On The Eve of the New Season: North of the Border Editio

[sweetcell]

Originally posted by vansmack:
  Why don't you just concede now if that's how you're going to come out and play the first period?

yeah, really.  the sens played even worse that the ducks did well, lucky to get out just two in the hole.  did you catch the NBC commentary during the first intermission?  "ottawa missed this", "sens lacking that"... when what's-his-name tried throwing a bone to the ducks, "shouldn't we be highlighting how well anaheim is playing?", the two others turned to him and said "it's easy to look good against an opponent that powerless".  sheesh.
 
 

Originally posted by vansmack:
  Yes ladies and gentlemen, that was quite the display by the two best teams in hockey in the second period.

too bad half of that equation couldn't keep it up.  sens came back strong in the second, got my hopes back up... until they scored that own-goal.  might as well have hung up the skates right there.  and if lack of discipline is the potential undoing of anaheim, it was the destruction of ottawa: stupid penalties + lack of passion = ducks win.  
 
 niedermayer absolutely deserved the smythe (but like most pundits, i was expecting giggy to get it).  as a sens fan, there are ducks that are easy to hate (read: pronger).  but scottie is just pure class, you can't help but admire his play.
 
 smakie, is that you in the picture?  taken during your recent trip to toronto, i assume?  nice.
 
 and congrats.

[xneverwherex]

damn was out last night and missed the game. i figured thatd happen. at least the maccabees were so entertaining that im sure i didnt miss much with the game.
 
 guess the sens forgot to show up. seems a recurring problem with them.
 
 go kings go! im all ready for next year  

[vansmack]

Originally posted by sweetcell:
 
 smakie, is that you in the picture?  taken during your recent trip to toronto, i assume?  nice.
 
 and congrats.

Indeed and thank you.  Top of the world for me right now, even if nobody else in America gives a damn.  Greatest trophy in sports, in my opinion.

[sweetcell]

Originally posted by vansmack:
 even if nobody else in THE UNITED STATES OF America gives a damn.

i can assure you there are about 30 million NORTH americans who care, one way or another  

[Frank Gallagher]

I got all set for a great game last night, but after realizing the Sens bus was obviously stuck in traffic and the cheer leaders had to suit up for the first period I switched channels to make my wife happy....I had no argument about how good a game it was so just conceded and we watched something else.
 
 Congrats to the Ducks....Ducks!!! It's a pretty sad affair when a team named after a Disney character wins the most coveted sports trophy in N. America

[Venerable Bede]

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
 
 Congrats to the Ducks....Ducks!!! It's a pretty sad affair when a team named after a Disney character wins the most coveted sports trophy in N. America

a movie. . .named after a disney movie. . .even if disney no longer owns the team and they dropped the "mighty" two years ago.

[vansmack]

Venerable is correct.  They are no longer Mighty, they are just good.  Stanley Cup Champion good!

[Frank Gallagher]

Okay Donald!!!!

[vansmack]

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  Okay Donald!!!!

Somebody needs to rent the movie again....

[xcanuck]

The first two games have already been played across the pond - and day after tomorrow, the season starts for real! Predictions, anyone? I'll kick it off:
 
 Northeast: Ottawa
 Southeast: Atlanta
 Atlantic: NY Rangers
 
 Central: Detroit
 Pacific: San Jose
 Northwest: Calgary
 
 Eastern Conference: Ottawa
 Western Conference: San Jose
 
 Finals: San Jose (much to my chagrin)
 
 Side notes:
 - Ottawa will only get to the finals again if Emery's wrist heals.
 - Anaheim will only contend if both Selanne and Niedermayer take the first half of the season off, and then return.
 - Toronto will fail to make the playoffs....again
 - Johnathan Toves wins the Calder
 - Crosby outduels Ovechkin again
 - Caps fail to make the playoffs

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  Okay Donald!!!!

Somebody needs to rent the movie again.... [/b]

Whatever - Goldberg!
 
 BTW, How bad will the Caps suck this year??

[sonickteam2]

my predictions always suck but:
 
 
 East:
 
   NY Rangers, Ottawa, Atlanta win the divisions
 
 Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Boston, Tampa and Montreal round out the top 8
 
 
   I'm taking Pittsburgh over the Rangers in the Eastern Conference finals
 
 
 West:
 
   Anaheim, Calgary, Detroit win divisions
 
  Los Angeles, Nashville, St. Louis, Colorado and Dallas take the other spots.
 
   Anaheim over Detroit in the finals
 
   I'll give the Pens the cup this year in 7 games.
 
 
 i dont like it, but it'll happen.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by xcanuck:
 
 - Anaheim will only contend if both Selanne and Niedermayer take the first half of the season off, and then return.

Those two will be tough to replace - especially Niedermayer.  I thing the kids getting another year under their belt can make up for Teemu, but Niedermayer's presence was the most important cog in last years Stanley Cup Championship.
 
 I don't concern myself with LA, but I am worried about the Sharks in the Division and Detroit in the conference.  I will not be as bold as to predict a Stanley Cup Championship this season, because I don't think Anaheim are as good as last season right now, but by April, who knows - they just might be.

[godsshoeshine]

pretty excited for the pens this year. have tickets when they come here. i wish i had an extra $200 to blow on center ice, but nah

[slappy]

The Cup goes back to Canada this season with Ottawa.
 
 Rags will choke like last year.
 Pens and Caps both out in the 1st round (if they don't play each other).
 
 Atlanta is overrated, look for either young Caps or Panthers team to top the SE.
 Sens take the NE.
 Rags take the Atlantic.
 Red Wings for the Central with the real battle being the basement.
 Luongo is the key to the NW. If he stays healthy , Canucks.
 Pacific still the best division with the Kings making nice moves in the off season. The Sharks will win it with Ducks not having Teemu and Scott Niedermayer.
 
 Finals: San Jose and Ottawa - Ottawa in 4 games
 
 Crosby will continue to rack up the secondary assists and get another Ross Trophy if the groin injury doesn't become a bother.
 
 Ovey won't be far behind in points and will win both the Richard and Pearson Trophies.
 
 Loungo gets his first and not last Vezina Trophy.