2012 NHL Playoffs (LA Kings: Stanley Cup Champs)

[Devil]

Finals:

8 - LA vs 6 - NJ


Conference Semi-Finals

Eastern Conference

1 - Rangers
7 - Capitals

5 - Flyers
6 - Devils

Western Conference

2 - Blues
8 - Kings

3 - Coyotes
4 - Predators



Eastern Conference

First Round

1 - New York
8 - Ottawa
Game 1: Ottawa at N.Y. Rangers, 4/12, 7 p.m., NHL Network
Game 2: Ottawa at N.Y. Rangers, 4/14, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 3: N.Y. Rangers at Ottawa, 4/16, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 4: N.Y. Rangers at Ottawa, 4/18, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 5*: Ottawa at N.Y. Rangers, 4/21, 7 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 6*: N.Y. Rangers at Ottawa, 4/23, TBD
Game 7*: Ottawa at N.Y. Rangers, 4/26, TBD

2 - Boston
7 - Washington
Game 1: Washington at Boston, 4/12, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 2: Washington at Boston, 4/14, 3 p.m., NBC
Game 3: Boston at Washington, 4/16, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 4: Boston at Washington, 4/19, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 5*: Washington at Boston, 4/21, 3 p.m., NBC
Game 6*: Boston at Washington, 4/22, TBD
Game 7*: Washington at Boston, 4/25, TBD

3 - Florida
6 - New Jersey
Game 1: New Jersey at Florida, 4/13, 7 p.m., NHL Network
Game 2: New Jersey at Florida, 4/15, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 3: Florida at New Jersey, 4/17, 7 p.m., NHL Network
Game 4: Florida at New Jersey, 4/19, 7 p.m., NHL Network
Game 5*: New Jersey at Florida, 4/21, 6:30 p.m., NHL Network
Game 6*: Florida at New Jersey, 4/24, TBD
Game 7*: New Jersey at Florida, 4/26, TBD

4 - Pittsburgh
5 - Philadelphia
Game 1: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 4/11, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 2: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 4/13, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 4/15, 3 p.m., NBC
Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 4/18, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 5*: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 4/20, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 6*: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 4/22, TBD
Game 7*: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 4/24, TBD

Western Conference

First Round

1 - Vancouver
8 - Los Angeles
Game 1: Los Angeles at Vancouver, 4/11, 10:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 2: Los Angeles at Vancouver, 4/13, 10 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 3: Vancouver at Los Angeles, 4/15, 10:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 4: Vancouver at Los Angeles, 4/18, 10 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 5*: Los Angeles at Vancouver, 4/22, TBD
Game 6*: Vancouver at Los Angeles, 4/24, TBD
Game 7*: Los Angeles at Vancouver, 4/26, TBD

2 - St. Louis
7 - San Jose
Game 1: San Jose at St. Louis, 4/12, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 2: San Jose at St. Louis, 4/14, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 3: St. Louis at San Jose, 4/16, 10 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 4: St. Louis at San Jose, 4/19, 10:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 5*: San Jose at St. Louis, 4/21, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 6*: St. Louis at San Jose, 4/23, TBD
Game 7*: San Jose at St. Louis, 4/25, TBD

3 - Phoenix
6 - Chicago
Game 1: Chicago at Phoenix, 4/12, 10 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 2: Chicago at Phoenix, 4/14, 10 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 3: Phoenix at Chicago, 4/17, 9 p.m., CNBC
Game 4: Phoenix at Chicago, 4/19, 8 p.m., CNBC
Game 5*: Chicago at Phoenix, 4/21, 10 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 6*: Phoenix at Chicago, 4/23, TBD
Game 7*: Chicago at Phoenix, 4/25, TBD

4 - Nashville
5 - Detroit
Game 1: Detroit at Nashville, 4/11, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 2: Detroit at Nashville, 4/13, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 3: Nashville at Detroit, 4/15, 3 p.m., NBC
Game 4: Nashville at Detroit, 4/17, 7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network
Game 5*: Detroit at Nashville, 4/20, 7:30 p.m., CNBC
Game 6*: Nashville at Detroit, 4/22, TBD
Game 7*: Detroit at Nashville, 4/24, TBD

NHL Offices: "OK then, we have everything set. Every series will start on Wednesday or Thursday. The Penguins will be the first team to play so we can keep the focus on them, then we'll make sure they start off the weekend and then we'll follow that up with their third straight "Game Of The Week" on Sunday afternoon. Great then, anyone have any questions?

Guy in the corner: "Ummm...The Panthers and Devils are playing too."

NHL Offices: "Wait, what??!? Those teams are still in the league??!. Oh shit, well, we're done with the Wednesday/Thursday thing. Let's see....Hmmmmm We can just start them off on Friday and bury them behind the Penguins. It will be game 2 of that series so we'll focus on how they react. No one will notice"

[leo8877]

SHARRRRRRRRRRRRKS!

Also, I hope the Canucks lose badly.

[Koz]

They would probably put Panthers/Devils on at 10:30pm every night if they could.

Pens/Flyers IS going to be a good series, NHL darling or not. I think the league would've preferred Rags/Caps and Bruins/Sens, but they'll have to be content with miking one series.

I don't like the Washington matchup for Boston. The Caps have defense issues and who the hell knows who's playing goalie for them, but they have enough offensive firepower from both forwards and defense to make any lead not safe. The Bruins have had issues with offensive defensemen.

[Isgrimnur]

Some of you may be familiar with Neal's NHL Playoff Tournament.  Due to some difficulties, he is unable to manage the tourney this year and I have taken over with his blessing and assistance.

So if you feel up to prognosticating picks and trying to win the bragging rights, come on over and submit an entry.  If you know of anyone else, friends, family, etc that might also be interested, please pass along the link.

[Clanwolfer]

I don't like the back-to-back in the Boston-Washington series.

Glad all the games get national TV, though.

[kronovan]

I'm predicting the Canucks Vs Kings go the distance at 7 games. I've got a strong gut feeling that 1 of these 4 will be upset in the 1st round: Canucks, Blues, Bruins or Rangers.  I need to meditate on it some more before I'll wager a prediction on any of those though. 

[Canuck]

SHARRRRRRRRRRRRKS!

Also, I hope the Canucks lose badly.

It must be frustrating to know that the Sharks are going out in the first round.

[Canuck]

Some of you may be familiar with Neal's NHL Playoff Tournament.  Due to some difficulties, he is unable to manage the tourney this year and I have taken over with his blessing and assistance.

So if you feel up to prognosticating picks and trying to win the bragging rights, come on over and submit an entry.  If you know of anyone else, friends, family, etc that might also be interested, please pass along the link.

Entry sent!

[Devil]

Issy - I think I sent you my picks. Not sure if they went or not.

Independent of those...Here's my picks for the purposes of this thread:

Rangers in 6
Caps in 4
Devils in 5
Philly in 6

Kings in 7
Blues in 5
BlackHawks in 6
Preds in 6

[leo8877]

SHARRRRRRRRRRRRKS!

Also, I hope the Canucks lose badly.

It must be frustrating to know that the Sharks are going out in the first round.

Eh to be expected this year. I'm surprised they even made it.

[Isgrimnur]

Issy - I think I sent you my picks. Not sure if they went or not.

Independent of those...Here's my picks for the purposes of this thread:

Rangers in 6
Caps in 4
Devils in 5
Philly in 6

Kings in 7
Blues in 5
BlackHawks in 6
Preds in 6

I like how these picks don't match what you sent me. 

[Devil]

Yep - I said that in my post. I forgot what submitted. 

[hammer600]

Kings beat Canucks..Kings beat Canucks..sadly Preds beat Red Wings. Still thinking Boston Nashville final. 
N

[Darren8r]

1 - New York
8 - Ottawa

2 - Boston
7 - Washington

3 - Florida
6 - New Jersey

4 - Pittsburgh
5 - Philadelphia


Western Conference

First Round

1 - Vancouver
8 - Los Angeles

2 - St. Louis
7 - San Jose

3 - Phoenix
6 - Chicago

4 - Nashville
5 - Detroit

My picks are in bold.

[El-Producto]

I think NHL playoff predictions are silly, anything can happen.

What an exciting time of year!  These matchups are looking legendary!

[Rowdy]

Philly - Pittsburgh is going to be epic. 

[Clanwolfer]

I would not put it past some of the Capitals fan groups to make sure everyone sitting behind Tim Thomas' goal has Obama masks on. There may also be chanting.

On the one hand, it's juvenile, the man's entitled to his beliefs, and it has nothing to do with hockey. On the other hand, HA!

[Isgrimnur]

Wow.  As if I needed another reason to hate Boston. 

[PeteRock]

Philly - Pittsburgh is going to be epic. 

As I'm currently visiting with the in-laws in Pittsburgh, I made the mistake of wearing a Flyers T-shirt yesterday without even thinking about it. 

I am apparently now a marked man in Pittstucky. 

[Arkon]

Philly - Pittsburgh is going to be epic. 

As I'm currently visiting with the in-laws in Pittsburgh, I made the mistake of wearing a Flyers T-shirt yesterday without even thinking about it. 

I am apparently now a marked man in Pittstucky. 

Serves you right!  Wearing a Phillthy shirt into Pens country!  I know there are a lot of rivalries in the NHL, but I am not sure if there are any two teams who hate each other as much as the Pens and Flyers.  Heard a soundbyte from Crosby this morning talking about how the Flyers bring out the worst in him, I would argue that perhaps it brings out the best in him...

[Isgrimnur]

It ought to be a hell of a series.  But given that the coverage is going to be blanket Pennsylvania for two weeks, I'm going to have to try and find some other stories to track while running the tourney.

[El-Producto]

The only thing Timmy is going to be shutting down is his Facebook account.

[Arkon]

Eastern Conference

1 - New York vs. 8 - Ottawa:  This series is going to be interesting.  Ottawa played very well against the Rangers during the regular season, but in the end I just don't see the Senators being able to overcome the defense and goal tending of the blue shirts, and as such, despite the regular season head to head advantage  in favor of Ottawa, I am saying Rangers in 6.

2 - Boston vs. 7 - Washington:  The only team I detest more than the Caps is the Flyers...that said when healthy the Caps are a handful.  They have one of the best offensive defenseman in the league.  The goaltending in Washington is a big question mark right now due to injuries.  In the end, I just don't see the Caps being able to handle the reigning Stanley Cup champs, Bruins in 5.

3 - Florida vs. 6 - New Jersey:  Florida has an anemic offense, and fairly poor special teams.  The devils have middle of the road offense, but they still know how to play a stifling shut down game, and have the best penalty killing in the league.  5 on 5 goals in the playoffs become much more difficult to come by, so special teams are huge.  Despite the age of Brodeur, he is one of the all time greatest goalies the league has seen, and as such I am going with a "seeding upset" with Devils in 6.

4 - Pittsburgh vs. 5 - Philadelphia: Obviously I will be biased in this one.  The Pens have one of the best offenses in the league, and average to above average defense.  For my money, Marc Andre Fleury is in the top 5 goaltenders in the league.  On the flip side, Philadelphia may have the most offensive depth of any team in the league.  As always goaltending is a question mark going in to the playoffs.  This will be a brutal and bloody series, Pens in 6.


Western Conference

1 - Vancouver vs. 8 - Los Angeles:  Living on the east coast, I don't get to see many games involving the Western Conference.  Los Angeles has excellent goaltending, and decent offensive depth.  Unfortunately, now that they are the Flyers-West Coast...and my knowledge of Richards and Carter...their season will be coming to an end, Canucks in 5.

2 - St. Louis vs. 7 - San Jose:  St. Louis is the talk of the town...no one expected them to be this good this year.  San Jose just isn't going to be able to handle these young upstarts, Blues in 6.

3 - Phoenix vs. 6 - Chicago:  I have not been able to see much of either of these teams this year, but Mike Smith in Phoenix has been making the Coyotes ask, Bryzgalov who?  Phoenix in 7.

4 - Nashville vs. 5 - Detroit:  Great Goaltending vs. Tremendous experience, Blue Collar Offense vs. Fluid, mostly Finesse Offense...I think this is the year that the Predators finally break through, Nashville in 6.

[El-Producto]

Philly - Pittsburgh is going to be epic. 

As I'm currently visiting with the in-laws in Pittsburgh, I made the mistake of wearing a Flyers T-shirt yesterday without even thinking about it. 

I am apparently now a marked man in Pittstucky. 

Serves you right!  Wearing a Phillthy shirt into Pens country!  I know there are a lot of rivalries in the NHL, but I am not sure if there are any two teams who hate each other as much as the Pens and Flyers.  Heard a soundbyte from Crosby this morning talking about how the Flyers bring out the worst in him, I would argue that perhaps it brings out the best in him...

I predict whoever wins the Flyers/Pens series, gets swept the second round.

[Arkon]

I predict whoever wins the Flyers/Pens series, gets swept the second round.

A very possible scenario, although I am inclined to believe the winner of this series represents the East in the Stanley Cup Finals.

[gellar]

Somehow playing it through Ig's tournament thing has me picking the Pens over the fucking Preds in the finals.  Here's the first round though:

(1) NYR in 6,
(2) BOS in 5,
(3) FLA in 7,
(4) PIT in 7,
(1) VAN in 6,
(2) STL in 5,
(6) CHI in 6,
(4) NSH in 7,

[Isgrimnur]

I'm assuming you didn't use your forum tag and sent it to me within the last 10 minutes.

[gellar]

I'm assuming you didn't use your forum tag and sent it to me within the last 10 minutes.

Both of these assumptions are correct.

[gellar]

Well this is good news:

http://lakingsinsider.com/2012/04/09/carter-back-in-practice/

[El-Producto]

Just read over at hfboards (shudder), that Daniel, Ballard and Kassian are all at practice this morning.

[leo8877]

I wish the playoffs were starting today!  Best tourney in sports!!

[Arkon]

All jokes aside about any of the teams and potential NHL bias towards my Pens, I must say it is awesome to look at the coverage.  Every single game will be available nationally.  I may be remembering incorrectly, but I don't recall this level of national game availability in recent years.

[Isgrimnur]

The game has come a long way since 2005.

[Devil]

All jokes aside about any of the teams and potential NHL bias towards my Pens, I must say it is awesome to look at the coverage.  Every single game will be available nationally.  I may be remembering incorrectly, but I don't recall this level of national game availability in recent years.

Devils game on Friday will only be showed during the commercial breaks of the Pens game with the announcers talking about the Pens and not the Devils/FLA game. 

[gellar]

All jokes aside about any of the teams and potential NHL bias towards my Pens, I must say it is awesome to look at the coverage.  Every single game will be available nationally.  I may be remembering incorrectly, but I don't recall this level of national game availability in recent years.

Devils game on Friday will only be showed during the commercial breaks of the Pens game with the announcers talking about the Pens and not the Devils/FLA game. 

It's a wonder that the ten people who want to watch that game will be able to find it!

[Arkon]

All jokes aside about any of the teams and potential NHL bias towards my Pens, I must say it is awesome to look at the coverage.  Every single game will be available nationally.  I may be remembering incorrectly, but I don't recall this level of national game availability in recent years.

Devils game on Friday will only be showed during the commercial breaks of the Pens game with the announcers talking about the Pens and not the Devils/FLA game. 

I don't want to hear it...you guys get the 7:00 PM start, while my Pens have to wait until 7:30 PM.  The hockey watching world will be lulled to sleep by the Devils/Panthers game and never get to watch my magnificent Pens!

[rshetts2]

Well, it looks like the Red Wings are a lock.  ESPN had a list of pundits picking the first round, there were something like 10 of them, and everyone pick Detroit to lose in 7.  Here, so far everyone whos spoken up has picked Detroit to lose.  I cant imagine that everyone has picked this series correctly and if one has picked wrong that means everyone has picked wrong and therefore the Wings are a lock to win.    You heard it here first!

[Arkon]

Yay, Mario's TV returns this year, and NBC is gonna let them broadcast the games!*

*Mario's TV is an event/tradition the Pens started a few years ago with setting up a gigantic LCD video board outside of the arena.

[El-Producto]

It is amazing.  Here in Canada, between TSN and CBC we get full coverage.

I'm happy because there are a few US only team series I really want to watch.

[Devil]

Yay, Mario's TV returns this year, and NBC is gonna let them broadcast the games!*

*Mario's TV is an event/tradition the Pens started a few years ago with setting up a gigantic LCD video board outside of the arena.

Wow! The Pens with another NHL first!

Prudential Center (opened in 2007): The Mulberry Street side of the arena, flanked by the entrance cylinders and featuring a large LED screen.


Can the Kings beat the Canucks?

I heard after the Panthers practice today they wanted to hear the players reaction to being in the same playoffs as the Penguins.