I need to start this out saying this years playoffs will be difficult to predict. At 1st it looks easy but the more you think about it and do the research you will see that it might be the most difficult one in years. But this is good news because it’s going to be some great hockey battles! Here’s what I am officially predicting. Trying to go with my head not my heart but you are going to be surprised at some of my calls. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Random thought: Remember when Pittsburgh lost to Detroit in the finals and then the next year Crosby and the Penguins won his 1st cup vs the Red Wings? Imagine if that happened to the Canucks this year. One can only dream!
I picked the Capitals to beat my Canucks in the finals at the beginning of this year. It could happen but I doubt it. My new finals predictions will be at the end of the post.
The Canucks won the series 2-1-1
Analysis: The Canucks are the team to beat. And it’s great they have won a 2nd Presidents Trophy but it’s the playoffs and you got to take every series serious or you will be golfing quicker than you can say Quick. Speaking of Jonathan Quick he’s been good enough to win the Vezina this year. But the Kings have not been very good at all. LA is big but they are having a tough time scoring. Vancouver on the other had are entering the playoffs with a nice winning streak (8-1-1).
Special teams: On the PP, Van is 4th and LA is 17th but they are both on the top 6 in the league on the PK.
?’s: Is Daniel Sedin and Jeff Carter going to play?
Both teams need these guys in the lineup because they offer needed scoring. But maybe Vancouver doesn’t need Daniel as much because since his injury they went on their longest win streak. Just sayin’
Sounds like both will be in the lineup for the game 1 or early in the series.
Is there a goalie controversary in Vancouver? Not yet. But if Luongo struggles he’s going to get pulled faster than you can say Corey Schneider. Vancouver has 2 #1 goalies so goaltending should not be an issue for long.
Prediction: Canucks should win this series in 5.
2 St.Louis Blues vs 7 SJ Sharks
Season Series: St.Louis owned them 4-0
Analysis: The Blues almost were the President Trophy winners. The BLUES?! This team has no superstars but are strong top to bottom and play their system well. St.Louis has the lowest GA in the league with 165. They have 2 #1 goalies like Vancouver but can only play one at a time. They LOVE playing at home as they are 30-6-5.
Don’t forget that SJ was in the West final last season but we can’t forget how horrific they have been this season. What’s going on? They are having a challenge finding consistent scoring and good goalie play. Here’s a crazy stat: St.Lou is 4-3-3 in their last 10 but SJ is 7-3.
?’s: Can the Blues keep this dream rolling?
Will the real Sharks please stand up?
Prediction: For the 1st time in my life I am going with the youth over the experience. Blues in 6
3 Phoenix Coyotes vs 6 Chicago Blackhawks
Season Series: Phoenix won 3-1
Analysis: I watched the Coyotes live this year vs the Canucks. They are better than you think. No superstars but they’ve gotten great goaltending by Mike Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phoenix wins this series. They were only 4 pts different in the standings and the Coyotes have home ice advantage.
It looks like Toews will be returning soon (maybe game 1) wish is music to Chicago’s ears. Hossa, Kane, Toews, and Sharp should be ready for the task at hand. This team is loaded with playoff experience. The biggest weakness for Chicago is their goaltending as Crawford has not been great. The team has let in 238 goals but scored quite a bit with 248 goals.
?’s: Will Crawford play like he did vs the Canucks last year? If he does this series won’t be close.
Prediction: Chicago in 7
4 Nashville Predators vs 5 Detroit Red Wings
Season Series: Tied 3-3
Analysis: Another war is about to begin. Nashville made some good playoff moves at the trade deadline. Detroit is not the same Red Wing team we have come to respect and fear.
?’s: Which goalie will be better: Howard or Rinne? Rinne hands down.
Are Zetterberg and Datsyuk too old and over the hill? I don’t think they are done but they are not dominant like they used to be.
Prediction: Nashville in 6
EAST Predictions
1 NY Rangers vs 8 Ottawa Senators
Season Series: Ottawa 3-1
Analysis: The #8 seed has knocked off the #1 seed 8 times since the current playoff format has been in place (1994). Is it time for an upset? I think so…
Ottawa isn’t on fire coming into the playoffs but they have played the Rangers really well this season. The Rangers have all the pressure on them as they are the #2 overall team. Lundqvist is a stud and can cause huge problems for the Senators. Ottawa scored 20 more goals than the Rangers did. Craig Anderson is 6-0 at Madison Square Gardens.
?’s: Will John Tortorella get fired if the Senators upset the Rangers? YES!
Prediction: Ottawa in 6
2 Boston Bruins vs 7 Washington Capitals
Season Series: Washington won 2-1-1
Analysis: Let’s be honest, Washington has been BAD this season. Backstrom is coming off a head injury and isn’t looking like his normal self yet. Vokoun was supposed to take this team to another level but has failed. The good news is Ovechkin is finally playing well and the team has been on a role. The biggest question is how will the Caps goaltending work out?
The Bruins are bigger and stronger. Thomas hasn’t played the greatest this year but he’s been good enough to keep the team winning. Boston has flown under the radar and been 7-2-1 in their last 10. You can’t count out the Stanley Cup champs. Horton looks to be out for the playoffs but that shouldn’t faze them as he’s missed most of the season as well. If anyone is built for the playoffs it’s Boston.
?’s: Who’s starting in goal for the Caps? Looks like it’s the 22 yr old Holtbly as Neuvrith and Vokoun are out with injuries.
Can the Caps beat the Bruins? Yes. Will they? No…
Prediction: I want to take Caps in the upset but this is where my head yells, “Take the Bruins!” Boston in 6 but I am cheering for Washington BIG time.
3 Florida Panthers vs 6 NJ Devils
Season Series: Florida won 2-1-1
Analysis: Who’s going to watch this defensive match-up? NOT ME! Haha
This series is probably the most one sided in favour of NJ for the ‘experts’. Florida is STRUGGLING going 2-3-5 in their final 10 games. The last time the Panthers made the playoffs they were swept by the Devils in 2000. Here’s some more crazy stats:
-NJ had 102 pts and Florida won their division with 94
-Florida scored 203 goals and NJ allowed 209 goals
- NJ scored 228 goals and Florida allowed 227 goals
Parise, Elias, and Kovalchuk will be too much to handle.
?’s: Will Brodeur play well enough to beat the Panthers? He’s got more gas left in the tank.
Will he retire after this season…he will be 40 this postseason? Probably.
Will Florida’s young guys be so pumped to be in the playoffs it will give them the added juice to win the series? I doubt it.
Season Series: Flyers won 4-2
Analysis: This should be the best series going into the playoffs. Both of these teams could go to the Cup final. And to add insult to injury these teams hate each other. When the Flyers beat the Penguins 2 games ago that was went Schenn crossed checked Crosby and the war started. The last game Malkin scored his 50th to win the game but Giroux didn’t even play which was a wise coaches decision.
Obviously Crosby and Malkin are the X factors. These guys are the best players in the world right now. And the Penguins are still a solid team without Crosby in the lineup we solid depth and great goaltending in Fleury. But Fleury has not played well with his worst SV% and GAA vs the Flyers. It looks like Philly has his #.
As good as the Penguins are the Flyers aren’t a weak team either. Ilya Brzgalov struggled in the middle of the season but has been on fire lately and will be ready for this war. The Flyers are built for the playoffs with guys like Hartnell, Simmonds, and Coburn. Philadelphia can score! This team is better than people think. The Flyers had the 2nd highest amount of wins on the road with 24 (Boston had 25).
The Flyers will definitely miss having Pronger in the playoffs as he’s a force to be reckoned with.
?’s: Remember in the summer when the Flyers traded Carter and Richards and everyone said they wouldn’t recover from trading their stars away?
Can Fleury pick up his game vs the Flyers?
Prediction: Everyone is picking Pitts in 7 but I am going with the Flyers in 7!!!
Playoff Tree Prediction:
East
Boston beats Ottawa and Philly beats the Devils
Then Philly takes out Boston.
West
Canucks beat the Blackhawks and the Nashville beats St.Louis
Vancouver takes out Nashville.
Finals: Canucks beat the Flyers.
Of course, I could be wrong but I doubt it.
1 comment:
I really enjoy reading your blog. Thought provoking and entertaining. Good job. (Only two typos, great work.)
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