Qualifying round predictions anyone? Give me Pit, NYR, Fla, Tor in the East Edm, Nas, Min, Win in the West
No idea what to expect from the Rangers. On one hand, they have ZERO pressure on them. On the other hand Carolina has a ton. Especially giving up a 1st to the Rangers for a go for it now move. I see the Islanders easily winning this series. This time off helped them the most. There coach is much like Torts in that he wants guys to sacrifice their bodies every game during the regular season. They are almost always done by the post season. Only Ovie had enough stamina to overcome that style. They got 2-3 key guys back and everybody is rested. I could see them making a long run even though I don't think they are that talented. They were very good in the first half but were falling apart the second half.
I have a feeling Bobrovsky finds his game and Florida gets by them in 5. Toronto and Edmonton could be upset prone off the bat.
The Panthers fucking suck. I expect them to get swept. Their goalie has sucked all year. Their defense is one of the worst in hockey. They pretty much have no chance in this series.
You can't win if you can't score. And the NYI are awful offensively. For as bad as they are on offense though, they are pretty strong defense. Maybe JGP will spark them offensively. I am still taking the Panthers.
Bullshit. Goaltending and defense wins most of the time. St. Louis was a crappy offensive team but they rarely allowed goals. You just hate the Islanders. Florida is a loser organization. They are going to get buttfucked in this series.
I don't hate the islanders... I couldn't care less about the islanders, I just don't think they're going to win the series. You act like I slapped your mom, so sensitive! Take it easy there fella. It's just hockey.
Your theory makes no sense. There is nothing to lead you to believe that Florida will win this series. Bobshito has sucked all year. Their defense is awful. Their forwards lack depth and can't play defense. They are a poor hockey team. Islanders were floundering because of injuries and they were worn out. This rest helped those scumbags.
The Panthers have a balanced attack...the Islanders have 3 players that can score (4 now with JGP). Bobrovsky has been bad this year but look at the Islanders goalies and tell me they are any better...Greisz and Varlamov? Bobrovsky shut down the Lightning last year in the playoffs which is pretty impressive itself.
This restart is going to be interesting...the teams looked tired mid-way thru the 2nd period. Understandable considering they have not skated/played with any real intention in 4 and a half months.
As I stated earlier. You are selling the Islanders way short. Joe said the exact same thing I did. This delay benefits the Islanders more than any other team. Rangers didn't generate jack shit for offense pretty much the entire game. Their offense may suck but they don't allow many goals when they are healthy and rested.
My picks: Pens, Canes, Isles, Leafs - too many people picking the Rangers and saying the Canes are afraid to play us. CBJ's/Leafs toughest series to call for me. Oilers, Preds, Wild, Jets
If the Rangers win this series it will be because of Shesterkin. Period. The second goal was the exact reason he must start. I doubt he lets in that goal that Hank did. I think a lot of people think the Rangers will win because the Canes goal tending is atrocious.
The key in this series to me is can the pp. If they give Carolina a ton they will be in trouble. Play at even strength as much as possible and have our pp be above average and i think we get it done in 5.
I agree, people think we'll win because of goaltending (and we have owned the Canes). But they had the same goaltending issues last season and made the ECF. I think we can win the series of course, I just don't think we will. I think people underestimate the Canes, and we need some more seasoning. 4 games I think - could go 5.
