Boston vs. Montreal: Not only is it a Original Six rivalry, but these two teams genuinely don't like each other. They have had several serious clashes this season - including one not so long ago - and the intensity of a playoff series could only make it better. Too bad Carey Price has been too much like Steve Penney to prevail - Bruins in five. New Jersey vs. Carolina: Honestly, I don't think I will watch a single game of this. Sure, you can root against Mmmmaaaarrrttttyyyy and represent the Whale but really, who cares? As much as we may hate the thought of it, Jersey is pretty damn good and they should win this in five, if not a sweep.
Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: Dammit, another series between teams we can't stand. Everyone was rooting for the Flyers to give the Rangers a push so it shouldn't be that hard to get behind the black and orange when you consider they are going up against the Cole Harbour Crybaby Cindy Crosby. I don't want Crosby winning a coin toss, much less a Stanley Cup. Flyers prevail over the Pens and the officiating to win in seven.
San Jose vs. Anaheim: Now where the Bruins should roll over their eighth seeded opponent, this bout between 1 and 8 should be the best series of the opening round. Even though they were the best of the west, San Jose may be the most underrated team in the NHL. They are so, so very good. And they have Jeremy Roenick, how could you not root for them? Ok, maybe Claude Lemieux is reason enough not to but still, you can't possibly be behind the obnoxious Quack Attack, could you? Nabokov holds off Getzlaf and San Jose wins in seven. Detroit vs. Columbus: I always liked Manny Malhotra, didn't you? The kid worked his hardest, he just wasn't that good and the Rangers never gave him a chance. He is a big part of the Blue Jackets and they really aren't that bad. The only problem is that they are facing the Red Wings and they really are that good. No matter how good Steve Mason is, he won't be able to hold off Hossa, Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Franzen - Wings in five.
Vancouver vs. St. Louis: We heart JD in New York and the Blues are a helluva story. Brad Boyes is a stellar scorer, David Backes is incredibly entertaining and TJ Oshie is a stud but they just don't match up with Vancouver. The Canucks have the Sedins, Sundin and Luongo - not to mention Burrows, Kesler and Bieksa - Nucks in six.
Chicago vs. Calgary: This should be one incredible series. The youth of the Blackhawks against the grit of the Flames. Two incredible goaltenders in Khabby and Kipper, young stars Toews and Kane battling against vets Iginla and Jokinen, Phaneuf, Campbell, Cammalalalalalieri ... wow, this is tough to call so I will just guess Flames in seven as experience rules.
Rangers vs. Caps to come tomorrow ...
4 comments:
I agree with everything except for the Flyers and Devils winning. I actually think the momentum that Carolina and Pitt are coming in with combined with the recent Devs and Flyers slumps will lead to Car and Pit moving forward. Pitt as you pointed out has the luxury of officiating going their way and the Flyers are much maligned by the zebras. I'd argue that no one on the devils comes close to Staal or Cole and right now, Brodeur is not holding up compared to Cam Ward.
i like carolina, and as much as i respect the wheel, i really think that mason and columbus can upset detroit. osgood and conklin have been very shaky, and columbus has played its best hockey against the best of the west.
and calgary is hurting on the blue line; i'll be surprised if that series goes longer than 5.
I've got to disagree with your prediction on Jersey/Carolina. Carolina has had a lot of momentum at the end of the regular season and that can carry a team a long way (look at Edmonton the year they went to the Cup finals).
Granted, the playoffs and regular season are two different beasts, but Carolina always plays Jersey well and I have a very hard time believing the Canes will go down in 4 or 5. In fact, this is the only Eastern Conference series in which I predict an upset.
A Per Djoos sighting!! Awesomeness.
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