tOfficial Way too early 2011 SCF predictions

[maddogmark25]

Ok, so Im right now bored waiting for the 2:30 start of USA and England, so looking ahead, who do you think it will be in next year's Finals?

I will go out on a limb (and be a bit of a homer) and say I think the Flyers can win the East again. Until I see Washington get more help at defense, I don't see them as being able to make it far into the playoffs. Obviously, we always have to worry about Pittsburgh, and I think it could come down to Pitt and Philly (like it always seems to anymore) but I think Pitt needs better defensive help, and the inconsistencies of both goalies pretty much cancel each other out

In the West, and I know that they were a first round exit, but I really like what Phoenix did this year, and I think with the cap issues Chicago may have, and with the young team that Phoenix had this year, I think they can step up and take the West next year...

So, I feel it will be Philly/Pitt vs Phoenix, with Phoenix taking it in 7 b/c of Phoenix having the better goaltending IMO

 

[ritari330]

Think Caps-Hawks looks like a good call going on the assumption the Caps get a D-man this offseason

 

[HonusWagner66]

Pens - Kings

Book it!

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Nobody likes the Sabres.

 

[HonusWagner66]

Pens - Sabres

Book it!

(Late offseason realignment set forth by Nebraska moving to the Big Ten)

 

[The Q stache]

Pens-Hawks

 

[elocomotive]

Until I see Washington get more help at defense, I don't see them as being able to make it far into the playoffs.

Yes, b/c defense was the problem this year for the Caps. (rolls eyes)

I give all the credit in the world to the Philly players this year - they were tenacious, physical, and skillful. But let's not act like they didn't get a lot of luck along the way this year. They made the playoffs by all of 1 point, drew their best possible matchup in the first round, played the worst team in the East (imnsho) in the second and got down 3-0 on them, and then got to play a Montreal team that had slugged through two 7-game series with the two best teams in the conference.

Nothing wrong with it. My Caps played well and got lucky breaks back in 1998. But Philly isn't among the best 3 teams in the East going into next year barring some big shakeups in the offseason.

I said before last year's playoffs the next 3 champs would be Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Washington in that order. I'm sticking by that prediction.

 

[HonusWagner66]

Yes, b/c defense was the problem this year for the Caps. (rolls eyes)

Not to sound like a prick, but it wasn't?

A quick search shows that the Caps allowed 31 shots per game and were like 25th in penalty killing. I mean, Washington wasn't terrible defensively, but I seems to be one of the weaker points on the team.

I mean, their goaltending was pretty mediocre too, but I would think they would like to improve the blueline this summer.

EDIT: Maybe another defensive-minded forward would help to. They can score with anyone, but they aren't the best defensive club in the league. There is certainly room for improvement.

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

Pens - Hawks, baby!..

would be a fantastic series...

 

[IPostedWhat]

You can't go wrong with Sabres/Canucks.

1970 Expansion teams battling it out for their first Cup win.

Sabres win 4-3.

 

[beantownmaniac]

You can't go wrong with Sabres/Canucks.

1970 Expansion teams battling it out for their first Cup win.

Sabres win 4-3.

If the Bruins can play the Sabres in the ECF, I'll go along with that. Buffalo deserves a title and it looks like it'll be a while before the Bills are ready to win one.