Central Division Final - Stars vs Blues (Series tied 3-3)

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by hurtin_albertan

What's boring about St. Louis vs Chicago in any sports arena? Just a classic rivalry of cities and in the case of the current NHL, two damn good hockey teams. That was an outstanding series, sign me up for another round next year.

Same with LA vs San Jose, LA vs Anaheim, Calgary vs Vancouver or Calgary vs Edmonton. Hell even Vancouver vs any of LA, San Jose, or Edmonton.

Pittsburgh vs Philly, NYR vs NYI, Montreal vs Toronto, etc.

It doesn't have to be the same series year after year but the potential for absolute classics is off the charts. Love the format.

Huh? Vancouver vs Edmonton is a rivalry? No way. Both teams fan bases don't consider the 2 teams "rivals." There have only been 2 Canucks-Oilers playoff series and they were largely uneventful and that was in the Smythe Division days. The Canucks and Sharks is going to take some time. Most of the other team parings you mention have had good playoff history or close proximity in geography. I still prefer the previous format.

[Strange Brew]

Stars have a very very good chance IMO. It is very fun to have a legitimate rooting interest in a playoff series. Not exactly something we have grown used unless it's to cheer against our rivals.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Blues open as a slight favorite over Dallas. Gotta think that's because of public perception: Blues defeat the mighty Hawks while Dallas struggled against the lowly Wild.

Or Blues are a better team, beat the stars 4-1 in the season series, and are only the away team because they lost 1 more game than Dallas?

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Tsawwassen

Huh? Vancouver vs Edmonton is a rivalry? No way. Both teams fan bases don't consider the 2 teams "rivals." There have only been 2 Canucks-Oilers playoff series and they were largely uneventful and that was in the Smythe Division days. The Canucks and Sharks is going to take some time. Most of the other team parings you mention have had good playoff history or close proximity in geography. I still prefer the previous format.

You really don't think Oilers vs Canucks isn't a rivalry? It's the very definition of a regional rivalry.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I'm rooting for the Stars to win so we get that 1st rounder. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit conflicted. I'm not really a Stars fan but I genuinely enjoy the Blues. They are a big, physical, fast skilled team who rebuilt the right way. No shortcuts. Ultimately, the one team in the league I hope the Flames can become like are the Blues.

Should be a good series. I know it might seem the Stars have the upper hand since the Blues took 7 games to beat the Hawks. But that was the defending Stanley Cup champs and nobody was going to have an easy time facing them. The Wild weren't exactly cup material.

IMO the Blues will come out on top in 6. But if the Stars get Seguin back and he lights things up, they will have the upper hand. Kind of hard to call this one, but I'm going with St. Louis

Lets see them get past the 2nd round first...they have done nothing but choke in the playoffs and one series win doesn't erase that...heck they almost blew a 2-0 lead in game 7 again

[Philly06Cup]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Or Blues are a better team, beat the stars 4-1 in the season series, and are only the away team because they lost 1 more game than Dallas?

Dallas has home ice. That should make them the default favorite. That they are not is surprising.

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Weitz

You really don't think Oilers vs Canucks isn't a rivalry? It's the very definition of a regional rivalry.

A very small regional rivalry. It doesn't register on the emotionally charged scale like the Flames-Canucks.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by Weitz

You really don't think Oilers vs Canucks isn't a rivalry? It's the very definition of a regional rivalry.

It's a rivalry just not the big one. Calgary's second or third most hated or Vancouver's third or fourth. ... Edmonton has just been irrelevant for too long. Disgust sure but hate?
Who does Edmonton hate. ....? Not really sure anyone cares. Maybe next year right.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Lets see them get past the 2nd round first...they have done nothing but choke in the playoffs and one series win doesn't erase that...heck they almost blew a 2-0 lead in game 7 again

I still think the Blues history of "choking" has almost everything to do with the team on the other side of the ice being the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that St. Louis has beat them, they should be regarded as a very serious threat to win the West.

I'm still hopeful that Dallas can win this series for the sake of the Flames' draft pick, but I really think that the Blues are too good.

[Philly06Cup]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Dallas has home ice. That should make them the default favorite. That they are not is surprising.

Dallas is still the favorite in game one. They will likely rate to be the favorite for all the home games. And yet St Louis is a favorite for the series. Looks like a potential spot for arbitrage.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I still think the Blues history of "choking" has almost everything to do with the team on the other side of the ice being the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that St. Louis has beat them, they should be regarded as a very serious threat to win the West.

I'm still hopeful that Dallas can win this series for the sake of the Flames' draft pick, but I really think that the Blues are too good.

Contrary to popular belief they don't always face the Hawks as they have lost six game series to each of the Kings, Hawks, and Wild in succession. No shame in losing to the Kings and Hawks but losing to the Wild IMO is a choke job.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I still think the Blues history of "choking" has almost everything to do with the team on the other side of the ice being the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that St. Louis has beat them, they should be regarded as a very serious threat to win the West.

I'm still hopeful that Dallas can win this series for the sake of the Flames' draft pick, but I really think that the Blues are too good.

might want to look at their playoff history...they have lost to lots of teams that were below them in the standings

[midniteowl]

I'm pulling for the Flames' draft pick, Go Stars Go

Stars in 6

[expo2428]

Tough series to judge, I think the Stars firepower might pull it off. This will be a great series to watch and hopefully the stars can guarantee the Flames a draft pick between 27th and 30th.

[Mony]

Blues in 6 or 7 unfortunately.

Go Stars

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I still think the Blues history of "choking" has almost everything to do with the team on the other side of the ice being the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that St. Louis has beat them, they should be regarded as a very serious threat to win the West.

I'm still hopeful that Dallas can win this series for the sake of the Flames' draft pick, but I really think that the Blues are too good.

Originally Posted by dino7c

might want to look at their playoff history...they have lost to lots of teams that were below them in the standings

The Blues choked a 3-1 series lead and lost to the Canucks in 2001.

[vennegoor of hesselink]

Sounds like Nichushkin is a healthy scratch again

[sureLoss]

Russell will play.

[FBI]

Come on Tre. Get us Nichushkin and Hayes, the playoff rejects.

[hwy19man]

Duplicate post.