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Subject: playoffs
Posted by: M.
- [35335115] Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 16:28
so now that the playoffs are arriving and we almost know who will be playing who, I need some help. Opinions or anything needed. What teams will go far? Conference finals? Players that will do good. I think it will be dall-stl for the west and tor-nj/phi depending on who plays the leafs in the first round. What u think? I need help, I'm in many pools this year and dont want to lose my $. Thank you. |
| 1 | Hockey Ljusa Sidan
ID: 52555310
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 17:32
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St Louis won't beat Colorado in the first round!
I both think and hope so...
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| 2 | Dan
Sustainer
ID: 0229323
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 17:49
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Colorado's going to the Western Final's at the least...
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| 3 | M.
ID: 35335115
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 18:38
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dan u dont know what you are talking about
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| 4 | Hockey Ljusa Sidan
ID: 52555310
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 18:41
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Being a swede I sure hope that Foppa will take Colorado all the way :D
Go Avs
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| 5 | Dan
Sustainer
ID: 0229323
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 18:51
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Yes I have no idea what I'm talking about...
Out of the West I see either Vancouver or the Avs getting to the Cup. And in the East I think it's going to be a lot closer, with a lot of series that can end up in upsets, but I'll go out on a limb and say it'll either be the Leafs, Flyers or Devils that'll get a chance at the Cup. But personally I think the West is much stronger than the East.
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| 6 | Silentz
ID: 110412217
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 18:54
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Actually I think the West is still a toss-up. I'm an Avs fan, but I think it could go to any of the four top teams. I expect no surprises in the first round, but the second round is going to be nuts. I think we'll see Colorado/Detroit and Vancouver/Dallas with Colorado and Vancouver going to the Conference finals. Hate to say it but Devils in the east beating Philly in the finals. Rematch of the finals two years ago with the Avs winning in 6.
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| 7 | vlad24
ID: 5207121
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 19:46
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I see both Colorado and Vancouver as essentially one-line teams; last year Avs had Drury so had 2 lines going, same isn't the case now. Vancouver hasn't really changed since last year when they went out in the first round. I think the likely finalists are Dallas and Detroit, with St. Louis perhaps with an outside chance if Pronger rounds into form and Osgood holds up (their weak link, IMHO).
In the East, Flyers, Ottawa and Toronto have the talent, Devils don't have enough scoring, the rest aren't likely to do much.
Just my 2 cents worth :-)
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| 8 | smallwhirled
Donor
ID: 17152614
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 19:51
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I really think that Tampa Bay might be able to ride Khabilbulin since East is so open. They have proven that they can get points against good teams on the road in the passt month or so. Nobody is giving them a chance, but Khabibulin was just the player of the month....
Vancouver as much as I like them are more of a one-line team, although Colorado has much more talent than that. Colorado is as good as any team out there...Sakic can't score? I doubt that...he's just not needed with Forsberg/Hejduk/Tanguay at the moment.
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| 9 | vlad24
ID: 5207121
Wed, Apr 02, 2003, 20:20
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I don't know if Sakic can score without good linemates. Last year, he was with Tanguay and Hejduk while Forsberg was with Drury.
Tampa is an interesting possibility, though I don't know if their defense and physical play are good enough.
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| 10 | Filthy Rich
ID: 111136521
Thu, Apr 03, 2003, 01:58
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I dont follow the East but here's a Canucks fan's take on the West:
-The Canucks will lose first round if Cloutier keeps up the current level of play, and if they have to resort to Auld, I'm afraid it will already be too late.
-I cant stand them but Dallas looks strongest to come out of the West, they've got the great team defense, and solid goaltending to take it.
-Colorado/Detroit/St Louis, all have solid teams that could make some noise, but will need to be firing on all cylinders to beat Dallas IMO.
-Minnesota/Anaheim/Edmonton, could knock off one of the top teams if they can catch fire at the right time, but arent strong enough yet to do it 2 rounds in a row.
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| 11 | The Left Wings
ID: 6142019
Thu, Apr 03, 2003, 04:29
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My guess is that Detroit keeps the cup by beating Toronto.
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| 12 | Linda
ID: 558222519
Thu, Apr 03, 2003, 11:13
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Well it's not only a matter of predicting which team survives the longest, it's also a matter of picking a team that plays most games. Sure, it's good to pick a team that goes to the final, but if that team play 4-5 games a round it may be worse then having players on a team that plays more games per round. Picking a winner that plays many games is best of all of course. There's a big difference between 16 games and 24 games. Tricky to say the least. I'll for sure keep my eye on how the schedule turns out. for instance, if Detroit gets Anaheim it could turn into a quick 4 game win for Detroit. Perhaps having Detroit players isn't as brilliant then, as opposed to Canucks, that could win rounds, but could take many games to win them. Avs seems best in this purpose, since they often seem to mess up for themselves, but come out strong in the end, in 7 games rounds.
Is my theory completely off, or..?
As for East, I believe in Ottawa. Their playoff history is poor, but it's now or never, Lalime isn't terrific, but he's better then some other playoff teams goalies, and they got more muscles now. Toronto will be a nightmare if they face them, but hey, nigthmares are made to be beaten. Otherwise, I *cheer* for Tampa personally, I just love an underdog. In the West I cheer for Avs obviously, since I'm also Swede and Foppa fan : ) But Canucks also got my attention, as I like many players there. I really hope Dallas disappear quickly, but I'm afraid as someone else said they will go very far. It's the team to beat.
Anyway, this playoff thing, how did it go in Basics? Did anyone win that hasn't bought trades? It does seem unfair that some people with money can buy loads of trades and the rest of us are stuck with what we got. But did it have any importance? Did the richest win, or was it possible to win anyway?
Linda
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| 13 | Synergy
ID: 34761420
Thu, Apr 03, 2003, 16:26
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Linda, if you are picking teams for the express purpose of a playoff pool, then there are many factors that will account for how you pick. If trading is not allowed, then you would pick the players on teams that go further, even if they play less games per round.
As for the difference in points between a 4 point sweep and a 7 game grinder, you may not necessarily get more points with 7 games. Consider this: for the series to go 7 games, likely the players you picked for one of the teams had to go through 3 losses. That's 3 games where they possibly did nothing and got completely shut down, and even quite possibly.. minus points. Although, yes, it's very possible for an allstar to score a hattrick and then have his team lose 4-3.
I would safely argue this. For the format that the current sportingnews pool has, goalies are probably better off in series where they win in 4 or 5 games than one where they edge out in 7 games. Goalies rarely get any significant points in a loss unless it's very low scoring, and so extra games do not really help them all that much when you know you have to lose 3 of them.
Usually, when it's a 4 game sweep, it means the other team was completely dominated, and that means they were likely held off the scoresheet or perhaps to only 1 goal, and that means massive points for a goalie in the game that they win. There will always be evidence to the contrary concerning a 7 gamer, but in my opinion, a short series is better for the goalie position.
As far as skaters are concerned, ie, forwards and defencemen, another factor to consider is that they can run out of gas if the series wears on. I would argue this.. if the 7 game marathon is early in the playoffs, it is beneficial to "star players". However, for a 7 gamer deep into the playoffs, I think the team needs those 2nd and 3rd line stars to step up.
Consider the 7 game marathons that were run by both toronto and avalanche.
Forsberg remained hot throughout, I believe, mostly because he skipped the season, and he was still fresh. Sakic and Roberts, however, who both went about a point/game in the playoffs, probably wore down as the games went on.
Sakic went a respectable 5 points in the 7 game series with detroit. (he ended up with 19 points in 21 games), but on closer examination, you'll see that he "ran out of gas" and went pointless in the last 3 games.
The same can be said of Roberts in the carolina series. He had 2 points in that 6 game series, going pointless the last 4 games of the series.
So in effect, Sakic went 14 points in 14 games in the first 2 rounds, and Roberts went 17 points in 14 games in the first 2 rounds.
In such a case, early rounds might indeed merit a long series for forwards and defence.
Well.. enough of my rambling..
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| 14 | Silentz
ID: 411101319
Fri, Apr 04, 2003, 01:29
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To throw two more cents in,
A long series or two is also bad for continuing in the playoffs. Just like last season when the Avs played three seven-game series, and just ran out of gas. Shorter series might be better for points in the long run.
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| 15 | Ira
ID: 46345416
Fri, Apr 04, 2003, 21:01
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Here's some stats that may help:
Most GA (regular season):
1. Boston (232) vs. New Jersey
2. New York I (227) vs. Ottawa
3. Edmonton (226) vs. Detroit or Dallas
4. Washington (217) vs. Tampa
5. St. Louis (215) vs. Colorado
Least GA (regular season):
1. New Jersey (163) vs. Boston
1. Philadelphia (163) vs. Toronto
3. Dallas (169) vs. Edmonton or Minnesota
4. Minnesota (175) vs. Dallas or Detroit
5. Ottawa (181) vs. NYI
I wouldnt look too closely at St. Louis' stats, because Osgood has been doing pretty well lately.
IMO, Ottawa players (Hossa, Bonk, Alfie) would be the best bet against a goalie like Snow, and also Detroit players (too long a list) IF they play Edmonton.
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| 16 | Synergy
ID: 34761420
Sun, Apr 06, 2003, 18:13
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goals for and goals against go out the window in the playoffs you know..
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| 17 | The Left Wings
ID: 6142019
Sun, Apr 06, 2003, 18:48
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Osgood doing pretty well lately? I think he absolutely stunk in St. Louis except for his first start there.
He allowed 27 goals in the 8 games he didn't get a shutout. That's a GAA a bit under 3.00 in 10 games played. Also, he's 0-2-2 with 18 goals against in the last 4 starts. That can hardly be considered "pretty well".
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