Time to wade in to my fearless forecasts for the upcoming playoffs. Let’s look at the East first…
Montreal / Ottawa – This one starts tomorrow night at Bell Centre. I’m sure if the Senators did the schedule we would already be on game two… You have to wonder if this is where the bell starts tolling midnight for Cinderella. I’m saying yes… Habs in 5. Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com…
Tampa Bay / Detroit – Amalie Arena will be rocking, the Lightning are a stacked team that should go through the Red Wings like a hot knife through butter, but this is Detroit we are talking about. The Wings will not go quietly… they have veteran leadership and a “been there done that… attitude. The start to this series is key. My call? Tampa in six. Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com…
Washington / New York Islanders – This has all the potential to be epic, two solid offensive teams, Tavares vs. Ovechkin, the end of an era with a storied franchise and old hockey barn trying to wake up the echoes one more time. Defense is the x-factor in this series, both teams have improved as the season has gone on… I’m calling Washington in seven. Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com… .
New York Rangers / Pittsburgh – The Penguins have plenty of time to get their house in order as this series gets going Thursday… I don’t think it is going to help. The Rangers have it all together right now and are the most complete and most dangerous team in the East. Rangers in four. Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com…
Now, let’s head over to the West…
St. Louis / Minnesota – Heckuva reward for winning their division, the Blues go up against the scorching hot Minnesota Wild. A team on an incredible roll with an unlikely hero between the pipes and the best PK in the league. The Blues are showing signs of year four under Ken Hitchcock, but have gotten healthy at the right time… it’s not going to matter. Minnesota in six (if that many) Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com…
Anaheim / Winnipeg – Playoff hockey returns to Winnipeg, with a different franchise, but it is back… the Jets have very little playoff experience, only four games and this franchise has yet to win a playoff game, but the MTS Centre will be rocking. Anaheim is experienced but has real questions in goal… the Ducks should win this one, but it won’t be easy, Ducks in five close games Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com…
Vancouver / Calgary – Alberta vs. BC… two Canadian teams who’s fanbases don’t have a lot of love lost between. The Canucks have a lot of playoff experience but Calgary is playing with house money, they are ahead of their plan and have nothing to lose, which makes the Flames a very dangerous teams. The analytics favor the Flames and so do I… Calgary in six.
Here are some key analytics for the series from nhl.com…
I’ll break down the Preds and Blackhawks tomorrow
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Random Notes
- Join us for SlapShot Radio tonight, same time, special night, different spot on the dial! We will welcome Puck Daddy’s Josh Cooper, Chicago radio play-by-play man John Wiedeman and we will chat with Columbus radio play-by-play man Bob McElligott to help us break down the East… It’s the SlapShot Radio Playoff Preview show tonight at 7 on 94.9 Game 2… We couldn’t clear the network tonight due to other broadcast commitments so I invite our Alabama and Kentucky listeners to listen online at thegamenashville.com
- The healing powers of the playoffs… Patrick Kane was cleared to play yesterday. It’s a miracle!!!!
- The recall of Kevin Fiala raises some interesting discussion… is someone not going to be able to make game one, Fisher is listed as day-to-day and only participated in a portion of practice yesterday… Is Laviolette wanting to juice up the offense?
- Fiala did get some reps on the top line, splitting them with Craig Smith.
- Cody Franson is still listed as day-to day as well and he did not practice yesterday. Viktor Bartley and Joe Piskula were the 4th D pair, with Jones and Volchenkov, Ekholm and Ellis, Weber and Josi as the other three pairs.
- Speaking of Montreal… the Max Pacioretty injury is a big issue, but as long as the Habs have Carey Price… they will be OK.
- Wow… last one fired in Toronto please turn out the lights… Brendan Shanahan’s quote from his media availability yesterday should scare the pants off everyone in the Leafs organization… “yesterday was just the beginning.…
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