Thundercleese wrote:Here are my bold predictions for the West:
Det-Cal - Detroit is the only team that Calgary has a chance against in the first round. Their point total is inflated thanks to weak sisters Chicago, Columbus and Phoenix, so I don't consider their record that intimidating. As long as the Flames work hard, they can keep key guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg away from danger zones, and I think Kiprusoff can outduel Hasek 8 times out of 10. Calgary in six.
Ana-Min - This could be interesting if Backstrom stays stellar. I don't think Giguere is all he's cracked up to be and if the Demitra-Gaborik line is as creative as they can be, Giggy's fundamentals (and nothing else) won't go far. But they have to get past Pronger first. Anaheim is fast and skilled enough to break the trap and unbelievably well balanced as a team. Anaheim in six.
Van-Dal - Marty Turco has something to prove, and he may well do it against an offensively challenged Canucks team. If Markus Naslund doesn't get going RIGHT NOW, the 'Nucks won't go far. Still, if the blue line stays healthy the Canucks are well poised to take this series with their solid fundamentals and smart hockey. Vigneault has a shot at coach of the year, I think....Vancouver in seven.
Nas-SJ - This is going to be a great series to watch. I don't think the young Predator defense can handle Joe Thornton, however. If this guy is really, truly ready to show his stuff in the playoffs, look out Conn Smythe. It's going to be a back-and-forth series as the weak-ish SJ defense will similarly have a hard time containing four lines that can score. Nabokov has been awesome lately but the Preds have a surprising tandem with Chris Mason stepping into his own and Tomas Vokoun as one of the more underrated goalies in the NHL (I know he's sucked lately, but if you could have any backup in the world...) Nashville in six.
And now for the East:
Buf-NYI/Tor - If the Leafs make it, they're toast. If the Islanders make it and get DiPietro back, they have a slim chance. Either way, the team against Buffalo is going to have to beat the bejeezus out of the Sabres' forwards for sixty minutes each night to even have a prayer. Buffalo in five, regardless.
NJ-TB - All the individual excellence in the world can't beat the Devils. Of course, they're built on the individual excellence of Marty Brodeur, but he's more a god among men than a hockey player. He just chooses hockey to entertain himself with the mortals. Tampa will have to find a way to spread their attack and pray that their goaltending holds up for more than ten minutes at a time. Jersey in five.
Atl-NYR - I thought the Rangers were going to the Cup last season, but the injury bug hit and Lundqvist fell off the face of the planet. Shanahan will be even huger in this situation than he has been all year for the blueshirts. Lundqvist has been playing his best hockey of the season and it seems that he'll be ready to bring it in the playoffs. Atlanta, meanwhile, has really just scraped in...Lehtonen has been shaky and their deadline acquisitions aren't proving to be the consistent gamebreakers they had hoped. Kovalchuk and Hossa just don't seem to care to me. New York in four.
Ott-Pitt - This is the Nashville-San Jose of the East. Both teams have relatively young and experienced goaltenders they're going to have to rely on against some of the most high-powered forwards in the game. Ottawa will need to find depth in their attack and hope that Alfredsson proves everyone wrong about his sub-par leadership capabilities. The kids in Pittsburgh have much stronger veteran leadership in Gonchar, Recchi, Roberts and Laraque than the Sens do anywhere in their lineup. Pittsburgh in six.
Well the Flames pick was obviously wishful thinking on my part...Otherwise, pretty decent. I'm proud of the Rangers sweep pick but I really underestimated the Sens and the Sharks. Other than that, pretty close, within a game of all series correctly predicted, if not right on the money.
Round 2 - Buf-NYR - This could be an interesting series if Buffalo continues their half-hearted play and the Rangers beat them up a bit. The sweep against the Thrashers feels like months ago, though, and too much rest in the playoffs can be worse than not enough. Buffalo still has more than enough talent to play 20 minutes a game and come out on top. Buffalo in six.
Ott-NJ - If the Penguins can't score on the Sens, the Devils won't have a prayer. Ottawa has completely changed their playing style and Bryan Murray must be Satan if he can trick Jason Spezza into playing defense. The Devils and Brodeur were awfully shaky at times against Tampa, I don't like their chances at all. Ottawa in five.
Det-SJ - The Sharks are what the Flames SHOULD be--a great combination of teamwork and individual talent. They're also one of the better road teams in the league (if not the best, I don't recall their record). Detroit is in for a shock the first couple games when they realize they're up against an opponent that plays with confidence and consistency. Datsyuk faded after a strong start early in the series and Bertuzzi looks like he's more comfortable with every game, but there's just not enough depth to contend. The Sharks have different guys stepping up each night and are likely the only team that can stop the Ducks. Sharks in five.
Ana-Van - A lot of people have counted the Canucks out already, but I think they make this series last as long as they can. Luongo will steal a game or two and if the Sedins/Naslund/Linden are in top form they can win one together as well. Still, the Ducks have much more consistent scoring depth than the Stars. Do I need to mention the defense? No? Vancouver's teamwork will take them to game seven. Ducks in seven, though.
Hint - they didn't make the playoffs.
) but I think they will adjust and rebound from the injuries and series they've just been through where every game was a one chance once goal leads to a win series. 
