Playoffs = Disheartening!

Okay, so my playoff watching has not gone particularly well thus far. Washington put up a great fight after getting themselves down 3-1, and it was a highly entertaining series, but at the end of the day, the fact remains that the hated, hated Flyers have gone through. *sigh* The fact that this was followed up by the Flames' self destruction was kind of the icing on the hockey cake yesterday.

The first round is always my favorite. It's the one that tends to be filled with the most intrigue, the most potential. Honestly, I think I was completely burnt out by the time the Stanley Cup finals hit last year (although the fact that it was the Senators and the Ducks may also have had something to do with it).

Anyways, next round we've got:

(1) MONTREAL vs. (6) PHILADELPHIA
(2) PITTSBURGH vs. (5) NEW YORK RANGERS

(1) DETROIT vs. (6) COLORADO
(2) SAN JOSE vs. (5) DALLAS

Interesting how that worked out. Both 1-2, both 5-6. Fascinating. Anyways, I could see Dallas pulling the upset over San Jose. Actually, I could see Colorado doing it too, especially if the goaltender shakiness continues in Hockeytown. I'm rooting for Montreal and Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh/Philly for the EC final would be ridiculously intense. Montreal/Pittsburgh at least has the "Sid playing his team growing up" angle to it, and as the last remaining Canadian team, I will give them my support. Well that, and I'm a fan of Price.

Let's break it down this way:

Montreal in 6
Pittsburgh in 6
Colorado in 7
Dallas in 7

Other predictions? For one, Avery discovers a wholly new and innovative way to annoy everyone, until Laraque rearranges his face. Crosby grows three whole beard hairs (or "wisps"). Montrealers find a new and innovative way to celebrate victory...and manage not to set fire to it. Detroit and Colorado remember that they absolutely hate each other.

Oh, Mirtle posted this earlier today. Seeing the fans chuck bottles at Carter is pretty disappointing (as is the YouTube video when someone pelts Lupul with a pizza box). I know your team got beat and you're pretty broken up about it, but there's that whole "appropriate way to express your displeasure" thing.

Should be posting more often...been getting distracted by the end of term push, preparing for conference, and getting back into the swing of things now that my knee is healed (YAY!). WIll try to make a point of it. I'll definitely say something about the AO-laden issue of THN that just showed up at my door, particularly because I'm very happy to see him on the cover. :)