Ok the old NHL thread we had in here seems to have died so here's a new one because there is just about a month to go before the dance of 16 teams begins for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So many tight races, especially out west! The race is on for the final 2 playoff spots in the east as well with about 6 teams fighting. Montreal and Tampa are playing tonight, Montreal holding 7th and Tbay holding 8th but only 2 pts up on Atlanta.... Toronto and the NY Islanders are both 6 pts back. I am going to see the Leafs play the Bruins tomorrow night, if the Bruins lose then they are pretty much out of it. Slim hopes for my Leafs still making it but I have sorta resigned to the fact that they won't just too many hot teams and the leafs have a tough sked, 15 of the last 19 games against teams with better records then them.... time to blow up Leaf Land...

Who would want him?

After all this Vokoun drama, Nashville has held their ground as of late, although they played mostly Chicago and St.Louis, but Mason is holding his own the last 4 games. I doubt this will continue, but I am really lookign forward to the Preds/Detroit game this coming up Monday to end the regular season.

The Preds clinched the #4 spot tonight, so hell yeah to having home ice in the first round of the playoffs! If the Preds win out in their next 2 games at home, Nashville will have the fewest losses at home in the ENTIRE NHL(32-9, right now Carolina has only 9 as well)!

Bertuzzi would still garner alot of attention. I think if he gets a fresh start somewhere he can at least try to get back to the player he was. He would want to go to the eastern conference since during the offseason he lives just outside of Toronto so who knows.

Even though the leafs beat the Sens 5-1 tonight they were officially elimated from the playoffs as Tampa beat Carolina in OT.... so even if the Leafs win both remaining games they will tie Tbay in pts but Tampa holds the tiebreaker with one more win.

Oh well my Leafs went down fighting so I commend them for that.

I remember Dave Nonis was talking to the Edmonton radio guy and said he got alot of offers for Todd.

I'm really glad the Leafs didn't make the playoffs. IMO it would've been a huge spoiler since they've been terrible all season and only now are they actually working.

Sens need [!@#$%^&*] work though. Yikes we better get Hasek back for the playoffs and work on our offence.

I'm pretty upset Vancouver didn't make it.

Toronto didn't make it in, either?

Although I'm really happy Edmonton made it to the playoffs, I was hoping Vancouver would get in, too. It would have been nice to have all the Canadian teams get in.

Once we know all the match-ups I am going to start an NHL Playoff SON Pool. Basically pick who you think will win each series and how many games you think it will take. Is everyone interested in that?

Once we know all the match-ups I am going to start an NHL Playoff SON Pool. Basically pick who you think will win each series and how many games you think it will take. Is everyone interested in that?

Awesome!

Yeah, I would of liked to have seen all 6 canadian teams make it. Maybe next year. If Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa & Montreal get better and TO & Van work hard in the off season it might just happen.

I'll be rooting for Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Nashville & Carolina.

Chris Mason of the Preds is 5-1 since the news of Vokoun, can he keep this up though? I think Nashville has a chance at home, but honestly facing San Jose, the hottest team in the league wont be easy.

I would be interested in an SON pool...

I'd love a Pool! I think a Western team (*cough* Dallas) is going to take the cup but I'd be more than interested in starting one. Good idea

I'm so glad Toronto's not in, but I'm disappointed Vancouver isn't.

I think the Sens will play better, I think we have the heart and the grit, but I don't know what happened to them on Saturday? I have to say I'm worried about our goaltending, Emery has no playoff experience.

Toronto didn't make it in, either?

Although I'm really happy Edmonton made it to the playoffs, I was hoping Vancouver would get in, too. It would have been nice to have all the Canadian teams get in.

I agree.

I'm so glad Toronto's not in, but I'm disappointed Vancouver isn't.

I think the Sens will play better, I think we have the heart and the grit, but I don't know what happened to them on Saturday? I have to say I'm worried about our goaltending, Emery has no playoff experience.

Don't worry, Hasek will be back for the playoffs. He's supposed to play the game against the Rangers as well.

I think with Hasek we'll be alright, but the key question is is he 100%?

Glad everyone is interested in the hockey pool! Encourage others you know on the board to join in as well. So I will start up the thread Wednesday once all regular season games have been played ad we know the match ups.

I am rooting for Montreal, I just hope they don't meet Ottawa in the first round cause they're my 2 favorite teams

I'm in for the pool.

I aslo don't want MTL to face OTT in the 1st round. I want to cheer for MTL against Carolina.