[das_hips]

A slight diversion from the NHL forum; Who does the Hipbase think will win this Eastern Conference Final?

I certainly don't mean to detract from the NHL discussion, but I believe that a fair majority of Hipbasers have some specific vested input...

[Summiteer]

Ottawa in 7

[BIGVDOGG]

Toronto..........................................Next Year :roll:

[BRoach]

Toronto..........................................Next Year :roll:

HAHAHAHAHA
funniest thing I've heard so far today

[BRoach]

i'll be cheering for buffalo...... (cause who likes the senators.....honestly??)
but unless the Sabres jump out to an early lead in the series, it won't be a fun road trip to Ottawa for them

[grimes]

I dislike both teams pretty equally, so the only thing I will be cheering for is that whichever team wins this series goes on to get killed in the final. I do think Buffalo will prevail though, the depth of their four lines is something that Ottawa will have a hard time to match. I give Miller the edge over Emery in goal as well.

[Bosman]

Being from Kingston, Ottawa, being the closest team, is a natural favourite of mine. I hate getting caught up in the Toronto vs. Montreal sub-culture that thrives in most of Ontario. I've met people where that's the first question they ask you and they'll either love you or hate you based on your response - talk about a loaded question! When I say "Ottawa" a blank stare overcomes their face.

Ottawa's playing really good hockey this year. This is only the second time they've been into a Conference final. They're always a great team during the season, but have been known to choke in the recent years when it came to Round 2 in the play-offs. This year, their squad is more mature, more experienced and their once 'young guys' are stepping up huge. Spezza is a prime example of that.

They've got momentum having just beat a really good goaltender (who didn't necessarily play his best, but is still certainly par with the 4 goalies left in the play-offs) with very little trouble.

You know, in past years after my team has been eliminated, I naturally cheer for the Canadian teams that still have a chance. Whether it be Calgary, Vancouver, or even the Leafs/Habs. Why is it that now that all the 'popular' Canadian teams are out, no one's taking the Sens? (I know some of you are, but the Sens are down on the poll).

[second_sight_kyle]

You know, in past years after my team has been eliminated, I naturally cheer for the Canadian teams that still have a chance. Whether it be Calgary, Vancouver, or even the Leafs/Habs. Why is it that now that all the 'popular' Canadian teams are out, no one's taking the Sens? (I know some of you are, but the Sens are down on the poll).

It could just be that the Sens are the youngest of the Canadian teams ( the new franchise, anyway). So they don't have the legacy that some other Canadian teams have or are starting to build (ie. no one chooses to become a Toronto fan, you're a Leaf fan because one or both of your parents are Leaf fans). As for disliking the team, it may be because they're called the "Senators", or because they've choked.

The Sens became a franchise right when I was starting to play and become interested in hockey, so I picked them and asked for my first jersey ASAP. I found out that I shouldn't expect to see them on HNIC (unless they were playing the Leafs) very quickly. I found out that a lot of people dislike the Senators, for what I consider to be baseless reasons, much later.

[fingernailsonhull]

Buffalo's got my vote for the Cup. The team is just so solid.

[Lizard King]

I agree, Id prefer Ottawa to win, but the Sabres are just too good this year.

Sabres in 6 games.

[briansmccabe]

Ottawa in 7

No chance in hell. If Ottawa wins this round, it will be in 6, but if this series goes a full 7, I GUARANTEE Buffalo wins. They busted their asses all season to earn the right to play any given game 7 in their rink. They're not gonna piss that away. If the Sabres had hosted game 7 against Carolina last year, we'd be talking repeat.

Sabres in 7.

[Chris Tanz]

No self-respecting Leaf fan should be cheering for the Senators -- Canadian team or not.

Sabres in 4. Make that Sabres in 3.5 when the Ottawa team gets the flu midway through game four and collapses in a heap on the bench.

If Ottawa wins and goes on to take the Cup, Leaf fans will lose the one remaining thing we have -- because "Sure, but you can't beat the Leafs when it counts ..." becomes pretty hollow if they're drinking champagne from Mrs. Lord Stanley's Son's Mug.

Go Sabres.

ct

[Bosman]

No self-respecting Leaf fan should be cheering for the Senators -- Canadian team or not.

Sabres in 4. Make that Sabres in 3.5 when the Ottawa team gets the flu midway through game four and collapses in a heap on the bench.

If Ottawa wins and goes on to take the Cup, Leaf fans will lose the one remaining thing we have -- because "Sure, but you can't beat the Leafs when it counts ..." becomes pretty hollow if they're drinking champagne from Mrs. Lord Stanley's Son's Mug.

Go Sabres.

ct

Well... may I go out on a limb here and say the Sabres are sunk? Nonetheless, is any self-respecting Leafs fan able to cheer for Detroit or Anaheim since Ottawa is out?

I can understand having a favourite team and cheering for them to win it all. I thought Ottawa was a more neutral choice for both Leafs/Habs fans, but I guess not.

Instead of being concerned about the "one remaining thing [Leafs fans] have", maybe you should be more concerned about how poorly your hockey has played the last... few years? So poorly in fact, that you must rely on OTHER team's misfortunes to have absolutely anything to be happy about.

The Sens, after beginning their modern chapter, are still a relatively young team having played their first season in 92/93. In those last years there has been a steady progression. And yes, they have choked before in the play-offs (second round), but what team hasn't? Most of their team was always made up of young up-and-coming superstars would just simply didn't have the play-off experience or confidence to perform well. As I said before, this year they have that experience. They are confident, they are executing, and they just stole two games in Buffalo.

In contrast, your Toronto Maple Leafs have been around for 90 seasons. They had their great dynasty, and the majority of their cups where won, was when there were only five other teams to play against. It's been 40 years since that majestic 1967 season. And to be honest, not much has happened since then. A hand-full of Conference Finals, maybe... but the Sens about to win one and go to the Stanley Cup Finals... when is the last time you say your blue jersey there? Oh right, that '67 year... how many people reading this are old enough to remember that year? Or were even alive?


I just don't understand the "If Toronto doesn't win than the Habs and Senators certainly can't!". You should be excited of the possibility that the Cup will return to Canadian soil this year. You don't want that to happen? Buffalo is close enough to the border (or Toronto even) for you? Give me a break...

:jump GO SENS GO! :jump

[grimes]

Instead of being concerned about the "one remaining thing [Leafs fans] have", maybe you should be more concerned about how poorly your hockey has played the last... few years? So poorly in fact, that you must rely on OTHER team's misfortunes to have absolutely anything to be happy about.

Puuh-leease.....Sens fans are the absolute worst of any group I know in that regard. Until these playoffs, most Sens fans I know would take more pleasure from seeing the Leafs lose than in seeing the Sens win. That's pathetic. Now that they actually have a real shot to win, everyone's on the bandwagon, and they're actually selling out their building for a change. Oh and how many Sens fans cheered for the Leafs when they made the conference finals in '99 and '02? None that I know of..

I just don't understand the "If Toronto doesn't win than the Habs and Senators certainly can't!". You should be excited of the possibility that the Cup will return to Canadian soil this year. You don't want that to happen? Buffalo is close enough to the border (or Toronto even) for you? Give me a break...

The Habs are a different story. If they were in this position I would have no trouble supporting them, because despite the rivalry, I have a lot of respect for that organization.

[Lizard King]

I agree, Id prefer Ottawa to win, but the Sabres are just too good this year.

Sabres in 6 games.

Its still too soon to count Buffalo out, but I wasnt expecting Ottawa to come home up 2-0, its looking like this is Ottawa's year to go all the way.

GO SENS!!