Welcome one and all to an annual tradition here in my section of the blogosphere, playoff predictions! The playoffs this year are sure to be interesting. Lots of questions: Can Pittsburgh repeat? Can Ovechkin match his rival from last year? Has there ever been more goaltending issues at once? Wait a minute…Phoenix is in the playoffs? And so on, and so forth. Here to help me, as always are my good friends Jeff and Troy, as well as a coin, which I do believe bested my last year.
Jeff Says:
So, I am once again honoured to be asked to throw in my predictions in this years race for the cup…and as the DJ Khaled song “All I Do Is Win” plays on my winamp (people still use winamp??) all I can think about is how gracious Glen is to keep inviting me to do this after having finishing ahead of him (yah I only got 3rd this year) countless years in a row at the Hockey Pool…it really shows what character he has. It makes me almost wanna let him beat me next year…but I fear that I would have to put in quite the effort for that to happen and I don’t really have the energy to find enough ways to let him ahead of me. 
Time to go psychic on Glens ass…..
Stanley Cup Champs = Washington Capitals
This is their year. I can feel it. There conference doesn’t scare me to much, other then Pittsburgh, so I am taking them this year. Ovie will be playing hell bent on upstaging Crosby this time out after losing the Olympics AND the Rocket Richard Trophy!…so, he is gonna show up.
MVP = Alexander Ovechkin
If Washington wins…it sure as hell isn’t gonna be because of anyone else besides him. This team is gonna live or die by Ovie’s sword. They might be able to get past the first round without him chipping in to much, but you can’t win the cup without him. So I figure, if I picked Washington, I should pick the only guy who is gonna get MVP for them.
Anyways, on with my picks for the first round…which will be as golden…..as the Golden Brett.
Troy Says: I have no idea what I”m talking about this year and I’ll sure I”ll make an ass out of myself but what can ya do. (EDITOR’S NOTE: I probably shouldn’t print that…)
Glen Says: What an interesting season this has been, and it’s certainly shaping up to be a wild spring. On paper it looks like the Caps, Pens, Hawks, and Sharks are favoured, but the games are never played on paper, especially during Olympic Years. Remember back in 2006, when the finals were Carolina and Edmonton? Seriously, who saw that one coming? A lot of good teams had a lot of good players on the ice for an extra two weeks in the winter, when some lesser teams got off lucky. This does give a boost to teams like Colorado and Nashville, whose players saw minimal action, and should hurt Washington and San Jose who had damn near their entire team playing.
Also, to compound this, there are so many goalie issues. It didn’t seem that long ago, that only Philadelphia and Ottawa had goalie issues, but now it seems like everyone does. This is especially true in the West, where only 3 starting goalies have seen playoff games, and Luongo and Nabokov’s numbers are pretty average. This is also true in the East where the top seeded team has some serious question marks in net that could almost make Patrick Lalime look like a safe bet.
It’s going to be a wild ride, that should feature some pretty unexpected thrills and chills. And as much as I really don’t know how to pick, I’m going to bet that the finals will come down to the two best duos in the league: Chicago and Pittsburgh. These teams are young and hungry. The Pens want to repeat, and the Hawks may not have much longer with their salary cap issues coming.
But Chicago has Marian Hossa, so logically they will loose in the finals, as he is want to do. I’ll have the Pens winning it in 6, with playoff MVP going to Sidney Crosby. This will make Sid and Fleury the fourth and fifth players to win the Olympic Gold and Stanley Cup in the same year. Not bad for two people who can barely grow playoff beards.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 Washington Capitals vs #8 Montreal Canadiens
Troy Says: I must say it feels weird seeing Washington as the number 1 seed but maybe that’s just me. I think this has the potential to be a very interesting series. I think it’s all going to come down to the Capitals high powered offence against Halak. If Halak has a rough first game you might see Price but other than that I think it’s Halak’s team for now. The Habs have had a bit of a tough time putting pucks in the net down the stretch so maybe facing Washington’s goaltending is a good thing for Montreal but at the end of the day and although I hate to say it, I think Washington will be too much for my Canadiens. Halak will take this series further than it deserves to go.
Prediction: Washington in 6.
Jeff Says: Wow, I knew Washington was having a stellar season, but it only goes to show how little I often pay attention to the standings. What a phenomenal year! And now the post season starts and they play Montreal, A team I have a sore spot for but one that will not even come close to challenging Washington in this series. I don’t know if Montreal really has anyone that will be able to shut down Ovie but considering the depth that Washington has on offense if they did shut him down, the slack would be picked up. This is a good matchup for Washington to get things going and grab some momentum. Good to see Montreal in the playoffs again, even if it is for only 4 games.
Prediction: Washington takes it in 4
Glen Says: Poor, poor Montreal. A few weeks ago, they seemed like they were ready to make a charge for the upper half of the conference, and even seemed like a decent candidate to win a round or two. Somehow, they struggled, despite Jaroslav Halak more or less willing them into the playoffs and are forced to go head to head with the best team in the league. In pretty much every other series, one team has a big goaltending question, however, in this series both teams have huge goaltending questions. Troy said it well, that if Halak falters, then Price will get the nod. However, don’t be so quick to try and take some pressure away from Theodore. If he struggles (like he does every year in the playoffs) then expect Varleymov to get in. This series will be a lot closer than it looks on paper, but still not enough to get the Habs to the promised land.
Prediction: Washington in 6
Coin Says: Montreal in 6
#2 New Jersey Devils vs #7 Philadelphia Flyers
Troy Says: These two teams always played good hockey against each other but with the year that Philly has had I think this will be a short series. Although Marty seems as though be may be on the downside of his career he is still better than all of Philly’s goaltenders put together and the list is long. Ray Emery, Michael Leighton, Brian Boucher, Johan
Backlund and Jeremy Duchesne have all played games for the Flyers this season. Regardless of how the Devils play in the regular they always seem to become a different team once the playoffs start and I think they will have their way with Philadelphia in this series.
Prediction: New Jersey in 5.
Jeff Says:
Wow, poor New Jersey. Yah they had a great season, but now they draw the unfavourable first round series against Philly. Philly has had a gong show of a year…hot, then cold, hot then cold….it really was up and down. Problem is, they had to play hard to get in, which really is a serious case of deja vu from years past with them going up against the Rangers in a tough game right before the playoffs if my mind serves me right. Anyways, Philly is just one of those teams. They are built for playoffs, and with Pronger on defence they have experience. Jersey is a great team, no doubt, with a great goaltender, so this one is really a tough call. My inclination is to go for Philly…however, Brodeur is to much of a factor. This could be a great series.
Prediction: New Jersey take it in 7
Glen Says: Back at the beginning of the season I had the Flyers pegged to make it to the Stanley Cup Final, I also had them playing Calgary, so what the hell do I know? Seriously though, there is no team more hurt by injuries than the Flyers this year. An injury to Emery really left them searching, and Leighton was doing ok, but then he got hurt too. I think that Flyers goalies have been cursed since Pelle Lindbergh. Oh remember how I said that every team has a goaltending question? Well Jersey’s only question is “How do we stop Brodeur from aging?”. He’s quietly had another good year, and his supporting cast has played very well. If Kovalchuck can play to earn the big bonus he wants this summer, then this team will be downright scary.
Prediction: New Jersey in 5
Coin Says: New Jersey in 7
#3 Buffalo Sabers vs #6 Boston Bruins
Troy Says: The Bruins have had a pretty up and down season but they are playing their best hockey going into the playoffs and that cannot be underestimated so I think this is going to be a trying series for Buffalo. Fortunately for the Sabres they have Miller between the pipes and you know after the Olympics he is hungry to win. Miller is a goalie who just keeps getting better an better and he is more than capable of putting the rest of his team on his back. At the other end of the ice Boston’s biggest liability is going to be their goaltending. Tim Thomas has taken a back seat to the stellar play of Tuukka Rask but he is unproven in the playoffs so it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of playing in the playoffs for a hungry original six team.
Prediction: Buffalo in 7.
Jeff Says:
This is a tight series to call. Boston had one heck of a bad year, a lot of which was due to some major injuries. What they have going for them right now is their goalie. Sure Buffalo also has Miller, but they also have injuries. This is a toss up…I don’t see either of these teams going far, but which one will go farther? My answer is….
Prediction: Boston in 6
Glen Says: My how the mighty have fallen! Only a short while ago, it seemed like the Bruins were going to be Cup Contenders, but some horrible injuries, and downright sloppy play have made them fall. It seemed like everyone on that entire team had a career year last season, and now they are all back to reality. This is sort of an interesting battle, as both teams are having trouble scoring, but riding hot goaltenders. I think that I’ll have to give the edge to the team with the likely Vezina Winner. Don’t worry Bruins fans, Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin will be good for some goals next year!
Prediction: Buffalo in 6
Coin Says: Boston in 7
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #5 Ottawa Senators
Troy Says: It is definitely a bit of a surprise to see Ottawa in 5th place considering the fact that this team has been through a lot in the last few seasons but for all that hard work they get to face the champs in the first round. On paper it would seem to be an evenly matched series since it’s a 4 vs 5 series but Pittsburgh is really not a 4th seed team and everyone knows that. For Ottawa to have any chance
their big players are going to have a play a big game and their goaltending is going to have a step up huge. Neither of Ottawa’s goalies have ever played a single playoff game so it’s going to be a big adjustment.
Pittsburgh in 6.
Jeff Says: When I said I felt bad for New Jersey I sure as heck saved some for Ottawa. Poor guys, back in the playoffs, riding a high, and then they face the defending Champs. Pittsburgh isn’t THAT different from last year, and good players/good teams step it up in the playoffs. This is exactly what I expect Pittsburgh to do. Ottawa, nice to see you back, but this is not the first round you probably were hoping for.
Pittsburgh takes it in 5
Glen Says: Why? Why? WHY?!?!? My two favourite teams are stuck drawing each other for the third time in the last four seasons. Funnily enough, the team that one those first round series ended up in the Cup Final. Here’s hoping that it stays the same this year! I think that the ragtag Senators have bitten off more than they can chew in this one.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5
Coin Says: Pittsburgh in 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1. San Jose Sharks vs #8 Colorado Avalanche
Troy Says: I so badly want to choose Colorado to take the upset in this one. The signs are there. SJ loves to choke and the Avs have been proving the pundits wrong all year but unfortunately I just don’t see it happening. After so many playoff disappointments the core of the Sharks finally tasted some major success when at the Olympics Thornton, Marleau, Boyle and Heatley won gold with Team Canada so I really think that will help the big four in a big way and if the Sharks start to roll in this series it may be a long playoff run in the Shark tank. Another aspect to consider is the youth of Colorado. They are being coached by a rookie coach and being lead by a number of rookie players and they have all been amazing this year but playoff hockey is different hockey altogether so chock this series up to experience for the Avalanche.
Prediction: San Jose in 5.
Jeff Says: What a year for Colorado. A great turn around for sure. And San Jose once again enters the postseason tat the top of the heap. It’s sad really that they can finish first year after year, but then suffer terrible oustings in the playoffs year after year. The problem general is, they face that one team near the bottom that underachieved ALL year. At least this year they’ll be given a first round opponent that is truly beneath them. Colorado has fight I am sure, but San Jose is going to be playing with some determination so I see this one going quick. Otherwise, don’t come back San Jose…just retire already.
Prediction: San Jose takes it in 4
Glen Says: The San Jose Sharks sure are lucky that the Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks in the last game of the season. Otherwise, the Hawks would have been first, and the Sharks could have been stuck playing the Red Wings in the first round. The perennial chokers really lucked out drawing the Cinderella Avs in this one. In the past two seasons the Sharks have been defeated almost singlehandedly by Ryan Getzlaf and Brendan Morrow respectively. The Avs do not have anyone who is as strong down low as those two guys are. Actually if you look at it, the Colorado Avalanche are just the Diet Coke of the San Jose Sharks, high-octane offense, strong goaltending, but questionable defense and grit. This plays out will for the Sharks in the first round. They will have some serious questions down the stretch, but it won’t be now.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
Coin Says: Colorado in 4…apparently it has more balls then any of us.
#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs #7 Nashville Predators
Troy Says: Since the beginning of the season Chicago has been one of my favourites to win the cup and I see no reason to change that now. This team is young and incredibly talented and their deep playoff run last year will pay big dividends this year. I think they will steamroll Nashville.
Prediction: Chicago in 4
Jeff Says: Chicago reminds me of Pittsburgh a number of years ago, a solid playoffs last year and then ready for a lengthy run again this year, possibly all the way to the Stanley Cup. I am not gonna make any predictions on that until I see how they handle Nashville. But as with the San Jose series, I don’t see this one lasting long.
Prediction: Chicago takes it in 4
Glen Says: Seriously, how do the Preds do it? Low payroll, low talent, high results. On paper this team should be competing for 12th in the West if they are lucky, yet here they are playing in the second season, while more talented teams like Calgary and St. Louis are golfing. I think that the Hawks have a tougher fight than they may be expecting, and I wouldn’t be all that surprised if the Preds shocked us all. Now, that being said, I have the Hawks pegged to make it out of the West, so I had best have them last through the first round. It’ll be a good test for them though.
Prediction: Hawks in 6
Coin Says: Nashville in 6
#3 Vancouver Canucks vs #6 Los Angeles Kings
Troy Says: I think this may be the best series of the first round. Los Angeles finally seems to be reaching the potential they’ve shown for a while and seriously…..how good is Drew Doughty?? Honestly I had no idea how good this kid was but you could argue that he was Canada’s best defensemen at the Olympics and he’s only 20 years old! At the end of the day though I think Vancouver’s scoring ability will put them over the top but make no mistake, Luongo needs to step up his game or Los Angeles could easily pull off an upset. This should be a tight series.
Prediction: Vancouver in 6.
Jeff Says: I’ll give a bit more respect to L.A., but not much, and only because Vancouver can be a bit shaky. But, they are riding the Sedin’s, one of whom just won the scoring title. They have a good playoff type team, it all depends on whether the Sedin’s can show up. They are going to live and die by their production. Thankfully, it will be here in this round even if we ca only watch it at 10:30pm every night!!!
Prediction: Vancouver takes it in 5
Glen Says: Oh how I wish that the ‘Nucks drew a different team! The Kings are young, hungry, and full of skill. They have the best young defense corps in the league, and some great top to bottom scoring. Jonathan Quick has struggled down the stretch, but I think that he knows that now is his time. Vancouver has been damn good, and have surprised me with their offensive upside. Still, though, there’s always one big upset, and I haven’t predicted any others…
Prediction: Kings in 7
Coin Says: Kings in 4…that’s three upsets in the West so far!
#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs #5 Detroit Red Wings
Troy Says: As much as I wanted to see the Coyotes move to Canada I must say that I am very happy for the success this team has had which absolutely no one saw coming. This is an epic Cinderella story but unfortunately I think it may come to a screeching halt. Of all the playoffs teams Detroit is probably the last team you would want to face in the first round. This was the first season in a long time where we saw Detroit struggle but they pulled it together in time and they’re flying into the playoffs playing some of their best hockey so Phoenix is going to have to be ready for them. In the end though I think Detroit’s experience and leadership will deal the Coyotes their fatal blow.
Prediction: Detroit in 5.
Jeff Says: Oh Phoenix…what a story they have had…almost sold to Jimmy Boy, and then not sold. A team that was not making any money, and now, they are in the first round of the playoffs. A lot was made of Gretzky not being around and the resulting turnaround the team had, but reality is, a lot of the team changed since last year…and capped off by a great year by Brizgolov, it all adds up. Good news is, they’ll be able to look back on the season fairly quickly as they just drew the one team you never want to draw…Detroit. An underachieving year by most standards, and are now ready to play when it means the most. You know San Jose is praying for an upset somewhere so they can avoid Detroit in the next round….but that upset is not coming here, or anywhere for that matter…so get ready San Jose!
Prediction: Detroit takes it in 5
Glen Says: A little history lesson, shall we? The Phoenix Coyotes have not won a playoff series since the year Sidney Crosby was born. In that time, they have managed to squander a 3-1 series lead not once, not twice, but thrice, and a few other 3-2 leads. Compare this with the Detroit Red Wings, who since 1987 have won 34 playoff series, including 4 Stanley Cups and 2 other finals appearances.
Home-ice means nothing when you have history stacked against you.
Prediction: Detroit in 6
Coin Says: Phoenix in 6
And that does it for all of us. Looking back, it appears that the New Jersey Devils are the only sure thing these playoffs, as all four of us had them winning. Every other time there was some disagreement between either people or inanimate objects. For Troy, Jeff, and my TI-83 Calculator’s Probability Simmulation application, I’m Glen, thanks for joining us and enjoy the first round, it shoudl be a doozy.
Until next time,
G
Tags: Hockey, Laying it on the line, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins
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