Thursday, April 24, 2008
Ah, the sound of relief as round one of the 2007-2008 NHL playoffs has finished. I'll just recap my predictions and what really happened.
Montreal vs. Boston, Montreal won, as I predicted, but it was far harder than it should have been. It really showed that Montreal has been out of the playoffs for quite some time. Price, though, at times was brilliant, the crowd was even shouting-'Jesus Price', which has to be the best hockey nickname in ages. One unfortunate thing, was the riot after a first round victory! I mean, c'mon, you haven't won anything yet. But, Montreal is the birthplace of the hockey riot, so what can you expect?
Pittsburg vs. Ottawa. While my heart picked Ottawa, my brain wasn't fooled. It wasn't a matter of defensive collapse, they didn't really ever show up for a game. Except for Gerber.
Capitals vs. Philadelphia. I picked Washington to win, but failed to consider their playoff inexperience. They gave Philly a tough series, but I think next year, they'll be much more dangerous.
New Jersey vs. the New York Rangers. I picked New Jersey, because I had to pick someone, but I was mistaken. This was probably the most bizarre series, with Sean Avery waving in front of Brodeur to distract him, thus inspiring a change to the rule book. My question is, if this wasn't against the rules for over seventy-five years, why was Avery the first person to do it? Brodeur didn't sake his hand at the end of the series, but you have to admire the creativity.
Detroit vs. Nashville. While Dan Ellis gave Nashville more of a chance, Detroit, thanks to veteran Chris Osgood, won.
San Jose vs. Calgary. This series was by far the most entertaining, alot of great hockey and another inspiring effort from Jerome Iginla. But ultimately they lost, leaving Montreal Canada's last hope.
Minnesota vs. Colorado. I actually went against common opinion to pick Colorado, and it turns out, I was right, and they were wrong. Ha! 4-3
Anaheim vs. Dallas. The big surprise of the playoffs was how badly Anaheim sucked. They did manage to win two games, but they were just as outplayed as the Senators were.
So my record for round 1 is 4 out of 8. I hope I do better in Round 2. So here we go, my predictions for round 2.
Montreal vs Philadephia. Hmm...I'm going to go out on a limb, and predict an upset. Why? The Flyers man-handled the Capitals for the first half of the series and then held off their offensive assaults towards the end. Montreal, while a talented team, doesn't have the same offensive potential.
Pittsburg vs. the New York Rangers Youth vs. experience. While everyone dreams of the glory days of the Edmonton Oilers when thinking of the Penguins-the question is-are they really that good? While they did destroy Ottawa, Ottawa probably destroyed themselves. And Lundqvist did outduel Brodeur. I think that Pittsbury will win, but it will go down to seven games.
Dallas vs. San Jose Both talented teams, but one struggled with Calgary, and the other knocked off the defending champions. All of the hockey writers love the Sharks, and I've never understood why. Yeah, they have Joe Thorton, and Nabakhov, and what else? Dallas also has a lack of star playmakers, but I think they will win, as San Jose has all of the grit and determination of the Ottawa Senators (and that ain't saying much).
Colorado vs. Detroit Whoa, take me back to highschool. For all the talk of the 'new NHL' it seems some teams keep going and going. People are picking Detroit because it has depth out of the yin-yang. I like Colorado, because I think Theodore is a better goalie than Osgood or Hasek at this point.
Montreal vs. Boston, Montreal won, as I predicted, but it was far harder than it should have been. It really showed that Montreal has been out of the playoffs for quite some time. Price, though, at times was brilliant, the crowd was even shouting-'Jesus Price', which has to be the best hockey nickname in ages. One unfortunate thing, was the riot after a first round victory! I mean, c'mon, you haven't won anything yet. But, Montreal is the birthplace of the hockey riot, so what can you expect?
Pittsburg vs. Ottawa. While my heart picked Ottawa, my brain wasn't fooled. It wasn't a matter of defensive collapse, they didn't really ever show up for a game. Except for Gerber.
Capitals vs. Philadelphia. I picked Washington to win, but failed to consider their playoff inexperience. They gave Philly a tough series, but I think next year, they'll be much more dangerous.
New Jersey vs. the New York Rangers. I picked New Jersey, because I had to pick someone, but I was mistaken. This was probably the most bizarre series, with Sean Avery waving in front of Brodeur to distract him, thus inspiring a change to the rule book. My question is, if this wasn't against the rules for over seventy-five years, why was Avery the first person to do it? Brodeur didn't sake his hand at the end of the series, but you have to admire the creativity.
Detroit vs. Nashville. While Dan Ellis gave Nashville more of a chance, Detroit, thanks to veteran Chris Osgood, won.
San Jose vs. Calgary. This series was by far the most entertaining, alot of great hockey and another inspiring effort from Jerome Iginla. But ultimately they lost, leaving Montreal Canada's last hope.
Minnesota vs. Colorado. I actually went against common opinion to pick Colorado, and it turns out, I was right, and they were wrong. Ha! 4-3
Anaheim vs. Dallas. The big surprise of the playoffs was how badly Anaheim sucked. They did manage to win two games, but they were just as outplayed as the Senators were.
So my record for round 1 is 4 out of 8. I hope I do better in Round 2. So here we go, my predictions for round 2.
Montreal vs Philadephia. Hmm...I'm going to go out on a limb, and predict an upset. Why? The Flyers man-handled the Capitals for the first half of the series and then held off their offensive assaults towards the end. Montreal, while a talented team, doesn't have the same offensive potential.
Pittsburg vs. the New York Rangers Youth vs. experience. While everyone dreams of the glory days of the Edmonton Oilers when thinking of the Penguins-the question is-are they really that good? While they did destroy Ottawa, Ottawa probably destroyed themselves. And Lundqvist did outduel Brodeur. I think that Pittsbury will win, but it will go down to seven games.
Dallas vs. San Jose Both talented teams, but one struggled with Calgary, and the other knocked off the defending champions. All of the hockey writers love the Sharks, and I've never understood why. Yeah, they have Joe Thorton, and Nabakhov, and what else? Dallas also has a lack of star playmakers, but I think they will win, as San Jose has all of the grit and determination of the Ottawa Senators (and that ain't saying much).
Colorado vs. Detroit Whoa, take me back to highschool. For all the talk of the 'new NHL' it seems some teams keep going and going. People are picking Detroit because it has depth out of the yin-yang. I like Colorado, because I think Theodore is a better goalie than Osgood or Hasek at this point.
Labels: second round predictions
# posted by Adam Tod Leverton @ 5:31 PM 
