Pre Playoffs Thread - BJ's or Blue Balls?

[CCF23]

BJ's all the way baby. I don't want to see that TJ Oshie fucker anymore. Too bad we're likely pinning our hopes for that on Andrew Raycroft.

[Vector]

Too bad we're likely pinning our hopes for that on Andrew Raycroft.

Wouldn't that make us the Maple Leafs?

I'm not sure who I'd rather face. St. Louis is young and may be content to just get into the playoffs. Their offence is good and they will be getting players back (Kariya) but the team is inconsistent. Andy Murray is a good coach, Hithcock is better. Not sure if I'd rather face a team that can't score but can play defence or the opposite.

[Beaker]

I'm cheering for the Canucks out west.

I'd rather face St. Louis. I think a Ken Hitchcock team will physically punish you in a playoff series, more so than St. Louis will.

[CCF23]

Both teams are fairly young, so the Canucks have that working to their advantage. St. Louis definitely goes in hotter than Columbus. Columbus is a better team when playing to their full potential. TJ Oshie just owns the Canucks, but it'd be nice playing a series against a team with Carlo Coliacovo as a top 2 defenseman.

[King Ryan]

I really don't care and don't really think any of the things listed above matter, but I think that an AV/Hitchcock series would be abysmal really, so kinda hoping for the Blues.

[pitseleh]

Andy Murray's not much better than Hitchcock or Vigneault.

[Dr. John Cockwalrus]

If I'm Vancouver I'd much, much rather play St. Louis.

[parabola]

If I'm Vancouver I'd much, much rather play St. Louis.

This is probably true, but it really doesn't matter.

Both series aren't going to be easy, but are a fuckton better for us than the previous likely candidate which was Anaheim.

At this point I would give a slight edge to St Louis but in the long run I don't care either way.

JUST FUCKING WIN. :banana:

[Dr. John Cockwalrus]

This is probably true, but it really doesn't matter.

Both series aren't going to be easy, but are a fuckton better for us than the previous likely candidate which was Anaheim.

At this point I would give a slight edge to St Louis but in the long run I don't care either way.

JUST FUCKING WIN. :banana:

Exactly. Anaheim has upset candidate written all over them. I don't get that feeling from St. Louis; just don't like their goaltending or lack of experience.

Columbus...I would NOT want to play them. They're inexperienced, but that team and their fans are going to be pumped up like there's no tomorrow, and Steve Mason has been white-hot all year. Plus Hitchcock is an excellent coach IMO and well-suited for the playoffs.

[parabola]

Actually I sort of hope St Louis wins because then Anaheim plays San Jose...

Even if Anaheim doesn't win that series San Jose will at least be tired and beaten up.

Thats probably the only thing I'd take out of either team winning. I think the Canucks are more than capable of beating either team. Especially if Luongo keeps on playing like he has the last 3 games.

Hard to not be confident when your goaltender posts back to back shutouts before the playoffs.

Easy shutouts, but he's on his game regardless.

It's also worth pointing out that St Louis and Columbus are both under .500 on the road. That could be a factor too. Although I hate using regular season stats to support what might happen in the playoffs.

[thecrosbyshow]

Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses. Both are preferred matchups over the Ducks for the simple reason of the Ducks defensive strength.

All potential match-ups would/will be very physical.

I'd lean a bit towards the Blues, but it doesn't really matter.

Nice to avoid the Hawks, their transition game is scary good (with puck movers like Keith and Campbell especially), and Khabibulin has won a cup and is playing for a new contract.