OK, gentlemen, sharpen your #2 pencils - the Official Hockeybuzz NHL 2022 Playoffs Prediction Thread is live:

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...post_id=22264783#22264783

This is not Leaf-focused, so please feel free to invite everyone.
- Atomic Wedgie

Thanks for setting that up, let me know if and when you’d like it locked

I heavily troll on the prediction threads, it's part of why I love them so much. My actual opinions are more balanced.

- Scabeh

Always lots of fun.

- Scabeh

Mine always bust 1st round because I always have the leafs going for cup finals.

simmonds is very hard to fight, hes strong for his size and lanky , long reach....

clifford would have no chance
- CarlitoBrigante

Yeah, apparently around the league simmonds is known to be a very tough fight because of what you just said.

I could be in the minority but I think Washington can beat Florida
- PatC80

I'm of the same mindset. Florida blew their load, trying to win the President's Trophy. They never had a meaningful slump and usually that means that it happens in the playoffs, when the checking gets tougher and the physical play is amplified. Washington still has their core players from their Cup run, 4 years ago.

The Leafs have exactly one guy who can fight - Simmonds - and he's not a good fighter, he's under-sized, and I sincerely hope he doesn't dress, because his skills are gone.

Other than that, I love your plan.

At least the bit about the huge lead.
- Atomic Wedgie

Clifford can fight.

Question for y'all, say I wanted to pay for a streaming package to watch the leafs games, is there one that doesn't black games out in the toronto region?
- TheMussel

Or you could go to onhockey.tv and watch for free.

Clifford can fight.
- mjones242

If Clifford is in the lineup, we are in trouble.

If Clifford is in the lineup, we are in trouble.
- Atomic Wedgie

Because he can't keep up with Pat Maroon?

Because he can't keep up with Pat Maroon?
- Scabeh

I hope Rat Faloon doesn't get the fourpeat

i should have gone with Fat Balloon

Italy absolutely schooled England in the European cup final. Their coach and media made it very well known that England were a bunch of divers, and that FIFA better watch England's diving. They then proceeded to foul the poop out of England to stop the run of play. Italy were very careful with the way they did it and players without yellow cards were the ones who committed the fouls. I think they led 7-0 in yellows at one point. With the theatrics from the Italian bench and the passion from their players they got away with a lot of crap and won.

This series is a similar situation. Our media and management staff need to highlight all the dirty poop that Tampa do. Make claims that the NHL don't have the balls to deal with it. Then send in Bunting to be an absolute pain in the ass.

I hope Rat Faloon doesn't get the fourpeat

i should have gone with Fat Balloon
- AdamFrench

Definetely.

I'm of the same mindset. Florida blew their load, trying to win the President's Trophy. They never had a meaningful slump and usually that means that it happens in the playoffs, when the checking gets tougher and the physical play is amplified. Washington still has their core players from their Cup run, 4 years ago.
- PrinceLH

That's my lone upset in the prediction thread. I could see L.A beating the Oilers if Quick can play like he used to play.. I still wouldn't trust Koskinen or Smith

Thanks for setting that up, let me know if and when you’d like it locked
- Dozzer

You are a Leaf fan.

If Clifford is in the lineup, we are in trouble.
- Atomic Wedgie

As long as Keefe controls last change, investing in hits on Tampa D might be useful. I don’t see the fourth getting a lot of time.

Bunting back means Kase is back there IMO

Italy absolutely schooled England in the European cup final. Their coach and media made it very well known that England were a bunch of divers, and that FIFA better watch England's diving. They then proceeded to foul the poop out of England to stop the run of play. Italy were very careful with the way they did it and players without yellow cards were the ones who committed the fouls. I think they led 7-0 in yellows at one point. With the theatrics from the Italian bench and the passion from their players they got away with a lot of crap and won.

This series is a similar situation. Our media and management staff need to highlight all the dirty poop that Tampa do. Make claims that the NHL don't have the balls to deal with it. Then send in Bunting to be an absolute pain in the ass.
- Drapz

I am ok with that.... Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup, but that's a story for another day.

Italy absolutely schooled England in the European cup final. Their coach and media made it very well known that England were a bunch of divers, and that FIFA better watch England's diving. They then proceeded to foul the poop out of England to stop the run of play. Italy were very careful with the way they did it and players without yellow cards were the ones who committed the fouls. I think they led 7-0 in yellows at one point. With the theatrics from the Italian bench and the passion from their players they got away with a lot of crap and won.

This series is a similar situation. Our media and management staff need to highlight all the dirty poop that Tampa do. Make claims that the NHL don't have the balls to deal with it. Then send in Bunting to be an absolute pain in the ass.
- Drapz

Yes, this could absolutely be the series where the NHL gets serious.

Or not.

Yes, this could absolutely be the series where the NHL gets serious.

Or not.
- Canada Cup

They asked a fun question on the morning drive hockey talk. With this being the most inexperienced group of refs to ever ref the playoffs...will this mean more or less calls?

They asked a fun question on the morning drive hockey talk. With this being the most inexperienced group of refs to ever ref the playoffs...will this mean more or less calls?
- AdamFrench

I think lots of games getting out of hand in general, first round is a fiasco and subsequent rounds get better.

I'm of the same mindset. Florida blew their load, trying to win the President's Trophy. They never had a meaningful slump and usually that means that it happens in the playoffs, when the checking gets tougher and the physical play is amplified. Washington still has their core players from their Cup run, 4 years ago.
- PrinceLH

I actually thought if Pitt faced them they would beat them, WSH is not very good so I don’t like their chances.

I’d go as far as saying Washington is the worst team in the playoffs, and they don’t have the goaltending to make up for it.

It would take a lot of luck, which we have seen before

I think lots of games getting out of hand in general, first round is a fiasco and subsequent rounds get better.
- TheMussel

I figured they were trying to indirectly ask if this will be the old school "boyz will be boyz" or if these new refs will panic and call it like normal.

That's my lone upset in the prediction thread. I could see L.A beating the Oilers if Quick can play like he used to play.. I still wouldn't trust Koskinen or Smith
- PatC80

LA's big issue, is no Drew Doughty.

LA's big issue, is no Drew Doughty.
- PrinceLH

This.

Even if Danault has had amazing success covering McDavid in the past. It won't be enough.

I figured they were trying to indirectly ask if this will be the old school "boyz will be boyz" or if these new refs will panic and call it like normal.
- AdamFrench

i'd figure boyz will be boyz, new refs will still have called other big games in lower level leagues

I actually thought if Pitt faced them they would beat them, WSH is not very good so I don’t like their chances.

I’d go as far as saying Washington is the worst team in the playoffs, and they don’t have the goaltending to make up for it.

It would take a lot of luck, which we have seen before
- Santo_44

Pittsburgh is just good enough to be a playoff team with Crosby, Malkin and Letang. They haven't won a round in over 5 years and are living on past glory. Next year, with this core, they don't make the playoffs. It would have happened this year, if the Islanders hadn't imploded.