I cannot believe how much hockey I've watched over the last two weeks. I managed to catch parts of just about every series including a lot of the Detroit - Columbus (obviously), San Jose - Anaheim, New York - Washington and Chicago - Calgary. A lot of really entertaining games.
I can't say I'm too surprised by the outcome of any series. I was a little shocked that there were 3 sweeps. Montreal was a complete embarrassment while Columbus and St. Louis were clearly over matched. The ending to the New Jersey - Carolina series will go down in the history books as one of the most dramatic ever.
What will be interesting to watch in the next few months is how some of the first round losers deal with those losses :
Montreal - major change is coming because near half the team is free agents. There are now questions about goaltending going forward and an ownership change is coming. Their 100th season was not one to remember.
New York Rangers - there defense kept them in the series but their lack of scoring kept them from moving on. To put up only 1 third period shot in game 7 and only 15 total for the game ain't going to get it done. Now burdened with a lot of big contracts, it'll be difficult to assemble some offense. They desperately need more playmakers AND more finishers.
New Jersey - How does a team rebound from losing a series in the last 90 seconds? Bound to be tough for this relatively old group.
Philadelphia - Best position of the losers moving forward but the fans aren't going to be happy with a first round loss. Any offseason moves might require some salary movement but with plenty of youth on the way up that should be possible.
San Jose - So many playoff disappointments are bound to take their toll. Look for management to break up at least some of the pieces. Talk about a long offseason.
Columbus - Nothing to be ashamed of here. There are some nice pieces moving forward for this team. It won't get any easier though with the rest of the Central Division on the rise or at the top.
Calgary - The big trade deadline deals were a bust. Losing for the 4th time in a row in the first round won't sit well in this hockey proud town. Keenan could be on his way out or major moves might happen. Their move to load up on really physically players may be holding the team back.
St. Louis - A major accomplishment just getting there. Grabbing the 6th seed was a boon to the Wings & Canucks and a bust to San Jose. It'll be interesting to see if they can carry it over to next season when they are bound to be healthier.
Now for round two matchups :
Eastern Conference
#1 Boston vs #6 Carolina
Prediction : Boston in 6
Carolina wants to play the up tempo game and I don't think Boston is going to permit that. The playmakers in Boston will be too much for the Canes to handle. I expect the Canes will be able to keep the games tight by come up short.
#2 Washington vs #4 Pittsburgh
Predicition : Pittsburgh in 6
Time for the stars to shine. 2 of the three MVP candidates (Ovechkin / Malkin) will be out on the ice along with the Norris favorite (Green). Of course, the leagues marketing department won't let me forget that Crosby is really the best. In series like this it is often the veteran role players that make a difference. Pittsburgh has more of those and a power play that'll testing the Caps rookie goaltender, Varlamov, to his limit. With a better defense as well, the Pens will prevail.
Western Conference
#2 Detroit vs #8 Anaheim
Prediction : Detroit in 6
Detroit had a much easier time than I expected dispatching Columbus. They certainly can turn it up in the playoffs. It'll take another notch to dispense the more talented Ducks. The Ducks are asking for trouble if they play out of control and take penalties like they did in the Shark series. Detroit's power play is much more efficient than San Jose's. Ducks best chance is too keep it low scoring and hope Osgood is less than stellar particularly early. With more scoring and just as much defense as the Ducks I expect to see the Wings in the next round.
#3 Vancouver vs #4 Chicago
Prediction : Vancouver in 7
Chicago look very good against Calgary but did have trouble on defense at times. Vancouver dispatched of St. Louis while hardly breaking a sweat. Look for the home team to hold serve but the stronger goaltending of Vancouver prevail in the end. This is a learning year for the young Chicago team and bowing out to Vancouver is nothing to be ashamed of. Chicago's only chance will be to get to Luongo early in the series. Lose both in Vancouver and Chicago is done.
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