Your pick for a possible Eastern Conference final matchup

[folgersnyourcup]

So what teams do you think are going to be playing for the Canes' title? I know many people have picked Ottawa to come out of the East but who do you think will be their opponent in the conference finals? As heartbreaking as it is (for those of us who dislike the Bolts and Capitals due to friendly Southeast Division competition) it appears completely unavoidable giving the current first round matchup (Bolts vs. Capitals) that one of these two teams will progress to the second round. I think that match will come down to which goalie's hot for the series. I'm looking for the Bolts to move on though.... I'm also expecting Ottawa, New Jersey, and Toronto to win their first round matchups.

So then I'm assuming that happens the second round matchups would look like this:

New Jersey/Tampa Bay
Ottawa/Toronto

I think the Ottawa/Toronto matchup's the one that eveyone's waiting to see... These two teams certainly have a history come playoff time particularly during last year's thrilling 7 game series. The Leafs never won an away game during that series but won all 4 of their home games. This could be the year that Ottawa finally defeats Toronto in a playoff series. They've got home-ice advantage and it's been a long time coming.

Now.....can Tampa Bay beat New Jersey? Again, I have to say that it will come down to whether Khabibulin plays to his potential. He faltered around mid-season this year but then seems to have returned to form as of late. They also have Grahame, an excellent backup goaltender that could perhaps relieve Khabibulin if he begins to go cold. (A la our Irbe/Weeks switcheroo against New Jersey) New Jersey's defense is top-notch but if Khabibulin can stay on his toes I think he should be able to keep Tampa Bay in the series. Should be a good one though.

So, my pick for the Eastern Conference Final matchup is Ottawa (a favorite all season-long) and Tampa Bay. (surprising everyone this year) This all hinges on whether or not Tampa's able to hold on to the Southeast Division title. Should Washington overtake them before season's end, home-ice advantage could mean the difference in the first round.

But my pick to win it is Ottawa. Ottawa vs. Vancouver Stanley Cup Final.

I'm eager to hear everyone else's predictions. I know it's a bit early as the playoff seedings have still not been completely finalized but I don't things will shift around too much before the end of the season except for the Southeast Division title possibly changing hands back and forth a few times.

[folgersnyourcup]

So what teams do you think are going to be playing for the Canes' title? I know many people have picked Ottawa to come out of the East but who do you think will be their opponent in the conference finals? As heartbreaking as it is (for those of us who dislike the Bolts and Capitals due to friendly Southeast Division competition) it appears completely unavoidable giving the current first round matchup (Bolts vs. Capitals) that one of these two teams will progress to the second round. I think that match will come down to which goalie's hot for the series. I'm looking for the Bolts to move on though.... I'm also expecting Ottawa, New Jersey, and Toronto to win their first round matchups.

So then I'm assuming that happens the second round matchups would look like this:

New Jersey/Tampa Bay
Ottawa/Toronto

I think the Ottawa/Toronto matchup's the one that eveyone's waiting to see... These two teams certainly have a history come playoff time particularly during last year's thrilling 7 game series. The Leafs never won an away game during that series but won all 4 of their home games. This could be the year that Ottawa finally defeats Toronto in a playoff series. They've got home-ice advantage and it's been a long time coming.

Now.....can Tampa Bay beat New Jersey? Again, I have to say that it will come down to whether Khabibulin plays to his potential. He faltered around mid-season this year but then seems to have returned to form as of late. They also have Grahame, an excellent backup goaltender that could perhaps relieve Khabibulin if he begins to go cold. (A la our Irbe/Weeks switcheroo against New Jersey) New Jersey's defense is top-notch but if Khabibulin can stay on his toes I think he should be able to keep Tampa Bay in the series. Should be a good one though.

So, my pick for the Eastern Conference Final matchup is Ottawa (a favorite all season-long) and Tampa Bay. (surprising everyone this year) This all hinges on whether or not Tampa's able to hold on to the Southeast Division title. Should Washington overtake them before season's end, home-ice advantage could mean the difference in the first round.

But my pick to win it is Ottawa. Ottawa vs. Vancouver Stanley Cup Final.

I'm eager to hear everyone else's predictions. I know it's a bit early as the playoff seedings have still not been completely finalized but I don't things will shift around too much before the end of the season except for the Southeast Division title possibly changing hands back and forth a few times.

[folgersnyourcup]

So what teams do you think are going to be playing for the Canes' title? I know many people have picked Ottawa to come out of the East but who do you think will be their opponent in the conference finals? As heartbreaking as it is (for those of us who dislike the Bolts and Capitals due to friendly Southeast Division competition) it appears completely unavoidable giving the current first round matchup (Bolts vs. Capitals) that one of these two teams will progress to the second round. I think that match will come down to which goalie's hot for the series. I'm looking for the Bolts to move on though.... I'm also expecting Ottawa, New Jersey, and Toronto to win their first round matchups.

So then I'm assuming that happens the second round matchups would look like this:

New Jersey/Tampa Bay
Ottawa/Toronto

I think the Ottawa/Toronto matchup's the one that eveyone's waiting to see... These two teams certainly have a history come playoff time particularly during last year's thrilling 7 game series. The Leafs never won an away game during that series but won all 4 of their home games. This could be the year that Ottawa finally defeats Toronto in a playoff series. They've got home-ice advantage and it's been a long time coming.

Now.....can Tampa Bay beat New Jersey? Again, I have to say that it will come down to whether Khabibulin plays to his potential. He faltered around mid-season this year but then seems to have returned to form as of late. They also have Grahame, an excellent backup goaltender that could perhaps relieve Khabibulin if he begins to go cold. (A la our Irbe/Weeks switcheroo against New Jersey) New Jersey's defense is top-notch but if Khabibulin can stay on his toes I think he should be able to keep Tampa Bay in the series. Should be a good one though.

So, my pick for the Eastern Conference Final matchup is Ottawa (a favorite all season-long) and Tampa Bay. (surprising everyone this year) This all hinges on whether or not Tampa's able to hold on to the Southeast Division title. Should Washington overtake them before season's end, home-ice advantage could mean the difference in the first round.

But my pick to win it is Ottawa. Ottawa vs. Vancouver Stanley Cup Final.

I'm eager to hear everyone else's predictions. I know it's a bit early as the playoff seedings have still not been completely finalized but I don't things will shift around too much before the end of the season except for the Southeast Division title possibly changing hands back and forth a few times.

[Stormbringer]

Agree with Ottawa/Vancouver...if there's anything I'd love to see in the Stanley Cup Final with the Canes out of contention, it's an all Canadian final. With that said, my pick to win it all is also Ottawa.

[Stormbringer]

Agree with Ottawa/Vancouver...if there's anything I'd love to see in the Stanley Cup Final with the Canes out of contention, it's an all Canadian final. With that said, my pick to win it all is also Ottawa.

[Stormbringer]

Agree with Ottawa/Vancouver...if there's anything I'd love to see in the Stanley Cup Final with the Canes out of contention, it's an all Canadian final. With that said, my pick to win it all is also Ottawa.

[tommy]

I am not choosing Ottawa to win the East, simply because they have definitely flopped before.

I think New Jersey or Toronto will win the east, maybe Philly will have a chance.

And from the West, I honestly think that Detroit is going to take it again, although Dallas, Vancouver or maybe even St. Louis could "surprise".

[tommy]

I am not choosing Ottawa to win the East, simply because they have definitely flopped before.

I think New Jersey or Toronto will win the east, maybe Philly will have a chance.

And from the West, I honestly think that Detroit is going to take it again, although Dallas, Vancouver or maybe even St. Louis could "surprise".

[tommy]

I am not choosing Ottawa to win the East, simply because they have definitely flopped before.

I think New Jersey or Toronto will win the east, maybe Philly will have a chance.

And from the West, I honestly think that Detroit is going to take it again, although Dallas, Vancouver or maybe even St. Louis could "surprise".

[LETS GO CANES]

:sad: Dallas and Toronto are my picks.

I'll be pulling for Ottawa or Tampa Bay and Vancouver though.

[LETS GO CANES]

:sad: Dallas and Toronto are my picks.

I'll be pulling for Ottawa or Tampa Bay and Vancouver though.

[LETS GO CANES]

:sad: Dallas and Toronto are my picks.

I'll be pulling for Ottawa or Tampa Bay and Vancouver though.

[MoBigRed]

Ottawa over Tampa Bay in the East... Colorado over Vancouver in the West... Followed by a great Finals series that could go either way.

[MoBigRed]

Ottawa over Tampa Bay in the East... Colorado over Vancouver in the West... Followed by a great Finals series that could go either way.

[MoBigRed]

Ottawa over Tampa Bay in the East... Colorado over Vancouver in the West... Followed by a great Finals series that could go either way.

[raleighcanesfan]

Just a feeling...

Philly vs. Colorado
Sami vs. Bates

[raleighcanesfan]

Just a feeling...

Philly vs. Colorado
Sami vs. Bates

[raleighcanesfan]

Just a feeling...

Philly vs. Colorado
Sami vs. Bates

[Alicia]

Just a feeling...

Philly vs. Colorado
Sami vs. Bates

heh heh

[Alicia]

Just a feeling...

Philly vs. Colorado
Sami vs. Bates

heh heh

[Alicia]

Just a feeling...

Philly vs. Colorado
Sami vs. Bates

heh heh

[StormShaman]

Toronto vs. Vancouver

Wes vs. Harry

[StormShaman]

Toronto vs. Vancouver

Wes vs. Harry

[StormShaman]

Toronto vs. Vancouver

Wes vs. Harry

[CaniacPanther]

I think it's Ottawa and Jersey in the East. As long as the Wings don't repeat with the Cup, I'm happy. :spin:

Actually, I hope that it's a team from the East that wins it all this year so all the sportswriters will shut up about what a "weak" conference the East is.

[CaniacPanther]

I think it's Ottawa and Jersey in the East. As long as the Wings don't repeat with the Cup, I'm happy. :spin:

Actually, I hope that it's a team from the East that wins it all this year so all the sportswriters will shut up about what a "weak" conference the East is.

[CaniacPanther]

I think it's Ottawa and Jersey in the East. As long as the Wings don't repeat with the Cup, I'm happy. :spin:

Actually, I hope that it's a team from the East that wins it all this year so all the sportswriters will shut up about what a "weak" conference the East is.