May 01 2009
Playoff Predictions: Round 2!
Well Round 2 is upon us, and we’re already one game in, I missed the cutoff last night but will proceed with the predictions tonight.
Boston-Carolina: Boston in 6. This series, as so many others in the playoffs will come down to goaltending. Cam Ward, and Tim Thomas were two unstoppable goalies in the first round and both look like they are capable of stealing a game. Tim Thomas, is backed by the best defensive corps in the league, which is why I see the Bruins coming out on top. Another huge match-up to look forward too is Eric Staal who was amazing in round one, capped off by a GWG with 31 seconds left, and the big Zdeno Chara who looks like he is able to calm any storm thrown his way. That being said, the Bruins looked far too powerful in the first round for the Carolina Hurricanes to pose a real threat.
Pittsburgh-Washington: Pittsburgh in 7. I think every hockey fan is licking their chops at the prospect of this series. Alexander the Gr8, against the “next” one Sidney Crosby. As much as we could spend a day talking about this match-up there are other aspects of the series that are extremely important. For example, the rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov is going up against Marc-Andre Fleury, a goalie who has lost just 7 games in the past two years of the playoffs. I think that this series will be hotly contested, with both high powered offenses coming to play. The key is once again goaltending and the ability for the Penguins to get their scoring from the Cooke-Staal-Kennedy line, like they did in the first round. I think that the team will get their scoring and this is why they will come out on top, even if it is in 7.
Detroit-Anaheim: Detroit in 6. I have heard a few experts say that the winner of this series will go on to win the Stanley Cup. I do not know if i agree with this but certainly is a possibility. Chris Osgood proved his worth against Columbus, and the overall look of the Red Wings was that of power. The Pavel Datsyuk’s and the Henrik Zetteberg’s and the Johan Franzen’s all came to play. If they continue to do this, they will surely be able to take over an Anaheim team who capitalized on the terrible play of the stars on the Sharks. Corey Perry, and Ryan Getzlaf will need to be inspired for the Ducks to even have a chance. They will need the same scoring they got from Bobby Ryan. They will also need Jonas Hiller to steal atleast 2 games. Unfortunetly I don’t see all of these conditions working out, and the Wings will take them in 6.
Chicago-Vancouver: Chicago in 7. Yes, Yes i know, there was a game last night. If you watched it, I think you guys will see how the series will play out. No lead will ever be safe in this series, a 3-0 lead means nothing to a young and fearless Blackhawks team. They were able to comeback in that series and only lost to a poor decision by Cam Barker to pinch with only a minute left. That being said, I think that the firepower and the way they have looked in the first series, is enough to say that the Blackhawks will overcome the goaltending of Roberto Luongo. The Canucks haven’t got the scoring they wanted from Mats Sundin, and the twins can only do so much. Even if the Hawks are down 1-0 they will be able to come back, especially upon returning home. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews look like they are seasoned veterans at 21, this is a good sign for the rest of their playoff runs.
