Ice Hockey: Playoffs

This is one of the closest playoff races that i have ever seen i wonder who is going to win it all?

Yea this is a great playoff race, best one in ages, but you still have to give Detriot a big advantage because of all the veterans on the team. They are still one of the top teams in the league. But on the East there is ottawa, there are so many great teams in the league that this is going to be one of the best playoff races in years, everybody seems to want it

i think that the team with home ice advantage is going to win it, so the battle of the playoff race is still going on, Ottawa will probably win the East, and Detriot, Dallas and the Blues with the new goalie, it is going to be very close race in the west.

I like Detroit to win it all agian this year they sure are on a roll right now winning 20 / 22 or something like that but i'de love to see the Caps do well instead of flop out in the first round again. Thank god the the cap killing penguins won't be making the playoffs this year.

I agree, this should be one of the best playoffs in years. Of course I'm biased being a huge Flyers fan, but every matchup could go either way. I would love to see Boston upset NJ in the first round, I HATE the Devils! I was also glad to see the Rangers left home to golf again for the 6th straight year! How do you miss the playoffs with that roster?

I think Ken Hithcock has the Flyers playing really well right now. They have been sound defensively all year and now they are scoring alot more goals, the addition of Amonte was huge! Go Flyboys!!

I am a huge Rangers fan, and i was a little upset by the fact that they can have so many great players and still miss the playoffs. The flyers should make it past the first round with better coaching and better depth in the lineup. Any team in the east or the west will be able to upset anybody. So it should be fun watching.

The Rangers roster looks like an All-Star team, I guess they are lacking chemistry plus they had some bad injuries to Bure and Leetch. They also dont have the Lindros that he used to be, I cant believe what a different player he is. I can understand with all of the concussions, but then maybe he shouldn't be playing at all.

As a Rangers fan, what do you think of Lindros? I lost all respect for him when his Flyers career was over and he said that he wouldn't play for anyone but Toronto. He did the same thing when Quebec drafted him, he just refused to play there. I think the Rangers should try and get some younger players for him while they still can. He is one hit away from retirement.

Yeah the Rangers are lacking chemistry what they need is a great coach Sather did a good job for the time he was coach, but the Rangers stilled showed that they suck and that they dont want to be out there, if the Rangers go out this offseason and get a new coach that can motitavte them they should do great next season.

Lindros he showed signs that he can still play, but during there run for the playoffs he didnt score any goals. And he took some bad pentalys, i was happy when he became a ranger, but if they trade him in the offseason they should get some young players that will lead them into the future. But how is going to take him that is the question.

You're totally right Ben. I think alot of the chemistry lies in the hands of the coach. He has to motivate, teach, and find the right line combinations to make things work like a well oiled machine as opposed to a square wheel. If I'm correct, Trottier never coached before and Sather has been a GM for a long time, they need an established coach that can deal with the veterans and teach x's and o's to the young guys. I think Keenan would do well there if Florida lets him go, I'm not sure who else is available.

There is one coach out there other than Keenan that will get the job done in my opinion and that is Ted Nolan, he did a great job in buffalo a few years back, and if iam correct he doesnt have a job now, and he can motivate this team to win again because they have everything.

Ted Nolan was a really good coach with Buffalo a few years back, I'm surprised he hasn't been offered a job since. Hey, Barry Melrose is still available from what I hear, lol !

Barry Melrose is still available from what I hear, lol !

Melrose would make a great coach, a commentator to coach already worked in the NBA why wouldnt it work in the NHL. I still dont know why Ted Nolan didnt get a job yet.
take a look at this

www.sportingnews.com...

[Edited on 04/06/2003 by Ben]

[Edited on 04/06/2003 by Ben]

Good link Ben, I didn't realize Nolan was awarded the coach of the year the last year he coached. Supposedly he had some differences with the GM and that has hurt his future opportunities at coaching. I think he could do well with the Rangers, he deserves a chance.

I'm a huge Red Wings fan, and I like their chances this year. They have been a dominating force on the ice for the last few years, and I still think they have a championship or two left in them.