Welcome back one and all to the 2nd round of the third annual three man and a coin playoff predictions. It’s been a wild one, with some ups-downs, thrills and chills. And we aren’t even half way done.
So after a crazy first round, the score is as follows:
In 4th place, with 3 points for correctly picking series wins for Boston, Pittsburgh, and most shockingly Montreal is the Coin.
Coin Says: FLIP
Coming in last among humans, and 3rd overall, with a total of 5 points, for correctly predicting series wins for Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Jose, and Chicago, as well as one bonus point for the series length of Chicago-Nashville is the proprietor of this blog, Glen.
Glen Says: What an insane first round! The two series that seemed most likely to end quickly both lasted seven games, then team that last qualified for the playoffs was the first one to advance, Sidney Crosby scored at a near record setting pace, and Ovechkin showed that he just can’t beat Canada…sort of. While this years second round lacks an epic series like Pittsburgh-Washington from last year, there are still some interesting ones that could take place, that make the next two weeks a great time to be a hockey fan!
Shockingly the other two gentlemen are tied for 1st, both earning 7 points! Jeff correctly predicted wins for: Pittsburgh, San Jose, Chicago, Vancouver, Detroit and got 2 points for the Bruins 6 game series win, while Troy got points for correctly predicting wins for San Jose, Chicago, Detroit and two points each for Pittsburgh and Vancouver’s 6 game series wins. It’s getting tight heading into the next round…
Troy Says: Well the first round was definitely filled with some surprises. How funny is it that the one series we (coin included) all agreed on (NJ vs Philly) went the other way. Other than that I am happy to say that I was 5 for 8 overall and 4 for 4 in the Western Conference which is better than I was expecting and I can’t tell you how happy I was to be wrong about the Montreal/Washington series! The first round MVP is easily Jaroslav Halak. The Habs haven’t had this kind of goaltending in a long time.
Jeff Says: Well, that was an interesting round…..I did not see some of those series being much of a challenge….guess I over estimated some of the top teams…..which means its going to be hard to figure this next round out….even though i think i have it figured out……big crazy disappointment in Washington….holy smoke….Ovie is getting it form both ends these days….first the Olympics,then the scoring title, and then the playoffs….man…..i wonder what is going through his head right now….but cudos to Montreal….i think it is awesome….Halak man…it all comes down to goaltending…..if its there it’s there….nothing you can do about it….Washington didn’t lose because of a lack of effort…..
anyways….here we go
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #8 Montreal Canadiens
Coin Says: Pittsburgh in 5.
Glen Says: Glen Says: Really, what the hell? Who on earth thought that this was going to happen? I know that we all had our hearts set on a second round rematch from last year, and then after the Flyers advanced it seemed like that would have to wait until the third round, to raise the steaks a bit. Instead, we get this rather interesting match. These are two teams that both play a fast uptempo style, and count on strong goaltending to save the day. I would love to see the Habs move on, but I just don’t see anything stopping Crosby right now, dude’s on a mission.
Prediction: Penguins in 5
Troy Says: Well in the first round I picked Montreal to lose to Washington and they proved me wrong and won the series so even though I don’t consider myself a superstitious person I’m going to pick Montreal to lose again hoping they prove me wrong once more. Unfortunately however the odds are pretty stacked against the habs. Crosby > Ovechkin…..hands down. I love Ovechkin but he has yet to show me that he can find that extra gear when his team needs it whereas you certainly cannot say the same about Crosby. The other major factor in this series will be goaltending. Washington’s goalies were severely outplayed by Halak but in this series that’s not going to happen to Marc-Andre Fleury so the habs will be in tough this series.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5
Jeff Says: Montreal played amazing….point blank….or…more or less….Halak got them into the next round. Washington is a power offensive juggernaut….they come at you hard…..but the rest of their game is suspect….the Pens however are more of a complete team….so I see this being a good series….but I do not see them making the same mistakes Washington did. Crosby carried his team to victory against the Sens….this time they will dispatch another Canadian team….
Prediction: Pittsburgh wins in 6
#6 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Philadelphia Flyers
Coin Says: Boston in 7
Glen Says: Way back
at the start of the season, I had these two early contenders predicted to face each other in the Eastern Conference finals. And here we are several months later after both teams underachieved, and pulled off shockers in the first round. I think that injuries are going to be the story of this series, as both Carter and Gagner are not going to be playing for Philadelphia, while Marc Savard is due back now for the Bruins. I think that will be the difference in this rather interesting series, and will set up a great Savard-Cooke rematch in the 3rd round.
Troy Says: This is a series that I’m really not sure which way to go with. I picked both of these teams to lose in the first round so this is intriguing. Both of these teams are better than they let on a lot of nights and neither have particularly exciting goalies so I’m not sure either team has an advantage there. For me the difference is going to come down to players like Richards and Carter. If those two players play up to their potential then this series will go to Philly.
Prediction: Philadelphia in 7
Jeff Says: Man, just when I wanna pick Phili, I choose Jersey….thinking Brodeur was gonna carry them into the next round……I have always had a hard time not picking Phili because they are simply a team built for the playoffs….that is the biggest plus for them….no matter where they finish…if they are in the playoffs you know they are going to make some noise….unfortunately they have a couple key injuries to Carter and Gagne….those are big names to be missing. Phili is deep, but it still hurts…..Boston got some goaltending and they to have a decent playoff team and with the return of Savard could very well make some noise in this round as well….I am gonna go with my gut though….and with the team i really wanted to pick in the last round but chickened out…..
Prediction: Phili takes it in 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 San Jose Sharks vs #5 Detroit Red Wings
Coin Says: Detroit in 5
Glen Says: Let’s see, we have the biggest playoff underachievers in recent memory against the most successful team of the last 15 years. As I said last round, the Sharks are going to face some questions when they face tougher teams, and brother this is one tough team.
Prediction: Detroit in 5
Troy Says: A couple years ago this matchup would be a no brainer, I’d take Detroit in a heartbeat but this year things are a little different. Detroit played a tough series against Phoenix (excluding game 7 of course) and since Dan Boyle scored on his own net in overtime in the Colorado series they’ve won 3 straight so this team appears to be on a roll. Anyone remember the series between these two teams in the early 90s when the Sharks upset the Wings in 7? Well if it happens this year it certainly won’t be an upset.
Prediction: San Jose in 6.
Jeff Says: Oh boy….here we go again…..Detroit had to play hard against Phoenix…definitely did not see that coming….the Sharks got a little fear put in them by the Av’s so now it is gut check time….I think both teams are now focused…and I think San Jose must be a little bit worried….they have enough trouble as it is…now they are facing the Wings…..the last thing i wanna see is a Detroit/Pittsburgh rematch….and I think the Sharks are gonna turn the corner here and dispose of the Wings….Howard is shaky at times…so they at least do not have to deal with a hot goaltender…this is gonna be a tough series to call…but i am putting my faith in the Sharks….live and die by the sword i guess….
Prediction: Sharks take it in 6
#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs #3 Vancouver Canucks
Coin Says: Vancouver in 6
Glen Says: his is an interesting series, especially after the Hawks manhandled the Canucks last year, and there was the issue between Andrew Ladd and Ryan Kesler earlier this year. I think that this will be the most intense series of the round, with both teams really giving their all here. Both teams have a lot to prove, as the Canucks need to be contenders, and this may be the last chance for a lot of these Hawks players as they face some serious salary cap issues next year. While I think that the Canucks have grown a lot in the past year, I don’t think it will be enough.
Prediction: Chicago in 6.
Troy Says: Come on, who didn’t want to see this series?? I was hoping this would be the West final though instead of the West semi-final. My heart wants to go with Vancouver especially since I know that they want revenge for last year but unfortunately I think that Chicago has too many weapons. For Vancouver to have any chance Luongo has to play his most consistent hockey ever and the Sedins have to keep up their solid play from the first round and even if that happens I think it will still be tough for the Canucks.
Prediction: Chicago in 7.
Jeff Says: Another very intriguing battle here…..the Hawks are the new Penguins….and Vancouver is trying to get over the same hump that the Sharks are…..maybe it is destiny for those two teams to meet….the Hawks looked good in a surprisingly hard fought series against Nashville…..and Vancouver did well to get past the Kings…..I guess this series is all coming down to goaltending…can Loungo step up? He did in the Olympics, although was still shaky at times….maybe this is his year to do it…..It’s weird to think that 3 Blackhawks are returning to Vancouver, the site of their Olympic goal medal win to play in the playoffs against the goaltender that backstopped them to the win….should be fun…..and I think Vancouver is going to surprise everybody…..
Prediction: Vancouver takes it in 7
And that just about does it. Enjoy the second round, it should be a doozy!
Until next time,
G
Tags: Hockey, Laying it on the line, Stanley Cup
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