Its been a month in the NHL Playoffs. We've seen upsets, sweeps, overtimes and much more in this years chase for the Stanley Cup.
In the last round, the Devils got mauled by the Hurricanes, the Mighty Ducks made quick work of the Avalanche, the Sabres beat the Senators, and the Oilers beat the Sharks.
After going 5-3 in the first round, as for last week, a lot of misses. Other then my Cup pick, Sabres, I got everything else wrong, and was 1-3. Lets see if I can get these two right.
Now, its time for the Confrence Finals Predictions.
WESTERN CONFRENCE
MIGHTY DUCKS vs OILERS
The Oilers have been blessed this year with the hot goaltender, Roloson. They beat the favorite Red Wings, and also the Sharks. The Mighty Ducks have also had a hot goaltender, from rookie Bryzgalov. These two goalies looked evenly matched. Shawn Horcoff has been big for the Oilers, with 14 points a postive 8 Plus/Minus. So far in the playoffs, the Ducks are better on the penalty kill, but the Oilers are better on the powerplay. This one is a very close matchup. At the beginning, I had the Red Wings coming from the West, and they got beat by the Oilers. Because of that, I will pick the Oilers, in 7 games.
EASTERN CONFRENCE
HURRICANES vs SABRES
The Hurricanes goalie, Cam Ward, has been very good so far in the playoffs. Miller of the Sabres has been solid, but not quite as good. The Sabres have been #### on the powerplay, only at 15%, while the Hurricanes are at 27%. However, the Sabres still average more goals a game throught the playoffs then the Hurricanes. The Sabres have two D-men with a +/- of 13, and have some solid fowards as well. The Hurricanes have Staal, but no really strong D-men. In reality, the stats make the Hurricanes look like the better pick, but a month ago, I said the Sabres will be in the Stanley Cup finals, and I'm not looking back. Sabres in 7.
Now that the Sharks are out of it, hockey is over for me. I have a friend who roots for the Oilers because he's on the other side of the border. If I see any of the playoffs from here on out it will be because I am using the UP button on my channel remote in a surfing fashion and it blinks past whatever network they are on.
In the words of Salt & Pepa/En Vogue, you are a "mighty mighty good man."
I love the Sabres as a fan of course, and I truly think they're going to beat Carolina. THis is becoming destiny for them. Canes have a great team, but I dont think they skate with Buffalo and unless Ward continues to play out of his "rear" and Staal has a HUGE series, they're not winning.
Buffalo LITERALLY comes at you with 12 forwards and 6 defensemen every game. If you're going to beat Buffalo, you gotta end it early.
The Oilers should be able to advance past the Duck if they don't run out of gas before the series is over. The high energy style of hockey they play serves as an equilizer against strong teams, however Anaheim is rested and can match the Oilers style of play if required.
The Canes/ Sabres series will be decided on ONE factor, Goaltending, and it will be very close.
The pace and the excitement of East fianl game 1 was almost enough for me to forget that the Leafs didn't make the playoffs, ALMOST! The 4 remaining teams are so energetic and exciting that this may be the greatest NHL post season in recent history.
The ratings for the playoffs south of the border aren't looking particularly promising, for which I have only one thing to say...WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!
You have time to watch the both NBA and NHL playoffs, I certainly make the time. Only thing going on in MLB is wussy pithcers that refuse to pitch to Barry, so no one is missing anything there. Go NHL and GO OILERS!!!
Leaf, I've definetly enjoyed the NHL Playoffs, but its so hard to find here in the States that the ratings can't be that high. But, its been crazy good!
One of the problems with the NHL is that there are so few true fans of hockey. Everyone just loves their own team and they refuse to watch if they aren't in it...reminds me of American Idol when Chris got voted off...
Congrats on making the cut, best of luck. Mr NFL on my blog you've been there from the beginning and I appreciate it. It's great to see we both made it, and for the near future:
Game on!
Last edited by edhardiman on May 22nd at 10:59 AM.
Contratulations, fellow competitor. I've enjoyed your work and hope it continues. Just remember that I'm an AJ Pierzynski fan, so don't expect me to roll over!
All the best,
Elizabeth Bennet
Mr. NFL....another of the bloggers I enjoy reading has made the Sweet 16, congratulations and keep it up, I want to see one of my guys win this thing....Best of luck....
