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Colorado Avalanche Blogger •
Since the Avs are (regrettably) getting ready to draft Matt Duchene, here are my playoff picks:
1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8 Anaheim Ducks
This is going to be a very entertaining series. Both teams have a perfect playoff mixture of size and skill. It'll be hard-hitting fast-paced high-intensity series that'll add a few names to the injury lists of both teams and leave enough bruises to go around. However, due to the fact that San Jose has five players (Lemieux, Boyle, Blake, Huskins and Moen) and a lot of the Ducks roster has won the cup as well (9 I think?) it'll be a very interesting series to watch. However, I think San Jose's defensive corps will win out.
Sharks in 7
2. Detroit Red Wings vs. 7. Columbus Blue Jackets.
This is a series that will come down to one thing: goaltending. Will either goalie for Detroit play the way they played last year? Or will Steve Mason be yet another example of a rookie goalie shining in the playoffs? In order for the Wings to win, they must push the attack with their forwards and force turnovers. If the Jackets are to win, they'll have to play above and beyond themselves. They have some offensive depth but their main game is strong defense. However, I think the Red Wings' offense will be too much
Red Wings in 6
3. Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues
Except for the Philadelphia/Pittsburgh series, this is the series I am hell-bent on watching. This is a matchup of the two hottest teams since the All-Star Break. Vancouver comes in riding Mats Sundin, the Sedin twins and the rest of the cast that GM Mike Gillis has assembled. St. Louis is riding a youth movement into the playoffs. While they lost Erik Johnson and Paul Kariya, the Blues have had tremendous performances from T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Brad Boyes. I think that the Blues will be hard for the Canucks to control and that, over the course of the series, will wear down the Vancouver defense.
Blues in 6
4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames
Maybe the remedy to both team's troubles is each other. This is a matchup of two of the most potent teams that are struggling. Chicago and Calgary both kind of backed into the playoffs. Whichever team decides to wake up will win this series. However, I pick the Blackhawks because of their young defensemen.
Blackhawks in 7
Now for the East! A bracket filled with dream matchups
1. Boston Bruins vs. 8. Montreal Canadiens
An Original 6 matchup that has people all over the hockey world salivating, including me. Both teams have a lot of skill and a lot of grit. Boston has probably been the most consistent (or at least consistently good) team in the NHL this year and have a great set of forwards. Montreal has a good overall team that's been cursed by the injury bug. They also have the most pressure what with it being their 100th year. It'll be a close series but I take the Bruins
Bruins in 7
2. Washington Capitals vs. 7. New York Rangers
This'll be the easiest series of the eight, I think. Washington has the great offensive talent, starting with Alex Ovechkin. I think Ovie will pick the team up and carry them to the next round. The only reason I'm cautious to pick the Caps is Theodore. If Avery starts doing his usual tricks, I'm not sure Theodore can keep his cool. If he loses his mental edge and focus, New York could upset but I still don't see it.
Capitals in 4
3. New Jersey Devils vs. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
The Devils have their work cut out for them. The Hurricanes' trade deadline moves have awaken the Hurricanes offense the was hibernating since 2006. Eric Staal is finally playing like Eric Staal again and Cam Ward is stopping the puck consistently. The Devils have a little offensive punch but not enough, I'm afraid to counter the 'Canes. Unless Martin Brodeur, stands on his head for 4 games, I don't see the Devils winning this series.
Hurricanes in 7
4.Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers
This matchup has me giddy at the thought of it. Both of these teams gave each other a hell of series in the Conference Finals last year. I say, without hesitation, I would leave my own wedding ceremony to watch this series. Both teams are almost carbon copies of the others. Both have a mix of veteran and young guys but are mainly driven by young guys. The only thing that I can safely predict with this series? By the end of it, neither team will be in any shape to win the cup.
Flyers in 7
1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8 Anaheim Ducks
This is going to be a very entertaining series. Both teams have a perfect playoff mixture of size and skill. It'll be hard-hitting fast-paced high-intensity series that'll add a few names to the injury lists of both teams and leave enough bruises to go around. However, due to the fact that San Jose has five players (Lemieux, Boyle, Blake, Huskins and Moen) and a lot of the Ducks roster has won the cup as well (9 I think?) it'll be a very interesting series to watch. However, I think San Jose's defensive corps will win out.
Sharks in 7
2. Detroit Red Wings vs. 7. Columbus Blue Jackets.
This is a series that will come down to one thing: goaltending. Will either goalie for Detroit play the way they played last year? Or will Steve Mason be yet another example of a rookie goalie shining in the playoffs? In order for the Wings to win, they must push the attack with their forwards and force turnovers. If the Jackets are to win, they'll have to play above and beyond themselves. They have some offensive depth but their main game is strong defense. However, I think the Red Wings' offense will be too much
Red Wings in 6
3. Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues
Except for the Philadelphia/Pittsburgh series, this is the series I am hell-bent on watching. This is a matchup of the two hottest teams since the All-Star Break. Vancouver comes in riding Mats Sundin, the Sedin twins and the rest of the cast that GM Mike Gillis has assembled. St. Louis is riding a youth movement into the playoffs. While they lost Erik Johnson and Paul Kariya, the Blues have had tremendous performances from T.J. Oshie, Patrik Berglund and Brad Boyes. I think that the Blues will be hard for the Canucks to control and that, over the course of the series, will wear down the Vancouver defense.
Blues in 6
4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames
Maybe the remedy to both team's troubles is each other. This is a matchup of two of the most potent teams that are struggling. Chicago and Calgary both kind of backed into the playoffs. Whichever team decides to wake up will win this series. However, I pick the Blackhawks because of their young defensemen.
Blackhawks in 7
Now for the East! A bracket filled with dream matchups
1. Boston Bruins vs. 8. Montreal Canadiens
An Original 6 matchup that has people all over the hockey world salivating, including me. Both teams have a lot of skill and a lot of grit. Boston has probably been the most consistent (or at least consistently good) team in the NHL this year and have a great set of forwards. Montreal has a good overall team that's been cursed by the injury bug. They also have the most pressure what with it being their 100th year. It'll be a close series but I take the Bruins
Bruins in 7
2. Washington Capitals vs. 7. New York Rangers
This'll be the easiest series of the eight, I think. Washington has the great offensive talent, starting with Alex Ovechkin. I think Ovie will pick the team up and carry them to the next round. The only reason I'm cautious to pick the Caps is Theodore. If Avery starts doing his usual tricks, I'm not sure Theodore can keep his cool. If he loses his mental edge and focus, New York could upset but I still don't see it.
Capitals in 4
3. New Jersey Devils vs. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
The Devils have their work cut out for them. The Hurricanes' trade deadline moves have awaken the Hurricanes offense the was hibernating since 2006. Eric Staal is finally playing like Eric Staal again and Cam Ward is stopping the puck consistently. The Devils have a little offensive punch but not enough, I'm afraid to counter the 'Canes. Unless Martin Brodeur, stands on his head for 4 games, I don't see the Devils winning this series.
Hurricanes in 7
4.Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers
This matchup has me giddy at the thought of it. Both of these teams gave each other a hell of series in the Conference Finals last year. I say, without hesitation, I would leave my own wedding ceremony to watch this series. Both teams are almost carbon copies of the others. Both have a mix of veteran and young guys but are mainly driven by young guys. The only thing that I can safely predict with this series? By the end of it, neither team will be in any shape to win the cup.
Flyers in 7
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