The action begins on Wednesday. IMHO, this is the toughest championship to win. Four grinding and physically grueling rounds with the last one standing being crowned the Champion. The last two years, the Cup winners have come from the East. Is that because the Western teams beat each other up? Imagine that: 7-points separate first and eighth in the West. Yikes!
Oh BTW, remember last year's Western playoffs? Teams seeded 1-4 all were all eliminated in the first round. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.
Here are my reviews and predictions for each first round series. Actual wagers will be posted in the blog along with my MLB picks.
EAST
A. Buffalo vs NY Islanders
Sabres are thanking NJ Devils big time as Sunday's loss to the Islanders eliminated the Leafs and put the Isles into the playoffs and a first round match-up with the Sabres. Buffalo is licking its chops in anticipation. This team flies and has goaltending. The Islanders, with a desperate game on Sunday, looked horrible. Ryan Smyth looked average. Briere and Drury will have the time of their life. The only danger is Buffalo looking ahead to round #2.
Prediction: Buffalo in 5.
B. New Jersey vs Tampa Bay
The Lightening have two of the most exciting players in the league in Vince Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. But where's their goaltending? They've struggled all year long to find a number one and have finally settled on Johan Holmqvist. NJ has Richard Brodeur. Need I say more? The coaching change made by Lamoriello, while bizarre, makes sense from a player perspective; they loved the move. The tight checking Devils will keep Lecavalier and company in check and will roll to an easy first round win.
Prediction: New Jersey in 5.
C. Atlanta vs New York
Two teams that cannot be considered strong contenders for the Cup. In fact, Atlanta had less points than both Ottawa and Pittsburgh, but get the #3 seed because they won their division. The Rangers played great hockey down the stretch to get into the playoffs. I think this one comes down to goaltending. Lundqvist started 69 games and had a 2.34 GAA. Atlanta has some exciting young players but lack of playoff experience and solid tending will do them in.
Prediction: NYR in 6.
D. Ottawa vs Pittsburgh
Everyone wants to watch this one. Heatley, Spezza and Alfredson vs Crosby and Malkin. Wow, what a match-up! Lots of scoring chances, no doubt. Both Ottawa's Emery and Pittsburgh's Fleury are going to see a ton of rubber. If Ottawa doesn't win, the team will get blown up after this season. This is Pittsburgh's first playoff in quite some time and Crosby's first in the NHL. In typical fashion, the Pens had a great regular season, performed far beyond expectations and will be eliminated in the first round of their first playoffs. Wait until next year.
Prediction: Ottawa in 6.
WEST
A. Detroit vs Calgary
Great goaltending at both ends of the rink. Hasek is ancient but had a great season. Kiprusoff is one of the best in the league. Detroit always seems to get upset in the early rounds. But Calgary's inability to win on the road all season long cost them in the standings and will cost them in this opening series as Detroit lost 4 games at home all season. That's the league's best. The only question mark for the Red Wings is age, but that might just show through more in the later rounds.
Prediction: Detroit in 5.
B. Anaheim vs Minnesota
I mention that Detroit lost only 4 home games all year. Anaheim lost only 6 and Minnesota only 7. Most think this Wild team is the same boring defensive team it has been in the past. In the meantime, Minnesota's 235 goals was 7th overall in the wild west. That's not just a defensive team any more as the Wild had 5 20-goal scorers this season. Anaheim can play many different ways. Selanne had 48 goals and they also had five 20-goal scorers. And they can play rough and tough hockey better than anyone. This one comes down to goaltending and I believe the inexperience of Backstrom will ultimately cost the Wild. And Minnesota does not have anything which compares with Anaheim's two stellar D-men, Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, providing Anaheim with a slight advantage.
Prediction: Anaheim in 7.
C. Vancouver vs Dallas.
The Canucks are in a spot no one imagined they be in at the start of the season. They won the Northwest division and scored only 222 goals to do it. How did they do it? Well, the acquisition of Roberto Luongo was the deal of the decade. He has been their savior and the Sedin twins have finally blossomed into leaders. Dallas, year after year, just keeps on winning...at least in the regular season. They stand up for each other and could be the consummate team with no player scoring 60-points. This one will come down to the experience of the Stars vs the inexperienced Canucks as this is the first playoff appearance for Luongo. Is this the series where Turco finally shakes that choke image? He better, because each game could end 1-0 in this series.
Prediction: Dallas in 6.
D. Nashville vs San Jose
Flip a coin on this one. Both teams made bold moves at or need the trade deadline. Nashville made the biggest noise by picking up Peter Forsberg, who in 17-games scored only twice, but did pick up a bushel full of helpers. Did this acquisition help or hinder the Preds? Down the stretch they had only 5-wins in their final 10. San Jose has explosiveness in Thornton, Marleau and Cheechoo. Billy Guerin scored 8 times in the 16-games that he played (only one assist). This one may come down to goaltending and that could be the edge the Sharks need to get past this one.
Prediction: San Jose in 6.
