My Picks...
Ok, it's time to get down to it...
Washington vs. Toronto I heard someone today say that this was the one series that wouldn't be close...if we have learned nothing from the NHL playoffs the second someone says "This series won't be close," it's always close. The Leafs actually do match up better than most against the Caps. These Caps have great defense and goaltending and in my experience the only way to beat great goalies in the playoffs is by highly skilled players... All that said, it doesn't feel like the Leafs can really knock the Caps off....but I wouldn't be shocked at all if the Leafs took game 1. Pick: Caps in 7
Pittsburgh vs. Columbus The biggest difference between these Penguins and last year's Penguins is these Penguins aren't heading into the playoffs with what feels like unstoppable momentum...The Jackets are the youngest team in hockey and they are playing one of the most experienced teams in all of hockey... Pick: Penguins in 6
Montreal vs. NY Rangers This is not a great matchup for the Rangers, and Claude Julien really has the Habs playing much more controlled hockey. This is a legit goalie battle...this will go down to the wire... Pick: Habs in 7
Ottawa vs. Boston People will always count out the Sens...and the Bruins are interesting because they have the best PK in the NHL to go along with some serious experience...But counting out Ottawa...feels scary... Pick: Sens in 7
Chicago vs. Nashville Of all the teams in the West, Nashville may play these Hawks closer than any other...This will be a battle of goalies and if Nashville can get inside Crawford's head?...These Hawks just feel crazy solid. Pick: Hawks in 6
Minnesota vs. St Louis The Wild have tumbled down the stretch, but I still believe they have another gear that we saw earlier this season...The Blues could surprise as well...This is the closest series in my opinion... Pick: Wild in 7
Anaheim vs. Calgary This pick makes zero sense...Everyone knows the Ducks have owned the Flames...I just feel like these Flames could take one early and then ride a wave... Pick: Flames in 6
Edmonton vs San Jose The Oilers haven't 1/10th the playoffs experience of these Sharks, plus the Sharks players are playing against their former coach...Edmonton will be tough for years to come, but this may be their year to learn how to play in the playoffs. Pick: San Jose in 7
Picking the teams based on Goalies and Special Teams...
Here's an experiment...I have always believed that the playoffs come down to two major factors...Goaltending and Special Teams...So what i did below was go through the playoffs determining the winners by their rankings in these categories...The numbers you see our their rankings from 1-30 in the NHL in that category..
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Power Play: Chicago: 19 Nashville: 16
Penalty Kill Chicago: 24 Nashville: 15
Total Score: Chicago:18 Nashville: 15.33
Winner: Nashville
Minnesota vs. St Louis Goaltending: Minnesota: 7 St Louis: 12
Power Play: Minnesota: 9 St Louis: 8
Penalty Kill Minnesota: 8 St Louis: 3
Total Score: Minnesota: 8 St Louis: 7.66
Winner: St Louis
Anaheim vs. Calgary Goaltending: Anaheim: 3 Calgary: 14
Power Play: Anaheim: 17 Calgary: 10
Penalty Kill Anaheim: 4 Calgary: 12
Total Score: Anaheim: 8 Calgary: 11.3
Winner: Anaheim
Edmonton vs. San Jose Goaltending: Edmonton: 8 San Jose: 5
Power Play: Edmonton: 5 San Jose: 25
Penalty Kill Edmonton: 17 San Jose: 18
Total Score: Edmonton: 10 San Jose: 16
Winner: Edmonton: 10
Washington vs. Toronto Goaltending: Washington: 1 Toronto: 22
Power Play: Washington: 3 Toronto: 2
Penalty Kill Washington: 7 Toronto: 10
Total Score: Washington: 3.66 Toronto: 11.33
Winner: Washington: 3.66
Montreal vs NY Rangers Goaltending: Montreal: 4 NY Rangers: 13
Power Play: Montreal: 13 NY Rangers: 11
Penalty Kill Montreal: 14 NY Rangers: 19
Total Score: Montreal: 10.33 NY Rangers: 14.33
Winner: Montreal 10.33
Columbus vs. Pittsburgh Goaltending: Columbus: 12 Pittsburgh: 4
Power Play: Columbus: 2 Pittsburgh: 17
Penalty Kill Columbus: 9 Pittsburgh: 20
Total Score: Columbus: 7.66 Pittsburgh: 13.66
Winner: Columbus
Ottawa vs. Boston Goaltending: Ottawa: 10 Boston: 9
Power Play: Ottawa: 23 Boston: 7
Penalty Kill Ottawa: 22 Boston: 1
Total Score: Ottawa: 18.33 Boston: 5.66
Winner: Boston 5.66
Round 2:
Nashville: 15 St Louis: 12 Winner: St louis
Anaheim: 8 Edmonton: 10 Winner: Anaheim
Washington 3.66 Columbus 7.66 Winner: Washington
Montreal 10.33 Boston 5.66 Winner: Boston
Conference Finals St Louis:12 Anaheim: 8 Winner: Anaheim
Washington 3.66 Boston 5.66 Winner: Washington
Cup Final:
Washington 3.66 Anaheim: 8
Winner: Washington