First round recap
Here were my predictions for the first round. The series were very competitive which resulted in nearly half of the playoff contests going 7 games.
Eastern Conference
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins
I picked this series correctly although I thought the Habs would win this series easily in 5 games. It ended up going 7 games which is a good sign for the Bruins. New general manager Peter Chiarelli definitely has the team headed in the right direction, which is more than you can say about his former employer in Ottawa.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators
Speaking of Chiarelli’s former employer, the Sens crumbled in spectacular fashion. At least with the Ducks there were too many legitimate problems for them to overcome. Not so with the Senators as this was more or less the same team that played for the Stanley Cup last summer. I picked the Pens in 5 and Ottawa couldn’t even force the contest back to Pittbsurgh for a game 5. Evgeni Malkin really stepped out from Sid Crosby’s shadow this season and they both feasted on Ottawa, averaging just about two points apiece for each game in this series. Too bad there won’t be an opportunity for them to face the Caps this year.
Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers
The Capitals captured everyone’s imagination this season and they were able to somehow force a game 7 after going down three games to one. I picked the Caps in 7 in this series and Washington might have pulled this series out if an Alexander Ovechkin pass to Sergei Federov would have connected late in the 3rd period. Instead this game went to overtime and Joffrey Lupul scored the power play goal to put an end to Washington’s storybook season. I think Bruce Boudreau has to win coach of the year though.
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers
I got this one right as far as picking the Rags but what impressed me was how easily they dismissed the Devils. This series was lopsided all season and Sean Avery found a new way to earn his title as the game’s biggest pest. But he was also a positive force as he scored two goals in this series. One legitimate question is whether this is the year Henrik Lundqvist eclipsed Martin Brodeur? The Blueshirts thoroughly dominated this series, going 11-2, with one of those losses being an overtime loss.
Western Conference
Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators
These were the two teams I had the most familiarity with and as a result I nailed it, picking the Wings in 6. They might have been able to win it in 5 if not for Dominik Hasek experiencing some turbulence in Nashville, but the questions about whether Dom would play like the Dominator factored into my guess on how many games it would take for Detroit to win this series. Nashville has brought back their coaching and scouting staff and they have to make a decision on whether to re-sign impending UFA Dan Ellis. Pekka Rinnie is in the pipeline but it’s probably a good idea to have the 28 year old Ellis serve as the #1 and have him eventually give way to Rinnie. But if Ellis wants to test the free agent market odds are good he’ll get an offer that is more than what Nashville would likely pay. Regardless of how that works itself out, David Poile and Barry Trotz will keep this team in the playoff mix.
San Jose Sharks vs. Calgary Flames
I got this series right although it took 6.6 games not 6. This series was all but over when Devin Setoguchi scored the 5th goal at the 14:53 mark of the second period last night. A lot of people picked the Sharks to win the Cup and they certainly have the talent to do so. And while some will comment that this was the series where San Jose stared down their demons I still have mixed feelings about them. With that being said I am looking forward to seeing their series against the Stars, which should make for some great hockey. The Flames are a team that has a good mix of talent along the blueline and at forward. Phaneuf is obviously improving at a rapid pace but he still makes a lot of bad decisions in his own end that end up in his team’s net. I wonder if Kipper is on a downward trajectory and whether the blueline can take that next step while Kipper is still an elite netminder. The Flames had better hope so as he’s signed through the 2013-14 season. In this series he was pulled twice and gave up 3.21 goals per game.
Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche
This was my worst pick, akin to picking Atlanta over the Rangers last year. Note to self: when trying to pick a Minnesota series remember they will lose one of their best defensemen to injury at the start of the playoffs. I picked the Wild in 6 and did mention that the Avs have the firepower to win this series. But while Minnesota looked good early on they simply didn’t have the firepower to offset the additions Colorado made along the blueline in the form of Adam Foote and Ruslan Salei. This series was decided in game 4 when Minnesota simply melted down and commited a boatload of roughing, boarding and misconduct penalties.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars
I picked this series to go 7 games, but while I said it wouldn’t shock me to see the Stars win I did pick the Ducks. Marty Turco advances past the first round which is obviously a big story but the Dallas power play - quarterbacked by Stephane Robidas - was very impressive. The Stars have a good mix of talent at forward - Steve Ott, Brendan Morrow and Mike Ribeiro - and some impressive albeit young talent on the blueline.
So I went 5-3 in the first round, which is already more wrong guesses than I had all of last season. The Colorado-Minnesota prediction was just bad. But with the other two series at least they one went 7 games with one of those series being decided in OT.
No Comments
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
