NHL PLAYOFF 2009 Kempner Predictions

If you're Canadian, you know that the NHL playoffs are here. It’s hard to do any kind of work or get much sleep as the anticipation for playoff hockey is growing. It’s always better when your team actually makes the playoffs (right Brian Burke) and it’s great to see many Canadian teams in the hunt. Let’s break down the 1^st round match-ups.

Western Conference:

1. San Jose vs 8. Anaheim

The Sharks are the president trophy winner while the Ducks barely stayed in the playoff hunt. Many are predicting the Ducks to upset saying that the Ducks is a hard-hitting team and San Jose is a bunch of goal scoring pretty boys. I think the biggest difference will be in goal. Nabakov vs Hiller? Nabakov every time. Dan Boyle is amazing on the blue line. To me the Ducks are too inconsistent.

Prediction: The Sharks in 6.

2. Detroit vs 7. Columbus

There would be no one debating this series if Detroit had good goaltending but Osgood and Conklin have not been stellar but subpar. The Blue Jackets are green as this is the 1^st postseason experience in the 9 year team history. The Red Wings on the other hand are the Stanley Cup champs and have a combined 1,793 games of playoff experience. Steve Mason has been incredible as a rookie. He will be in the talk for the Vezina. The Red Wings added Hossa to their roster this off season. I was going to pick the Blue Jackets but Mason is a rookie and remember Carry Price last year going into the playoffs and had a hard time with the jump into a 7 game series.

Prediction: Detroit wins in 5.

3. Vancouver vs 6. St.Louis

Did you know that the Blues are the hottest team in the league since January? This calls for the upset right? No way! The second hottest team since January is the Canucks. The Blues came out of nowhere and are going nowhere. Yeah I know Boyes, Backes, Berglund have been great as well as Chris Mason in net. But the Canucks are ready for a run and it starts with the lowly Blues. Sundin is going to earn some money finally and the twins are going to get a pay raise plus Luongo is a STUD (his playoff GAA is 1.77). Burrows and Kesler are made for the playoffs.

Prediction: Canucks in 5

4. Chicago vs 5. Calgary

Here’s the facts: #1. The Blackhawks are on fire right now and Calgary is struggling. #2 The young guns of Chicago have never seen a playoff game. Calgary is filled the veterans who have been on long playoff runs. #3 Calgary is banged up and who’s really going to be playing 100%.

Khabibulin has already beat Calgary in the playoffs when he won a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay.

Prediction: Chicago is winning this series in 6.

Eastern Conference:

1. Boston vs 8. Montreal

The Bruins were 23 points ahead of the Canadiens this year also the season series was 5-0-1 in Boston’s favour. I am cheering for the Habs but unless Carry Price can stand on his head and they get some consistent scoring from Kovalev, Tanguay, and Koivu. Chara is a beast and Boston had 6 20 goal scorers.

Prediction: Bruins in 4 

2. Washington vs 7. NY Rangers

The Rangers have zero 30 goal scorers on their team and Capitals out scored the Rangers by 68 goals this year. Drury and Gomez need to step up and Lundqvist need to stand on his head to beat the Caps. The interesting playoff factor is the pest work of Avery and Marc Staal can they get Semin and Backstrom off their game. I don’t think Theodore has to be dominate for them to win this series. The Caps are going to pepper Lundqvist and he can’t save everything.

Prediction: Capitals in 6.

3. New Jersey vs 6. Carolina

This is a tough match-up.  The Hurricanes have been playing playoff must win hockey to make the playoffs will they be able to keep it up? These goalies both have Stanley Cup experience. The playoff experience both of these teams have is outstanding. I think it’s going to come down to two things New Jersey’s top 6 forwards and goaltending.

Prediction: New Jersey wins in 7.

4. Pittsburgh vs 5. Philadelphia

This is a rematch of last year’s conference finals. What a series and potentially the best in the 1^st round. A month ago I would be saying Philly hands down but the Penguins have come on really strong as of late taking home ice advantage. It’s going to be a hard-hitting affair. Penguins won the season series 4-2. Crosby and Richards don’t like each other. As much as I don’t like this pick I believe the Penguins will come out on top. For the Flyers to win the series Biron needs to be amazing.

Prediction: Penguins in 7.

So there you go in all it’s glory! I hope you enjoyed the analysis and predictions. I am not going with my heart but my head. So I will be cheering against many things I am predicting.

If I need to pick and Stanley Cup final and winner I would be taking Pittsburgh over San Jose. But I am cheering for a Philadelphia lose to the Canucks!