jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (04/05/84)
Here are my views on the first round of the playoffs:
MINN. VS. CHIC.: The Hawks are a better team than the 68 points or whatever
it was they got in the regular season, especially now that Secord's back.
However, I think Doug Wilson's still out and Minnesota has too much firepower.
The Hawks may take a game or even two, but not the series.
ST.L. VS. DETR.: The Blues have been hot over the last month or so, so I
would have picked them to win until this past weekend. Detroit played well
and beat Toronto last week in a game that Toronto had to win, but St.Louis
lost to that same Toronto team on Saturday in a game that was important to
the Blues but meant nothing to Toronto. The Wings have Ogrodnick back and
I like their combination of youth and experience, so I'll take them in 5.
EDMO. VS. WINN.: Give me a break. Oilers in 3. This is such a mismatch
it should be Oilers in 2. After L.A. beat them two years ago the Oilers
have never had trouble getting up for games against bad teams.
CALG. VS. VANC.: I like the Canucks but they've been a disappointment this
year, while Calgary has been surpisingly good because of added young talent.
They've played well despite missing Reinhart and not having Beers and
McDonald up to par, so they should be able to beat the Canucks in 4 even
without Nilsson.
BOST. VS. MONT.: I have a gut feeling that this won't be as easy as people
think. Maybe it's because the Canadiens still have several players with
Stanley Cup experience, plus several good youngsters, and the return of
Rick Green will help their defence. Maybe it's because they have Bobby
Smith, an excellent player when the chips are down, and a big team that
won't be pushed around in tough playoff hockey. Or maybe it's because
the last few years they've always lost when they were expected to win, and
now they're expected to lose. The Bruins are still too good to lose, though.
Boston in 5.
BUFF. VS. QUEB.: When I watched Buffalo in January, they looked like world
beaters, but since then they've tailed off, and with Perreault out, their
key players are young and inexperienced. Quebec had a 6-1-1 record against
Buffalo this season, and I think they have the ingredients of a good
playoff team now that they have a defence. Nordiques in 4.
N.Y.I. VS. N.Y.R.: Too bad the Rangers slumped late in the season or this
would be a great, close series. The Islanders have trouble getting up for
the first series. (Remember 2 years ago when they would have been knocked
out by Pittsburgh had Randy Carlyle not given the puck to John Tonelli alone
in front of Pittsburgh's net?) They may have less trouble getting up for
their cross-town rivals so I'll give it to the Islanders in 4.
WASH. VS. PHIL.: The Flyers veterans may finally be slowing down, but their
young players are picking up the slack, so they won't be easy victims like
they were the last two years. However, it's hard to bet against the leagues
best defensive team, even though their attack will be weak without Bengt
Gustafsson. I'll go with the Caps in 5 because all the experts say defence
wins in the playoffs. Maybe it does in the early rounds, but to win the
cup, you need an offence too.
Jeff Richardson
DCIEM, Torontorosul@nmtvax.UUCP (04/17/84)
And then there were 8........... O.K.-what are your choices for the Stanley Cup championships. Mail me you responses, and, at the end of the week, I'll post the results. I am not an oddmaker, but I say an Islander-Oiler final, with the Islanders taking it in 5 games. Thanks. Ronald "Not quite all here" Rosul@nmtvax New Mexico Tech, Socorro, New Mexico p.s.-"Astro-Ice", from what I heard, is going to be tested at Madison Square Garden, in New York, within the week. Can anybody in that area keep us posted as to the results?
mn@dscvax2.UUCP (Matt Noah) (04/09/85)
As usual, it should be interesting. Here's my two cents worth - I only post my predictions so I can brag if I'm correct. Heck, I'm not even sure who is playing whom but I have some favorites, so ... LA may give Edmonton some trouble but Edmonton should pull through. The Oilers may have trouble with Calgary or Winninpeg the 2nd round, too. Regardless, whoever makes it out of that quandary should have no problem with any permutation, combination or derivative of the Stars, Blues, Hawks or Wings. Philly looks good. I had hopes all along for Washington but Philly has their number. And if the NYI should get by the Caps, Philly will beat them to. The other 4-some I know little about except that one of the teams (Montreal or Buffalo, I think) gave Philly fits during the year. Well, since I think the Flyers are the cat's meow right now, I have to pick them to beat whoever they face. Philly vs. Edmonton? If the Oilers and Flyers make it to the Cup, I hope Edmonton can give them a good series. The Oilers have to be wondering how to beat Philly since I don't think they did it all year - please someone correct me if I'm wrong (one need not ask on the net!). Philly in 5 or 6. Matt Noah
rick@ucla-cs.UUCP (04/11/85)
As long as we are giving playoff predictions, here are mine:
Campbell Conference
Norris Division
St Louis - Minnesota
the blues should sweep but watch for the north stars to try to
salvage a bad season.
Chicago - Detroit
the hawks are a much better team than their record, and have been
playing great lately.
St Louis - Chicago
the hawks will win, but there will be lots of fights (watch for
savard to bite someone).
Smythe Division
Edmonton - Los Angeles
of course the oilers should wipe them out, but the kings have
played them tough lately. the oilers will survive, but the kings
will scare them (and someone will get hurt).
Winnipeg - Calgary
two hot teams here, but winnipeg is hotter - and hungrier.
Edmonton - Winnipeg
the jets have broken the oiler stigma this season and will play
them very hard. look for a 6 or 7 game series with edmonton
*surviving*.
Edmonton - Chicago
the hawks are hot, and oilers are beat up. the hawks will jump
up and bite the oilers. chicago in 6.
Wales Conference
Patrick Division
Philadelphia - New York Rangers
of course philadelphia will win, right? well, they should but
this is a very young team. and poulin is no clarke. flyers in
4.
Washington - New York Islanders
the young versus the old? nope, the islanders had 6 rookies on
the team this year, AND they have the old hands too. islanders
in 4 or 5 very good games.
Philadelphia - New York Islanders
the flyers are simply too inexperienced to handle the battle
hardened islanders. could be an isle's sweep.
Adams Division
Montreal - Boston
sounds like last year, doesn't it? no one gives the bruins a
chance. well, neither do i 'cause there are too many key
players missing.
Quebec - Buffalo
look for the sabres to even things up after last year. this
series will go the distance.
Montreal - Buffalo
i still don't think the canadiens are for real. it is time for
scotty bowman's kiddy corps to grow up. buffalo in 6.
New York Islanders - Buffalo
well, the sabres grew up a little, but they still can't handle
real men. the islanders in 5 or 6.
Stanley Cup Finals
Chicago Black Hawks - New York Islanders
experience is on the side of the islanders, and you can lose a lot
of money betting against them. new york in 6.
Remember, you heard it here first.
--
Rick Gillespie
rick@ucla-cs
...!{cepu|ihnp4|sdcrdcf|ucbvax}!ucla-cs!rick
"She turned me into a newt! . . . I got better."lor@ucla-cs.UUCP (04/11/85)
In article <4764@ucla-cs.ARPA> rick@ucla-cs.UUCP (Richard Gillespie) writes: >As long as we are giving playoff predictions, here are mine: > > Washington - New York Islanders > the young versus the old? nope, the islanders had 6 rookies on > the team this year, AND they have the old hands too. islanders > in 4 or 5 very good games. > > Philadelphia - New York Islanders > the flyers are simply too inexperienced to handle the battle > hardened islanders. could be an isle's sweep. > > New York Islanders - Buffalo > well, the sabres grew up a little, but they still can't handle > real men. the islanders in 5 or 6. > >Stanley Cup Finals > Chicago Black Hawks - New York Islanders > experience is on the side of the islanders, and you can lose a lot > of money betting against them. new york in 6. > This is the most wishful prediction I have even seen. Do any Islander fans in New York think your team can go all the way? As Dennis Potvin said, their bump-and-grind style of hockey, which gave them four Cups, is finally taking the toll. They are physically and mentally worn out. That's why they had a subpar (to their standards) regular season. So much for playoff experience, I bet they can't even win the Patrick division, let alone the Cup. Remember, you've heard it here first. -- Eddy Lor ...!ucbvax!ucla-cs!lor lor@ucla-locus.arpa
lake@alberta.UUCP (Robert Lake) (04/16/85)
The New York Islanders winning the Stanley Cup?? Didn't you mean to post this article about two weeks ago? Like Eddy, I can't see the Islanders getting out of their own division. Philadelphia has been too hot lately, and the Islanders, despite their playoff experience, cannot match their age against the Flyer's youth and speed. As for Chicago beating the Oilers, despite being an Oiler fan, I think that too is wishful thinking. The Oilers have proven (to my satisfaction at least) that they can play a good defensive game when necessary. That, combined with their better offensive talent, should be too much for the Black Hawks. Of course, this depends upon the Oilers getting past Winnipeg (another team which has vastly improved in the past two months). For what it is worth, here are my predictions (as of April 15): Wash-NYI Washington should take the last game Mon-Bos Montreal Que-Buf Quebec (offence beats defence in this case) Quarter-finals: Phi-Was Phi. in 4 Mon-Que Another classic Quebec series - the Canadiens in 6 or 7. Min-Chi Chicago in 6. Edm-Win Edmonton in 6. Semi-finals: Edm-Chi Edmonton in 4 or 5. Phi-Mon Flyers in 4 or 5. Finals: Edm-Phi Flyers in 6 (they look TOO good). One more fearless prediction: If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, Paul Coffey will win the Smythe trophy for MVP of the playoffs. His play this year has been tremendous, and I'll be disappointed if he doesn't take the Norris trophy as well. I don't think there is a finer defenceman (Langway included) playing in the league today. Robert Lake (alberta!lake) University of Alberta
lor@ucla-cs.UUCP (04/27/85)
Are the Oilers better than the Flyers? Definitely! When they don't play as well as they can but still coast to victories, it's a hell of a team! Look how they squeezed past the Kings and the first game against the Jets. Gee, they have characters. The same character that brought the Celtics the NBA title last year. When you play well and win, like the Flyers do, that's neccessary but not sufficient to be a champion. When you do NOT play well and win, that's the sign of a champion. You have enough talent to win. Have you seen New Jersey or Toronto play a subpar game and win? The Flyers have been red hot for more than two months. They won 22 out of the last 24 (?), but haven't they peaked too early? Look at the Oilers, they just get out of a slump, and they are going to turn hot. You have to peak in May, not March or April, to win the Stanley Cup. As for my prediction (this is a better time to predict): Assume Montreal can eliminate Quebec, and the Islander dream is over. Montreal - Philadelphia: Either Montreal in seven or Philadelphia in six, it doesn't matter. Edmonton - Chicago: Oilers in four or five. Edmonton - Montreal/Philadelphia: Whoever gets out of the Philadelphia/Montreal series is too beat up to survive the Oilers. One definite advantage the Oilers have is their easy road to the cup final every year, while the team in the Wales conference always comes out of a blood bath. The Oilers are DEFINITELY going to repeat. Oilers in five. Remember, you heard it here first. -- Eddy Lor ...!ucbvax!ucla-cs!lor lor@ucla-locus.arpa
jmd@rduxb.UUCP (Joseph M. Dakes, AT&T Bell Labs, Reading, Pa.) (04/29/85)
> Are the Oilers better than the Flyers? Definitely! > When they don't play as well as they can but still coast to victories, > it's a hell of a team! Look how they squeezed past the Kings > and the first game against the Jets. Gee, they have characters. > The same character that brought the Celtics the NBA title last year. > When you play well and win, like the Flyers do, that's neccessary but > not sufficient to be a champion. When you do NOT play well and > win, that's the sign of a champion. You have enough talent to win. > Have you seen New Jersey or Toronto play a subpar game and win? In response to your first question - Definitely Not! Sure the Oilers have character and they're a fine team but you have to admit the Flyers are too. The Flyers just finished blowing out the Rangers and the Islanders (Stanley Cup finalists for the last five years). Against the Isles at playoff time its play well and win or watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs at home. Beating LA and Winnipeg by playing well or not does not a champion make. > The Flyers have been red hot for more than two months. > They won 22 out of the last 24 (?), but haven't they peaked too > early? Look at the Oilers, they just get out of a slump, and > they are going to turn hot. You have to peak in May, not > March or April, to win the Stanley Cup. Add to that the Flyers winning 6 out of 7 in the playoffs. Seems like they're just beginning to peak to me. > Edmonton - Montreal/Philadelphia: > Whoever gets out of the Philadelphia/Montreal series is > too beat up to survive the Oilers. One definite advantage the > Oilers have is their easy road to the cup final every year, > while the team in the Wales conference always comes > out of a blood bath. The Oilers are DEFINITELY going to repeat. > Oilers in five. > > Remember, you heard it here first. > > Eddy Lor > ...!ucbvax!ucla-cs!lor > lor@ucla-locus.arpa Assuming Edmonton gets past Chicago and the Flyers beat Quebec, I'll take the Flyers in 6. Good pitching beats good hitting everytime and the way Pelle Lindbergh and the Flyers defense have been playing in the playoffs you gotta believe. Joseph M. Dakes AT&T Bell Laboratories Reading, PA rduxb!jmd P.S. I'll take the Sixers over the Celtics too.
jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (03/21/86)
Has anybody heard anything about what NHL playoff games will be shown
on TV in Canada? This year, the NHL has finally smartened up and abandoned
the stupid practice of having all series playing on the same day, so now that
there are three networks showing games, we should be able to see a playoff
game every night! When I read about this year's playoff schedule, which
after the first round has the Wales Conference series playing one night
and the Campbells playing the next, it was the best hockey news I've
heard all season. It always upset me having to miss so many playoff
games because the NHL was too stupid to schedule them on different nights.
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
{linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd}!utcsri!dciem!jeff
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!dciem!jeffwjjordan@watdragon.UUCP (W. Jim Jordan) (03/23/86)
In article <1817@dciem.UUCP> jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) writes: >Has anybody heard anything about what NHL playoff games will be shown >on TV in Canada? I don't know what will be shown, Jeff, but I do know that we're going to be stuck with the Leafs for a week... sigh. jim -- DEFINITION: Honeywell DPS8/49: The world's most expensive print spooler. W. Jim Jordan CANADA POST (3 weeks): c/o Conrad Grebel College, Waterloo, Ont., N2L 3G6 USENET (overnight): ...!watmath!watdragon!wjjordan