Well, I am late in doing this blog, I know, seeing as it is being posted right before the start of game number one. This is not the match up the NHL had in mind when it saw the Conference Final match ups. But, it got at least one team it wanted in Los Angeles, seeing as how it is the second biggest market in the league. Of course, New York is tops. Granted, New Jersey does play in Newark, which is in the New York metropolitan market. But, the Devils don't have the same name cache as the New York Rangers do, with whom they dispatched in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, the Devils are also an older team, with having played 100 games already this season, with the postseason and the regular season combined. Plus, they have an old goalie in Marty Brodeur, but Brodeur has played lights out this postseason. Then, the Kings have played even more lights out. They have essentially been playing playoff hockey since the middle of February, as they were way out of the playoff race, then have stormed back and made the playoffs as the eight seed in the West. The Kings then had to face in consecutive rounds, the top 3 seeds in the Western Conference, due to the NHL's quirky playoff bracket system.
And, the NHL's bracket system in the playoffs is fairly simple, as instead of have the 1/8 match up facing the winner of the 4/5 match up, it just goes as follows: the lowest seeded team remaining faces the highest remaining seed remaining. And next highest faces next lowest seed. So, that is how the Kings have faced the number one seed and runner up to the President's Trophy Vancouver Canucks in the first round. Then the surprising St. Louis Blues in the second round, and the equally surprising Phoenix Coyotes in the conference final round. The Devils had a tougher road many would argue. As they had a relatively easy match up in the first round with the weakest division champion in the Florida Panthers, who really gave them a fight in the first round, going the entire seven games. New Jersey then had to face Atlantic Division foes in the next two rounds, dueling the hated Flyers and Rangers.
Now, I'm going with the Kings here because of three reasons. The first being that they have been playing essentially playoff hockey since the middle of February, and they've only had to go two over the minimum as far as games played in the playoffs. The second, is because I hate the Devils. Who wants to root for a team name which is rooting for evil? Finally, the Kings have two prominent former Flyers in the former captain, Mike Richards as well as his linemate in Philly Jeff Carter, and that synergy has helped plenty in the playoffs. Plus, you always go with the hottest goaltender in the Stanley Cup Final, and that goalie is Jonathan Quick, who happened to come through Reading, PA in his journey to the big time in Los Angeles.
Pick: Kings in 6.
P.S., the NBA will wait until the conference finals are over, and I will just preview the NBA Finals.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
NHL Eastern Conference Finals Preview and NBA Western Conference Semifinals Preview
First, allow me to start off with the NHL, and the Eastern Conference Finals. The Eastern Conference playoffs have had one Atlantic division clash in every round, and in this round it is no different. The New York market is represented here in abundance, with two of the three teams around New York City playing in this series. It's also nice for everyone involved, as the two arenas are less than 12 miles apart. Now, in New York City traffic, it's still going to be two hours, but the distance is still nice. The two teams in the final are the New Jersey Devils who play in Newark, and the New York Rangers playing in the most famous arena in the world. Now, this is not the match up I predicted, but it is still an excellent one. Both teams have excellent goaltending with Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist representing the Devils and Rangers respectively. Brodeur has plenty of experience being in this situation, as he has led the Devils to three Stanley Cup titles since 1995, while Lundqvist is putting together his best playoff run of his career so far. Both teams also have some excellent defense to compliment their goaltending, and so the key will be on offense. Which team can get more pucks on net and allow more chances to happen. This is easy, the Rangers will. The Rangers will because they have many more pieces on offense than the Devils. They've got Brad Richards, Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik, and an excellent scoring defenseman in Michael Del Zotto. New Jersey has none of that. And, while New Jersey may be a little bit more rested than the Rangers, they too went seven games in their quarterfinal series against Florida, so they only have two less games played than the Rangers. Finally, tune into NBC Sports Network for all of the games. Game one was tonight, sorry I'm a little late. the games are every other day basically as well.
Pick: Rangers in 6.
Now, on to the NBA and the Western Conference Semifinals.
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers
This series is experience versus youth. San Antonio has been to the playoffs every season since 1998, which is the longest streak in the NBA. And, the Clips are full of youth and exuberance and have the most exciting player in the NBA in Blake Griffin. Now, Griffin is amazing, as his fellow co-star out in "Lob City" Chris Paul. But, the Spurs have been wonderful and since losing last season to the Grizzlies in seven games, the Spurs seem to be on a mission to win their fifth NBA title since 1999. And I'll take Gregg Poppovich as a coach any day who knows when to rest his players, take his timeouts and play a game in his head so well over Vinny Del Negro, who always seems to screw up somehow.
Pick: Spurs in 6.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers
Now, for some unknown reason, none of these games are featured on the NBA's broadcast partner ABC. That makes zero sense in my mind because you have the second biggest market in the NBA, as well as a bonafide star in Kobe Bryant going up against perhaps the team with the most young stars in the league Oklahoma City. Anyway, I digress. Oklahoma City, as mentioned has a ton of youth, ranging from Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook to the NBA's sixth man of the year award winner in James Harden. The Thunder are a spectacular team and have fresh legs sweeping the defending champion Mavericks out in four games. Whereas the Lakers had a ton of trouble closing out the sixth seeded Nuggets and going to seven games there before prevailing. Plus, the Lakers are an older team, so sorry Kobe, no sixth title for you this year.
Pick: Thunder in 6.
Pick: Rangers in 6.
Now, on to the NBA and the Western Conference Semifinals.
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers
This series is experience versus youth. San Antonio has been to the playoffs every season since 1998, which is the longest streak in the NBA. And, the Clips are full of youth and exuberance and have the most exciting player in the NBA in Blake Griffin. Now, Griffin is amazing, as his fellow co-star out in "Lob City" Chris Paul. But, the Spurs have been wonderful and since losing last season to the Grizzlies in seven games, the Spurs seem to be on a mission to win their fifth NBA title since 1999. And I'll take Gregg Poppovich as a coach any day who knows when to rest his players, take his timeouts and play a game in his head so well over Vinny Del Negro, who always seems to screw up somehow.
Pick: Spurs in 6.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers
Now, for some unknown reason, none of these games are featured on the NBA's broadcast partner ABC. That makes zero sense in my mind because you have the second biggest market in the NBA, as well as a bonafide star in Kobe Bryant going up against perhaps the team with the most young stars in the league Oklahoma City. Anyway, I digress. Oklahoma City, as mentioned has a ton of youth, ranging from Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook to the NBA's sixth man of the year award winner in James Harden. The Thunder are a spectacular team and have fresh legs sweeping the defending champion Mavericks out in four games. Whereas the Lakers had a ton of trouble closing out the sixth seeded Nuggets and going to seven games there before prevailing. Plus, the Lakers are an older team, so sorry Kobe, no sixth title for you this year.
Pick: Thunder in 6.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
NHL Western Conference Finals Preview!
This series starts on Mother's Day at 8 p.m. on the NBC Sports Network, and will continue every other night for the rest of the series. This will be a great match up. There are several storylines going into the series, and my friend Bryan Miller, who has been so great in explaining and previewing the series so far will do so again here. He will also preview the Western Conference team in the Stanley Cup Final. And, both of these teams are going for their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since at least 1993, when the Kings made it. And, the Coyotes have never made it, even as the Winnipeg Jets. So, this should be a very fun series, and one where it will be fun to root for either team. Thanks again Bryan for writing this!
#3 Phoenix Coyotes Vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings
This matchup has a bunch of great story lines to go with it. Let's start with the big story line goaltending. Both teams have great goaltending. With LA you have Jonathan Quick. This year he had 35 wins and a league best 10 shutouts. His career shot into stardom a few years ago when he first started with the Reading Royals. Now he is the man that the Kings look to keep them in every game. Night in and night out he has made saves that make your jaw drop. On the other end will be Mike Smith for the Coyotes. This year he had 38 and wins and 8 shutouts. A year removed from being sent to the minor league from the Lightning and later sent to the Coyotes. He has pulled a complete turn around from last year. He has been the answer for the Coyotes when they have needed him. Making unbelievable saves or anything else that came his way. This series will be decided by goaltending the better goalie should win this series for his team. Another story line to watch out for is the role players. Each teams 3rd and 4th lines need to contribute in this series and help out the top 2 lines. It doesn't need to be in the form of scoring, but in chances and by putting pressure on the goalie and other teams defense. I believe that the Kings have the upper hand on talent, but talent doesn't always mean that you will win. Coyotes Captain Shane Doan has been the captain for many years and is one of the few left that played with the original Winnipeg Jets. His leadership is what has the Coyotes where they are today.
Prediction: #3 Phoenix Coyotes in 7 games. Reaching the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in team history.
#3 Phoenix Coyotes Vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings
This matchup has a bunch of great story lines to go with it. Let's start with the big story line goaltending. Both teams have great goaltending. With LA you have Jonathan Quick. This year he had 35 wins and a league best 10 shutouts. His career shot into stardom a few years ago when he first started with the Reading Royals. Now he is the man that the Kings look to keep them in every game. Night in and night out he has made saves that make your jaw drop. On the other end will be Mike Smith for the Coyotes. This year he had 38 and wins and 8 shutouts. A year removed from being sent to the minor league from the Lightning and later sent to the Coyotes. He has pulled a complete turn around from last year. He has been the answer for the Coyotes when they have needed him. Making unbelievable saves or anything else that came his way. This series will be decided by goaltending the better goalie should win this series for his team. Another story line to watch out for is the role players. Each teams 3rd and 4th lines need to contribute in this series and help out the top 2 lines. It doesn't need to be in the form of scoring, but in chances and by putting pressure on the goalie and other teams defense. I believe that the Kings have the upper hand on talent, but talent doesn't always mean that you will win. Coyotes Captain Shane Doan has been the captain for many years and is one of the few left that played with the original Winnipeg Jets. His leadership is what has the Coyotes where they are today.
Prediction: #3 Phoenix Coyotes in 7 games. Reaching the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in team history.
NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals preview.
The NBA Eastern conference playoffs in the first round flew by. Each series didn't last anymore than six games. And, the favored team won each series, except for the Bulls/Sixers series. And, Philadelphia only won that because Chicago's best two players went out with injuries. Derrick Rose went out in game one with a torn ACL, and then in game three, Joakim Noah went down with a severely sprained ankle. And, no team can overcome that. But, now on to the previews!
No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics
This is a classic match up. But, the only team which is classic is Boston, as they still have the big three, and with them, they are a very formidable force. Plus, Boston has a top five point guard in Rajon Rondo, who plays with a reckless abandon that you like to see out of players. Boston plays a very tight defense much like Chicago, which will give the 76ers a lot of trouble. Plus, with Philadelphia's shooting woes, shooting less than 40% in the previous series, they will be hard pressed to advance beyond Boston. The only way Philly has a shot is if they play a very fast paced up and down type game.
Pick: Boston in 5.
No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Miami Heat
Now with the Bulls out of the picture in the Eastern Conference, the Heat have a clear path essentially to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year. The reason for that is because who in all reality expects the Pacers to take the Heat on and beat them in a seven game series? Nobody, not even those from Indianapolis. That's because the Heat have the MVP of the league in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and a big man in Chris Bosh. Granted, the Pacers have played very well throughout the season, but to stop a runaway freight train takes something more than the Pacers have.
Pick: Miami in a sweep.
No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics
This is a classic match up. But, the only team which is classic is Boston, as they still have the big three, and with them, they are a very formidable force. Plus, Boston has a top five point guard in Rajon Rondo, who plays with a reckless abandon that you like to see out of players. Boston plays a very tight defense much like Chicago, which will give the 76ers a lot of trouble. Plus, with Philadelphia's shooting woes, shooting less than 40% in the previous series, they will be hard pressed to advance beyond Boston. The only way Philly has a shot is if they play a very fast paced up and down type game.
Pick: Boston in 5.
No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Miami Heat
Now with the Bulls out of the picture in the Eastern Conference, the Heat have a clear path essentially to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year. The reason for that is because who in all reality expects the Pacers to take the Heat on and beat them in a seven game series? Nobody, not even those from Indianapolis. That's because the Heat have the MVP of the league in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and a big man in Chris Bosh. Granted, the Pacers have played very well throughout the season, but to stop a runaway freight train takes something more than the Pacers have.
Pick: Miami in a sweep.
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