1 play to end the regular season

[ND2002HORNS]

YTD 126-82

NYI will do everything they can today to lose to Philly. If NYI wins today they play the Leafs in the first round, if they lose they play Carolina. NYI has not dressed Yashin for the last 4 games and I look for that again today, as well look for a few so called injuries to key players to make sure they end up with the first round match up they want. Sure these guys are pros but the bottom line is they stand a far better chance of advancing to the second round if they play Carolina.

Playing:

Philly -.5(-165)

GL today!

HORNS

 

[Sam]

EXACTLY

 

[prestidig]

I am following you guys.

Flyers -155 $$$

 

[ND2002HORNS]

Absolutely STUNNED!

Still don't understand NYI. Did the Islanders not remember how Yashin pulled his disappearing act last year against the Leafs? Leafs in 5. NYI screwed themselves.

0-1 YTD 126-83

HORNS

 

[TCSN]

I disagree, I like the Islanders to win this series.

 

[Nick Douglas]

I like the Isles in this series as well. Carolina is going to be a bear. I would take their top two scoring lines and match them with anyone in the east. If I am the Isles I would much rather face Toronto and get the higher seed to hope for home ice in a later round.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

I guess we all disagree. Bottom line is 2 lines don't win you a series and the Leafs roll 4 lines better than most teams in the league. Carolina has a banged up D going into the playoffs and defence wins in the playoffs. NJ & Toronto are playing the best hockey of anyone in the East going into the playoffs. As for Montreal they have been playing the last month and a half is if each game is a playoff game which means they won't have much left in the tank. Boston will be all over a weak Montreal defense.
Boston, Philly, Tor. & NJ should be moving on to the second round. Even though NJ does not have home ice it won't matter. It is a crying shame that NJ ends up with more points than Car. and the 'Canes get home ice. This 1,2,3 seed rule has to change. You are rewarding failure rather than rewarding success.

Should be a great playoff ride.

HORNS

 

[TCSN]

I love these discussions

I think Toronto as usual will depend on Cujo too much as somehow when it comes to crunch time, some of their better players drop off the radar screen. Of all the teams in the East, the Devils & Canadiens have played the best. The way Theodore is playing, I don't know who will stop him. I feel if they give him atleast a 2 goal lead in any game, he'll shut the door.

As far as the reward system goes, I think Carolina has earned the seed even if they haven't played the best hockey throughout. They did do the one thing the other teams couldn't do in their division & that was win the division so they deserve the seed they get even if it just proves how inferior that division is within the conference & you can go as far as say the league.

 

[ND2002HORNS]

I guess the problem is how will montreal get a 2 goal lead with no depth after their second centre. They don't match up well with Boston at all. Their defense is average at best. Like I mentioned earlier, every year a team plays the last month or more in playoff mode and then when they get to the dance they have nothing in the tank. If the Bruins win the first 2 at home it will be a short series. As for Carolina, you stick anybody in a division with an expansion team and 2 other Florida based teams that are not even average and you should win your division since you play them 5 times as everyone does within their division.
As for Toronto I am not a Leafs fan but I love their balance. They have not had to rely on a CuJo for the last 6 weeks. It has been a team effort and they will benefit from it. The Isles will only have 1 scoring line going since Yashin will pack his bags early as he always does. Toronto has a 4th line that would be a great 3rd line on most teams. The Leafs D is maybe there weakness but with NYI giving Aucoin, Jonsson & Hamrlik more than 30 minutes of ice each game all year how will the other 3 D for NYI respond. The Leafs forwards will eat up NYI's D and go hard on the forecheck as they are so great at doing.

HORNS

 

[TCSN]

This upcoming NY-Toronto series will be very exciting & I believe if Yashin is 100%, he won't do another pack his bags act.

As far as Boston goes, I love their goaltending with Dafoe but I was not impressed at how they ended their season the last few games as they just didn't look sharp & I know some might say they were coasting since they were in but they still had alot to play for & just didn't show much to me. I don't think it is good to go in coasting as you can't just flick a switch & turn it on again.

I know Boston will be tough on Montreal but I wouldn't be surprised if Theordore steals this series for the Canadiens.

 

[prospector]

NJ
Ottawa
Boston
Toronto

Ottawa is too happy to be out of the fanfare and critics pressure. The best thing for them is to open the series on the road. They will meld, finally. Besides, for Philly, four victories in their past 15 games is not the way to build momentum heading into the postseason.

NJ is on a roll.

Boston is on a mission. (i'll shut my yapper here because i'm a bit biased)

The Isles don't have enough depth. And their goals against average versus a scoring team like the leafs doesn't bode well.

-----

Detriot
LA
Vancouver
Chicago

 

[ND2002HORNS]

prospector,

I would love nothing more than Ott. winning the series against Philly. One thing for sure is they won't go out quietly this year. Expect a 6 or 7 game series. Neilson said after the Leafs loss last night that they can do some things against Philly and be quite successful. Ott. was 2-1-1 in the reg. season against them. As for NJ, they are 11-3 since the trade deadline and will continue to roll. I agree with you about NYI not having enough to beat the Leafs & Bos. winning as well.

HORNS

 

[TCSN]

Horns:

I love the Sens chances of winning. I feel we'll get a favorable series price considering the public will be betting against them on past performances & seeing how Philly is loaded & going in was one of the favorites to win the Cup. I smell a nice juicy series price & see Ottawa in 4-6 games.

 

[prospector]

and Ottawa is the 5th highest scoring team in the league. second to the Leafs in the East. that can do some damage against a team having a hard time finding goals right now.

it will be a good year for the playoffs.

i don't think Pho. is planning to go down quietly either. they fought their asses off to get here and i don't think for a second they intend to roll over now.

considering how the West turned out after today, i might adjust my thinking to:

Vancouver
LA
Chicago
Phoenix

there are going to be some ugly upsets in the west. Hasek better be on his game, Vancouver can score as well as Detriot, goal for goal. it comes down to defense and goaltending in this series. I'm taking the younger legs.

LA is just angry. i'm saying mean with a winning passion.

Chicago is the better team. they just have to realize it.

Phoenix wants to make a statement ... from Wayne .. it's about the game and NOT about the money.

 

[Dick McStiffen]

Toronto/Islanders

Yashin will not be a factor (Shayne Corson) one ugly SOB to play against in the playoffs.

Aucoin,Jonsson,Hamrlik all in for a beating, Toronto forwards go hard on the forecheck and love to hit and when you play the shit out of three guys they will wear down. Watch Roberts, Tucker, Corson, Domi, Belak and Valk wear them out.

Goaltending -- big edge to Toronto, Chris Osgood always gives up bad goals in the playoffs.

Islanders have one big plus Mike Peca and that is it. I think Sundin will bear down against him as he has changed his approach since the last time they went head to head.

Leafs in six.