Wow, so many closely matched teams, and so many different strengths with so many different weaknesses.
Records and stats being what they are, the simple truth is...a club only has to play slightly better than .500 hockey to win its series.
Playoff hockey is, more often than not, determined by mistakes...and the so-called 'lucky bounces' that fans argue about for years afterward.
The psychological factor, which teams can shrug off in the regular season as they rarely meet their foe in successive games, becomes a central element.
Home ice. The crowd is often the 'seventh player'.
Injuries. Who can battle through the accumulation of bumps, bruises and other more serious ailments?
Unsung heroes...who emerges?
Sudden Death Overtime. There's only one, sudden, winner. If you saw last year's multi-period marathons--some lasting an entire extra game--you know how unpredictable those are.
And then there's the dreaded 'momentum'...
I've watched every one of these teams play, and play each other. The level of talent they all have, is nothing short of amazing, and they all deserve to be where they are. Even more so than last year, I expect every single game will be a titanic struggle, with lots of close contests, OT...and even some blowouts.
Tough, tough choices...but here's my stab at it...
EASTBoston in 7. The Bruins are the Beasts of the East. Can they control their emotions against the perpetual nemesis in BleuBlancRouge? There's always a score to settle between these two. The result should be obvious on paper, but there's blood on the ice, and in the ice, and that changes the dynamic. Ex-Hab Claude Julien is one of the best coaches there is, but his former boss Bob Gainey keeps a few trick cards--like AK27--up his sleeve: one of them is called 'the trap'. The goaltending will most likely be the difference. All out war, with last man standing.
Rangers in 7. The Capitals are locked and loaded with Big O N Da Krew front, but beyond Mike Green, who are the rocks on D? And which Jose Theodore shows up? The Avery Factor is Johnny Torts' trump card. JT also has a Cup ring...and the anti-Ovie in Marc Staal. If Henny Lundqvist plays like The King and steals a match or two--which he can do--the Rangers will frustrate the Caps. Washington has outscored its foes on its way to an excellent record this season, but in the playoffs, you only need to win each game by one. UPSET.
Carolina in 6. The dirty secret: is Marty Brodeur fully recovered from his surgery? The Devils have one of the strongest team defenses in the East, but somehow their game has come undone in the stretch. The Hurricanes still remember how no one gave them any respect on their way to the Stanley Cup--by the way, more recently than Jersey. The Devs have Zach Parise, but the Canes have Eric and Erik. New Jersey has its pedigree, but Rod the Bod still has 'it'. Cup winner Cam Ward looks better than ever. UPSET.
Penguins in 7. Philly coach John Stevens said it: home ice will determine this series. The Flyers had a chance to grab the edge Sunday, and--with all their talent, and even Jeff Carter's 46th--blew it. And Marty Biron? Dunno. Defense? Not sure. The Pens have gone all the way to the last dance before, and the Pingu Posse is on The March again. Sid is determined to break the Curse of the Finalists. Geno is better than he was last year. Marky Flower has the power. Kunitz and Guerin can get it done. The Battle of Pennsylvania will be worthy of its name.
WESTSharks in 7. Call this 'The Freeway Series'. It's a hop from San Jose to Anaheim and back, so travel isn't a factor, and both of these teams match up
mano a mano in so many ways. They are as mean as they are talented. The Sharks are as good as their record. The Ducks have re-emerged as the fast, physical force they were when they won the silverware. Randy Carlyle Vs Todd McLellan is a terrific coaching duel. This will be a brutal and beautiful contest. San Jose's depth--and Evgeni Nabokov--may just be enough to make the difference.
Blue Jackets in 7. Babs Versus Hitch. Ozzy Vs Stevie Wonderkid. Rick Nash Vs Big Red. The No Name D Vs The Norris Winner & Company. On paper, and on the ice, the Red Wings have every reason to repeat as World Champions. But somehow this year, there's been something missing; that said, no team can raise their game at the right time like the Wings. But the Blue Jackets, like the 2006 Oilers, can neutralize Detroit's offense. They are smart, physical, and don't care how many rings the Wings have. And their plumbers are good as Detroit's. UPSET.
St Louis in 6. Andy Murray and his boys have come back from the dead. Dead last to sixth place since mid-February, and no team except the Wings equals their record during that time. The Blues can match everything Vancouver has. The 'other' Mason has been a monster, and TJ Oshie is the Lucic of the West, with more skill. The Canucks fate rests on the play of Captain Bobby Lu. If the Blues solve him--and they've already shown they can--the Van Clan takes the fall. UPSET.
Chicago in 6. Here Come The Hawks. 'They' say they're too young. 'They' ask questions about their Stanley Cup winning goaltender. 'They' bla,bla, bla. The Blackhawks have no illusions--especially their vets and Cup winners. A team that puts TEAM first, they're putting it together at the right time: attack and defense are in sync. And they fight. The proud Flames have Jarome Iginla, Mikka Kiprusoff, and an impressive, experienced cast: the Hawks have beaten them, but take nothing for granted. Mike Keenan knows the Hawks. He coached them once.
GREAT hockey ahead...
:D: :D: :D: :D: :D:
Home
Publications
big time.
