2007-03-27 23:44:06 · 14 answers · asked by DERICK W 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
Sabres may not be experienced in the playoffs, but a lot of Sabres players made their playoff debuts last season, and how'd they do? Eastern Conference Finals, Game 7 WITH 4 or 5 key injuries. As a Sabres fan, I hate hearing those 2 dreaded words, Carolina Hurricanes. But hey! Look where we are, then look where they are, AHA. Sorry, had to take a moment to rub it in. They DO got some experienced players, and probably one of the most experienced playoff players in the recent NHL, Chris Drury. Drury was on the Colorado Avalanche for most of his career, then went to Calgary, then to Buffalo. Colorado has made it to 12 straight playoffs, and he was on a good amount of them, especially when the Avs had a stacked team. Just to name some of the few players that were good/great/amazing back in, were Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay, Rob Blake, Adam Foote, Greg de Vries, and Patrick Roy. Of course there's more, but too many to name. Briere is the best player on the team without a doubt, and he has barely any playoff experience, except for last season because he used to be on the lowly Phoenix Coyotes, and EVERYONE knows how bad they are. But after last season, everyone's hopes are up, and maybe it all it takes is 1 time to get a team used to the playoffs. It shows, especially after eliminating last year's tough, and strong Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games, and never forgettable double OT winner by Briere, and earlier in that game, the Campbell on Umberger hit, oh was that awesome or what? Then they knocked the team out that was favored to just beat up on the Sabres, and have a good shot at the Stanley Cup, the Ottawa Senators, in 5 games, and also the never forgettable Game 5, Jason Pominville shorthanded, going around Daniel Alfredsson, then going around Ray Emery , which happened to be the first time any team was eliminated by a SHG in overtime. But enough on how dominate the Sabres are, let's look at the Western Conference.
This may be the close call, along with the Sabres having to compete with not the Devils, but I see them competing with the Penguins. But in the Western Conference, I believe it's coming down to Anaheim or Detroit. Detroit has some of the very experienced players in the NHL, Dominik Hasek who was very amazing in Buffalo most of his career until going to Detroit, to Ottawa, and back to Detroit after retiring twice, then you got Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best players in the NHL amongst everyone, and the best defenseman in the NHL in recent years without a doubt. He's 2nd in +/- in the NHL behind Thomas Vanek (Hey! It's a Sabre, that gives me another reason to like them.) and he's just pure dominant. He's great at playing defense, he can shoot, he can score, he can pass, he's getting pretty old, but he's keeping up with everyone, even though most of the players are young and fast. This is a sign of a true hockey player. Then you got Chris Chelios. Presently the oldest player in the NHL, and still is good at playing defense, even at his age. He keeps up with everyone, and even at his age is very impressive.
Now we got the Anaheim Ducks, who has some of the best players in the NHL at what they do. Teemu Selanne, Andy McDonald, Scott and Rob Niedermayer (Another set of brothers, next NHL commercial? Probably not, but the Sedins got one because they are identical.. even facial hair, scary to tell the difference without a jersey on), Chris Kunitz, to me, the 2nd best defenseman in the NHL behind Lidstrom, Chris Pronger, who has great vision, can shoot, can pass, and can do just about anything anyone else can do, Ryan Getzlaf who is 6'3", 213 lbs, which is good for his age, which means he can flat out shatter someone, he can fight for the puck in the corner, and he could probably fight if he wanted. He can pass, and shoot, and he's making a good name for himself. Then you got Dustin Penner, Corey Perry, Francois Beauchemin, who is their 2nd best defenseman, and is very good, then we got one last player I'd like to bring up, Todd Marchant, he's proven himself as a very good veteran throughout his career with Edmonton, Columbus, and now Anaheim. Overall, I think the Ducks will make it because I got like 10 seconds left in class, and I have to wrap it up.
Sabres in 5 over the Ducks is my prediction, Briere with 2 GWG's, Drury with 1, Connolly with 1, and Selanne with 1.
2007-03-28 02:17:28 · answer #1 · answered by jkc3953 3 · 6⤊ 2⤋
i'm a wings fan, so i'm going to vote for them all the way.
i think the devils will represent the east, but buffalo will give them a run for their money. the devils have a lot of playoff experience.
as for the west, it's hard to say. it's pretty competitive, but if i was a betting man...hmm...the MN Wild are heating up, so is Vancouver. SJ looks strong. Nashville is too young and will make mistakes. hmmm, if the wings don't win the west, then whoever comes out of the west will lose to NJ, because the west teams will beat each other up. Cuz although its the better conference, the teams will be worn down and will lose in the Stanley Cup finals. Unless it's the wings. But they could get taken out by an upstart team, like Edmonton did to them last year. except Nashville. Nashville can't beat the wings. they're Cinderella wannabes. And the Avs will be watching from the golf course thinking of a new uniform for their team.
2007-03-28 07:09:49 · answer #2 · answered by blackhawks4life 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Buffalo over Vancouver in 6
MVP Daniel Briere with 4 goals and 7 assists in the Finals
2007-03-28 11:49:34 · answer #3 · answered by Martino78 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Redwings look set up pretty well for the playoffs.
If the Sabres get all their injured players back look out for them.
It is really which team can peak in and thru the playoffs.
I think if you look at the L10 on the standings at the end of the season it will give you a good idea of which of those good teams are hot.
2007-03-28 13:47:08 · answer #4 · answered by bourgoise_10o 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Pittsburgh Vs. Redwings Detroit in 7 Pittsburgh in 2008
2007-03-28 15:35:37 · answer #5 · answered by mikejets69 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Ottawa VS Vancouver
2007-03-28 17:35:19 · answer #6 · answered by Jewelles 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The Cinderella team this year, Pittsburgh, will lose to a powerhouse from the west in the Finals. So I guess my choice would be Pittsburgh vs Anaheim. There's no way this Pitt team is not beating everyone in the East to make it to the Finals. I know Brodeur can't stop them.
2007-03-28 10:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by hockeyfrog127 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Pittsburge Penguins vs. Minnesota Wild
Wild are takin the cup!
GO WILD!
2007-03-28 12:29:55 · answer #8 · answered by JuSt_PeAcHy7 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Wild over Sabres in 6.
2007-03-28 12:44:12 · answer #9 · answered by lazyjbob 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Been saying it all year, and I'm gonna say it again!
Penguins vs. Predators
Pens win 4 to 3
It's funny how everybody is saying the Pens can't make it because of experience but does Buffalo have any? Their youth is what is going to take them there! The Pens that is!
2007-03-28 11:44:59 · answer #10 · answered by Boondocksaint 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
sabres over ducks in 5
2007-03-29 07:09:37 · answer #11 · answered by mrbud4202002 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋