Bracket is Final: Picks Due by Wed @ 6:00 PM EST
2009 NHL Hockey Playoffs Pool:

Introduction:
Considering that we have a decent number of NHL Hockey fans in the community, it seems only fitting that we host a NHL Hockey Playoffs Pool. The pool consists of three parts.

Step 1: Fill Out Your Bracket

Western Conference:
[1]San Jose Sharks vs [8]Anaheim Ducks
[2]Detroit Red Wings vs [7]Columbus Blue Jackets
[3]Vancouver Canucks vs [6]St. Louis Blues
[4]Chicago Blackhawks vs [5]Calgary Flames

Eastern Conference:
[1]Boston Bruins vs [8]Montreal Canadians
[2]Washington Capitals vs [7]New York Rangers
[3]New Jersey Devils vs [6]Carolina Hurricanes
[4]Pittsburgh Penguins vs [5]Philadelphia Flyers

Your objective is to now successfully fill out the bracket. Begin by selecting the winners of the first four series in each conference. In the NHL Playoffs, unique to it alone is that after the first round the teams are reseeded. You will need to account for this reseeding in your selections. Here is an example:

Let's say I select (1)Boston, (2)Washington (5) Carolina and (6)Pittsburgh. Then in the next round I would have Boston playing Pittsburgh and Washington playing Carolina.

In other words the highest seeded team(the lowest value) will play the lowest seeded team(the highest value).

In addition to selecting each of the winners, you are to attempt to predict the number of games in each series will last. IF you are correct, you will earn an additional point to your score.

Scoring:
Part 1 Scoring:
Each Correct Conference Quarterfinals Series Prediction[2 pts] [16 max]
Each Correct Conference Semifinals Series Prediction[4 pts] [16 max]
Each Correct Conference Finals Series Prediction[8 pts] [16 max]
Correct Stanley Cup Prediction[16 pts] [16 max]
Total Possible: 64 points

Step 2: Select your Team

Your team:
LW:
RW:
C:
D:
D:
G:
Enforcer:

Rules for your team:
1. You may only select ONE player from each team. In other words, your team needs to consist of 7 different players from 7 different teams.
2. Your player at each position must be listed as such on ESPN. In other words you must have a LW as your LW.
3. Once you make your selections, your team is final. You will not be repicking your team throughout the tournament.

Scoring:
Position Players:
-1 point for each point(goal, assist)
-You will also either gain or lose points based on each player’s +/- Rating. This value is cut in half, rounded down.

Goaltenders:
-1 point per win
-2 point bonus per shutout

Enforcer:
-You will gain points based on the number of penalty minutes divided by 3, rounded down.

Part 3: Tiebreakers
Tiebreaker 1: Number of Goals scored in the Stanley Cup Finals[ALL GAMES]
Tiebreaker 2: Number of Goals scored by the Eastern Conference Team in the Stanley Cup Finals
Tiebreaker 3: Number of Goals scored by the Western Conference Team in the Stanley Cup Finals

All Entries for the NHL Hockey Playoffs Pool must be completed by the night of the first game of the NHL Playoffs which I believe is Wednesday, April 15th.

Good Luck!
-SpaceDominator
 

Just like to point out that the standings are not finalized yet, so don't fill out brackets, yet.
 

Oooh another opportunity for me to beat bred at something.
 

Cuz you're doing that in the baseball league, amirite?

OH and let it be known to everyone.

The Habs want da Broons first round. We wnat them baaaaaaaad
 

I guess my first line bolded and underlined didn't state that? :P :P
 

I think the problem with that strategy is that we are vastly superior to you in every aspect of the game.
 

Hey Ben, I've got Pebble Beach on the line, they want to know when Timmy the Tuna, Milan Luchicken and Zdeno "Electrolosis, Please" Chara want their tee times.
 

You talk a lot of smack for someone who was saying the Habs were gonna be number one come playoff time. I give Koivu 6 games to come join Toskala at the tee.
 

Dunno, depends how long it takes to win the cup.
 

Habs gone in five, first round. Price will suck. Kovalev will be a non-factor. Habs will be an utter failure for their 100th season.
 

Final brackets are up. 4/5 of the Central Division made the playoffs in the West. How interesting. I will say for the Wings sake, I'm very, very happy that the Sharks will have to deal with the physical beating that Anaheim gives regardless of the series result. I'm really glad to see Columbus and St. Louis make it into the playoffs though as I think you'll see those two cities embrace their teams really well. Of course, I also forsee both of them likely failing in the first round(although I never trust the Canucks(double meaning may or may not be intentional)).

For some reason though I have another good feeling about Le Habs. Then again, I probably shouldn't after watching Boston U. pull off a ridiculous two goal rally 3-1 down with 1:00 left to force OT and to ultimately win the NCAA Championship. Then again that game was also in Washington D.C.... where I hear they have a pretty good hockey team...

Me thinks this is the beginning of an entertaining playoff season, mm.
 

Sup BabyCakes

Western Conference:
[1]San Jose Sharks vs [8]Anaheim Ducks - San Jose in Six
[2]Detroit Red Wings vs [7]Columbus Blue Jackets Detroit in Six
[3]Vancouver Canucks vs [6]St. Louis Blues St. Louis in Seven
[4]Chicago Blackhawks vs [5]Calgary Flames Chicago in Six.

Conference Semis:
San Jose Sharks vs St. Louis Blues - San Jose in Five
Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks - Chicago in Seven

Conference Finals:
San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks - San Jose in Five.

Eastern Conference:
[1]Boston Bruins vs [8]Montreal Canadians - Montreal in Seven
[2]Washington Capitals vs [7]New York Rangers Washington in Five
[3]New Jersey Devils vs [6]Carolina Hurricanes Carolina in Five
[4]Pittsburgh Penguins vs [5]Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh in Seven

Conference Semis:
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens - Montreal in Six.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Carolina Hurricanes - Carolina in Five.

Conference Finals:
Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens - Carolina in Five.

Stanley Cup Finals:
Carolina Hurricanes vs San Jose Sharks - Carolina in Seven.

Winner - Carolina

LW: Chris Kunitz [PIT]
RW: Martin Havlat [CHI]
C: Erik Staal [CAR]
D: Nik Lidstrom [DET]
D: Mike Green [WSH]
G: Evgeni Nabokov [SJ]
Enforcer: Mike Komisarek [MTL]

Reasoning:
The West - Both Canadian Teams are going to tank. CGY is hurting way too bad to be any factor and Mr. Luongo doesn't have enough playoff experience to be any sort of factor. Chicago is going to be winning the cup within the next three years, but this is their first shot at the dance and they're going to have to wait awhile. Detroit is slowing down. Marian Hossa may be able to carry them through the Post Season, but I have my doubts. San Jose is San Jose, but, they have jumbo Joe and he's never going to win anything.

The East - What can I say? It's the 100th season and I'm sorry, but Boston and Montreal in the first round always ends the same way. Something's going to happen, and the Habs will pull through. New york is not going to be a problem for WSH, but Ovi's going to lose to the Habs. Why? One reason. Washington's starting goaltender is Jose Theodore. Believe me when I Say this - if the man has been to afraid to play a regular season game at the Bell Centre for the past six years, there is no fucking way he's going to be able to cope with the Playoff Pressure. The only trump washington could possibly have would be playing varlamov (spelling?) but we'll see. Pittsburgh is never going to win anything so long as they have their assets spread as they are right now. They need to choose between Malkin and Crosby and then build the team around one of those two. They can't keep em both.

Carolina? Carolina for the Cup?

Yeah. My friend Richard put it best "When Carolina won the cup a few years ago, it was because of Cole and Staal. They're butt buddies. There's no stopping them."

And there really isn't. I know the Playoffs are the "the second season" but these guys are going to utterly smoke everyone in the east, and ultimately the sharks.

I'm waiting for the criticisms, bring em. Oh and please make the MTL//BOS series go to at least six, cuz I have tickets for game six.

Cheers.
 

Yeah man Carolina is my dark horse, i will fully not be surprised if they win the Cup

Western Conference:
[1]San Jose Sharks vs [8]Anaheim Ducks in 5
[2]Detroit Red Wings vs [7]Columbus Blue Jackets in 7
[3]Vancouver Canucks vs [6]St. Louis Blues in 6
[4]Chicago Blackhawks vs [5]Calgary Flames 4

1 San Jose Sharks vs 7 Blue Jackets in 7
4 Chicago Blackhawks vs 6 St. Louis Blues in 5

4 Chicago Blue Jackets vs Columbus Blue Jackets in 6

San Jose is icing one of their best teams ever and with Setoguchi, Blake, Boyle, and Nabokov leading the way will thoroughly hand this suddenly-shaky Ducks team their asses on a silver platter. The Blue Jackets, well, they're my team for this playoffs. What it basically comes down to is Steve Mason versus the high-powered offensive tactics of Datsyuk, Hank, Franzen, with Lidstrom in tow. I do think however that since the Jax have been a major nuisance for Detroit's divisional play, and they are one of the hungriest teams in recent memory with one of the best coaching staffs in the league, this team wants to and can beat the Wings first round, upset of the year. They added playoff warriors last year in Commodore and Umberger, and i could see them going to finals.

The same reasoning applies to St. Louis. They're out to prove something, and that's that they're ready to compete again. I dont see them making any serious run at the cup barring a Chris Mason miracle, and with Backes emerging as a force to be reckoned with combined with solid centre depth and a rugged defense, could be a first-round surprise for Luongo.

Chicago's time is nearly here. I will not be surprised to see this team win multiple cups by 2015. They have one of the strongest and well-progressed core of all the recently rebuilding teams, and they're only going to get stronger. Khabibulin is a playoff warrior and i think he plays lights out.

Eastern Conference:
[1]Boston Bruins vs [8]Montreal Canadians in 7
[2]Washington Capitals vs [7]New York Rangers in 7
[3]New Jersey Devils vs [6]Carolina Hurricanes in 5
[4]Pittsburgh Penguins vs [5]Philadelphia Flyers in 7

1 Boston Bruins vs 6 Carolina Hurricanes in 6
2 Washington Capitals vs 5 Philadelphia Flyers in 7

5 Philadelphia Flyers vs 6 Carolina Hurricanes in 7

CUP FINAL:

Carolina Hurricanes vs Columbus Blue Jackets in 7

Sorry Bred but Zdeno Chara will eat the tiny Habs alive. Look for a monster performance from him, Lucic, Kessel, Thomas, and maybe Savard if he can handle the Bell Centre. I also think Price chokes like a bitch hanging from a noose. I want to see it so bad i wont even deny it. Seeing the Habs gonzo first round in the an de gr?ce centennial would make the Leafs utter failure less terrible for me.

I dont trust the Caps goaltending for them to go anywhere past the second round. Maybe New York surprises them and pulls their shit together--if they do wake up and Torts gets 'em going, Lundqvist's solid play will combine with that and overturn the Caps. However i do think the Capitals will win the first round, since Redden and Gomez have sucked awfully since their filthy contract signings.

The Canes, ah yes the Carolina Hurricanes. A team with a Conn Smythe goalie playing lights out, and Cole and Staal reunited and dominating once again. Brindy has one or two playoff runs left in him, and honestly this is largely the same team as a couple years ago. Carolina is my prediction to win the cup. They have been one of the hardest teams to play against since the trade deadline.

Flyers and Pens could go either way. If Biron plays like he did last year then i see the Flyers going to the Conference Finals, but if he plays like he has all season it'll be an early exit for them. I do believe in Biron however, and with Fleury's enigmatic-at-times play might fail the likes of Crosby and co. The Flyers are a team of playoff warriors, and might have one of the best teams in the league minus the shoddy netminding. For that reason i choose the Flyers in 7.

Step 2: Select your Team

Your team:
LW: Rick Nash is going to dominate the playoffs. He's proven with Team Canada he's clutch as fuck.
RW: Martin Havlat. He's been known to disappear in the playoffs, but i think he shows up big for Chicago.
C: i really wanted Eric Staal but had to go with Ward instead, so i'll go with Mike Richards instead. This guy is a great captain and will lead his team to a great run.
D: Zdeno Chara is the destroyer of worlds and enslaver of men. He will rip the francophones to tiny bits and roast them over a campfire in the Czech Republic.
D: Mike Green for the obvious choice here.
G: Cam Ward
Enforcer: Danny Carcillo. changed my mind.

there it is, i'll enjoy owning
 

Hey Ace, you have to do the entire bracket before the playoffs begin. We're not going to deal with that round by round crap as quite often people will forget.
-SpaceDominator
 

Here's a fun fact.

The San Jose Sharks are the best team to never have won a Stanley Cup.

Let's look at the facts here:

In the last half decade the best team hands down is Detroit. Most playoff series most points most wins best playoff record. Who is second in that list? In every category San Jose. And yet they haven't won a cup. EVER.

Other teams who have never won a cup who are in the playoffs?

Vancouver
Buffalo
St. Louis Blues
Colombus
Capitols

So 6 of 16 teams in the playoffs have never won a cup. I'll fill in my brackets right now but I'll tell you who's going to win anyways.

Vancouver

Here's why. If you look back every year 2 players have always stood up and started playing hard during the season to win.

The Hurricanes had Staal and Williams
Ducks Getzlaf and Corey Perry
Detroit Franzen and Filpulla

and Van-City has Kesler and Burrows who are just RIPPING it up.
Second point. No team other than Anaheim (in the last half decade) has won with a goalie who has played more than 50 games. Luongo was out for a while so he's still fresh and he will be good down the stretch (that being said Marty Brodeur I think is going to make an amazing playoff performance a reality.)

Point is this, Vancouver had an amazing final leg of their season and are riding a wave. They are playing a team that just will not be able to perform against them in St. Louis and I really think Sundin is going to explode with a real opportunity to win a cup. (Or maybe that's just my love for the big swede getting to my head.)

I think Detroit is going to falter because everyone is out to get them. I think San Jose is going to get their asses kicked by Anaheim win or lose (echoing SD here) and I think Calgary and Chicago cancel each other out in a 7 game battle. With one team being big and physical (Calgary) and the other skating circles around them (Chicago)

Boston I don't think has the experience to go the stretch and I'm really looking at a one man show by Alex the Great or the Devils with 4 solid fucking lines. I mean Christ their 4th line is Mike Rupp Bobby Holik and Brenden Shanahan what the fuck.

The dark horse would be Philly if they steamroll Pittsburgh (which would be par for the course) I hope someone cross checks Crosby in the Vagina and he grows a pair and maybe we'll see a non shitty Pittsburgh team.

Anyways rant over but Vancouver or NJ to win it. And I'll post my picks now.