Disclaimer:
These are not the views of anybody but my own, I am reporting on what I saw of the playoffs and did not see every tiny iota of what happened, also try listening to a game that Pierre Maguire is doing commentary on, it is impossible not to be annoyed by the guy.
Eastern Conference Quarter Finals
(1)Boston Bruins vs (8)Montreal Canadiens
My Prediction: Bruins in 5
Result: Bruins in 4
This series was completely owned by the Bruins over the Habs. Boston was too big, too tough, and too talented.
MVP of Series: Michael Ryder (RW) BOS
Had seven points in four games
Play of the Series: It's not so much a play as it was a gesture by Carey Price after making the same position like Patrick Roy did in his last game for the Canadiens.
Officiating: 4 out of 5
Only a couple of missed calls, other than that it was well officiated.
(2)Washington Capitals vs (7)New York Rangers
My Prediction: Capitals in 7
Result: Capitals in 7
I had figured this would be more of a homer series, boy was I wrong. The Rangers took the first two games in Washington and had a 3-1 series lead after playing four games in the series. However after that, the wheels came of the bus, Avery almost cost the Rangers Game 4 and was scratched for Game 5. Tortarella than got into it with some Capitals fans and was suspended by the NHL for Game 6. Game 7 was close but a late goal by Sergei Federov put the Caps up for good. The other note of intrest in this series is that after allowing 4 goals on 20 shots in Game 1, Jose Theodore, goaltender for the Capitals was benched and the Caps went to rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov. Varlamov was spectacular in this series and gave the Caps the ability to come back in this series.
MVP of Series: Simeon Varlamov (G) WAS
See above for reason.
Play of Series: Ovechkin's goal in game 5, like you even had to wonder.
Officiating: 3 out of 5
There were a few too many missed calls for this to be rated higher.
(3)New Jersey Devils vs (6)Carolina Hurricanes
My Prediction: Devils in 7
Result: Hurricanes in 7
I was right on my prediction for this series with only 100 seconds to go in the third period of Game 7, then Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal scored to give the Hurricanes the lead and the series. This series had some great goaltending and some great goals, probably the best match-up of the first round.
MVP of Series: Cam Ward (G) CAR
Was great in goal and had a highlight reel full of saves
Play of Series: Staal series winner looked like vintage Mark Messier on the off wing.
Officiating: 4 out of 5
Pretty good but not worthy of 5 out of 5. One or two questionable calls.
(4)Pittsburgh Penguins vs (5)Philadelphia Flyers
My Prediction: Penguins in 6
Result: Penguins in 6
The Pittsburgh Penguins came into this series having clinched home ice on the last day of the season and took advantage of it right away. The Pens were better everywhere and beat the Flyers and not allowing the Flyers to play their game.
MVP of Series: Evgeny Malkin (C) PIT
Had nine points in the series and looked to dominate at times
Play of Series: Pick one of Fluery's many leg stretch saves.
Officiating: 2 out of 5
The officiating seemed a little bias at times but mostly for the home teams.
Conference Semi Finals
Western Conference
(2) Detroit Red Wings vs (8)Anaheim Ducks
My Prediction: Wings in 6
The Wings are coming off a sweep of the Colombus Blue Jackets and the Ducks just finished off the President's Trophy winner's, San Jose Sharks in 6 games. The Sharks are nothing like the Blue Jackets as most of the Ducks have been to the promise land. However the Ducks lack of depth will cost them in this series although they will give a better fight than the Blue Jackets.
(3)Vancouver Canucks vs (4)Chicago Blackhawks
My Prediction: Canucks in 6
The Canucks are coming off what could be considered a hard fought sweep (If there is such a thing) of the St. Louis Blues and are going against a team that had bias officiating going for them in the first round. The Hawks were helped by severely poor officiating and capitalized on it. The difference is this round is that they are facing a goalie that has only giving up goals that seem impossible to stop. If the Canucks show no rust this series could be quicker than that.
Note: I am NOT a Calgary Flames fan, I dislike everything about Calgary from my visits to the city. For further inquiries, leave a message.
Eastern Conference
(1)Boston Bruins vs (6)Carolina Hurricanes
My Prediction: Bruins in 5
This is a series I expect that Zdeno Chara will dominate as he will lead his team to the Eastern Conference Finals.
(2)Washington Capitals vs (4)Pittsburgh Penguins
My Prediction: Penguins in 7
Get your recorders ready for this series as this will have the three biggest young players in the NHL as it has Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeny Malkin. This will be a highly offensive series and don't expect any shutouts in this series.
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