Playoff Pick Em!: Where Picking Teams Is Better Than Picking Your Nose
by Mr. Plank on Apr 12, 2009 11:52 PM PDT
in 2009 Playoffs
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PrintWelcome one, welcome all to the 2009 Playoff Pick Em! Your host tonight will be a good friend of mine. Please welcome the esteemed, and oh so very lonely, Reginald Dustyballs.
"Cheerio, bitches! It's Reginald Dustyballs here to inform you on how to make your fatuous playoff predictions. For those of you clots who weren't around last year, things will be much like the 2008 edition on We Bleed Teal with a minor caveat thrown in. What's that you nefarious sea cretins? You didn't have access to Al Gore "back in the dizzay"? Oh very well. I've been drinking cup after cup of Earl Grey with a tad bit of spirits mixed in to keep things interesting- now is a good enough of time as any to be slinging the hook."
"The protocol is rather simple really- predict the outcome of the series, and your total score is the sum of the differences. For example, say you're bright minded and decide to choose the Sharks to beat the Quackers in a clean sweep four-nil. If the series ends up going that way, you receive a zero. If Rogaine & Co. manage to nab two wins in the series, you would receive a two. If bloody London crumbles and the Ducks win in the seventh game? Your score would be five- one for predicting the wrong number of Sharks wins (4-3=1) and four for predicting the wrong number of Ducks wins (4-0=4). It's not too difficult, but if you lot have any questions direct them towards fearthefin@gmail.com. Wouldn't want to look like a plonker in front of your mates.
In round two, your score will be multiplied by 1.5; round three 1.75; and round four, 2.0.
A minor addition we have made for the first round this season will be "The Upset Special." No, we're not talking about that time you ate some bad crumpets and were bent over the loo for a week and a half. Those days made the Dark Ages look like the goddamn county fair. Alas, I digress.
The Upset Special will be a series which would be considered surprising on a number of levels. Pick the lower seeded team and you receive a zero for your troubles, regardless of the number of games it goes. If the higher seeded team wins however, you will have five points to your total. Detroit-Columbus and Boston-Montreal are this year's Upset Special. Make sure to define it as "Upset Special" next to your prediction- if you're picking a lower seed but don't want to risk the points, feel free to state it as a normal prediction.
The lowest score at the end of the playoffs wins.
Frankly, to ask Plank to provide his picks would be an exercise in futility. Just because he'll probably get them all correct doesn't make him Ben-fucking-Franklin for Christ's sake. It really bunches up my britches to think of where this prat gets off taking Maggie The Monkey's hard work, presenting it as his own, and then claiming credit for it. If you ask me, the bastard looks to be fancying a blow to the bollocks. But never mind it lads. I've only achieved my Masters Degree in Law at the University of London so what would an unassuming chap such as myself know? I'm sure all of you blokes and birds can smell the sarcasm emenating from that sentence, like a carriage filled to the brim with elephant feces picking up homeless degenerates on a sticky summer day in jolly ol' London. Boy do I ever miss 1931.
Have fun and be safe. Or don't. It really doesn't matter to me either way. Dustyballs, out."
*******
San Jose vs. Anaheim: This is going to come down to the third line's ability to shut down Rogaine and friends. I like our chances. Sharks in six.
Detroit vs. Columbus: It's hard to bet against Ken Hitchcock, but it's even harder to bet against Datsyuk and the Wings. Nash doesn't have enough support to make Detroit's goaltending an issue- Mason's been great, but stealing four games isn't going to happen. He'll be lucky to get two. Wings in five.
Vancouver vs. St. Louis: Blues are hot and Lu is one of the best in the biz. Even The Neverending Story had to end sometime, but we'll save that for next round. Blues in six.
Chicago vs. Calgary: Calgary is hurting, Chicago handled the Flames the entire season. Will be interesting to see Kane & Toews perform in the Saddledome, but with home ice it may become a non-factor. Hawks in six.
***
Boston vs. Montreal: This is going to be a massacre. If you're picking the Upset Special, good freaking luck. Bruins in five.
Washington vs. New York: Semin's hot when things get frisky. Ignore that ill-advised play-on words. Caps in six.
New Jersey vs. Carolina: Brodeur lost the magic in last year's playoffs and has been shaky down the stretch. I smell trouble. Canes in seven.
Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: Pittsburgh just might be making a second-straight run to the Finals. It starts here. Pens in six.
*******
Submit your predictions by 4:00 PM Wednesday. Make certain you are confident of your predictions when you post them- we will be taking your first submission, and your first submission only. The format one must follow is such (with games won obviously differering depending on your selections):
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 1
VAN 2 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 2
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 3 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 2
Good luck folks. The winner gets $20 to the FTF store and a possible prize to be announced later. Still working on the schematics for that.
Go Sharks.
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SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 3 CBJ 4
VAN 4 STL 3
CHI 4 CAL 1
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 4 CAR 2
PIT 4 PHI 2
I has good practice. Mike Grier keep shooting puck at me, and my confidence boosted very more. - "Evgeni Nabokov"
A note- if you guys want to throw in some banter for your picks feel free to do it. Just make sure to follow these three fine gentlemen/ladies and have your numbers at the top of the post.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
Predictions
SJ 4 ANA 3
DET 3 COL 4
VAN 3 STL 4
CHI 4 CAL 2
BOS 4 MON 0
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJ 4 CAR 3
PIT 4 PHI 1
Am I the only one who thinks Montreal won’t win a game? They’re a bunch of clowns.
NJ might lose this one but I think Marty and home ice will save them…NJ in 7
Nash owns the Red Wings…Mason will hopefully not buckle under playoff pressure….remember Nash had two hat tricks against the wings this season and COL scored 8 on them one game…They have a chance as long as Mason plays the Vezina caliber game he has been playing…and of course Detroits tending sucks like it has all season (which it will with osgood in net).
Philly has no chance
neither does NY
lets pray as sharks fans Calgary loses.
fuck Vancouver as well.
San Jose will either absolutely handle the Ducks or the Ducks will be loads of trouble…I’m going with the latter.
Sup funny guy. Go with the former douche.
Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture
by Matthew_Taylor on Apr 13, 2009 6:58 AM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t even notice that you’d been posting… I gotta be more on top of my ish.
Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture
by Matthew_Taylor on Apr 13, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Hard not to notice him on NHL 09 though.
Pass. The. Biscuit. Bro.
Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated
Hey, I'm dirty
220 GP with 516 points…2.35 Points per game…figure it out and thats with over 230 assists.
by Sir Snipesalot on Apr 13, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey Bud
Yeah you do…I read all this stuff. When I saw predictions I was in.
by Sir Snipesalot on Apr 13, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Hmm...
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 3 CBJ 4
VAN 2 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 2
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 3 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 2
Yeah, it should go something like that.
It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker
SJ 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 3
VAN 3 STL 4
CAL 4 CHI 2
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJ 4 CAR 2
PIT 4 PHI 2
Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture
I have a funny feeling that Toews and Kane will fold up in their first playoff series. And we all know that Campbell is a choke artist.
Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture
by Matthew_Taylor on Apr 13, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Just so you know, I dislike making predictions
and will only be doing it here. Only because ’ole Dustyballs there convinced me. Good show old chap!
SJ 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 2 STL 4
CAL 3 CHI 4
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJ 3 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 2
I really want to pick the Jackets to win, but something is holding me back. I’ll probably be eating those points later
resident cartoonist @couchtarts.blogspot.com
crossing my fingers
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 1
VAN 3 STL 4
CHI 4 CAL 3
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 4 CAR 3
PIT 4 PHI 2
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 13, 2009 8:54 AM PDT reply actions
throwing caution to the wind...well not really
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 4 STL 2
CHI 4 CAL 1
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 3 PHI 4
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 3
VAN 0 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 4 CAR 1
PIT 4 PHI 2
by GoldenStateGuerrero on Apr 13, 2009 9:17 AM PDT reply actions
Sweet, sounds like fun...
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 0
VAN 4 STL 3
CHI 2 CGY 4
BOS 4 MON 0
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 4 CAR 2
PIT 4 PHI 3
Sometimes the impossible can become possible if you're AWESOME!
Here's hoping I don't come in dead last
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 1
VAN 4 STL 2
CHI 4 CAL 3
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 1
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 3
Yes, I'm from the tropics. Yes, I love hockey. What's not to get?
SJS 4 ANA 0
DET 2 CBJ 4
VAN 1 STL 4
CHI 3 CGY 4
BOS 1 MON 4
WSH 2 NYR 4
NJD 1 CAR 4
PIT 2 PHI 4
Upsets anyone?
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 2 CBJ 4 – UPSET SPECIAL
VAN 3 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 3
NJD 4 CAR 2
PIT 4 PHI 3
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
here you go
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 3 CBJ 4
VAN 4 STL 2
CHI 4 CGY 2
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 3 CAR 4
PIT 2 PHI 4
as much as i want an epic series between the sharks and red wings, i have a good feeling about the blue jackets
"It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra
my predicts
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 1
VAN 4 STL 2
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 4 CAR 3
PIT 4 PHI 2
V- "I'm not questioning your powers of observation. I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is."
Mine, with lots of analysis
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 4 STL 3
CHI 4 CGY 2
BOS 4 MON 3
WSH 4 NYR 1
NJD 3 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 3
Since I suck at predictions, I just went with a combination of what I want and what would seem likely to happen.
Sharks/Ducks is largely dependent on how tightly the game is called – if its tight (relative to the playoffs, of course), the Sharks might even win in 4 or 5. If its loose, I could see the series going to 7 games. Both teams play each other well and do well in the playoffs, so there’s none of that to take into account. The number of injuries might make it into a pyrrhic victory, though.
Wings/Jackets is very interesting – Stanley Cup champs versus the new kid on the block. How the BJs will perform under the pressures of the playoffs is an unkown variable, while everyone knows the Wings have another level in Spring. I can see Mason stealing a game or two, and that 8-2 victory over the Wings this season will probably help with the BJs’ confidence. That said, the Wings are the class of the post-season, and so will take the series.
Canucks/Blues is a battle of hot teams – the Blues went from 15th in the conference to 6th, while the Canucks somehow wrestled away the division title from the Flames, who had held it for a large majority of the season. I’d love it if the Canucks won, just because the Sharks match up so well with them, and so Canucks win the series. Plus, the Blues’ youth and inexperience will show.
Blackhawks/Flames would probably have a different outcome if not for the Flames recent injury troubles – they’ve been playing games with only 16 players dressed due to injuries and the complete lack of cap space. Expect those players to be extremely tired. Jokinen’s complete lack of playoff experience will also hurt then, as well as the fact that he’s significantly cooled off since they acquired him at the deadline. Blackhawks are a young team that has next to no playoff experience, and a known playoff ghost (or at least, a player that tends to take penalties in OT in an elimination game). Their inexperience, as well as the Flames tenaciousness in the the playoffs, will make the series go on longer than it should.
Bruins/Canadiens is the mirror opposite of the matchup last year, and so for that reason I predict Boston in 7. While the Bruins won the season series this year by a good margin (5-1), the Habs have history of beating the Bs in the playoffs. But no matter what, I see this as a grueling series for both teams. Another pyrrhic victory.
Captials/Rangers is NBC’s wet dream (well, after Penguins/Rangers). Rangers have no offense, Capitals have little defense. Rangers have a great trapping defense, Capitals have the Rocket Richard winner and a 30+ goal-scoring defenseman. That said, I expect the Caps to take the series if only because their defensive lapses will be offset by the anemic offensive capabilities of the Rangers, and their offense is too much for the Rangers.
Devils/Hurricanes will probably be the most overlooked match. Both teams have a relatively recent Cup win, as well as goalies that have proved Cup-worthy (Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward and this one guy, you might have heard of him, his name’s Martin Brodeur). The Hurricanes are coming into the playoffs extremely hot, while the Devils have been cold since #552. I can really see this going either way, and so choose Canes to win it just because I haven’t predicted an upset yet.
Penguins/Flyers is another one of those super-rivalries, and might end up to be a pyrrhic victory (if you can’t tell, I recently learned the meaning of that word, lol). The Pens have been hot since Bylsma took over the bench, and this season they don’t have an injured Malkin in the playoffs. However, Flyers match up well with the Pens, and there will be an extra layer what with it being the Battle of Pennsylvania. The Flyers are scary short-handed, and very defensively responsible while on the powerplay. The Pens have two of the top scorers in the game. I’m saying Pens in 7, but this one is a toss-up as the teams are very evenly matched.
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN4 STL 3
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 0
WSH 3 NYR 4
NJD 4 CAR 2
PIT 4 PHI 1
I still think the Sharks are going to handle their business.
Det is too good, next year CBJ…
Van has been hot and has the best goaltending, they’ll make it to “2nd round sacrifice”
Cgy-Chi? Toss up, but Chi I think is gonna have an easy time scoring on Cgy unless kipper stands on his head.
Boston to destroy Montreal, Montreal trades for Vinny, fails to make playoffs next 5 years
Upset! Sean Avery to outscore Ovechkin, motivated by facing fatso in ECF (yup, NY takes out Bos too)
Ray Whitney doesn’t have any more magic left, used it all up for the right team. Maybe they should bring back Irbe? Stop mooching on Sharks awesomeness, Carolina!
Pit-Phi. Who cares? It’s not like any good is playing in that series. Show me more CAR-NJD!
my picks
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 4 STL 3
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 3 PHI 4
SJS 4 ANA 3
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 4 STL 3
CHI 4 CGY 2
BOS 4 MON 1
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 4 CAR 3
PIT 4 PHI 3
Just realized I have all top seeds moving on…hmmm, that’s not very fun of me is it? I won’t be too upset if one happens (STL, CAR, PHI?). I’m also giving CGY, NYR, & CBJ the benefit of the doubt that they can push the series to 6…MON not so much…everything else I’m hoping goes 7 (aside from the Sharks, which I’m hoping doesn’t!).
"Got my teal underwear on and everything." - Drew Remenda
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 3 CBJ 4
VAN 3 STL 4
CHI 4 CAL 1
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 3 PHI 4
"I watch the Wings a lot," says Thornton. "They're the NHL's second-best team."
by Swift Kick in the Goc on Apr 13, 2009 10:32 PM PDT reply actions
found this at "from the rink"
Rinkotology … you can list all your predictions … etc etc
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Apr 13, 2009 10:36 PM PDT reply actions
Here are my picks
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 1
VAN 3 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 2
BOS 4 MON 0
WSH 4 NYR 1
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 3
"AN, Reducing Work Productivity since 2003", connie mack 11/06/08
my predictions
SJS 4 ANA 1
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 4 STL 3
CHI 3 CGY 4
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 0
NJ 2 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 3
by UnstoppableTurtle on Apr 14, 2009 6:31 PM PDT reply actions
YES IT'S TRUE, I WON LAST YEAR at WeBleedTeal
SJS 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 2
VAN 2 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 2
WSH 4 NYR 2
NJD 3 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 2
you won't win this year
i have a feeling in my pinkie toe this time
"It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra
by serrapadre716 on Apr 15, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions
well
at least i prolly wont lose to you
by CoreyMulhair on Apr 23, 2009 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions
YAY FOR BOREDOM! ATTEMPT #2
BOS 4 — MTL 1
WSH 4 — NYR 2
NJD 2 — CAR 4 (or Devils take it in Game 7)
PIT 4 — PHI 3
SJS 4 — ANA 2
DET 4 — CBJ 1
VAN 4 — STL 2
CHI 4 — CGY 2
Let the end of the world begin with us!!
Put it in ice!
West
SJ in 6 games (all close games. SJ wins b/c of home ice advantage. Cheechoo eats ducks for lunch. I expect at least two games to go into OT. If SJ wins first two games at home, I can’t see this series going any longer than 5 games)
Detroit in 6 games (Det must play better in front of its goalies or the series is going to be quickly over. How far the CBJs go depends on Mason. I think the Red Wings can make up for Osgood’s poor play this season by playing tighter.)
Van in 7 games (Blues play a very frustrating style that will stymie the Swedish twins. Low-scoring games. Ultimately you take the team with arguably the best goalie in the league. Both teams have been on a high this past month. I give Andy Murray the coaching edge)
Chicago in 7 games (Calgary’s defense is completely shot. Chicago’s not experienced, but their goalie sure is)
East
Boston in 4 games (Carey Price so inconsistent. Bruins just too good and too deep. How sweet it would be for Claude Julien to beat up on Bob Gainey’s team)
Wash in 6 games (Theo’s a mediocre goalie who’s been aided by a hot offense. King Henrik overcomes any need for the Rangers to score lots of goals. I think the young Caps learned a tough lesson last year, and will certainly move on this time)
Carolina in 7 games (upset! Cam Ward has looked amazing the past 2 months. Brodeur’s been pretty mediocre. Carolina’s won the past 2 meetings of these teams in the playoffs. They also hold the season edge. Staal looks great this year)
Pit in 6 games (Philly screwd the pooch by losing home ice advantage. Pittsburgh’s pretty mediocre on the road, but awesome at home.)
Where hockey injuries in San Diego are the thumb blisters from your XBox controller.
by Will Bulldozer on Apr 14, 2009 10:50 PM PDT reply actions
And Boom Goes the Dynamite
First post here boys, but I’m feelin’ the good ol’ luck of the Irish on this one
SJ 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 3
VAN 4 STL 2
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MTL 1
WSH 4 NYR 3
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 1
Steven Jackson for three.....
and… uh… and…
Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture
by Matthew_Taylor on Apr 15, 2009 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Sharks in Five
SJ 4 ANA 1
DET 3 CBJ 4
VAN 4 STL 2
CHI 3 CGY 4
BOS 4 MTL 3
WSH 4 NYR 1
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 2
Bring It!!!!!
SJ 4 ANA 2
DET 4 CBJ 1
VAN 2 STL 4
CHI 4 CGY 3
BOS 4 MON 1
WAS 4 NYR 1
NJD 2 CAR 4
PIT 4 PHI 3
by princessminako on Apr 15, 2009 12:40 PM PDT reply actions
Haha, bigger turnout than last year that’s for sure. Hopefully this works out well- I have a feeling there’s going to be a tie for first. We might have to predict goals scored in the conference finals and finals to determine tiebreakers.
Fear The Fin: Where The Past Is Overrated
how about
predicting ice time down to the hundreth of a second? i say nabby plays 60 minutes per regulation game.
"It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra
by serrapadre716 on Apr 15, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
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