The Hockey News: Special Features: The Hockey News 2007-08 NHL Playoff Preview

The Hockey News 2007-08 NHL Playoff Preview - Round 3

Detroit and Dallas faceoff in the West while Pittsburgh and Philadelphia do battle in the East. (Getty Images)

2008-05-05 11:11:53

What’s old is new again in the West with two perennial superpowers butting heads, while in the East two young teams that both spent time in the NHL’s basement are rising to the challenge of establishing themselves as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.

It’s amazing that since the 1996-97 season the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings won four Stanley Cups between them, but only faced off against each other once, when 10 years ago the Wings downed the Stars 4-2 in the Western final.

Meanwhile, the Eastern final has become the battle of Pennsylvania, where the gradually maturing and shifty young Penguin stars will battle the sudden revival of the big, bad, banging Flyers.

However the series play out, the Stanley Cup final will be the showdown of old and new, experience and youth, persistence and patience.

Below you'll find breakdowns on both of the conference final matchups and, coming off a tough one-for-four performance in the second round, THN.com's picks to move on. (See The Hockey News's Round 2 preview and predictions HERE)

DETROIT RED WINGS vs. DALLAS STARS

NUTS AND BOLTS
Detroit - Home | Stats | Roster | Schedule | Transactions | Injuries
Dallas - Home | Stats | Roster | Schedule | Transactions | Injuries

Regular Season Record:
Detroit - 54-21-7, 115 pts
Dallas - 45-30-7, 97 pts

Season Series
Detroit – 3-1-0 (12 GF; 5 GA)
Dallas – 1-3-0 (5 GF, 12 GA)

Leading Scorers vs. Opponent
Detroit – Valtteri Filppula, 5 (1G, 4A); Nicklas Lidstrom 5 (5A); Pavel Datsyuk 5 (3G, 2A)
Dallas – Joel Lundqvist 3 (3A); Jere Lehtinen 2 (1G, 1A); Loui Eriksson 2 (1G, 1A)

2008 Playoff MVP
Detroit – Johan Franzen. Has four more playoff goals – including two more playoff game-winners – than anybody else on Wings.
Dallas – Marty Turco. Only Philadelphia’s Martin Biron has faced more shots in these playoffs than the Stars starter, but Turco’s save percentage (.929) is far better than Biron’s (.914).

Why They’re Here
Detroit – The Red Wings needed a bit of good fortune to get past the plucky Predators in the first round and had a relatively easy go of things against an injury-plagued Avs squad. They’ve been good, but far from fantastic.
Dallas – The Stars have received timely contributions from just about every player on the roster, but have leaned heavily on Turco when their opponents made pushes. He’ll need to be stupendous again this time if Dallas is to have a chance against the high-powered Wings.

Special Teams
The Wings’ post-season power play came in at ninth overall (20.4 percent) after two rounds, but their penalty kill was much better, ranking fifth at 85.4 percent. Dallas edged out the Wings with the fourth-best penalty kill of the post-season (85.7) and only the eliminated Calgary Flames had more success with the man advantage than the Stars’ 25 percent ratio. Edge: Dallas

Forwards
Franzen’s scoring prowess has taken some of the focus off Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and the duo responded in the second round by combining to put up 17 points; Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Holmstrom have been quietly effective, registering nine points between the two of them against Colorado. Dallas’ forwards have spearheaded their offense, led most notably by Brenden Morrow (seven playoff goals), Mike Ribeiro (14 points) and Brad Richards (nine assists). Greybeard Mike Modano is tied with Morrow and fellow veteran Stu Barnes for the team lead in game-winning goals with two. Edge: Dallas

Defense
Three of Detroit’s top seven scorers this post-season are blueliners, as Nick Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Brian Rafalski amassed 22 points in just 10 games. The D-unit has supported Chris Osgood enough to the extent that the veteran goalie doesn’t have to steal the show. Meanwhile, the Stars’ defense corps performed admirably and got a big boost with the return of Sergei Zubov (1 goal, 4 points) in the Sharks series. But they don’t have anywhere close to the depth and all-around skill level of Detroit’s D-men. Edge: Detroit

Goaltending
Chris Osgood has yet to lose a post-season game this spring, and his stellar .937 save percentage and playoff-best 1.52 goals-against average in these playoffs isn’t a fluke. That said, Turco (1.73 GAA) has faced tougher playoff opponents and emerged from beating them looking just as good, if not better. He’s looking like a driven man. Edge: Dallas

Coaching
Coach-of-the-year candidate Mike Babcock has his toughest coaching challenge in Dallas' Dave Tippett, whose laid-back attitude is just about the polar opposite of the intense Wings coach. Both have received great results, but Tippett has been getting results under intense pressure since Doug Armstrong lost his GM job. A virtual toss-up here. Edge: Detroit

X-Factor
People will question the Wings’ ability to cope with Dallas’ physical style, and rightfully so. That’s not to say Detroit doesn’t have its share of bangers and bruisers, but they’ve yet to encounter a smart, sturdy, snarly opponent like the Stars.

Prediction
Goaltending will be one of the main focuses of what is sure to be a tight series, and right now it looks as if the Stars have the better one. They’ve also overcome two very tough tests in Anaheim and San Jose, while the Wings had somewhat of a lighter load in taking out Nashville and Colorado. That could give Detroit a little extra energy, but it also could mean they’re less able to deal with Dallas’ intensity. Dallas in seven.

Who do you think will win? Vote HERE.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Regular Season Record
Pittsburgh – 47-27-8
Philadelphia – 42-29-11

Season Series
Pittsburgh 3-5-0 (23 GF, 28 GA)
Philadelphia 5-3-0 (28 GF, 23 GA)

Leading Scorers vs. Opponent
Pittsburgh – Evgeni Malkin, 15 (6G, 9A); Petr Sykora, 8 (3G, 5A); Sergei Gonchar, 8 (3G, 5A)
Philadelphia – R.J. Umberger 11 (6G, 5A); Joffrey Lupul, 10 (5G, 5A); Mike Richards, 8 (1G, 7A)

2008 Playoff MVP
Pittsburgh – Marc-Andre Fleury. The Penguins goaltender has been everything he has failed to be to this point in his career. The Penguins have enough offense that they don’t need superhuman goaltending, but Fleury is providing close to that.
Philadelphia – Martin Biron. Really, really wanted to say R.J. Umberger here, but we have to go with Biron in an incredibly close vote. Biron’s play in the second round made the margin of victory much larger than it should have been.

Why They’re Here
Pittsburgh – Unlike last season when the Penguins looked like a deer peering into oncoming headlights in the first round, Pittsburgh’s star players are being difference makers and they have enough of them to carry the team a long way.
Philadelphia – For years, the Flyers searched for a goaltender who could lead them to victory in the playoffs and they’ve finally found one. Their elite players are coming through, but lesser lights such as Umberger and Joffrey Lupul have been terrific.

Special Teams
This could prove to be the difference in the series if the Flyers continue to flirt with disaster in this area of the game. The Flyers have been shorthanded more than any other team in the league by far and if they take too many penalties against the Penguins, they’ll be scorched by one of the best power play units in the league. Edge: Pittsburgh

Forwards
The Penguins are deeper down the middle than any team in the playoffs and in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin they have two of the best players on the planet. But the Flyers are getting such great production from such unlikely sources that it has given them depth up front the Penguins don’t have. Edge: Philadelphia

Defense
You’d think it would be the other way around, with the Penguins having the edge at forward and the Flyers better on defense, but the Penguins much-maligned defense corps has held up quite well so far in the playoffs. They get the edge because they move the puck better than the Flyers do. Edge: Pittsburgh

Goaltending
Both teams have received all-world goaltending from their Quebec-born stoppers through the first two rounds of the playoffs. Biron has proved he has what it takes to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL and Fleury has proved he can deliver in important games. Edge: Even

Coaching
Let’s face it, neither of these guys is the second coming of Dave King. Both coaches tend not to micromanage their rosters and give their top players the freedom to do what they do best. Michel Therrien, in particular, has really grown as a coach over the years and has done a good job of tightening the Penguins’ game up. Edge: Even

X-Factor
Almost half of Umberger’s 13 goals this season came in his eight games against the Penguins. The Flyers owned the Penguins in their first four matchups of the regular season, but the Penguins took three of the last four.

Prediction
The Flyers have already gone light years further than anyone thought they would this season and while it certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see them give the Penguins a series, it took the Flyers 12 games to get out of the first two rounds and the Penguins just nine. The Penguins are playing with the authority of a team that will seriously challenge for the Stanley Cup. Penguins in five.

Who do you think will win? Vote HERE.

Comments

jax (Posted 2008-05-22 09:29:15)
Let's Go Pens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To all you Detroit fans who whine and cry, then jump onto the bandwagon. Here comes a real team, best in the east. Dallas took out all your competition, now comes a real test.

johan (Posted 2008-05-18 18:05:27)
goooooooooooooo wingssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick (Posted 2008-05-15 07:24:45)
Come on now, Randy... The Pens are terrible? Surely you are not that uniformed. If you are, hopefully the Wings are as well. That gives Pittsburgh the chance to jump all over them (that the Pens really won't need anyway).

pensfansteve (Posted 2008-05-14 17:36:20)
to see the flyers fans basicly throwing up in there obnoxious mouths then swallowing it was a priceless moment in game 3 of the series .pens in 4.pittsburgh loves taking championships in detroit.

Randy Leyhe (Posted 2008-05-14 14:57:57)
Exacly what I came on here to hear Jimmy. The Pens are terrrrrrrible, the wings will steamroll them, just like the the last three teams. Wings in 3! Genious!

jimmy (Posted 2008-05-14 14:45:49)
Personally, I think the entire Eastern Conference is wayyyyy overrated, not to mention the idiots boys in Pitt. Anyone in the West would smoke them, WIngs in 3

JoeW (Posted 2008-05-13 22:41:55)
That rumbling from the midwest you hear is the Detroit Express heading east to claim the Pissburg Penguins as its next victim.The Octopus has its arms wrapped around The Cup. Red Wings in 5.

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-13 21:22:32)
Steve, I wasn't offended... I come here to rile up the 'opposition' because it is a good bit of fun, and if no one got riled up it wouldn't be any fun really. No matter what team you support, you are a hockey fan and that makes you better than most people in my book anyway. I live in central PA and most guys I work with support the Pens. I never talk crap when the Flyers do well, because it always comes back to haunt you sooner or later. Fortunately at least one guy has acknowledged that fact and won't rub it in now that things look ever bleaker for my team. Losing our top two defensemen has certainly zapped the life out of this for me... I just hoping we avoid a sweep now, when I was completely optimistic before the series began. Take it easy and enjoy the run...

Steve (Posted 2008-05-13 18:01:14)
Lighten up, Rex. I have to say the Flyers suck...I'm a Penguins fan. Try not to take it too seriously. We hate the Flyers becuase they kick our asses all of the time. When we have success against them, we celebrate. Surely you realize that it is all in fun. If I have offended you, I sincerely apologize. I have many friends that are Flyers fans (I lived and worked in the Philly area for a few years back in the day), and I respect them as hockey fans. Let's agree to disagree. No hard feelings. I'm too old for this stuff. It's not like either one of us will convince the other to change his stripes, anyway.

Sara (Posted 2008-05-13 13:45:06)
Ed, I agree without a doubt, a class act. Go Wings Go!!!

Ed Dickson (Posted 2008-05-13 10:19:12)
I may be nuts but is Pavel Datsyuk not the nicest player in the NHL to watch. Just plain skill, no cheap shots, no whining to referees. What a breath of fresh air. A Conn Smythe in the works, maybe.

jason (Posted 2008-05-13 07:45:52)
Hey Danny Cox-Still think Stars in 6?!?!?!??hahaha to bad, go wingss!!!!!!

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-12 12:56:19)
Steve: Funny you make such a fuss about the ignorance of others when you start off the post with the most ignorant post I have read on this board. Congrats. You say the Flyers suck because they create success for themselves by playing with heart (essentially). If that is what defines 'suck' I hope I 'suck' and my three children grow up to 'suck' too. I even hope you 'suck' as well! Are you saying the Pens didn't tank the last game? Or are you saying the Penguins do not fear the Flyers? If the latter, whoever said the Penguins did fear the Flyers? Exactly who are you arguing with? Incidentally, I never stated at any point on this board that I thought the Pens threw the last game, I have merely played with the idea of it to rile a few of you fellers up. Read back and see... none of matters a lick now anyway.

Steve (Posted 2008-05-12 07:26:40)
Rex, the Flyers do suck. They got this far because they work hard and create their own breaks. Don't get me wrong, I am amazed by the turnaround from last season, and I think the future is bright. And the comments about the Penguins fearing the Flyers do cut close to the bone because they are ridiculous and show ignorance. You can keep telling yourselves anything you want, though, if it helps you to sleep at night. LET'S GO PENS!!

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-10 11:04:19)
Steve: No, the Flyers got this far because they suck... They have played through just as much adversity this year as anyone with the loss of their top scorer (remember a guy named Simon Gagne?) and several other key players for long stretches. Obviously the Flyers looked somewhat in a fog after having less than 24 hours and one practice to adjust to losing their top defensemen and powerplay QB. Let's give them a little chance to adjust. Comments about the fear of the Penguins facing the Flyers obviously cut close to the bone for you. No one was insuating the Pens 'feared' anyone else... taking the pu$$y route was smartest thing for them to do if they wanted to reach the finals. Might get results, but no respect. Every series so far has started this way for Flyers, so no hope is lost yet, but things have changed considerably without Timonen (as it would if you all lost Gonchar). Game two looms large...

JoeW (Posted 2008-05-10 09:53:24)
After watching game 1 of the Western Conference Finals it looks like Dteroit is far and away the best team left out of the four. They are playing the best all-around team hockey and the winner of the Flyers-Pens series has absolutely NO CHANCE against them. Anyone who knows and follows the game knows this and if you were to ask most hockey people they would tell you this also. Deep down inside I`m sure that Flyers and Pens fans know this too. Detroit knows how to win.The Flyers are a young team which is learning how to win and the Pens are relying on Crosby,Malkin and Hossa and thats it. One day the Flyers and Pens might be in the upper echelon with Detroit but its not this year. So everyone from Philly and Pitts. will have to watch the Wings hoist up another Cup this year.

Steve (Posted 2008-05-10 08:18:49)
Penguins 4, Flyers 2. Not bad for a team that is clearly terrified to face Philly. Ask Biron how scared he is to face Malkin... And before you go crying about Timmonen, remember that the Penguins faced much more adversity this season and were written off by the experts. A good team plays through it. The Penguins are a good team. Are the Flyers? We'll have to wait and see.

Bucky (Posted 2008-05-09 22:13:02)
wow...great picks fellas...All I can say is thank goodness you did not pick the redwings as you have been soooooooo accurate with your picks. Anaheim will win it all....oops, The Sharks are THE team to beat....nope, Colorado has the stuff to take it.....NOOOOOPE. A drunk blind monkey with the team names on a rolodex could do better....or you can just look at the standings at the end of the season....Pengiuns...number one seed in east - with good reason...RedWings Presidents cup winners in the west....doesn't take a genius to figure this one out....

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-09 12:02:30)
Jim: This one sounds good, I suggest eating it with a dry red wine (just in case). Now that Timonen is out, I may be eating fried Penguin at the Wachovia Center next season. http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/recipe.cgi?r=88463

Rob Arpoch (Posted 2008-05-09 09:47:48)
Jim: Just an FYI, fried octopus is delicious with a splash of soy sauce.

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-08 19:14:27)
Tony, very insightful comments, your first sentence hits the nail right on the head though: "All of you people amuse me." That's why we are here! No one really cares what anyone else has to say, it means nothing. We all have our allegiances and not one spittle of dribble coming out of anyone's mouths (or keyboards) will change a damn thing on the ice, or in anyone's mind. There isn't a Pens fan or Flyers fan that can say honestly that this will not be a hell of a test for their team, and I think it is safe to say that whoever comes out of it will have earned the right to play for the Cup (and may unfortunately be too beat up to finish off whichever team comes out of the west). We come to rile the other guys up and share in the collective good vibes coming from those of us who wear the same colors, and most of us enjoy it to some degree. If it ever gets to the point of annoyance, click off... I often must. So if coming here and reading this crap isn't fun for you, don't read it, there is nothing here that is 'must read material' for sure. GO FLYERS!!!

Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-05-08 12:53:21)
I'm with you all the way, Danny. . .the Stars will win both games at the Joe (it's reality check time for Osgood). And remember. . .Brenden Morrow outscores Johan Franzen in this series. If he doesn't, I'll eat fried octopus at center ice next season at the Wings first visit to Scottrade Center.

Danny Cox (Posted 2008-05-08 12:22:58)
While watching Detroit handle up on the Av's. I could not help but wonder why they just bent over and took their punishment. Your Wings are not as good as their President's Trophy that they were given! The Stars are on a mission. They WILL do the same thing to the Wings as they've done the this entire playoffs!!!! You guy's got this one right! Stars will win tonight, for that matter both games at the Joe! Stars in 6!!!

Drake McOnslaught (Posted 2008-05-08 11:43:58)
Ed McSofaking (really original, by the way... you know that parrots, apes and idiots all engage in the same type of behavior...), boy, I must have come too close to the mark for you. Methinks thou doth protest too much (that's from Shakespeare, by the way, for most of you Philadelphia fans). As far as intelligent conversation, I would like to that Tony for his previous comment. Well thought out, original, and not just repeating what the local sportscasters are saying. Thanks, Tony, and good luck to your Flyers. It is always nice to encounter a true fan with an intelligent point of view.

Tony (Posted 2008-05-08 09:12:59)
All of you people amuse me. I’ll even start by saying that I am a die-hard Flyers fan, and I hope and I think that we will win the series. With that said, no one wants to give respect where respect is due. Why can’t it be said that this will be the toughest test for both teams? Every time someone makes a point, the other side quickly shoots it down. Give me a break. There is no question that Pittsburgh has more talent than the Flyers in Malkin and Crosby. But outside of those two, there is an extreme drop in production, thus far. The Flyers do have balanced scoring. Brier lit it up in round one, and Umberger lit it up on round two. If you look at the Flyers scoring top to bottom, there isn’t a wide disparity but a nice and steady decline 1 – 10. Both power plays are great. Everyone talks about the Pens power play this and that….I think the Flyers had the 2nd best PP in the league all season, and are again number 2 in the playoffs….pretty consistent to me. With that said, it scares me half to death that Crosby, Malkin and Hossa may be on the ice at the same time. The Flyers have played the tougher of the opponents, so far, and rightfully so…..they were the 6th seed. But, the Pens played the Rangers….a division foe….which clearly was the best division in the East, if not all of hockey (could be argued) Fleury is playing sick, probably the only goalie playing better than Biron. I haven’t watched much of the Pens games, but I will assume Fleury hasn’t stood on his head like Biron has. Imagine what it would be like is the Flyers played better D in these playoffs. Pens Forwards are fast, our D is slow. That seems to be a problem. Our forwards are pretty quick themselves, and the Pens D isn’t overbearing with impressive people, either. Don’t get me started on diving….I saw enough in the first round. But, if someone in particular goes down like he was shot the first time he is clipped with a slick, maybe everyone will stop defending him (ala Hatcher ‘slash’ back in the regular season). Look, we hate the Pens and their fans and the same can be said about us. Everyone is giving the Flyers the shaft, and maybe deservingly so. I mean, and this is not a conspiracy rant, but everyone on the hockey world DOES want to see Sid in the Cup Finals, and why not…it’s good for hockey, right. With that said, I don’t think the NHL will fix that….I hope….lol. I agree that this series can shape up to one of the best in a long time, especially because of the rivalry. I am sure that I will have a few migraines and eat a lot of Tums between now and when the series is done. Just let it play out, and shut up about all this bull crap. Amen

Davis (Posted 2008-05-07 22:50:08)
Patrick, i disagree about their offensive depth as the only real scoring their getting is from Umberger and theyre riding a hot goalie. Briere has his moments but thats really it. Caps were just riding a momentum shift and were more like the surprise going into the playoffs. maybe the hottest team. who knows, who cares. i have nothing against the stars, all i do know is they have their handsful and i dont believe theyll beat the wings. wings just have too many weapons.

MIKE CASARIN (Posted 2008-05-07 22:44:04)
Just like my last 2 predictions STARS IN 6!!! GO STARS GO!!!!!

Patrick J. LeBlanc (Posted 2008-05-07 20:41:54)
Never count the Flyers out. People predicted against them all season and playoffs, and now they are flying high. Their offensive depth is really showing, they showed they can steal game, and they showed they won't back down. As for the West, how about them Stars?

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-07 20:15:26)
Loyal Caps Fan - I haven't checked all of the facts, or looked at all of the statistics just yet, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Caps were the only team to finish first in the South East division... It's just a guess, but I think I'm right...

Joe (Posted 2008-05-07 17:46:48)
How come the wings get no respect? Go Wings Go!!!!

Cashdude8 (Posted 2008-05-07 15:37:03)
Loyal Caps fan, just site back and enjoy the ride, or go play golf with Ovechkin. Enough said!

mike (Posted 2008-05-07 15:24:47)
I love how the playoffs have turned out. This is gritty, in your face hockey and i couldnt ask for more. The Flyers went from last place to the conference finals(AMAZING), Im pretty sure only detroit did that back in the 40's or 50's. People need to enjoy this more then they are because evan if your team wins the cup, you still have to wait till october for more hockey.

Loyal Caps Fan (Posted 2008-05-07 15:13:16)
@Fan: as a die-hard Caps fan, I must agree with these experts when they say that the Caps were the hottest team going into the playoffs. Tell me, which other team was running on a 7-game winning streak at the end of the regular season? Which team went from the near bottom of the league to first in the SE Division? To relate their success more to the playoffs, it was the Caps who made an incredible comeback to make it into game 7 OT, and as pretty much everyone knows (except possibly for Philly fans such as yourself) the Caps dominated that game. Were it not for a flukely 2nd goal, which many still believe after watching countless replays to be an unfair goal, it would not be the Flyers facing the Penguins in round 3, but the Caps facing them in round 2. However, my point is not an endless rant. My point is that before these experts said that "the Caps were the hottest teams going into the playoffs," they were disregarding them as a team that had no chances. The Hockey News predicted them to end in 10th place and throughout the beginning and middle of the season, seemed to take notice of every other team except for the boys in the DC. All that I am saying is that every other team has been disregarded before.

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-07 13:47:04)
If anyone took my previous comment as anything other than satire you are a numbskull. I watched the last game quite intently, and if the Pens threw it they did a crappy job of it. Resting Cindy was a smart move... one of the only players in the league that can get a misconduct for not having his skirt tied down. Granted, he is damn good, and if he were on the Flyers I would buy his bathing suit calendar too. It WILL be the Hockey Gods that decide this series however, as I stated in the only sentence of my previous post that was meant to be taken seriously... "goals off lucky bounces, dinged posts, and powerplay goals off of iffy penalties" will be the deciding factor (as they are in many hockey games). It's a toss up who they'll fall towards, which is why no one (with any sense) is predicting a victory in the series in any less than six games. And by the way DRAKE, I live in central PA where fandom is split about 60/40 towards the Pens and I have heard several Pens fans say they thought the Pens tanked the game too! So say what you will... Pens fans are only slightly better than the goodtime buddy flavor of the week Caps fans, but then again there is less to do in Pittsburgh.

ed mcsofaking (Posted 2008-05-07 13:18:24)
@drake mconslaught - did syndy play that last game?? why not - he seemed fine the previous game and the game right after. Wht did the burgh's fourth line see so much more time that game? Why did Gagne question the intentions of the pens? It seems to add up. The pens wanted the senators over the flyers. Its ok to admit - that is the first step to recovery. denial will only lead to the gods above to strike down all non-believers.

bob solorio (Posted 2008-05-07 13:01:56)
ok so, round 1 everyone picks Washington.. THE WINNER IS THE FLYERS on to, round 2 everyone picks Montreal...... THE WINNER IS THE FLYERS thank you ,for picking Pittsburgh. If you remember when your asked please pick against us in the finals.. thanks bob solorio

Fan (Posted 2008-05-07 12:23:51)
As a Flyers fan, my biggest complaint is against the so called "experts" picks. of course pens fans will say they are better and flyers fans will say we are better. but these "experts" have consistently underestimated the flyers. "The caps are the hottest team coming into the playoffs". "Montreal is too skilled and quick for the Flyers". it almost as though the "experts" dont watch these games and just go off of what they hear. Either way, it should be a great series. And if the Flyers dont get to go to the cup finals, at least a PA team will. Even though i cant stand Pitt fans (b/c they are so obnoxious), but then again, I am associated with some of the most obnoxious fans in the world. Obnoxious fans unite!

Drake McOnslaught (Posted 2008-05-07 09:27:51)
And the Flyers fans show their hockey ignorance once again. I think it is funny that they accuse the Pens of throwing the final game of the season. There cannot be a more disrespectful thing to say about a team that one claims to be a fan of. Let's forget that Biron was awesome in net and that the score (2-0) was the result of an empty netter at the end. Boy, sure sounds like the Pens tanked it to me... more like whistling past the graveyard.

Jake (Posted 2008-05-07 07:10:19)
IS IT THURSDAY YET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go wingssss!!!!!!!

Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-05-06 19:39:25)
To Rex Mundi: Your comments took my breath away. . .just as long as I imagined them being spoken by Burt Lancaster in "Elmer Gantry". Good luck in therapy.

Eric L (Posted 2008-05-06 19:29:04)
Flyers will beat the Pens, Michel Therrien and Sid are spending time posting comments here instead of preparing for the Flyers! LOL

TIM HOINKIS (Posted 2008-05-06 19:19:14)
Tisk, tisk... Haven't you guys at THN, and around the hockey community, listened to my wife. "God hates ugly"... The one major factor that I believe completely keeps getting overlooked is the fact that the FLYERS are playing as a team, and I don't believe they've even played their best hockey yet. And as a FLYERS and hockey fan, anyone that says things are going to go one way or the other is either a member of THN or the NHL governing body. This series will be brutal. I'm guessing somewhere along the lines of the PHILLY/TORONTO series a few years ago. These two teams don't like each other at all... I think the winner is going to limp into the Finals. GO FLYERS!!

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-06 19:17:03)
The Philly-Pitts series will come down to one thing most of you have overlooked. The collective cowardly act of the Penguins to deny destiny on the last day of the season will not go unpunished by the Hockey Gods. No team that has rolled over to face a weaker opponent in the playoffs even deserves to win the hallowed Cup. Lightning will strike Mellonhead arena before they will allow this to happen! Actually it will come down to goals off lucky bounces, dinged posts, and powerplay goals off of iffy penalties, but damn will it be good! But don't count out the Vengeance of the Hockey Gods who will dole out justice in the name of Lord Stanley's Cup and the blood of the righteous souls who have toiled to drink from her against the toughest opponents, not the weakest!!! Onward...

Steve Downie (Posted 2008-05-06 19:11:55)
Wow, if I didn't already have confidence that this is going to be the Flyer's series, then reading that THN and its reader's poll both are picking P-birgh certainly seals the deal. Neither the THN prediction or the reader's poll are EVER right, this is like having a blessing from Alanis or the Dali Lama...maybe when I win the Cup Elisa Cuthbert will date me too!

Steve (Posted 2008-05-06 18:35:19)
JoeW. Some of your comments suggest you haven't watched any series outside of Philly-Montreal or Philly-Wash. (1) Ottawa didn't do much right, but the two things they did do consistently was get good goaltending and hit. Schubert and Neil, in particular, throw more (and more crushing) checks than any two corresponding forwards on the Flyer roster (which has no shortage of punishing forecheckers). (2) The Penguin defense is anything but weak, being ranked first in blocked shots and goals against. Pittsburgh isn't Washington, and has no defensemen named Poti or Jurcina. (3) Richards has done a spectacular job shadowing both Kovalev and Ovechkin, but has consistently failed in that capacity against Malkin. (4) Allowing shots, but limiting rebounds, against Pittsburgh is not a good strategy since, with Pittsburgh, more often than not, it's the first shot that beats the goaltender. (5) To say that the Flyers play the best TEAM game in the playoffs blatantly ignores the Red Wings, who play a stricter, more complicated, more demanding system and have played it with such perfection that they've outshot their opponents almost two to one. Dallas plays a complete team game; every component from Ribeiro to Modano to Ott to Niskanen excels in a role. Against Montreal, the Flyers (by contrast) seemed to box out in front of Biron, waiting for somebody (usually Umberger) to make an individual play and a hero of himself. In my opinion, of the four playoff teams left, the Flyers play the least like a team.

R L Russell (Posted 2008-05-06 18:01:26)
I guess if you are the Number one seed you probably will get to have a little easier schedule getting to the conference finals than say a number five seed. Maybe that is why they play an 82 game regular season. I believe Dallas has the edge in goaltending even if both of Detroit's netminders have already won a ring. Forwards I don't think Zetterberg and Datsyuk can be matched except by Crosby and Malkin who I feel are a year or two away. Much has been said of Brendan Morrow and his bone crunching hits. I believe Nick Kronwall can duplicate, but won't throw as many. I grew up in Detroit and lived in Dallas for 15 years. The Stars just don't have the explosiveness of the Wings. The most frustrating thing about playing the Wings is you only get to have the puck for 35 to 45 per cent of the time.

Reek (Posted 2008-05-06 17:53:46)
Dallas pick is a brave one and a good one. I agree with it. However, I think Philadelphia is much closer to Pittsburgh than you predict here. Pens mowed through two teams that were not up for the challenge. Flyers just beat two tough teams. I think one of these teams will win in six or seven close games. Leaning towards Philly.

Daren Slee (Posted 2008-05-06 17:27:06)
So I see that Dallas gets the edge on forwards. Hmmmm, let's see, that just makes no sense: -Franzen.....who on the Stars is currently his equal? -Datsyuk and Zetterberg: two of the three nominees for the Selke trophy for best defensive forwards.....no Dallas forwards nominated for anything -Datsyuk and Zetterberg: 4th & 6th in NHL scoring, so best in offense too.....Ribeiro & Morrow come in at 13 and 26, not to take anything away from them -Supporting cast: Wings: Cleary, Homer, Sammy, Filpulla, Hudler, y'all know the rest, but Helm I thought was a pleasant surprise...Stars: Modano, Richards, Lehtinen, Eriksson?.....Maybe I'm partial, and know the Wings better, but it seems that player-for-player the Wings forwards outmatch Stars forwards, especially by the numbers. Is The Hockey News elevating the intangibles and figure the Wings can't check like the Stars? I don't believe that either. The Wings are a good checking team at this point, which is why they are better than last year. Oh and: Detroit has 39.3 shots per game and Dallas has 30.0 shots per game in the playoffs (and Dallas has had 4 OT games including the 8th longest in NHL history, to Detroit's 1 OT game settled within 3 minutes). Detroit has 3.80 goals per game vs. Dallas' 2.92 (with all that extra time). Detroit had 34.4 shots and 3.07 goals per game in the regular season, Dallas had 26.7 shots and 2.89 goals per game in the regular season. Any way you cut it the Wings have the advantage in forwards. And The Hockey News calls the series for Dallas in 7. I realize that a lot can happen and the series will have to be decided on the ice, but clearly the edge to Dallas in forwards is silly. Maybe The Hockey News should revise their prediction based on their error. That being said the one thing that could stop Detroit comes down to one word: Turco.

dd (Posted 2008-05-06 17:03:24)
CANADA: LEADING THE WORLD IN BEING JUST NORTH OF THE UNITED STATES!

Bruce Springsteen (Posted 2008-05-06 16:56:08)
Hey Kids, does there really even need to be a Western Conference Finals? Nobody here is even talking about it...i checked the Calendar and the 1990s are overs...

Alex Gomez (Posted 2008-05-06 16:42:41)
Detroit is going all the way

Sidney Crosby (Posted 2008-05-06 16:25:04)
I fall down, I get up again, I fall down, I get up again, I fall down....

Travis (Posted 2008-05-06 16:12:10)
IS IT FRIDAY YET!!!!???? I'm growing weary of all the trash talking already. Entertaining to a point but then ZZZzzzZZzz... Can't they just start early? GO PENS!!

Caz (Posted 2008-05-06 15:05:06)
Frank. Shouldn't you be studying for your grade 2 geography test instead of posting stupid comments?

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-06 14:51:10)
Danny D: Can you please explain to me what metric you used to calibrate and measure each team's level of focus? It's the conference finals, every team is focused. If you don't think the Stars and Flyers are just as focused as the Pens, you really are brain washed...

Frank Rizzo (Posted 2008-05-06 14:26:55)
Why do they keep calling this the "Battle of Pennsylvania"? Pittsburgh is a suburb of Cleveland. Half the NHL fans think it is a suburb of Weenie-peg anyway. Crosby should get one of his entourage to call hollywood for a prothetics and make-up artist (he's already a SAG card anyway!) to come out and build him a proper Niedermeyer ... it looks like he forgot to wipe under his nose.

Caz (Posted 2008-05-06 14:00:57)
The Flyers may have won the season series against the Penguins 5-3 but they haven't faced a healthy and/or post trade deadline Pens team with Crosby, Malkin, Hossa and Fleury all in the lineup. Just ask Montreal how their 12-0 regular season record against the Bruins and Flyers worked out in the playoffs. Penguins will win this series with their powerplay. Flyers will take stupid penalties on bonehead moves from idiots like Downie and from interference/hooking calls on guys like Hatcher who are too slow to contain Crosby and Malkin. Flyers fans will then be complaining that the officiating was one-sided and that Crosby is a diver. Can't wait to see those comments in 2 weeks.

Michel Therrien (Posted 2008-05-06 13:51:59)
Unreal!Flyer fan complain already about ref,diving,and NHL hierarchy.Will you apologize if Flyer win?De ref know Crosby complain,fall down.Dey watch out for it.He is not girl,just metrosex.Dis great rivalry dat will be physical and tings like dat.I better coach than Tevens anyway. pick em in 7 from a Pens fan.Crosby dives a lot.

Gordy Puquegnutts (Posted 2008-05-06 12:55:42)
Mmmm. Yes, I agree with everything the THN brain trust has revealed through their profound and unbiased hockey wisdom. I think THN knows that the Pens and Lord Sidney will SWEEP the Flyers but those filthy, dirty people in Philadelphia complain so much about penalties that they decided to give the Flyers one game anyway just to shut them up. It's true that despite the actual numbers throughout the regular season and playoffs that the Penguins have the better powerplay. Those stats that seem to suggest that the Flyers actually score more often on the PP are simply misleading since obviously the team with the most glorious almost-a-mustache-I-think in playoff history, plays for the Penguins. And defensively, OF COURSE, the Pens are better...not only do they have one of the best stay-at-home shut-down defensive players in league history: the bruising Gonchar, but they also have the greatest two-way defensive forward in the game: the wonderous Sidney the Great. Sid loves to play defense so much that he has had to be cajoled to go on the attack and score all of those goals that gave the Pens that dominating edge over the Rangers. Goal tending is no contest: who has been more consistent throughout his storied career than Fleury? Yes, the Flyers will have to stop taking all those penalties with their filthy, dirty, nasty, and-totally-cheating, play...or else the series will only go two games. I'm certain of it. Have I remembered to bring up Steve Downie and Jessie Bowl-of-Rice again? The Flyers should have been suspended for six seasons from the league for hiring those players in the first place and all of the Flyers points given to the Penguins, who deserve so much more than they have been given so far. Colin Campbell should join the on-ice officiating crew himself and just follow Scott Hartnell around and call penalties on him. When Hartnell is in the box, which should be the entire game, Campbell can follow all the other Flyers around. There's no need to limit the number of simultaneous penaties being served by one team, if Campbell sees fit (and of course he should) to put more Flyers in the box than there are Flyers left on the ice, they should play like bar-room eight ball: the Pens can just put one more skater on for each new penalty. Who wants to see the Flyers anyway, people are only watching to see the Penguin play, Right?

Paul (Posted 2008-05-06 12:37:20)
Hey Robert, I'll root for your Stars if you root for my Flyers. Two teams that just don't get the credit they deserve. I for one, hope to be the worst team to ever win the Cup! Eat up folks, free crow for everyone!

Robert (Posted 2008-05-06 12:26:05)
Lots of people had to " eat crow " after the Dallas Stars won the series against Anaheim; lots more had to " eat crow " after the Stars whipped San Jose. Keep your plates handy folks, Dallas will be serving " crow " again after they dispatch the Red Wings. Too many people just can't admit that the Stars might just win the cup including the " experts " in the media.

TJ (Posted 2008-05-06 12:24:59)
JoeW. You sound biased. I love how you stated no true facts. Keep up the good work. We'll see you at the hand shake line in 4.

JoeW (Posted 2008-05-06 12:20:41)
If the Flyers are going to be successful in this series they are going to have to take it Fleury.Just set up Mike Knuble in front of the net and blast away. They must establish the hard forecheck and take advantage of a weak Penguins defense. They must be awhere of that cheap-shot punk Jarkko Ruttu. As far as the Flyers defense goes , just finish your checks and shadow Malkin and jam up the neutral zone. Everyone gets focused on the backcheck and makes sure that the Pens get NO rebounds. As far as Crosby goes just try to keep the damage minimal. Hopefully Crosby will stop the whining and act like a man out there instead of a young girl. I am looking for a hard-hitting,tight-checking 6 game WAR. Right now the Flyers have the best TEAM in the playoffs and the Penguins have the best INDIVIDUALS. It seems that the Flyers are getting the bounces and the breaks this year and Marty Biron is playing like Marty Brodeur. Flyers in 6.

Daniel David (Posted 2008-05-06 11:45:37)
You are under estamating the Detroit Red Wings. Brian Rafalski, he had no credit when the Devils won their 2 cups with him. He was a big part of that. Probably the most underrated defensemen in the NHL. Also, Detroit has so much depth and any line can almost score, even their defense. Marty Turco is going to have be Godly for the Stars to win.

Jon (Posted 2008-05-06 11:43:28)
The series did not even begin yet, yet people are already accusing the refs of babying Crosby. When the Pens beat the flyers this is sure to be the excuse. It’s a pathetic excuse really, oh well let the crying begin, it’s pretty much expected from flyers fans.

JIm Reinecke (Posted 2008-05-06 11:34:23)
I'm surprised that you've overlooked the obvious X factor in the Penguin-Flyer series. . .You know, the officiating! Remember, the NHL protects Crosby better than the Louvre Museum guards the Mona Lisa and Sid is Gary Bettman's illegitimate son and all those well-known "facts" that the Rangers lunatic fringe fan base has been kind enough to enlighten the rest of us know-nothings about. Hey, that reminds me. . ."West Side Story" was set in the Big Apple. . .why don't all of you Ranger rooters gather beneath the Commissioner's office on 6th Avenue and serenade him with "Gee, Commissioner Bettman!" to the tune of "Gee, Officer Krupke"? I will thank you boosters of the Broadway Blueshirts for one thing, though. . .you've done wonders for my multi-tasking skills. Trying to type this and play my air violin for the poor, innocent Rangers has been quite a challenge but I managed. See if Jagr can do as much by passing the puck and ignoring Jarko Ruutu at the same time.

Steve Lee (Posted 2008-05-06 10:52:31)
THN picked the Caps and Habs over the Flyers. OK. Penguins are a great young team and it should be a hell of a series. Philly has to stay out of the box. THN gives the special teams edge to the Penguins, but didn't the Canadiens have the best PP around? Didn't matter. Biron is hot, but as a Philly native and lifelong Flyers fan, I've seen so many goalies come and go, and not quite get the Flyers to drink from the cup. I still have my Pelle Lindbergh (RIP) jersey from 1985. Then came Hextall and others. The key to this series will be special teams and goaltending, but I think It'll be great exciting hockey. And to think I almost didn't order NHL Center Ice this year because of last year's mess in Philly. Congrats to Paul Holmgren, old number 17 (didn't have his jersey, preferred Dave Poulin and Kenny Linseman). As Gene Hart used to say, Let's go Flyers and let's go Don Earl. Sing it Kate Smith

Danny D. (Posted 2008-05-06 10:48:42)
Head Hunter, we (yes I am a pens fan) are brained washed and blind? Yet every flyers fan who has posted a comment on here thus far has been in blatant denial of the fact the penguins have only lost 1 game all post season, But Philly almost lost a series to a team that got to the playoffs off the back of Alexander Ovechken? … and beat a team that almost lost to one lowest seeds (the bruins) yet got beat by the lowest seed (the flyers) !? Perhaps you guys are the ones in denial of what is really going on here. Given what transpired in the regular season the penguins team and the fans know Philly is not going to be a cake walk, but at the same time we are perhaps the most focused team other than Detroit left in the race for the cup, and we sure as hell are not going to let the flyers or their fans ruin our focus. When you look past the statistics, recorders and what have you, the most focused team always wins the cup. Not only are the pens focused right now they have all the right pieces of the puzzle to keep it focused even face with adversity. Is Crosby a good play? Of course he is, but so far what he has done on the ice has not even amounted to 1/10 of the focus and personality that he has showed as a captain of a playoff hockey club, and the team has adopted his attitude. Crosby’s attitude is perhaps his greatest virtue so if a whole team has adopted a thing that makes Crosby great the team as a whole will be even greater. So before idiots like Jake Badlands go off predicting a series sweep, stop and think about what you are saying first, because right now Philly is as good as a house of cards standing in front of a freight train.

cashdude8 (Posted 2008-05-06 10:40:09)
Talbot, Roberts, Scuderi, and Eaton!!! Most of the world dosn't even know those guys. Why you ask. Cause there nobody's!!! To say a team would suffer wothout those guys is just plan stupid. Also to put them in a league with Crosby, Hossa, and Fleury. What kind of Penguins fan are you!!

Drmmrshawn33 (Posted 2008-05-06 10:19:22)
Well lets see for all the flyers fans, you can rattle off how irrelavant numbers about how the flyers have scored more goals and more have had more points this post season than the penguins, but also theyve played more games. dont brag about the beating the capitals or the canadiens. The caps, were only a three seed courtesy of the bracket, they will be serious contenders in seasons to come, not this one and never really were this year. As for the Canadiens, in the flyers/ habs series, the Habs would dominate for long periods of time but just couldnt finish, the chances were there and they made biron look much better than he was. and if it wasnt for the demise of carrie price, you might not have won that series. the penguins will win because of there clear ability to finish and solid goaltending. dont go bringing up the season series stats they dont matter much either, with injuries to crosby, fleury, hossa , talbot, roberts, scuderi, and eaton any team would stumble with that much of their starting line up missing, plus the penguins season series with the senators didnt look too impressive either and we all know how that ended

camal (Posted 2008-05-06 09:54:03)
lets go wings baby! Turco don't have nothing on this

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-06 09:51:34)
Only a moron would say "sweep." I agree... but you're admitting that the Pens threw the last game of the season to avoid the Flyers in the first round. If the coach, team, and management are so scared to play the Flyers, what makes you so confident? I don't know what's more pathetic: Crosby's diving and flopping all over the ice or throwing a CONFERENCE CLINCHING GAME to avoid a particular opponant in the first round...

mark (Posted 2008-05-06 09:48:20)
Let's see! At the beginning of the year, your 'paper' said the Flyers wouldn't make the playoffs. Then with two weeks left in the season, your 'experts' decided that in the race to make the playoffs, that the Flyers were "out". First round, Flyers didn't have the goaltending - according to you - to beat the Capitals. Capitals in six! Second round, the Habs are just too talented for the Flyers - Habs in 5 or 6. GOOD JOB! You guys are like the weathermen - you have one of the only two jobs that you can be wrong all the time and still keep your job! Try setting aside the obvious bias your 'paper' has against the team, and actually watch them play. You mightactually get a clue.

Andy (Posted 2008-05-06 09:45:03)
Philly fans wake up, to say sweep just shows how ignorant you are. People in Filthy are just hyped up bc we let Montreal have the one seed. And we gave you the last game and yet you won 1-0 with an empty netter to make it 2-0 at home haha. Pens in 5.

Rex Mundi (Posted 2008-05-06 09:31:05)
Okay... let's settle something. During the regular season the Flyers were better than the Penguins statisically in every team category (PP, PK, SHG, etc.). Granted they were awfully close to each other, but to insinuate that the Penguins have a decided advantage over the Flyers in ANY area is simply goofy, and not supported by facts.

Franklin Cornstalk (Posted 2008-05-06 09:29:39)
once again you at THN seem to emote while you write. I wonder if any of the writers have ever played the game? You speak of the special teams and how the Flyers will falter if they keep finding the hole. If you watch the games you'll clearly see a pattern being developed in the "new "NHL. After Lemioux left because of all the clutching and grabbing the Big heads figured they had to do something to make the NHL more attractive to a fan who wasn't a fan(Revenue) . We who follow this sport with our blood can see the bias which is discriminately proportioned out during a game. What happed to the old notion of a "good referee" is barely noticed and definitely doesn't have a hand in the outcome of a game? Like several of the players stated several years ago as we went thru growing pains with the "new " NHL even the referees have personalities which we have to contend with. Call the game professionally without a mandate from upstairs and the "new" NHL will have regained some of their integrity for themselves but more importantly for the game itself. Go Flyers!!!

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-06 08:10:50)
I love how every Pens fan is so brainwashed and blind to reality. Yes, you have some really good players on your team. Yes, Malkin/Crosby/Gonchar are three of the top players in the league. But thinking that Malkin/Crosby/Gonchar are all that different than some of the other talented trios in the league is ridiculous. Zetterberg/Datsyuk/Lidstrom, Spezza/Heatley/Alfie, Ovechkin/Semin or Backstrom/Green, Pronger/Niedermayer/Getzlaf, St. Louis/Lecavalier/Boyle, and the list goes on... A lot of teams have 2-4 really good players b/c of the salary cap, your team is no different. I'll admit, the Flyers don't have a Malkin or a Crosby, but they have a team stacked with really good players. Not great players, really good players. The Pens are going to have a tough time with the Flyers depth up front. I will say... If the Flyers keep taking bad penalties, they're screwed.

Bob Allisat (Posted 2008-05-06 07:13:15)
2008 Stanley Cup Final: Pens verses Whoever ... Prediction: PENS in 6 _____ You can't argue with: God, Mother Nature, a drunken Navy Seal, some crazy screaming dude on crack in the dark with a knife, a Grizzley bear in that blueberry patch the guide told you to stay out of *AND* the Malkin/Fleury/Staal/Crosby/Etc 'Guins. They are at the begining of at least five years of NHL domination. These guys will roll over anyone. We better just get used and enjoy the ride.

Chris W (Posted 2008-05-06 07:04:59)
*Jake Badlands. i got the name wrong. my bad

Chris W (Posted 2008-05-06 07:03:31)
to david badlands: apparently you have not watched any penguins hockey this post season. If you have, you will know that fleury has made the difference in tight games, incluidng game five in the rangers series that went to overtime. Fleury has been a monster this post season, and has made a huge difference in key games. On paper it does not look like he played anything that outstanding (apart from jagr) but if you were to go through and watch the kinds of saves fleury makes and especially saves at critical times in the game, you would know that fleury has been on fire. gonchar is not the only good defenceman on the roster. admittingly the penguins did have a questionable d going into the post season, the D has really showed up. Gill was probably the key player in shutting down jagr versus the rangers. you watch players like brooks orpik and rob scuderi and letang, they have done an excellent job in shuttind down opposing offenses. the defense has really stepped up this post season there was however one correct thing in your post. the penguins offense is more then just malkin and crosby. those are the big guns among the o and are obviously gonna get the attention. i believe they deserve it though seeing as (like in the case of hossa, game 5 in particular) they are the ones to really step up when its needed. I read an article elsewhere and somebody had wrote that the penguins offense is nothing and the flyers have four players in double digit points and that goes to show how much better the flyers offense is. I want to address that while the flyers do have four players in double digit points, the penguins have a more rounded point spread. sure the big players have more points, but you look at the number of players contributing and almost every single player on the penguins bench has a point, proving that every player can and has contributed this post season. Its a very interesting stat to look at because when writers say that if you shut down crosby and malkin you shut down the penguins, thats wrong. youre only shutting down two penguins, any other player has proven they can contribute. one final note, seeing as these are going around like crazy in pittsburgh. If at first you don't succeed, you're not Gary Roberts.

Davis (Posted 2008-05-06 02:09:18)
i say lets have fun and predict the scores of each game of each series. see how professional and expert-like we all are. DET3 DAL 1 DET 2 DAL 1 DET1 DAL 2 DET1 DAL 0 DET 2 DAL 1 PIT 3 FLY 2 PIT 1 FLY 3 PIT 2 FLY 4 PIT 5 FLY 2 PIT1 FLY 2 PIT 2 FLY 0 PIT 1 FLY 2 by the way, i just used my brain and took educated guesses

Paul J (Posted 2008-05-06 01:28:18)
Giving 'forwards' edge to Dallas must be a joke! Mule is hot and so is the Euro Twins..Dallas does not have a chance...Detroit in 6!

Matt Searight (Posted 2008-05-06 01:14:57)
Pens in six because Fleury will outplay Biron and the Pens are just a better overall team - better than the Flyers in most areas of the game. Stars in six over the Wings. Detroit has not played anyone in these playoffs. They are overrated because their goalies are not going to get them through this. Stars will do what the Ducks did to them last year and have proven their ability against much better teams in these playoffs. Pens over Stars in seven in the Cup Finals (could go either way obviously).

robert rowe (Posted 2008-05-06 01:05:12)
i am a new hockey fan. what a exiting game. i think think that don breir is as good as it gets but it seems like this geno guy gets talked about a lot and he makes good goals. the gut who is the goalie in the pens talks with such a thick french accent. if i understand correctly, these goalies must communicate with the players on the ice. if this is so (and i may be wrong, like i said i a new fan) then how can his players understand him? maybe there are a lot of frenchmen on his team? i'm sure that if it is important to communicate, not being able to do so is not so good. plus, the flyers have that kanuble who seems like he is pretty good. besides that geno guy, who else does the penguins have? i'm going to say the flyers will win in the end. they are really good.

Jake Badlands (Posted 2008-05-06 00:11:29)
The only good defensemen on the penguins roster is Gonchar. Giving the pens an edge for puck movement? Yeah Hal Gill made his mark in the NHL by moving the puck up the ice. Penguins powerplay is good? So was Montreals. When did Fleury prove himself? Has he stolen a game for them? THN needs to wake up and realize that there are other talented players out there, not just Malkin and Crosby. Pretty sure Crosby still uses bed guards because he is scared to fall off. Flyers sweep.

Mike (Posted 2008-05-05 23:36:10)
Detroit and Pitt for the cup, what a fast paced amazing series that will be. Both teams have swept a series and both have seriously outscored their opposition. Detroit owned Dallas in the regulasr season and Pitt owned Philly after the trade deadline( which you have to admit they are both different teams since the deals) No team could be the same before a Hossa or a Briere is added. Still I think that Dallas just can't score enough to keep pace and Philly just takes too many really bad penalties. If they do that against Pitt, they will be done very quick. Oh and the shots faced is absurd because Biron played in like, 3 more games, seriously. Also, anyone who says the Rangers were weak, should look at the the playoff stats and see where their players ranked in scoring. Pitt is really scary but I still don't know who would win between Pitt and Detroit.

Michael Elie (Posted 2008-05-05 22:54:58)
Dallas?...methink not!. Detroit is On-A-Mission this year. They have the best group of Managers and coaches in the league - bar non. The players led by Nik Lidstrom are playing at a high level of confidence (as they have all year long). The Stars defense will see many red jerseys in their end all game long and Turco (2-10-5 vs Detroit) is gonna see a lot of red in front of him and red on his neck from the goal light behind him!!...

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-05 22:54:44)
Kranko - other than the first game, the flyers shut down the Caps explosive offense. The only reason that series wasn't over in 4 is because the Flyers let their guard down in the third period. Pisani isn't legendary, his playoff performance was. He came out of nowhere and scored 14 goals in 24 games. For a guy that only had 18 goals all season, that's a legendary playoff performance for a mediocre player. Meanwhile RJ Umberger already has 9 goals and and will be playing a team he owned all season, and has 11 in 10 games.

S.P. (Posted 2008-05-05 22:51:20)
Flyers haven't shut down anybody. Took them 7 games to beat the Caps who had awful defense and no offense after their top 3 forwards. Montreal, well, Price might as well have been playing for the Flyers. Inexcusable goaltending. Biron looked good, but actually gave up quiet a few goals. Pens in 5, maybe 6.

Kranko (Posted 2008-05-05 22:27:05)
"The Pens haven't been tested in the playoffs yet, but the Flyers just shut down Washington and Montreal" Winning a series in overtime of game 7 is "just shutting down" a team? The Flyers are 1 goal from being out of the playoffs.

Davis (Posted 2008-05-05 22:23:52)
RE: Head Hunter: one thing, pisani never was legendary, he just scored some timely goals. second thing, as much as it's crazy what hes done, i wouldnt say Mules been legendary just yet. if he continues the pace to whatever degree then i will. Im being neutral on the point, neither disagreeing or agreeing. gonna be fun to see what happens. i for one, also, hate the diver known as cindy crosby.

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-05 22:15:13)
Don't forget that Dallas beat Anaheim without their 1 & 2 defensemen (Zubov and Boucher)... Either RJ Umberger or the Mule are going to be this year's Fernando Pisani, and engrave their name in the list of unlikely legendary playoff performances...

Davis (Posted 2008-05-05 21:58:06)
altho i am a Wings fan i can see that quite a few of you are homers. i wont be bias here but lets look at the facts. i agree with most of you that whoever wrote the article and made their picks was obv on some mystery drug and doesn't really pay much attn to the games. i agree that the Pens will win but i think theyll be beat up a bit and Roberts and Laraque will be needed. gonna be a brutal series for them. prob Pens in 6, maybe even 7 as Philly is pretty strong somehow excluding Umberger. In the West, i totally disagree with Dallas having better forwards. The only thing Dallas is riding is Turco and a hot streak on Morrow. Richards has his moments and Modano sometimes looks streaky but he goes hits 30 on skates more than the puck and if its not for Ribeiro and Zubov and Morrow Dallas will prob get what they did outta SJ. one or two goals a game max. The Wings have a much better and vast offence and oya apparently someone forgot all the goals Mule scored and how different players keep scoring. And the D will be a big help. I will be surprised if Dallas steals a win in Detroit and i imagine det will take it in 6 max. not only is it probable that a det pit final going to occur but i think its what hockey and fans want. we'll see. but seriously those who write these real stupid articles and make picks without a brain need to stop. Go Wings

jims (Posted 2008-05-05 21:56:42)
hahaha cakewalk to the conference finals???!!!we'll see when the wings melt your ice in dallas....i love it when the wings are the underdog, they whip more @$$ that way...Turco can't beat detroit at the Joe!! Detroit in 6 baby!!!!

Scott (Posted 2008-05-05 21:51:35)
Even with the fries and cole slaw, or whatever that crap is, the Primanti Bros. version of a cheesesteak has absolutely no flavor. And the bread falls apart. It's garbage. Completely over-rated, just like the Pens. Let's go Flyers!!!

Head Hunter (Posted 2008-05-05 21:50:09)
I can't believe that you honestly consider Staal, Roberts, Gill, and Letang "firepower." You're obviously a Pens fan that lives a hole and doesn't watch any team but your own. To start the playoffs, the Pens swept one of the worst teams in the league during the last two months of the season - a team that was falling apart at the seams and barely sputtered into the playoffs. Then they beat a Rangers team that was battered and bloody from a first round divisional playoff series with the Devils. The Pens haven't been tested in the playoffs yet, but the Flyers just shut down Washington and Montreal, two of the best teams in the NHL in Feb & March. WAS & MON boast some of the most talented scorers in the league, so Philly isn't going to see something against the Pens that they haven't seen already. The Flyers have more depth than any other team in the NHL - even their fourth line has players that can make a difference in a game or series (RJ Umberger showcased that against your Penguins all season). If the Flyers can stay out of the box, the Penguins will have a very difficult time shutting down four defensively responsible scoring lines.

Mike M (Posted 2008-05-05 21:23:39)
Someone forgot to include that the Flyers are on Double Secrete Probation by the Comish. There is the real x-factor in the Philly Vs Pit series. Real hockey must be stamped out at all costs. I guess that means that the refs will be looking past Crosby's double reverse pike for every chance to award Pit a power play any time Crosby feel the flames are getting a little to hot on his backside. To bad none of the THN staff have a set enough to put their name on these predictions. Way to be true to dogging the Flyer all year. The only way this series will end before game 7 is with the Flyers going to the Cup.

Chris (Posted 2008-05-05 21:08:16)
Seriously what does the thn staff have against the Red Wings? First one of your staff members had Nashville over them, and now Dallas as a whole? This is almost as sad as watching Barry Melrose call Jose Theodore the best goalie left in the playoffs last round

Cinco De Mayo! (Posted 2008-05-05 20:55:09)
Let's face it, Philly doesn't have the firepower to hang with the Pens for 7 games. They might be able to pull one or two games out of a hat, but you really can't expect any team to win 4 out of 7 against Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Staal, Roberts, Fleury, Gonchar, Whitney, Gill, Letang, Malone, and company. The Pens simply have too much firepower! Pens in 5.

Charlie (Posted 2008-05-05 20:54:55)
Seriously...hockey experts? Dallas forwards over Detroit? You'd take Ribeiro over Zetterberg or Datsyuk? Morrow over Zetterberg or Datsyuk? Hagman over Holmstrom? Wait maybe you meant the second line...wait does Dallas have a second line other than Brad Richards? As long as Osgood doesn't let in bad goals, Wings win. They're deeper at every position other than goal, and I don't think the Dallas defense can contain the wings pressure and cycle. Turco has to stand on his head to say the least.

Ben (Posted 2008-05-05 20:43:23)
Datsyuk might lead his team in hits with over 20, but Morrow had 19 hits in game 6 with San Jose alone. Nashville might've been a physical series, but I'm gonna bet Dallas will be just a bit more physical. There's over a hundred points we could make back and forth, overall though, I'd say we're all in for a helluva series to watch. I know I'm excited.

Steve Robinson (Posted 2008-05-05 20:27:01)
Your prediction about Detroit's demise in the third round will prove to be as accurate as your prediction of their demise in the second round. You guys hold yourselves out as hockey experts?

Buzzardbait (Posted 2008-05-05 20:26:13)
True to form, the Penguin Scum tanked the last game of the season so they would not have to play Philly in the playoffs. It's kind of funny how things worked out. It's going to be great fun watching Cindy get beat up night after night, I don't think she can take it... Flyers in five.

John (Posted 2008-05-05 20:17:22)
The Flyers can't keep a lead. You can say all you want about how great Biron is, but until he can stop the puck when they have a lead, he's second-rate and his GAA reflects that. Turco's been so terrible against Detroit, it's hard to imagine the Stars winning.

Joe W (Posted 2008-05-05 19:45:01)
Pitt. has yet to play a team that will hit them. the're next series will beat them up pretty good. Philly was counted out in rounds one and two, and surpassed all expectations. I will be interested to see if Pittsburgh can play hurt. I'm not partial to either team, but this will be an interesting series.

whatsthatsmell (Posted 2008-05-05 19:32:36)
detroit will choke.... AGAIN. I hate Philly. Nothing but a bunch of cheap head shots from behind artists over there. Pens all the way I guess.

Alicia (Posted 2008-05-05 18:44:03)
Biron has faced 395 shots in the playoffs and Fleury has faced 256. That is a big difference so you can't expect Marty to stop everything but if you just look at the quality of the saves and the importance. Biron has bailed the Flyers out of some games when he was facing more than double the shots the Flyers were making against their opponents.Him and Umberger have been the Flyers playoff MVP's. Once again don't even look at those last 4 games in the regular season series w/ the Penguins that is not who the Flyers are. They were the Flyers that quit after the first period and went down a goal and thought tehy couldn't win and had average goaltending and poor Danny Briere was a minus twenty something. Hatcher was injured as was Richards. This is a different all around Flyers team and an extremely different Marty Biron. They cannot be overlooked and aren't done yet. They knocked off the 1st and 3rd seeds and are now looking to knock off the 2nd seed. ---Flyers in 6. And by the way Flyers have a lot more Depth than Briere and Richards - Do the names RJ Umberger and Jeff Carter ring a bell among countless others. And their defense is more than Smith and Hatcher -How about Timonen and Jones and Kukkonen whom all are playing fabulous hockey.

RedToronto (Posted 2008-05-05 18:36:38)
Anyone who thinks Detroit is too soft down the middle really did not watch ANY of the Detroit series..Datsyuk of all players is leading the Wings in hits in the playoffs with over 20. Arnott is far bigger than any Dallas centre yet Detroit still won that series. Why the heck am I getting riled up over this anyways, I know who is going to win the series and I here debating with a bunch of random writers and strangers.

Sidney Crosby (Posted 2008-05-05 18:34:39)
I DON,T AGREE PENS IN 7 GO PENGUINS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Travis (Posted 2008-05-05 18:32:35)
Alicia...that whole blurb just gave me a headache. Take a moment, a deep breath and i'm sure you'll feel much better. I'll start off be saying that I am a Pens fan. Now to comment on the series. This was my prediction from the start of the playoffs in the East. I think this will be the best series of the Playoffs including the cup finals. Both of these teams are talented, physical, and have good goaltending. The match ups are pretty even. Pens have a little more firepower upfront but the Flyers as mentioned seven 20 goal scorers this year so they can score at any time also. Philly is very physical and they certainly have that tendency to push the boundries but...look what it did to Montreal. There wasn't a chance the Canadian's could match their physical playstyle. Difference in this series is that Pitt can step up and be every bit as physical as Philly so that is a wash imo. Goaltending is a wash both have stood on their heads for their teams and come up big when the needed to. Fleury has an advantage stat wise but Biron has gone up against 2 teams that had much more offensive firepower. Defense I will give the advantage to the Pens a good combo of talent and physical play and they move the puck very well. In closing I think the biggest difference in this series will be Philly's inability to stay out of the penalty box. If they keep up that trend the difference will be the Pens power play making them pay in the end. Pens in 7.

RedToronto (Posted 2008-05-05 18:28:53)
Jason...Detroit too soft down the middle??????????? Compared to WHO exactly Ribeiro, Modano, Richards???? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL. With the exception of Morrow on the Wing, Dallas is too soft at EVERY position!

DD and DJ...Well Said (Posted 2008-05-05 18:26:17)
Who writes this stuff anyways??? Howcome the first round analysis was based on regular season stats and now third round analysis is based on playoff stats??? It is faulty analysis to do it both ways plus to rank teams based on 10 or so games is not truly representative. Dallas does not have the edge at forward, considering the depth, size and experience of Detroit's players. Also Detroit had two forwards who scored more points than Dallas' leading scorer and a Mule who is on a massive tear (he scored 9 goals BY HIMSELF in 4 games, Dallas scored 12 IN TOTAL in 6 games!) And Dallas has also played two more games than Detroit so if your analysis is based on raw playoff point totals than it is faulty analysis. Furthermore over 82 games Detroit had the 3rd best offense compared to Dallas' 9th. Not to mention the 3rd best powerplay to Dallas' 13th, fine Dallas had better PK so at worst, special teams is even, not an edge to Dallas. Fine all you bandwagon jumper analysts with no original ideas and thoughts can recycle conventional wisdom and get all orgasmic over Turco...but if you choose to overlook a rock-solid Osgood, who had the lowest regular season GAA and will share the Jennings trophy AND has already won a Stanley Cup than that shows how good of an analyst you really are. PLUS..howcome you hypocrites use playoff stats to analyze the forwards and special teams but you ignore playoff stats when it comes to goalies GAA Osgood: 1.52, Turco: 1.73...Save Percentage Osgood: .937 Turco .929 EDGE: DETROIT and OSGOOD

th (Posted 2008-05-05 18:17:30)
How can any PHILLY fan honestly think that they have a goaltending Edge??? Let's see, Fleury 1.76 GAA, Biron:2.72 GAA. I'm not a math genius, but one goalie gives up virtually a full goal per game more than the other, and he's better???? Four of the five wins philly had against the Pens were early in the season when the Pens were struggling and the Flyers were playing over their heads. Also the Flyers will beat themselves with dumb penalties (they are 12th in penalty kill in the playoffs) that will lead to PPG's from the Penguins lethal PP. The Rangers were the best defensive team in the East with the Best goalie, and the Pens still averaged 3 goals a game. Against Biron this could get ugly. Briere and Richards will steal one game....maybe. PENS in FIVE

Jason (Posted 2008-05-05 18:02:55)
Just like the regular season, Detroit had a cakewalk to the conference finals. Well, that cakewalk will become quicksand on thursday night. Detroit is too soft down the middle to win this series. And Phillies Cinderella ride will come to an end quickly against Pittsburg. Pittsburg will expose philly super slow defensive corps (aka Hatcher, Smith). Dallas in 6, Pittsburg in 5!

Alicia (Posted 2008-05-05 17:50:22)
Ok so maybe Hatch didn't own him in the regular season but Crosby hates playing against him. In his first game against Hatcher he had two teeth knocked out by Hatcher and said on the bench "someone do something to get this guy away from me" This is the playoffs the regular season and all the regular season stats mean nothing . But Hatcher will be a pain in Crosby's a** and I can't wait for this series. But I understand people see Crosby Malkin and Hossa and think the Flyers will be owned but this Flyers playoff team is amazing. Erase everything that happened to the Flyers in the regular season because just an example : losing to the Canadiens in all 4 games meant nothing because the Flyers eliminated them in 5 so I don't even read stats they are just numbers especially if you are looking at the ones from the regular season. Relax he doesn't own Crosby no one can they can't even touch him or up goes the arm but he causes Crosby the most trouble and is pretty much a pain in the a**. But like I said the stats mean nothing. I give Timonen the job on Crosby because he wont take dumb penalties and did a great job on Ovechkin. So I won't mention Hatcher again and won't even mention