Tuesday, April 19, 2011
torres walks
To be completely honest, when I saw the Raffi Torres I thought he would be done for the rest of the playoffs. But to everyone's surprise, Colin Campbell announced he would not be suspended and that the hit was within the rules of the league. People tend to forget that certain checks to the head are still legal in the NHL, and it is only the hits from the blindside that are now illegal. Over the past year, headshots have been the number one topic in the NHL and have everyone in the league ultra-sensitive about any hits to the head. But don't forget, 5 years ago this hit would have had the majority of hockey fans on their feet and supplemental discipline would not even be considered. If the current rules had been in place 20 years ago, Scott Stevens would have been suspended for half his games in the league. The responsibility should be on the players to keep their head up in dangerous areas, such as behind the net where you know forecheckers are coming in hard especially in the playoffs. Also, you have to be aware of who is on the ice. Raffi Torres isn't out there as an offensive threat: his job is to make big hits and separate guys from the puck.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Western Predictions
(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Chicago
This clearly wasn't the most ideal matchup for the Canucks in the first round, but they also have an opportunity to get revenge on the defending champs and build some momentum going into the second round. Last year, Chicago's depth proved to be too much for the Canucks and they bowed out in 6 games. This year, the roles are reversed. Gone from last year's Hawks are Byfuglien, Versteeg, Ladd, Eager, Burish, and Niemi. The Canucks have added depth on the blue line, and fans in VanCity can rest assured that Shane O'Brien will not be killing penalties in the playoffs this time around. For Chicago, the X factor in this series is Marian Hossa. If he can play the way he is capable of playing and provide the Hawks with some secondary scoring, Van could be in trouble. All eyes are on Roberto Luongo as he looks to rebound from the last 2 playoff series against the Hawks. I think he is going to have a big series, as he is rested, and currently at the top of his game. This going to be a tight, hard fought series, but in the end Vancouver's depth will prove too much for the Hawks.
Prediction: Canucks in 6
(2) San Jose vs. (7) Los Angeles
The Kings are banged up coming into this series, as they are missing leading scorer Anze Kopitar and second leading scorer Justin Williams. A team that is already offensively challenged, they will need a lot out of guys like Penner, Smyth, and Brown to have any chance in this series. No one wants to face the Sharks right now, as Heatley, Pavelski, Thornton, and Marleau are all capable of taking a game over. I dont think LA stands a chance, but I would like them to prove me wrong.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
(3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix
The Phoenix Coyotes never really seem to get the respect they deserve. In the ultra competitive Western Conference they are always in contention, yet they never have anyone in the top 30 of scoring and play in front of 5,000 fans a night. They took Detroit to 7 games in the first round last year, and I think this series will be a lot closer than some people expect. In the end, I think Detroit's playoff experience will be the deciding factor. More than any other team, the Wings know how to get it done in the playoffs. Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, etc. always raise their level of play in the postseason, and the Coyotes will have their hands full defensively trying to stop these guys. Bryzgalov will have to be huge for the Coyotes to have a chance, but Detroit is just too good.
Prediction: Red Wings in 6
(4) Anahiem vs. (5) Nashville
I think this will be one of the best series of the opening round. The higher seeds in the West are happy these two are playing each other, because both of these teams will be dangerous to face in the playoffs. Anahiem has arguably the best top line in the league right now, as Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan have been lighting it up lately. Selanne has had a huge year at age 40, and is still very dangerous on the powerplay. The deciding factor for the Ducks will be their play in net. Jonas Hiller has been out since for the majority of the second half of the season, and if he remains out the Ducks will rotate between Dan Ellis and Ray Emery. In the other crease, Pekka Rinne has been one of the best goalies in the league this year. Nashville plays a very defensive style, and rely heavily on their Vezina candidate. On the blue line they also have a Norris favorite in Shea Weber, and he will see lots of ice time against the Ducks top line. This will be a very physical series, and I expect it to go the distance.
Prediction: Ducks in 7
This clearly wasn't the most ideal matchup for the Canucks in the first round, but they also have an opportunity to get revenge on the defending champs and build some momentum going into the second round. Last year, Chicago's depth proved to be too much for the Canucks and they bowed out in 6 games. This year, the roles are reversed. Gone from last year's Hawks are Byfuglien, Versteeg, Ladd, Eager, Burish, and Niemi. The Canucks have added depth on the blue line, and fans in VanCity can rest assured that Shane O'Brien will not be killing penalties in the playoffs this time around. For Chicago, the X factor in this series is Marian Hossa. If he can play the way he is capable of playing and provide the Hawks with some secondary scoring, Van could be in trouble. All eyes are on Roberto Luongo as he looks to rebound from the last 2 playoff series against the Hawks. I think he is going to have a big series, as he is rested, and currently at the top of his game. This going to be a tight, hard fought series, but in the end Vancouver's depth will prove too much for the Hawks.
Prediction: Canucks in 6
(2) San Jose vs. (7) Los Angeles
The Kings are banged up coming into this series, as they are missing leading scorer Anze Kopitar and second leading scorer Justin Williams. A team that is already offensively challenged, they will need a lot out of guys like Penner, Smyth, and Brown to have any chance in this series. No one wants to face the Sharks right now, as Heatley, Pavelski, Thornton, and Marleau are all capable of taking a game over. I dont think LA stands a chance, but I would like them to prove me wrong.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
(3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix
The Phoenix Coyotes never really seem to get the respect they deserve. In the ultra competitive Western Conference they are always in contention, yet they never have anyone in the top 30 of scoring and play in front of 5,000 fans a night. They took Detroit to 7 games in the first round last year, and I think this series will be a lot closer than some people expect. In the end, I think Detroit's playoff experience will be the deciding factor. More than any other team, the Wings know how to get it done in the playoffs. Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, etc. always raise their level of play in the postseason, and the Coyotes will have their hands full defensively trying to stop these guys. Bryzgalov will have to be huge for the Coyotes to have a chance, but Detroit is just too good.
Prediction: Red Wings in 6
(4) Anahiem vs. (5) Nashville
I think this will be one of the best series of the opening round. The higher seeds in the West are happy these two are playing each other, because both of these teams will be dangerous to face in the playoffs. Anahiem has arguably the best top line in the league right now, as Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan have been lighting it up lately. Selanne has had a huge year at age 40, and is still very dangerous on the powerplay. The deciding factor for the Ducks will be their play in net. Jonas Hiller has been out since for the majority of the second half of the season, and if he remains out the Ducks will rotate between Dan Ellis and Ray Emery. In the other crease, Pekka Rinne has been one of the best goalies in the league this year. Nashville plays a very defensive style, and rely heavily on their Vezina candidate. On the blue line they also have a Norris favorite in Shea Weber, and he will see lots of ice time against the Ducks top line. This will be a very physical series, and I expect it to go the distance.
Prediction: Ducks in 7
Monday, April 11, 2011
Eastern Predictions
The playoff matchups are finally set, and today I will preview the Eastern Conference first round series...
(1) Washington vs. (8) New York
-This isn't the best possible matchup for the Capitals, as they have struggled against the Rangers this season. That being said, the Caps have been one of the hottest teams in the league of late and are a different squad than the one who lost 7-0 at MSG earlier in the season when Ovi dropped the gloves with Dubinsky. These teams went the distance in the first round two years ago, when the Caps came back from a 3-1 deficit to win in 7 games. New York definitely has the edge in goaltending, and Lundqvist will have to be at the top of his game if the Rangers are going to compete in this series. The pressure is all on Washington, as this team can't afford to lose to an eighth seed in the first round for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Washington in 6
(2) Philadelphia vs. (7) Buffalo
-The Flyers struggled down the stretch in the regular season, and eventually lost their number one seed to Washington. Up front, the Flyers may very well be the deepest team in the league. Their biggest question mark is in net, but don't read too much into this as they made it all the way to the finals last year with Michael Leighton between the pipes. On the other side, Ryan Miller has proven to be among the NHL's elite in net over the last couple of seasons. In my mind, he is the key to this series and I think he is going to have a big performance.
Prediction: Buffalo in 7
(3) Boston vs. (6) Montreal
-This is the series all hockey fans were hoping to see. It is no secret that these original 6 rivals do not like each other one bit. These two teams seriously went at it in the regular season, and played in some high scoring games filled with brawls. This could be one of the most entertaining series of the first round. As both teams play different styles, it will come down to who can impose their style on their opponent the most. For Boston to be successful, they need to play a physical game and use their size to their advantage. The line of Lucic, Horton, and Krejci will have to keep up their solid play for Boston to be successful. For Montreal, the key to winning this series will be playing a disciplined game and capitalizing on their powerplay. The Habs PP went 9/28 against the Bruins this season, and it is one of their greatest strengths. As Boston has the size advantage, Montreal has an advantage in skill and speed, and will try to use that to their advantage. Both goaltenders are key in this sries, and whoever outplays the other will go a long way in deciding this matchup. Though I would like to see Montreal advance, the big bad Bruins are designed to win in the postseason.
Prediction: Boston in 6
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Tampa Bay
-The Penguins proved to everyone that they are a much deeper team than everyone thought, as they locked up the 4th seed with 106 points, tied with Philly for the division lead and only 1 point out of first place in the conference. And they did this without their two superstars, Crosby and Malkin. Though Malkin is done for the season, Crosby could return in this series but it still remains unclear. The Lightning are a streaky team, but if they can get Lecavalier going he would provide some much needed secondary scoring behind St. Louis and Stamkos. In my mind Marc Andre Fleury is one of the most underrated goaltenders in the league, and is the main reason they are sitting where they are today. Pittsburgh's edge in depth, playoff experience, and goaltending will be the deciding factors in this series.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5
Western Conference predictions tomorrow....
(1) Washington vs. (8) New York
-This isn't the best possible matchup for the Capitals, as they have struggled against the Rangers this season. That being said, the Caps have been one of the hottest teams in the league of late and are a different squad than the one who lost 7-0 at MSG earlier in the season when Ovi dropped the gloves with Dubinsky. These teams went the distance in the first round two years ago, when the Caps came back from a 3-1 deficit to win in 7 games. New York definitely has the edge in goaltending, and Lundqvist will have to be at the top of his game if the Rangers are going to compete in this series. The pressure is all on Washington, as this team can't afford to lose to an eighth seed in the first round for the second year in a row.
Prediction: Washington in 6
(2) Philadelphia vs. (7) Buffalo
-The Flyers struggled down the stretch in the regular season, and eventually lost their number one seed to Washington. Up front, the Flyers may very well be the deepest team in the league. Their biggest question mark is in net, but don't read too much into this as they made it all the way to the finals last year with Michael Leighton between the pipes. On the other side, Ryan Miller has proven to be among the NHL's elite in net over the last couple of seasons. In my mind, he is the key to this series and I think he is going to have a big performance.
Prediction: Buffalo in 7
(3) Boston vs. (6) Montreal
-This is the series all hockey fans were hoping to see. It is no secret that these original 6 rivals do not like each other one bit. These two teams seriously went at it in the regular season, and played in some high scoring games filled with brawls. This could be one of the most entertaining series of the first round. As both teams play different styles, it will come down to who can impose their style on their opponent the most. For Boston to be successful, they need to play a physical game and use their size to their advantage. The line of Lucic, Horton, and Krejci will have to keep up their solid play for Boston to be successful. For Montreal, the key to winning this series will be playing a disciplined game and capitalizing on their powerplay. The Habs PP went 9/28 against the Bruins this season, and it is one of their greatest strengths. As Boston has the size advantage, Montreal has an advantage in skill and speed, and will try to use that to their advantage. Both goaltenders are key in this sries, and whoever outplays the other will go a long way in deciding this matchup. Though I would like to see Montreal advance, the big bad Bruins are designed to win in the postseason.
Prediction: Boston in 6
(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Tampa Bay
-The Penguins proved to everyone that they are a much deeper team than everyone thought, as they locked up the 4th seed with 106 points, tied with Philly for the division lead and only 1 point out of first place in the conference. And they did this without their two superstars, Crosby and Malkin. Though Malkin is done for the season, Crosby could return in this series but it still remains unclear. The Lightning are a streaky team, but if they can get Lecavalier going he would provide some much needed secondary scoring behind St. Louis and Stamkos. In my mind Marc Andre Fleury is one of the most underrated goaltenders in the league, and is the main reason they are sitting where they are today. Pittsburgh's edge in depth, playoff experience, and goaltending will be the deciding factors in this series.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in 5
Western Conference predictions tomorrow....
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