What do you think Montreal's chances are of beating Carolina in the first round?
478737
I actually think the habs will win - and i think they can do it in 6 games, plus i need them to win so they can knock out the sens in round 2
1035755
I don't think the Canes will sweep the Oilers, I think the Oilers will win at least one at home, but I do think the Canes will win the series.  The Carolina Hurricanes are for real.  Just because they are located in North Carolina in southern US doesn't mean we don't know hockey down here.  There is more that just NASCAR in the south.  GO CANES!!
318894
They'll be lucky to get past the first round. Czech Republic has a strong team and Italy is out of the question. After watching the Germany game, I don't think they'll do well. The Us needs to stop playing friendlies against such weak opponents. All that does is raise false confidence.
777322
I am a huge Al's fan and would love for them to win... obviously.\n\nI am not expecting them to win because BC has been so consistant through the season and layed a whoopin on a Rider team that were on a roll. I'm a little scared it's going to be a blowout and I won't be very happy the next morning.\n\nMy prediction... BC 38 Montreal 24\n\nI hope I'm wrong and I will still be cheering on my Al's. Hopefully Cahoon has the best game of his life and wins the game single-handled.
551762
"The Carolina Panthers"?  (reference an answer a few submissions up).  hehe.  It's Hurricanes, but perhaps you meant to say Panthers?\n\nAnyhow, I am stunned by Detroit's early exit - likewise the Stars.  The East seems to be keeping pace - the top teams have either advanced or are near advancing, while upsets abound in the West.\n\nI'm a Canes fan, but I have to say, if they exit the playoffs, I'm pulling for Edmonton.\n\nAs for what happened to Detroit?  They spent the whole season being #1 and my best guess is they simply ran out of gas.
675187
I am ecstatic! My proud, young underdog Sabres weren't expected to even make the playoffs this year by the so-called "experts" and now they're crushing the top seed left in these glorious Stanley Cup Playoffs! Fantastic! :)\n\nWe now return to Buffalo for Games 3 & 4 at home, but no one expected us to be up 2-0 after the first two games in Ottawa. The Sabres are in complete control of this series and I believe they shall go on and win it (not sure about a sweep). I KNOW we can defeat Carolina because we've done it several times this season, and it's looking like they may beat New Jersey. \n\nI don't wish to get ahead of myself here but my Sabres are setting themselves up to WIN IT ALL! How awesome would that be for the long-suffering fans back home in Buffalo, eh? :)\n\nLet's Go Buf-fa-lo!!! =)
306687
The Buffalo Sabres are hotter than they've ever been. While everyone has been talking about Carolina in the East, Buffalo is the real surprise story of 05-06 season. They are my pick to win it all
391121
Well, since I can't have the Bruins, then I guess I'll have to go with my new local team, the Canes. Hockey in the south just doesn't ring true for me, but I guess since the majority of the guys down here are from up there, then it's merely geography. I'd like to see Ottowa take it too, but I have a feeling that they may choke.
1063068
With Carolina up 3-2, I don't think the Oilers have enough gas in the tank to pull it off.  Even with the injury to Doug Weight, I still believe that the 'Canes will pull it off and be the champs.
1149199
Edmonton is a neat underdog story, but Carolina is stomping them and I don't see the Oilers getting back into it without their first string goalie.
1059656
sure.\n\nbut even more importantly, do you think Edmonton has a chance at winning the Stanley Cup?
1020341
No Carolina is up 3-1 in the series. Tonight is game five and could be the end for Edmonton. The series has been a good one. Carolina won games 1, 2 and 4. Carolina has been skating circles around the Oilers.
381060
I'm very pleased my Sabres shut out the hated flyers 3-0 at home, but I'm not entirely certain they'll thrash them again in loathsome philistinia. I'm hoping we can wrap this up in six games but it may require a return trip to Buffalo where I am dead certain we would annihilate them in game seven. I'll keep you posted about who they would play in the next round as soon as they advance (hopefully Tuesday).\n\nGO SABRES!!!
702834
Carolina will win.\n\nI just hope Delhomme doesn't throw too many touchdowns, I'm playing against him in fantasy this week!!
1156500
Being from Buffalo, I hope carolina gets their ass kicked!
561138
You called it, rogue. The Sabres will win this series in six games, possibly five. Buffalo matches up beautifully against Carolina and will absolutely defeat them to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals (and I have zero fear of Anaheim, assuming they get there).\n\nTime to enlighten eurofootballfan... The Sabres were 1-2-1 against the Hurricanes (you overlooked the shootout). More to the point, in their last meeting, which was on the final night of the regular season, Carolina had EVERYTHING to play for, as a win would have meant the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo had NOTHING to play for but pride, as they could not move up or down in the seedings. Indeed, the Sabres rested starting goalie Ryan Miller and several other veteran players. The game was even played in Carolina, so the 'Canes were all set, right? \n\nWrong! The Sabres annihilated them, shutting them out 4-0 in front of a home crowd stunned into silence. Get ready for more of the same (I wouldn't rule out a Sabres sweep) in the Eastern Conference Finals. Your point about the heavy reliance on Eric Staal and his line only further makes my point. The Chris Drury line, the Sabres' best checking line, will completely shut down your heroes who rely far too much on a single line for their scoring. Don't believe me? Ask Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne. Ask Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley. \n\nAs for your precious Cam Ward, he was shelled in game 4 in New Jersey and the Sabres will exploit him much worse. Buffalo has three balanced scoring lines and a different hero every night. Our top defensive pairing, Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman will make your top scoring line look abject, again, as they did with Philly and Ottawa. And best of all, we have the best young goattender in the world between the pipes, Ryan Miller. I hope you enjoyed the first two rounds because you are doomed, Carolina fans. Face your fate and enjoy defeat. It's coming, courtesy of my Buffalo Sabres, the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions. \n\nLET'S GO BUF-FA-LO!!!
1122491
You said it my friend.....\nand it's fair warning.\nThe Oilers WILL win and there's nothin' Carolina can do about it.....HAHAHAHAHAHA!!\nGO OILERS!!!!!