I agree, but jeez I hope they don't. As an L.A. native and prior Kings fan my head might pop if it's a Preds v Kings WCF. One team or the other, please, preferably the Preds.

Besides, the Kings would be a much tougher series for the Preds. They have a better shot against the Blues IMHO.
- figurefive

I want that match-up. It's my dream match-up. That way, no matter who wins I have a vested interest in seeing the WCF winner lift the Stanley Cup.

I know the Kings have owned us for the last three years, but I get the feeling things would be different in the finals. The last time we played them we were still trying to mesh from the trade-deadline acquisitions and we still didn't have Radulov. The Preds have also shown that they know how to solve Quick. The only question would be whether or not Sutter has the guts to replace Quick with Bernier in the Kings most important series since '93.

D

Ought to be a very interesting series. The Hawks played on their heels last night & for a lot of the series. Not sure Phoenix will be able to do the same to the Preds - since nashville is so deep with their forward lines.

Smith is a big goalie, like Rinne & the Preds have had their share of trouble against him (seems like even back when he was in Dallas). Probably another one of those series where the first team to 2-3 goals probably wins most games.

Not looking forward to the late nights, but I've got a full supply of coffee & my gold Jersey. Hope the first home game is Tues/Wed & then we get a Friday homer. That worked well for us last week with the Friday home game!
- holycow_75

rum, left handed cigs, and your gold jersey

Poile nominated for GM of the Year again.

Preds fans need to learn this name: Oliver Ekmann-Larson. We will be seeing The kid can really play.

Preds fans need to learn this name: Oliver Ekmann-Larson. We will be seeing The kid can really play.
- tornbtween2team

I think the secret is already out. The Kid has skill.

Preds fans need to learn this name: Oliver Ekmann-Larson. We will be seeing The kid can really play.
- tornbtween2team

Our number one defenceman already His evolution this year has been great to watch.

Hard for me to hate the Yotes. Obviously I want the preds to win but should we lose, I will be rooting for you guys the rest of the way.

I like our chances due to depth and rinne.

I also think LA beats St. louis

I agree, but jeez I hope they don't. As an L.A. native and prior Kings fan my head might pop if it's a Preds v Kings WCF. One team or the other, please, preferably the Preds.

Besides, the Kings would be a much tougher series for the Preds. They have a better shot against the Blues IMHO.

First things first, though. Gotta get by the Coyotes which will be no small feat given Smith's play right now.
- figurefive

I agree - think the Kings would be a tough matchup for the Preds. And if we do end up meeting them, that means they would have taken out the 1st and 2nd seeded teams to get there.

Also yes, no looking past the Yotes. Hoping for a good series.

Preds should have this series, but I think it's going to be long and drawn out and in no way should they let up on the yotes.
Some say this is going to be a boring series, but I disagree. I think for people that enjoy great goaltending and the finer points of the game, it will be exciting. I don't expect to see lots of scoring or fighting, but you never know....

Preds in 6. Erat with the series winner.

AARGGGH! I'm considering going to phoenix for game one...BUT NEED A SCHEDULE! When the hell does the schedule come out!?! Please help!

Anybody thinking this series will be boring either hates hockey, is a little sore, or has certain ulterior motives (belittleling the teams). I watched all the Phx/Chi and they were great games with lots of action and heartstopping moments (especially game 6), saw some of the Nsh/Det and it was also balls to the walls.

Can't wait.
- AdamFrench

It will low scoring and a controlled tempo series, waiting for someone to make a mistake. The Yotes beat the Hawks the same the Preds beat the Wings. I give the edge to the Preds in this series due to fact the preds are rested and focused. I get a feeling that this bunch is calm, cool, and collected, ready for the next opponet!

I heard on the radio this morning that series is caled Dogs vs. Cats.

AARGGGH! I'm considering going to phoenix for game one...BUT NEED A SCHEDULE! When the hell does the schedule come out!?! Please help!
- wings-suck

Schedule should be out this afternoon.

Go Preds, I need you to go to the Finals for my pool...Go, Preds.

Schedule should be out this afternoon.
- slash&smash

I wouldn't be so sure. They have the tv schedule to consider and you know they want to give the Bruins and Rangers the best shot at those NBC timeslots. I wouldn't be surprised to see them wait until both of those series are over.

It will low scoring and a controlled tempo series, waiting for someone to make a mistake. The Yotes beat the Hawks the same the Preds beat the Wings. I give the edge to the Preds in this series due to fact the preds are rested and focused. I get a feeling that this bunch is calm, cool, and collected, ready for the next opponet!

I heard on the radio this morning that series is caled Dogs vs. Cats.
- slash&smash

That would be a deviation from how these teams played each other during the regular season. There were 24 goals scored between the two teams in four games this season. That's a pretty high number for two defense oriented teams.

Very happy for the Yotes! And, incredibly happy that there will be no trolling here. At least not by any individuals with vested (by vested, I mean fans' whose teams remain the playoffs) interests in this series. Should be fun. But, as many have pointed, I do, very much, hope you lose.

As one poster put it, if you're a fan of hockey you won't find anything boring. If you're a fan of your own team then maybe you will. When I see posts from people who say they find low scoring games boring all I can think is that they have no concept of any part of a hockey game other than the puck being in the back of the net.

I was defending the Blues on one of Ek's blogs by saying that I find plays where there's an excellent scoring chance that's been denied by a great defensive play or a goaltender standing on their head every bit as exciting as a goal. (i.e. the Kleinhawk save)

One of the most exciting games I'd ever seen was a game between the Blues, back in the Pronger days, and Red Wings. It was fast-paced, up and down the ice action. I was on the edge of my seat the whole game. I didn't have a dog in the fight and I still thought the game was awesome. It went into overtime tied 0-0.

D
- Predaceous

To that point, I honestly don't get how people are calling the playoffs now a 'disaster'. If you are a hockey fan, you love this time of year. The Yotes/Hawks series was a very low-scoring affair, but as a hockey fan I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see who blinked first. It made for compelling drama.

The same drama was there in the Pens/Flyers series, just to the point where who would finally be able to stop the other from scoring. Great to watch as well.

This is playoff hockey. Players are giving everything they have out there and have to go through several good teams to reach the top. Who cares if it is the Coyotes or the Rangers? I think if you love the sport you don't worry about the off-ice stuff and just enjoy these games whether they are 1-0 nailbiters or 6-5 shootouts.

But if you are choosing to turn off the TV this time of year then it is truly your loss.

Hmm, so this is what a civil hockey thread looks like!

To that point, I honestly don't get how people are calling the playoffs now a 'disaster'. If you are a hockey fan, you love this time of year. The Yotes/Hawks series was a very low-scoring affair, but as a hockey fan I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see who blinked first. It made for compelling drama.

The same drama was there in the Pens/Flyers series, just to the point where who would finally be able to stop the other from scoring. Great to watch as well.

This is playoff hockey. Players are giving everything they have out there and have to go through several good teams to reach the top. Who cares if it is the Coyotes or the Rangers? I think if you love the sport you don't worry about the off-ice stuff and just enjoy these games whether they are 1-0 nailbiters or 6-5 shootouts.

But if you are choosing to turn off the TV this time of year then it is truly your loss.
- Predville

I actually stopped watching Pens/Flyers because it started to become a joke. I personally never want to see another series like that one. I don't enjoy teams scoring 8 and 10 goals in a game, but that's just me.

I actually stopped watching Pens/Flyers because it started to become a joke. I personally never want to see another series like that one. I don't enjoy teams scoring 8 and 10 goals in a game, but that's just me.
- Predaceous

I didn't mind it because it set up the storyline 'Was that the game that turns it around for Pit' or 'How will Philly respond after such an onslaught of goals'. I was interested in the next game to see how each team responded given the fact that beatdown came in the playoffs.

That's just me.

PHX in 6.

PHX in 6.
- Ersberg

St Louis in 4

I don't know if I'd agree with that assessment, re: the Hawks on their heels. If anything, looking at the shot totals, the Hawks brought lots of offense, but was it effective offense? I'd say not. Lots of shots from the point, without bodies in front of the net. Phoenix was content to push the puck handlers to the outside, effectively playing a zone, content to let Smith field rather harmless shots from far out. Smith was really good, and made some fantastic saves. Depth wasn't the issue as much as the Hawks didn't play playoff hockey, which in my definition is getting bodies and pucks on the net, not just cross crease passes, and shots from the point.

Preds have a real shot to win it all, especially with a stud in net.
- howiehandles

Fair Enough, however, the problem is NSH usually has problems getting players to plant their butts infront of the net, except for #27.. They will do it, but not nearly as much as they need to..

St Louis in 4
- bigpredfan

Kings in Six

Nashville in Six.

Kings/Preds WCF

Preds in Seven

Very happy for the Yotes! And, incredibly happy that there will be no trolling here. At least not by any individuals with vested (by vested, I mean fans' whose teams remain the playoffs) interests in this series. Should be fun. But, as many have pointed, I do, very much, hope you lose.
- jmayfield

Preds/Yotes series. I predict lowest tv rated playoff series. Just b/c NSH is not the biggest market, and well Yotes.. I'm not sure many ppl are watching them period.

Just a thought, I wonder how the attendance at the Brdige will be affected? Just a thought I still predict a sell outs.

I think the Kings, Blues series will be a low scoring affair, with the Kings coming out on top.