STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS - 1st Round
By Adam Bernard
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(8) Montreal Canadiens vs. (1) Washington Capitals
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
The Canadiens find themselves in the same predicament as last year - a 1st round opponent that they have no chance of beating. Goalie Jaroslav Halak has played superbly for the Canadiens this year and the Canadiens offense can break out in spurts. But Washington is too good and too deep for Montreal to have a chance against. Washington's goaltending can be had and Halak is capable of stealing a game for Les Habitents, but look at this as a tune-up for the Capitals 2nd round match-up (which I think will be a rematch with Pittsburgh). Expect Ovie will use this round as a prelude for the showcase he'll put on in the 2nd round.
PREDICTION - CAPITALS IN 5
(5) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
Ottawa has had a great season and has been playing great hockey since Head Coach Cory Clouston took over last season. While I think we’re seeing the return of a powerhouse Sens team (like we saw just a couple of season ago), they are not ready to knock off the defending champs. Pittsburgh has too many good players and as long as Marc-Andre Fleury doesn’t implode, the Penguins win in a short series. Look for Sens F Jarkko Ruutu to go after Evgeni Malkin’s foot injury when possible.
PREDICTION - PENGUINS IN 5
(7) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (2) New Jersey Devils
SEASON SERIES: Flyers 5-1
It seems like these two teams always have a hard-fought and physical series when they meet in the playoffs, and this time will be no different. Interesting note about the Atlantic – the Devils swept the season series with Pittsburgh, the Penguins beat the Flyers 5-1, and Philly has beat the Devils 5-1. Playoff series come down to goaltending and I can’t see Brian Boucher out dueling Martin Brodeur. Marty has played very well since the Olympics and should have the rest he needs. Travel will be easy but winning this series won’t be.
PREDICTION - DEVILS IN 7
(6) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Buffalo Sabres
SEASON SERIES: Bruins won 4-2
This is the only series with a chance of an upset in the 1st round in the East. Boston scored the least amount of goals in the East (only Calgary scored less goals) in the regular season, but they play very well in their own end of the rink. You beat Buffalo by limiting their scoring opportunities since you won’t beat Sabres G Ryan Miller often. While Buffalo doesn’t score a lot themselves, I can see Miller taking the series by himself. Expect a very physical series between two division foes. While I really think Boston has a good chance…
PREDICTION - SABRES IN 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(8) Colorado Avalanche vs. (1) San Jose Sharks
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
Last year we saw why the Sharks were less than thrilled when Anaheim fell to 8th place in the West on the last day of the regular season. As good as San Jose was last season, they are a Dany Heatley better this season. While the story of this year’s Avs shouldn’t be overlooked (very young core, Craig Anderson’s fantastic play between the pipes, Joe Sacco’s performance as a rookie coach), they will not go beyond the 1st round in the team’s first playoffs in the post-Joe Sakic era. Expect a lot of scoring this series.
PREDICTION - SHARKS IN 6
(5) Detroit Red Wings vs. (4) Phoenix Coyotes
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
Consider the following: the Coyotes ownership situation is a mess, Dave Tippett takes over for Wayne Gretzky late in the off-season, and the team is built around a young core of players. Now consider that Phoenix has been comfortably in 4th place for about a week. Dave Tippett should win coach of the year and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov should be nominated for the Vezina. It’s a shame that Phoenix ran in to the hottest team in the league in the 1st round. Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock has had his team playing great hockey since he donned gold in Vancouver. Goalie Jimmy Howard has played very well for the Wings this year and should get some Calder consideration. Detroit will be the only lower to seed to win a series in the 1st Round.
PREDICTION - RED WINGS IN 6
(7) Nashville Predators vs. (2) Chicago Blackhawks
SEASON SERIES: Blackhawks won 4-2
It seems like the Predators always run in to an opponent in the 1st round that they can’t beat. Ask anyone in the Central Division and they’ll tell you that Nashville is a tough opponent night in and night out. But the Blackhawks know the Preds well and are too talented for Nashville over the course of a 7 game series. As long as Chicago goalie Antti Niemi doesn’t get cold feet in his first playoffs, the Blackhawks win in a short series.
PREDICTION - BLACKHAWKS IN 5
(6) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks
SEASON SERIES: Canucks won 3-1
If LA’s goaltending down the stretch (maybe the gas tank went to “E” for Jonathan Quick in his first full season) didn’t falter, I’d say this is the closest match-up of the 1st round. While the Kings are a well put together team, they need more playoff experience. Vancouver has been playing solid, consistent hockey throughout the season and it won’t stop here. Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo will face a shooting gallery but can handle it. Expect a Sedin Twin Showcase in this series.
PREDICTION - CANUCKS IN 6
By Adam Bernard
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(8) Montreal Canadiens vs. (1) Washington Capitals
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
The Canadiens find themselves in the same predicament as last year - a 1st round opponent that they have no chance of beating. Goalie Jaroslav Halak has played superbly for the Canadiens this year and the Canadiens offense can break out in spurts. But Washington is too good and too deep for Montreal to have a chance against. Washington's goaltending can be had and Halak is capable of stealing a game for Les Habitents, but look at this as a tune-up for the Capitals 2nd round match-up (which I think will be a rematch with Pittsburgh). Expect Ovie will use this round as a prelude for the showcase he'll put on in the 2nd round.
PREDICTION - CAPITALS IN 5
(5) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Pittsburgh Penguins
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
Ottawa has had a great season and has been playing great hockey since Head Coach Cory Clouston took over last season. While I think we’re seeing the return of a powerhouse Sens team (like we saw just a couple of season ago), they are not ready to knock off the defending champs. Pittsburgh has too many good players and as long as Marc-Andre Fleury doesn’t implode, the Penguins win in a short series. Look for Sens F Jarkko Ruutu to go after Evgeni Malkin’s foot injury when possible.
PREDICTION - PENGUINS IN 5
(7) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (2) New Jersey Devils
SEASON SERIES: Flyers 5-1
It seems like these two teams always have a hard-fought and physical series when they meet in the playoffs, and this time will be no different. Interesting note about the Atlantic – the Devils swept the season series with Pittsburgh, the Penguins beat the Flyers 5-1, and Philly has beat the Devils 5-1. Playoff series come down to goaltending and I can’t see Brian Boucher out dueling Martin Brodeur. Marty has played very well since the Olympics and should have the rest he needs. Travel will be easy but winning this series won’t be.
PREDICTION - DEVILS IN 7
(6) Boston Bruins vs. (3) Buffalo Sabres
SEASON SERIES: Bruins won 4-2
This is the only series with a chance of an upset in the 1st round in the East. Boston scored the least amount of goals in the East (only Calgary scored less goals) in the regular season, but they play very well in their own end of the rink. You beat Buffalo by limiting their scoring opportunities since you won’t beat Sabres G Ryan Miller often. While Buffalo doesn’t score a lot themselves, I can see Miller taking the series by himself. Expect a very physical series between two division foes. While I really think Boston has a good chance…
PREDICTION - SABRES IN 6
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(8) Colorado Avalanche vs. (1) San Jose Sharks
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
Last year we saw why the Sharks were less than thrilled when Anaheim fell to 8th place in the West on the last day of the regular season. As good as San Jose was last season, they are a Dany Heatley better this season. While the story of this year’s Avs shouldn’t be overlooked (very young core, Craig Anderson’s fantastic play between the pipes, Joe Sacco’s performance as a rookie coach), they will not go beyond the 1st round in the team’s first playoffs in the post-Joe Sakic era. Expect a lot of scoring this series.
PREDICTION - SHARKS IN 6
(5) Detroit Red Wings vs. (4) Phoenix Coyotes
SEASON SERIES: Split 2-2
Consider the following: the Coyotes ownership situation is a mess, Dave Tippett takes over for Wayne Gretzky late in the off-season, and the team is built around a young core of players. Now consider that Phoenix has been comfortably in 4th place for about a week. Dave Tippett should win coach of the year and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov should be nominated for the Vezina. It’s a shame that Phoenix ran in to the hottest team in the league in the 1st round. Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock has had his team playing great hockey since he donned gold in Vancouver. Goalie Jimmy Howard has played very well for the Wings this year and should get some Calder consideration. Detroit will be the only lower to seed to win a series in the 1st Round.
PREDICTION - RED WINGS IN 6
(7) Nashville Predators vs. (2) Chicago Blackhawks
SEASON SERIES: Blackhawks won 4-2
It seems like the Predators always run in to an opponent in the 1st round that they can’t beat. Ask anyone in the Central Division and they’ll tell you that Nashville is a tough opponent night in and night out. But the Blackhawks know the Preds well and are too talented for Nashville over the course of a 7 game series. As long as Chicago goalie Antti Niemi doesn’t get cold feet in his first playoffs, the Blackhawks win in a short series.
PREDICTION - BLACKHAWKS IN 5
(6) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Vancouver Canucks
SEASON SERIES: Canucks won 3-1
If LA’s goaltending down the stretch (maybe the gas tank went to “E” for Jonathan Quick in his first full season) didn’t falter, I’d say this is the closest match-up of the 1st round. While the Kings are a well put together team, they need more playoff experience. Vancouver has been playing solid, consistent hockey throughout the season and it won’t stop here. Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo will face a shooting gallery but can handle it. Expect a Sedin Twin Showcase in this series.
PREDICTION - CANUCKS IN 6
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