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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 10, 2006
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Who do you think will win this series?
Will Minnesota's youth and toughness be enough to get them to the Stanley Cup Finals? Can the Avalanche find success with its core from the 2001 Cup run?
Post your thoughts!
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 13, 2007
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I dunno about the finals, but the Wild are definitely going to make some noise this year. I predicted the Wild in six earlier for this matchup, but the more I think about it, the more it's looking like a race between the Wild and the Red Wings to see which one can finish off their first round opponents the fastest. Ian Laperriere made a rather large mistake dropping 'em on Marian Gaborik, and most likely managed to fire up the wrong team.
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 10, 2006
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I say... Colorado Avalanche win in 6 games and Peter "The Great" Forsberg will make his worthwhile...
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 25, 2008
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With a roster full of relatively healthy players, the Avalanche can match up against anyone in the Western Conference playoffs. Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg seem to be getting their groove back at the right time and with Stasny, Wolski and Smyth they seem to have a little more fire power than the Wild. The biggest factor is going to be goal tending, which ever goalie is able to stand on his head the most will win this series. I say Avs in a very good six game series.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 29, 2006
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Minnesota is primed for this series
they've been the hot team no ones been paying attention too
they might not get past a more physical team like san jose
but i definately think they should win this series
especially with the way gaborik's been playing lately
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 19, 2007
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Even as an Avalanche fan, I'm going to have to agree that the Avs will be stealing this series if they pull out a win. However, I don't think its going to be nearly as much of a blowout as some of the folks above have been saying. The Wild may have won the season series, but all of the games were very close, and the Avs roster is healthier than it has been for most of the season. i think that if Theodore keeps his game together (obviously no guarantee) then the Wild are going to have a series on their hands.
As a side note, WarpedMind is losing it if he thinks a couple gloves to the face of Gaborik was a bad idea. Fire him up all you want, and even bring some more thugs at Lappy. I'm sure he will be happy to take it, and that just takes physical attention off our goal scorers.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 14, 2007
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The Avs are better than people think. I think the Avs will go further than expected. Further than Minnesota.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 5, 2006
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Wings sweep Nashville.
Sharks in 6.
Stars in 7.
Av's take the Wild out in 5.
Avs sweep the Wings!
Sharks over Stars in 5!
Sharks and Av's take it to 7 games... Sharks win...
Sharks win the CUP.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 3, 2008
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This one sure looks like 7 games. I'll take experience over youth amd go with the uncharacteristically healthy Avs. Goaltending could well be what makes this series, and I think it will be a good one. You have familiarity from playing in the same division, and two teams that were up and down the standings at different parts in the season. I'm not sure either of these teams has what it takes to make it to the Finals with Detroit, San Jose, and Anaheim in the mix though.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 25, 2006
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With the way the Wild have been playing over the past two weeks I think they can beat any team. We can basically throw out the last Wild-Avs game from the past weekend because neither team really looked to be playing hard. In the 3rd period the teams started getting a little chippy and you can bet we'll see a lot of fights and physical play when these two teams meet here in the playoffs.
This series will be decided in the first two games; if the Wild can sweep at home there's no way the Avs will come back but if they split it'll wind up being a 6 or 7 game series. Let's just hope Andrew Brunette doesn't decide to have a series winner this year.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 13, 2006
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Here's the key to this series - there is no shootout to decide the game. Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom is one of the worst shootout goaltenders of all time (statistically), but give him a lead into the third period and he's golden. He's been playing very well lately, and should prove a tough man to beat for the Avalanche. The Wild are also tougher than the Avalanche, which means a longer series benefits the State of Hockey. I have a healthy fear of Colorado's firepower but I just think with the way the Wild are playing right now, combined with home ice advantage gives Jacques Lemaire's boys the edge. Minnesota in 6.
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Reputation:62
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 28, 2008
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Toughest 1st round series to call...
I mean if Peter Forsberg gets hurt (honestly, flip a coin with the guy) - TOTALLY changes the series. And its difficult to predict injuries...
Wild in 7
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Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 10, 2007
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Who cares if he gets hurt or not, Forsberg is a shell of his formal self. Wild in 6!!
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Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Sep 10, 2007
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I will say this though, Av's do have a bunch of guys that can score, but like earlier stated they have a bunch of guys that are kind of fragile right now and I would think the Wild will come out and make an extra effort to finish checks and forecheck from blue line to blue line.
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Reputation:79
Level:Pro
Since:Mar 17, 2008
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Let's just say it's on like neckbone in 7 hours. I'll let the teams decide it. Just a couple points, though, of course:
- Backstrom is the second rated goalie in the Western Conference playoffs after Nabokov.
- The loss of Schultz is tough and if the Avs can keep the puck deep in the Wild zone, it is going to be problematic. Skoula and Nummelin have to play nearly flawless.
- The games are going to be more physical, which favors the Wild right now (unless there is a large penalty disparity, giving the Avs more power-play opportunities.
- Season series was taken by the Wild 5-3, with the Wild getting 11 points to the Avs 7.
- The Avs' elder statesmen will give it all they've got and if they can keep the tank away from E, they've got a shot.
- Coaching edge goes to Lemaire. Don't even bother debating.
I'm not making any predictions. I'm just going to enjoy the Wild ride.
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Reputation:64
Level:Pro
Since:Feb 28, 2008
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The Wild have this series without a doubt... I'm not just being a "homer," all you need to do is look at the season series to know that this year's crop of players has the edge of the Avs. Backstrom will shut them down, the D picks up the slack for Schulz' absence and the O does just enough to advance in 5 games.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 18, 2006
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While I am an Oiler fan, this series has piqued my interest immensely. You have the bruising youth movement that seems to be the Wild in my perception vs the elder more talented statesmen that are the Avalanche. Should the series be long and dragged out then the youth will eat up the Avalanche. But I suspect that the much more talented Avalanche will end up out powerplaying the Wild at least 2 - 1. This will be the deciding factor in this series.....the Avs and their healthy lineup will win in a rough and | |
