Who do you NOT want your team to play in the first round?

You know, I'd be very scared if the Avs had to play the Sharks, Ducks, Wild or Flames in the first round. The Sharks are on fire. The Ducks always own the Avs in the playoffs, they only played once and the Ducks swept. The Flames are just good, I think they're gonna go to the conference finals at least. The Wild aren't as good as those other teams, but I remember what happened the last time the Avs played the Wild in the playoffs :'(

On the other hand, I would be extremely happy if the Avs played the Stars (remember, they beat the Stars 4-1 in the playoffs 2 consecutive years). And I'd also be happy if the Avs played the Red Wings. The Avs outplayed the Red Wings in the first game of the season (they lost because of some crappy goaltending), the game in which the Avs were most healthy (although still without Sakic). With the resurgence of Jose Theodore, the additions at the trade deadline, and with at least some players returning to the lineup, I have no doubt the Avs can pull off an upset. Besides, it would be one hell of a series. Although it's not likely the Avs will play the Wings.

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Not a stretch at all Rich, and I'm not talking from a homer perspective. You must admit the Wings were outplayed in the first game, even though they won 5-2, if not outplayed, then definitely matched. That was the one game where the Avs were most healthy, but they were still without Sakic. The Avs goaltending was horrible that game too, if Theodore was playing like he is playing right now, and if Sakic played, we would have won that game. Now all of our players are getting healthy, and we added Foote, Salei, and Forsberg at the deadline. Our defensive corps is now very strong, before the deadline it was one of the weakest in the NHL. I don't count the last 3 games of the season because the Avs had most of their good players injured in every single one of them. Besides, 2 of those games ended 1-0, not much to be proud of when the team you beat has all its best players out. I am dead serious; the Avs would give the Wings a lot of trouble in the playoffs. Look, even a Wings fan agrees with me.

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Rich: One game ended 1-0, the other ended 2-0 with an empty net goal at the end, so effectively, both games ended 1-0. I don't expect you to remember that 1st game, but I remembered it because I was very surprised at the high level of play the Avs showed. They were controlling the puck, being physical, winning the battles for the puck down low in the corner. They wanted the puck more that night, unfortunately, our goaltending was crap back in those days. These days it's a different story.

Have you seen Jose Theodore's stats in 2008 the calendar year? He is 16-10-1, 1.96 GAA, .926 SV% and 2 shutouts! That puts him as the 3rd best goalie in the year 2008, behind Brodeur and Giguere. Look at his overall stats: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1420;_ylt=AsVa... He is almost in the top 10 in the NHL in both SV% and GAA, in the first half of the season he was out of the top 30 in both! That goes to show how tremendously improved our goaltending is.

So, if you look at it, with the return of Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, and Ryan Smyth (he should be back in a couple of days). And with the signing of Adam Foote and Ruslan Salei, who have both had a magnificent effect on the defense, their contributions are the biggest reason the Avs went on their 6 game win streak, both missed the game vs. Dallas, and we lost it, just shows how much of an impact they have. And with the resurgent play of Jose Theodore, I think yes, the Avalanche can beat the Red Wings now. I am even leaving out the signing of Peter Forsberg, whose offensive presence on the ice is still dominant and was still felt greatly (2 assists in 3 games after not playing hockey for a whole year).

btw, the Avs are undefeated this season (6-0-0) when either Forsberg or Foote plays (notice it's "or", not "and".).

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I just want to point out that I was NOT one of those people who said the Wings season is ruined when they went on their losing streak. On the contrary, I said it would be good for the Wings to lose some games. I had a theory earlier in the season, if Detroit finished with over 120 pts. in the regular season, I guaranteed they would not win the Cup because they'd tire themselves out. But if they finished with less than 120 pts., I said they'd have as good a chance as any to win the Cup. I was very surprised to see their losing streak. I've been saying all along they would choke in the playoffs, but now because of that losing streak, and because it's almost impossible for them to get 120 pts. now, I am starting to doubt my previous predictions of them "choking". I know it's a pretty crazy theory, but I just have a hunch.

I have said the whole season that I would love for the Avs to play the Wings in the playoffs, whether it be the 1st round, 2nd round or WCF. See, I, as an Avs fan, believe the Avs can beat the Wings in a playoff series. I am not scared of them facing Detroit. Not at all, I am actually looking forward to the Avs measuring themselves up against such a good opponent. The fact that the Avs didn't score in the final 3 games doesn't bother me at all, I believe the players coming back from injury, and the newly acquired guys will help greatly with the offense. I have confidence in my team, that's all. And besides, I'm sure it would be a dandy series, especially with Foote and Forsberg back. I'm sure they didn't start liking the Wings during their absence from the Avs. Forsberg laughed at the notion of signing with the Wings in one of his interviews recently, and Foote did play for the Blue Jackets, which won't make you like the Wings any more. I am very much looking forward to seeing the Avs play the Wings in the playoffs, if it happens, that is.

Good question.

I would have to go with Calgary. The Wings handled them alright last year in the 1st round, but I think that Calgary is a much better team this year, and it would be one tough series for both teams.

The next one is also from the North west division, that being the Canucks. Sure they're not that great of a team, but all it takes is a hot goalie, and we all know Vancouver has one in Luongo.

I would like for the Wings to play Colorado in the 1st round because, well lets face it, Colorado didn't have anything on Detroit this year what so ever. But I know the playoffs are a totally different animal, and anything could happen so thats why I'm not saying Colorado would be an easy first round win because I know they probably wouldn't be.

I would also like for the Wings to meet the Ducks in the 1st round. It would be interesting to see how both teams match up when they are fresh. To me the Ducks are not as scary this year as they were last season, even though I think they have a better team this year, but still scary enough. And even if the Wings lost, I think the Wings could ware them down enough as to where if they met San Jose or Dallas in the second round they could possibly be beat a little bit easier.

So yeah, I really don't want to meet Calgary in the first round again, for some reason they seem like a team that could beat the Wings.

As a Penguins fan, two teams scare me - Ottawa and Washington.

Obviously, Washington isn't a major threat by now to make the postseason, but they always play an intense game against the Penguins. It's been a rather long time since the Pens have been particularly competent at the style of play demonstrated, for instance, in their matchup this past Sunday.

Ottawa, on the other hand, is problematic. If the season were to end right now there would be a rematch of the 4-5 battle last year. I don't think the Pens match up well, whatsoever, against the Senators. However, I believe that there are other teams out there with good matchups against the Senators that I feel the Pens have a much better chance against. So hopefully, that other team plays and defeats Ottawa before we have to play them.

Rich,

It's kind of funny because as a former Hawk employee I would hate to face Detroit. Detroit has dominated the first 6 games this year but Chicago has 4 wins.

My fear is that Chicago manages to place 8th and meets Detroit in the 1st round. I'm sure Detroit has a can of whoop-*** with Chicago's name on it!

Chicago is young and energetic, but not good enough to beat Detroit in a 7 game series (or even 4 or 5)

Ducks fan here... Dallas is the team that worries me, followed by Detroit. While the Ducks have a good playoff record vs. Dallas, the Stars always seem to have Anaheim's number.

After that it's Calgary. If I had to pick an opponent for Anaheim it would be Minnesota, San Jose, or Colorado. I think Anaheim matches up against those three teams best.

As a Detroit fan...

No real preference from my perspective, but it would be nice to play a team that is geographically closer to Detroit to cut down on travel time.

My real hope for the playoffs is that Anaheim, Dallas and San Jose all beat the hell out of each other so its easier pickins if Detroit makes it to the second round.

Most definitely don't want to meet the eventual cup winner in the first round. Should be safe as habs play in the east and winner should be from the west.

I am most scared of the 2 teams they have dominated so far

Flyers 4-0 and Bruins 6-0

Those trends can't continue

My team is the Senators, and flat out my #1 fear is playing NJ.

I hate the way New Jersey plays. Once they get the lead it's all over baby. Clogging up that blue-line + Marty Brodeur = NJ WIN.

Even on a night where NJ is playing like crap they can still find a way to win because of their style of play. They are not my favorites to move passed everyone in the East but any team that plays them in a playoff series has to say it's a long and tough grind usually. 1st round no thanks. I rather take on team superstar pittsburg, and shutdown the hype (I back up what Willy says... I see the Sens beating the Pens in first round but losing to a MTL or a NJ in the first).

I think the 8th spot is representative of a typical 8th spot. I'dd love to play Philly or Buffalo if they make it to the big dance.

However I DO NOT want to play Washington if they find a way in (ppl have got to watch out for those guys, not to count them out).

If the season were to end today the Wings would play Vancouver, I'm not liking that that to much. With Luongo in net anything can happen. I'm hoping Chicago, or Phoenix would catch up I wouldn't mind seeing them in the 1st round.

I will just be happy if the Sabres make the playoffs. Doesn't matter which team it is. If Buffalo does make the playoffs they will most likely be playing the first seed. Out of the teams in contention, I wouldn't want to ply the Habs because I don't want a bunch of Habs fans at HBSC