Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

[MSP4LYFE]

Thanks to Kyle and Mike's no shows this week, the playoff match-ups are as good as set. Make your predictions as to whom you think will win, and why below.

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8)
Toronto (1) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6)
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5)

[MSP4LYFE]

Kareem's Fearless Forecast:

Washington v. Pittsburgh -- Washington: The caps have a more balanced team with superior goaltending. The injury to Nicklas Lidstrom doesn't help matters either.
Toronto v. Buffalo -- Toronto: The Sabres are the weakest team in the Eastern Conference playoffs, Toronto is in a different class and should win rather easily.
New Jersey v. Ottawa -- New Jersey: This matchup is a coin flip, the edge goes to NJ because of gp and proven playoff pedigree.
Boston v. Tampa Bay -- Tampa Bay: This is another even matchup, but ultimately the injuries to: Callahan and Couture will prevent Boston from advancing.

[Nick]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8) - Hot team, good team too.
Toronto (1) v. Buffalo (7) - Injuries hurt, but not enough to cover this gap
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6) - Better team should win, but...not much actual gap I think hot players in scoring race matter.
Tampa Bay (4) v. Boston (5) - Injuries finally seem to be leaving me alone, and actually landed on Kyle, but an over-cast feeling hangs over the week. DET and BOS faltering for the first time all year (impacts goalies).

[Scott]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8) - Goaltending..
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7) - Just the better team.. even without Letang
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6) - Better periph team
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5) - Nick's first playoff win?

[Mash]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8) --
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7) -- be fun to watch the biggest upset in the BBKL playoffs
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6)
Tampa (4) v. Boston (5)

Washington (1) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Boston (5)

Washington (1) v. New Jersey (3) -- doesnt know how to lose.

[Scott]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8)
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6)
Tampa (4) v. Boston (5)

Washington (1) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Boston (5)

Washington (1) v. New Jersey (3)

Have I told you I loved you lately <3

[MSP4LYFE]

Honestly Scott, and I'm not just saying this to boost your ego, but you and Steve are the only two teams that scare me in these playoffs. Thankfully, I won't have to face either of you two until the final two rounds, if you make it that far (hopefully someone else knocks you two off before then).

[Mash]

Kareem, I really like your team and your chances...it's just hard to bet against the guy that has never lost a playoff match lol.

[Scott]

Honestly Scott, and I'm not just saying this to boost your ego, but you and Steve are the only two teams that scare me in these playoffs. Thankfully, I won't have to face either of you two until the final two rounds, if you make it that far (hopefully someone else knocks you two off before then).

Ditto with your team and Steves. But Nick, Mike, and Billy all have great teams as well imo.

[MSP4LYFE]

Kareem, I really like your team and your chances...it's just hard to bet against the guy that has never lost a playoff match lol.

I hold no ill will. Besides, I intend on winning regardless of what anyone predicts.

[Robin Hood]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8)
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6)
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5)

[Chris]

Good luck boys! I picked up OTT and BUF 1st rounders for a reason. I had a feelin'.

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8)
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6)
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5)

[Tony]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8) -- will be close, but Rinne's numbers should edge Brodeur
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7) -- even if he has to go Toews-less, I still see Mike pulling this out
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6) -- don't trust Scott's goaltending and Billy's team is scary
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5) -- Nick's team is fantastic on paper, but inconsistantcies continue - Kyle's deadline moves pay off

Washington (1) v. Ottawa (6) -- may be Kareem's year
Toronto (2) v. Boston (4) -- upset? nah ... Kyle always flies under the radar somehow

Washington (1) v. Boston (4) -- some may disagree, but this is a matter of Kyle's players getting hot at the right time - assuming Callahan plays, players ike Iginla and Getzlaf heat up as their teams make a playoff push


Flame on, Kareem ...

[MSP4LYFE]

Flame on, Kareem ...

Don't need too, score speaks for itself this week.

[Tony]

Flame on, Kareem ...

Don't need too, score speaks for itself this week.

Other than points and special team points it's pretty close. Didn't say he would blow you out or anything ...

[MSP4LYFE]

Flame on, Kareem ...

Don't need too, score speaks for itself this week.

Other than points and special team points it's pretty close. Didn't say he would blow you out or anything ...

FOW, HITS, +/-, Assists and S% aren't really close, conversely the two stats Kyle leads in (BS and GWG) are by two or less, further consider that I am winning or in the hunt for every single stat category and the match-up isn't close.

P.S. After today the GP will be separated by one or two games, so injuries aren't an excuse either.

[anton]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8) - my upset pick
Toronto (2) v. Buffalo (7) - even without toews, mike's team is just too deep
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6) - most intriguing matchup in my opinion, could go either way
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5) - real life bruins slow down, so do the bbkl bruins

[Arian The Insider]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8)
Toronto (1) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6) random pick. luckier team probably wins.
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5)

[bma]

Washington (1) v. Pittsburgh (8)
Toronto (1) v. Buffalo (7)
New Jersey (3) v. Ottawa (6) random pick. luckier team probably wins.
Boston (4) v. Tampa Bay (5)

+1

[bills09]

all of you are dead to me except Nick Tony and Arian.