Playoff Prognostications

April 14th, 2010 Graig Posted in Uncategorized |

Oh, I love playoff season. LOVE. IT. Even though it’s one of the absolutely most unproductive times in my life as it seems like I stop the world to watch little else but hockey, I can’t help but love the thrill and intensity and, also, the poorly educated predictions I make every year. Some people like March Madness, I like NHL’s April - June Iceanity (ouch).

So, here we go… before the first game starts (unlike last year when some match-ups were already three games deep when I made my predictions)…

East

A. Washington Capitals (1) v. Montreal Canadiens(8)
Washington came out of this season with the President’s Trophy, the most goals scored, the top five +/- players in the NHL and they have in young Varlomov a pretty decent goalie. Montreal hasn’t been looking particularly stable this year, and they barely eked their way into the playoffs (again). They’re not going to put up much of a fight against the Caps. I’ll go out on a limb and say Caps in 4.

B. New Jersey Devils (2) v. Philadelphia Flyers (7)
Jersey got upset by Carolina last year and the potential is there this year, but the Devils have had an impressive year with even old man Brodeur putting in the most wins of any goalies this season. NJD play a pretty clean game, while Philly is total rough and tumble so it’ll be an interesting clash stylistically. Philly may look good early, but the Devils will solve them. NJ in 6

C. Buffalo Sabres (3) v. Boston Bruins (6)
Buffalo clinched the President’s Trophy a few years back and tanked it in the playoffs that year, and they didn’t even make it last year. But grit, plus superstar goalie Ryan Miller, landed them high in the west this year. Miller is the lynchpin here, as the Bruins are a low-scoring and injured team Miller just might land a handful of shutouts against them. Bruins can be easily underestimated and they tend to win on extremely low scoring games. It’ll be interesting to see if their rookie goalie Tukka Rask can hold up under the stretch, but they have ace goalie Tim Thomas as back-up so the Bruins could eke this one out. But I’ll say Sabres in 7

D. Pittsburgh Penguins (4) v. Ottawa Senators (5)
Game 1 is on as I type this and it’s 1-0 early in the first period for Pittsburgh. The Pens made it to the finals the past two years, so they’re veterans, while the Sens made it to the finals three years before, but they’re a wildly different team. I don’t think the Pens should have all that much trouble with them frankly. Pittsburgh in 6

WEST

E. San Jose Sharks (1) v. Colorado Avalanche (8)
The Sharks are giants, topping their conference consistently in the past few years as they did again this year, the Avs have had a decent season, but after a seriously strong start, they’ve been middle-of-the-road at best. But also, the Sharks have a bad choking problem every year in the post-season which, perhaps with the Olympics experience under their first line’s belt, they will overcome. I don’t expect the Avs to lay down and roll over but I don’t think their fight will be able to topple the great whites. San Jose in 5

F. Chicago Blackhawks (2) v. Nashville Predators (7)
Oh my. I know Chicago’s game and it’s a beauty. I have no idea what Nashville’s game is like but it appears they had a pretty solid season, so it should be an interesting competition. But the ‘Hawks are hungry, with one post-season under their young belt, they should have the advantage. Chicago in 6

G. Vancouver Canucks (3) v. Los Angeles Kings (6)
I think if there’s going to be any big upsets this year it will be the Kings over the Canucks. The Canucks have a really good team, but they’re not solid and Luongo, even with his Gold Medal-earning wins this year, is only as good as his defense. If the Kings solve that the Canucks are cooked. This one’s going to 7, and I’m going to give the young Kings the advantage, because the dream of a Canadian team hoisting the cup this year is a pipe.

H. Phoenix Coyotes (4) v. Detroit Red Wings (5)
What a year for the ‘Yotes, who in spite of their financial and ownership difficulties pulled out an absolutely incredible season (actually placed third in points, but they couldn’t catch the Sharks to top the conference). But they haven’t been in the playoffs for a long time, and a repaired Red Wings, veterans of the post-season, had a super-strong post-Olympics break and could handily teach Phoenix a thing or two. But can they stay healthy? I’m not sure if they can 7 games straight. Phoenix in 7.