Cup final: detroit vs carolina

[Guest]

This year has all the makings of the greatest cup final for me ever. The wings have been my team since I was a 6 year old kid with dreams of playing in the NHL myself.  Those wins in '97 and '98 were simply amazing,  and I still havent come down from that high.

 

Anyway my second favorite was always Hartford, I loved those old school green jerseys (and later the navy blue), but they always managed to go out in the first round.  Well this year they look unstoppable.  That game against the Habs last night, was incredible and constitues a permanent shift in the momentum of the series. The Habs much like the shitty Leafs are a one trick pony right now in the form of Theodore, and Joseph.  The Canes are peppering them and have too many explosive players like O'Neill and Kapanen to be held down any longer.  Man all signs are pointing to my dream final, and I cant wait to get out the McCarty jersey and the Wings flag and wave it proudly in the face of those bastard Leaf fans that pollute this great city of mine.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I'd rather see Detroit vs. Ottawa, actually.  Lalime is the man this year.

[Guest converge241]

I hate the red wings...but i dont think anyone can stop them..

i love the sharks but itll be tough to get past Roy and the Avalanche let alone the wings... i will root for anybody against the red wings in the final, but im pulling for the Senators

[Guest]

I think the sharks can take the avs they just have to show up for EVERY game.  Also I do not want the wings to play the avs based on past history they, like the leafs, always play us tight.

 

I kind of understand how u dont like the Wings, as I hate the Yankees because they always win, but the wings are different, they have tons of heart and play clean,plus  u cant root against stevie y, that guy is the definition of a leader.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I kind of understand how u dont like the Wings, as I hate the Yankees because they always win, but the wings are different, they have tons of heart and play clean,plus  u cant root against stevie y, that guy is the definition of a leader.

 

Detroit's won like twice in the past 40 years.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Detroit's won like twice in the past 40 years.

 

I guess that would make them like the Braves.

[Guest treble charged]

Well, I resent being called a bastard, for one thing.  Second of all, I think I might be the only person in the world who thought that the Hurricanes had a chance in the play-offs this year.  Everyone was crucifying the Islanders for winning the last game of the year and avoiding Carolina and having to play Toronto.  Everyone was saying that a series against Carolina meant "a sure win", and New Jersey found out the hard way that that wasn't true.

 

All of this is a moot point, of course, since the Leafs are taking the Cup this year.  That, and Alfredson should be suspended for his hit on Tucker (not even a fucking boarding penalty?!?!  You've got to be kidding me!).

[Guest Youth N Asia]

Wings have to be the favorite.

 

And Pronger DESERVED his injury...the Blues were headhunting Yzerman...Chis tried it and payed the price...although it was harmless on Yzerman's part.

 

Truth is...I think whoever wins the West will win it all...no eastern team looks like a threat.

 

I wanted to see a Red Wing/Islander final...or Boston...either way, the 3,500 year old team from Detroit is my pick.

 

Detroit is the best bet for a two city championship run...not bloody likely though

[Guest treble charged]

Detroit is the ONLY city that has a chance at 2 titles (unless you count the Hurricanes and the Hornets coming from the same city, which, technically, they don't).  All the other cities with 2 teams had at least one of them lose out in the first round (Boston, Toronto, LA, New Jersey), they didn't even make the play-offs (Dallas), or they only have one team in either of the two leagues (Montreal, Ottawa, San Antonio, Sacramento).

[Guest redbaron51]

Montreal and San Jose

 

Montreal is my favourite team

 

San Jose because they are my team in the pool

[Guest Will Scarlet]

I agree with Redbaron.  The final I most want to see is Montreal and San Jose.  I have enjoyed watching Montreal in the playoffs, and, of the Sharks, Red Wings, and Avalanche, they are the team I most want in there from the west.  Of course, the Red Wings will take the Stanley Cup.  I just hope this helps speed up their retirements.  I hate the Red Wings, ever since having to deal with a bunch of people jumping on their bandwagon in high school.  I thought they were through last year, then they reload with a bunch of free agents.  I just hope someone beats them.  I would love that.

[Guest]

Look Treble he bastard term was harsh but you are a perfect example of why I have had to resort to using it.  Being a countrymate and citymate of mine, you have to admit you Leaf fans pride over brains.  You honestly think they have a chance of winning the cup, and that is ridiculous.  Most of my friends who are Leaf fans will say shit like they could beat us with a healthy team...get real you guys would lost to St. Louis if you both faced off and were healthy. The Leafs are a good team but not a great team a la Detroit or Colorado and you Leaf fans know it. I just hope when the dynasty is completed this year, and we win that Leaf fans will suck it up for a third time and admit we are the best team hands down.

 

Oh and dont get me started on Treble Charger, I used to appreciate those guys way back in the nc-17 days, still have that tape somewhere, man have they sunk and taken Sum 41 with them.

[Guest]

I'll say Sens vs Canadians for Eastern, and Wings vs Avalanche for Western.

[Guest treble charged]

I know that the regular season has little meaning in the play-offs, but I will just point this out to aid my argument.

 

2001-2002 Final Standings:

Toronto- 100 points

Colorado - 99 points

 

Yes, Colorado has had more success in the play-offs in recent years, but based on those standings, most people would put Toronto and Colorado in the same league.

 

Also, Syxx, I would be a former citymate of yours, moved away when I was only a year old.

[Guest starvenger]

Should the St. John's Maple Leafs (seems like it, doesn't it?) not make the cup finals, I'd hope that one of the other Canadian teams (preferably the Habs) make it.  And beat Detroit.

 

Actually I don't care who makes it to the finals, as long as someone beats Detroit, since I'm rather anti-Chelios.

[Guest redbaron51]

The only reason i want detroit to win the cup is for Luc Robitalle (sp?)

[Guest easye46]

Detroit will win it for sure.. and as per usual, the stanley cup

will be decided in the Western Final... Probably when

Colorado and Detroit meet again.. because whoever come up in the east will get thrashed.

[Guest starvenger]

>Detroit will win it for sure.. and as per usual, the stanley cup

will be decided in the Western Final... Probably when

Colorado and Detroit meet again.. because whoever come up in the east will get thrashed.

 

I'd no idea that New Jersey was in the West...

[Guest dreamer420]

Colorado vs. Carolina sounds pretty damn good for the finals but I wouldn't mind seeing a Canadian team get there.

[Guest treble charged]

Toronto vs. Detroit would be the best possible series for the NHL at this point.  Two Original 6 teams re-newing their rivalry.  CBC's ratings would be through the roof.

[Guest starvenger]

>Toronto vs. Detroit would be the best possible series for the NHL at this point.  Two Original 6 teams re-newing their rivalry.  CBC's ratings would be through the roof.

 

The ratings would kill the ones from the Olympics.  And, of course, ABC might break the 2.0 barrier...

[Guest treble charged]

I have a bad feeling about this series, though.  Carolina seems to be a team on a mission, but the Leafs have that underdog, scrappy mentality with all of their players hurt.

[Guest redbaron51]

I can tell you this.

 

No Eastern conferance team will win the stanley cup.

[Guest starvenger]

>No Eastern conferance team will win the stanley cup.

 

I think that Detroit has the best chance to win the Cup right now.  If they happen to get upset by the Avs or Sharks, then I think that the Leafs or the 'Canes have an even shot at it.

 

I do see the Eastern finals going 6 or 7 though, so whatever team comes out of there is gonna be hella-tired going into the finals.

[Guest thevertex]

I was rooting for the Sharks with my teams eliminated, I guess I want the Red Wings to win just so all their aging players can retire and stop bitching.

[Guest gthureson]

Carolina vs. Toronto Matchup:

 

Goal:  Joseph vs the two-headed goaling monster Irbe/Weekes.

 

Maurice has done a good job of knowing when to switch them up so far, and its worked.  Being a Canes fan, I'd like to know that the guy between the posts can go all the way, but I'll take what I get.  Joseph seems to steadily overcoming the hand injury, but he has not really been consistent in this years playoffs.  He's followed strong games with awful ones.  I'm calling this a push.

 

Defence:  Well, it depends who dresses for Toronto.  Yushkevich is gone for the season.  No matter how much they might want him in there, current medical advice is, "You could play right, but you might die."  The Leafs seem to not want him to die, and will keep him out.   If Lumme and Pilar are ready to go, that bolsters their core, even if Pilar does gamble a lil'too much for this time of year.   Carolina's defence is solid, if unspectacular.  Hedican, Wesley, Hill, Malik, Wallin, Ward.  Not exactly names that strike fear into anybody's hearts, but they are healthy and have decent mix of size and skill.   Edge to the Canes, if only 'cause they are healthy.

 

Forwards:  Again, depends on who dresses.   Valk is expected back.  Sundin might be back for game 2.  Renberg might dress.  While I'm not a huge Gary Valk fan, better him out there than all the Wren's, Healey's and Farkas' if I'm a Leaf fan.  Renberg's size would help in this series.  If I'm a Leaf fan (and I'm not), my big worry is how a Sundin comeback would affect the dynamics of this team.  Right now, its Gary Roberts' team.   They are following his example.   It reminds of when Lemieux missed the first round and a half of the playoffs after missing a big chunk of the season, and the Pens pulled together as a team.  Everyone contributed.   Ron Francis' was their leader in Mario's absence, and they were a tight *team*.   Mario came back, and it was like everybody let out a great big sigh and thought, "Whew.  We can ease up a bit now that we've got the big guy again."   And they expected Mario to do it all, and they got bounced.   Would this happen to Toronto?   Possibly.   All it takes is a slight attitude shift from, "Everybody has to do their part." to "We're unstoppable with Mats" for the carpet to get pulled.   We'll see.

 

Carolina's forwards....hrm.   Sami hasn't been scoring, O'Neill was dropped to the third line.   The second line has been a terror, and the third line has been chipping in since the switch.  The fourth line works hard.    With Tucker out, you have one checking centre (Corson), and right now, you have to put him on Brind'Amour's line.  Problem is, I think Brind'Amour and his line can fight through that kind of checking.   As much as people want to talk about Leafs being warriors, so is Brindy and the two guys flanking him.  They are big and fast.  But you put your shadows on him, do you free up some room for Francis and Kapanen to start clicking?  If I'm Maurice, I put Francis out against Roberts.  Francis has the size and the experience go head to head with that line.  And Kapanen can probably exploit Hoglund's defensive weaknesses.  

 

Oh...who do I favour?  If Toronto gets some bodies back...I have to give the Leafs the edge here.   If they don't get cleared to play...the Canes.  At least all their guys are NHLers.  Right now, the Leafs have two lines made of guys from St. John's.

 

Intangibles: Yes, the Leafs have desire and grit.  So do the Canes.   The danger I am starting to see from the Leafs is this opinion that they 'deserve' to win.

 

Thats a dangerous thing to start thinking.  Wanting to win is great.  Wanting it more than anything is better.   Thinking you deserve to win is dangerous.  And despite all their talk about 'good series', I think they might already be looking past Carolina.  They are expecting people back, they finished ahead of the Canes during the season, I think they are expecting to take this thing in 5 after Mats comes back.

 

Carolina doesn't seem to be expecting anything except to have to go out and play hard in Game 1.

 

They are equal in experience where it counts.  Toronto has Roberts, Joseph, Corson, Lumme.  They all have been down this road to the finals before.   Carolina has Francis, Brind'Amour, Wesley, Hill, Gelinas.  They have won Cups or been to the finals a couple of times.   A push.

 

 

What will decide this series is how Toronto reacts to getting Sundin back (if they do).