Official First Round of the NHL Playoffs Thread

[Triumph36]

Two series end yesterday:

Devils sweep NY Rangers
Ottawa defeats Tampa Bay in 5

Utter domination in both series by these two clubs; it should be *very* interesting if they somehow meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. New Jersey held Martin Havlat to 0 goals in 2003 - this was by Ken Daneyko clutching, grabbing, and icing the puck whenever he could. I don't think they can do that this time around. Still, it's up in the air who either of these teams will face:

If Carolina wins, NJ faces Carolina and Ottawa faces the winner of Buffalo/Philadelphia.

If Montreal wins, Ottawa faces Montreal and NJ faces the winner of Buffalo/Philadelphia.

Also an interesting prospect out west. 3 seed Calgary is ahead 3-2 on Anaheim. 8 seed Edmonton is ahead of Detroit. And with 2 seed Dallas down 3-1 to 7 seed Colorado, it very well could be a Calgary-Edmonton 2nd round if both can close out their respective matchups. The great thing about the 2nd round is that OLN has no choice but to show these games - they would be fantastic.

[Wes Mantooth]

I do like how OLN show bonus coverage of other games inbetween periods.

BTW, Tim Connelly is sick

[MyTurn2Raise]

man...sometimes central Illinois sucks

NBC affiliate cut away from the last 2 minutes of the third period for Thunderstorm watch news reports

ffs, it wasn't even a tornado warning

those of you familiar with Central Illinois know this type of weather happens about every other day in April and early May

I even sent the d-bags an email...I'm pissed

[MyTurn2Raise]

congrats to the Avs....they definitely took advantage of the bounces going their way

[Wes Mantooth]

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congrats to the Avs....they definitely took advantage of the bounces going their way

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I can't see the Avs advancing past the next round.

[Triumph36]

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congrats to the Avs....they definitely took advantage of the bounces going their way

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I can't see the Avs advancing past the next round.

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Me neither. With either Detroit or 90% San Jose as their next opponent, they should be blown out of the water. The Stars really have to consider whether or not they can rely on Marty Turco because it seems like time and time again he fails in these situations.

[Zurvan]

From what I saw of the series, I don't think Turco was really bad. Admittedly, I only saw about 1 period from 3 different games, but from what I hear on the radio he was OK. Not spectacular, and not regular season Turco, but hardly bad.

From what I can tell, Dallas just had some really bad luck/bad bounces/Theodore played well. Is this not the case? Did anybody see the whole series?

[Triumph36]

I have to admit I haven't seen much of the series but Turco just hasn't looked like a great goalie, which is what the Stars pay him to be.

Maybe the bad luck is just the hockey gods' way of justice for Brett Hull's skate in the crease. Still, Dallas keeps having huge regular seasons and keeps melting down in the playoffs - they remind me of the late 90s Devils.

[zephed]

Sweet play by Niedermayer on the goal, go Ducks!

[Wes Mantooth]

Niedermayer IS the best defensemen in the NHL. He has been all over the rink in this game.