The WEST:
VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
NEWMAN: The Canucks are too deep up front and too deep on the back end to lose this series. They are a better team than last year when they faced the Hawks and the Hawks, for their part, are worse. They lost a number of key players (Byfuglien, Ladd, etc) and I'm not sure Crawford can do what Niemi did. It will be fun to watch but the Sedins will take this series over. Sorry Flames fans.
Canucks in 6.
THE REV: There's a reason the Canucks won the President's trophy this year; they're the best team in the NHL. Even with an oft depleted blue line, they still have a great defence, they have the best offensive line in the league, the last two Art Ross trophy winners, and a gold medal winning goalie. The only thing that might hurt their playoff push is a lack of experience in the playoffs, but even that shouldn't stop this team.
Blackhawks in 4. (I have a rare disorder called chracot-flamesfanitis disease, which doesn't allow me to pick the Canucks to win a series.)
SAN JOSE SHARKS VS LA KINGS
NEWMAN: The loss of Kopitar and without Williams at 100% will prove costly for the Kings. Niemi has the confidence of the team and the confidence in himself(Cup ring) to take this team far in the playoffs.
Sharks in 6.
THE REV: The Kings aren't as good as everybody thought they would be, and the Sharks are better than they played most of the year. Add in a couple of key injuries for the Kings, and this one should be over quick.
Sharks in 5.
DETROIT RED WINGS VS PHOENIX COYOTES
NEWMAN: The Coyotes are looking for revenge from last year's game 7 defeat. The Red Wings will be without Zetterberg for the first game and possibly longer and this could prove costly for them. Howard will need to play better than he has of late (GAA of 3.5 in last 3 games) for the Wings to win. Bryzgalov will be the difference though and the Yotes will pull off an upset.
Coyotes in 7.
THE REV: The Red Wings are more experience (in the playoffs and in life) and really are that good, despite being the oldest team in the league. The Coyotes, won't be able to match that experience. With the non-existent fan base in the desert, the Red Wings will have the crowd behind them in Detroit and Phoenix, which should provide them the boost they'll need to take care of the 'Yotes. Their only weakness would be goaltending, but they've overcome that too many times to count.
Red Wings in 6.
ANAHEIM DUCKS VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS
NEWMAN: This is the series that I have thought about the most for some odd reason. Anaheim is arguably the hottest team in the league coming into the playoffs with the hottest line, with Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan. However, I don't think the Anaheim goaltending will be enough and the strong defence of Nashville with Weber, Suter in front of Rinne will be the difference. Stat: Anaheim allowed 41 more goals than Nashville did this season. Defence wins championships.
Predators in 6.
THE REV: Defence only wins championships in a Coach's interview. In the real world, talent wins Championships and the Ducks have a lot more of it. While Weber, Suter and Rinne were able to stop offensive powerhouses St. Louis and Columbus, their divisional rival, on a regular basis, the same won't hold true during the playoffs. Perry, Selanne, Ryan, Getzlaf et al will too much for the Music City men to handle.
Ducks in 6.
THE EAST
WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS NEW YORK RANGERS
NEWMAN: UPSET ALERT! Now many might think I'm crazy, but I'm going on a hunch that New York can pull off the upset here. Lundqvist will be this year's Halak and the return of Drury will make up for the loss of Callahan. Plus, if Neuvirth falters early they will have to rely on Varlamov or maybe even Holtby and the Caps will crumble from there.
Rangers in 7.
THE REV: Wow! Didn't realize there was a whole other conference. But seriously folks, Washington has a lot of mental hurdles to overcome and I'm not certain they can. Having said that, New York isn't very good. When you're the 8th place team in a conference where the Toronto Maple Leafs can get to 10th, you have problems. Goaltending makes it close, but that's all.
Capitals in 7.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS VS BUFFALO SABRES
NEWMAN: I'm sticking with my goaltenders theme here and saying Miller will do enough to stonewall the Flyers. This is just a hunch, nothing else.
Sabres in 7
THE REV: The Sabres are over matched in every category, save maybe goaltending. But Miller didn't have a great season and I have no reason to think he's going to turn everything around all the sudden. Especially not with this team in front of him.
Flyers in 5.
BOSTON BRUINS VS MONTREAL CANADIENS
NEWMAN: There will be no Cinderella run this year for the Habs. The Bruins are primed for a run and with Tim Thomas at the top of his game, the Bruins will win this series. Chara will be huge in this series as well.
Bruins in 6.
THE REV: This could be the most fun series to watch, but only for a couple of games. After that, Boston will have taken control, and be poised to put the Habs away. The Canadiens don't have what it take to go far, or even five games.
Bruins in 4.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
NEWMAN: The loss of Malkin and the uncertainty of Crosby will be too much for the Pens to overcome. The Lightning will win this series. With Lecavalier going and a healthy Gagne, along with St. Louis and Stamkos, Tampa will win their first series since winning the cup in 2004.
Lightning in 6
THE REV: No Crosby, no Penguins. Without Crosby and without Malkin, the Penguins are a shell of the team they were at the start of the season. This isn't to say the lightning are anything to write home about, but they can take this team down.
Lightning in 7.
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3 comments:
I disagree on the TB - Pittsburgh series. I might be biased as I am a Pens fan, but come on. They can't do anything with Sid and Geno? That's all they've done the past 40 games. This team is well coached, has solid goaltending, and well be able to 2-1 this series keeping the TB stars in check. This is Stamkos's first year in the playoffs, I just don't see him being much of a factor this year. They ahve a 40 something goalie in Roloson and their defense is full of ??? ... I guess we'll see but I've got the Pens in 5 or 6.
Oh and Go Hawks.
You're totally biased! Having said that, they won Game 1 3-0. It is possible I get one wrong. Just unlikely!
Yeah Bylsma has to be in the talks for Coach of the year. It's unreal. Fleury has turned his game onto another level. I still think Tampa makes it interesting
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