Posted on 04/10/2017 1:14:39 PM PDT by airborne
Ladies and gentlemen, here is the 2017 NHL Bracket Challenge!
Here is your chance to compete against your fellow Freepers and pick the winners of this years' playoff series.
Just pick which team wins each series, and then from the team you picked, pick the next series and the next.
And then pick your team for the Stanley Cup Champions!
Good Luck!
Washington
Pittsburgh
Montreal
Ottawa
Chicago
St. Louis
Edmonton
Calgary
Washington
Montreal
Chicago
Edmonton
Washington
Chicago (but would not be shocked at an EDM upset)
The Wild had a fairly good year until March, someone said they only won 3 games or something, they had a real nosedive and I don’t think the Wild have fully recovered. The Blues have been playing well, 7-1-2 in their last 10. Nashville playing the Blackhawks aren’t too bad and they do have Subban. These clubs can’t be ruled out.
I was a fan of Chicago getting a Stanley Cup a few years ago but now, they are after a 4th; but I’ve come to accept it and they certainly look like the best or close to it out there. Might as well appreciate it though that doesn’t mean I will be cheering them on.
The Twins did bring home the hardware twice, but it was so long ago that the names Kirby Puckett and Jack Morris evoke a puzzled stare from my kids.
Fortunately, they (and I ) enjoyed a state high school hockey championship this year.
For most Minnesota hockey fans, that more than makes up for it.
Round 1
Washington over Toronto
Pittsburgh over Columbus
New York over Montreal
Boston over Ottawa
Preds over Hawks
Blues over Wild
Anaheim over Calgary
San Jose over Edmonton
Round 2
Washington over Pittsburgh
New York over Boston
Preds over Blues
Anaheim over San Jose
Round 3
Washington over New York
Anaheim over Preds
FINALS
Ducks over Caps
I’ve never done very well yet but this could be my year.
Round 1 Winners
Toronto
Pittsburgh
Montreal
Boston
Chicago
St. Louis
Anaheim
San Jose
Round 2 Winners
Pittsburgh
Boston
Chicago
Anaheim
Conference Champions
Pittsburgh
Chicago
Stanley Cup Champions
Pittsburgh
Hockey playoffs are like a second season. Everyone makes it.
Fourteen teams would disagree with you.
Tell it to the Flyers! HA!!!!
Thanks airborne for putting this together.....here’s my picks before the pucks drop tomorrow night:
Western Quarterfinals: Blackhawks, Wild, Ducks, Oilers
Eastern Quarterfinals: Les Habitants, Bruins, Caps, Blue Jackets
Western Semi’s: Blackhawks, Oilers
Eastern Semis: Habs, Caps
Western Finals: Blackhawks
Eastern Finals: Capitals
2017 Stanley Cup Champion: Washington Capitals
The Stars are not in the playoffs ... so it’s minor league playoffs for me. Go Allen Americans!!!
Hitch is Back!!!!!
Hopefully, he’s still got it.
I guess it is the best way or maybe traditional way for the playoffs to have these divisional playoffs, Canadiens vs. Rangers but these teams meet all the time. I like it in the NFL that you may have Green Bay vs. Seattle or Atlanta vs. the Giants, more geographic diversity.
But it is tradition, back in the days of the Big 6, there were so few teams then, you’d have for example, the Redwings playing the Maple Leafs often. The modern format sticks to that.
That’s about my only reservation with the playoffs, if that is clear.
Canadiens drop the opener at home to the Rangers.
Sharks win in OT vs. Oilers, a team they trailed most of the game. Bruins came from behind to defeat Ottawa at the Senators.
And the Blues win in about the 18th minute of OT.
The Oilers looked exactly like what they are, a young team in their first playoffs. They were schooled by the Sharks.
The Pens were impressive and Fleury was at the top of his game. Fun game, go Pens!
Minnesota outshot St Louis 52-26, but St Louis wins 2-1 in OT.
I didn’t get to see that game, too much hockey goodness at the same time!
Love both teams, though.
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