Ishkur's Pretentious Playoff Preview

[Ishkur]

A Purposely Pugnacious Prediction of this year's Puck-off Playdowns

By Ishkur and Lord Stanley, Earl of Preston

 

[Mike]

Once again,

Nicely written article. Damn I wish I had your talent!! My skills are nothing compared to yours, and I thouhgt I was getting better.

I am going to keep track of your predictions and see if they come true or how close you come. I do ask that you come back and finish this all the way to the Stanley Cup

[Nailz]

You are a weenie Iskur. Do you even watch hockey? The Leafs have been near the top of the standings for most of the past 5 years. The 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s were a dark time in the Leaf universe but things have changed. Even the Yankmee’s who nearly double the next highest payroll do not with the Series every year. Now that the organization is finally going out and making moves to bring in a number 1 defence man and some depth at centre, you critize that. Give it a break. Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe, like it or lump it. For hockey to survive, the fans in the other hockey towns need to support their teams with the dedication that the Leafs fans have for their team.

Predictions: Other than Iskur has no penis, Leafs in 5.

[magicthighs]

The Leafs will kill the Sens and anyone else in their path.

On another note, I would love to see Nashville play San Jose. The epic TooToo vs. CheeChoo matchup.

GO LEAFS GO!

[nyallsports]

Originally Posted by Nailz

You are a weenie Iskur. Do you even watch hockey? The Leafs have been near the top of the standings for most of the past 5 years. The 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s were a dark time in the Leaf universe but things have changed. Even the Yankmee’s who nearly double the next highest payroll do not with the Series every year. Now that the organization is finally going out and making moves to bring in a number 1 defence man and some depth at centre, you critize that. Give it a break. Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe, like it or lump it. For hockey to survive, the fans in the other hockey towns need to support their teams with the dedication that the Leafs fans have for their team.

Predictions: Other than Iskur has no penis, Leafs in 5.

I don’t see your preview. If you are going to criticize someone then why don’t you get the balls enough to write your own?

[Ishkur]

I don't think you people understand. These predictions aren't what I THINK is going to happen. They are what I WANT to happen. Maybe it's never occurred to you self-righteous TO buffoons, but guess what: the rest of Canada doesn't like you. It doesn't like your city, it doesn't like your people, and it definitely doesn't like your hockey team. The Leafs, like Duke, suck, even when they don't. A lot of us wish you would pull your egotistical "we are NY North" envy out of your ass, and the rest of us feel Canada would be a better place without you.

[Nailz]

Ottawa v. Toronto

While the Senators have been a very good team this year, they cannot seem to lose the insecurity when it comes to playing the Leafs in the playoffs. The Senators are very skilled up front but lack the toughness needed to go far in the playoffs. They have not acquired the playoff toughness necessary. Goaltending in the playoffs is a key factor in success. While Lalime has had some success, he remains too inconsistent. Prusek seems fragile in that if he gives up an easy goal, he breaks down. The key with Prusek is that he does not give up many easy goals. To be successful Ottawa needs to play tough team defence in front of whoever is in net. Soft goals will kill them.

The Leafs on the other hand are a bit old and did get older at the trade deadline. Ron Francis has been playing the best hockey of the year since becoming a Leaf and there is no reason to believe that it will change barring an injury. Leetch has been a spark, and being in the playoffs for the first time in 6 or 7 years will add adrenaline to his game. Sundin became a playoff performer last year and his play at times this year has been heroic. The loss of Nolan and Tucker hurts tremendously because they both possess the type of toughness necessary to win. A loss of Belfour will spell the end of the Leafs drive to the Cup. The Leafs need to come out hard and erode any confidence the Senators may have.

Prediction: Leafs in 4. It is unfortunate that two Canadian teams have to meet this early in the playoffs as all Canadian teams could really use the extra financial boost from going far in the playoffs.

That being said, I really had to tone down the rhetoric in my prediction, because I really hate the whinney bunch of little children that play for the Senators. Jaques Martin is a classy coach who has done so much with that team however, the team has taken the persona of Alfredson. The snivelling little complainer. He should follow Yashin and go to a team that is not expected to have playoff success so that his complete lack of mental toughness is overlooked by his regular season play. The only player on the Senators with kahonas is Chara (did anybody see that big bastard toss McCabe around). He is a force to be reckoned with and could one day actually make a difference on a team that has a desire to succeed.

If you live inside New York City, you suck.

[Blakey_Blue]

damn, hostility...Ish, you've always proven to me as having a great knowledge of the game, and since I don't see much of the eastern conference, I'm willing to take you're sens pick (I picked them too, just not in a sweep). However, Avs (i hope) pull their heads out of their collective ass to at least take this series to 7, and I'm gonna say the loss of Hatcher and Sydor hurts the Stars in the end. Avs in 7. And I think Kiprusoff will keep the Flames around for 6. If he's especially good, I'm taking the Flames in 7 (just cause I really don't like the Canucks )

[Mike]

Blakey you are High. The loss of Hatcher has not hurt the stars as much as everyone thought, that is a fact. As far as the AVS in 7, one commment, SHIT

[Blakey_Blue]

We'll see about that Mike, his presence was huge in the playoffs and they may miss him more than you think...

[Mike]

What are you referring to last season, He has been hurt most of this one and has not caused anything that I have seen worth anyone's time

[Blakey_Blue]

I'm just referring to the fact that he was a big part of their cup run in 98-99 and may prove to be missed.