10:02 of the 3rd: PIT K. Letang 2 min Diving
I'm glad they called that. I was sick and tired of the Penguins playing soccer and diving like a high school girls swim team. Just pathetic. You deserve to lose that game, doing stuff like this.
Anywho... Here is the schedule for Round 2:
| 2011 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS | ||||||||
| SERIES I |
| Network | ||||||
| Friday, April 29 | at Washington, 7:00 p.m. | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| Sunday, May 1 | at Washington, 7:00 p.m. | VERSUS, CBC | ||||||
| Tuesday, May 3 | at Tampa Bay, TBD | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| Wednesday, May 4 | at Tampa Bay, 7:00 p.m. | TSN | ||||||
| *Saturday, May 7 | at Washington, 12:30 p.m. | NBC, TSN | ||||||
| *Monday, May 9 | at Tampa Bay, TBD | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| *Wednesday, May 11 | at Washington, TBD | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| SERIES J |
| Network | ||||||
| Saturday, April 30 | at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m. | NBC, CBC | ||||||
| Monday, May 2 | at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| Wednesday, May 4 | at Boston, 7:00 p.m. | VERSUS, CBC | ||||||
| Friday, May 6 | at Boston, 8:00 p.m. | VERSUS (JIP), CBC | ||||||
| *Sunday, May 8 | at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m. | NBC, CBC | ||||||
| *Tuesday, May 10 | at Boston, TBD | VERSUS, CBC | ||||||
| *Thursday, May 12 | at Philadelphia, TBD | VERSUS, CBC | ||||||
| 2011 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS | ||||||||
| SERIES K |
| Network | ||||||
| Thursday, April 28 | at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m. | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| Saturday, April 30 | at Vancouver, 9:00 p.m. | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| Tuesday, May 3 | at Nashville, TBD | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| Thursday, May 5 | at Nashville, TBD | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| *Saturday, May 7 | at Vancouver, 8:00 p.m. | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| *Monday, May 9 | at Nashville, TBD | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| *Wednesday, May 11 | at Vancouver, TBD | CBC, VERSUS | ||||||
| SERIES L |
| Network | ||||||
| Friday, April 29 | at San Jose, 10:00 p.m. | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| Sunday, May 1 | at San Jose, 3:00 p.m. | NBC, TSN | ||||||
| Wednesday, May 4 | at Detroit, 8:00 p.m. | VERSUS (JIP), TSN | ||||||
| Friday, May 6 | at Detroit, 7:00 p.m. | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| *Sunday, May 8 | at San Jose, 8:00 p.m. | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| *Tuesday, May 10 | at Detroit, TBD | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
| *Thursday, May 12 | at San Jose, TBD | VERSUS, TSN | ||||||
That's straight from NHL.com so it's accurate. I'm pretty pumped for Game 1 & 5 to be on NBC of the Flyers series. Saves me from watching on my crap online pirated feed.
Next year, hopefully that will change. Hopefully Versus turning to NBC Sports (like it is planned) will put it on more cable plans nation wide.
But let's move on to more important things, like who is going to win these Round 2 match-ups.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
(1) Vancouver v. (5) Nashville
I think Vancouver is going to finish the choke they started in Round 1. Nashville may not have any big name scorers, but they know how to play as a cohesive unit. Their defense is one of the few that has the commitment to physically shut down the Sedin twins. Shea Weber and Ryan Suter need to be the All-Star D they are if Nashville wants a shot. Luongo is cooked, the fans will have a short leash on this team. If Nashville can get the first goal in this game, it might be a rocky series for Van with all the boo-birds.
Nashville in 7. That's my sleeper pick. Let's Go Smashville!
(2) San Jose v. (3) Detroit
When Detroit wins this it won't be an upset. The lower seed team is the better team. San Jose, much like Vancouver, have been choking in these playoffs quite a lot over the past few years. But this won't be a choke. This will be getting outplayed by a better, more experienced team.
Detroit will most likely be getting back the services of Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen will have his face all healed up. Detroit's talent has shown up this post season while San Jose's top line is providing secondary scoring.
Detroit in 6.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
(1) Washington v. (5) Tampa Bay
I'm rooting for Tampa Bay to win this one, but if I'm putting money on this (or since this is for bragging rights against O'Brien) I have to pick Washington. The Caps went 4-1-1 this year against Tampa. But on the other hand, the Caps two loses were shutouts.
Washington's team looked very confident taking out a gritty Rangers team in 5. They didn't get frustrated when Henrik and company were turning away all chances. But then again, Tampa looked poised coming back from 3-1 against Pittsburgh.
This will definitely be a close series, and I think a guarantee to go 7. But in the end, Caps prevail.
(2) Philadelphia v. (3) Boston
The rematch of Round 2 last year, but don't expect the same start from the Flyers. They have played their best 5 periods of hockey this season to close out the Buffalo Sabres. Even with the Flyers neglecting the fact that their best goalie isn't playing (Sergei Bobrovsky) the Flyers should still take care of business against Boston. IF THEY CONTINUE TO PLAY WITH HEART. The Flyers have it, but this year it has come and gone, usually leaving as quickly as it came.
Boston's G Tim Thomas hasn't been too awesome either. He set the record for best save percentage in a season (replacing Hasek).
It will come down to Boston's D vs. Flyers O, and I like those odds. Flyers in 5 or 6, I'll go 6.
Here's what O'Brien picked:
Vancouver over Nashville in 6
San Jose over Detroit in 7
Philadelphia over Boston in 5
Tampa Bay over Washington in 6
Looks like this has the potential to decide who wins the playoff match-up between O'Brien and myself. The Flyers are the only teams we both picked to win.
Now it's time to pull up the scores from Rd. 1 and see if I'm doing better than Obie.
( 3pts for winner, 2pts for correct number of games, 1pt bonus for upset )
Result OB PTS Tom PTS
Van in 7 CHI 6 0 Van 5 3
San in 6 San 7 3 San 6 5
Det in 4 Det 5 3 Det 6 3
Nash in 6 Nash 6 6 Nas 7 4
Caps in 5 NYR 7 0 Caps 7 3
Flyers in 7 PHI 5 3 PHI 5 3
Bos in 7 MON 7 0 Bos 6 3
TBL in 7 TBL 6 4 TBL 6 4
Rd. 1 Total- 19 28
A 9 point lead is not too safe, especially since points for second round work like this: 5pts for winner, 3 for correct number of games and 1 bonus for upset.
Umm, what is left to say? Here a just a few quick thoughts about Rd. 2
* Bobrovsky should start Game 1 for Flyers
* SJS won't win without Joe Thornton's line stepping it up
* Roloson can't keep up spectacular play
* Detroit becomes Cup favorites after this Round
*I beat O'Brien in Rd. 2 predictions
*Giroux goes crazy in Rd. 2, people start referring to him by the name "Smythe"
Playoff Beard picture after one round:
 |
| Slowly getting there... |
Good luck to your teams in Round 2!
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