Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011
First Round Predictions
It's that time of year again. The NHL regular season has come to an end, and now is when the 'real season' kicks in. Fans are getting rowdy, players start talking smack, coaching staffs are keeping injuries a secret. You can feel it, you can smell it: NHL PLAYOFF HOCKEY!
Here's my predictions for this years first round.
Washington Capitals (1) - New York Rangers (8)
Rangers in 7
The Capitals are a strong hockey team, but have a reputation of 'playoff chokers'. I can see Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom carrying this team at one end, while Michal Neuvirth could surprise everyone like Antti Niemi did last year with the Blackhawks. However if the Caps don't get good goaltending, this one could be over in a hurry.
At the other end, the Rangers have what I believe is one of the best goaltenders in the game in Henrik Lundqvist. If he gets hot, he could very well be the MVP of this series. Up front Marian Gaborik will play a crucial part for his team.
I'm going for the underdog in this one. I can see Lundqvist carrying his team into the second round, against all odds.
Philadelphia Flyers (2) - Buffalo Sabres (7)
Sabres in 6
The Flyers had kind of a collapse during the final stretch of the regular season. They called up Michael Leighton, but are yet to solve their goaltending problems. This will be what makes or breaks this team's playoff success.
The Sabres on the other hand have a difference maker in Ryan Miller. Add in a Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford and Jason Pomminville, and I can see this team beating Philly. Unless the Flyers find a way around Miller and get some good goaltending themselves, this one could be over sooner than anyone expects.
Boston Bruins (3) - Montreal Canadiens (6)
Bruins in 6
Perhaps the series I will be looking forward to the most (besides the Canucks ofcourse). The Bruins to me are a legit contender. With Tim Thomas coming off an amazing year, and crucial pieces like Zdeno Chara, Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and Nathan Horton in place, they could very will be the next Stanley Cup champion. Add in the veteran presence of Mark Recchi and a stellar defenceman in Tomas Kaberle, and I don't think the Habs have a chance.
For Montreal to win this series, to me, they will need to keep their cool and have everyone play their best hockey. From Tomas Plekanec, through Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, all the way down to Carey Price. If just one of these guys does not bring their best, the Habs will be out in no time.
Pittsburgh Penguins (4) - Tampa Bay Lightning (5)
Lightning in 7
One of the tougher series to predict for me. As anyone will say, it all depends on one man: Sidney Crosby. Don't get me wrong, the Penguins are a lot more than just Crosby. Guys like Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury can carry the team, but to me, without Sid the Kid, they will fall short of any team in the playoffs.
The Lightning on the other hand have a lot of offensive power. Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos, Simon Gagne just to name a few. On the back end however, they might be missing some key pieces to make a really deep post-season run. Can Dwayne Roloson carry this team? I say they can at least get past a banged up Penguins team.
Vancouver Canucks (1) - Chicago Blackhawks (8)
Canucks in 6
And there ya have it. The series we're all looking forward to.
The Canucks are coming off a franchise year in pretty much every category. Up front there are key pieces to win a Stanley Cup: the Sedins, Ryan Kesler, Mikael Samuelsson, Mason Raymond, Alex Burrows, ... They also add more depth on offense with Raffi Torres, Jannik Hansen or even Maxim Lapierre.
The back end is arguably the best in the league, and is getting healthy just in time. Alex Edler, Christian Ehrhoff, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieksa, Sami Salo, Keith Ballard... Simply amazing! Add in a goalie like Roberto Luongo and a very capable backup with Cory Schneider, and you have yourself a Stanley Cup favorite! To me, this team is too good to fall back into old habits. I can see the Blackhawks giving it their all, trying to get into the heads of the Canucks, but simply not succeeding.
The Hawks do have Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith, but are simply not the team they are last year this time around. The loss of Dustin Byfuglien will be crucial in this series. If Dave Bolland has to miss more than one game, this one could even get ugly.
San Jose Sharks (2) - Los Angeles Kings (7)
Sharks in 7
Another series to look forward to. San Jose has great depth up front. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Dany Heatley, Ryane Clowe, Logan Couture, Devin Setoguchi, ... They might just have the deepest offense in the league. In goal, Antti Niemi has proven last year he can handle the pressure. The only weakness I see on this team is their defence. Don't get me wrong, it's not all that bad. But is it good enough to win a Stanley Cup? Afterall, defence wins cups!
The Kings have lost two key bodies in the stretch run. Losing Anze Kopitar is crucial to their post-season success. Add Justin Williams to their injured list, and this team will be put to the test. Dustin Brown will need to carry this team more than he ever has before, while Ryan Smyth and Dustin Penner can contribute in that. Depth guys like David Booth and Mike Santorelli will need to step it up to win this series.
To me, the guy who will make or break this series is Drew Doughty. He hasn't been playing his best hockey as of late, but if he does in the playoffs, the Kings have a legit chance to advance to the second round.
Detroit Red Wings (3) - Phoenix Coyotes (6)
Red Wings in 6
Once again, the Red Wings have made it to the big dance. Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Todd Bertuzzi, Thomas Holmstrom... They have a load of veteran talented guys who can make a deep run into the post season. Add a healthy Henrik Zetterberg to that mix, and this team once again could go all the way.
The only question to me is: can Jimmy Howard handle the pressure?
The Coyotes are a far less talented team if you match them up player per player. However that doesn't mean they don't stand a chance against Detroit. Shane Doan and Keith Yandle need to carry the team, while Ilya Bryzgalov needs to be consistant in his play. If the 'Yotes play balanced, focused and smart hockey, I can see them pushing the Red Wings to the edge.
Anaheim Ducks (4) - Nashville Predators (5)
Ducks in 7
Last, but certainly not least. A battle of two teams who have heated up near the end of the regular season. Can Corey Perry continue his goal scoring streak? Can the Ducks find a consistant goaltender? Can other guys like Selanne, Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan share the load? It can all happen, but especially in goal I can see the Ducks struggling.
At the other end of the ice, I can see Pekka Rinne carrying the Predators in this series. Add in a solid Shea Weber and a very balanced offense, and I could see this one going to 7 games. Anyone can take it!
This would make my second round setup:
Boston Bruins (3) - New York Rangers (8)
Tampa Bay Lightning (5) - Buffalo Sabres (7)
Vancouver Canucks (1) - Anaheim Ducks (4)
San Jose Sharks (2) - Detroit Red Wings (3)
There you have it: my first round predictions. Like them or hate them, anyone is entitled to his opinion. Feel free to share yours and comment! And remember: Go Canucks Go!