Playoff Predictions
?Well the divisonal predictions are in the books so now we turn our attention to the playoffs. Who wins the East? Who wins the West? And which captain will lift Lord Stanley's Cup??
?Eastern Conference
1st Round?
?Tampa Bay vs Detroit - For the third year in a row these two teams meet in the first round. Just like the previous two years I see Ben Bishop leading the Lightning into the next round. With the goaltending and a high scoring lineup, Detroit will have no chance and will be dispatched in 5 games.
Boston vs Montreal - An Original Six matchup that will go the distance. This series will produce a number of thrilling overtime finishes and every game will be decided by one goal. It will come down to who blinks first in the battle between Rask and Price. I have Montreal edging out the Bruins.
Washington vs New York Rangers - It seems like these two teams also meet in the playoffs. In the past 7 postseasons the Rangers and Capitals faced off five times with the Rangers winning the last three match ups. That ends this year as Braden Holtby gets the best of King Henrik in 6 games.
New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins - The Islanders are just getting back into the swing of playing in the playoffs but that doesn't mean this series won't be exciting. The offensive firepower between these two teams could give us one of the highest scoring series we have seen. After winning their first playoff series since 1993, I see the Islanders continuing to make strides by ousting the defending champs in 7 games.
?2nd Round
?Tampa Bay vs Montreal - One team has an illustrious playoff history but the other has been in the Finals more recently. Tampa Bay has gone deep the last two years and this year it catches up to them. Montreal may not have the scoring capabilities of the Lightining but Carey Price will stay hot from his first round performance and keep his year of winning going. Montreal wins in another 7 game series.
Washington vs New York Islanders - The Capitals have been one of the more consistent teams to make the playoffs recently, they have only missed out once since 2008. Unfortunately for fans, they can never seem to make the Conference Finals. Facing a New York team may bring back memories off losing to the Rangers three straight years but they will shake that off against the Islanders. For the first time since 1998 Washington will reach a Conference Finals and do it in convincing fashion defeating New York in 5 games.
?Conference Final
?Montreal vs Washington - Old School versus New School. Defense versus Offense. Ovechkin versus Price. This conference final has it all. Can Ovie shake off the pressure of never making it to the Finals? Can Price supplant Roy as one of the greatest goalies in Canadiens history? The extra rest will do Washington no good as they come out flat to start the series and never recover allowing Montreal to return to the Finals for the first time since winning it all in 1993 after another 7 game series.
But who will they face?
?Western Conference
1st Round
?Chicago vs Los Angeles - Both teams will be looking to avenge first round exits from last year and this series will be a heavy hitter. The stars on the two teams will cancel each other out and it will come down to which teams third and fourth line can produce. As we saw against St. Louis last year, Chicago did not have the talent on those lines and they didn't gain anything to support it in the offseason. Los Angeles gets the series win in overtime of game 7 to move on.
Nashville vs Dallas - Every young team has to learn to win by losing in the playoffs and Dallas found that out last year. They had all the talent in the world even without Tyler Seguin but just couldn't get over the hump. Nashville is in the same position Dallas was in last year and will learn from the 6 game defeat. The Stars finally find an answer in net and a healthy Seguin is the key to their success. Dallas finishes it in 6 games.
San Jose vs St. Louis - The rematch of the Conference Finals from last year will be a bit more competitive from the side of the Blues but the outcome will end up the same. The Sharks will be pushing to get Joe Thornton one last crack at a Stanley Cup and the Blues just won't have enough physical play to compete. Losing leaders like David Backes and Troy Brouwer will hurt a much younger Blues team then we saw last year. The Sharks win the series in 6 just like last year.
Anaheim vs Calgary - What the Blues lost, the Flames gained and despite being a younger team, Calgary is going to make some noise. Anaheim may have the playoff experience but the speed and skill of the Flames will win the series. Brian Elliott will continue to come up big at the right time and Troy Brouwer always scores in the playoffs at important times. Calgary keeps the lower seeds winning with a 6 game stunner.
?2nd Round
?Los Angeles vs Dallas - This series will pit a very fast, very talented Stars offense against one of the best goalies in the world in Jonathan Quick. The heavy hitting LA defense will be a real test for the Stars who folded under the constant physicality against St. Louis last year. Unlike last year, the Stars defenseman are bigger and once again a healthy Tyler Seguin is the difference. Dallas makes the Conference Finals for the first time since 2008 after a hard fought 7 game series.
San Jose vs Calgary - The upstart Flames get brought back down to earth against the Sharks. Just like Dallas last year, the Flames young players need to learn what it means to lose in the playoffs in order to win. San Jose continues their strong push but will be put to the test with Calgary's speed. This one will go a surprising 7 games but the Sharks prevail.
?Conference Final
?Dallas vs San Jose - This matchup could be the best of the playoffs, at least from the offensive side. These two teams will trade chance after chance, line after line and the goalies are going to have nightmares every night. The addition of Jiri Hudler and an improved defensive corps will give the Stars an edge over an aging Sharks team. San Jose's attempt to get Jumbo Joe his Stanley Cup will come to an end in a 6 game Dallas win.
?Stanley Cup Finals
?Montreal vs Dallas - If Dallas thought facing Jonathan Quick was tough, seeing Carey Price at the other end of the rink in the Stanley Cup Finals isn't going to make them feel comfortable at all. This will be a series defined by either an offensive explosion by Dallas or a shut down defense by Montreal. When all is said and done, Canada will get to celebrate yet another championship and an American captain will raise the Cup after one of the best finals in recent memory. Montreal takes it in 7 games and the Canadiens get to hoist a 26th championship banner.
