KEMPNER NHL 2011 PLAYOFFS Predictions
East
1. Wash vs 8. NYR
The Capitals should destroy the Rangers were wishing they didn’t play NY in the 1st rd. Dec 12 NY won 7-0! Feb 25 NY won 6-0. Actually the Rangers won the season series 3-1 this year. The good thing about Washington is they have been on fire to finish the year. Lundqvist is a very good goalie better than Neuvwith. But the Caps somehow win this series in 7.
2. Philly vs 7. Buffalo
The Flyers should win this series easy but there ar
e some major question marks. Q1 Will Bobrovsky hold up? He’s been struggling of late and Boucher might be the better option. Q2 Will Ryan Miller steal the show? Philly is going to throw a ton of pucks at this stellar goalie and maybe Miller pulls it out. He’s going to have to put this team on his shoulders. Q3 Which game will Pronger be back? People hate this guy but proven fact he takes teams DEEP into the playoffs. This guy is a future hall of famer. He is physical, has the experience, and is a winner. I think Pronger plays...if not Buffalo has a legit chance.
Philly wins in 6
3. Boston vs 6. Montreal
This is the tail of 2 opposite teams. The Bruins are very physical and the Canadiens are very fast. I know Canada has only 2 teams in the playoffs but Montreal is not a playoff team. Boston is built for the playoffs. They are hard working, hard hitting, in your face kind of team. Chara and Lucic are the difference makers and Tim Thomas will out play Carey Price.
Boston sweeps the series 4-0.
4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Tampa Bay
Forget Syd the Kid (he’s out for at least half of this series o
r more) but somehow someway the Penguins are winning without Crosby or Malkin. I give credit to good coaching, guys stepping it up, and Fleury standing on his head. Here’s the problem…can they sustain it without Syd? Listen to this St.Louis had 99 pts this year, Stamkos had 91, but the best surprise has been the return of V.Lecavalier. Vincent is on a tear. They have 2 really good lines that can score. The biggest question mark will be the play of Roloson. He isn’t the best but he’s got a ton of experience and might just play well enough to squeak by the Penguins.
TB wins in 6
Boston beats Washington in the Conference Final
West
4. Anaheim vs 5. Nashville
Other than the twins there is no better pair right now than the Perry and Getzlaf. The Predators play boring hockey. P.Rinne is going to carry his team on this shoulders. ??? You know who is going to be in goal for Anaheim? Dan Ellis. Nashville will score bad goals and stay out of the box enough to compete.
Nashville win the series in 7.
3. Detroit vs 6. Phoenix
All I hear is the Red Wings are old. And yes they are the oldest team in the playoffs but to me that means they have the most experience. The Coyotes are a blue collar team with a great goalie in Bryzgalov. The challenge is 40+ shots a night from these oldies. Not only does Detroit win but win quickly.
Red Wings win in 5
2. SJ vs 7. LA
This is going to be the worst match-up in the 1st rd. LA is without Kopitar and J.Williams. It’s over. I love Quick but there is no way they are pulling out the upset. The Sharks are WAY too strong and will take a bite out of the Kings. Niemi is great in goal and the question must be asked “Why did the Blackhawks let him go?”
SJ wins in 4
1. Van vs 8. Chic
3 yrs in a row they play each other in the playoffs. No love lose here. Chicago being the defending Cup champs know what it takes to win. In the offseason, Chic got worse and Vancouver got better. These games are going to be tough. Chic should be in the playoffs but thanks to the disappointing Dallas Stars they are in. Vancouver is on fire and is the undisputed best team in the regular season by a landslide. But this is the playoffs. Canucks top to bottom are solid. Daniel is the best player in the NHL and they still have Henrik who was last years MVP. Plus Burrows, Kesler, and Torres are playoff type players. And the Canucks are hungry. They will win this war quickly.
Vancouver in 5
Canucks beat out the Red Wings in the Conference final.
Here’s some things I could see…
In the East:
NY beating the Caps, Buffalo upsetting the Flyers, and Syd Crosby coming back. If those things happen Pittsburgh makes the finals beating out Boston.
In the West:
The only thing I could be wrong on is the Ducks destroy the Predators. But Van, SJ, and Detroit are the real deal and the Cup stays in the West when the dust settles.
2011 Cup Winner: 40 yr anniversary = 1st Vancouver Stanley Cup.
I don't think I have ever predicted the Canucks to win the Cup but this is our year. It's time for us to prove it and do it. I fully believe they will win the wars and come out on top.
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