Playoff Picks

The 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs start tonight, and thankfully, after 2 years of not participating, the Canes are back in the post-season. With my super hockey knowledge and foresight I will give you who I believe will win the playoffs. Not just the 1st round, but the whole thing! Yeah, I'm good like that.

Round 1, Fight!

Eastern Conference

1 Bruins vs. 8 Habs: The Habs are beat up and haven't played consistent hockey in months. There's not way that they're going to be able to pull off this upset. The bruins pull through in 5.

2 Washington vs. 7 New York Rangers: These are two teams that look very different. Washington is a balls to the wall offensive team, with very little shut-down defense and a shaky goaltender. New York is a more balanced team with less offensive power and a better goaltender. The Caps' hopes are pinned on if they can score more than Theodore can let in. If nothing else, it'll be interesting to watch Avery try to pester AO. Caps win in 6.

3 Devils vs. 6 Canes: One of the more even matchups in the playoffs. This one could really go either way. The Canes are riding a hot streak that has lasted for more than a month, while the Devils have played .500 hockey for most of the past month. Brodeur hasn't looked Brodeur-esque lately, while Cam Ward has. The Canes have had Jersey's number this season taking the season series 3-1. However, the playoffs are always a different story. This one goes to 7 with the Canes coming out on top.

4 Pens vs. 5 Flyers: Another overly even matchup. This is going to be another series going to 7 games. This one however will be about who makes the most mistakes and who gets beat up the most. This series will wear down on both teams, but I see Philly coming out on top. Their defense is going to find a way to shut down Crosby, Malkin, and Staal. Flyers in 7.

Western Conference

1 San Jose vs. 8 Anaheim: Anaheim made a late season push to get into the playoffs, but they're not the team that won the cup a couple years ago. San Jose has been on a mission this year and can't be denied getting past the first round. Sharks in 5.

2 Detroit vs. 7 Columbus: I would love to see Columbus take this series, and I believe that they could. However, Detroit always finds that extra gear in the playoffs. They always seem to be able to stay focused and motivated. Even if they play to an empty arena, Detroit wins this one in 6.

3 Vancouver vs. 6 St. Louis: Another Cinderella team in St. Louis. The Blues haven't been in the playoffs in what seems like forever, especially after having a streak of twenty some years straight in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Blues, this is the year that Bobby Lu asserts himself in the playoffs. The Nucks win in 6.

4 Chicago vs. 5 Calgary: The even matchup out west that isn't. Calgary won't have enough firepower to keep up with Chicago in this series, and Kipper won't be able to keep them in the game. Hawks in 5.


Round 2, Fight!

Eastern Conference

1 Bruins vs. 6 Canes: Ouch. I hate pitting my Canes against the Bruins like this. They were kicked around all season by the Bruins. That being said, they played all their games against the Bruins before they turned it on in late February. They will make a series out of it. As much as it pains me to say it though, I don't think they can get past the Bruins. They needed someone else to do it, and I don't see how the Habs or the Rangers could have done it (assuming the Rangers beat the Caps). Bruins in 6, they're just too big.

2 Caps vs. 5 Philly: The Caps will face a real test in the second round. The NHL won't get what it wanted in a Crosby vs. Ovechkin series. In this round I see Biron somehow getting hot, and Theodore will choke. Varlamov will come in for Washington, but it won't be enough, and the Flyers will take this one in 6.

Western Conference

1 San Jose vs. 4 Chicago: Ah, the Sharks and the 2nd round of the playoffs, mortal enemies. This series will be a battle to see who can score more. Goaltending won't be showcased in this series. Neither will perform poorly, but look for at least 5 goals to be scored in most of the games. In this series, I see San Jose actually making it past the second round in 6 games.

2 Detroit vs. 3 Vancouver: And here is where Detroit's goaltender's go downhill. Neither Osgood, nor Conklin will be able to do much. Not that Vancouver will throw an onslaught of offensive power at them, they will just falter. Vancouver in 5.

Round 3, Fight!

Eastern Conference

1 Boston vs. 5 Philly: Ok, the third round is so far away, and so much can happen between now and then, that it's a bit too hard to write a true review for them. Tim Thomas will show that he's not quite superman, and Boston will get thrown around a bit more in this series. The Flyer's forwards will find a way to forecheck against the Boston D, and that will make the difference. Philly in 7.

Western Conference

1 San Jose vs. 3 Vancouver: This will be the battle of goaltenders. Both Nabokov and Luongo will be great for their clubs. We'll see a couple shutouts and low scoring games. Both goalies will exit this round with Save Percentage's above .930, but only Luongo will come away smiling. Canucks in 6.


Stanley Cup Finals!

3 Vancouver vs. 5 Philly: Ah, time for all of Canada to jump on the "Canada's Team!" Bandwagon. In this matchup, I see Philly doing everything they can to get past Luongo, but not having the success that they had against Boston. However, their defense will come up big against the Sedins and Sundin, as Biron cools off a bit.
That being said, Luongo will be clutch in this series, where 3 games will go into overtime. This series goes to 6 games and the Canucks bring the Cup to Canada, Sundin makes half of Toronto hate him even more (and all of Montreal) and gets his ring, and Canada can keep saying how hockey is their sport and revel in the fact that it only took 16 years for it to happen.


There you go. Put your money on it. But no more than 10 bucks. I don't have a crystal ball or anything.

Come June we'll find out how (un?)awesome I am when predicting hockey.