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.
Friday, April 27, 2012
NBA Quarterfinal Preview
Now, the NBA is not my area of specialties, however, it is the more popular sport in the country over hockey. So, I figured I'd give some quick bullet point previews on each series.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers
Philly fans, expect the exact same fate as last season, out in five games. Chicago has too much talent and will overpower each member of the 76ers.
Pick: Chicago in 5.
No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 New York Knicks
Miami has way too much talent. While New York has been playing a lot better since Mike Woodson took over as coach, they are nowhere close to the level of the Heat. This is the featured series on ABC only because of the big name teams.
Pick: Miami in a sweep.
No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 6 Orlando Magic
Orlando is without Dwight Howard for the entire playoffs, which essentially means they are done. Without Howard, the Magic are a shell of a team.
Pick: Indiana in a sweep.
No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 5 Atlanta Hawks
Although Boston won their division, they do not have home court. Which for me, is just odd how the NBA works that out to me. Anyway, Boston should win this series, although it will be close, just because of their age. Boston works more as a team, whereas Atlanta seems to work much more as a bunch of individual players.
Pick: Boston in 7.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 8 Utah Jazz
San Antonio is very well rested, and in prime position to make one last run towards a title. Perhaps this will be their year with the ancient one Tim Duncan.
Pick: San Antonio in 6.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks
This series is probably the most intriguing of all of the quarterfinal matchups. As it matches the defending champions to the best young team in the NBA. Could most definitely be the closest series of all eight and could possibly go the full seven games.
Pick: Oklahoma City in 7.
No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Denver Nuggets
Denver could be the only team in the NBA playoffs who could pull off an upset in the first round. Denver has been playing really good basketball lately, and their added advantage of youth could be the deciding factor against the Lakers, who are an aging team with the exception of Andrew Bynum.
Pick: Denver in 6.
No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies
This is another series which could go seven. Los Angeles is a very young, talented team with two superstars in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Then, Memphis is another true team, with a few good players and play together.
Pick: Clips in 7.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 8 Philadelphia 76ers
Philly fans, expect the exact same fate as last season, out in five games. Chicago has too much talent and will overpower each member of the 76ers.
Pick: Chicago in 5.
No. 2 Miami Heat vs. No. 7 New York Knicks
Miami has way too much talent. While New York has been playing a lot better since Mike Woodson took over as coach, they are nowhere close to the level of the Heat. This is the featured series on ABC only because of the big name teams.
Pick: Miami in a sweep.
No. 3 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 6 Orlando Magic
Orlando is without Dwight Howard for the entire playoffs, which essentially means they are done. Without Howard, the Magic are a shell of a team.
Pick: Indiana in a sweep.
No. 4 Boston Celtics vs. No. 5 Atlanta Hawks
Although Boston won their division, they do not have home court. Which for me, is just odd how the NBA works that out to me. Anyway, Boston should win this series, although it will be close, just because of their age. Boston works more as a team, whereas Atlanta seems to work much more as a bunch of individual players.
Pick: Boston in 7.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 8 Utah Jazz
San Antonio is very well rested, and in prime position to make one last run towards a title. Perhaps this will be their year with the ancient one Tim Duncan.
Pick: San Antonio in 6.
No. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks
This series is probably the most intriguing of all of the quarterfinal matchups. As it matches the defending champions to the best young team in the NBA. Could most definitely be the closest series of all eight and could possibly go the full seven games.
Pick: Oklahoma City in 7.
No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Denver Nuggets
Denver could be the only team in the NBA playoffs who could pull off an upset in the first round. Denver has been playing really good basketball lately, and their added advantage of youth could be the deciding factor against the Lakers, who are an aging team with the exception of Andrew Bynum.
Pick: Denver in 6.
No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies
This is another series which could go seven. Los Angeles is a very young, talented team with two superstars in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Then, Memphis is another true team, with a few good players and play together.
Pick: Clips in 7.
NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals Preview
Yes, the time has come for the Eastern Conference preview of the NHL, and may the semifinals bring as much excitement as the quarterfinals did, as three of the four matchups went the full seven games, and parity definitely reigned, as three of the four lower seeds won their quarterfinal series. So, that means that the Flyers have home ice in the Semifinal round as well as the Rangers, who were the only upper seed to advance. Albeit in seven games though. Now, on to the previews!
As for NBC, they are incredibly ecstatic, having two New York area teams in the semifinals, as well as the nation's capital, which has a star in Alex Ovechkin, and a hockey crazed city in Philly. So, they couldn't be more pleased at how the Eastern Conference turned out. That's perhaps why they chose both series as their premier games on the mothership of NBC to start out.
No. 1 New York Rangers vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals
This series will be pretty interesting, as both teams are coming off grueling seven game series, although Washington has one more day of rest. These two teams are pretty even, and the fact that Washington has been playing both offense and defense instead of just offense was a big part of them beating Boston in the first round. Plus, their goalie, Braden Holtby is playing great for a goalie who was not supposed to even be a part of the playoff roster.
Now, New York isn't a slouch either, having a great goalie themselves in perennial All-Star Henrik Lundqvist who is just dominant. Plus, the defense in front of him has been playing spectacularly as well, as the Rangers only gave up three goals twice in their series against Ottawa, and both of those instances came in overtime. New York really would love to be moving on to their first conference final since they won the cup in 1994 as well.
Pick: Washington in 7.
No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 6 New Jersey Devils
Another series for Philly, another division rival. So, again, these two teams really hate each other, and it should be another very close series. Both teams have some pretty good scorers in Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk for the Devils, and then the Flyers can score over all four lines, but their primary source comes from Claude Giroux on the first line. Giroux set the pace for the Flyers in their decisive game six victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. So, this should be a fantastic nail biting series, with a lot of tension and roughing again.
Pick: Flyers in 6.
As for NBC, they are incredibly ecstatic, having two New York area teams in the semifinals, as well as the nation's capital, which has a star in Alex Ovechkin, and a hockey crazed city in Philly. So, they couldn't be more pleased at how the Eastern Conference turned out. That's perhaps why they chose both series as their premier games on the mothership of NBC to start out.
No. 1 New York Rangers vs. No. 7 Washington Capitals
This series will be pretty interesting, as both teams are coming off grueling seven game series, although Washington has one more day of rest. These two teams are pretty even, and the fact that Washington has been playing both offense and defense instead of just offense was a big part of them beating Boston in the first round. Plus, their goalie, Braden Holtby is playing great for a goalie who was not supposed to even be a part of the playoff roster.
Now, New York isn't a slouch either, having a great goalie themselves in perennial All-Star Henrik Lundqvist who is just dominant. Plus, the defense in front of him has been playing spectacularly as well, as the Rangers only gave up three goals twice in their series against Ottawa, and both of those instances came in overtime. New York really would love to be moving on to their first conference final since they won the cup in 1994 as well.
Pick: Washington in 7.
No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 6 New Jersey Devils
Another series for Philly, another division rival. So, again, these two teams really hate each other, and it should be another very close series. Both teams have some pretty good scorers in Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk for the Devils, and then the Flyers can score over all four lines, but their primary source comes from Claude Giroux on the first line. Giroux set the pace for the Flyers in their decisive game six victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday. So, this should be a fantastic nail biting series, with a lot of tension and roughing again.
Pick: Flyers in 6.
NHL Western Conference Semifinals
This again is a guest written post by my old friend Bryan Miller, who really knows his stuff on the NHL and really the Western Conference. He follows it a lot more closely than I. But, first allow us to look back and see how both Bryan and I fared in our picks for the NHL Quarterfinal round. Bryan got half of his picks right, with the Blues and Preds moving on to the Semifinals. He did get the number of games wrong however in the Nashville/Detroit series. As he predicted seven, and it only took five for the Preds to get their first ever series win in the playoffs. But, in the St. Louis/San Jose series, he hit the nail right on the head with St. Louis easily outlasting San Jose for their first trip to the Western Conference Semifinals since the 2002 season when they lost to the Red Wings. Then, he got the Vancouver/Los Angeles series wrong, predicting Vancouver should move on in six games, while he got the number of games correct with six, the Kings prevailed, and rather easily as a matter of fact. Vancouver is definitely more of a regular season team rather than a playoff team. So, they are essentially the Philadelphia Eagles of hockey, do pretty well in Regular season, but fail in postseason. He also got the Phoenix/Chicago series all wrong, as the Coyotes move on in the playoffs for the first time since 1987, when the team was known as the original Winnipeg Jets. Chicago suffered their second consecutive losing effort in the playoffs after winning the cup in 2010.
Now, as far as I fared, well, I fared pretty much the same, going 2-2, with getting the Devils and Rangers correct, but going way off in the number of games, as I had the Rangers in five, and the Devils sweeping. Both of those series went seven games. But, nobody had any clue that the Flyers would pretty much dominate the team most considered to be the favorite in the East the Penguins the way they did. Philadelphia really showed up and completely annihilated the Penguins in three of their four victories. It also didn't help the Penguins cause that they failed to play defense most of the time as well. Finally, the Bruins just seemed very sluggish and thinking they could cruise through the Capitals and try to become the first back to back champions of the NHL since the 97-98 Red Wings. But, also give Washington credit, as they have been playing a lot better since the All-Star break and have been playing much better defense all around. But, as far as the picks for the East are concerned, those will have to wait until later tonight or early tomorrow. Here are the Western Conference previews!
Now, NBC I'm sure isn't too pleased with how the West has turned out, having most of the teams below the Mason-Dixon line, with the exception of the Blues. But, they do have one big market left in Los Angeles, and they are really pulling for them to make it back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since they had Wayne Gretzky in 1993.
Western Conference Semifinals
#2 St. Louis Blues Vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings
The blues and kings both ousted their opponents in 5 games. In the regular season the kings won the series 3-1, but 2 of those win were before Ken Hitchcock took over and made the blues who they are now. This one comes down to how well Jonathan Quick plays in this series. I think he will steal at least 2 games for the kings.
Prediction: #2 St. Louis Blues in 7
#3 Phoenix Coyotes Vs. #4 Nashville Predators
Mike Smith proved how valuable he is last series against the blackhawks. He will be a big part of the coyotes success in the series with Nashville. Nashville got over the hump and finally defeated the Red Wings in the playoffs. They have so many weapons of their team that people wouldn't know too much about. Getting Radulov back from russia put a huge boost on the team and they haven't slowed down since.
Prediction: #4 Nashville Predators in 6
Just a side note that none of these four teams never won a Stanley Cup which is nice to see. I wouldn't mind seeing any of these 4 teams in the finals. Thanks Pete again for letting me write this and looking forward to writing again for him soon.
Now, as far as I fared, well, I fared pretty much the same, going 2-2, with getting the Devils and Rangers correct, but going way off in the number of games, as I had the Rangers in five, and the Devils sweeping. Both of those series went seven games. But, nobody had any clue that the Flyers would pretty much dominate the team most considered to be the favorite in the East the Penguins the way they did. Philadelphia really showed up and completely annihilated the Penguins in three of their four victories. It also didn't help the Penguins cause that they failed to play defense most of the time as well. Finally, the Bruins just seemed very sluggish and thinking they could cruise through the Capitals and try to become the first back to back champions of the NHL since the 97-98 Red Wings. But, also give Washington credit, as they have been playing a lot better since the All-Star break and have been playing much better defense all around. But, as far as the picks for the East are concerned, those will have to wait until later tonight or early tomorrow. Here are the Western Conference previews!
Now, NBC I'm sure isn't too pleased with how the West has turned out, having most of the teams below the Mason-Dixon line, with the exception of the Blues. But, they do have one big market left in Los Angeles, and they are really pulling for them to make it back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since they had Wayne Gretzky in 1993.
Western Conference Semifinals
#2 St. Louis Blues Vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings
The blues and kings both ousted their opponents in 5 games. In the regular season the kings won the series 3-1, but 2 of those win were before Ken Hitchcock took over and made the blues who they are now. This one comes down to how well Jonathan Quick plays in this series. I think he will steal at least 2 games for the kings.
Prediction: #2 St. Louis Blues in 7
#3 Phoenix Coyotes Vs. #4 Nashville Predators
Mike Smith proved how valuable he is last series against the blackhawks. He will be a big part of the coyotes success in the series with Nashville. Nashville got over the hump and finally defeated the Red Wings in the playoffs. They have so many weapons of their team that people wouldn't know too much about. Getting Radulov back from russia put a huge boost on the team and they haven't slowed down since.
Prediction: #4 Nashville Predators in 6
Just a side note that none of these four teams never won a Stanley Cup which is nice to see. I wouldn't mind seeing any of these 4 teams in the finals. Thanks Pete again for letting me write this and looking forward to writing again for him soon.
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