The countdown is on, only two more sleeps till playoffs. I will be breaking down the matchups and peering into my rather murky crystal ball and predict the winners. Today we will do the East, tomorrow the West and Wednesday I will go into detail on the Preds/Stars series.
(1) Tampa Bay vs (WC2) Columbus – I have heard quite a few pundits call this a nightmare matchup for Tampa Bay… really??? No… not really. Tampa Bay is universally picked by the NHL.com writers and I frankly don’t see this series as one that makes challenges the Bolts. Columbus went all in at the trade deadline and managed to slide in to the second wild card. The rumors are swirling about their free agents at the end of the season… and those things may be a positive for John Tortorella. Torts loves the underdog role and will play it to the hilt. It won’t make a difference… The Jackets may win one… but I don’t see it going past five. My call? Tampa Bay in five.
(2) Boston vs. (3) Toronto – One of the most intriguing series of the first round in a round full of them. The whining about having this series in the first round has already began… but these teams had control of avoiding each other by simply winning their division… oh yeah… neither one could do that. Now that got that out of the way… this is going to be a fun series. Two teams that have no love lost for each other, both with proud histories. I look at this as the worst possible matchup for Toronto. Boston has one of the best lines in the NHL and is one of the best defensive teams in hockey. The Leafs have been up and down, but they have a coach that has been there. This is going to be a good series, my call??? Boston takes it in six.
(1) Washington vs. (WC1) Carolina – Every playoff season, a darling emerges… and that darling could quite possibly be the Carolina Hurricanes. Carolina has changed the culture in their room and frankly, in the market. Caniacs have always been ahead of the team on the ice and now the team has caught up. They have embraced the unique nature of the market and are having fun with the criticism of it.All that being said… Washington is the defending champ and will not go down easy… My call??? Washington in five.
(2) NY Islanders vs (3) Pittsburgh – The last two Stanley Cup winning coaches going head-to-head as playoff hockey returns to the Island. This will be a fun one. Pittsburgh’s Cup window is closing, but this is still a dangerous team… the Islanders have embraced their return home and have certainly embraced the influence and systems of Barry Trotz. The Penguins always elevate their game in the playoffs and I would be silly to pick against them… and that is exactly what I am doing… my call??? Islanders in six.
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The Predators took a well-deserved day off yesterday and they resume practice today at Centennial Sportsplex… it is scheduled for 11am and is open to the public.
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The
Playoff Status section
The Eastern Conference
(1) Tampa Bay vs (WC2) Columbus – Game 1, Wednesday
(2) Boston vs. (3) Toronto – Game 1, Thursday
(1) Washington vs. (WC1) Carolina – Game 1, Thursday
(2) NY Islanders vs (3) Pittsburgh – Game 1 - Wednesday
The Western Conference
(1) Calgary vs (WC2) Colorado – Game 1 - Thursday
(2) San Jose vs (3) Vegas – Game 1 - Wednesday
(1) Nashville vs. (WC1) Dallas – Game 1 - Wednesday
(2) Winnipeg vs. (3) St. Louis – Game 1 - Wednesday
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update –An 8 game win streak has done wonders for the Admirals playoff prospects, they are currently safely ensconced in third place in the AHL Central. The Ad’s play Rockford on Tuesday night.
- Recall – After three games in Milwaukee, Zac Rinaldo has been recalled.
- Coaching Shuffle – After three coaches bit the dust yesterday, decisions are being made in other markets… like Minnesota Wild may be making a move.
- Q in Florida? – Joel Quinneville is rumored to be the new head coach in Florida after Bob Boughner was fired yesterday.
- LA LA – Rumors also have former Oiler head coach Todd McLellan going to the Kings.
- Retiring – Longtime NHL linesman Tim Nowak has retired after calling 1844 NHL games. Tim’s a good linesman and an even better man… the game will misshim.
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