Elara : I agree. I have found that since the cup win that Pittsburgh doesn't step it up in the playoffs like other teams do. Take the LA Kings. They have had 2 average seasons the last 2 years but seem to up their game and dominate in the playoffs. I do hope that they settle down in the next round and start playing their game. It will help that Ottawa is not nearly as fast of a team as the Islanders were. That will help.

The Red Wings win! It wasn't easy, especially at the end again. The Ducks second goal went off our own d-man's skate, but it wasn't enough. Zetterberg played great again, and we proved all the naysayers wrong. We don't really have a chance against the Blackhawks, but getting here was pretty great.

As for the Rangers series, I still think the Caps will win it. Both goalies have been sensational, but I think the home crowd will bring the Capitals through it.

And how about those Leafs? Reimer was a stone wall, and it was an entertaining game. I think it will be a great game, and I will still go with Toronto. Boston has been playing much better than I expected, but I still think the Maple Leafs will win the game.

Wow, still can't believe the Red Wings won! I'm so happy, I can't stand the Ducks! I really want the leafs to win tonight, and I think they will! XD

Caps will win, home ice will push them to the second round. Both are really good series though... I got to watch both game 6's last night, but wasn't able to watch the Red Wings game. I think the second period of the Boston-Toronto game was fantastic, I'd watch it again many times! XD

So, to recap. 2 game 7's tonight, Maple Leafs/Bruins (7:00PM EST) and Rangers/Caps (8PM EST).

It's starting to get interesting...

yay, no more Boston or Washington!

Not that I want New York or Toronto to win but I prefer not having Boston or Washington move on.

wow, I really wasn't paying attention.... they were up 4-1 when I last checked. That's going to piss off a lot of Toronto fans. I'm not sad about that either but I didn't realize they had lost the game

geeogree : Yeah, I'm quite ticked. Toronto doesn't deserve to advance if they blow such a huge lead like that. It's dissapointing, I thought this could be their year. Oh well...

Was hoping better from Washington too... This is not going well.

Predictions! Since round 2 starts tonight, now's a good time.

Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh - Ottawa in 7 (Yeah, big upset)
San Jose vs. Los Angeles - San Jose in 5
Detroit vs. Chicago - Detroit in 7
New York Rangers vs. Boston - NYR in 6

So, got a couple upsets, but we'll see how it goes. XD

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh in 5 or 6
San Jose vs Los Angeles - LA in 7
Detroit vs. Chicago - Chicago in 6
New York vs. Boston - New York in 7

I don't see any upsets really. I personally think the teams I'm picking will be the better team. Time will tell

Let the games begin!

Ottawa vs Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh in 6
San Jose vs Los Angeles (this one is hard for me to choose!!) - San Jose in 7
Detroit vs Chicago - Chicago in 6
New York vs Boston - New York in 7

I'm totally with you on these being long series'... I just think that San Jose has a bit more drive and might give them an edge. Not gonna lie, I would love to see a Sharks vs Penguins final this year.

So we have a chance for Pittsburgh in 5 on Friday, and unless the weather turns nasty that means that yours truly will be watching the game on the gigantic screen that they set up outside of Consol Energy Center for the fans who cannot get tickets.

PENGUINS MOVE ON TO ROUND THREE!!

And I was there... and it was awesome... and freezing... but the only thing better than watching it on the big screen outside is actually being inside watching the game (and I am not rich, so I don't get to do that).

Well, my predictions were quite off, lol. I don't think anyone expected Detroit to be doing so well. I'm also kinda sad that there are no Canadian teams left in the playoffs, that was the only reason I wanted Ottawa to win.

Only one series done, but I think we'll have 2 more done in the next couple days. I think the Sharks come back to win in 7, Detroit loses one more game before closing it out at home, and Boston wins in 5.

It'd be awesome to see the Rangers come back, but I don't see that happening. Here's hoping!

So Boston and Pittsburgh are through to the semi finals...I think Blackhawks will win the next two games to win the series vs Detroit. I'm also thinking a game 7 victory for the kings...thoughts?

Elara : nice to know pittsburgh has some soccer players on their team by the looks of the first goal. Meanwhile vokoun carried you guys.

I love how quickly people forget the Ottawa goal that was kicked in as well. Pretty similar result from that goal too.

And saying Vokoun is carrying this team when the teams is scoring 4+ goals a game on a regular basis is also a joke. Not saying he isn't playing well but he could be average and they would still be winning regularly.

mourinhosgum : How is the view from fantasy land?

A bounce off a skate isn't a kick, and like Geeogree said, you had no issue when Ottawa got a similar goal. Ottawa made a good run, but much like their team, it seems their fans can't keep themselves from turning ugly when it doesn't go their way.

And Vokoun has played great, but so have the rest of the guys on the team. I really don't think that Vokoun had anything to do with us getting a couple of hat tricks, do you?


I am still hoping Fleury gets to start for the Boston series, both to give Vokoun a rest and to restore the fan's confidence in their primary goalie. Part of his problem in the Islanders series was his own, but another large part of it was the team was playing like utter crap. The team seems to have fixed that problem, now give me back by Flower!

In other news, Kings took their series last night. I am happy for them and sad for the Sharks, since it would have been nice for San Jose to finally get into the finals. Also would have been happier if that had been the Conference finals since I really have no interest in Penguins facing the Blackhawks or gods forbid the Red Wings (again)... but I am hopeful that the Kings shall fight their way through that series to make it to the Finals again.

My predictions for this round were kinda screwed. Got the Pens victory, the Kings/Sharks for games and so far that is it... might be able to pick up a Chicago victory but that is all.

Elara : yeah, I didn't do so well either. The only one I got was LA in 7. I can't count Pittsburgh because I had it listed as "5 or 6 games" and that's cheating

And someone brought this up elsewhere.... the remaining teams are all stanley cup winners from the last 5 years.

I think it goes like this:
Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, LA.

I was honestly hoping for a new team to win. Or at least see a team win that hadn't won in a while. Dynasties are fun when they are your team but otherwise they are frustrating.

Yeah that was mentioned online yesterday... and now with Detroit out, that leaves the last four.


So, my hopes/predictions:

Pittsburgh vs Boston - Pittsburgh in 6

Chicago vs Los Angeles - Los Angeles in 7

Yeah, we all know what match up I am hoping for.