It’s that time of year again in hockey, the PLAYOFFS! It’s my favorite time in hockey and we’re about to go over the playoff match-ups and who I think is going to be raising the cup this year!
The Eastern Conference is looking like it could create some intriguing match-ups and let’s start with the 1st seeded team, Washington Capitals and the 8th seeded New York Rangers. It would have been cool for the Rangers to be a 7th seed so they could play the Flyers but whatever. The Capitals have a strong team and the Rangers will have to literally battle with each and every single one of the Capitals players which the Rangers will be able to. In the season series of four games, the Rangers lead three games to one and the scores of those games aren’t even close. Hell, the scores of those games were so far off that the Capitals got shut out not once but twice! Sure teams have a couple of off games but it’s playoff time now and what will be your excuse now Washington? Besides, the Caps seem to be occasional choke artists come playoff time.
Earlier I said that the Rangers will be able to hang with the Capitals but I didn’t say who was going to win. I’m picking the Capitals in seven games (4-3).
Now to the 2nd seeded team in the East, Philadelphia Flyers and the 7th seeded team, the Buffalo Sabres. The season series of four games is tied 2-2. I think the Flyers can beat the Sabres in 5 or 6 games so let’s just say 6 to give the Sabres the benefit of the doubt at home. Flyers win! (4-2)
A matchup that is a must see for any hockey fan, the 3rd seeded Boston Bruins and the 6th seeded Montreal Canadiens. When these two teams play it seems like the benches clear and people get messed up. The keys to this series is simple, score. Both teams have Vezina Trophy candidate goalies in Tim Thomas and Carey Price. Some would say that you have to put your money on Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins because after all, Thomas did break the NHL record for save percentage with a .932 which is just jaw dropping.
But don’t count Price out.
He had a .923 save percentage in 72 games this year! The PK for the Bruins has to stop the 7th best power play in hockey of the Canadiens. I’m giving this series to the Canadiens who won the season series 4 games to 2. So in the end it will be Montreal in 6 games.
Now to my favorite match-ups, the 4th seed vs. the 5th seed and I don’t think this one can get any better. It’s the 4th seed Pittsburgh Penguins and the 5th seed Tampa Bay Lightning.
Who to pick, who to pick?
Do you go with the Crosby-less Penguins or the Stampeding Stamkos Lightning. Looking at the match-up, my hair begins to look like Larry’s of the Three Stooges but that’s beside the point. There has to be a winner there just has to be. With the season series tied at 2-2 and the Penguins playing without Malkin and Crosby, I think you have to go with the Lightning and that’s what I’m doing here people. The Lightning win behind the youth of Steven Stamkos and the veteran leadership of Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavlier. Tampa Bay in 5 games.
Moving from the East to the West. We have the 1st seeded Vancouver Canucks and the 8th seeded Chicago Blackhawks (reigning Cup champs btw). The season series is tied at 2-2 and last year the Canucks season was shattered when the Blackhawks beat them in the playoffs. Well I don’t think the Blackhawks will have the same luck. Ryan Kessler is too tough to keep away from the net and don’t get me started on the Sedin’s. If the Blackhawks have any chance of winning it’s by taking full advantage of every shot they take on Roberto Luongo. If they don’t get the rebounds or score on the power play then put a fork in them and their season. You guys can wait until the games actually take place, me however am picking the Canucks in 5 games.
We now have the 2nd seeded San Jose Sharks and the 7th seeded Los Angeles Kings. This game has to be a favorite quite a few people and I’m not going to lie, I’m one of them. The season series is tied at 3 all and when the playoffs start I think that these two teams will battle to a 7th game in which I think the Los Angeles Kings will win. The Kings were doing a great job early on in the season but things began to fall apart here at the end but they’ll be one of the teams to get it together in the playoffs even if it does take 7 games. Look for fights and more fights in this series but if you live in the Eastern time zone then just Tivo the game because all these games will be on at 10 PM ET except for the weekend games. Whatever you do, just remember I picked the Kings in 7!
Next we have the 3rd seeded Detroit Red Wings and their opponent the 6th seeded Phoenix Coyotes. We saw this series last year and I think we’ll be seeing the same outcome, the Red Wings advancing. The season series is tied at 2 games but that won’t stop the Red Wings from taking this series in 6 games. They have too many weapons and don’t forget that this is their time of year. Not being biased, just telling the truth.
Finally, the 4th seed Anaheim Ducks and the 5th seed Nashville Predators. This will be a physical series I think and in 7 games the Predators will advance to the next round. I think the Predators are tough and will be somewhat of a sleeper due to the fact that their playoff experience is slim. It will be a very good series though, just not very good for Duck fans. Should have stayed the Mighty Ducks! Damn you Disney and your awesome movies!
Moving onto the 2nd round…I’m not explaining these ones though folks, sorry.
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens – Capitals in 6 games
2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning – Lightning in 7 games
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 3. Los Angeles Kings – Red Wings in 7 games
3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 7. Nashville Predators – Red Wings in 6 games
Moving onto the 3rd round or better known as the semi-finals.
Eastern Conference
1. Washington Capitals vs. Tampa Bay Lightning – Lightning in 7 games
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks vs. #3 Detroit Red Wings – Red Wings in 7 games
And now to the best part, the Stanley Cup Finals!
3. Detroit Red Wings (Western Conference) vs. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning (Eastern Conference) – Detroit Red Wings in 6 games
You read that right, the Detroit Red Wings will be hoisting the cup this year!
