citrin@ucbvax.UUCP (Wayne Citrin) (04/03/84)
Well, it's time for the second season again and it's about time we talked some NHL in this newsgroup. Here are some predictions for the first round: Patrick: Islanders vs. Rangers -- A few months ago I would have said this would have gone 5 games. Now the Rangers are in a slump. Isles in 4 and Rangers make quick exit. Capitals vs. Flyers -- Caps show their stuff here as they knock off Flyers in three games. Adams: Boston vs. Montreal -- Montreal has worst team in years. Bruins in 3. Buffalo vs. Quebec -- Possible upset here, but Sabres hold on to win in 5. Norris: Minnesota vs. Chicago -- Could go either way. I think Chicago will come alive here and take the series in 4, but it won't matter because they'll lose to the winner of the other division series. St. Louis vs. Detroit -- Could be exciting. Detroit will win in 5 close games. Smythe: Edmonton vs. Winnipeg -- No contest. Oilers in 3 as Jets look for way to leave with dignity. Calgary vs. Vancouver -- Flames are hot, beat Canucks in 3. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Later rounds: Islanders vs. Capitals -- This should be great. Islanders in 6 as experience wins out. Boston vs. Buffalo -- Boston fights the good fight, but it ends here. Buffalo is the coming team. Sabres in 7. Chicago vs. Detroit -- Promising young Wings take series in 5. Edmonton vs. Calgary -- Flames give Oilers a scare, but Edmonton's superior firepower wins it in 6. Islanders vs. Buffalo -- Islanders show why playoff experience is so valuable as they beat Sabres in 6. Edmonton vs. Detroit -- Wings outclassed. Lose to Oilers in 4. People start talking about them as sure Cup winner until... Islanders vs. Edmonton -- Islanders win the hardware again. It won't be as easy as it was last year, but Isles win in 6. People don't realise that the Islanders are a better team than they were last year. Potvin is playing well, Trottier and Bossy are both scoring, and for the first time in several years they have some talented rookies to take the pressure off their veterans. I wouldn't be surprised if one of their younger players, like Brent Sutter or even Lafontaine, wins the Smythe trophy. Send flames to the net, not to me. Wayne Citrin (ucbvax!citrin)
lake@jasper.UUCP (Robert Lake) (04/05/84)
I like most of Wayne's predictions, but there are a few I disagree with: St. Louis vs. Detroit - St. Louis has shown within the last few weeks that they intend to finally play some hockey. St. Louis in 4. Washington vs. Phil - Toss up. Washington in 5. Philadelphia has been playing well lately, but Washington has more talent. Calgary vs. Vancouver - The loss of Nilsson must hurt Calgary. As well, Beers isn't up to form with bruised ribs and McDonald is still not quite up to par. If Vancouver can score enough goals, they should take this series in 5. If it comes down to another Islander-Oiler final, I think the Islanders will take it in at most 6, unless the Oilers win one of the first two games. The greatest problem with the Oilers is that they still (after two years!) don't know how to play a defensive game when they have to. This will really hurt them if an opposing team is able to shut down their offensive game. It will be interesting to see what offensive effect Summanen has on the team. Robert Lake (alberta!lake) University of Alberta
timw@umcp-cs.UUCP (04/05/84)
I have to disagree with you on some points....my devotion to the
Capitals is about to rear its head.
Patrick:
Capitals vs. Flyers -- The Capitals can beat the Flyers and usually do
and they will take the series in 3-4 games. Flyers don't know
how to play anything but fighting hockey. They can't win playing
like that.
Islanders vs. Rangers -- True, the Rangers are slumping, but I know
many Islander fans that wish their team would play either the
Caps or the Flyers. There is something about the Rangers that
send shivers down the spines of Islanders fans. I still think
it will go 5 games.
Admas:
Boston vs. Montreal -- It won't be three games (after last nite), but
the Bruins wil prevail.
Buffalo vs. Quebec -- Quebec has nothing to lose, so don't count them
out. but Buffalo in 5.
Norris:
Minnesota vs. Chicago -- This division is not noted for its power, so
I don't think there are going to be any big winners here.
Minnesota in 5.
St. Louis vs. Detroit -- St. Louis in 5
Smythe:
Edmonton vs. Winnipeg -- No contest. Oilers in 3.
Calgary vs. Vancover -- Flames in 4.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Later on in the playoffs:
Islanders vs. Capitals -- no way Islanders. The Capitals want it bad and
any Capitals or Fan will tell you. We want the Islanders. It
will go seven games and at least one game will be in overtime.
If the Capitals win, no one (repeat, no one) will be able to
stop them. They play too tight a game.
Buffalo vs. Boston -- Boston is good and hot, so the Bruins in 7.
Minnesota vs. St. Louis -- Minnesota is a good team, will take it in 6.
Edmonton vs. Calgary -- the Oilers will skate circles around the Flames
once they warm up, will take it in 5.
Islanders vs. Boston -- A tight match, but Boston is no match. Give the
Islanders credit
Edmonton vs. Minnesota -- Minnesota is no match for the Oilers, but will
lose in 6.
Islanders vs. Edmonton -- Edmonton is talented, but not enough experience.
grudingly I give it to New York.
Whoever wins the Patrick Division will probably win the Stanley
Cup or come damn close. The division is just too powerful a division
with great talent thruout the teams. give every team credit, they play
against the best teams more than anyone else does.
--
Tim Wicinski
University of Maryland
UUCP: {seismo,allegra,brl-bmd}!umcp-cs!timw
CSNet: timw@umcp-cs
ARPA: timw@maryland