NHLB - National Hockey League of Baseball

[jg2977]

Wow, New Jersey is even better than last year. Montreal is back in the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, but they're obviously not going to last very long.

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

8) Montreal Canadiens vs. 1) New Jersey Devils
Canadiens 6 at Devils 10
Canadiens 4 at Devils 16
Devils 11 at Canadiens 6
Devils 7 at Canadiens 6
New Jersey Devils win series 4-0


5) Philadelphia Flyers vs. 4) Pittsburgh Penguins
Flyers 1 at Penguins 4
Flyers 4 at Penguins 5 (13)
Penguins 8 at Flyers 5
Penguins 10 at Flyers 8
Pittsburgh Penguins win series 4-0


6) Carolina Hurricanes vs. 3) New York Rangers
Hurricanes 0 at Rangers 10
Hurricanes 4 at Rangers 0
Rangers 21 at Hurricanes 3
Rangers 3 at Hurricanes 6
Hurricanes 5 at Rangers 3
Rangers 0 at Hurricanes 7
Carolina Hurricanes win series 4-2


7) Ottawa Senators vs. 2) New York Islanders
Senators 13 at Islanders 2
Senators 2 at Islanders 3
Islanders 3 at Senators 0
Islanders 2 at Senators 5
Senators 8 at Islanders 5
Islanders 15 at Senators 6
Senators 4 at Islanders 3
Ottawa Senators win series 4-3



Western Conference

8) San Jose Sharks vs. 1) Vancouver Canucks
Sharks 2 at Canucks 4
Sharks 6 at Canucks 8
Canucks 7 at Sharks 6
Canucks 9 at Sharks 2
Vancouver Canucks win series 4-0


5) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 4) Minnesota Wild
Blackhawks 6 at Wild 8
Blackhawks 20 at Wild 6
Wild 13 at Blackhawks 7
Wild 0 at Blackhawks 12
Blackhawks 2 at Wild 1
Wild 6 at Blackhawks 5
Blackhawks 4 at Wild 5 (10)
Minnesota Wild win series 4-3


6) Phoenix Coyotes vs. 3) Edmonton Oilers
Coyotes 9 at Oilers 8 (12)
Coyotes 5 at Oilers 6
Oilers 4 at Coyotes 6
Oilers 4 at Coyotes 5
Coyotes 3 at Oilers 5
Oilers 7 at Coyotes 2
Coyotes 4 at Oilers 5
Edmonton Oilers win series 4-3


7) Dallas Stars vs. 2) Colorado Avalanche
Stars 4 at Avalanche 11
Stars 3 at Avalanche 5
Avalanche 4 at Stars 6
Avalanche 2 at Stars 1
Stars 2 at Avalanche 4
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-1

[jg2977]

The playoffs mostly went according to form. In the West, the top four seeds won their series. The #3 Oilers came back from a 1-3 deficit vs. the #6 Coyotes. And in the East, #1 New Jersey and #4 Pittsburgh advanced.

However, the big story of the Conference Quarterfinals was the monumental upsets of the New York teams. First, the #3 Rangers (106-56) fell to the #6 Hurricanes (80-82) in six games. And for the second year in a row, the powerful #2 Islanders (119-43) went down in the first round. They lost to the #7 Senators (77-85) in seven games, in perhaps the greatest upset in the history of the NHLB.

The 138-win Devils now have a cakewalk to the Stanley Cup Finals. The three teams remaining in their conference have 82, 80, and 77 wins on the season.

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 1) New Jersey Devils
Penguins 4 at Devils 6
Penguins 12 at Devils 13 (17)
Devils 4 at Penguins 5 (12)
Devils 5 at Penguins 11
Penguins 5 at Devils 18
Devils 8 at Penguins 0
New Jersey Devils win series 4-2


7) Ottawa Senators vs. 6) Carolina Hurricanes
Senators 9 at Hurricanes 1
Senators 4 at Hurricanes 2
Hurricanes 6 at Senators 7
Hurricanes 4 at Senators 5
Ottawa Senators win series 4-0



Western Conference

4) Minnesota Wild vs. 1) Vancouver Canucks
Wild 5 at Canucks 3
Wild 5 at Canucks 2
Canucks 2 at Wild 8
Canucks 6 at Wild 3
Wild 4 at Canucks 2
Minnesota Wild win series 4-1


3) Edmonton Oilers vs. 2) Colorado Avalanche
Oilers 13 at Avalanche 4
Oilers 8 at Avalanche 1
Avalanche 7 at Oilers 0
Avalanche 3 at Oilers 11
Oilers 0 at Avalanche 1
Avalanche 3 at Oilers 5 (11)
Edmonton Oilers win series 4-2

[jg2977]

East: 7) Ottawa Senators vs. 1) New Jersey Devils
Senators 3 at Devils 9
Senators 2 at Devils 20
Devils 5 at Senators 3
Devils 6 at Senators 4
New Jersey Devils win series 4-0


West: 4) Minnesota Wild vs. 3) Edmonton Oilers
Wild 4 at Oilers 5 (10)
Wild 3 at Oilers 8
Oilers 9 at Wild 6
Oilers 2 at Wild 1
Edmonton Oilers win series 4-0


No surprise in the East, as the Devils are going to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third consecutive year, and are looking to bring home their third Stanley Cup. The only other team to win three straight Cups is the Los Angeles Kings from 1915-1917.

In the West, the Edmonton Oilers have reached the Cup Finals for the first time.

[jg2977]

Oilers 1 at Devils 5
Oilers 1 at Devils 2
Devils 11 at Oilers 5
Devils 10 at Oilers 2
New Jersey Devils win series 4-0

1927 Stanley Cup Champions: New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have equaled the Los Angeles Kings: They have won 3 Stanley Cups in a row. Only one question remains: Can they break the record next year?


New Jersey Devils: Stanley Cups
1925
1926
1927

[jg2977]

////

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

8) Philadelphia Flyers vs. 1) New Jersey Devils
Flyers 4 at Devils 5
Flyers 8 at Devils 1
Devils 9 at Flyers 13
Devils 6 at Flyers 7
Flyers 4 at Devils 14
Devils 21 at Flyers 6
Flyers 4 at Devils 2
Philadelphia Flyers win series 4-3


5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 4) Boston Bruins
Penguins 1 at Bruins 6
Penguins 3 at Bruins 2
Bruins 13 at Penguins 2
Bruins 4 at Penguins 1
Penguins 3 at Bruins 5
Boston Bruins win series 4-1


6) Carolina Hurricanes vs. 3) New York Rangers
Hurricanes 5 at Rangers 9
Hurricanes 2 at Rangers 6
Rangers 15 at Hurricanes 9
Rangers 10 at Hurricanes 2
New York Rangers win series 4-0


7) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. 2) New York Islanders
Maple Leafs 4 at Islanders 2 (10)
Maple Leafs 1 at Islanders 7
Islanders 2 at Maple Leafs 5
Islanders 2 at Maple Leafs 5
Maple Leafs 4 at Islanders 10
Islanders 12 at Maple Leafs 3
Maple Leafs 2 at Islanders 4
New York Islanders win series 4-3



Western Conference

8) Nashville Predators vs. 1) Vancouver Canucks
Predators 2 at Canucks 7
Predators 2 at Canucks 7
Canucks 3 at Predators 0
Canucks 8 at Predators 7
Vancouver Canucks win series 4-0


5) Minnesota Wild vs. 4) San Jose Sharks
Wild 6 at Sharks 10
Wild 5 at Sharks 4
Sharks 2 at Wild 3
Sharks 3 at Wild 9
Wild 6 at Sharks 7
Sharks 8 at Wild 3
Wild 1 at Sharks 0 (10)
Minnesota Wild win series 4-3


6) Phoenix Coyotes vs. 3) Chicago Blackhawks
Coyotes 2 at Blackhawks 7
Coyotes 4 at Blackhawks 10
Blackhawks 3 at Coyotes 5
Blackhawks 5 at Coyotes 2
Coyotes 5 at Blackhawks 9
Chicago Blackhawks win series 4-1


7) Edmonton Oilers vs. 2) Colorado Avalanche
Oilers 3 at Avalanche 7
Oilers 3 at Avalanche 4
Avalanche 8 at Oilers 1
Avalanche 2 at Oilers 3
Oilers 3 at Avalanche 9
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-1

[jg2977]

There will be no fourth consecutive Stanley Cup for the New Jersey Devils. Their run came to an end versus the Philadelphia Flyers, despite outscoring them 58-46 in the seven game series. To make matters worse, the Devils led Game Seven 2-0 going into the 6th inning. The Flyers scored single runs in the 6th through 9th innings to win the game 4-2. This series just shows you how difficult it is to win in the NHLB playoffs. A 77-win team always has a chance to take out a 128-win team.

The New York Islanders avoided a third straight embarrassing first round defeat, coming back from a 1-3 deficit versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

8) Philadelphia Flyers vs. 4) Boston Bruins
Flyers 6 at Bruins 8
Flyers 7 at Bruins 6
Bruins 5 at Flyers 8
Bruins 12 at Flyers 5
Flyers 4 at Bruins 1
Bruins 6 at Flyers 2
Flyers 3 at Bruins 13
Boston Bruins win series 4-3


3) New York Rangers vs. 2) New York Islanders
Rangers 5 at Islanders 0
Rangers 4 at Islanders 3
Islanders 7 at Rangers 5
Islanders 10 at Rangers 2
Rangers 2 at Islanders 4
Islanders 5 at Rangers 10
Rangers 3 at Islanders 8
New York Islanders win series 4-3



Western Conference

5) Minnesota Wild vs. 1) Vancouver Canucks
Wild 1 at Canucks 2
Wild 2 at Canucks 8
Canucks 7 at Wild 6
Canucks 11 at Wild 7
Vancouver Canucks win series 4-0


3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 2) Colorado Avalanche
Blackhawks 4 at Avalanche 15
Blackhawks 5 at Avalanche 4 (10)
Avalanche 12 at Blackhawks 10 (10)
Avalanche 7 at Blackhawks 5
Blackhawks 8 at Avalanche 7 (11)
Avalanche 10 at Blackhawks 4 (12)
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-2

[jg2977]

East: 4) Boston Bruins vs. 2) New York Islanders
Bruins 8 at Islanders 5 (12)
Bruins 8 at Islanders 9 (10)
Islanders 4 at Bruins 5
Islanders 2 at Bruins 10
Bruins 3 at Islanders 2
Boston Bruins win series 4-1


West: 2) Colorado Avalanche vs. 1) Vancouver Canucks
Avalanche 2 at Canucks 4
Avalanche 6 at Canucks 11
Canucks 5 at Avalanche 0
Canucks 6 at Avalanche 2
Vancouver Canucks win series 4-0


I think the Islanders are cursed. And what a run for the Vancouver Canucks, sweeping through their Western Conference opponents!

[johnnybourbon]

Originally Posted by jg2977

3) Chicago Blackhawks vs. 2) Colorado Avalanche
Blackhawks 4 at Avalanche 15
Blackhawks 5 at Avalanche 4 (10)
Avalanche 12 at Blackhawks 10 (10)
Avalanche 7 at Blackhawks 5
Blackhawks 8 at Avalanche 7 (11)
Avalanche 10 at Blackhawks 4 (12)
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-2

I think i'm gonna be sick. 95-96 & 96-97 seasons ring a bell?
visions of Sackdick, Foreskinberg, claude f'ing lemieux are spinning in mah head

[jg2977]

Bruins 3 at Canucks 4
Bruins 1 at Canucks 12
Canucks 3 at Bruins 6
Canucks 5 at Bruins 4
Bruins 1 at Canucks 4
Vancouver Canucks win series 4-1

1928 Stanley Cup Champions: Vancouver Canucks

In their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Canucks have won their first Stanley Cup. They went an incredible 16-1 in the postseason, including 8-0 at home.

The Vancouver Canucks are the first Canadian franchise to win the Stanley Cup.

[alslammerz]

I can live with 3 in a row.

It's 2 more than the NY teams combined.

[jg2977]

Will we finally get the Islanders-Devils Eastern Conference Finals that we've been waiting for?

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

8) Montreal Canadiens vs. 1) New York Islanders
Canadiens 1 at Islanders 13
Canadiens 2 at Islanders 15
Islanders 11 at Canadiens 0
Islanders 16 at Canadiens 12
New York Islanders win series 4-0


5) Philadelphia Flyers vs. 4) Boston Bruins
Flyers 2 at Bruins 4
Flyers 4 at Bruins 12
Bruins 2 at Flyers 10
Bruins 4 at Flyers 11
Flyers 9 at Bruins 0
Bruins 4 at Flyers 5
Philadelphia Flyers win series 4-2


6) Ottawa Senators vs. 3) New York Rangers
Senators 1 at Rangers 2 (11)
Senators 1 at Rangers 3
Rangers 3 at Senators 4
Rangers 11 at Senators 2
Senators 0 at Rangers 16
New York Rangers win series 4-1


7) Buffalo Sabres vs. 2) New Jersey Devils
Sabres 5 at Devils 6
Sabres 2 at Devils 8
Devils 7 at Sabres 14
Devils 6 at Sabres 2
Sabres 0 at Devils 5
New Jersey Devils win series 4-1



Western Conference

8) Dallas Stars vs. 1) Vancouver Canucks
Stars 4 at Canucks 6
Stars 4 at Canucks 3
Canucks 1 at Stars 12
Canucks 13 at Stars 3
Stars 8 at Canucks 3
Canucks 6 at Stars 3
Stars 8 at Canucks 7
Dallas Stars win series 4-3


5) Winnipeg Jets vs. 4) San Jose Sharks
Jets 4 at Sharks 2
Jets 9 at Sharks 2
Sharks 2 at Jets 1
Sharks 7 at Jets 4
Jets 4 at Sharks 3 (12)
Sharks 4 at Jets 8
Winnipeg Jets win series 4-2


6) Nashville Predators vs. 3) Colorado Avalanche
Predators 6 at Avalanche 12
Predators 5 at Avalanche 6
Avalanche 2 at Predators 3
Avalanche 3 at Predators 4
Predators 5 at Avalanche 8
Avalanche 11 at Predators 5
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-2


7) Detroit Red Wings vs. 2) Minnesota Wild
Red Wings 8 at Wild 6
Red Wings 1 at Wild 5
Wild 8 at Red Wings 5
Wild 0 at Red Wings 4
Red Wings 7 at Wild 6
Wild 10 at Red Wings 6
Red Wings 4 at Wild 1
Detroit Red Wings win series 4-3

[jg2977]

The Vancouver Canucks' defense of the Stanley Cup title ended in shocking fashion. They were leading the Dallas Stars 7-4 in Game Seven with two outs in the top of the 9th, but Dallas hit a two run double and a two run homer to take an 8-7 lead, and the Canucks went down in order to end the series. This is yet another time that the #8 beat the #1. I need to go back and see how many times this has happened, but I'm sure it's at least ten times in the 29-year history of this league, probably even more. It's quite shocking, because a .500 team should beat a 100-win team very rarely.

The #2 seed in the West also went down at home in Game 7, as the Detroit Red Wings eliminated the Minnesota Wild.

In the West Side Story series, the Winnipeg Jets defeated the San Jose Sharks 4 games to 2.

In the East, there was a surprise too. The defending East Champion Boston Bruins (93-69) won the first two games versus the Philadelphia Flyers (79-83), but dropped the next four.

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

5) Philadelphia Flyers vs. 1) New York Islanders
Flyers 1 at Islanders 20
Flyers 2 at Islanders 9
Islanders 20 at Flyers 1
Islanders 5 at Flyers 3
New York Islanders win series 4-0


3) New York Rangers vs. 2) New Jersey Devils
Rangers 1 at Devils 9
Rangers 2 at Devils 1
Devils 5 at Rangers 7
Devils 6 at Rangers 4
Rangers 4 at Devils 5
Devils 5 at Rangers 2
New Jersey Devils win series 4-2



Western Conference

8) Dallas Stars vs. 5) Winnipeg Jets
Stars 6 at Jets 1
Stars 1 at Jets 6
Jets 5 at Stars 7
Jets 2 at Stars 13
Stars 3 at Jets 4
Jets 5 at Stars 2
Stars 7 at Jets 6
Dallas Stars win series 4-3


7) Detroit Red Wings vs. 3) Colorado Avalanche
Red Wings 10 at Avalanche 11
Red Wings 1 at Avalanche 5
Avalanche 7 at Red Wings 4 (11)
Avalanche 7 at Red Wings 3
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-0

[jg2977]

We finally have an Islanders-Devils Eastern Conference Finals! These have easily been the best regular season teams over the past few years, but they both have been victim to bizarre upsets in the playoffs.

In the West, the #8 seed Dallas Stars won another Game 7 on the road. They will face the Colorado Avalanche in the West Finals.

[jg2977]

Eastern Conference

2) New Jersey Devils vs. 1) New York Islanders
Devils 5 at Islanders 7 (Devils led 5-0 in 7th inning)
Devils 3 at Islanders 6
Islanders 5 at Devils 4 (Devils led 3-0 in 4th inning)
Islanders 5 at Devils 4
New York Islanders win series 4-0


Western Conference

8) Dallas Stars vs. 3) Colorado Avalanche
Stars 0 at Avalanche 9
Stars 4 at Avalanche 2 (11)
Avalanche 6 at Stars 8
Avalanche 5 at Stars 6
Stars 3 at Avalanche 4 (Stars led 3-2 in 9th inning)
Avalanche 8 at Stars 0
Stars 6 at Avalanche 7 (12) (Stars were one out away from winning in the 9th)
Colorado Avalanche win series 4-3


The Islanders have made it to their 6th Stanley Cup Finals, but it wasn't easy. The Devils were in control of two of the games, but the Islanders were able to come back in the end to win. And the other two games were close.

The Stars made a serious bid to become one of the few sub-.500 teams to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, but blew 9th inning leads in Games 5 and 7. The Avalanche have reached their 3rd Stanley Cup Finals, but have not won a Stanley Cup yet. They were there in 1909 and 1919. In 1929, they are back. It's funny how they make the Finals every time the year ends in "9". Expect them to be back in 1939.

This should be the year that the Islanders break their Stanley Cup curse. They are 0-5 in their previous trips to the Finals. This is their first Finals appearance since 1915. And this upcoming serious against the Avalanche is a serious mismatch. If the Isles don't win this year, I'm not sure if they ever will.