"Series C:" Dallas or Edmonton?

[lmanchur.]

Who will win the Western Conference Quarter Finals between the Dallas Stars (3) and Edmonton Oilers (6)?

For the fifth straight season, the Oilers and Stars will meet in the playoffs... for the third straight time, in the opening round. Of those previous four times, the Oilers have won just once, and the Stars, three times.

This year will probably be no different. The Stars are playing GREAT defensive hockey down the stretch, and have the offense to go with it. As in the past two seasons, the question is if Eddie Belfour can hold up in net. I say yes, because he's a fellow Manitoban! :nod:

Stars will win this won (though I don't want to admit it).


(Check Sports Central (http://sports-central.org) on April 10 for my NHL Playoff Preview article, featuring my "offical" picks, and analysis of each Quarter Final series. Also featured on Sports Central during the playoffs will be a printable playoff tree, as well as live, up-to-the minute scores.)

[Wedge231]

The Stars, definately. They have a great team over there. Great offense over there.

[lmanchur.]

Agreed -- their offense is great, but their defense is SPECTACULAR. In their last 11 regular season games, the Stars allowed one or less goals into their net.

They are one of THE hottest teams right now -- they're already playing at the level they need to be at for the Playoffs, and it's going to make for some VERY miserable games if you an Oilers fan :(

[budman2]

have to support the team i watched last night against the canucks, although the canucks are not the stars , the oilers are young, hungry, talented and fast.anyone remember the 94 habs?

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by budman2
anyone remember the 94 habs? Yeah... the 94 Habs!?... sure... finished 8th in the Regular Season with 96 PTS (41-29-14) and didn't do much in the playoffs, as I recall it...

(I think you mean the '93 Habs, don't you!?.. ;) yeah... those guys were GOOD!! :D )

[Wedge231]

Anyone remember the 94' Rangers. Man they were good. Swept the Islanders in round 1 and beat the Capitals and the Devils and beat the Canucks to win the Cup. Then the Ranger did bad after that.

[lmanchur.]

Chris.... wasn't this thread about the Stars and Oilers!? :)

[Wedge231]

It was????? Oh yeah....... Ummm, the Oilers are good but the Stars are one of the best teams right about now so they will win without a doubt.

[PeterDewar]

Dallas is just another super power in the West and too strong for Edmonton. Edmonton will win 1 but its not enough to knock off Dallas.

[NickHammy]

I don't like Dallas, although I do admit they are good and can beat the oilers.

[lmanchur.]

...anyone watch the EDM-DAL game last night!?... of the last tweleve playoff losses to Dallas, Edmonton has lost them ALL by ONE goal.... that's gotta hurt!

[lmanchur.]

Well, this series drew to a close, today.... if you don't include the empty-netter in today's 3-1 Dallas win, ALL games were 1-goal decisions, 4 went into overtime, and all the games could have gone to either team.

However, experience payed off for the Stars, and beat the Oilers in the playoffs for the fourth straight year in their fifth straight playoff meeting.

I watched every game of this series... every game of the Toronto/Ottawa series... two games of the Philly/Sabres series... 2 games of the Colorado/Vancouver series... and periods here and there of every other opening round series and I can absolutely say this... the Dallas/Edmonton series was the BEST of ANY of the first round match-ups. Great intensity... great scoring chances... amazing goaltending... lots of hits.. just incredible.