Penguins vs Red Wings round two. I really want to say the Pens will overcome last seasons finals loss and hoist the cup, but I just don't think I can say that. Fact i9s the Red wings are better than last season and I don't know for sure if the Penguins are.
What gives the Wings the edge is overall talent one through twenty on the roster. They are better on the blue line and will run four good lines out. So will the Pens though. I like the way that they have been playing of late which will give them a better chance.
1. Sid and Malkin are playing out of their mind
2. I just feel that experiencing the loss last season in the finals that the Pens are more prepared to take down the Wings this time around.
3. Fluery won't take a tumble taking the ice this time around.
4. Malkin won't disappear this time around.
If there was ever a time to win a series, it's now. The Wings are very beat up, Datsyuk won't play game one and just don't have the depth that the Pens do. Lindstrom is also hurt and if he misses anytime, then advantage Pens.
if the Pens stick to the plan, play up-tempo and attack for 60 minutes, then advantage Pens. They have to stay out of the box and capitalize on Power plays.
With all that, the Wings are the better team. The head says take the Wings again in 6.
BUT the best team doesn't always win and I just keep seeing this situation play out. Game 7 in overtime, a Marian Hossa turnover leads to a Crosby series winner. How sweet would it be for Hossa to be on the ice for the game winning goal (I still have a feeling he will score it though).
I'm not a guy that hates Hossa. I respect his decision to leave Pittsburgh and feel if he left to win a cup, he made the right choice, but it would still be sweet to see.
Time for the prediction. As much as the head says take the Wings in 6, the heart says Marc-Andre Fluery becomes a household name and is the reason the Pens will hoist the Cup, so all the wannabe hockey fans can get off his back for good.
My pick is the Penguins in 7.
Showing posts with label Detroit Red Wings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Detroit Red Wings. Show all posts
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
NHL Conference Finals Preview
Here's looking ahead to the conference finals. I nailed all but the Carolina win last round even though I liked them going in. All four teams remaining are the NHL's first 12 franchises.
Eastern Conference
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs 6. Carolina Hurricanes- This is a very tough one for me to predict. The teams are so similar. Since Feb. 15, only the Canes have had a better record than the Pens. The story line are a plenty as well. Staal vs. Staal, even Bill Cowher, now a Hurricane fan is being talked about.
In net is a spectacular match up. Fluery vs. Ward. First of all, get off Fluery's back. He's the main reason the Pens are playing still today. While Fluery gives the Pens huge saves at huge moments, Cam Ward is the best goaltender in the playoffs right now. Edge to the Canes. Ward has NEVER lost a playoff series. I give the forwards advantage to the Pens. Eric Staal has been amazing for the Canes, but Sidney Crosby is playing like the best player in the world and the Pens just have more talent top to bottom.
Give the Canes the edge on the blue line. Way to many defensive breakdowns for the Guins in the post season. Coaching is a push. Both coaches took over mid season and turned their teams around. the series will be won by the special teams. Huge edge to the Pens. The power play has gotten better and the penalty kill has been very good against two potent power plays in Philadelphia and Washington. The Canes are skilled but just aren't as skilled as the Penguins.
If the Pens play their game, an up tempo one and focus on getting the puck to the net and creating traffic in front of Ward , they should be fine. If not, Cam Ward will win this series. My pick is the Penguins in 6
Western Conference
2. Detroit Red Wings vs 4. Chicago Blackhawks- This could be a very fun series to watch. No team is more fun to watch than the Hawks. They just get after it and play 100mph for 60 minutes. The Hawks can match the Wings tempo and may even set the tempo for the series. The one thing the Hawks won't be able to match is the Wings playoff experience. The Wings in the playoffs are just a different animal to deal with.
Even though both net minders have won the Stanley Cup, Chris Osgood will be the difference. He has been here so many times before. Talk about a guy that never gets the credit he deserves. Osgood is top 10 all time in victories and has hoisted the cup on numerous occasions. The Wings talent and experience will carry them.
My pick is Detroit in 6 and that is very bad news for the Penguins.
Eastern Conference
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs 6. Carolina Hurricanes- This is a very tough one for me to predict. The teams are so similar. Since Feb. 15, only the Canes have had a better record than the Pens. The story line are a plenty as well. Staal vs. Staal, even Bill Cowher, now a Hurricane fan is being talked about.
In net is a spectacular match up. Fluery vs. Ward. First of all, get off Fluery's back. He's the main reason the Pens are playing still today. While Fluery gives the Pens huge saves at huge moments, Cam Ward is the best goaltender in the playoffs right now. Edge to the Canes. Ward has NEVER lost a playoff series. I give the forwards advantage to the Pens. Eric Staal has been amazing for the Canes, but Sidney Crosby is playing like the best player in the world and the Pens just have more talent top to bottom.
Give the Canes the edge on the blue line. Way to many defensive breakdowns for the Guins in the post season. Coaching is a push. Both coaches took over mid season and turned their teams around. the series will be won by the special teams. Huge edge to the Pens. The power play has gotten better and the penalty kill has been very good against two potent power plays in Philadelphia and Washington. The Canes are skilled but just aren't as skilled as the Penguins.
If the Pens play their game, an up tempo one and focus on getting the puck to the net and creating traffic in front of Ward , they should be fine. If not, Cam Ward will win this series. My pick is the Penguins in 6
Western Conference
2. Detroit Red Wings vs 4. Chicago Blackhawks- This could be a very fun series to watch. No team is more fun to watch than the Hawks. They just get after it and play 100mph for 60 minutes. The Hawks can match the Wings tempo and may even set the tempo for the series. The one thing the Hawks won't be able to match is the Wings playoff experience. The Wings in the playoffs are just a different animal to deal with.
Even though both net minders have won the Stanley Cup, Chris Osgood will be the difference. He has been here so many times before. Talk about a guy that never gets the credit he deserves. Osgood is top 10 all time in victories and has hoisted the cup on numerous occasions. The Wings talent and experience will carry them.
My pick is Detroit in 6 and that is very bad news for the Penguins.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
NHL Playoffs- Second Round Predictions
I did pretty well in the first round. The Sharks let me down (AGAIN) and I missed on one upset in the Blues who got swept, but here goes my thoughts on round two.
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Bruins vs 6 Carolina Hurricanes- What a thrilling finish to game 7 of the Carolina-New Jersey series. This was a great series all the way around. Goaltending will be huge in this one. Thomas was the better goalie during the season, but Ward may be the better post-season guy. I expect Ward to steal a couple games here, but when it comes down to it, the Bruins have more firepower and their blue line is a lot better. Special teams is always a key and I give Boston the edge here. My pick is Bruins in 6.
2 Washington Capitals vs 4. Pittsburgh Penguins.- Will the long layoff hurt the Pens? Can the Caps carry their game 7 momentum into this series. A lot of questions, but one answer I know is that this is the series the NHL wants. The leagues 3 best players in the same series. The rivalry that exists between Ovechkin and Crosby (and Malkin). This is as close as a ratings getter that the NHL can ask for. Now if in Pittsburgh if we could only get all the games off FSN Pittsburgh and onto Versus and NBC. This series deserves better than below average coverage.
The Caps dominated the Pens during the regular season, but that was a different team. Give the Pens the edge in net. Varlamov is a great story, but Fluery is huge in big games. The talent level between the teams is about even. Two things must happen for the Pens to win the series. First, they have to get scoring from their top 4 forwards. No matter the combination of Kunitz, Guerin, Fedotenko, Sykora and Satan, they have to produce. Take away Guerin's game 2 performance and this group has given the team next to nothing.
The other battle the Pens must win is the special teams. They must neutralize the Caps dangerous power play, I don't think they will have a problem there, but they must get their own power play straightened out. The need to score with the man advantage to win the series. I feel they will address the problems. My pick is penguins in 6.
Western Conference
1. Detroit Red Wings vs. 8 Anaheim Ducks- This will be a good series, so throw the seeds out. Both teams have been on a roll. I give the Ducks the edge on the blue line and in net. They have cup experience and if the youngster Hiller plays the way he did against the Sharks, then he can extend the series. On the other hand I give the defending champs the edge with their forwards and special teams. I feel this series could be great and would not be surprised if Anaheim pulls the upset. However, my pick is Red Wings in 7.
3. Vancouver Canucks vs 4. Chicago Blackhawks- After being the first team to wrap up a series, the Canucks haven't played in almost 2 weeks. They have to have some rust on them. I give the Canucks the advantage at every position except forwards. I really like the Blackhawks youth and talent there. The combination of youth, speed and the Canucks long layoff will be the difference. The smart pick is to take Vancouver, but I'm going with the Blackhawks in 6.
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Bruins vs 6 Carolina Hurricanes- What a thrilling finish to game 7 of the Carolina-New Jersey series. This was a great series all the way around. Goaltending will be huge in this one. Thomas was the better goalie during the season, but Ward may be the better post-season guy. I expect Ward to steal a couple games here, but when it comes down to it, the Bruins have more firepower and their blue line is a lot better. Special teams is always a key and I give Boston the edge here. My pick is Bruins in 6.
2 Washington Capitals vs 4. Pittsburgh Penguins.- Will the long layoff hurt the Pens? Can the Caps carry their game 7 momentum into this series. A lot of questions, but one answer I know is that this is the series the NHL wants. The leagues 3 best players in the same series. The rivalry that exists between Ovechkin and Crosby (and Malkin). This is as close as a ratings getter that the NHL can ask for. Now if in Pittsburgh if we could only get all the games off FSN Pittsburgh and onto Versus and NBC. This series deserves better than below average coverage.
The Caps dominated the Pens during the regular season, but that was a different team. Give the Pens the edge in net. Varlamov is a great story, but Fluery is huge in big games. The talent level between the teams is about even. Two things must happen for the Pens to win the series. First, they have to get scoring from their top 4 forwards. No matter the combination of Kunitz, Guerin, Fedotenko, Sykora and Satan, they have to produce. Take away Guerin's game 2 performance and this group has given the team next to nothing.
The other battle the Pens must win is the special teams. They must neutralize the Caps dangerous power play, I don't think they will have a problem there, but they must get their own power play straightened out. The need to score with the man advantage to win the series. I feel they will address the problems. My pick is penguins in 6.
Western Conference
1. Detroit Red Wings vs. 8 Anaheim Ducks- This will be a good series, so throw the seeds out. Both teams have been on a roll. I give the Ducks the edge on the blue line and in net. They have cup experience and if the youngster Hiller plays the way he did against the Sharks, then he can extend the series. On the other hand I give the defending champs the edge with their forwards and special teams. I feel this series could be great and would not be surprised if Anaheim pulls the upset. However, my pick is Red Wings in 7.
3. Vancouver Canucks vs 4. Chicago Blackhawks- After being the first team to wrap up a series, the Canucks haven't played in almost 2 weeks. They have to have some rust on them. I give the Canucks the advantage at every position except forwards. I really like the Blackhawks youth and talent there. The combination of youth, speed and the Canucks long layoff will be the difference. The smart pick is to take Vancouver, but I'm going with the Blackhawks in 6.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
NHL :Playoffs Predictions
Well at the beginning of the season, I said the San Jose Sharks would hoist the Stanley Cup by defeating the Washington Capitals. I am gonna stay with that choice, but in this post I will breakdown the first round match ups.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Boston Bruins vs. 8. Montreal Canadians. (Boston won season series 5-1)- Long storied rivalry, but the Bruins should have no problem with the Habs. My pick Boston in 5.
2. Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Washington won season series 3-1) The Caps power play vs the Rangers penalty kill is what this series could boil down to. The Rangers should do fine in this area. Also Henrik Lundquist is capable of stealing a series by himself and he should keep the Rangers in it. I like the Rangers to push it to 7 games but in the end, Ovechkin and the Caps are the better team. My pick is the Caps in 7.
3. New Jersey Devils vs. 6. Carolina Hurricanes (Carolina won season series 3-1)- The Devils have been reeling as of late, while the Canes have possibly been the best team in the NHL down the stretch. The Devils have Broduer, but the Canes can match the play in the net with Cam Ward. The Canes have been great since Feb. 15, netting 38 points. Only the Pens (40) have more in the East in that time. My pick is the Canes in 6.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers (Pittsburgh won season series 4-2)- These two teams know each other oh, so well. No surprises here between the two. It's going to be physical. A series like this can take a toll on a team so if the Pens want to make a run, they better make it a short series. I like Marc-Andre Fluery over Marty Biron in this series. Similar to last season, I expect Fluery to carry the Pens on a long post season march. The key for the Pens will be to limit the Flyers potent power play. I think they will, because their penalty kill has been tremendous under Dan Bylsma. Expect Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to get hit alot, but the Stall-Kennedy-Cooke line which has been awesome, will score some big, timely goals. No team has been better than the Pens since mid February. My pick is the Pens in 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. San Jose Sharks vs 8. Anaheim Ducks (San Jose won season series 4-2)- I pick the Sharks to win every year, and this could be the year. The Sharks are getting healthy at the right time and Evegeni Nabokov got a little rest this season, as he didn't have to play 75 plus games. The Ducks shouldn't pose a threat. My pick is San Jose in 5.
2. Detroit Red Wings vs 7. Columbus Blue Jackets (Season Series tied 3-3)- I had Columbus pegged to defeat Vancouver, but the late surge by St. Louis drops the Blue Jackets to the 7 seed. I just don't like this match up as much for them. The one thing they have is better goaltending. Mason can steal this series for them. In the end, I think Columbus will push the defending champs to a game 7, but the playoff experience of the Red Wings will eventually win out. My pick is Detroit in 7.
3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. St. Louis Blues (season series tied 2-2)- Vancouver has great goaltending and it should be enough to carry them to victory. The Blues are a gritty bunch though and won't go down without a fight. St. Louis has been playing playoff hockey for over a month now and I think that will help. Since they have been playing well lately, I'm going with the upset in this one. My pick is St. Louis in 7.
4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5. Calgary Flames (Chicago won season series 4-0)- Chicago has so much young talent and is such a fun team to watch. I planned on picking Calgary here, but this isn't a good match up for them. The Hawks have handled them pretty easy. Calgary's late season additions were supposed to help on a playoff run, but I don't think they get past the first round. The only worry for Chicago is on how their youngster handle their first playoff series. My pick is Chicago in 6.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Boston Bruins vs. 8. Montreal Canadians. (Boston won season series 5-1)- Long storied rivalry, but the Bruins should have no problem with the Habs. My pick Boston in 5.
2. Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Washington won season series 3-1) The Caps power play vs the Rangers penalty kill is what this series could boil down to. The Rangers should do fine in this area. Also Henrik Lundquist is capable of stealing a series by himself and he should keep the Rangers in it. I like the Rangers to push it to 7 games but in the end, Ovechkin and the Caps are the better team. My pick is the Caps in 7.
3. New Jersey Devils vs. 6. Carolina Hurricanes (Carolina won season series 3-1)- The Devils have been reeling as of late, while the Canes have possibly been the best team in the NHL down the stretch. The Devils have Broduer, but the Canes can match the play in the net with Cam Ward. The Canes have been great since Feb. 15, netting 38 points. Only the Pens (40) have more in the East in that time. My pick is the Canes in 6.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers (Pittsburgh won season series 4-2)- These two teams know each other oh, so well. No surprises here between the two. It's going to be physical. A series like this can take a toll on a team so if the Pens want to make a run, they better make it a short series. I like Marc-Andre Fluery over Marty Biron in this series. Similar to last season, I expect Fluery to carry the Pens on a long post season march. The key for the Pens will be to limit the Flyers potent power play. I think they will, because their penalty kill has been tremendous under Dan Bylsma. Expect Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to get hit alot, but the Stall-Kennedy-Cooke line which has been awesome, will score some big, timely goals. No team has been better than the Pens since mid February. My pick is the Pens in 6.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. San Jose Sharks vs 8. Anaheim Ducks (San Jose won season series 4-2)- I pick the Sharks to win every year, and this could be the year. The Sharks are getting healthy at the right time and Evegeni Nabokov got a little rest this season, as he didn't have to play 75 plus games. The Ducks shouldn't pose a threat. My pick is San Jose in 5.
2. Detroit Red Wings vs 7. Columbus Blue Jackets (Season Series tied 3-3)- I had Columbus pegged to defeat Vancouver, but the late surge by St. Louis drops the Blue Jackets to the 7 seed. I just don't like this match up as much for them. The one thing they have is better goaltending. Mason can steal this series for them. In the end, I think Columbus will push the defending champs to a game 7, but the playoff experience of the Red Wings will eventually win out. My pick is Detroit in 7.
3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. St. Louis Blues (season series tied 2-2)- Vancouver has great goaltending and it should be enough to carry them to victory. The Blues are a gritty bunch though and won't go down without a fight. St. Louis has been playing playoff hockey for over a month now and I think that will help. Since they have been playing well lately, I'm going with the upset in this one. My pick is St. Louis in 7.
4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5. Calgary Flames (Chicago won season series 4-0)- Chicago has so much young talent and is such a fun team to watch. I planned on picking Calgary here, but this isn't a good match up for them. The Hawks have handled them pretty easy. Calgary's late season additions were supposed to help on a playoff run, but I don't think they get past the first round. The only worry for Chicago is on how their youngster handle their first playoff series. My pick is Chicago in 6.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)