The 2014-2015 NHL Season (Dress Code STRICTLY Enforced)

[Mr. X]

Nashville Predators (2nd in Central Division) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (3rd in Central Division)

Having watched the Hawks and having seen the Preds quite a lot too, this is a pairing of two bad-looking teams of which either could potentially go deep or even win it all. IF they played up to their potential. After a miraculous first half, the Preds have been cold this whole calendar year. Rinne let a Vezina slip by, and is back to being a mortal. Hawks haven't won a game in two weeks, but they are a playoff team and can tune in quickly. Without their most clutch playoff performer Pat Kane though, I'll take the Preds.

Prediction: Nashville in five games.

Good thing Kane has been medically cleared to play then.

[Plubby]

Montreal Vs Ottawa:

Regular season means nothing. Now, here's why this team who has won in the regular season is going to win.

...wut?!

[lari]

It means regular season record means nothing. What Montreal did from October to January. You know what I meant. Ottawa's caught fire lately and will be a tough team to beat.

Kane being back might tilt the balance a little in the West. Or even in the whole playoffs, If he's healthy enough to make a difference. 9/10 nhl.com experts pick the Hawks to beat the Preds, and 6/10 think they'll go all the way:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=763063&navid=nhl:topheads

I think the Hawks are a bit of a mess, but with the Kings out, Hawks are probably closest to being the team to beat right now. Other teams have to prove they can beat the Hawks, not the other way around, and until they have, Hawks are still "the man".

[TGWL]

So am I the only one that thinks Hammond's miracle run is going to end once they hit the playoffs?

I don't know. Sens just lost their assistant coach, and if it's anything like when the Rangers rallied around each other last year when St. Louis went through a mourning, they can be very dangerous.

[RPS]

Ottawa-Tampa-Pittsburgh-NYI

Minnesota-Chicago-Winnipeg-Vancouver

Prediction - Vancouver/Ottawa finals.

[Ruki]

I want the Flames to go on a long playoff run, it will be magical for the city. Everyone will be happy!

And Boston fired their GM!

[Draevyn]

I want the Flames to go on a long playoff run, it will be magical for the city. Everyone will be happy!

And Boston fired their GM!

Been there. Done that. Didn't like it much the first time around

[Hewey]

Surprised the Bruins didn't fire Julien either, maybe the new GM will do it.

[lari]

The first couple of game ones are done. Habs beat the Sens 4-3 after a wild second period. PK Subban probably gets suspended. Isles beat the Caps 4-1.

In Nasvhille, the Predators started fast and took a 3-0 lead after one. But then the Hawks took over, and it's 3-3 after two. Flames - Canucks just started.

[Hewey]

Geez, Subban gets a game misconduct for a slash? That's pretty horrible officiating that could have cost Montreal the game.

[Draevyn]

Why would Subban get suspended? I really don't like the guy but that was a bullshit call. 2 Minutes, I could see but 5 and the game is ridiculous.

[Plubby]

Unsure if serious?

[lari]

Hawks win in double-OT. Flames beat the Canucks with :30 left in regulation

[Pizza]

I love Subban, and that was blatant, dangerous, far away from the puck, and absolutely deserving of the penalty it was given.

[Draevyn]

It was so dangerous, and he was injured so much that he was back within two shifts.

[TGWL]

His status is now unknown for the rest of the series. He suffered a micro-fracture to his wrist.

[Draevyn]

Well don't I look like an ass now

He definitely shouldn't have been back in the game last night though.

[SeanDMan]

yada yada curt shilling bloody sock yada yada playoff hockey

[Pizza]

It was so dangerous, and he was injured so much that he was back within two shifts.

It doesn't matter if he wasn't injured. Subban intended to injure. It wasn't a hockey play. Whether Subban was successful in his goal of causing injury is irrelevant.

[Toe]

The referee threw out Subban before knowing whether Stone was hurt or not. I think the call was right, and I think missing that game is enough punishment for PK. Ottawa has to move on from it - if they go looking for retribution, they will lose game 2.