The Stanley Cup Playoffs start tonight, so I suppose it's time to make my picks for the first round. I have approximately a half hour before class starts, so I'm afraid this won't be as detailed as I would like, but feel free to comment on them and add your own picks in the comments section.
Eastern Conference:
(1) Boston vs. (8) Montreal
The Bruins may have looked terrible in the season finale for the Sabres, but I really like what this team has to offer. Solid goaltending, team toughness, and a year's worth of stewing over last year's loss to Montreal will put them over the top.
Bruins in 4
(2) Washington vs. (7) NY
Lundqviust is no match for the firepower of Semin, Green, and a certain Number 8.
Caps in 5
(3) New Jersey vs . (6) Carolina
Toughest match-up in the East. Carolina's been hot, but the Devils have been consistently good all season. Plus, I never pick against Brodeur in the playoffs.
Devils in 7
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Philadelphia
I've become enamored with Philly's forwards this season -they're fast, chippy and everything I wanted the Sabres to be this year. Goaltending is the big question, but I think the Flyers are so much deeper offensively this year.
Flyers in 6
Western Conference
(1) San Jose vs. (8) Anaheim
It's time for this Sharks team to make a serious run, and they have the right mixture of talent, goaltending, and grit to do it. They're my Cup pick so far.
Sharks in 5
(2) Detroit vs. (7) Columbus
The Red Wings play beautiful hockey, and it's almost impossible for me to envision a scenario where they lose a game let alone a series...They're scary good.
Red Wings in 4
(3) Vancouver vs. (6) St. Louis
As much as I love Jay McKee, Vancouver is my team in the West. They have a fantastic goalie, scoring depth, and hunger from missing the playoffs last season.
Canucks in 5
(4) Chicago vs. (5) Calgary
This is a hard one for me. These two teams constantly battle in my head for my second-favorite team in this conference. Chicago has all the flash needed to offensively put on a show, but the question becomes: do Kane and Co. have enough experience? Calgary has that in spades, and a captain in Jarome Iginla that always tries to carry his team through the postseason. He'll have to try even harder this year, as injuries have decimated their roster, but I can't pick against the heart that team shows night in and night out.
Flames in 6
Game #34 Preview & Open Thread: Sabres vs. Bruins
20 hours ago
4 comments:
I can't bring myself to pick the Flyers. Even if the Flyers were the clear cut better team, I'd pick against them strictly on principle.
That said, I feel like that series is going to be a bloodbath, but I think the Pens offense comes through just a little stronger than the Flyers, and they take it in seven.
By the way, I forgot to "say" it in my last comments, but you have put together a terrific blog here. Keep it up!
http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/16/nhl-playoff-preview-round-1-part-2/
By the way, I forgot to "say" it in my last comments, but you have put together a terrific blog here. Keep it up!Thanks so much, Norm! Yours is really great, too.
As for the Flyers, I know that I should hate them on principle; it's in my genes as a Buffalonian to hate them, but I just really like the way they played in the regular season. Plus, I can't find it in me to root against Marty.
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