I think the Sabres would fucking house the Senators if they met them in the playoffs.

Eventually, a team gets to this point where enough is enough.

That's exactly why I'd even be nervous if the Leafs made the playoffs.

I agree!

I think we all know that in the playoffs anything can happen. The Season goes out the door and a completely different mindset is in. I believe that one year when Ottawa owned us in the playoffs, we had won the season series with them that year? I could be wrong.

If you go into the playoffs against a team that you beat almost every time in the season, heads might get too big and the opposing team is gonna come out with an extra vengeance.

And also, at this point, I'm just craving Playoff Hockey so much, I really don't care who we play. Any team can beat any team on any night. I just want the Playoffs PERIOD!

Or you have a hot goalie. How many people think Miller is going to lose 4 out of any given 7 games?

Personally, I honestly DON'T believe that "in the playoffs anything can happen."

One enters the playoffs with a team-record which reflects one's character and skill, throughout the season - If one's team is healthy, and has maintained the focus necessary (ie. not "peaked" too soon) - One's team has a better than average chance of winning.

It isn't as much of a "crap-shoot" as many would have us believe - Else, why bother with a regular season; why not just go straight to the playoffs?

One earns one's berth, and any advantages inherent in that seeding - And, provided one can remain consistent, one's team enjoys a greater chance of winning a championship. Underdogs are underdogs for a reason - They've proven themselves to be unreliable, and aren't likely to dominate.

It's become a cliché to speak of "The Second Season"...as though it came about in a vacuum.

Personally, I honestly DON'T believe that "in the playoffs anything can happen."

One enters the playoffs with a team-record which reflects one's character and skill, throughout the season - If one's team is healthy, and has maintained the focus necessary (ie. not "peaked" too soon) - One's team has a better than average chance of winning.

It isn't as much of a "crap-shoot" as many would have us believe - Else, why bother with a regular season; why not just go straight to the playoffs?

One earns one's berth, and any advantages inherent in that seeding - And, provided one can remain consistent, one's team enjoys a greater chance of winning a championship. Underdogs are underdogs for a reason - They've proven themselves to be unreliable, and aren't likely to dominate.

It's become a cliché to speak of "The Second Season"...as though it came about in a vacuum.

Tell that to the 05-06 western conference...

That's true too. A team definitely has to be doing the right things. It isn't a luck of the draw.

That said, look at our run in '99.

Yes, Hasek was incredible. BUT we would have never made it to the cup finals if our power play hadn't magically caught fire either.

In that sense, anything can happen come playoff time.

...Tell that to the Canucks and he LA Kings, who had more wins than the Oilers, but got bumped by Edmonton's 13 loser-points.

That was the first season of that nonsense...and they were fucking furious. As well they should have been.

That system has caused everyone to move sideways - Stalling the late game, so as not to lose...and earn that idiot point.

Edmonton had no business getting in...that being said, and with nothing to lose, they just rode the momentum to the Finals. Anyone enjoying that kind of shit luck is on a roll, anyway.

All the more reason to force the final standings to reflect wins, rather than the sloppy compromise of extra points earned outside of regulation play, while losing the game.