NHL Predicts A Capitals-Red Wings Stanley Cup Final

[skyphoenix 153]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=539662

...And they pick the Wings to win the cup.

[dragonballgtz 273]

I do not agree with the Capitals taking the East. I know defense is not the biggest thing in playoffs now but you cannot hope that every game will be a run and gun game. Unless their stars start back checking a little they won't go far again IMO.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

it's funny how all the critics and fans from other teams knock the wings so hard and say they're old and s*** and their time is at an end...blah, blah, blah and it's the "Pens time"...but every year, the panels go with the safe and consistent bet and take the wings. i called wings over bruins in 6, but their prediction sounds good. i like all their predictions except the norris. nick goes out on top. norris, stanley and conn smythe if dats, Z, or franzen don't win it.

[Tommy_Like_Wingy 25]

Crap, so does this mean we're out in the 2nd round again?

[VM1138 1,921]

I don't think we'll see an Original 6 matchup in the finals for decades. As for the Capitals...I'm not sure they have everything in place yet but it's certainly possible. I'm betting some random team out of the East will make it. THere are very few consistent teams there.

[Konnan511 1,736]

This list lost all credibility after I read this:

Your 2011 Calder Trophy winner will be ... Magnus Paajarvi

Have they never heard of Ritola?

[NvrFrgtRussian5 85]

This list lost all credibility after I read this:

Have they never heard of Ritola?

I hope you are being facetious.

[TheOctopusKid 19]

To quote the illustrious Bruce Boudreau

"Coach Bruce Boudreau has gone over the tapes again and again. He is confident it wasn't a flaw in the system, but a simple lack of finish that led to the Caps' 1-for-33 power-play effort that was a killer in the loss to the Canadiens."

Or it was his arrogance or inept management of their lines, matchups, and strategy that prevented the Capitals from seperating their top offensive threats from the Canadiens best defensive players.

Or it was the players overcommitment and defensive "floating" in hopes of an oddman rush to generate quick an easy goals that led to their downfall.

Or it was their star players refusal to play with any level of urgency till the last 10 minutes as they realized that they couldn't score with the same aplomb as they did in the regular season.

Yeah, this seems like a team that took away the right lessons from last year's upset and is ready to make their push to the Finals. Good luck getting past the first round. Again.

[RedOrDead 5]

my dreams predict a caps wings final too! Getting to watch Ovie while the wings win the cup makes me salivate.

[Carman 387]

Capitals will barely make the playoffs, nevermind actually get out of the first round.

They have no goaltending, no defensive depth all around, and just an awful awful coach that refuses to deviate from anything that worked in the AHL.

Boudreau is my main sticking point with the Caps, until they get rid of him, or he does a complete 180 on his coaching style I don't see them as a legitimate threat.

I'm still thinking it's between Philly or the Pens. Maybe New Jersey depending how Kovalchuk settles in and if Brodeur can stay healthy.

[Guest scottj]

god guys just give it up we're too old...

srsly

[Wings_Toledo 233]

Well, at least they're 50% correct.

[F2B&G 15]

No way do the Capitals make it past the second round. Not without a lot of luck in goal to make up for mediocre coaching.

It's probably going to be Pittsburgh or Boston. If Philly had a goalie they'd be a possibility too, but they don't.

-Buffalo overplays Miller and doesn't have the firepower

-New Jersey will have a new coach and Brodeur is too out of shape to be counted on for 70 starts + a playoff run

-Montreal has Price in net

-The Rags will find a new way to be mediocre and miss the playoffs

-Toronto is Toronto and the Islanders are the Islanders

etc.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Does this mean less "intent to blow" calls this season?

[cupforwings 138]

Capitals will barely make the playoffs, nevermind actually get out of the first round.

They have no goaltending, no defensive depth all around, and just an awful awful coach that refuses to deviate from anything that worked in the AHL.

Boudreau is my main sticking point with the Caps, until they get rid of him, or he does a complete 180 on his coaching style I don't see them as a legitimate threat.

I'm still thinking it's between Philly or the Pens. Maybe New Jersey depending how Kovalchuk settles in and if Brodeur can stay healthy.

barely make the playoffs? The Caps will finish first in the east, again. They lack in some areas, but dominate in others. I see them in the finals vs the Wings as well. Of course, the wings will win though

[dropkickshanahans 463]

No way do the Capitals make it past the second round. Not without a lot of luck in goal to make up for mediocre coaching.

It's probably going to be Pittsburgh or Boston. If Philly had a goalie they'd be a possibility too, but they don't.

-Buffalo overplays Miller and doesn't have the firepower

-New Jersey will have a new coach and Brodeur is too out of shape to be counted on for 70 starts + a playoff run

-Montreal has Price in net

-The Rags will find a new way to be mediocre and miss the playoffs

-Toronto is Toronto and the Islanders are the Islanders

etc.

I mostly agree, I just don't understand why you threw Toronto and NYI to that list

[nate94gt 134]

Crap, so does this mean we're out in the 2nd round again?

i know. everytime someone predicts the wings, im like

[titanium2 867]

I feel like this is just a big jinx. Ah well.

[SDavis35 140]

Capitals will barely make the playoffs, nevermind actually get out of the first round.

They have no goaltending, no defensive depth all around, and just an awful awful coach that refuses to deviate from anything that worked in the AHL.

Boudreau is my main sticking point with the Caps, until they get rid of him, or he does a complete 180 on his coaching style I don't see them as a legitimate threat.

I'm still thinking it's between Philly or the Pens. Maybe New Jersey depending how Kovalchuk settles in and if Brodeur can stay healthy.

I know you're trying to "call it as you see it" but this is unrealistic. Capitals I guarantee you will have home-ice advantage in the first round. Look at the division they play in - Thrashers, Hurricanes, Panthers, Lightning - no way those teams can compete with the Caps.

They have incredible firepower to score 5 goals a game with. Their problem is the defence. Goaltending is "okay" it will win a few games, keep between 2.50 and 3.0 GAA. When it comes to the playoffs, we'll see but they're still the best team from the east in my opinion. I'm actually not sure how well Fleury will play for the Pens, he seems to be a gamble and inconsistent come playoffs. Also without Gonchar it's going to be tough on them. Philly I don't believe in cause I felt they got lucky into the final.

[MulesWillFly93 199]

- 6 am at article writer's house: *hits publish*

- 6 am at Franzen's and Kronwall's houses: "Ouch! What was that weird twinge in my knee?"

STOP WITH THE JINXES ALREADY!!

But seriously, the Caps are my prediction to meet the You-Know-Whos in the finals, too. Of course, I said that last year, and I'll probably be wrong again, but darn it, they've got the pieces; they just need to fit them into the puzzle. If not Wash, then Boston. Apparently I'm rooting for the chokers this year....that doesn't extend to the Sharks, though, obviously.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

I definitely agree with their western prediction. But I just don't see the Caps making it all the way to the finals. I'm predicting the Devils in the east. That should be a great final series. I just hope the Pens don't make it to the finals.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I hope you are being facetious.

Nope, but I am kidding, though.