PLAYOFF POOL - PICK YOUR WINNERS FOR ROUND 1

Did not expect the Rangers and kings to be beaten, let alone beaten soundly

Pittsburgh is one of the hottest teams in the NHL. They were the favourite going into the series.

SpezDispensed wrote:Did not expect the Rangers and kings to be beaten,  let alone beaten soundly

To be perfectly honest, I've been wondering for a couple years how much longer Lundqvist could continue at elite level. When they signed him to that last contract I thought it was at least 2 years (more likely 3) too long. He is no-longer the kind of goalie that can overcome a porous defense, which is what they had. Injuries did not help. McDonagh came back in G3 but we'll probably find out soon he was playing with a broken wrist or some-such. The Rangers will get worse before they get better, I think.

As for the Kings, they could have benefited from having a *real* Norris Finalist playing in their lineup. Read some excuses somewhere how Doughty was "asked to do too much"? What kind of bs is that? He was playing on a very good team and had a better regular season this year than he had the year before. All of a sudden that's reason to give him a Norris in March???! Maybe he read all those clippings and let it go to his head or, more likely, maybe Burns read all those clippings and let it go to his heart.

To be fair, San Jose has pretty much the most dangerous set of forwards in the universe.

tim1_2 wrote:To be fair, San Jose has pretty much the most dangerous set of forwards in the universe.

Forget about fair. How did they do this year against King Karl? Sens were 2-0 (one regulation, on SO), Karlsson with a goal and an assist.

Looks like I'm coming out of round 1 with a slight lead. Spader in 2nd. 3rd is either Flo or Michallica.

Since it is now possible to do strategic picking (although it's only the last round that it really matters), do we need a non-participating member to collect the picks for the next round?

wprager wrote:Since it is now possible to do strategic picking (although it's only the last round that it really matters), do we need a non-participating member to collect the picks for the next round?

Nah.

I find your lack of mistrust ... encouraging.

wow no one picked the isles? I guess all of us were thinking Greiss wouldn't cut it....

tim1_2 wrote:

wprager wrote:Since it is now possible to do strategic picking (although it's only the last round that it really matters), do we need a non-participating member to collect the picks for the next round?

Nah.

Agreed. I don't think anyone is worried that you seeing their picks will influence you at all. You're too stubborn for that, anyway.

Michallica wrote:wow no one picked the isles?  I guess all of us were thinking Greiss wouldn't cut it....

Personally I thought Florida was too strong for the isles.  Double ot or not, not the greatest end to the year for FLA

I thought Lalalongo would stand on his head and steal the series. Nope.

I thought they would go to 7 because they both had their strengths and weaknesses. I always though Greiss was a great back up from his days in California but when you have Lou on the other side the scales are tipped. Then again, Florida to me is a little greener than the isles and the isles might have been hungrier than Florida for some playoff success. In the end I picked the team that too me seemed to suffer less from injuries. I was wrong... Again.

So, interestingly, Islanders @ Bolts, game 1, goes at 7:00 PM, while Preds @ Ducks game 7 starts 3 hours later. So picks for the NYI vs. TBL series have to be in early.

No playoff games today except for the CHL and NBA.

wprager wrote:So, interestingly, Islanders @ Bolts, game 1, goes at 7:00 PM, while Preds @ Ducks game 7 starts 3 hours later.   So picks for the NYI vs. TBL series have to be in early.

I will be there personally! First game 7 for me. Go Preds!

So you live in The OC (yes, I know they don't call it the OC) and you will go to the game just so you can root against the Ducks? Still bitter about 2007, are we?