I did better than I usually do with my 1st round predictions last year (5-3). I normally stink at this, so take my predictions with a huge grain of rock salt.
Detroit over Nashville in 5 - I know the Preds are the hip choice around the net for a first round upset, but I just don’t see it. I think Detroit wins easily.
San Jose over Calgary in 6 - I don’t think San Jose is going to be quite the juggernaut in the postseason that they’ve been in the last two months or so of the regular season. That said, I despise the Flames and have a hard time picturing Mike Keenan running a successful lemonade stand, let alone another playoff run.
Colorado over Minnesota in 6 - I’m predicting that the Avalanche get a big series from Joe Sakic and have a fairly easy time against the Wild.
Dallas over Anaheim in 7 - I think this will be the fun series to watch. I dislike both teams, but I love Marty Turco so I’ll give the slight edge to the Stars. Blech.
Boston over Montreal in 7 - The Habs have surprised a lot of people this year. The fact that the Canadiens have overachieved and have a rookie goalie are both warning signs for me. Somewhere, Admiral Ackbar is shouting…
Pit over Ott in 6 - This was a fun series last year, and I expect the rematch to be equally explosive. Both have high-octane offenses. For all the Crosby and Malkin talk, though, Pittsburgh has been surprisingly good at keeping pucks out of the net - 3rd best in the East in goals allowed.
Washington over Philadelphia in 6 - In Manchester, Bruce Boudreau was fired after a good Monarchs team lost in the 1st round of the playoffs 4 years in a row. Since then, though, he has two Calder Cup finals appearances and one championship. And that was without Alex Ovechkin.
New York Rangers over New Jersey in 6 - I’m not really sure why, but I feel the winner of this series will be the eventual finalist (aka, the team that will lose to San Jose). I’ve gone back and forth a few times, but now I’m settling on the Rangers, mostly because of Lundqvist.
What, you dont think the Avs will put together a magical run and Sakic and Foppa will retire Stanley Cup Winners?
I agree with your pick of SJ actually. Out of the East though, NYR? Really? I’m pulling for OTT. They came so close last year, and I think they can pull it together for a run this year.
I don’t think Ottawa has a chance in hell to get out of the first round, let alone go to the finals.
But I also think Boston is dead meat, rookie Habs goalie or no rookie Habs goalie.
And as for the Wings, I think this year they might actually avoid the upset and make the Finals. I know, I know, I should punch myself in the face. I would if it wasn’t so pretty.
+1 for the Admiral Ackbar reference.
I haven’t seen anyone pick Nashville over Detroit yet, in fact I think every one I have seen is Wings in 5. I think Nashville will lose but make it more of a series than 5.
every time I say “Rangers” and “Finals” in the same sentence, I make a funny face. I don’t really know why I’m picking them, to be honest.
Even if your picks could be better, your Avs analysis is the best.
I find it very odd you picked the Rangers to beat the Devils, but picked Brodeur in my pool.
hedging my bet…
Don’t forget Boudreau’s two playoff appearances and one Kelley Cup in the ECHL level. LA must be kicking themselves when the look at what he’s done while they’ve put all of their eggs in Crawford’s basket.
I agree with your picks too, except for Boston. The Habs were a pretty good team before they traded Huet, while Boston is inconsistent and relying on a goaltending tandem of Tim Thomas and Alex Auld. I’d probably pick Price over both of those guys. Price has a championship under his belt too.
In the East i’m pulling for Ottawa mainly because i like Dany Heatley and Washington, mainly because of Ovechkin. Obviously the Avs in the west but should the unthinkable happen then probably Dallas, if just because i like Turco and have a cheap original Stars jersey, one of the knock off $30AUS starter ones my mum bought me because all i wear at home in the winter are hockey Jerseys. (i have a cheap Panthers red jersey, and a Budaj CCM Home and Sakic CCM away jersey that are bothe replica’s, as well as the stars one.)
[...] the most stunning news from the first round of the playoffs is that I was surprisingly good with my predictions. I got all the winners in the West right and only missed the two series in the East that went to 7 [...]