Welcome back to our Predictacular! The third round seems to have ended as quickly as it begins, lasting only one game longer than the minimum. Now we are faced with a very intriguing Stanley Cup final between the two teams that finished near the bottom of the league just three short seasons ago. Oddly for two traditional hockey cities, this is only the second time that they have faced in the playoffs, with the Hawks getting a sweep back in 1971. Will history repeat itself a mere 39 years after the fact? Here’s what our supposed experts have to say.
After earning 1 point for Chicago’s victory, which will add some more shine to his silver, giving him a total of 4 points is the coin!
Coin Says: TAILS!!!
Next up, after getting 1 point for Chicago is the man whose thoughts you tend to read here, giving him a total of 9 points is Glen!!!
Glen Says: …wait a minute, I am the only one to correctly predict one of the finalists at the beginning and I’m last? SERIOUSLY!!!
After a crazy first round, an even crazier second round we get a short and rather boring 3rd round. Oddly this brings us exactly back to where we started, #2 vs. #7. So now we have two teams with great young forward corps, high name defensemen, and goaltending questions doing battle for hockey’s biggest prize.
These playoffs have shown a few old adages to me.
- Goalies can get hot at the right time and make all the difference a la Halak, Niemi, and of course Leighton.
- A series isn’t over until it’s over
- The Cup still isn’t coming back to Canada, no matter how much I want it to.
- Toews is just pure clutch
- Crosby > Ovechkin…sure neither of them played this past round, but I still know it.
- Pronger leads his team to the Cup Final in his first year with them (see: Oilers, 2006 and Ducks, 2007)
- No matter how good they look, the Sharks will find a way to choke.
- It’s good to have a Traditional Hockey markets in the final
Next up we have the man who I blame for the Habs loss. The man who has incorrectly predicted every series involving his favourite team, and every series last round, leaving him at 10 is Troy.
Troy Says: Well after two incredible rounds of playoff hockey the third round mercifully ended yesterday with a thud. My beloved Habs quietly went about their way in a 5 game series loss to Philly and San Jose was swept by a Chicago team that is firing on all cylinders.
What can I saw about Montreal? It was a surprise to most people that they were in the third round and against Philadelphia they played like it. Right from the first game it never really felt like Montreal was even in this series. Yes they did play a great game in game 3 but in 3 out of 5 games they couldn’t even score a goal. You’ve got to give credit to the Flyers though. This team is on fire and it’s going to take a lot to stop them. Leighton has come out of nowhere to finally solidify their goaltending and Richards has become a true leader.
In the Western Final many of you will look back to my prediction of San Jose winning the series in 5 and ask “What the heck were you thinking?”. Well in my defence I was completely hammered when I wrote that. Excuses aside I honestly thought San Jose would have a chance in this series and at the of the day even though it was a sweep, it wasn’t a blow out by any means. There were some major positives for the Sharks in this series as well. Marleau was awesome and he put the team on his back. Thornton was excellent as well. He may not have lit up the scored board but he was fighting hard and competing in every play which is a significant change from earlier years. As for Chicago what can you say. This team seems to have so much going for it and they played incredibly well. Toews has been the best player in the playoffs since day one.
Next we have the man who keeps getting the Flyers series right, bringing his total to 11 is the two time, two time champion, Jeff!
Jeff Says: Well, Glen may have picked the Hawks to make it to the final a few weeks ago….but I picked Philly to beat Montreal and Boston so in a way, I have picked them to get to the finals…right? right? lol…..that could make me almost as smart if not smarter because mine was not based on a wild guess weeks ago, but based on pure picking ability throughout those rounds lol….I’m reaching here..clearly
……It is crazy to think some players are gonna be able to say they won gold and the Stanley Cup this year….that makes for a pretty damn good year. Glen did forget to list Pronger in that list however
(EDITOR’S NOTE: That list that he’s referring to is below. But in my defense I forgot that he was on Team Canada, he was so slow I didn’t see him)
A lot of what Glen listed is very true however….it really does come down to goaltending. And that is what I think San Jose needs to address….they need a goaltender that can steal them a few games here or there. Sad they once again exited, but, the Hawks are a great team. So it should be interesting to see what happens. Disappointing that both series were over so quickly. It seems to happen far to often in series that seem to be exciting on paper. Montreal should have nothing to be sad about. They played well beyond expectations. San Jose, however, is once again, looking in from the outside.
STANLEY CUP FINAL
#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Chicago Blackhawks
Coin Says: Chicago in 6.
Glen Says: Fun fact: Ken Morrow, Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan are guaranteed to get company as the only players to ever win the Olympic Gold Medal and Stanley Cup in the same season, as either Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Brent Seabrook can do it for Chicago or Mike Richards can do it for Philadelphia. As an added note, Toews, Seabrook and Richards can join the Triple Gold Club (the 23 players who have won the Gold Medal, World championships and Stanley Cup in their career), while Pronger can get one World Championship away from winning it twice.
…alright so I lied, the fact isn’t fun, but I liked it anyway.
Well I’ve been raving about the Hawks to anyone who would listen for the better part of this season, and I predicted them to make it out of the Wild Wild West several weeks ago. This team is good, really, really good. Sure Niemi may appear to be a bit of a liability in net, but he had a great series against the Sharks, and Leighton is probably worse on paper at the other end. Add in the fact that the Hawks are getting big goals from every member of that team, starting with Toews and Kane, but going down through Byufglien, Bolland, and Versteeg. This seems like a team that will not be denied now. It looks like third time is a charm for Mr. Hossa.
Prediction: Chicago in five, with Toews as MVP
Troy Says: It’s interesting to think that a team that got into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season by winning a shootout could make it to the finals and not be considered a Cinderella team but that’s just the case here. The Flyers may be the underdogs in this one but not by a lot. This team simply has no quit in their game. Their comeback against Boston was in my mind the biggest comeback in NHL history. This version of the Flyers seems to have that ‘Team of Destiny’ feel to them but make no mistake, they’ve earned every win in these playoffs.
We’ve been waiting to see the Blackhawks in this position for a few years now and it’s a surprise to no one to see them in the Final. Toews has been simply amazing and Byfuglien has established himself a an excellent big man in front of the net who can’t be moved. Niemi has been everything they could ask for and more in net and there doesn’t seem to be a weak spot anywhere in this lineup.
I think this has the potential to be an excellent series. These are two very strong and tough teams and neither of them will back down from anything. At the end of the day though I think this is Chicago’s year. They look too powerful and too complete to me.
Prediction: Chicago in 6.
Conn Smythe: Jonathan Toews.
Jeff Says: Both teams are deep. Chicago obviously has plenty of big name stars and are riding quite the wave of momentum. They had a great regular season and were favourites to do exactly what they have done. Philly, on the other hand had a lack luster regular season, a season that was well below expectations. They battled a ton of injuries, and barely squeaked into the playoffs. Isn’t it fitting that these teams always seem to make a big splash…and how often do the Flyers make a big splash in the playoffs? I can honestly say it’s why i generally picked them in years past…they are just one of those teams I find it hard to pick against cause they are so scary and built for the playoffs. So, who do I pick? Do I pick the favourite? or the “underdog”….both teams are deep….I think Philly can match the Hawks in almost every position….goaltending will always be the question, but is the question for both teams who have young goaltenders…things can go south at any moment. Both teams have good defense, are fast, and have 2nd and 3rd lines that can score. Philly plays a fast tough game, and I love their style. I really do think they will present the biggest challenge the Hawks have faced this playoffs. Pronger will have his hands full with Big Buff, but, it’s Pronger, he will be game. I honestly think this will be a great series, and I think…..
Prediction: The Hossa curse will continue…..Philly in 6
**I honestly find it hard to decide whether to I’ll want to laugh or feel sorry for Hossa if the Hawks do lose, lol….but if he wins I will feel good for him**
Well it looks like the Hawks are the consensus, but I guess we have been wrong before…once or twice last round come to think of it. For Jeff, Troy and a shinny piece of silver, I’m Glen. Enjoy the finals!
Until next time,
G
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on Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 at 9:24 pm and is filed under Hockey and Other Sports, Remixes and Collaborations.
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