Paul McCann: Finally... an opponent.

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!

The Bettman bowl!

The Bettman bowl!
- powerenforcer

I didn't know bitter trolls got up this early in the morning. Huh.

A grantland.com writer was recently here - and of course loved the city and the hockey fans here once she actually got to see it in person:

http://www.grantland.com/...st-weekend-playoff-hockey

My favorite quote from the article: "Here [in Nashville] are two things that are wonderful, in no particular order: (1) live music, and (2) hockey."

Preds in 5, Rinne will at least be equal to Smith, if not better, and the Preds have a much deeper team.

Balsillie Bowl it is

Haven't heard much from old RIM Jim lately.

Good luck guys, should be a good series, regardless of what the "experts" say.

Preds in 5. I can see Smith stealing game 3, but that's probably about it.

Balsillie Bowl it is

Haven't heard much from old RIM Jim lately.

Good luck guys, should be a good series, regardless of what the "experts" say.
- Desert_Dog

Best of luck to you as well...So glad to see y'all win your first playoff series as the Coyotes. Beating Chicago at the Madhouse is even better when it's three times.

Preds in 5 or 6. Congrats Dogs on winning your 1st series, but it's our year this year!

Anyone find it ironic that the 4 teams left in the West don't have any superstar forwards (a few minor exceptions ), really solid goal tending, and good coaches. It kinda seems this is the formula for success in the NHL now.

Ratings are going to be through the roof in the Western Conference.

" I know the Hossa injury was big… but it is hard to look at Chicago’s loss to Phoenix as anything less than an epic fail on the part of their big guns… and of the management for not securing a solid goaltender."


Amen to that.

As much as the quoted their own SC experience, they failed to win at playoff hockey. Getting a body in front of the goalie, pucks on net, and throwing bodies after the shots.

I'm sure the spin from management will be that everything will be ok. The problem starts with McDonaugh, but he has Rocky fooled.

Expecting Preds in 5, but I hope all four semis go 7 games. Can't get enough playoff hockey.

Balsillie Bowl it is

Haven't heard much from old RIM Jim lately.

Good luck guys, should be a good series, regardless of what the "experts" say.
- Desert_Dog

You must have missed that part where he was fired by RIM.

i think you guys should have no problem beating yotes . now next round, blues and kings are both tough. makes me very pissed that the east is so weak. if my sabres just got in who knows what could have happened. you guys are my pick for the cup.

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

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.

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

I'd prefer we get back to Saturday night games ... doesn't matter on the draw ... Bridgestone Arena will be full. That is more like the regular season schedule of Tu/Th/Sat which most STHs are used to ...

Not to mention Friday night is a tough one for my schedule personally ...

both the west series will be great. but just as i predicted it will be stl and nsh in the west final. i think its nsh year this yr.

both will be over in 6.

both the west series will be great. but just as i predicted it will be stl and nsh in the west final. i think its nsh year this yr.

both will be over in 6.
- boltsfan48

Nashville/St. Louis confr. final would be sweet, IMO

The Bettman bowl!
- powerenforcer

You mad bro???

both the west series will be great. but just as i predicted it will be stl and nsh in the west final. i think its nsh year this yr.

both will be over in 6.
- boltsfan48

I think the Kings will beat the Blues.

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.

Balsillie Bowl it is

Haven't heard much from old RIM Jim lately.

Good luck guys, should be a good series, regardless of what the "experts" say.
- Desert_Dog

It's always nice to have hockey conversations rather than troll sessions with another fan base. Good luck to you guys, and when I say that, I mean I hope you play well, but still lose.

I think the Kings will beat the Blues.
- Predaceous

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.

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

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

Anyone find it ironic that the 4 teams left in the West don't have any superstar forwards (a few minor exceptions ), really solid goal tending, and good coaches. It kinda seems this is the formula for success in the NHL now.

Ratings are going to be through the roof in the Western Conference.
- benderboots

What about 5 goalies mentioned in the Veznia?