re: Stanley Cup Playoff Thread

PREDICTIONS

It's a pretty wide open tourney once you get past the obvious favorite, so if someone can knock them off, I think you could make a case for almost any team in the field to win the Cup.

WEST
Preds-Stars
The stars scored 209 goals this year, 28th in the NHL and by far the worst of any team in the playoffs. They've got a great defense though it is young and untested. I just don't see where the goals are going to come from, though they should make the Preds sweat a little. But just a little. Nashville is pretty f'n good. PREDS in 5.

Jets-Blues
A really great matchup. The Blues were left for dead but have been one of the best teams in the league over the second half. The Jets have sort of gone the opposite way. The Jets get a lot of hype for their offense, but it was only 7th in goals scored which is good but not OH MY GOD levels. But they do have 3 30-goal scorers, 5 20-goal guys, and 7 15-goal guys. That's a lot of firepower backed up by a goalie you have to trust. By contrast, the Blues have one 30-goal scorer, 3 20-goal guys, and just 4 15-goal guys. There's no depth and they lack the elite scoring touch. Binnington has taken the job from Allen in goal, but he's been racking up wins on mostly bad teams. His 8-1 stretch to close the year included 3 wins over playoff teams. The Blues are on form, but I think the Jets are better. JETS in 6.

Flames-Avs
The Flames are second in the NHL in total points and in goals scored. Which is amazing for a team that until last year, their calling card was defense. That is a stout blueline with the likely Norris Trophy winner (Giordano). They are trying to become the first team to win a Stanley Cup without a competent goalie. It'll cost them later, but not in the first round. FLAMES in 5.

Sharks-Knights
Oh yeah, baby. This should be a killer series between two teams who don't like each other. Thorton is finally declining, just as the kids arrive to help and make the Sharks an elite offense again. Martin Jones has lost his way this year, but if he can find a little bit of that magic. Otherwise, Fleury is going to carry these upstarts on another run. I think Jones will be fine. SHARKS in 7.


EAST
Caps-Canes
The Canes are longtime analytic poster boys, putting up huge possession numbers while, um, losing a lot (they finally put it together this year and squeaked into the playoffs). That's because finishing skill is a skill. And the Caps have it in spades. Those jerks are the most fun team in the playoffs, but they are going up against a team that has completely dominated them this season. CAPS in 5.

Isles-Pens
The Isles are ostensibly the favorites by seed, but not by the opinion of public or Vegas. Trotz is a terrific coach who made the Isles a better team after losing their best player, and he should be applauded for that. The Penguins are an aging team, 5 of their top 7 goalscorers are over 30, but Jake Guentzel is 25 and he potted 40 for the team lead. The defense is a shambles past the top pair. But Rutherford again made some savvy moves down the stretch, and Crosby and Malkin are still two of the best ever. Time is closing in, but it ain't here yet. PENS in 6.

Bolts-Jackets
The Lightning are the best team in hockey. They have elite scoring, a deep, talented blueline, and one of the best goalies in the league. They have veteran stars and young up and comers. Do they have weaknesses? Relatively speaking, they are dependent on their power play for scoring, a bad feature for a playoff team (it's not that they can't score at 5v5, its just that they are near automatic on the PP). They went 4-3 down the stretch, probably due to disinterest, but they have let up a lot of goals recently. The Jackets have won of the best penalty kills in the NHL and while a wild card team, actually finished 6th in the league in total wins. They have an elite goalie who could steal a series if he ever got his head out of his rear. They won 7 of their last 8 to make the playoffs, including 3 shutouts. They've flipped the switch already. I don't want to be the fool that picks the best regular season team in a decade to lose in the first round, but let's at least admit the idea isn't crazy. Columbus is really f'n good. BOLTS in 7.

Bruins-Leafs
This is the marquee first round match up. Both teams are loaded and have flirted with the second best record all season. It's a shame it's a first round series, but the Atlantic now gets a taste of what it's been like to be in the Metro, so no tears. The Leafs play a more aggressive, open style reliant on scoring goals. The Bruins are one of the stoutest defensive teams in the league, and will hit you into oblivion. They also have a ton of scoring skill to go with that defense. It's the playoffs, go with the meaner, more physical team. BRUINS in 7.

I would have picked the Blue Jackets to beat the Caps if that was the draw. I really like Columbus' team. They are built for the playoffs, and they've been essentially playing playoff hockey for 2-3 weeks already.

I know this sounds dumb and will be so glad to watch hockey to finish my day (student death we broke the news to the classes today)

Im taking a Winnipeg Tampa Bay Final with Tampa to wion


Calgary
San Jose
Nashvegas
Winnipeg

Calgary
Winnipeg

Winnipeg


Tampa Bay
Toronto
Washington
New York

Tampa
New York

Tampa

I do like the Colorado is where failed Caps goalie prospects go. First Varlamov, now Grubi. I love Grubi and he didn't exactly fail in the playoffs, its just that Holtby took his job back... ok, he crapped the bed. But he's a good goalie though I'm not sure he's a difference maker kind of goalie. That said, the Avs certainly have the advantage between the pipes over Calgary.

quote:

---

Gun to my head, I’d still pick the Flames, but I feel much more confident than I did going into the Preds series last year.

---

Absolutely. Grub/Varly give me so much more hope than Bernier/Hamburglar.

Getting ready to buy my game 3 tickets Kosmo.

quote:

---

Mike Smith has a sub-900 save percentage. that is... yikes.

---

Especially against the Avs top line.

I'll take Bednar, Grub, Mikko/Nathan/Gabe and our PP vs their PK.

Rittich is good enough.

Lot of people picking stars but I dont trust the goal scoring

Can they beat preds 2-1 or 1-0 four times...I have my doubts