What an incredible first round of NHL action! 9 straight days with an OT game, an NHL record. I know I have honestly lost so much sleep during the post season because of hockey games. I almost forgot entirely about blogging over the past week. My Twitter account has been getting used to a greater extent lately than the good ol' blog......
So I went 5 for 8 on my first round predictions.
1- I thought Anaheim was a better team than that. Well truth be told, I didn't think Nashville was THAT good.
2- Bravo, Buffalo. You threw the series away. The Sabres were my dark horse pick, as previously mentioned. And they had the series up until the second period of game 6. The Flyers tending was absolutely atrocious, as predicted. But they couldn't hold a lead.
3- Phoenix was way to distracted with the off ice issues of the team's potential move. Right at the start of the playoffs is when the rumors started to gather hardcore steam. I think, actually, the day after I made my predictions. That, and no matter how old the team is, you put the red and white Red Wings jersey in a playoff game and they can perform.
4- One other observation about the first round. I have debated and debated this until the cows come home over the last 2 weeks. I think the Sedins are useless, and the Canucks will never win a cup until they get traded. Bravo, they can bring you 100 points each in the regular season. But as soon as the playoffs start, they disappear. Ok, so they had 7 and 5 points in the first round. But simple examples like Henrik having a clear cut path to the net with less than 5 minutes remaining in game 7 and he passes it off. I almost kicked my friends TV screen when that happened. If you had a pair of big, strong, hard nosed Canadian or American hockey players, the series would have been over in 5 games. Way to go. A collective minus 6 for the first round.
5- The losses weren't Roberto Luongo's fault. And I'm sick of people bashing him. The one part I will agree on, was when he got asked if the loss felt better than a gold medal win. Ok, I'm sorry, trick question. Picture yourself the spot he was in: Overcome with emotion. Been criticized all series. Your backup played in front of you. You were the Hawks whipping boy for 2 years. You win in OT. Which one feels better? A game a year and a half ago or what you were JUST GOING THROUGH. Ya, that could have been a "slap in the face" to Canada. But picture where he was at. I'm sure he is regretting what he said. Anyway, to get back on track, I blame AV for not pulling Luongo until the 6th goal in game 4. That is where it all went wrong. If that was on home ice, ok, leave him in. But IN Chicago? Brutal. So the next game, he gets shelled again 5-0 and DUH!!!!!!!!!!! Where do you think his confidence would go!!!!!!!!!! Luo bounced back in game 7 and had a heck of a game. Oh, and honorable mention to Corey Crawford who had a very good series. He didn't make a plethora of those "game breaking, wow! How did that NOT go in" saves. But he stayed in the whole series and didn't lose the Hawks any of the games.
Ok........
Now that is out of the way.......
Round 2.
West:
Vancouver vs Nashville
- The Preds are the nicely rested after polishing off the Ducks in 6, and remind me a lot of the Anaheim Ducks and their march to the finals in 2003. Don't really have a HUGE abundance of guys who could score (other than Paul Kariya), and they just got STELLAR goaltending. Could there be a potential of this happening to Nashville? Absolutely. They wait for you to make mistakes and capitalize. They grind you down. Their highest point getter in the regular season only had 50 points (Erat) and their tender is up for the Vezina (Rinne). This could be the making of an upset. The first game I think, will be. Vancouver will be coming off that emotional OT win against Chicago, and they certainly didn't face an AWESOME tender in round 1. In order for Vancouver to win, they will need to learn how to shoot from everywhere, anywhere, and hope for rebounds. Including the Sedin sisters to shoot on breakaways (shakes head.) The Canucks forwards will have a tougher test with Weber on the back end. But, Luongo will have the series of his life, now that Chicago is done with. But not before dropping game 1.
Prediction: Canucks in 6
Detroit vs San Jose
- I have a feeling, just have a feeling that this is the year of the San Jose Sharks. Goaltending has been average. Niemi wasn't awesome, but he was good when he needed to be. Joe Thornton actually scored a clutch goal, they are deep up front with Clowe, Pavelski and Couture complimenting Marleau and Heatley. Devin Setoguchi even popped one in. They had the epic comeback from down 4-0 against LA to win in OT (Seto's goal). I dunno. But, you can't count out Detroit. Too many veterans. They man handled Phoenix. But again, for no massively obvious reason I'm taking San Jose. That, and I have a steak on the broiler right in front of me and am getting very hungry.
Prediction: Sharks in 7
East
Washington vs Tampa
- This will be the most exciting series to watch if you live shots at the net and goals being scored. Tampa's awesome comeback from being down 3-1 in the series. I have them in our station hockey pool, and are my only remaining team. Dwayne Rolosson is the guy to look at. He was excellent. And he will be the difference maker. How about Steve Downie for TB in the 1st round, eh? 7 points? And the Hart trophy candidate Marty St Louis leading the way with 8. Ovie and the Caps are big and physical this year, more than ever before. But Tampa will make them choke. I'm going to say 5 of these go to OT.
Prediction: Tampa in 7
Boston vs Philadelphia
- Philly was lucky to get out of the first round. Beyond lucky. Items they looked at to use as a goaltender? A garbage can. 2 sticks with a mountain bike. A mr sieve plastic goalie. And Michael Ryder of the Bruins. What an embarrassment to playoff hockey their tending was. But, they managed to fight their way back in game 6 because Buffalo couldn't finish them off. The broad street bullies are back. Hits to the head, hits from behind, slashes, dives, you name it. Philly hurts, hits and intimidates. And they are taking on the team who can't score on the powerplay. This should be an interesting one. UFC should sanction it. But it should be fun to watch. Great US hockey market vs great US hockey market. And the Bruins blew the 3-0 series lead last year which would have put them in the conference final. Can it happen again? I'm going to guess Tim Thomas steals the show.
Prediction: Bruins in 6
That's it. I'm going to go eat steak.
Chat soon!
