Monday, April 12, 2010

NHL Playoffs

The NHL regular season is over. It's time for the playoffs! The second season! The important stuff! Whatever, bring it on... on Wednesday. It is now time for my annual pointless first round predictions post that is based on gut and my tiny knowledge of hockey... and my outspoken Bruins fanboy nature.

Here are the match ups and the television schedules:

2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES A
#1 vs. #8
Network
Thursday, April 15 at Washington, 7:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Saturday, April 17 at Washington, 7:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Monday, April 19 at Montreal, 7:00 p.m. TSN
Wednesday, April 21 at Montreal, 7:00 p.m. TSN
*Friday, April 23 at Washington, 7:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
*Monday, April 26 at Montreal, 7:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
*Wednesday, April 28 at Washington, TBD TSN




SERIES B
#2 vs. #7
Network
Wednesday, April 14 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN
Friday, April 16 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN
Sunday, April 18 at Philadelphia, 6:00 p.m. TSN
Tuesday, April 20 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. TSN2
*Thursday, April 22 at New Jersey, 7:00 p.m. TSN
*Sunday, April 25 at Philadelphia, TBD TSN
*Tuesday, April 27 at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. TSN




SERIES C
#3 vs. #6
Network
Thursday, April 15 at Buffalo, 7:00 p.m. CBC
Saturday, April 17 at Buffalo, 1:00 p.m. NBC, CBC
Monday, April 19 at Boston, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC
Wednesday, April 21 at Boston, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, CBC
*Friday, April 23 at Buffalo, 7:00 p.m. CBC
*Monday, April 26 at Boston, 7:00 p.m. CBC
*Wednesday, April 28 at Buffalo, 7:00 p.m. CBC




SERIES D
#4 vs. #5
Network
Wednesday, April 14 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Friday, April 16 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Sunday, April 18 at Ottawa, 6:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Tuesday, April 20 at Ottawa, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Thursday, April 22 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Saturday, April 24 at Ottawa, 7:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Tuesday, April 27 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m. CBC




2010 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
SERIES E
#1 vs. #8
Network
Wednesday, April 14 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
Friday, April 16 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
Sunday, April 18 at Colorado, 9:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
Tuesday, April 20 at Colorado, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Thursday, April 22 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. CBC, VERSUS (JIP)
*Saturday, April 24 at Colorado, TBD CBC
*Monday, April 26 at San Jose, TBD CBC




SERIES F
#2 vs. #7
Network
Friday, April 16 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. TSN2, VERSUS (JIP)
Sunday, April 18 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS (JIP)
Tuesday, April 20 at Nashville, 9:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS (JIP)
Thursday, April 22 at Nashville, 8:30 p.m. TSN2, VERSUS (JIP)
*Saturday, April 24 at Chicago, 3:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
*Monday, April 26 at Nashville, TBD TSN
*Wednesday, April 28 at Chicago, TBD TSN

SERIES G
#3 vs. #6
Network
Thursday, April 15 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Saturday, April 17 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Monday, April 19 at Los Angeles, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
Wednesday, April 21 at Los Angeles, 10:00 p.m. CBC, VERSUS
*Friday, April 23 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC
*Sunday, April 25 at Los Angeles, TBD CBC, VERSUS
*Tuesday, April 27 at Vancouver, TBD CBC




SERIES H
#4 vs. #5
Network
Wednesday, April 14 at Phoenix, 10:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Friday, April 16 at Phoenix, 10:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
Sunday, April 18 at Detroit, 3:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
Tuesday, April 20 at Detroit, 6:30 p.m. TSN
*Friday, April 23 at Phoenix, 10:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS
*Sunday, April 25 at Detroit, 2:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
*Tuesday, April 27 at Phoenix, TBD TSN




In Series A we have the Washington Capitals and the Montreal Canadiens. Washington scored 23586235235 goals this year (approximate) and the Canadiens more or less limped into the playoffs. The teams in 6th through 8th in the East (sadly, including Boston) are cannon fodder this year. None of them are any good. I don't know if Washington has what it takes to win the cup (see San Jose over the last 2465426 years) but I do know they have what it takes to utterly destroy Montreal. I pick Washington, easily... and so does everyone else on Earth.

In Series B it's the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers. The Devils have been awesome this year, but their recent past (including the Olympics) shows that they (meaning Martin Brodeur) have been a bit shaky in the big games. Philly has been fighting for it's life over the last couple of weeks. They needed to win yesterday to clinch their spot and they did. I don't think the Flyers are that good, and on top of that I think they might have used themselves up just getting into the playoffs. I don't see New Jersey getting past the second round, but I do see them getting past the first round. I pick the Devils, but it might be a fun series to watch.

Series C is a match up between the evil, vile, hated Buffalo Sabers and the majestically awesome, heroic Boston Bruins. Of all the first round match ups for my Bruins, this is the one I wanted. I don't think we have what it takes to win a single game in this year's playoffs, but I would say Buffalo is the team we have the best chance of not getting swept. Ryan Miller is the King of All American Hockey after his incredible run at the Olympics, but he's been showing some cracks in his armor lately. It might be fatigue. It might be boredom caused by clinching the division and at worst the third seed quite a while ago. Who knows, but if it continues into the playoffs (it won't) the Bruins might just have a fighting chance. I am going to pick this series as my upset because I think the Bruins might make a series out of it, but also because I will never, ever, for all eternity pick against my team. I pick Boston in seven grueling 2-1 games.

Series D: the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Ottawa Senators. Sorry Ottawa, been nice knowing you and all, but you are done. There are three teams that have a shot against the Penguins. Washington, because they dominated everyone this year, and New Jersey, because they actually dominated Pittsburgh this year. No one else has a prayer... and really... I don't thin Jersey and Washington do either. It's too soon to call them as the finalist from the East, but I think they will probably be the finalist from the East for the third year in a row. Pittsburgh wins this one.

Over in the West we have series E featuring the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs were picked to finish lower than the East Coast League this year. No one expected anything out of them. Over the last few weeks it looks like they might have run out of gas, but it was enough to get them to the post season. San Jose is the first seed in the West yet again. As usual they dominated everyone in the regular season. They should rip the Avalanche to shreds. That's why I'm picking the Avalanche. I will not pick San Jose for anything again until they win a Stanley Cup. They have cemented themselves as the masters of choke. They rule in the regular season and then die immediately in the playoffs. I don't see any reason to believe it will be different in 2010. The Avs win this.

In series F we have the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators. I have to admit I know almost nothing about the Predators this year... okay I know nothing at all about the Predators this year. I know Chicago is having some questions in goal that might be enough to keep them from making a deep run, but they are a whale of a team. I don't think anyone will be able to take them in the first round. No offense to Nashville, I just think Chicago is too good for anyone.

Series G: The Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings have been door mats for years and here they are with the sixth seed. The Canucks are a great team. The league leading scorer, the Olympic gold medal winning goalie. They really should win this easily... but what can I say, I am a Kings fan. Here is an upset pick for me. the Kings win this in a long, painful, drawn out seven games.

Last but not least, series H. The Phoenix Coyotes and the Detroit Red Wings. The Wings should own this series. It shouldn't even be close. But I am going with the feel good story of the year and picking the Coyotes. Like Colorado they were destined to spend the season in the basement. The organization spent the off season in court trying to decide who the real owner is and whether they were going to move to Hamilton Ontario, or Kansas City, or Las Vegas, or wherever. Now here we are after the regular season and Phoenix is not only in the playoffs, but they are the fourth seed. Detroit is as low as they are in the standings due in large part to injuries and questionable goal tending. Neither of which are a question now. So they should slaughter Phoenix. But I am picking Phoenix anyway. Sure, they might move to the other end of the continent after the season is over, but for now I think they make it to round two.

So there you have it. Eight predictions, most of which are probably dead wrong. I don't care. That's how I see it.

Go Bruins!

No comments:

Post a Comment