Stanley Cup Round 2 Predictions

Well the Eastern Conference is finally ready to begin Round 2. I have to admit I was not nearly as good with my predictions as I was in the West. So, here goes with this round's predictions:

The one that I did get right was Pittsburgh beating the Flyers. This round they face the Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin. Last night's thrilling victory over the Rangers may be the tonic Washington needs to get themselves together and make a run for the cup.

For some reason Sidney Crosby does not do well against his main rival. The Caps have dominated the Pens all season long and look for this trend to continue. Caps win this in 6.

If the Washington - New York series final was not thrilling enough, how about the Canes last minute victory over the Devils? WOW!!

The Canes may have trouble getting on track against the Bruins in game one, but despite the fact that Boston has owned Carolina this year, I like the Canes to win in Seven.

Why? Cam Ward is a proven Stanley Cup winner and Tim Thomas is not. I like Thomas, but I am not sure how he will act when the heat is on and Staal and company are buzzing the net, firing from all angles. Remember, the Stanley Cup playoffs bring out the best in a lot of players and I think that includes many of the Canes.

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Western Conference -Round 2

Well it is time for predictions for the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Permit me a moment to brag.

I called the Ducks in 6,and the Red Wings in 4. I got em both right! Now, I have to admit I was not perfect I called Vancouver in 5, they only took 4. I predicted Chicago would win in 5, but they took 6. Oh, well, can't be right all the time.

Detroit and Anaheim - Although this is the 2 seed versus the 8th seed, this will be a battle. The Ducks are huge on defense and on the forward lines, and don't forget they have rookie sniper Bobby Ryan playing with Getzlaf and Perry.

But, when you shake it all out, I got to give it to the Wings in 6. Too much experience, skill and desire to win the tough games.

Vancouver and Chicago - Did I mention goaltending was key in the playoffs? Well it is. And both these teams are riding some great goalie talent. Chicago's got the youth with Kane, Toews and Sharpe, but for some reason I think Luongo will steal the show. Canucks in 7.

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Stanley Cup Comments

Some thoughts about the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to date.

I was not surprised that the Bruins defeated the Canadiens, but I am surprised that they totally dominated that Habs. I would not be surprised to see changes from top to bottom in Montreal.

Vancouver's whitewash of the Blues was not unexpected. The big question is whether Roberto Luongo can carry this team on his back to the finals.



The Red Wings disposal of the Blue Jackets was not unexpected. But look out for Rick Nash and his teammates to be a force in the NHL in the years to come. There is a lot of hockey talent in Columbus.

I am really enjoying the Caps - Rangers and the Flyers - Perguins series. Great plays, hard hits and fast skating. A winning formula for the fans.

Too bad Sean Avery has returned to his old ways. I hope we have seen the last of his troublesome antics.

Ice Chips: Owen Sound Attack alumnus Bobby Ryan is doing it all for the Ducks as they are giving the Sharks more than they can handle. Congratulations Bobby on your nomination as a finalist for the Calder Trophy.

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Wings Close to a Sweep

Will the Red Wings get out the brooms in Columbus tonight and sweep the Blue Jackets? Perhaps. But something tells me that Rick Nash and his young teammates are not quite ready for the golf course.

I have been really impressed by the Jackets and their play. Watch out for this team in the next few seasons. They are only going to get better!



The playoffs are always full of surprises, and Jiri Hudler of the Wings has provided a major surprise for everyone. Although the diminutive forward has loads of talent, he has always been overshadowed by the Red Wings big guns. This has not been the situation in this series. Hudler has raised his game to a new level and the results can be found on the score sheet for each of the games of this series.

Ice Chips: Sean Avery was up to his old tricks last night, slugging Erskine and then Varlamov. Sean, the league and the fans are tired of your nonsense. Grow Up!

Look for Boston to put the Canadiens out of their misery tomorrow night. The Habs seem to have lost their focus and their zip.

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Red Wings Just Too Much for Jackets

The Detroit Red Wings just seem to be too much for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Motor City guys just seem to dare you to take a penalty and when you do --- it is not long before the puck is in the net!

If you want to beat the Wings the solution is simple - STAY OUT OF THE PENALTY BOX!

In Boston the same was true. The Canadiens just can't intimidate the boys from Beantown.

Tim Thomas is certainly looking like a playoff goalie!

Speaking of playoff goalies, How about the Rangers - Capitals series? Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers net is proving that he is one of the best in the league. While the Caps surprised the hockey world by starting Simeon Varlamov (WHO?). The youngster was sensational in a 1-0 loss. What a great game for both goalies.

The surprise of this series is not the great goaltending, but the fact that the NHL's best goal scorer Alexander Ovechkin has looked lost and off his game from the opening whistle of game one. Alex is going to have to find his scoring touch, and quickly, or the Caps are going to be looking for tee times on their favorite golf courses very soon!

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2009 Stanley Cup Predictions

Western Conference

Vancouver - St. Louis

Most playoff games are decided by the goalies and this series is no exception. Roberto Luongo is in a zone all by himself. He could carry the Canucks to the finals.

The Blues have some great youngsters but they are a season or so away from making a serious playoff run.

Vancouver in 5.

Reason: Luongo

Ducks - Sharks

What is it with the Sharks? All that talent and not a leader amongst them! Both teams have huge forwards, but I think Getzlaf and Ryan are grittier than Thornton.

Ducks in 6

Reason: Ducks defense is big and experienced. Sharks have the 2nd best defenseman in the NHL with Dan Boyle but he can't do it alone. Look for a major shake up in San Jose if the Ducks put out the Sharks.

Chicago - Calgary

What is with the NHL? Letting Mike Cammalleri off with his cheap shot on Havlat. Now from time-to-time I would have liked to give Havlat a shot myself as he seems to show up only when he wants to. Perhaps the Flames did the Hawks a favor by waking up Havlat, he could be a difference maker. (After all, he responded to the hit with 2 goals including the game winner!)

Calgary is a team that is easy to dislike. Starting with their coach, they like to dish it out but few, if any of them, can take it when the shoe is on the other foot.

Watch for nastiness to continue, but it will not deter Chicago from victory.

Chicago in 5.

Reason: Goaltending, the Hawks have two number one netminders who are capable of going on winning streak. Secondly, the Flames have no one to compare with Toews, Kane and Sharp.

Detroit - Columbus

I like Columbus as a contender in a couple of years, but right the Wings are just too much for them.

Detroit in 4 (maybe 5)

Reason: Detroit has EXPERIENCE, TALENT and MORE EXPERIENCE!!!

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2009 Play off Predictions

It is hard to believe, but the NHL playoffs are here again and like every other hockey fan I too know who is going to win the Stanley Cup!

But, before I get ahead of myself, it is time for decisions about the first round of playoffs. (I know I am two days late, but here they are anyway)

Eastern Conference

Montreal - Boston

Last night's first game of this series was a beauty! Hard skating, hustle and a lot of sandpaper! But when the outcome is finally decided it will be the team whose goalie stood the tallest!

Both Carey Price and Tim Thomas are capable of winning this thing by themselves.

For some reason I like Montreal in six.

My reason? I have never been impressed by Chara in terms of his commitment to anything but himself. I watched him stand idly by during his last playoff performance with Ottawa and you knew he was already out of town to whoever would pay the most. Sorry Bruins fans, but Chara has to prove that he has the will to win and team spirit before I will believe that he can lead anyone to the Stanley Cup.

New York Rangers - Washington Capitals

Once again goalies will determine the outcome and for that reason I like the Rangers in 5.

Reason: Rangers have a lot of playoff experience and on Washington's side Alex Ovechkin (who I think is a fantastic hockey player and promoter of the game) won't be able to do it by himself. The Caps lack a solid goalie and sandpaper on the forward line.

Pittsburgh - Philadelphia

A really interesting series. Could go and should go seven games. I am not sure who will win this series. I like the Flyers forwards (Richards, Carter, etc) over the Pens forwards. But, I have never been a Martin Biron fan. He just can't seem to win the big ones.

Decision: I have to pick, I like the Pens for two reasons goaltending and playoff experience (last year's run to the finals should have taught Sid and the boys a few things about playoff hockey.)

New Jersey Devils - Carolina Hurricanes

This is a dreadful series to predict. First of all, I have to admit a prejudice. I hate the style of play of the Devils. I like watching Martin Brodeur but watching bowling on television is almost better than watching the Devils bore the heck of their opponents and fans.

This is a seven game series, and I hope I am wrong but I think the best goalie on the planet will defeat the Canes all by himself.

Western Conference predictions will be posted tomorrow.

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