May 14, 2013
I’m not especially proud of my 5-for-8 performance in
first-round NHL playoff predictions. I normally refrain from this sort
of exercise, and my disastrous Canadiens pick was a reminder
why.
I thought
the Blues had finally matured enough to hold onto a 2-0 series lead over
the Kings, and I ignored my better judgment – and history -- when
picking the
Capitals.
But
hey, at least I called the Red
Wings’ seven-game upset of the Ducks and the
Canucks’ surprisingly easy collapse against the Sharks. So there’s
that.
As
long as I’ve been sucked into this mess, I might as well see it through
to its bitter conclusion. But before I deliver my highly suspect
second-round picks, a few thoughts on the now-completed Round 1 and the
soon-to-commence Round
2.
-- It’s
entirely fitting that Detroit and Chicago should meet one last time
before the Wings skate off to the Eastern Conference, breaking up the
league’s best rivalry. I’m mostly a fan of the NHL’s realignment plan,
but this is my one big complaint. I get that Detroit plays in the
Eastern time zone, but rivalries draw ratings, and this one was a TV
bonanza. Much will be
lost.
-- On one
inglorious Monday night, we were reminded that despite perceived strides
or a late-season push, these are still the Maple Leafs and Capitals.
The Bruins were supposedly gassed from a tough finishing stretch to the
regular season. Boston’s blue line was banged up, too. It didn’t matter.
Patrice Bergeron reminded us that the B's have Stanley Cup pedigree.
Toronto? The only folks up north who still have championship pedigree
are exceedingly long in the tooth, if they have any teeth left at
all.
But at least
the Leafs put up a good fight. Washington got steamrolled by remarkable
Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and an erstwhile pop-gun offense.
We vow never to pick the Caps
again.
-- As
sickening as it might be for Coyotes fans to read this, Kyle Turris is
having himself a nice little playoff run for Ottawa. We know it helps
when a goal bounces in off your body, but Turris still averaged a point a
game against the injury-depleted Canadiens. The Sens are the official
Cinderella of these
playoffs.
-- As
much as it pains this lifelong Blackhawks fan to write it, Detroit
forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are marvels. Get ready for a
high-speed series. These clubs don’t muck it up. Skill, speed and
skating will be in
display.
-- If
Pittsburgh should advance to the Stanley Cup finals, will the decision
to yank goalie Marc-Andre Fleury after Game 4 against the Islanders be
viewed as the turning point? Well, of course it will. The only question:
Why didn’t it happen sooner? Fleury was/is
awful.
-- We’re
about to find out if that first-round Sharks sweep was a sign that this
uber-talented club is finally living up to its potential or if it just
ran into a team (Vancouver) that was busy
imploding.
And
now, our fearful predictions
...
WESTERN
CONFERENCE
SEMIFINALS
No. 1
Chicago vs. No. 7
Detroit
Quick
thought: Detroit just concluded a grueling seven-game series
with Anaheim that included lots of lengthy travel. The Wings may have
some momentum early, but they lack the forward and defensive depth to
stay with the 'Hawks for an entire series unless goalie Jimmy Howard
works
miracles.
Prediction:
Blackhawks in
6
No. 5
Los Angeles vs. No. 6 San
Jose
Quick
thought: I don’t think the Kings will repeat this season
because they will have to endure two extremely physical series just to
make the conference final. That takes a toll, but in spite of goalie
Antti Niemi’s underrated play the past few seasons, I don’t see the
Sharks’ nucleus having what it takes inside to muscle past the Kings –
even if Raffi Torres makes things a little more
interesting.
Prediction:
Kings in
7
EASTERN
CONFERENCE
No. 1
Pittsburgh vs. No. 7
Ottawa
Quick
thought: The Penguins looked vulnerable until Tomas Vokoun
replaced Marc-Andre Fleury in net. I love the Senators’ story. Craig
Anderson is a terrific goalie and Daniel Alfredsson is a terrific human
being, but I suspect the Sens’ Round-1 win was more a product of a
depleted Montreal club than a sign this team is ready for a deep playoff
run.
Prediction:
Penguins in
6
No. 4
Boston vs. No. 6 New York
Rangers
Quick
thought: I know the Bruins are supposed to be tired. I know
their D is banged up, and I know Lundqvist is a brick wall, but I have
no faith in the Rangers’ ability to move past this round. They beat the
Caps. Seriously, what does that really amount to in the
end?
Prediction:
Bruins in
5
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