1. Vancouver Canucks vs 8. Chicago Blackhawks
- Pick: Vancouver Canucks
- Five: Byfuglien will be greatly missed
2. San Jose Sharks vs 7. Los Angeles Kings
- Pick: San Jose Sharks
- Five: Second line scores in bunches
3. Detroit Red Wings vs 6. Phoenix Coyotes
- Pick: Phoenix Coyotes
- Five: Tippet can do no wrong
4. Anaheim Ducks vs. 5. Nashville Predators
- Pick: Nashville Predators
- Five: Hot offence leading into playoffs
So these are my predictions for the first round. For the record, I have predicted a Washing/San Jose final with the Sharks hoisting the cup. Hopefully my predictions have swayed some of you into making decisions that make you look like pool experts when all is said and done. Hockey fans rejoice! The playoffs are here!
FFW
1v8
ReplyDeleteThe Canucks will finally get some revenge on the hawks in the playoffs. They are too deep for the hawks who get shallow by their third line. Their depth last year brought them a ring, this year will bring them disappointment. They also are putting to much faith in their goaltending with a rookie and an old man between the pipes. Niemi did it last year but it wont happen again.
Canucks in 5
(PTW – Samuelsson & Hossa)
2v7
SJ is finally not the team to watch.. and thank god because if I had to watch them crumple under the pressure ONE more time I was going to lose my mind. This year however they have hit stride in the perfect time. Late enough no one is hyping them but not too late so they have figured out what works for them before the stuff gets serious. Captain Joe will be a physical force this year and little Joe is gonna be great. No hope for the injured Kings without Kopitar and Williams (who will be back sometime in the first round if they are lucky) they stand little chance. Doughty is great but he is not Bobby. And Penner? Please that is not how u stock up for the playoffs
SJ in 5
(PTW Marleau – Brown)
3v6
Here we go again. Except this time its Rocky two.. the underDOGS come out on top. Zetter is out game one and there is still no word on his return for any following games. The old wings are a fantastic team year in and out but the young Yotes are going to take it to Howard. He is not the goalie he was last year.
Lidstrom cooled off from his incredible age defying season and the Mule hasn’t been the same since his 5 goal outbreak (though he is a playoff wizard). Pheonix just plays a great team game that every coach wishes his star players could learn to do.
Pheonix in a hard fought 7 games
4v5
In my opinion, this is going to be the best series to watch and the toughest to call.
The ducks are an offensive force, who have taken this core of players to a championship. With old man Teemu and young duck Perry, Anaheim is deadly upfront. However there is still questions on their back end and a goalie situation that sees late season signed emery missing game one and hiller still dazzed and confused. . have no fear! They will be playing a team who failed to have a 55 point scorer.. AGAIN for the second year. The Preds offense is not good. (21 in g/g). However Pekka Rinne IS. His numbers this season we second to only Thomas and if he had some offense to back him up who knows what could have happened. Nashville is solid at home but so are the Ducks. Nashville won the season series 3-1 but this is the playoffs. The ducks are third on the powerplay vs the Preds 5th ranked PK. Again I’m taking Offense over Defense as this is not football.
Ducks in 7
(PTW – obviously.. this is the Perry show. & watch Pekka stand on his head in a losing cause)
See you in the second round. I'm going to watch the puck drop.