Scottwdw
Photographer
- Joined
- Sep 13, 1999
- Messages
- 2,510
It's that time again!! The best time for all of us hockey fans. The Stanley Cup Playoffs and even though my team isn't in it this year (they better be next year!!), I still will be watching as many games as I can. Oh, and I can't wait for real, playoff, sudden-death overtime!!
Here's my picks for the first round:
Eastern Conference
Ottawa Senators vs. NY Islanders: Ottawa just might have what it takes this year and with the well earned top seeding, they should do well. However, they first must get past the NY Islanders with Yashin and Peca. Too bad the Islanders limped into the playoffs. They should have easily overtaken the Bruins so I don't think they'll last long. Senators in a sweep, 4 games to none.
NJ Devils vs. Boston Bruins: Bruins have size, speed and scorers. Too bad they are all on the same line. They still have a slow defence and suspect goaltending (yea, even with Hackett. Didn't you wonder why Montreal didn't mind him ending up in Boston?). The Devils don't score much but the playoffs are about keeping the puck out of your net and with Scott Stevens leading the way and Marty Brodeur maning the goal, I see the Devils moving on 4 games to 1.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitols: It's the young guns versus Jager and company. The Boulin Wall versus Olie the Goalie. The Caps are not playing well going in and the Lightning are coming off a steller finish. Mommentum is huge in the playoffs and the teams playing well at season's end do well. The Lightning win it, 4 games to 2.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: If, and it's a big if, the Maple Leafs can put together a line up that can last 7 games, I think the goaltending of Eddie "The Eagle" Belfour will be the deciding deference. The Leafs in a tough (and I mean tough) seven game series, 4 games to 3.
Western Conference
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers: Before the trading deadline, I would have said the Oilers could upset the Stars. After trading away their leading scorer and top defensemen, not a chance. Modano and Turco will be too much for them. Stars in a sweep, 4 games to none.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Okay, I know the Ducks are owned by Disney and maybe this is their year with the Angels winning the World Series and all. And, yes, they are better than last year. Paul Kariya, Adam Oates, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are ready to go. But, folks, these are the Red Wings. They have more talent, experience and playoff moxie then anyone. Sorry, the Red Wings win it, 4 games to 1.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild: Does more playoff coaching experience mean more than player playoff experience? We are about to find out. The Avs have the stars in Forsberg, Saki and Roy. The Wild have...well, Jacques Lemaire behind the bench. The Avs can score, defend and hit. The Wild can....well, do what Lemaire tells them to. I find this the most interesting matchup so far and it's my upset special. Yep, the Wild shake the NHL and take the series, 4 games to 2.
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues: The Blues have experience, talent and a better defensive corps. The Canucks have the Naslund-Bertoussi-Morrison Line. The Blues have Chris Osgood with his two Stanley Cup rings and the Canuks have Cloutier who's never won a playoff game. If the Canucks get offense from their other lines, they will take this one and I think they will. Canucks win it, 4 games to 2.
I wrote this earlier today....and some of the teams have made some of these predictions history already. But, that's what makes the Stanley Cup playoffs so exciting to watch, eh?
Here's my picks for the first round:
Eastern Conference
Ottawa Senators vs. NY Islanders: Ottawa just might have what it takes this year and with the well earned top seeding, they should do well. However, they first must get past the NY Islanders with Yashin and Peca. Too bad the Islanders limped into the playoffs. They should have easily overtaken the Bruins so I don't think they'll last long. Senators in a sweep, 4 games to none.
NJ Devils vs. Boston Bruins: Bruins have size, speed and scorers. Too bad they are all on the same line. They still have a slow defence and suspect goaltending (yea, even with Hackett. Didn't you wonder why Montreal didn't mind him ending up in Boston?). The Devils don't score much but the playoffs are about keeping the puck out of your net and with Scott Stevens leading the way and Marty Brodeur maning the goal, I see the Devils moving on 4 games to 1.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitols: It's the young guns versus Jager and company. The Boulin Wall versus Olie the Goalie. The Caps are not playing well going in and the Lightning are coming off a steller finish. Mommentum is huge in the playoffs and the teams playing well at season's end do well. The Lightning win it, 4 games to 2.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: If, and it's a big if, the Maple Leafs can put together a line up that can last 7 games, I think the goaltending of Eddie "The Eagle" Belfour will be the deciding deference. The Leafs in a tough (and I mean tough) seven game series, 4 games to 3.
Western Conference
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers: Before the trading deadline, I would have said the Oilers could upset the Stars. After trading away their leading scorer and top defensemen, not a chance. Modano and Turco will be too much for them. Stars in a sweep, 4 games to none.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Mighty Ducks: Okay, I know the Ducks are owned by Disney and maybe this is their year with the Angels winning the World Series and all. And, yes, they are better than last year. Paul Kariya, Adam Oates, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are ready to go. But, folks, these are the Red Wings. They have more talent, experience and playoff moxie then anyone. Sorry, the Red Wings win it, 4 games to 1.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild: Does more playoff coaching experience mean more than player playoff experience? We are about to find out. The Avs have the stars in Forsberg, Saki and Roy. The Wild have...well, Jacques Lemaire behind the bench. The Avs can score, defend and hit. The Wild can....well, do what Lemaire tells them to. I find this the most interesting matchup so far and it's my upset special. Yep, the Wild shake the NHL and take the series, 4 games to 2.
Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues: The Blues have experience, talent and a better defensive corps. The Canucks have the Naslund-Bertoussi-Morrison Line. The Blues have Chris Osgood with his two Stanley Cup rings and the Canuks have Cloutier who's never won a playoff game. If the Canucks get offense from their other lines, they will take this one and I think they will. Canucks win it, 4 games to 2.
I wrote this earlier today....and some of the teams have made some of these predictions history already. But, that's what makes the Stanley Cup playoffs so exciting to watch, eh?
