I'm giving a preview of the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Western Confrence
(1)San Jose Sharks vs (8)Anaheim Ducks
My Prediction: San Jose in 6
I take a look at these two teams and I see two teams heading in different directions. San Jose is looking to win their first Stanley Cup and are trying to exorcise demons of Stanley Cup Playoffs past. The major question that the San Jose Sharks will have to answer in order to win the cup is 'Is Joe Thorton going to produce in the playoffs or is he going to continue to underachieve?'. If Thorton performs in the playoffs, the only thing that can stop them is themselves.
Anaheim has had what seems to be tradition for all recent Stanley Cup winners (Detroit being the acception.) in what could simply be described as a Stanley Cup hangover. However, don't count out the Anaheim Ducks because they have a great defensive team in Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer and have a goalie who if he gets hot in J.S. Giguere. However they are in trouble because I feel that they have only one offensive line and San Jose will just crush the forwards.
(2)Detroit Red Wings vs (7)Columbus Blue Jackets
My Prediction: Detroit in 6
This is a simple series to call and doesn't need much more said than this series depends on the goaltending of Chris Osgood. If he isn't playing well, they still have enough octane to blast through Columbus. Expect lots of offence from the big names on Detroit to help win this series. The only way Columbus win this series is that Steve Mason goes on a huge hot streak and Osgood is shaky.
(3)Vancouver Canucks vs (6)St. Louis Blues
My Prediction: Vancouver in 5
This is a match up of the two hottest teams of the second half. I have already taken some heat for calling a quick series here but I see this season Blues as the '02 Canucks. The Canucks were on fire the second half and fell apart after the Lidstrom's center ice goal. The Canucks also have alot of free agents coming up who are also trying to overcome the playoff underachiever and that sets up a short series in my eyes as Roberto Luongo is also pretty much the hottest player in the last week of the season and has not given up a goal since the 2nd Period against the Calgary Flames.
(4)Chicago Blackhawks vs (5)Calgary Flames
My Prediction: Calgary in 7
This is going to be the nastiest series of the playoffs and is going to most likely look like a war more than a hockey game as I see two hungry teams go at it, the difference in this series will be the expierence of the Flames and the revenge they will want to take on Nikolai Khabibulin from when Khabibulin was on the Lightning in '04. I'm calling this to be the best series of the first round.
Eastern Confrence
(1)Boston Bruins vs (8)Montreal Canadiens
My Prediction: Boston in 5
This is going to be brutal to watch for Habs fans. The Bruins are better everywhere on the ice and are going to destroy Montreal and try to get a rest going into the second round. The only way Montreal wins this series is the plane carrying the Boston Bruins crashes and kills them.
(2)Washington Capitals vs (7)New York Rangers
My Prediction: Washington in 7
This is going to be the Alexander Ovechkin show and he is going to thrill all the fans who watch the series. The only reason I see this going seven is because of the Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore. The Rangers need to rattle Theodore early to be able to win this series or they could get washed away in a see of Capital red.
(3)New Jersey Devils vs (6)Carolina Hurricanes
My Prediction: New Jersey in 7
Carolina is coming in red hot and is looking to pull off an upset which I see is very likely. However, I can not bet against Martin Brodeur and I expect him to be the difference.
(4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5)Philadelphia Flyers
My Prediction: Pittsburgh in 6
This series is going to be either the Malkin or Crosby show. Mike Richards will most likely line up against Crosby but there is only one Mike Richards and that will leave Malkin very much unchallenged and he will end up being a headache for Philadelphia. Expect lots of goals in this series.
I will be back for my 2nd round preview and I will have other sporting events that I will be previewing and reviewing.
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