Except a hot Asian chick that hasn’t been corrupted by American women, and who has a please a man first approach. Lol
Florida it is. No surprise as the Bruins simply are not that great and aren't on the level of the Rangers, Panthers, and Canes. I believe the Rangers will beat the Panthers, who I don't think are as good as the Canes. I think Bob can absolutely be beaten if you test him, and we are deeper upfront. The two guys that I am very mindful of are Tkachuk and Barkov. And while everyone will say Tkachuk is the main guy, I think it is Barkov, he is a top-notch all-around player. Don't let those guys, and especially Barkov beat you, and keep Reinhart in check on the PP and I think we'll be okay. I have been spot on in the East (10-0 overall on my picks thus far, could be 10-1 if the Avs lose tonight) and will stick with my pre-playoff pick of Rangers in 6 over the Panthers in the ECF.
One thing about Boston though, Swayman was great in the playoffs, and he allows a terrible rebound, and I think somewhat soft goal to win the series for Florida, not fun.
Florida is a good team, no two ways about it. There were 3 top level teams in the East, and two meet in the ECF. They have 3 really solid lines (don't love their 4th line), and a solid deep D. Keep the top guns honest, handle their physical game (that is another big key), and test Bob as he can be beat and is very inconsistent IMO. We are deeper upfront, have more high-end guys, D is pretty close, and we are better in goal. I like our chances.
If I were rating it: Forwards us, D even, goalie us, we have better special teams (although they are good as well). 6 or 7 game series is in the offing, should be fun. I'll also add, if we can get Chytil and/or Wheeler back that would be a big bump for us. We are very deep upfront as is, having at least one of those guys in for Brod makes us even deeper if possible. Personally, I would be surprised if Wheeler at least doesn't play early in the series. And Chytil is a total mystery. Missed game 4 with illness, they officially said he missed game 5 due to soreness, and he has practiced fully since game 4, so who knows what is up with him, but hopefully in 5 days they can be ready.
Very disappointed in the Knicks no showing again tonight. While I would give them the edge in game 7 as home court means a lot in the NBA, especially in game 7, and the home team has won every game in the series, the Pacers absolutely can win game 7 IMO. It is the first time in the series I felt the Knicks could lose, I really expected more tonight and seeing what the Knicks had concerns me they may just be gassed, especially with game 7 being Sunday afternoon, not night. The Pacers can win game 7 and I wouldn't be shocked at all, even though I do give the Knicks the small edge and think they will win. I'll stand by my opinion that if they lose this series Tibs should get fired. I just don't feel he is the right coach to take them to the next level when they hopefully add a little more this summer. The Knicks are falling apart right now, and despite what they say, the fact that Tibs plays these guys tons of minutes in the regular season is not ideal. I also think the Knicks on O are stuck in the mud with regards to set plays, and ball movement, and crisp passing etc. If they win you cannot fire Tibs as much as I think they should, but if they lose in round 2 as the higher seed with home court for the 2nd straight year, I would make a change for the team to take that next step.
Questionable "No goal" call on the ice and after review for goaltender interference....Avs got lucky. Game still hangs in the balance.
I cant stay up all night...I really wish I could watch the end of this game though. Georgiev making incredible saves....both teams with grade A scoring chances in the first OT. If you aren't watching I highly recommend catching the replay. The first OT was just incredible.
Florida's forwards are better than ours. To be honest, I think Florida is the best team in the east the Rangers are gonna have to play pretty close to four perfect games to win this series.
What a great game between the Avs and Stars, shame one team had to lose. The Stars move on leaving one series left in round 2. I have to give the Stars credit, they are the one team I underrated a bit, beating the defending champs Vegas and the 2022 champ Colorado is impressive. I think they have the edge in the WCF also. First series loss in my bracket, now 10-1 overall. Reasonable chance we see a game 7 between the Oilers and Canucks in the battle for Canada. Game 6 tonight, and Edmonton should be rocking. Go Canucks Go!!
Florida is very good, IMO one of the big 3 teams in the East along with us and the Canes as I wrote, but I do not think they are any better than the Canes. The Canes have a better D, more depth upfront, and the big Panthers advantage is in goal. Point is I think if we can beat the Canes we can beat the Panthers. As for forward, I think it comes down to what you prefer. The Panthers have 6 or 7 good to very good forwards. Their bottom 3 or 4 are not that great, and neither is their 4th line. I believe we have more depth, especially when you consider Wheeler and/or Chytil I believe will play in this series, maybe even game 1 with 5 days off. I do agree it is very close upfront. Frankly, it is close on D as well. I do not trust Bob as I wrote. He can be great, no doubt, but I also know he can be inconsistent, let's hope we get the inconsistent Bob. I truly felt the Canes/Rangers series winner would go to the SCF, and maybe I am/was too high on the Canes, but I feel they had a very good team and played such a tough style that they were the best team in the East looking at potential Rangers opponents, not the Panthers. One thing I will say, is aside from Barkov who concerns me, the Rangers will have to stand-up physically in this series. Florida is a physical team, and the Rangers need to be ready for that and able to dish it back within the construct of their game plan. I think it will be an excellent series, and maybe I am over-confident, while knowing it will be a tough long series, but I truly feel like the Rangers will win this series and getting through the Canes was the bigger hurdle. It would help if we can be fully healthy as well, meaning Wheeler/Chytil ready to go.
Honestly, Rempe might factor in this series to keep players like Bennett from running us like a maniac. Wheeler with his size as well. I don't think Florida is as quick as Carolina was. Rempe was useless against the Canes. In this series he might not be. Especially if he can hammer a few Panthers. I do not believe they will keep their cool if Rempe rocks a few of them.
