So, now we know. It’s Predators vs. Ducks… round three, with a berth in the Stanley Cup Final on the line. The Ducks broke their Game Seven Curse last night, finally winning one on home ice after dropping four consecutive game sevens at Honda Center. Now that the opponents are known, the Conference Final schedule has been released…
Games one and two are in Anaheim – Friday/Sunday, games three and four are at Bridgestone Arena on Tues/Thurs… the “if necessary… games are, game five in Anaheim on Saturday 5/20, game Six in Nashville on Monday 5/22 and game seven in Anaheim on Wed 5/24. The start times are fairly reasonable as well… the latest ones being games one and seven, both have an 8pm CDT start time. Nashville home games are at the normal start time of 7pm.
In the East, Pittsburgh broke the hearts of Capitals fans again, taking game seven at the Verizon Center and knocking out the Caps for the ninth time in the ten playoff series between the two clubs. Capitals fans must see Penguins in their nightmares. I have no idea what is going to happen in the off season with Washington, but it will be interesting to watch.
The Penguins take on the not-so-surprising Ottawa Senators, who now carry the mantle of Canada’s last hope for a Cup. Games one and two are in Pittsburgh on Saturday and Monday. The series moves to Canada’s capital for games three and four on Wed/Fri. The “if necessary… games are, game five in Pittsburgh n Sun 5/21, game six in Ottawa on Tue 5/23 and game seven in Pittsburgh on Thu 5/25.
I will have my complete preview tomorrow… but for now, let’s review how I did in my second round predictions.
WSH/PIT – My call? Caps in five. Wrong on both team and games - I predicted Capitals in five… I thought the Pens injuries would catch up with them (still do) and that they would finally exorcise the demon. Pittsburgh has the heart of a champion and just found a way to win. OTT/NYR – My call? Sens in seven. WooHoo - I’ve been calling Ottawa the dark horse in these playoffs since mid-April, riding Erik Karlsson’s outstanding play and getting great netminding from Craig Anderson. They have taken down two O6 teams and now look to dethrone the champs. ANA/EDM – My call? Oilers in six. Wrong… I thought that Edmonton’s versatility and youth would carry them or another round but they simply weren’t able to handle the Ducks big guns and big bodies. STL/NSH – My call? Preds in six. Yahtzee!!! I expected the Preds to continue to roll four lines, but I didn’t see the impact that players like Cody McLeod and Vern Fiddler would have. You may see the more physical bang and crashers in the upcoming series as well.
So… after going 5-3 in round one, I dropped to .500 in round two for an overall record of 7-5 so far.
The Predators will practice today at Bridgestone Arena, then head out for the West Coast to get the WCF going tomorrow night.
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Last night’s SlapShot Radio… -------------------------------------
Round Two Results/b>
Eastern Conference
NYR vs OTT – OTT wins 4-2
WSH vs PIT – PIT wins 4-3
Western Conference
STL vs. NSH – NSH wins 4-2
ANA vs. EDM – ANA wins 4-3
Conference Finals
PIT vs. OTT – Series begins Saturday in Pittsburgh
ANA vs. NSH – Series begins tomorrow in Anaheim.
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Playoff Random Notes
- I am wondering if any of the final four teams feel like winning the cup this season will be devalued because the Caps and Pens played in the second round of the playoffs… {snicker}
- The Predators record against Anaheim in the regular season was 1-1-1… the Pres won their only game at Bridgestone Arena, the Ducks won both in Anaheim, one of them in a shootout.
- I am wondering how much Anaheim will play the revenge card? They rode that well to a game seven win at home… do they have another dragon slaying in them?
- The jackals are falling all over themselves to slag Alex Ovechkin again… last time I checked… it was a team game. I have no problem with criticism, but this feels like there is way too much glee being taken in it...
- The NHL is dark tonight.
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