Round 1 Recap, Round 2 Predictions

Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has begun and I suppose I should continue my "analysis" and predictions, just for the hell of it.

But first, a look back at Round 1...

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals def. 8. New York Rangers 4-1 - So the Caps had a bit more D than I gave them credit for.  Had not King Henrik and the Rangers collapsed in Game 4, I believe we see a different outcome.

2. Philadelphia Flyers def. 7. Buffalo Sabres 4-3 - Despite using three different goalies in the series, the Flyers proved to be the better team in Game 7.  I wonder if they even get that far if Mike Richards was where he should have been, in the locker room, at the end of Game 6.

3. Boston Bruins def. 6. Montreal Canadiens 4-3 - Nothing beats an OT in Game 7.  Credit to the Canadiens and Carey Price for almost pulling this one off.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning def. 4. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 - Fleury did everything he could in Game 7, but without their Captain the Penguins offence just ran dry.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks def. 8. Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 - The Canucks had their foot on the Hawks throat after jumping out to a 3-0 series lead, but the Torres hit on Seabrook and the NHL's refusal to exercise logical discipline changed the entire complexion of the series.  The Canucks took every last second, and then some, in Game 7 OT to finish the job.

2. San Jose Sharks def. 7. Los Angeles Kings 4-2 - Entertaining series, but too many injuries for the Kings to come back from.

3. Detroit Red Wings def. 6. Phoenix Coyotes 4-0 - The winged wheel rolled over the desert dogs from the series' opening faceoff.

5. Nashville Predators def. 4. Anaheim Ducks 4-2 - The rise of Jordin Tootoo and the continued stellar play of Rinne in the pipes is enough to knock off the Ducks.

My record:
Method 1 ("Analysis") - 4-4
Method 2 ("Coin Flip") - 4-4

On to Round 2...  And now that I've proven that my "analysis" is just as good as flipping a coin, I'll spare you the coin flipping.

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - The Penguins superior defence was unable to contain the Lightning's offence over the course of the series.  There's no doubt the Capitals have the offence to compete with the Lightning, but I still have many doubts about their defence and goaltending.  If this becomes a series of trading chance for chance the Lightning have the edge.  Lightning in six.

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 3. Boston Bruins - The goaltending edge is with the Bruins, by far.  I wouldn't be surprised if we see all three Flyer goalies again in this series.  And Chris Pronger looked anything but healthy in his return to action, turning his right hand away from any and all contact.  How long until it is re-injured?  The Bruins don't have the firepower up front like the Flyers do, so if Thomas falters it could be the difference in the series.  However, I see no reason to believe that will happen.  Bruins in six.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Was the seven game series win against the Blackhawks a watershed moment for the Canucks?  Or will the emotion of the series be too much for the Canucks to overcome?  Luongo looked shellshocked after the Hawks finally came alive in the series but he rebounded well to win Game 7.  The Predators methodically beat the Ducks with opportunistic scoring and their usual sound defence and stellar goaltending.  In the end, I think the Sedins wake up and the Canucks take this series.  Canucks in five.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 3. Detroit Red Wings - The next installment of a classic rivalry.  I, like many, keep wanting to count the Wings out but they just keep on going.  And the Sharks are perennial playoff underachievers, one series won't change that reputation.  Given those trends...  Wings in six.

My Most Memorable NHL Playoff Moments

I love this time of year.  The temperatures are warming up and the kids are shaking loose of their cabin fever; getting the bicycle tuned-up and hitting the trails after a long, inactive winter; and, of course, the NHL playoffs are getting underway.

These are the reasons I love this time of year.  The following is an unordered list of my most memorable NHL playoff moments:

• The Save.
• Super Mario parting the North Stars' D like the Red Sea.
• 8-0 win for the Penguins first Stanley Cup.
• The shoulders of Ronnie Franchise carrying the team after Graves' slash breaks Lemieux's hand.
• Kevin Stevens' guarantee.
• 11 straight wins to capture the Penguins second Stanley Cup.
• Kevin Stevens' face shattered as he hits the ice unconscious, Ron Francis' tying goal, and David F%$%#$ Volek.
• Kaspar's sliding on his belly and the team piling on after his Game 7 OT winner against the Sabres.
• Mario's "final" goal at home.  Hollywood couldn't have written a better script.
• The post-handshake, "final" ovation and the chants of "Mar-i-o!"  At the Philadelphia Spectrum!!!
• Joe Sakic defers and Ray Bourque lifts his first and only Stanley Cup.
• Petr Nedved beats the Capitals in 4 overtimes.
• Keith Primeau finally ends it at 2:30am, 7 hours after the opening faceoff.
• Max ties Game 5 in the final seconds and Petr Sykora calls his shot in OT.
• The Cup is finally awarded on Mellon Arena ice as the Red Wings take Game 6 in the Penguins barn.
• Max Talbot silences the Flyers.
• Alex Ovechin and Sidney Crosby trade hat tricks.
• Marc Andre Fleury stones Alex Ovechkin, crushing the Capitals hopes in Game 7.
• Evgeni Malkin dominates the Hurricanes, including a hat trick capped off by a move that can only be described as "The Geno."
• The Penguins get the rematch they wanted as the Red Wings finish off the Blackhawks.
• Game 6 - The crowd chants "Fleur-y!" as a show of support for the goalie that got pulled in the previous game; Jordan Staal's shortie; Tyler Kennedy's game winner; Fleury stopping Cleary on a breakaway; and Rob "The Piece" Scuderi stopping everything.
• Game 7 - The captain goes down, but "Superstar" Max Talbot responds; "The Save, Pt. 2" and Sidney raises the cup.
• The worst way to close the Igloo.

My NHL 1st Round Playoff Picks (or, Everyone Else is Doing it so Why Shouldn't I???)

It's that time of year again.  The NHL playoffs begin tomorrow night.  I will, of course, be rooting for my Flightless Waterfowl to go all the way.  But I figured I might as well put some picks together for all of the series.

Now, I haven't had a lot of opportunities to actually watch a lot of hockey this year, outside of the Penguins and especially in the West.  And, I have no time for research and deep analysis.  So, I'll be using two not-so-scientific methods for my picks this year...

Method 1:    Half-assed Attempt at Analysis

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers - I just don't believe in the Caps goaltending or defence...  Rangers in six.

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres - See above comment about the Caps and apply it to the Flyers, especially with Pronger's status in question...  Sabres in six.

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens - Should be brutal...  Can't wait!!!  No reason to believe Carey Price can outduel Timmy Thomas, which is the only way the Habs stand a chance...  Bruins in five.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - Fluery keeps the Pens in the series, but the return of Sidney Crosby pushes them over the top...  Penguins in seven.

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks overcome history and a watered-down Hawks team...  Canucks in five.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings - Loss of Kopitar too much for Kings to overcome...  Sharks in six.

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes - Is the Red Wings age finally catching up to them?  Yes, but not in this series...  Wings in six.

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Pekka Rinne plays strong, but Ducks deep offence prevails, barely...  Ducks in seven.


Method 2:   Coin Flip

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals vs. 8. New York Rangers - Capitals

2. Philadelphia Flyers vs. 7. Buffalo Sabres - Sabres

3. Boston Bruins vs. 6. Montreal Canadiens - Bruins

4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Tampa Bay Lightning - Penguins

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks - Canucks

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings - Kings

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes - Coyotes

4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators - Predators