Well we came, we saw…we sorta conquered. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have gone upset happy in the West…but I did manage to get 6 of 8 right on the money and got the games right in 2 series. For all the strangeness, it ended up okay. That being said…time to make some more predictions…who knows maybe we get all four right here…then again, maybe not.
Playoff Predictions — Round 2
Eastern Conference
1. Buffalo Sabres vs. 6. New York Rangers.
This is a series of confidence…and right now both teams have it. The question will arise when the first team loses it…do they ever gain it back. I really can see a scenario where the Rangers split in Buffalo but Buffalo then storms back and the Rangers can’t quite recover.
My pick: Sabres in 6.
2. New Jersey Devils vs. 4. Ottawa Senators
2003 anyone? This series could just be a mirror copy of the 2003 epic between these two teams. Stevens and Daneyko may be gone…but the Devils may actually have enough firepower to keep up with anyone if need be. There is always Martin Brodeur in net. Ray Emery is an up and comer though and this series will be tough and physical from the beginning. Look for Clarkson to play at some point and White to return and that may make just enough of a difference to hold off Heatley and company.
My pick: Devils in 7.
Western Conference
1. Detroit Red Wings vs. 5. San Jose Sharks
San Jose is going to be able to do something that Calgary couldn’t…and that is, test Hasek on a consistent basis. The Wings did not play well in the season series, only winning one game. The Sharks can score and play just enough D. Their power play with Cheechoo, Thornton, Marleau, and Guerin may just ultimately prove too deep for Detroit to counter. Detroit has weapons….Zetts, Datsyuk, Lidstrom, etc….but Hasek is going to be on his back a lot of the time and that isn’t always a good thing.
My pick: Sharks in 6
2. Anaheim Ducks vs. 3. Vancouver Canucks
Ducks come in off a fairly easy five game conquest of the Wild while the Canucks fought seven long and hard games against a really tough Marty Turco and Dallas Stars team that never gave up. The Canucks have to get balanced scoring because the Ducks will score goals. The Ducks have too many forwards that can find the back of the net and they are anchored by Pronger and Niedermayer who also can put the biscuit in the basket. Luongo has his work cut out for him and this may even be too much for him to chew. He may be able to steal one …but Selanne and company will prove fatal for Vancouver’s playoff chances.
My pick: Ducks in 5
