Who do you think will take home the Stanley Cup?

[cboy4]

Poll question: Who do you think will take home the Stanley Cup?

NOT WHO DO YOU WANT TO WIN ..

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?

[cboy4]

1. I hope I am wrong, wrong, wrong.

:puke:
:puke:

[madinmaryland]

3. Are you ok tonight, cyork?

[Onceuponalife]

7. Bahston isn't looking too good

right now. Losing 7 of the last 10 and now they have to face red hot Joisey tomorrow, who are only 3 points behind the overall lead in the Least.

Performance in years past means nothing in the playoffs. Each year is a separate team and should not be judged by what happened in the past. I truly think the Sharks will win this year, although if they don't get home ice, I don't know. That's huge, considering they're overwhelming superiority at home this year. By tomorrow at this time I expect the Sharks to be back in first in the conference, with Detroit idle and my beloved Los Tiburones playing the lowly Avalanche. These last few weeks are gonna be exciting as hell!:bounce:

[Forkboy]

31. The B's took it to Jersey in that game, 4-1

They got a couple lucky goals, but played like they would have won anyways. Probably the best game the B's have played in a month. It was good to see, they needed that win. The B's are a very young team and they're confidence seems shaky, so any win over a team like that (hot on their heels even) is a nice one.

I think Detroit is still the team to beat in the West, but the Sharks are the one team I give a chance of beating Detroit to. I'd prefer the Sharks though.

I wish I could have seen more Sharks games this year because I really enjoy the brand of hockey they play. Lots of skill, but lots of size and power too. And Nabakov is a great goalie.

[Captain Hilts]

39. The Caps have owned them in the regular season, for what it's worth. I hope Caps or Bos

wins it all.

[Forkboy]

41. Please do not let the B's play the Caps.

:scared:

They've played the B's better than anyone else all year.

[Captain Hilts]

42. I grew up rooting for the Bruins and they're very popular in DC, as are the Sox. nt

[cboy4]

2. I feel bad. I wanna change my fucking vote.

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Columbus+Blue+Jackets+v+San+Jose+Sharks+by0sP9nX8Rvl.jpg

[joeybee12]

4. I don't know who will win, but I want Boston!

It's been 32 years...enough!

[Redbear]

5. Other: Pittsburgh

They finally have it rolling.

[PRETZEL]

23. Aside from Jersey,

the Pens are definately playing their best hockey right now.

The addition of Kunitz and Guerrin were big, imo.

Gonchar being back brings the PP back into play again.

Not many other teams in the east as hot as the Pens at this moment. Being hot now is what they really need.

[MrSlayer]

6. Unfortunately it will be Detroit.

The Sharks are the only team with a hope of stopping them but their playoff record is spotty as hell. They always seem to have a good team that should go far only to be knocked out in the first or second round.

The east is pretty wide open but I'm going to say Jersey comes out.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. What Slayer Said!

Yeah, they'll probably win the thing again. They're just a little faster and little niftier than all the rest.
GAC

[Upton]

9. I'm going with the Sharks

I know they haven't been playing that well the last few weeks and have been beset by injuries(Goc and Blake went down yesterday) but they seem to be coming out of their funk and most of their players should be back by the playoffs. So if they can get by the first 2 rounds, with their talent they'll have as good a chance as anyone.

[cboy4]

14. I suck and should have all of my teal stripped away from

me for voting for Detroit!!! :argh:

I just have/had a hunch because they've tortured me so many times over the years.

But I hope you're so right!!

[Hokie]

10. I have no idea since the NHL is on a network 3 people can watch

I used to enjoy following hockey on ESPN. Now that they are on an obscure network only carried on the top tier on Dish Network I never see any games. The NHL has to be the most poorly marketed product in sports history. The have gone from being a 4th major sport to the equivalent of professional log rolling.

[Upton]

11. What's wrong with NHL Center Ice?

I get to see all the Sharks games that way even though I no longer live in the area.

[madinmaryland]

12. Wow! Wish I could afford that. Does cyork4 pay for your bills??

[Upton]

13. C'mon now

it's only 39.75 a month for 4 months...I think it's a pretty good deal.

[MrPerson]

15. The Penguins. We have the two best players.

[Upton]

16. Sure you do

that's why you're fighting for a playoff spot...you've got Crosby and Malkin and that's about it. I regret to inform you that you have absolutely no chance this year.

[MrPerson]

18. We're fighting for a playoff spot because we lost

Gonchar for four months.

And we had a coach that lost his team.

We also have the best goalie.

And we will be in the hunt every year for the next ten years.

[Upton]

20. You have the best goalie?

:rofl: Fleury has a 2.72 GAA, and a .911 save pct with 3 SOs....he's nowhere near the top of the league in any of those categories.

Though it looks like the Penguins will now make the playoffs, they're probably going to finish 5th, 6th, or 7th..good luck playing NJ, Wash, or Philly in the first round without the home advantage. Sorry, this isn't your year...

[MrPerson]

21. He's the best goalie. He was in the playoffs last year.

[Upton]

22. No he wasn't

Chris Osgood was, with a 1.55 GAA to Fleury's 1.97 GAA. Anyway, one decent playoff showing does not suddenly elevate him to "best goalie"....give me someone like Martin Brodeur who's been doing that his entire career.

On Edit: Malkin had a rousing 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in last year's finals....based on that alone, he cannot be considered one of the two best players in the NHL.

[MrPerson]

24. Malkin was hurt. Fleury made better saves.

Osgood had a better defense in front of him.

Fleury is the most talanted goalie in the NHL.

Who is leading the league in scoring by a mile this year?

[Forkboy]

25. Here's a list of goalies better than Fluery right now.

Brodeur
Nabakov
Kiprusoff
Lundqvist

Here's five more that are as just as good a long term prospect as Fleury.

Backstrom
Rinne
Mason
Ward
Rask

Fleury is the most talanted goalie in the NHL.

No, he's not, and anyone who genuinely thinks so is either a major homer or simply doesn't know or understand the game very well. Fleury is an excellent young goalie who will go on to have a great career, but you're anointing him waaaay too early.

As for Crosby, he's amazing, but I'd take Ovechkin over him in a heart beat. For all of Crosby's greatness he comes across as kind of baby to me. There's no way he should have been given the Captaincy at his age, despite his talent. Ovechkin's celebrations annoy me, but they guy is a demon when it comes to scoring and, unlike Crosby, Alex enjoys the physical side of the game as well.

Malkin is just the shit. He'd look good in a Bruins uniform. :)

You're not wrong that the Pens will be in the hunt for years to come, but to assume that Fluery is the Goalie God of the League is just silly. There's this guy named Brodeur that might have something to say about that.

[MrPerson]

28. Brodeur benefits from a good defense.

There's a price for that. Anemic scoring.

Crosby is light years better than Ovechkin, who starts fights while wearing a shield over his face.

And Crosby is No. 3 in scoring right now, a point behind Ovechkin.

Crosby is also the hardest working player on his team and he makes everyone on his team better. Ovechkin is the TO of the NHL, who is a few more goal celebrations away from being cut in half by a well deserved check. He better keep his head up.

As far as the crybaby stuff. Everyone takes a shot at Crosby. The refs can be assholes. If Crosby doesn't stand up for himself, who will?

[Forkboy]

33. Broduer does have a good defense in front of him, but that doesn't diminish him at all.

In his first 10 games back he went 9-1, giving up 11 goals in those 10 games. There's a little more there than just a solid D methinks. I mean, do you actually watch the guy play? :)

Crosby is light years better than Ovechkin, who starts fights while wearing a shield over his face.

Not as a scorer, not as a physical player. Crosby is a more rounded player, and like Gretzsky is a beautiful passer. Ovechkin lacks in that department compared to Crosby (though he's still no slouch). I agree 100% with your last point about the shield, and also that he better start keeping his head up, especially after that 50th goal celebration. That didn't sit well with me, and old time hockey fans (unless they root for the Caps of course lol). Rick Tocchett had some choice words about the incident, saying that if Ovechkin did that in Rick's day it would have led to 300 minute first period, and he's right. Alex needs to tone that shit down before someone does it for him. The NHL polices itself like no other sport, and Alex better open his eyes on this aspect very, very soon.

Crosby is also the hardest working player on his team and he makes everyone on his team better.

And with that Captain's C on his jersey he damn well better be.

As far as the crybaby stuff. Everyone takes a shot at Crosby. The refs can be assholes. If Crosby doesn't stand up for himself, who will?

My complaint isn't that he stands up for himself. It's that I haven't seen him do it nearly often enough. I'm not saying he should be Cam Neely out there (though to be honest, every player should be Cam Neely out there), but he has to defend himself, and that may mean dropping the gloves a couple times. Hell, on the Bruins even little Marc Savard had enough one night and went after Ott from Dallas and started slugging away. As a player it's up to you to establish a line that players can't cross without a response. So far in the Pens games I've seen (about 2 dozen over the last year and half), Crosby waits for the ref to do this for him more often than not. That's where my crybaby comment comes from.

Gretzky got away with it (not being physical ever) because he had McSorely covering his ass night after night. Lemieux showed a physicality when he had to, often enough that people knew they couldn't just take whacks at him. Mario dropped the gloves once or twice, assuming Ulf didn't. Right now, the Pens don't seem to have that one protector that would allow Crosby to get away without responding himself more often. Guerin is a great teammate type though, and putting him on Crosby's line will help in this area a lot. Guerin won't let players take liberties against the Pens. If you're not a Guerin fan already, you will be.

Don't get me wrong, I like Crosby a lot. There isn't a team in the league that wouldn't give their first born to have him. My opinion is just that, and it's based on my own preference for a more physical style of play as much as anything. I'm not trying to paint Crosby as some half assed wannabe. He's the real deal, and the best all around player offensively since Lemieux and Gretzky. I just want to see him project a little more presence out there. He's already scary as Hell. Add a little attitude to that mix and we'll all be happy. ;)

[Avalux]

36. Read this please:

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=415189

And remember, the playoffs are a whole new puck game. :hi:

[Forkboy]

40. No argument that he's a great young goalie.

But he's not the best in the League, not at all.

Look at you Pens fans, all excited and shit. ;)

[Avalux]

43. You bet I'm excited!

If they play like they did last night (Calgary shut out), no reason why they can't make to the Finals. Power kill was superb. The coaching change seems to be exactly what they needed. :hi:

[Forkboy]

46. I had just started watching that game when my internet dropped out.

x(

Calgary is a great team, so they're always a good measuring stick. The Pens are red hot right now, that's for sure.

It's great to see hockey doing well in Pittsburgh again after the troubles they had for a stretch where it looked like the team may move. Blue collar towns like that need hockey.

The playoffs are going to kick ass. It seems like almost everyone in the East is playing real well right now. Look at Carolina's movement over the last few weeks. I think NJ is going to be real tough to beat, but I've been into hockey long enough to know that the playoffs are anybody's game. I can't wait for the postseason. :)

[Onceuponalife]

17. Upton's right

You have only 2 good players while the Sharks talent is spread around with 6 guys having over 20 goals each.

[MrPerson]

19. We have the two BEST players. Not just good players.

The best.

Which is why we will always be a Stanley Cup threat.

[Forkboy]

26. And those two best players disappeared in the Finals last year..

Which is why it takes 22 players to win the Cup. There's a lot of teams over the years that have had the best players and didn't win. If those two great players don't produce the Pens are screwed (which is exactly what Detroit did to them last year in the Finals...where were those two best players in the NHL in that series?). I'd rather have a team with a bunch of 20 goal scorers spread out over three or four lines.

And if Crosby and Malkin are so good that it makes the Pens that awesome, why did the loss of Gonchar hurt them so badly? This is my point. Having the two best players assures you of only one thing...that you have the two best players. You need a whole team, which is why the Pens are where they are, and teams like Detroit, New Jersey and San Jose are where they are this year. Crosby and Malkin can't do it alone, as Detroit proved.

The Pens are hot right now (Guerin was a great pick up) and if they carry that momentum for another three weeks into the playoffs they might pose a serious problem. But to be honest I think they'll be lucky to get past round one, especially if they draw NJ.

[MrPerson]

30. Because Gonchar is the point on the power play.

Crosby did NOT disappear in the playoffs. He set up Hossa all 4 series.

And Malkin was great for 3 series. He broke his ribs against Philly.

[BulletproofLandshark]

27. I could see your point if this were 1990 or so, but not now.

The best player (and soon-to-be 2-time MVP) is in DC.

[Avalux]

35. Malkin will be MVP this year. n/t

[Avalux]

34. I agree. Since the coach change, they've been magnificent.

I just watched them handily shut out Calgary. Here's a nice piece on Fleury:

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=415189

:hi:

[Captain Hilts]

54. How long has Ovechkin played for the Pens??

[Forkboy]

29. Detroit vs New Jersey.

Detroit in 7.

San Jose is in the hunt though, and they play a perfect mix of skill and physicality that will give any team fits. If anyone can escape Detroit it'll be them. In the East I don't see anyone beating New Jersey anymore.

[MrPerson]

32. Forget Detroit. Too old. Pittsburgh is the hottest team.

That's what counts.

[PRETZEL]

38. If anyone saw last nites game against Calgary

would have been rightly impressed by the Pens.

They played an absolutely fantastic game.

[Avalux]

44. Hear hear!

Power kill, fast off the stick, Fleury - all good. I'm SO excited for the playoffs! :hi:

[PRETZEL]

45. I like the new style of play more,

it's a much more traditional eastern conference style.

Hopefully it'll stand up better against the west's style better this year than it did last.

[Tektonik]

37. it's Brodeur's Cup to lose

Detroit v NJ

[Onceuponalife]

47. Detroit loses at home against Islanders 2-0

The worst team in the NHL beats them at home? Anybody want to change their vote now?

[Forkboy]

49. Nope.

That stuff happens more often than you might think. Tough to get up for the worst team in hockey, especially right before or after a bigger game against someone good. One off game doesn't even begin to change my mind. :)

[Onceuponalife]

50. Detroit loses again at home

this time to Nashville 4-3.

:woohoo:

[devilgrrl]

48. A Western Conference Team will win the cup.

I'm going with Detroit.

[cboy4]

51. One win away from home-ice advantage at the Shark Tank

and the Presidents' Trophy.

We have Phoenix at home next.

:bounce:

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Columbus+Blue+Jackets+v+San+Jose+Sharks+by0sP9nX8Rvl.jpg

[Hokie]

52. San Jose is getting no love even though they will win the President's Trophy

I picked the Wings just because I like the new wing nut hats.

[cboy4]

55. Oh hell no

I wouldn't wear anything that said right wing.

[Iggo]

53. Other.

Not the Kings.

[Onceuponalife]

56. Wow, Detroit has lost

7 of the last 10 home games. What is going on in Hockey Town? Will they be going home in the first round?

[MrPerson]

57. Old Men

[hughee99]

58. I'd like to say the Bruins, but I think it's going to be San Jose. n/t