There is an age-old
debate on whether Spring or Fall is the ultimate sports season (though Winter and Summer
are hardly shabby if you are interested in more than just major league team
sports). What I have found year after year, is that I am most enthralled by the
Spring and for one simple reason: Playoffs. Lots of it.
As much as I
love basketball, nothing quite matches the
intensity of the NHL playoffs. There is just something about the Stanley Cup
itself that inspires the play, inspires the bearding, ratchets the already
breakneck, feverous pitch of a hockey game. And you know what, even with a
shortened season (and maybe specifically because of one), we are about to have
one heck of a playoff season.
Let’s get to it.
Eastern
Conference
PITTSBURGH
PENGUINS (1) VS. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (8)
The rich get
richer. The Penguins were already kicking butt with one of the most
star-studded rosters around but adding Iginla, Morrow, and Jokinen made them
just nasty. The real question will be whether they can form the sort of
chemistry that is needed for a deep run at Lord Stanley’s eternal glory. As we
know from the NBA’s Lakers, sometimes it’s just too much to ask with that many
egos and mouths to feed. They certainly should not overlook the Islanders, who
come in with a young core of players who have been growing together and have
said chemistry. A hot goalie can do wonders in the playoffs and Evgeni Nabokov
is a good one. If the Penguins sleep on these Islanders, it could make for a
long series. Still, I think this is a lock.
Pens in 5
MONTREAL
CANADIENS (2) VS. OTTAWA SENATORS (7)
This one’s kind
of a double Cinderella story, honestly with both the Sens and Habs over
exceeding all expectations to even be where they are. The Canadiens finished
last place a year ago and while they’ve earned the seed, they’re still a
mismatch for any of the conference’s elite teams if and when they run into
them. In this round, though, they get a Senator’s team that isn’t even supposed
to be in the playoffs really with all the injuries they endured at critical
positions no less. The Sens are getting their defensive stud, Karlsson back at
the right time which makes them dangerous because they’re playing with house
money and no pressure as they weren’t even expected to have competed this well.
They’ll grind and grind and put the pressure entirely on the Habs to justify
and live up to their seeding and just might eek one out. This will be a great
series between two teams just glad to be here. Love it.
Canadiens in 7
WASHINGTON
CAPITALS (3) VS. NEW YORK RANGERS (6)
The Capitals
really improved as the season went on after a fairly bland start. It obviously coincided with the coaching changes and as soon as Oates took over, we started
to see Alex Ovechkin really take over and thrust himself into MVP talk.
However, as solid as they are, the Rangers are in position to bump them off.
With a goalie like Lundqvist, of course, that is entirely possible because he’s
exactly the type of goalie that can will this team through the playoffs like he
did last year when a scrappy Rangers team found its way to the conference
finals. Will it be enough to get by the Caps? Not if they play listlessly as
they’ve played most of this season. As much as I like what Ovie is doin over
there in the capital, I have a feeling the Rangers figure it out and get
through.
Rangers in 6
BOSTON BRUINS (4)
VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (5)
Classic NHL
match up between two marquis franchises. Unfortunately, it is also a mismatch
despite what the seeding will tell you if the Bruins start playing the way they had been earlier in the season. They’re stumbling into the playoffs but were able
to take three of four against these same Leafs during the regular season. They have
all the components that they need: offensive production, elite defense,
depth and of course a solid goalie. They draw divisional rivals that, although
tough, don’t play particularly good defense and can be overmatched as Reimer
will be under duress all game, every game. I think the Leafs might serve as the
perfect first round opponent for Boston to get it going and try to carry some
momentum deep in the playoffs.
Bruins in 5
Western
Conference
CHICAGO
BLACKHAWKS (1) VS. MINNESOTA WILD (8)
While it would
be nice to see the Wild get it done against the Hawks by grinding those
secondary lines into the boards and forcing them to work, I fear there’s just
too much firepower on Chicago. They got off to a crazy hot start and rode the
momentum into the top seed. The Wild are going to be strong in the years to
come but it is quite the mismatch
with injuries to key players. I don’t anticipate the Hawks getting
bounced this early but don’t be surprised if their seeding is a mirage.
Hawks in 6
ANAHEIM DUCKS (2)
VS. DETROIT REDWINGS (7)
You already know
my pick; I wouldn’t dare pick the Ducks against my Wings after the number they pulled on us when the roles were reversed years ago and Babcock was their
coach. However that isn’t the only motivation. Truly, the Wings pose a problem
for the Ducks. They have the offensive firepower to score and although their
defense is not as stout as it used to be with Lidstrom manning the blue line,
the Ducks have limited star power up front beyond Getzlaf and Ryan. Even more alarming for them is that Detroit has played
them very well this season taking two of three head to head and looked dominant
in the two they did. The Wings are underdogs here and for good reason and will
have to really rely on Howard, who has been their best player for stretches of
this season when goals weren’t coming, to steal a couple games. That said, I’m still going with
my team.
Wings in 6
VANCOUVER
CANUCKS (3) VS. SAN JOSE SHARKS (6)
I’m not sold on
the Canucks and it is mostly because I don’t trust their goaltending situation.
They have decent enough even strength play to where they’ve earned their seed
but they have many questions starting with who will play in goal and whether or
not they’re tough enough to make a run. The Sharks retooled and changed their
identity and, though streaky, are tough when they’re on. More importantly (and
contrasted to the Canucks), Antti Niemi is the guy between the pipes and has
been awesome. The Sharks slipped this year after years of being hyped and truly it's mostly because of their inconsistency. If they play like they play when they’re
on, they’ll resemble the three seed here far more than the Canucks will.
Sharks in 6
ST. LOUIS BLUES
(4) VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS (5)
I live in the
L.A. metroplex and as a result have quite a few friends who are Kings fans
whose ire I probably will draw at some point in these playoffs when I commit
them to elimination. Whereas the Kings got ridiculously hot at exactly the
precise time last year, they come into the playoffs now expected to win and
without the element of surprise. They are still big, strong and a chore to
grind with but then again so are the Blues whom they swept last year. I don’t
know about you but I’m sensing a rivalry brewing and, seeing as how these two
teams are young enough and deep enough to be in this sort of tangle for years
to come, I’m excited. There’s a temptation to pick the Blues on account of
sweet revenge. They’ve added some pieces and are older and wiser. But then
again so are the Kings. This will be one of the best first round matchups and I’m
thinking it goes the distance; I just don’t know if St. Louis is ready quite
yet.
Kings in 7
As always, remember: I have no idea what I’m talking
about.
Dig it.
No comments:
Post a Comment