West:

1)Detroit

2)Vancouver

3)Los Angeles

4)Colorado

5)St.Louis

6)Edmonton

7)Calgary

8)Dallas

East:

1)Toronto

2)Philly

3)Atlanta

4)New Jersey

5)Ottawa

6)NY Rangers

7)Boston

8)Montreal

That’s my dream playoffs, not my ULTIMATE dream, but realistic(and yes, Edmton still has 40 games left to get into a good posistion, you watch!)

However, since they are in the same division, I’ll have to settle for either a first-round match-up (possibly this April) or a Conference final down the road, at best.

Realistically, I would like to see Detroit, with Cujo as the starter, vs either Toronto first or Ottawa second. I’d pick Detroit either way, but I’d like to see Cujo finally shut Hasek and his other critics up by finally winning one, and over the Leafs would be great. I’d also like to see Ottawa get to the final simply because they’ve done it the way it really should be done, by drafting and developing players, on a tight budget, and filling holes with guys who wanted to play, not just stars from teams out of the picture by December.

Either scenario, the dream also includes Jillian Barberie tending bar in a French maid’s uniform.

Just which coast is Toronto on? The coast of Lake Superior? The Habs are closer to the east coast than the Leafs and Sens, and they are pretty hot right now. I’m going to dream about two things. The Habs making it to the finals (after actually making it to the playoffs of course).

And what about Ranking the teams in the league 1 to 16, forgetting about the East/West thing. I know the big whiney concern is travel, oh boo hoo, poor babies. But this would set up for potentially great finals, for instance but not limited to Colorado/Detroit, Colorado/Vancouver, Toronto/Ottawa, Toronto/Montreal, Toronto or Monteal/Philly – basically any East/East or West/West combo containing teams that fans actually want to see. And of course the East/West thing could still potentially happen.

I know some teams have played fewer games than others, but if the season was to end right now, there would be some great 1st round matchups to watch (and some not so great):

Det/LA would be a doozy

Tor/NYI would be ok

Phil/Nash – a walk in the park for Philly

Van/Atl – 2 of the highest scoring teams in the league

StL/Bos – entertaining

NJ/Cal – yawn (but it’s NJ so what do you expect)

Col/Mtl – Great offense vs. good defense worth watching

Ott/SJ – I’ll be watching the Montreal game…

Now if you move on to the 2nd round. Let’s just ass/u/me seeds 1 to 8 win:

Quarter Finals:

Det/Ott

Tor/Col

Phil/NJ

Van/StL

I dare not make any predictions on who’d win these series’ – but with the Habs gone I’d be cheering for the Sens.

The point being any two of these eight teams in the Stanley Cup Final would be better than NJ/Ana or Det/Car. Sure, there would still be the ‘potential’ for a final featuring Nashville vs. Atlanta, but I think the potential of having two deserving teams in the final is increased greatly if this system was to be used. I highly doubt we’ll ever see it because the main focus in the league is $$$$$, so….

Happy New Year.

It’d be my dream if they could play the Ranger$, but there’s no shot for them to make the playoffs…

Anyway, after a long, wonderful ride to the Stanley Cup, they’ll go up 3-0 on the Canucks…and nobody in NY will care. Then Vancouver will come back and win, and Canada will invade the US, and we’ll all have a jolly good time!

Other than that, your idea is pretty cool, I’d love to read the NY Post if the Ranger$ couldn’t sign anybody…

I don’t see the Rangers going that far though, because I think they’d need higher seeding then they’re going to get to make it anywhere…

Wings move on to take on the Kings, continuing the grudge match. A very fast paced, offensive series w/ lots of scoring. Wings win in six.

You all know what comes next. Wings/Avs in the Western Finals. Seven game series, fast paced hockey, Wings victory on home ice.

Onto the greatest interconference rivalry in sports: Wings/Leafs baby! Hard hitting, drawn out, physical, brutal, incredible seven game series w/ the Wings barely pulling out the victory in a Game Seven OT. Yzerman wins Conn Smythe in his farewell tour w/ the Wings. *sniff*

That would be sweet.

First Round

Flyers beat leafs in 7 (like last year)

2nd round

Flyers beat Sens in 7

Conference Finals

Flyers beat devils in 7

Stanley Cup

The Flyers avenge their 1997 loss against the Wings by winning the Cup in 7 games in OT with Gagne scoring the winning goal in the 5th OT. The Cup Returns to Philly!!!!!

won’t happen but nice to fantasize