Round 2: New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

[Bender]

Just knew that the Capitals dominating in OT would lead to them eventually losing.

They were 100 seconds away from winning the series too. Caps have yet to get out of the 2nd round with Ovechkin. I was kind of hoping this was going to be his year to raise the Cup.

i still find it hard to believe the east has anything to stand up against whomever comes out of the ducks and blackhawks series....guess we'll see though

If there is a team that could have challenged either Anaheim or Chicago (but more Anaheim) in the physicality department, it would have been the Capitals.  For the simple reason that the Caps were one of the league's bigger teams and on that level alone would have matched them up well against either of the above-mentioned two.

Tampa Bay?  They probably could beat the Rangers and if they do, their best asset would be their speed to get around a bigger, more physically demanding team.

I don't think there is any way any of the Eastern Conference Semi Finalists could knock off Anaheim or Chicago for the Cup

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't think there is any way any of the Eastern Conference Semi Finalists could knock off Anaheim or Chicago for the Cup

I'm still sticking with my Tampa pick, although I didn't expect Chicago and Anaheim to look quite this dominant. Anaheim must have had one of the easiest paths to the Conference Finals too.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm still sticking with my Tampa pick, although I didn't expect Chicago and Anaheim to look quite this dominant. Anaheim must have had one of the easiest paths to the Conference Finals too.

I'd say both Tampa and the Rangers have the edge in net over the Western teams, and that can often be the difference in a series.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'd say both Tampa and the Rangers have the edge in net over the Western teams, and that can often be the difference in a series.

Yeah, I've made it known that I'm a huge fan of Tampa's blue line too. I'd take theirs over Anaheim for sure, Chicago would have the slight edge if Keith is playing at his very best but he can be a little inconsistent.

 

[L K]

I'm still sticking with my Tampa pick, although I didn't expect Chicago and Anaheim to look quite this dominant. Anaheim must have had one of the easiest paths to the Conference Finals too.

I'd say both Tampa and the Rangers have the edge in net over the Western teams, and that can often be the difference in a series.

The Rangers can't score.  I think Tampa might be better suited to score more than 1 goal in a game against the Rangers.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don't think there is any way any of the Eastern Conference Semi Finalists could knock off Anaheim or Chicago for the Cup

I'm still sticking with my Tampa pick, although I didn't expect Chicago and Anaheim to look quite this dominant. Anaheim must have had one of the easiest paths to the Conference Finals too.

I don't think it was that easy. A lot of people picked Winnipeg to beat them. They came back in the third period 3 times against Winnipeg.  The fact they made it look relatively easy is a testament to how good they are. Should be a heck of a series with Chicago.

 

[L K]

I don't think there is any way any of the Eastern Conference Semi Finalists could knock off Anaheim or Chicago for the Cup

I'm still sticking with my Tampa pick, although I didn't expect Chicago and Anaheim to look quite this dominant. Anaheim must have had one of the easiest paths to the Conference Finals too.

I don't think it was that easy. A lot of people picked Winnipeg to beat them. They came back in the third period 3 times against Winnipeg.  The fact they made it look relatively easy is a testament to how good they are. Should be a heck of a series with Chicago.

The people picking Winnipeg to beat Anaheim were being:
1) Sentimental
2) Naive
3) Outright stupid

There was absolutely nothing about the Jets that suggested they had the slightest chance of beating Anaheim, and while it's great that they had leads midway through the 3rd period, losing in 4 straight is not indication of a close series.  Getting swept is not an indication of a close series.