If we win the SE, who do you hope finishes at 6?

by Brutus89 on Jan 19, 2012 11:18 AM EST

It's way to early to call, and even though I'm usually a pessimist, I am optimistic that we'll take the 3 seed by seasons end. Of course, the standings right now may not look anything like they do after 82, but as it goes, this is how the playoffs are looking in the East after the halfway mark:

1. Rangers

2. Bruins

3. Caps

4. Flyers

5. Sens

6. Devils

7. Pens

8. Panthers

If the same 5 teams finish as non-division winners, maybe the Leafs sneak in, who do you hope to see fall in the 6th seed as the Caps first opponent? Many may take the "hope we get the paper tiger" route, others may want to show their brawn. What's everyone feeling? It's obvious the Caps are no juggernaut this season, but we as fans are still waiting for that run. As Montreal so painfully showed us 2 years ago, anyone can beat anyone once they're seeded.

Poll

Who do want to see in the Quarterfinals?

Flyers

2 votes

Senators

46 votes

Devils

32 votes

That stupid bird that can't fly

45 votes

Panthers

39 votes

164 votes | Poll has closed

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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I picked the Panthers because if they knock us out in the first round, I can finally just stop buying tickets.

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by Alz Well That Ends Well on Jan 19, 2012 12:01 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

Let’s hope the Islanders don’t make a run here…

by Brutus89 on Jan 19, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

What could possibly make you think that the Caps won’t be the first or second seed?

Not the Flyers.

A healthy Penguins team is by far the best of the rest, but at least with playing the Penguins, the team will show up for all the games.

The rest are mediocre and overachieving. Not that the Caps aren’t more than capable of losing to them, but I like our chances.

by wickedwitch on Jan 19, 2012 12:39 PM EST reply actions

It’s all about the matchups, and I think we match up best with Florida, Mike Weaver notwithstanding.

Cross check and all call.

by bigonetimer on Jan 19, 2012 12:53 PM EST reply actions

Caps destroy Canada.

by discuit on Jan 19, 2012 12:59 PM EST reply actions

I picked the Sens, but I’d prefer the Hurricanes… although I know they won’t be there.

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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 19, 2012 2:04 PM EST reply actions

Can Columbus realign in our conference and get in on a loop hole? Please?

by Brutus89 on Jan 19, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Even better!

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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 20, 2012 9:22 AM EST up reply actions

Montreal two years ago was red flags all season. They gave the Caps fits each of the four times we played them,and I’m quite certain I was dismayed at having them be our opponents even before the playoffs began.

I think I agree I don’t particularly want to tangle with the Panthers, and that the Pens would be the best of an iffy lot but the caps would pay attention.

Wouldn’t mind Ottawa either with Dale Hunter, Canada Killer behind the bench.

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by EmilyB on Jan 19, 2012 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Ottawa. Always Ottawa. But I’ll be happy if the Caps finish anywhere in the top 8 at this point.

by grapejoos on Jan 19, 2012 4:33 PM EST reply actions

Umm, I don’t want to face Boston, so would have to disagree there. Win division is the only place I like.

by OvechkinGR8 on Jan 20, 2012 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Ottawa’s the easy pick. They’re a young, overachieving team that plays lousy defense and could very easily collapse in the playoffs. I could also see the Caps matching up against the Devils well, especially if their goaltending collapses in the postseason like it has in the past.

I’m not holding out much hope for a deep postseason run by this team, though.

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by Wheeler on Jan 20, 2012 2:49 PM EST reply actions

Mark Fayne is a regular on the Devils blueline. Ergo the goaltending has already collapsed.

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 22, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

The way this season’s been going, would be be any surprise that if there’s a battle for 5th and 6th seed, a team could dump a game or two on purpose in order to get the 6th seed instead of the 5th, figuring on easier odds of advancing?

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by CapsFan75 on Jan 20, 2012 10:29 PM EST reply actions

Wouldn’t the other teams would also still be playing? Perhaps the order wouldn’t be set until the season is complete.

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by miseenjeu on Jan 21, 2012 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

Of course the final order wouldn’t be set until the very end. But if it comes April and very few games left in the season, there would be less incentive for a team to try as hard for 5th place since the 5th place team would get a harder post season matchup (most likely the 2nd place team in the Atlantic) than the 6th place team (“winner” of the Southeast).

Of course, that is assuming the current situation in the standings of the SE Winner having a less than stellar record.

Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.

by CapsFan75 on Jan 21, 2012 11:43 AM EST reply actions