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

[Cole]

The Bruins and Pens trying to continue with the core of their past cup winning teams is finally catching up to them; more so the Bruins but neither team has found a way to fix their defensive issues from the last few seasons so I laugh. Though the Kings, Hawks and Wings are all probably guilty of the same thing.

I still laugh.

Though I must say I want the Hawks to beat the Preds.

[Gabriel]

Calgary advances to the second round against Anaheim!

I'm going to say the Ducks take it in five, but the first round was a hell of a series, and I'm just proud of them for exceeding expectations this year and proving everyone wrong.

[Plubby]

They...they proved everyone...what?!

So the Avs' run last year proved everyone wrong? This season didn't happen?! SWEET.

[Gabriel]

They...they proved everyone...what?!

So the Avs' run last year proved everyone wrong? This season didn't happen?! SWEET.

I think this season was an anomaly for the Avs. It was a step back in their progress, but I don't see it being consistent. They'll bounce back next year and do quite well. (Barring any stupid off-season moves).

EDIT: The proving people wrong thing was strictly about this season anyways. The vast majority of people in pro hockey picked Calgary to finish in the cellar, and they didn't. I said that they were a much better team than last year, and everybody told me my head was in my ass. I said that Bob Hartley was the perfect guy for the coaching job when other candidates were being thrown around as "better guys to lead a rebuild", and he's in contention for Coach of the Year.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Gabriel

[SeanDMan]

Who had Calgary finishing in the cellar? There was no way anyone was finishing worse than Edmonton.

[lari]

I'll admit to it.

I had both Vancouver and Calgary finishing behind the Oilers. 5th, 6th and 7th in their division, by a few point margin, with the Canucks being dead last. With Coyotes being bad again, and California teams regressing (aside from the Ducks), this division really is the weakest anyway. Ripe for an emerging Oilers dynasty, now that they just got McT and Kevin Lowe the hell out of their hockey operations.

[Gabriel]

Who had Calgary finishing in the cellar? There was no way anyone was finishing worse than Edmonton.

Sportsnet: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-2014-15-previews-predictions-for-30-teams/

The Hockey News: http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/2014-15-nhl-predictions-division-and-stanley-cup-picks/

The Hockey Writers: http://thehockeywriters.com/thws-composite-standings-predictions/

The standard opinion from everyone at the beginning of the season was that Calgary didn't do enough to get better over the summer, and that their successes from last season were a fluke. Flames finish with their first playoff berth since 2009, and do it without having their best player in the lineup for the last quarter of the season. Calgary beats the Canucks in six games, which I will admit to not watching coverage other than the games because I have no time... and living in BC means that as a Flames fan, I was constantly being heckled by elitist assholes who think I should be a Vancouver fan because I live in the province.

So all I've heard for the past two weeks has been about how flukey Calgary is, how much better the Canucks are, and how I'm an idiot for wearing the flaming C instead of the orca.

[lari]

Well, anyway the Canucks were the worst team in the playoffs. Flames being the second worst.

[Draevyn]

Finally The Habs are able to take out Ottawa. They've got to figure out their power play if they plan to get through the next round.

[Maxx]

stupid Caps.

[TGWL]

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers (1st in Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd wild card)

The Rangers were my pick to win last season, before the season started. I like what they have. Best defense you will find anywhere, top class goaltending, they also went deep last year. What's not to like? Problem is the Penguins are a mystery team. They have the single best hockey player in the world playing for them. Despite their recent slump, they have unbelievable potential if they manage to break through. A tough matchup to predict.

Prediction: New York Rangers in seven games.

Montréal Canadiens (1st in Atlantic Division) vs. Ottawa Senators (1st wild card)

Regular season means nothing. The hottest team will advance, and there's no team hotter than the Ottawa Senators. Hamburglar will lead the Sens to victory. The Habs will maybe take one game, but this won't be too close.

Prediction: Ottawa Senators in five games.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2nd in Atlantic Division) vs. Detroit Red Wings (3rd in Atlantic Division)

The Bolts haven't proven to be a great playoff team yet. The Red Wings are traditionally a successful franchise. However, they've been kind of bad for a couple of years now. Beyond the top two teams, this division was a little easy, so don't be fooled by "ooh it's the Red Wings". This is not a contending team. They'll still put a scare on Bolts fans, but this series is Tampa's to lose.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.

Washington Capitals (2nd in Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Islanders (3rd in Metropolitan Division)

A team on the rise against a one-trick pony. Well, the Caps do have more structure this season with Barry Trotz, and Ovechkin isn't a minus million. Still, I like the Islanders here a lot. They are a fun team to watch, and if they play up to their potential, they will break Holtby and advance. Ovechkin will be closely guarded, and can not and will not score.

Prediction: New York Islanders in four games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Anaheim Ducks (1st in Pacific Division) vs. Winnipeg Jets (2nd wild card)

Ducks looked solid in the regular season, but the Jets have been impressive lately. Neither team has quality goaltending, so I don't expect either to advance past round one, but it'll be a damn good battle here. The Ducks have some of the biggest stars in the league, but I'll take the Jets in a 7-game series. It'll come down to heart, and a single bounce. Who has it, and who doesn't.

Prediction: Winnipeg Jets in seven games.

St. Louis Blues (1st in Central Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (1st wild card)

The Blues have their share of playoff ghosts to shed. A perennial post-season underachiever, after the regular season they had, this team needs to win this year. Problem is, they just got unlucky and are facing the single hottest team in the league. Ever since Devan Dubnyk joined the Wild he's been like a godking from Mount Olympus, or something. The Blues might be the higher seed, but I really don't think they have much of a chance here. The Wild are stingy, they play tight, they have unreal goaltending and regular season means nothing.

Prediction: Minnesota Wild in four games.

Vancouver Canucks (2nd in Pacific Division) vs. Calgary Flames (3rd in Pacific Division)

The Flames have been doing well lately, but they don't really have the kind of material to go deep. The Canucks don't either, but they've got a pair of superstars that can make a difference here. It's a tough matchup to predict, and I like the Flames better, but honestly I've got to pick the Nucks.

Prediction: Vancouver Canucks in six games.

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.

And I think we'll see the Wild beat the Senators in the cup finals. Unless the Rangers and Chris Kreider can knock off the Hamburglar in the East Finals!

You didn't do so well. Good call on the Wild winning.

[RPS]

Ottawa-Tampa-Pittsburgh-NYI

Minnesota-Chicago-Winnipeg-Vancouver

Prediction - Vancouver/Ottawa finals.

The most worst predictions.

Honestly, I was voting for Ottawa and Pittsburgh because I live in Ottawa and I'm a Penguins fan. I probably wouldn't have picked them had it been for that. I should have known better than to pick Vancouver and Winnipeg. I still think I was justified in picking the Islanders.

[lari]

I'm a Hawks fan, and that's why I picked the Predators.

It seemed to have worked in round 1, so I'll just keep on picking the other team. Which is actually easy, since the Wild were the team I predicted to win the Cup.

Edited April 28, 2015 by lari

[Draevyn]

I meant to mention this earlier but all the talk about Malkin and his "injury" and yet he's on the ice for Russia in the IIHF Worlds.

Also, in NHL talk, am I the only one who thinks this seems to be the most lopsided second round we've had in playoff hockey for awhile?

[Plubby]

Well at least Caps/Rangers looks like it's going to be a good series

[Hewey]

I meant to mention this earlier but all the talk about Malkin and his "injury" and yet he's on the ice for Russia in the IIHF Worlds.

Also, in NHL talk, am I the only one who thinks this seems to be the most lopsided second round we've had in playoff hockey for awhile?

How's Malkin looking? Cause if it's anything like he was in the playoffs, then he's definitely injured.

[Draevyn]

I meant to mention this earlier but all the talk about Malkin and his "injury" and yet he's on the ice for Russia in the IIHF Worlds.

Also, in NHL talk, am I the only one who thinks this seems to be the most lopsided second round we've had in playoff hockey for awhile?

How's Malkin looking? Cause if it's anything like he was in the playoffs, then he's definitely injured.

He's not lighting the world on fire but if you're injured, you say no to joining the Worlds. Players have done it in the past and when the NHL is your number one job then you should be doing what it takes to get back to 100% for the next season. Not playing half assed on a different team and risking worse injury.

Well at least Caps/Rangers looks like it's going to be a good series

I'm hoping for a Montreal comeback.

[Ruki]

USA loses to Belarus in the World Championships.

[Pizza]

I knew it was a mistake to start Tommy Salo.

[Hewey]

So Chicago's winning the cup again, right?