Vancouver-Dallas. I believe these are going to be hard fought, close battles.

East matchups:

(1)Buffalo vs (8)NYI - Buffalo in 6. Isles will steal 2.
(2) Atlanta vs (7)NYR - Thrashers in 7.
(3)NJ vs (6)Tampa Bay - Jersey in 5.
(4)Ottawa vs (5)Pittsburgh - Hate going against a Canadian team, but Pens in 7.

West matchups:

(1)Detroit vs (8)Calgary - Calgary in 6. Hasek vs Kiprusoff, a battle of goalies.
(2)Anaheim vs (7)Minnesota - Minnesota had a heck of a finish to the season. Wild in 7.
(3)Dallas vs (6)Vancouver - Should be a heck of a battle, Vancouver in 7.
(4)Nashville vs (5)San Jose - I should pick Nashville, as they have collected much of the revenue sharing funds, which the Leafs paid into Another hard fought battle, San Jose in 6.

Decisions, decisions, the playoff television schedules for Round 1:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stan...edule-rd1.html

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=684

I see channel hopping in my future.

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" The universe is running away
I heard it on the news just the other day
There's this new stuff called dark energy
We can't measure and we can't see..." - from Jimmy Buffett's What if the hokey pokey is all it really is about?

Ok, replying to self, here. There'e got to be more hockey fans around, c'mon. What a start to the playoffs!

Pittsburgh @ Ottawa: Ottawa out played Pittsburgh in all aspects and won easily 6-3. It ended with many hard hits and a chippy attitude. Should make for a good game 2, Saturday afternoon. (Why does NBC think Sat. afternoon is a good time, to air a hockey game?)

SJ @ Nashville: A great matchup which was settled almost midway through 2 OT. Sharks lost Cheechoo through an unintentional knee-on-knee hit in the 2nd period of play. Sharks' Rissmiller scores at 8:14, 2OT.

Minnesota @ Anaheim: A close game, Anaheim scores with just under 5 minutes left and hangs on to win it, 2-1.

Dallas @ Vancouver: A marathon match. Tied at 4 at the end of regulation, these two teams play until 18:06 of 4OT, to settle it. Being in the eastern time zone, I was fighting to stay awake watching this. By 2OT, I was drifting off, waking from time to time. The game ended shortly after 3:30 am EDT, Henrik Sedin scoring with 1:54, remaining in 4OT. Canucks win the game 5-4. Luongo in his first playoff start, stops 72 of 76 shots for the win.

What a start to the playoffs!

Islanders @ Buffalo, Tampa Bay @ NJ, NYR @ Atlanta and Calgary @ Detroit go tonight.

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" The universe is running away
I heard it on the news just the other day
There's this new stuff called dark energy
We can't measure and we can't see..." - from Jimmy Buffett's What if the hokey pokey is all it really is about?

Nucks fan here. That indeed was a marathon last night.

Dallas definitely played a better game and probably deserved the win, but we'll take. It looked like everyone was skating in concrete by the third OT.

I've got tickets to game 2 on Friday. Maybe I'll bring a pillow.

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Earth First! We'll mine the rest later.

Well, I live in Columbus. Our professional hockey season ends within a month of the season opener.

I love going to hockey games but can't afford to on the professional level. When the Jackets came in our AA (or was it AAA?) club moved out. And as for watching the games on tv; hockey just isn't the same televised. I can't stand watching it on tv. But it's probably my favore sport to watch in person (perhaps tied with baseball, which I also don't like watching on tv. go figure).

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I'm like one of those idiot savants...well, except for the savant part.

How ironically appropriate that the Flames coach's name is "Playfair"!



Meanwhile, how 'bout them Rangers?

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A person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

Well, since (as usual) the Blackhawks have gone home, and even their substitute in my affections (the Avs) have chose to sit out this year, I'm pretty much out of the loop.

Too much beer during hockey playoffs makes me forget that I can post! Go Sens! (You were a bit off on that one...also the Rangers!)

Pete

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PJE

There's so much I don't know about astrophysics. I wish I had read that book by that wheelchair guy.

Second round match-ups:

Buffalo vs. NYR: Go Sabres!

Ottawa vs. NJ: Go Sens!

Anaheim vs Vancover: Go 'Nucks!

Detroit vs San Jose: Go Sharks!

Hmmm, thinking ahead, how upset would Bettman be with a Vancouver vs Ottawa Cup final? (I have probably jinxed the Canadian teams now)

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" The universe is running away
I heard it on the news just the other day
There's this new stuff called dark energy
We can't measure and we can't see..." - from Jimmy Buffett's What if the hokey pokey is all it really is about?

Come on, man! This is the second straight series you've picked against the Wings. Where's the love for the 'D'?

I know they're the Yankees of the NHL - but there's a cap in place now and they still win. So they blew it against Edmonton last year - this is a new year and we've got The Dominator between the pipes! I didn't know they could use walkers on ice, but whatever it takes.

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Spock Jenkins of the Vulcan Jenkins'.

You obviously didn't live through the Dead Wing Years, mid 60s through mid 80s. They were almost always at the bottom.

Edmonton fan, now Canadian for the finals.

Vancouver.
Ottawa.

Vancouver!
Ottawa!

Vancouver!!!!
Ottawa!!!!

VANCOUVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OTTAWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This post has degenerated into a heated pointless argument, that may have political and religious undertones and therefore is now closed.

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'Sir........, I don't like these numbers.'
'Then hire somebody that can change them!'
("`-/")_.-'"``-.,,
\. . `; -._( );, `)
(v_,)' _ )`-. \ ``'`
_.- _..-/ /((.'
((,.-' ((,/

I did. Mostly 80's - but at least at that time we had Yzerman and there was hope.

I also survived the "Teal" era of the Pistons and the previous 14 years or so of the Tigers. Then there are the Lions for which there is no hope, but at least we were able to enjoy Barry for a while.

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Spock Jenkins of the Vulcan Jenkins'.

A die-hard Leafs fan here. They had a nice celebration in March honouring the '67 Leafs. Nice ceremony, nice to see many of the players from that team, but it also came across as celebrating 40 years of futility.

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" The universe is running away
I heard it on the news just the other day
There's this new stuff called dark energy
We can't measure and we can't see..." - from Jimmy Buffett's What if the hokey pokey is all it really is about?

Being a Cleveland fan, I can definately identify with anyone that's had to spend time watching the Lions and the Tigers (and the Bears? Oh my, it's time to rename you're BBall or Hockey team ). Cleveland doesn't have a hockey team, but Columbus does. And it would sure fit in in Cleveland.

At least the Indians are doing good (even after an embarrasing series in NY). And apparently the Cav's are still in it, tho I don't follow NBA.

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I'm like one of those idiot savants...well, except for the savant part.

I am posting this with the full knowledge that they could just as easily lose the next two.

How's that Wings prediction looking? Up 3 - 2 with two chances to close it out. Not bad. My teams all thrive when the expectations are the lowest.

For Fazor: The Detroit Pistons name dates back to when they were the Ft. Wayne Zollner Pistons owned by Fred Zollner. They obviously played int Ft. Wayne, Indiana at the time. Fred moved the team to Detroit in the 1950's - but the Pistons name still fit (automotive capital and all). The reason they were first named the Pistons was because Zollner owned a Piston manufacturing company.

Don't ask me how the name "Jazz" survived the franchise move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Spock Jenkins of the Vulcan Jenkins'.

I have settled down since this post:

NHL Playoffs '07

Ottawa vs the Ducks.
The team that beats Vancouver usually makes the final series.

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'Sir........, I don't like these numbers.'
'Then hire somebody that can change them!'
("`-/")_.-'"``-.,,
\. . `; -._( );, `)
(v_,)' _ )`-. \ ``'`
_.- _..-/ /((.'
((,.-' ((,/

Devils: GONE!

Rangers: GONE!

Neidermeyer: GONE!

Dean Wormer: GONE!

(sorry, I was on a roll...)

Go Red Wings!

__________________
A person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

That's no problem. They play Utah "Jazz" every time you take an elevator.

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A person's name, or a mark representing it, as signed personally or by deputy, as in subscribing a letter or other document.

Go Sens GO!

This'll be a great series: Ottawa/Buffalo

My 100 % accurate prediction (satisfaction "guaranteed"!): Ottawa in 7

Pete

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PJE

There's so much I don't know about astrophysics. I wish I had read that book by that wheelchair guy.

Red Wings completed their second consecutive upset in the minds of many. Not bad for the winners of the Presidents cup.

Next!

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Spock Jenkins of the Vulcan Jenkins'.