2020 Stanley Cup Predictions - How far will the Blues Advance?

[Celtic Note]

The Blues have this game plus 3 playoffs games to figure this out. Their chances obviously diminish with each playoff game lost, but it’s doable. Teams have won playoffs series down 3-1. If it get to that point, there is still hope.

 

[Brockon]

I mean after last year, when all seemed lost for Nov-Jan... I find it hard to discount this team.

Maybe Berube caught lightning in a bottle and its time to cherish that run, give up and rebuild (what could be Blue-sy-ier, win the cup then blow it up a year later).

But, I think we've got the talent and leadership to see the conference finals at the very least, unless injuries dismantle us.

Edit: I'll add that I'm particularly disappointed with the utter lack of intensity from the team, I could take the losses much better if the team appeared to be making an effort for close to 60 mins - but that's been lacking throughout the round robin so far.

 

[mk80]

At this point I just want to see us be competitive and make teams earn any wins against us.

Winning back to back to Cups is an extremely tough task under normal circumstances (these playoffs are anything but ordinary) which is why the Penguins have been the only recent team to do it, so my expectations all season long hasn't been Cup or bust. But to make sure anyone who knocks us out has been given hell in order to do it.

I certainly think the 4 month break has thrown them off. Let's see what we got against the Stars today, and who knows maybe the dominant Blues team will come alive in round 1 even more.

 

[HighNote]

I'll wait until after today's game to give you my prediction. On one extreme, the Blues just might not have it right now and they could bow out in 4-5 games. On the other hand, it's possible they already know what they got and they've just been taking it easy the least 3 games. The game today will be very telling in my opinion.

 

[67Blues]

After today, Canucks upset (I guess) the Blues 4-1.

And as penance, we'll have to pay homage to backwards guy and all change our screen names to backwards equivalents.

 

[Blueline2757]

Well after the game today i didn't see anything that gives me confidence. So i voted lose in round 1.

 

[AjaxManifesto]

How far do we go?

We dress for 4 round #1 games and then dress for the plane trip home.

 

[simon IC]

I had to vote for SC winner. I am standing behind them no matter what.

 

[Stealth JD]

think we lose to Vegas...but it's in Rd. 3, not Rd. 2, as Dallas will get upset by the Flames in Rd. 1.

 

[Nederlander]

I think Vancouver wins series 4-1. I think our one win comes from Binnington stealing a game.

 

[The Note]

I mean after last year, when all seemed lost for Nov-Jan... I find it hard to discount this team.

Maybe Berube caught lightning in a bottle and its time to cherish that run, give up and rebuild (what could be Blue-sy-ier, win the cup then blow it up a year later).

But, I think we've got the talent and leadership to see the conference finals at the very least, unless injuries dismantle us.

Edit: I'll add that I'm particularly disappointed with the utter lack of intensity from the team, I could take the losses much better if the team appeared to be making an effort for close to 60 mins - but that's been lacking throughout the round robin so far.

I think that’s what’s most frustrating for me personally. It’s not like they were some middling team this year after the run last year. I didn’t expect them to jump right back in, but I expected some sort of progress. It was all just...bad.

 

[mk80]

I think that’s what’s most frustrating for me personally. It’s not like they were some middling team this year after the run last year. I didn’t expect them to jump right back in, but I expected some sort of progress. It was all just...bad.

I agree 100%, I'm disappointed we didn't see any progress over the last 4 games

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

The one thing I wonder a bit about, Boston and St Louis know better than anyone what it takes to play through 4 rounds. Both teams lost all 3 round robin games. Psychologically, I think they just can’t muster the focus for a game that they know doesn’t contribute to the 16 wins needed.

It will be very interesting if the physicality, consistent intensity and team-wide execution will look significantly different for both of those teams.

Vancouver is a good team. It will take a very solid effort over a sustained period of time to win that series. But if the Blues look like last post-season’s team they should win that series. Vancouver was the regular season 7th seed. That’s close to the matchup we would have seen if the season had ended as usual.

 

[BlueSeal]

Nothing in this series mattered. By the Blues going winless their road became easier while the other contenders will duke it out against each other. I don’t see a lack of intensity, I see the teams reins being held back abit, maybe to get us through the round robin without injuries or whatever. Bottom line, this team shows up and Chief will lead them into battle.

I believe in the Note.

 

[m1a2lt]

They'll never get further than Edmonton...

 

[Linkens Mastery]

All depends on if they were playing below their abilities to keep healthy/energy or if we are looking at them giving it their all currently. I need so see 1 or 2 actual playoff games.

 

[m1a2lt]

I believed it would take the teams that play a puck possession game would take longer than the run and gun teams to get revved up. The round robin shows that. Boston did worse than the Blues. Washington sucked. Vegas was the only abnormality. I'm still buying into it: puck possession beats run and gun, as long as puck possession gets started. Depends on when they find their game.

Barube: Get them to play the system and wear a suit!

 

[m1a2lt]

Nothing in this series mattered. By the Blues going winless their road became easier while the other contenders will duke it out against each other. I don’t see a lack of intensity, I see the teams reins being held back abit, maybe to get us through the round robin without injuries or whatever. Bottom line, this team shows up and Chief will lead them into battle.

I believe in the Note.

When Chief puts the suit back on, I will buy this.