With the NHL playoffs set to begin in just a couple of days, it's time for my playoff predictions.
Picking winning teams isn't a perfect science, but I enjoy doing posting my picks, and it's always fun to see the results at the end. I will be keeping track of my record throughout the entire playoffs.
Round 1 picks:
Detroit Red Wings (WC2) at Boston Bruins
Prediction: Red Wings in 7
Boston is one of the best teams in hockey, and they have no real weakness, but I have to go with my gut and pick the Red Wings in this series. I think Mike Babcock's the best coach in hockey, and he's done an excellent job getting everything he could have out of their kids. Pavel Datsyuk is back, Henrik Zetterberg may be back, and as a whole the team is getting hot at the right time. I think the Red Wings youth and team speed may cause Boston some problems, and their veterans like Niklas Kronwall, Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, etc. come to play in the post-season. It's also worth nothing the Red Wings won three of four games against the Bruins this year.
X-Factor: Red Wings goaltending. We all know Tuukka Rask is one of the best goaltenders in the league, and if the Bruins fall it likely won't be on his account. The question is: will Jimmy Howard be able to get the job done? He has a habit of following up a good regular season with a strong playoff performance.
Columbus Blue Jackets (WC1) at Pittsburgh Penguins
Prediction: Penguins in 7
I love what the Blue Jackets have done this season, and they deserve a ton of credit, but I'm going to have to side with Pittsburgh in this series. For the first time all season they're essentially fully healthy and I think that'll be the difference. I don't have any faith in Marc-Andre Fleury, but I think Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and co. will be able to carry the load and give him enough goal support to work with to win four games. The Blue Jackets also skate Jack Johnson out for a regular shift and I think that'll burn them when he's out against top competition.
X-Factor: Fleury. If he loses confidence and starts allowing weak goals consistently like he has over the last few years in the playoffs, Pittsburgh's in trouble.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers Prediction: Rangers in 6
I love Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and some of the forwards the Flyers have, but I'm not sold on their defense. I also worry about Steve Mason, because if he struggles at all I don't think Ray Emery is the kind of guy who will come in, right the ship and win Philadelphia the series. The Rangers have a better goaltender, a better blue line and are one of the top possession teams in the Eastern Conference. I think they get it done.
X-Factor: Sean Couturier. If he can not only shutdown the Rangers' top offensive players, but contribute offensively as well, that could very well be the difference.
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction: Lightning in 7
Tampa Bay is a very young, inexperienced team. That said, they're very well coached and they have arguably the best goal scorer in hockey in Steven Stamkos. Not having Ben Bishop to start the series is a hit, but I think the Lightning are good enough that they'll be able to survive and keep it close until he returns to the lineup. If the young kids produce anywhere close to what they did during the regular season, I think the Lightning will be just fine.
X-Factor: Goaltending. The Canadiens probably had the advantage in goal to begin with, but Carey Price vs Anders Lindback is a huge mismatch. If Lindback struggles, the Lightning are in trouble because their alternative, Kristers Gudlevskis, has played one NHL game.
Agree or disagree with my picks? Feel free to post your thoughts and leave your picks in the comment section.
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Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com