Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Playoff Blog, The First Round
First I said in a blog last week that if the Islanders make the playoffs we all need to raise a glass to Wade Dubielewicz. Today we raise a glass to Wade!
Let's start with Wade and the East
1. Buffalo vs 8. New York Islanders
Buffalo has pretty much been the leader in the East all year while the Islanders have been on and off all year. Although you have to give the Jack Adams Award to Ted Nolan. Who expected the Isles to have this much success with the roster they had. Also Garth Snow did an incredible job to build the team. The Sabres may only have one chance to compete at the level that they have the past two years. They will lose on of Drury or Briere this off season because of the cap. In this series though I cannot see the Islanders mounting much of an attack. I don't think they'll lose in 4 straight because Wade Dubielewicz will steal at least one game from Buffalo. The Sabres are too strong and too good not to make it past the Isles.
Buffalo in 4
2. New Jersey vs 7. Tampa Bay
Lou takes over NJ for the last three games and this is when it is really going to count. If Tampa pulls off the upset it was the wrong move. Even in the 2nd round it may still be considered the wrong move. This series is New Jersey's defense against Lecavalier, Richards, and St. Louis. Who wins this series will look at this to see who won. The only way Tampa Bay is going to win is if they out score the Devils every game. Their goaltending is not good enough to get them past the Devils. Look at last year against Henrik Lundqvist the Devils took him out in four games. Personally I don't think you mess with NJ's defense. It is hard to pick against them as they have an amazing track record. Tampa Bay needs a goaltender bad and Holmqvist and Denis are not going to be answer whether it be this year or next year.
New Jersey in 6
3. Atlanta vs 6. New York Rangers
Atlanta has made the playoffs for the first time in history and it was key for Don Waddell. I said early in a blog that if they did not make the playoffs he would be fired. Well his job maybe safe for one more year. For the Thrashers the key is going to be scoring on Henrik Lundqvist. Henrik has been on top of his game for the last month. If Hossa, Kovalchuk and Kozlov can get through King Henrik they will have a chance. The three of them are all good scoring forwards and they have to score quite often. Now for the Rangers I think this series will all depend on Sean Avery. If Avery can harness his craziness for the good of the team it will drive Atlanta nuts. On the Thrashers the only two players who have seen Sean's act close up is Eric Belanger and Jon Sim who both played with Sean in LA. I think this series is going to be a nail biter since they are so closely matched. I think Atlanta is going to move on
Atlanta in 7
4. Ottawa vs 5. Pittsburgh
Now in the East this is the series to watch. How will Sid the Kid take on his first playoffs. I've said the Penguins are only going to go as far as Sidney Crosby takes them. He is going to have to play out of his mind to get the Penguins past the 2nd round. The goaltending for both teams are question marks in my opinion. Ottawa is facing a harder opponent than last year and it's not going to be easy for Ray Emery. Then again same goes for Marc-Andre Fleury as he is facing his first playoff games. This is going to be the best first round series in the East. This one has the potential to be a classic series as both teams are evenly matched. For Ottawa they have to stop Crosby. If you stop Crosby you have a damn good chance to win. Of course stopping Sid the Kid has not been easy. It just has not even for multiple defensemen.
Pittsburgh in 7
West
1. Detroit vs 8. Calgary
Calgary backed into the playoffs. There is no other way to explain it. How Colorado almost caught them was amazing where they were near clinching for almost two weeks. They are not playing playoff hockey and besides Kipper and Iginla you have to question the work ethic of the team. Detroit on the other hand is going to come into the playoffs strong and have the ability to make quick work with the Flames. Hasek maybe old but the guy has proven that he can win. As long as he does not get hurt the Wings look to be a lock in this series. I cannot see Detroit losing to Calgary like they did in 04. This is a totally different Flames team and they do not have the heart like they did back then.
Detroit in 5
2. Anaheim v 7. Minnesota
The good old "2-7" match up. The "2-7" is one of the most common to produce an upset. I really think this one will also produce an upset. Minnesota's team is not a 7th place team if they had a healthy Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra the whole season. They have a terrific power play with Brian Rolston on the point and Brent Burns has been playing amazing hockey lately. For Anaheim the question is can they get scoring from Penner, Perry, and Getzlaf. Lemaire's defensive system will shut down Selanne, Kunitz, and McDonald as that will be the job of Wes Walz. Unlike in the 2003 Western Conference Finals the scoring threat of Gaborik, Demitra are going to prove deadly. I do not think the Ducks have the depth on the 3rd and 4th lines to get past Minnesota. Of course Pronger and Niedermayer will never leave the ice in the third period. The biggest problem with the Ducks is they have three levels of defensemen. Tier 1(Pronger, Niedermayer) Tier 2(Beauchemin, O'Donnell) Tier 3(Huskins, Jackman). It is going to be tough for the Ducks even though they have a strong team.
Minnesota in 6.
3. Vancouver vs 6. Dallas.
If Dallas wants to win this series Marty Turco is going to have to steal it from Vancouver. I cannot see them winning without winning games 2-1, 1-0, 2-0. Luongo is not going to allow enough goals for fire wagon hockey. It is going to be a goaltending match up. If Turco can't do it Dave Tippett is going to have to try Mike Smith. Tippett will have no other choice if Dallas goes down 0-2 going back to Dallas with two bad Marty Turco games. Mike Smith is going to have to out duel Luongo. It is going to come down to that. Offensively Vancouver is better too which is not going to help anything out. Vancouver's defense is too strong and I don't see Turco or Smith doing it. If Dallas does win look at one of those two as the reason.
Vancouver in 6.
4. Nashville vs 5. San Jose
It's like Deja Vu all over again. For the 2nd straight year this is where San Jose and Nashville fall. Although the question is will the result be the same. Nashville was not as deep last year as they are now. Peter Forsberg is going to be huge when he plays. The guy is a playoff player and is simply amazing. Now last year Chris Mason had to come in when Tomas Vokoun went down with a Blood Clot. This year Vokoun is going to lead this team. San Jose has a Vesatoskala condition but you never know if Nabakov plays. San Jose could put either goalie in net and still be able to win the series. Again like the "4-5" match up in the East this is going to be the best series in the West.
Nashville in 7.
I cannot see this year having the amount of upsets like there were last year in the west. I think the "4-5" could go either way though but with those two teams I doubt it will be an upset to be honest. Both teams are so strong. It is an interesting playoff year. Most teams have been playing their best hockey right now. Get ready for this ride because it is going to be fun.
Now some other stuff.
Chicago wins Draft Lottery.
The bottom five teams all have a chance at the No. 1 pick and Chicago won the lottery and that pick. Sadly the Flyers fans the junk hockey you had to watch all season did not even pay off with the No. 1 pick.
1. Chicago
2. Philadelphia
3. Phoenix
4. Los Angeles
5. Washington
Eddie the Eagle runs wild.
Well Eddie Belfour is at it again. At least this time he is not bribing cops with $1 Billion Dollars(Insert Evil Laugh here!). Eddie and Ville Peltonen were both arrested a couple days back after being a little too drunk at a bar. So here is the news and some fun about it.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=203471&hubname=nhl
Fly Eddie Fly
How to convey that Eric Staal is a Diver. In case you have not seen it already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLY8JMV1eTw
All for today. Enjoy the playoffs!
SC
Let's start with Wade and the East
1. Buffalo vs 8. New York Islanders
Buffalo has pretty much been the leader in the East all year while the Islanders have been on and off all year. Although you have to give the Jack Adams Award to Ted Nolan. Who expected the Isles to have this much success with the roster they had. Also Garth Snow did an incredible job to build the team. The Sabres may only have one chance to compete at the level that they have the past two years. They will lose on of Drury or Briere this off season because of the cap. In this series though I cannot see the Islanders mounting much of an attack. I don't think they'll lose in 4 straight because Wade Dubielewicz will steal at least one game from Buffalo. The Sabres are too strong and too good not to make it past the Isles.
Buffalo in 4
2. New Jersey vs 7. Tampa Bay
Lou takes over NJ for the last three games and this is when it is really going to count. If Tampa pulls off the upset it was the wrong move. Even in the 2nd round it may still be considered the wrong move. This series is New Jersey's defense against Lecavalier, Richards, and St. Louis. Who wins this series will look at this to see who won. The only way Tampa Bay is going to win is if they out score the Devils every game. Their goaltending is not good enough to get them past the Devils. Look at last year against Henrik Lundqvist the Devils took him out in four games. Personally I don't think you mess with NJ's defense. It is hard to pick against them as they have an amazing track record. Tampa Bay needs a goaltender bad and Holmqvist and Denis are not going to be answer whether it be this year or next year.
New Jersey in 6
3. Atlanta vs 6. New York Rangers
Atlanta has made the playoffs for the first time in history and it was key for Don Waddell. I said early in a blog that if they did not make the playoffs he would be fired. Well his job maybe safe for one more year. For the Thrashers the key is going to be scoring on Henrik Lundqvist. Henrik has been on top of his game for the last month. If Hossa, Kovalchuk and Kozlov can get through King Henrik they will have a chance. The three of them are all good scoring forwards and they have to score quite often. Now for the Rangers I think this series will all depend on Sean Avery. If Avery can harness his craziness for the good of the team it will drive Atlanta nuts. On the Thrashers the only two players who have seen Sean's act close up is Eric Belanger and Jon Sim who both played with Sean in LA. I think this series is going to be a nail biter since they are so closely matched. I think Atlanta is going to move on
Atlanta in 7
4. Ottawa vs 5. Pittsburgh
Now in the East this is the series to watch. How will Sid the Kid take on his first playoffs. I've said the Penguins are only going to go as far as Sidney Crosby takes them. He is going to have to play out of his mind to get the Penguins past the 2nd round. The goaltending for both teams are question marks in my opinion. Ottawa is facing a harder opponent than last year and it's not going to be easy for Ray Emery. Then again same goes for Marc-Andre Fleury as he is facing his first playoff games. This is going to be the best first round series in the East. This one has the potential to be a classic series as both teams are evenly matched. For Ottawa they have to stop Crosby. If you stop Crosby you have a damn good chance to win. Of course stopping Sid the Kid has not been easy. It just has not even for multiple defensemen.
Pittsburgh in 7
West
1. Detroit vs 8. Calgary
Calgary backed into the playoffs. There is no other way to explain it. How Colorado almost caught them was amazing where they were near clinching for almost two weeks. They are not playing playoff hockey and besides Kipper and Iginla you have to question the work ethic of the team. Detroit on the other hand is going to come into the playoffs strong and have the ability to make quick work with the Flames. Hasek maybe old but the guy has proven that he can win. As long as he does not get hurt the Wings look to be a lock in this series. I cannot see Detroit losing to Calgary like they did in 04. This is a totally different Flames team and they do not have the heart like they did back then.
Detroit in 5
2. Anaheim v 7. Minnesota
The good old "2-7" match up. The "2-7" is one of the most common to produce an upset. I really think this one will also produce an upset. Minnesota's team is not a 7th place team if they had a healthy Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra the whole season. They have a terrific power play with Brian Rolston on the point and Brent Burns has been playing amazing hockey lately. For Anaheim the question is can they get scoring from Penner, Perry, and Getzlaf. Lemaire's defensive system will shut down Selanne, Kunitz, and McDonald as that will be the job of Wes Walz. Unlike in the 2003 Western Conference Finals the scoring threat of Gaborik, Demitra are going to prove deadly. I do not think the Ducks have the depth on the 3rd and 4th lines to get past Minnesota. Of course Pronger and Niedermayer will never leave the ice in the third period. The biggest problem with the Ducks is they have three levels of defensemen. Tier 1(Pronger, Niedermayer) Tier 2(Beauchemin, O'Donnell) Tier 3(Huskins, Jackman). It is going to be tough for the Ducks even though they have a strong team.
Minnesota in 6.
3. Vancouver vs 6. Dallas.
If Dallas wants to win this series Marty Turco is going to have to steal it from Vancouver. I cannot see them winning without winning games 2-1, 1-0, 2-0. Luongo is not going to allow enough goals for fire wagon hockey. It is going to be a goaltending match up. If Turco can't do it Dave Tippett is going to have to try Mike Smith. Tippett will have no other choice if Dallas goes down 0-2 going back to Dallas with two bad Marty Turco games. Mike Smith is going to have to out duel Luongo. It is going to come down to that. Offensively Vancouver is better too which is not going to help anything out. Vancouver's defense is too strong and I don't see Turco or Smith doing it. If Dallas does win look at one of those two as the reason.
Vancouver in 6.
4. Nashville vs 5. San Jose
It's like Deja Vu all over again. For the 2nd straight year this is where San Jose and Nashville fall. Although the question is will the result be the same. Nashville was not as deep last year as they are now. Peter Forsberg is going to be huge when he plays. The guy is a playoff player and is simply amazing. Now last year Chris Mason had to come in when Tomas Vokoun went down with a Blood Clot. This year Vokoun is going to lead this team. San Jose has a Vesatoskala condition but you never know if Nabakov plays. San Jose could put either goalie in net and still be able to win the series. Again like the "4-5" match up in the East this is going to be the best series in the West.
Nashville in 7.
I cannot see this year having the amount of upsets like there were last year in the west. I think the "4-5" could go either way though but with those two teams I doubt it will be an upset to be honest. Both teams are so strong. It is an interesting playoff year. Most teams have been playing their best hockey right now. Get ready for this ride because it is going to be fun.
Now some other stuff.
Chicago wins Draft Lottery.
The bottom five teams all have a chance at the No. 1 pick and Chicago won the lottery and that pick. Sadly the Flyers fans the junk hockey you had to watch all season did not even pay off with the No. 1 pick.
1. Chicago
2. Philadelphia
3. Phoenix
4. Los Angeles
5. Washington
Eddie the Eagle runs wild.
Well Eddie Belfour is at it again. At least this time he is not bribing cops with $1 Billion Dollars(Insert Evil Laugh here!). Eddie and Ville Peltonen were both arrested a couple days back after being a little too drunk at a bar. So here is the news and some fun about it.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=203471&hubname=nhl
Fly Eddie Fly
How to convey that Eric Staal is a Diver. In case you have not seen it already.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLY8JMV1eTw
All for today. Enjoy the playoffs!
SC
