Playoff Predictions: season 2

[angryjay93]

Due to popular demand, my picks have made their return. Last season i managed to get 3 out of the 4 teams correct for the conference finals but missed both of the stanley cup finalists and the cup winner. Heres to some better luck this year.

Lets start off in the West:

#1 Chicago vs. #8 Calgary

Lets just go over Roenicks dominance this season; 251 goals for Roenick compared to 234 goals for the entire Calgary team. Roenick outscored every team in the NHL by himself outside of just 4 teams, 52% shooting percentage, a 300 point season, only 28 penalty minutes, bone crushing checks, and faceoff dominance. Throw in Cliff Ronning, Robert Riechel and the playmaking Vladimir Konstantinov and Chicago possess the most dominant offensive attack in the league. Calgary may have the fourth leading scorer in the league with Mats Sundin, but the Flames up and down ways wont be enough to take down the juggernaut they face in the first round.

Hawks in 4

#2 St. Louis vs. #7 Vancouver

This matchup could be the sleeper in the west, while St. Louis focuses on tight d, Pavel Bure's slick skating ways may be able to carry the nucks to an upset. Bure has been problematic for defenses all season as he piled up 191 points. The big problem for Vancouver though will be finding that secondary offense while containing the dynamic duo of Sergei Fedorov and Mike Modano, a tough task indeed.

Blues in 7

#3 Detroit vs. #6 Florida

Florida is this years version of the San Jose Sharks from last season because they hold three players who are all legitimate threats up front and have a nearly even production. They will be up against on of the most defensive minded teams in the league in the Detroit Red Wings. This is going ot be a drag it out series of low scoring affairs will every goal will be huge. If Mogilny gets rolling for Florida this series ends quickly, if not, Detroit will carry the tempo with the likes of Nelson Emerson and Steve Yzerman and the always lurking Pierre Turgeon.

Wings in 6

#4/5 Los Angeles vs #4/5 Toronto

Dmitri Khristich and Geoff Courtnall have created a nice duo for the Leafs, but their lack of a third forward and true attacking defender really limit their offensive options against a stingy l.a. team. On the other hand though the Kings only have one 100 point scorer in Luc Robatille. Jimmy Carson's production isnt quite at the level it was last season and he will be needed dearly in this series. While the offensive edge goes to Toronto, the defensive edge goes for L.A. Which ever goalie between Tommy Soderstrom and Grant Fuhr plays better will carry their team to the next round.

Kings in 7

Western Semis:

#1 Chicago vs. #4/5 Los Angeles

There is only one way L.A. can win this series, avoid the run and gun style to try and keep up with Roenick. If Roenick is allowed to score in this series at an alarming rate, he will be end this series in faster than 4 games because he is that good. If Zarley Zalapski and Calle Johannson can find ways to keep Roenick away from the net, there is a small chance that L.A. can make the case to beat Chicago, but this team just isnt built to stop the Chicago Roenicks.

Hawks in 5

#2 St.Louis vs. #3 Detroit

This will be a series of bad blood as it is well known both teams have a strong dislike for each other and it will come out in a hard checking, low scoring affair. Dont expect anything pretty here, its gonna be ugly and someone may not come out alive.

Wings in 7

Western Finals:

#1 Chicago vs. #3 Detroit

Have i mentioned that guy Roenick yet? If i havent, hes a pretty good player and there is no reason why he wont be able to have his way against the likes of Pierre Turgeon, Steve Yzerman, Cam Russell, and Mike Vernon. Dont expect Detroit to roll over as their sole goal will be to stop Roenick, but will there be enough offense even if they succeed? i doubt it.

Hawks in 5

Eastern Quarters:

#1 Buffalo vs #8 Ottawa

The popular pick here may be to say Buffalo in a sweep, but its a lot more complicated than that. Ottawa beat Buffalo once and played 2 other overtime games this season to give the Sabres a tough run the entire series. If the Sabres can stop Peter Bondra they are in good shape as the secondary scoring is not as dangerous as other teams in the playoffs. On the other hand though if the Senators can limit goal scoring whiz Tomas Sandstrom, then the Sabres secondary scoring isnt all that impressive either. Watch for the x-factor in Terry Yake, if Yake scores, this series ends quick, if not, this is gonna be on ugly series.

Sabres in 6

#2 NYR vs. #7 Boston

What do i say about this, Rangers won in 5. Ill give my view still...Arturs Irbe, nuff said.

#3 Montreal vs. #6 Hartford

Montreal is probably the team most under the radar this season by having a 90 point season yet only getting a 3 seed in the east. Expect them to come out blazing with the likes of Denis Savard, Stephan Lebeau, and Brendan Shanhan clicking on all cylinders. The no name offensive attack for the pop gun Whalers will not be able to crack Roy anywhere near enough times to worry the Habs.

Habs in 4

#4/5 NYI vs. #4/5 New Jersey

After a slow start the Devils led by Doug Gilmour have been on a late season rampage while the Islanders seem to be just treading water. The Islanders desperately need Teemu Selanne to get going in this series or they could be stifled all series by a sound defensive Devils team. The same goes for the Devils as Gilmour must be the man driving the bus, if he's stopped the offense falls onto the shoulders of Chris Kontos and thats not a reciepe for winning. Expect Gilmour to score at an impressive click, he is skating hard and dominated the league during the last few weeks.

Devils in 5

Eastern Semis:

#1 Buffalo vs. #4/5 New Jersey

Who can stop the super star in this series? Both teams rely heavily on one player and who ever can stop that player will win the series, the Sabres do support the better surrounding cast and may be able to work through a tough series. Dont understimate the Devils defense though as they have been known to lock down the Sabres from time to time, this will be one epic series.

Sabres in 7

#2 NYR vs. #3 Montreal

Is Alexei Zhamnov and Pat Lafontaine really enough to break through Patrick Roy? They are great playmakers but they lack the true sniper needed to be a consistent threat throughout the series. The Rangers will need to stay tight defensively and contain the choieseve unit that is the Canadiens if they hope to have any chance of taking this series.

Habs in 6

Eastern Finals:

#1 Buffalo vs. #3 Montreal

This is the matchup Montreal has wanted all season, to take down their division rival. The Habs took 3 games out of 4 in the season series, but very easily could have lost 3 as well as they were tightly contested. Can Yake step up and be the man, if Yake scores it makes thigns a whole lot tougher for the Habs to defend the Sabres. Yake is the best kept secret in the league, but he may not be enough to carry the Sabres over the hump. If the Canadiens are allowed to skate into the offensive zone with speed they will have their way with a somtimes lazy Sabres d, but if Don Sweeney can step up as well and limit the premium shots allowed, the Sabres can find their way into the cup finals.

Sabres in 7

Finals:

#1 Buffalo vs. #1 Chicago

Sandstrom vs. Roenick, what else needs to be said? Whoever wins that battle wins the cup simple as that.

Roenick...err i mean Hawks in 7

The eastern conference was really tough for me to get a read on, i think very easily new jersey or montreal could be just as easily in the finals as the Sabres. But last season i eliminated myself in the first round and made it to the finals, so this time i around i gave myself the benefit of a doubt, if you dont like it then do something about it!

Good luck to all

[IAmFleury'sHipCheck]

I do enjoy those predictions, and not just b/c you had me going the distance. Well thought out and a fun read. Just the break I needed from work.

Best of luck in the playoffs.

[Logan]

I MUST steal one game from Chicago!

[IAmFleury'sHipCheck]

I MUST steal one game from Chicago!

Logan, you're skills have ramped up dramatically this season. You're going to be tough to beat outright, much less sweep.

[Logan]

Thanks EA, but i've been slowing down lately. I'm getting practice in, but you're still going to be a juggenaught. I'm setting the bar low so if I do pull an upset the momemtum and confidence boost by it will be 10x higher .

[IAmFleury'sHipCheck]

Don't feel like you're along on slowing down, I think everyone is scrapping just to finish their last couple games. Everyone is going to need some practice before these playoffs start just to get in the groove again.

[Carse]

haha me taking 14 games to lose in round 2 is a joke.. let alone losing to the not so great one. butttt i guess a kid can have his dreams

good post tho enjoyed reading your predictions