Mid season SCF predictions

[beantownmaniac]

Agree with you on the regular season stats meaning nothing. For example.. the Pens entered the post-season in 2012 with the 3rd best PK in the game. Anyone who watched their first round collapse knows how well that penalty-killing fared.

I don't mean any disrespect to your Bruins, BTM. Just stating my opinion. I also wonder what a post-season Rask will look like...

No problems man. That's what this thread, and forum for that matter, are all about, voicing your opinion............even if it wrong.

 

[evolver115]

No problems man. That's what this thread, and forum for that matter, are all about, voicing your opinion............even if it wrong.

Yeah, I admit... i could be wrong. Boston might make it out of the quarters, but that will just mean Pittsburgh stomps you out in the semis.

 

[pixburgher66]

I don't have a lot of faith in the current Pens roster in the postseason setting. Sure, Sid tearing it up is nice, and the offensive production is ridiculous. But, they have ZERO defensemen willing to push a guy from the crease. 75% of the goals they've let up recently involve a pretty bad screen. *glares at Brooks "I used to be good" Orpik* If they pick up a guy that can do that on D, I'll be all in. People bring up the goaltending, but Fleury is having a pretty solid year...he's just the goat for the crap show that is some of our D.

I'm also not 100% sold on Boston, or Chicago really. Chicago is crazy impressive, but as has been said...Ray Emery and Corey Crawford. I mean, worse goalies have won, so...could be irrelevant. I know a lot of people like the Blues too, but they've been a bit inconsistent, especially on offense.

Ducks v. Boston - Ducks win
Hawks v. Pittsburgh - Hawks win

I really like the Ducks pick. They're flying under the radar this year. In the East, it's tough to pick anyone but those two. The Habs have holes, and the Leafs...well, I'm not convinced it's not an illusion yet. Other than that, it's a pretty big group of dark horses.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Yeah, I admit... i could be wrong. Boston might make it out of the quarters, but that will just mean Pittsburgh stomps you out in the semis.

When was the last time the Pens even MADE IT to the semis???



(2008-2009 when you won the cup)

 

[evolver115]

When was the last time the Pens even MADE IT to the semis???



(2008-2009 when you won the cup)

Nope, you would be mistaken, sir

2009-2010 we beat Ottawa in the Quarters, and lost to PK Slewban and the Habs in the semis

 

[loki604]

Sorry, but no way the Pens make it as they are playing now. We have a SCF worthy offense and a maybe-survive-to-the-second-round defense. Things can definitely change, but I don't see it right now even though they are winning games (I have seen some improvement however).

I'll hop on the Boston-Chicago train. NJ could surprise some people (as much as you can surprise having been there last year) with the right matchups.

 

[USCDoom]

I will update my pre season predictions. The Number after the team name is the preseason conference ranking.
My Western Conference predictions were much better than my Eastern. Other than my horrible Nashville prediction I think I did pretty good in the west so far.

Eastern Conference
Atlantic
1. (2) Pittsburgh Penguins (1)
2. (5) New York Rangers (4)
3. (9) New Jersey (9)
4. (10) Philadelphia Flyers (6)
5. (12) New York Islanders (15)

Northeast
1. (1) Boston Bruins (2)
2. (4) Montreal Canadiens (10)
3. (6) Toronto Maple Leafs (14)
4. (7) Ottawa Senators (11)
5. (14) Buffalo Sabers (8)

Southeast
1. (3) Carolina Hurricane (7)
2. (8) Winnipeg Jets (13)
3. (11) Tampa Bay Lightning (3)
4. (13) Washington Capitols (5)
5. (15) Florida Panthers (15)

(1) Boston over (8) Winnipeg
(2) Pittsburgh over (7) Ottawa
(6) Toronto over (3) Carolina
(4) Montreal over (5) NYRangers

(1) Boston over (6) Toronto
(2) Pittsburgh over (4) Montreal

(1) Boston over (2) Pittsburgh

Western Conference
Central
1. (1) Chicago Blackhawks (1)
2. (5) St. Louis Blues (4)
3. (9) Detroit Red Wings (9)
4. (11) Nashville Predators (5)
5. (12) Columbus Blue Jackets (15)

Northwest
1. (3) Vancouver Canucks (3)
2. (6) Minnesota Wild (6)
3. (13) Calgary Flames (10)
4. (14) Colorado Avalanche (13)
5. (15) Edmonton Oilers (11)

Pacific
1. (2) LAKings (2)
2. (4) Anaheim Ducks (14)
3. (7) Phoenix Coyotes (8)
4. (8) San Jose Sharks (7)
5. (10) Dallas Stars (12)

(1) Chicago over (8) San Jose
(2) LAKings over (7) Phoenix
(6) Minnesota over (3) Vancouver
(5) St. Louis over (4) Anaheim

(1) Chicago over (6) Minnesota
(5) St. Louis over (2) LAKings

(5) St Louis over (1) Chicago

Stanley Cup Final
Blues over Bruins

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Ottawa wins the Cup over the Ducks with a one-legged Karlsson and a wheelchair-bound Spezza.

Karlsson uses Matt Cooke's disembodied skull as a support for his injured leg.

Spezza rides Kris Letang's supine, mid-dive carcass to Conn Smythe glory.

Stranger than fiction I tell you.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Right now I feel Chicago & Boston are the most complete teams. Anaheim intrigues me, but if they trade Perry forget it. Pittsburgh needs better play from Fleury & help on D. That's why I chose Boston vs Chicago in the Finals.

 

[sbb122]

Anyone still think the Pens D and goaltending aren't good enough to win the cup???

 

[pixburgher66]

Yeah...not sure what the change was, but I'm a believer now.

 

[pixburgher66]

Also, adding Letang to the D corps, Malkin and Morrow up front, as well as the play of BOTH goalies...can't help but believe in the team.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Also, adding Letang to the D corps, Malkin and Morrow up front, as well as the play of BOTH goalies...can't help but believe in the team.

They seem to have Boston's number, but things can change in the playoffs. The Pens have made a bold move. Boston hasn't done anything yet. Thanks to my team they have 5M in cap space to work with.

 

[BF4L]

They seem to have Boston's number, but things can change in the playoffs. The Pens have made a bold move. Boston hasn't done anything yet. Thanks to my team they have 5M in cap space to work with.

This.

I am not sure why. Our PP is terrible. Over the last 5 or so games scoring has been a problem. Mid season blues?

Fast teams always give the Bruins a difficult time.

 

[pixburgher66]

They seem to have Boston's number, but things can change in the playoffs. The Pens have made a bold move. Boston hasn't done anything yet. Thanks to my team they have 5M in cap space to work with.

Yeah...thanks for that.

 

[DChero]

The big question for me is whether the Penguins continue their defensive dominance once Malkin comes back. He brings a lot of scoring so it can be pretty tempting to leave a defensive assignment in favor of jumping in on the rush.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

This.

I am not sure why. Our PP is terrible. Over the last 5 or so games scoring has been a problem. Mid season blues?

Fast teams always give the Bruins a difficult time.

Lucic has been M.I.A. this season. When is he going to start putting the puck in the net?

 

[BF4L]

Well Lucic has been demoted to the 3rd line. Major shakeup in the lines announced today.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Well Lucic has been demoted to the 3rd line. Major shakeup in the lines announced today.

It's not like UFA to be Horton is lighting up the league either. Boston might need a player like Iginla. However, my sleeper steal of the deadline is Jagr. I think he would be a great fit on any contender.