Looking like a quick series?

I know Ottawa fans are clinging to the old "it isn't a series until you lose on home ice" theory but Anaheim looks to be clearly superior and putting on a clinic. All the pressure is on Ottawa, even if Anaheim splits there, it is over. I originally said the Ducks in 6, after Game one, I switched up to 5. A sweep now would not surprise me.


Like I have said all along, the West is much stronger and the Cup will go to the West.


I am in favor of a 1 vs. 16 etc format in the play-offs where 2 teams from the same conference could meet in the final (lmagine a Leafs/Habs final). That way we could eliminate the pretenders like the Eastern Conference paper champions. I think atleast half of the Western conference teams would spank Ottawa in this final.|||it wont be a sweep, but I dont think it'll last 6, I think they'll split at home, then Anaheim will take game 5, Emery did great tonight, but everyone else was dreadful, take out Saprykin and put in McGratten, do something to show an interest... the Pizza line fell apart and Spezza looks like he did in October.





I think SC Finals inexperience is costing this team big time, and I think it'll be the main reason they dont win (not taking anything away from Anaheim) but I think that Ottawa will learn from this and come back strong next season





EDIT- Bob, facts are facts, Ottawa is down 2 heading home, and only 9% of teams have come back to win, and Ottawa just cant keep up, I could say that anythings possible and all that junk, but again...facts are facts...|||The east has won the cup the last 3 years, skipping the lock out season of '04-'05.|||Go Anaheim Ducks and Anaheim Angels!|||I think the "x-factor" of this series is definitely Emery; he kept his team in that game tonight, 100%. If the rest of his team can match even half his playing level, I think we'll be in for a longer series than it looks to be right now.|||I said at the beginning Anaheim in 7 and that each team would win all of its home games...so far so good lol|||I agree, it'll be Ducks in five.














but I don't agree with a 1 vs. 16 playoff format. DUH, that's why there are conferences and divisions, dude|||I agree that a sweep isn't out of the question and that there's a very good chance the Ducks will take home the Cup, but I disagree with your other statement. Sure, the West has some powerful teams, but they haven't won the Cup in a while, have they? And yeah, it's Ottawa isn't the best Eastern team right now, but they're definitely good--After all, it seemed plausible that they'd win Game 1, at least until the beginning of the 3rd period.


I also think that having two teams from the same conference could have a negative impact on the sport's popularity in the U.S. It's already not a very popular sport here, so most lukewarm fans probably wouldn't watch a game that didn't have any teams playing that they were in their conference (that's how I'd feel, at least, and I'm definitely not a "lukewarm" fan...I'd watch the games, but with much less enthusiasm).





A Habs/Leafs final would be pretty sweet, though.|||2 games doesn't make a series though! The lay-off affected the Senators much worse then Anaheim. To say the West is better than the East is not really correct. Ottawa played much better hockey in the first 3 rounds and it is showing now. However I do believe the West is more even matched per team such as Detroit- Anaheim series than Buffalo-Ottawa. That is simply because the Sabres seemed tired and were very much outplayed in that series. Remember Buffalo won the President's trophy and that simply puts a bulls-eye on your back. Teams pick up their play while trying to beat the odds-on favorite team to win the Cup. Simply put this series down to blame on the layoff between the finals and the Cup games. Going home to Ottawa should provide the spark needed for the Senators to get their game and front line moving again. However to do this they need to get to Giguire early and often. As for the playoff changes, no, they already are trying to kill the game as we know it!!! And if more Eastern conference teams get there like they would have the last three years {except lockout} are [we} going to chande the rules yet again???!!!!!|||I hope it's not a quick series. I'm hoping for a game 7 so I won't have to go longer without my hockey.|||Yeah, Ducks have certainly been everything I'd thought they would be. And I too have revised the count to a 5 game series from 7. Ottawa has looked flat but then good D does that. Remember what Philly and Parent did to Boston and Bobby Orr? O sells tickets. D wins championships.


But buck up Ottawa fans, a team rarely wins their first trip to the big dance.


If you read Gretzky's book at all, you will recall him talking about how the loss to the Isles taught him and the Oilers how to win the cup. And they won it a few times when they learned didn't they.|||u only say 1 vs 16 cuz u wana see a habs/leafs final (wont happen, they suck), but i bet u would be crying when it's a ducks/stars blues/sharks or avs/kings final.|||Not counting my Ducks until ... :-)





The game tonight could have ended up the other way regardless that the Ducks dominated in most categories. A sweep would be a surprise to me though I will gladly celebrate if it happens. Think the Senators are too good for that.





Go Ducks!!!!|||Anaheim's momentum is looking to carry them all the way to the Cup. It could be a quick series.





For the people saying the East is stronger because they've won the Cup the last 3 years...if Anaheim wins this year, wow, what'll be your argument then? Are you going to concede that the West is stronger?





I think games in the West involve more skating, while teams in the East are chippier. Imagine if the New Jersey Devils had a few guys who could score. Lol. Their defense-first/heavy hitting style might limit the open ice a skating team in the West would get and could shut them down. It depends upon the team really.





The Ducks made it this far because they have the best of both worlds. They have some of the best D-men in the league and they can certainly light-up the scoreboard. (Plus...an excellent goaltender.)





I think Ottawa had the right system to win the Stanley Cup. Ray Emery, an initial question mark, showed up and played good for them. If he continues to play that way, he will make a difference. But the rest of the players just aren't playing up to par. It's a long shot for them to take the series now.





Your idea about the playoffs format sounds interesting, and potential inner conference rivalries in the Stanley Cup final would be intense and thus very enjoyable...but there are too many traditionalists. If you just ment to have the idea heard and mused over, then ignore this: I don't think they'd ever make that change, sadly. Not that I personally have much of a problem with the way it is now...|||It might go 5 if Corvo abandons the ***-first defense and maybe 6 if Spezza finds his way to the rink...





Thumbs up to Sens Enforcer for abstaining from the sour grapes and a huge ***** slap to the horribly disillusioned balderwhatever. I'm not even a Ducks fan and you got a rise out of me with your blind pouting.|||Ducks in five. Not in cards this year Ottawa, go to Toronto and and hang with the rest of "NOT THE CUP WINNERS"!Go PENS!!!!!|||i agree w/ you on all points. i like the 1 vs 16 format.





once i knew my wings were out, i thought Ducks would win in 5; 6 at worst. now, it might be a sweep.





the Sens have not truly been tested by a team like the Ducks. they haven't seen a team like them all year. the closest thing is NJ (if they're on their game), but that's still a rough comparison. Ducks didn't lead the NHL in points for a good part of the year, in a harder conference and division by accident.





good questions, lately, man. i like it. and you're getting decent answers for the most part. making people think. the forum is getting better ... somewhat. you still have your moron askers. they'll always be around. but i think that there are less of them. or the morons are actually learning to shut their mouth if they wanna say something stupid.