NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2006

[Raistlin]

... where did I get 39 from? O_o *ponders that for a bit*

Nevermind then, the NBA is every bit as ridiculous.

EDIT: I probably got it from the 29, how many teams there used to be, and just mixed up 20 and 30 because I'm retarded.

[crazybayman]

8 teams per conference and 7 game series? How long does this thing go on?

14 teams didn't make it, so 7 from each conference? So the majority of teams from each conference make the playoffs? Interesting.

Playoffs are a completely different animal than the regular season. There are many upsets, and often there is a "Cindererella Team" who probably finishes 7th or 8th in the conference, but yet makes it to the Stanley Cup Finals because of goaltending, and hard, grinding play, like Calgary in 2004, Anaheim in 2003 and Carolina in 2002. Therefore, they have to let 8 teams from each conference into the playoffs. Plus, this way you have 4 different series per conference in the first round, 2 series per conference in the second round, then the conference finals, and then the Stanley Cup Finals. Anything less would be too short .

The playoffs are much more exciting than the regular season, so hence they let it go for arond 2 months . Plus, 7 games has been the way to determine who the true superior team is in a series, dating back to the 40's when there were only the Original 6 teams (Montreal, Toronto, Boston, New York Rangers, Detroit and Chicago).

Some fans don't even pay much attention to the regular season, but follow it religiously in the playoffs. Its much more intense, emotional, and exciting.

And you have to give credit to the players. They go through a gruelling 82 game season, and then an even more gruelling, 2 months of playoff hockey, for the teams who make it through to the finals.

Playoff hockey is incredible. Every goal counts as if it were the team's last goal ever. Teams are fighting and battling for supremacy. And it is a true battle of speed, strength, endurance, skill, intensity, and guts.

[Strider]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdN9NsV4zko&eurl

Watch this hit and you'll understand exactly what bayman is talking about.

[crazybayman]

yep....what's amazing is that he's "expected to play" tonight. Regardless of if its a concussion or not. Check out the look on his face as he sits there on the ice with the trainer That's priceless.

[Del Murder]

Then why have a regular season?

[crazybayman]

To decide who makes the playoffs
And to decide the seedings going in.
And to give us hockey fans something to watch all winter long.

The regular season is great, I follow it regiously.....its just that the playoffs are much more exciting because of what's on the line.

[friedpork]

wtf Edmonton beat Detroit again.

[crazybayman]

wtf Edmonton beat Detroit again.

of course

It was just a matter of time before guys like Peca and Pronger started performing like they're capable of. They've been quiet all season long, and have picked it up at the right time.

Its great too, because I'm sick and tired of seeing Detroit winning.

[Doomie]

GO EDMONTON. THEY'RE MY UPSET. GO.

[crazybayman]

Edmonton over Detroit in 7 - UPSET!!

GO EDMONTON. THEY'RE MY UPSET. GO.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=164571&hubname=

Just as I predicted except, they went beyond that, and did it in 6 instead of 7

WOO!!