Baxter Man's Winning NHL Thread
Last season I took in about $20,000 and looking to do so again this season. This is my strongest sport and my favorite. I follow this sport all year long, on and off season. My favorite team are the Philadelphia Flyers, but I can sit down and watch any NHL game, even if it is a re run and I already know the outcome of the game. I guess you can say I am more a fan of the game rather then a single team.
I will start posting my picks October 7th. But in the mean time here is my East prediction for the top 5.
1- Capitals (offense is of course still lethal and dangerous, will remain a top team in the East for at least the next 5 seasons)
2-Lightning (When I think of St.Louis, lecavalier, Stamkos and now Gagne, I think wow..soo much offense, but they might have a goaltending problem, going to need the defense to stand tall all season long)
3- Flyers (After last years playoff run, this team's confidence is at an all time high and they are ready to cash in for the cup, Leighton is not a problem or an issue what so ever, they have one of the best and toughest blue lines in the East as of right now, and with a back up Russian goalie who is ready to exlpode into the NHL stats).
4-Penguins (Expect Malkin to lead this team all season long, lets not forget about Crosby either, but with out Guerin to help him this season. Only down fall as of right now, Staal is out for at least 4-5 weeks. Also going to need Fleury to have a bounce back season and not allow an average of 3 goals per game anymore. No more Gonchar is a big blow, but they did bring in other top defenders to replace him).
5-Devils (New coach bringing back the defensive trap, trying to teach Kovalchuk system hockey, Brodeur getting older and not having a solid defense in front of him, I expect this team to win the cup within the next 3-4 years, just not this year they have too much of a work load right now).
As for the West I do not have any thought of what to expect but what I do expect is for Vancouver to remain in the top 2-3 and most likely make it to the Stanley Cup finals (I had them to win the cup last season). And for the Red Wings dynasty to not be what it used to be, they will be lucky to finish in the top 3 this year.
I also do know the Blackhawks will not finish in the top 6 this year, they lost too many big weapons to protect Towes and Kane. And with Turco in net, they are going to struggle all season long, better hope Kane, Toews, Hossa and Sharp can score to keep up with Turco's low GAA.
Sharks with Niemi no more Nabakov is going to become interesting come playoff time. We will all see if goaltending was the real issue over in San Jose (I believe it was, meaning Niemi could see another Stanley Cup series this season).
Stanley Cup Finals Prediction: Lightning or Flyers v.s. Canucks or Sharks
I will start posting my picks October 7th. But in the mean time here is my East prediction for the top 5.
1- Capitals (offense is of course still lethal and dangerous, will remain a top team in the East for at least the next 5 seasons)
2-Lightning (When I think of St.Louis, lecavalier, Stamkos and now Gagne, I think wow..soo much offense, but they might have a goaltending problem, going to need the defense to stand tall all season long)
3- Flyers (After last years playoff run, this team's confidence is at an all time high and they are ready to cash in for the cup, Leighton is not a problem or an issue what so ever, they have one of the best and toughest blue lines in the East as of right now, and with a back up Russian goalie who is ready to exlpode into the NHL stats).
4-Penguins (Expect Malkin to lead this team all season long, lets not forget about Crosby either, but with out Guerin to help him this season. Only down fall as of right now, Staal is out for at least 4-5 weeks. Also going to need Fleury to have a bounce back season and not allow an average of 3 goals per game anymore. No more Gonchar is a big blow, but they did bring in other top defenders to replace him).
5-Devils (New coach bringing back the defensive trap, trying to teach Kovalchuk system hockey, Brodeur getting older and not having a solid defense in front of him, I expect this team to win the cup within the next 3-4 years, just not this year they have too much of a work load right now).
As for the West I do not have any thought of what to expect but what I do expect is for Vancouver to remain in the top 2-3 and most likely make it to the Stanley Cup finals (I had them to win the cup last season). And for the Red Wings dynasty to not be what it used to be, they will be lucky to finish in the top 3 this year.
I also do know the Blackhawks will not finish in the top 6 this year, they lost too many big weapons to protect Towes and Kane. And with Turco in net, they are going to struggle all season long, better hope Kane, Toews, Hossa and Sharp can score to keep up with Turco's low GAA.
Sharks with Niemi no more Nabakov is going to become interesting come playoff time. We will all see if goaltending was the real issue over in San Jose (I believe it was, meaning Niemi could see another Stanley Cup series this season).
Stanley Cup Finals Prediction: Lightning or Flyers v.s. Canucks or Sharks
GL this year man. 
Who knows you could of edited it, oh well.
