Detroit Red
Wings vs Calgary Flames. Split their four-game regular season
series. The Flames have more offensive depth than in years past,
making them tougher to defend against, but their defensive game
hasn't been as strong this season. The Wings have depth at all
areas, with a good mix of experienced veterans and rising young
talent, but could be missing some key players (Chelios, Zetterberg,
Bertuzzi) to start this series. The Flames will play the Wings
hard but ultimately Detroit's depth should carry them through.
WINGS IN SIX.
Anaheim Ducks
vs Minnesota Wild. Split their four-game regular season series,
each game being low-scoring, tight checking affairs. Expect more
of the same in this series. The Ducks are a physical team with
a strong offensive game and possess two of the best all-round
defencemen in Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. The Wild play
their usual strong defensive system but have more scoring depth
this season, led by Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik. Ultimately,
this series could come down to goaltending, where the Wild's
netminders had better regular season stats than the Ducks. WILD
IN SEVEN.
Vancouver
Canucks vs Dallas Stars. Split their four game regular season
series, with each game ending in 2-1 scores. These are two teams
that have strong goaltending and plenty of blueline depth, but
lack offensive punch, as both clubs are the two lowest scoring
teams in the Conference to make the playoffs. Expect this series
to be a reflection of their regular season tilts. As with the
Ducks and Wild, this could come down to the goaltending. Dallas'
Marty Turco has playoff experience but none of it good, whilst
this is Vancouver's Roberto Luongo's first post-season appearance.
Luongo may not feel as much pressure to prove himself as Turco
and that could make the difference. CANUCKS IN SIX.
Nashville
Predators vs San Jose Sharks. The Preds won three of four during
the regular season series. Nashville comes into this series with
considerable depth in talent, most notably with experienced leaders
like Peter Forsberg, Jason Arnott and Paul Kariya. However, they
struggled down the stretch, which cost them locking up first
overall in the Conference. The Sharks didn't have as strong a
season as anticipated but did play well done the stretch, powered
by star forward Joe Thornton. Still, there's concern about their
offensive depth beyond the Thornton line, and if the other Sharks
forward fail to step up if the top line is shut down, they could
be in trouble. PREDATORS IN SIX.
EASTERN CONFERENCE.
Buffalo Sabres
vs. New York Islanders. The Sabres won three of four in the regular
season series. The Isles go into this series on an emotional
high after qualifying in a shootout in the final game of the
season, but one wonders how they'll fare without star goalie
Rick DiPietro. They're facing an offensive powerhouse in the
Sabres, the NHL's top team as well as one of its fastest teams,
who'll be further bolstered by the return of injured players
like Tim Connolly. The Isles will give it a good go but lack
the depth to pull off an upset. SABRES IN FIVE.
New Jersey
Devils vs Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts took three of four
in the regular season. This will be a battle between the Devils
defence, led by goalie Martin Brodeur, and the Lightning's offence,
led by Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. Brodeur is capable
of stealing a series by himself, while the Lightning's goaltending
is shaky and their defence average at best. The Devils top forwards
haven't been as strong as last season but are opportunistic,
which could prove a problem for the Bolts. The Devils defence
will have their hands full containing Lecavalier and company,
but in the end Brodeur could make the difference. DEVILS IN SIX.
Atlanta Thrashers
vs New York Rangers. The Thrashers won three of four in the
regular season series. The Thrashers possess a lethal offence
powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa, and were bolstered
down the stretch by the acquisition of Keith Tkachuk, but there's
not much depth beyond them. The Rangers were red hot down the
stretch, and have more offensive depth led by Jaromir Jagr and
Brendan Shanahan. The bluelines of both teams are average at
best, so it'll be up to their respective goaltenders to carry
the day defensively. Ultimately, the Rangers experience could
be the determining factor in this one. RANGERS IN FIVE.
Ottawa Senators
vs Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins took three of four game
in the regular season series. This one could be the marquee matchup
of the first round, with considerable potential to be nasty given
some of the verbal sparring between the two teams. The Penguins
are a predominantly young team with an average at best defensive
game, whilst the Sens have experience and defensive depth on
their side. However, the Pens, led by wunderkind Sidney Crosby,
are also an energetic bunch that never quits regardless of the
score, whilst the Senators are still haunted by the "playoff
choke" tag. Although defence usually wins playoff games,
the Pens exuberance and offensive talent could push them over
the top. PENGUINS IN SIX.
RE The Ducks/Wild series ... i think that's going to be one of the best first round series (except for Pens-Sens, of course...). I think you're right Spec, its going to come down to goaltending. The question mark is whether or not Backstrom can succeed in the playoffs. If he can, it's going to be a tough road for the ducks. If he can't and the Wild cant decide whether to keep playing Backstrom or go to a relatively cold Fernandez, that might spell disaster for the Wild. I feel like the Wild are in a very similar place to the Ducks last year with two number one goalies. Two number one goalies is a great thing, but it can make it that much more trickier ... should be a great series. Can't wait.
Devils in 6? With all the fire power that Tampa has and the LACK of fire power that NJ has, you'd think it would be the other way around. NJ is only good for 2 or 3 goals per game, I honestly think NJ isn't going anywhere with Tampa. Tampa in 6 sounds about right! Penguins too eh, well if Crosby turns into some kind of hockey machine, then the pens are out first round. Ottawa is going to the conference finals.
The Devils may only average 2-3 goals per game, but that average has to be higher against a team like Tampa, whose goaltending could be called questionable at best. Tampa's an offensive machine, to be sure, but they don't have the goaltending (or perhaps the defense) to stand up to even the Devils offense ... and the Tampa offense, as good as it is, probably isnt a match for one of the best goaltenders in history over a span of seven games...
Best goalie in the world at the peak of his game? I think NJ shouldn't have any trouble dispatching Tampa, I liked Tampa for a 1st round upset against anyone but the devils. I think San Joses going to prove too much to handle in the west, too big, too fast. And depth beyond Thorntons line??? They have Marleau, Guerin who are both having good seasons and I think Bell and Bernier are both going to rediscover their game in the playoffs. San Joses got some great energy players in Rismiller and Brown and Greirs going to check Forsberg into the ground, not to mention pot some timely goals. They have 2 starting goalie in Nabokov and Toskala which never hurt any team. Their Ds hardnosed (if not offensive.) San Joses going to get by the 1st round on guts and Special Teams prowess.
Even though the flames struggled down the stretch, I'm not ruling them out, not over Detroit anyway. Someone is going to skate by Hasek and he's going to sprain his mcl or something, so I'm picking the flames in 6. I agree about Minnesota, hard fight, but I see the wild going strong and pushing past the ducks in 7. Dallas could be a team to look out for, it seems as though everyone is looking past Turco, they are a good all around team and I think they'll push past the canucks even though Luongo is going to stand on his head. Preds and sharks, thats a tough one, I guess it all really depensd if the sharks show up to play, but I'm going to agree again...Preds in 6
As for the east, I pretty much agree 100% with what your saying. It always seems so much more cut and dry in the east, its always tougher in the west but the east always wins the cup. The west is gonig to be crazy this year with any of the teams a potential cup winner.
I'm going in a player pool tonight, any ideas who I should try to pick up right away, we get one player from every team.....
Getting my hopes up, just to have them crushed again Spector? Not sure about your thoughts regarding the Thrashers/Rangers series. Call me a pessimist, but I still think we're looking at another one-and-done series.
Why Detroit will win?
- Flames D has been useless at clearing the zone
- Detroit cannot have yet another early exit can they?
- Euro stars Holmstrom, Datsyuk etc. sick of being told they lack the Canadian work ethic
- Flames have backed into the post-season with no consistent intensity... The way they came out against Edmonton it could have been 5-0 after 1 (It was 2-0) as soon as it was announced that Colorado had been eliminated they stopped trying. You don't play like that this time of year. Look at Detroit 7-2 in a meaningless game against Chicago... or Ottawa 6-3 over Boston in a similarly meaningless game. Those teams are fired up for the playoffs.
Why the Flames will win?
- Kipper steals a couple
- Zetterberg, Bertuzzi, Cleary scratched ... except that will probably backfire as the Flames will ease up
- Yelle, Friesen, Nilson line (best line of late) dominate Detroit's top line and pop in some opportune goals
- Huselius continues to dazzle like the Magic Man (Kent Nilsson)... this guy is unbelievably patient
- Chelios and Schneider act their age
I think detroit will beat the flames personally. I think we have more depth at scoring with 4 possible line to shoot your brains out, and the team defence has gotten better in the last few games. Once we egt the power play rolling well be fine. This is not your normal wings from the past few years. There going to fight back.
i think the Ana/Min series will be good just liek the Nash/SanJ one. I think there a toss up really on whose going to win. I think Pit will loose in 5 because of there terrible defence and you need defence to win the playoffs. Also with the NYR/ ATL series, the thrashers will win in 6, ATL to me is the much better overal team, with 2 good scoring lines, maybe 3 and good set of physical d-man and a good goalie.
Pretty much the playoffs this year there is no clear cut winner besides maybe Buffalo if they stay healthy, Ill be surprised if Detroit is knocked out early but i also think theyll be the surprise team of the playoffs!!!
The Rangers in 5! You and everybody else Spector. The Rangers have no offensive depth, while the Thrashers, with the acquisition of Tkachuk, have two lethal lines. By the way, Kovalchuk and Hossa do not play on the same line. You got Hossa-Belanger-Kozlov and Tkachuk-Mellanby-Kovalchuk. Beyond Jagr and Shanahan(is he healthy and does it matter at his age?) the Rangers look a lot thinner than the Thrashers.
Spector. I just lost a lot of respect for you. Anyone who has bothered to do any research at all on the Thrashers know that Hossa and Kovalchuk are not linemates. You're a fraud, dude...
Guys, it was an honest mistake. I know those two don't play on the same line, but in my haste to post this inadvertently wrote they did. I regret the error and have corrected it, but I think it's rather extreme to call me a "fraud" for an oversight.
As for Shanahan, yes, he does matter, waffleboy. He's got the most playoff experience and leadership of all the top players on both teams, and that includes his teammate Jagr. I think he'll be a difference maker, as his record clearly shows.
Spectors Hockey is by far the best website for trade rumours/reports, he's no fraud.
Love the predictions. I've got Ottawa but that will be a tough series as will Minnesota vs. Anaheim. Anaheim in six. Pronger + Niedermayer equals wins.
Detroit will get by Calgary for sure, I think they're just too good (although I thought the same last year). The west is insane this year.
Go Sabres!
Over the course of the regular season the Thrashers won 1 more game, scored only 4 more goals and gave up 29 more goals than the Rangers did. Even if the Thrashers beat the Rangers (which I don't think they will) does anyone really see this team advancing past the second round? Puh-leeze.
The Sharks don't lack offensive depth, they have 2 lines that can score, and 2 lines that put tons of pressure on the other team's defense to tire them out. Sharks in 6.
i agree with sharkfan99, the sharks have 2 great scoring lines, and 2 lines that can put pressure (both of which can score, bernier has got tremendous potential.) that is fine if nashville got a little bigger in the offseason, so did san jose, and if anyone watched the sharks last 3 games of the season, they are ready for a very physical series. considering big joe is now playing almost tougher then anyone on the team minus clowe.
love the site and go sharks
Sorry about the fraud comment. It was out of line. I guess I just get upset about the general lack of respect given to the Thrashers by much of the national media. I think the biggest key in this series will be the Thrashers PP. If they can start converting on PP chances, it will negate much of what Sean Avery will be trying to do...which is disrupt Kovy, Lehtonen, Sim etc. If we make the Rags pay when they committ penalties, it will be goodnight for New York. If not, we will be thrown off our game and allowing the Rags to dictate the pace.
Jeffss: No problem. Believe me, no disrespect is intended. I won't be upset if my prediction for the Thrashers-Rangers series is wrong. Indeed, I won't be upset if I get them all wrong.Predicting the outcomes of playoff series is basically guesswork, you're just taking your best guess and hoping for the best.
Here in Canada, for fun TSN uses a #### who spins a wheel to determine her picks, and guess what? The ####'s average for the past two years were slightly better in comparison to the panel of hockey experts.
As the great Canadiens coach Toe Blake once said, "predictions are for gypsies". They should be for fun and not to be taken too seriously. As we used to say in the Canadian Forces: "Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one!
Hey Spector. Nice job on the predictions. I checked out your website and a number of the blogs linked from it. Good stuff. I even included links to it in my blog this morning (www.myofficepool.ca/blog) and commented on your predictions. We agree on 6 of 8.
Damn that ####! Surely she will be back on TSN with some head scratchers that will look like no brainers after the first round!
Last edited by MikeBillsFan on April 10th at 8:20 AM.
Saw the CBC trucks roll into the parking lot outside of GM Place this morning. Everyone's got their Canucks jersey, baseball cap, toque on (except me... I've got my Team Canada Iginla shirt on). Its a beautiful sunny day and playoff fever is in the air.
Some killer series!! Minny and Anaheim might be one of the best. For the most part it should be a tight checking, low-scoring affair like the 2003 series. But look for Gaborik, Walz and Demitra to break a couple games open. I agree with you Spector... I like Minny in this one (in 7)
I've got mixed feelings about the Nucks-Stars. Canucks are the rival I love to hate, but it is nice having hockey in town. Canucks have been playing stingy defense, 110% effort all season. Can they keep it up? I think the Stars will take it in 6
Nashville - San Jose???? Who can pick that one? I'll take your word on that one, Spector...
It's incredible that one of those two teams will be golfing in 2 weeks.
If you get the 1st pick in your hockey draft tonight, who do you think you would take?
Sorry to burst your bubble about the Rangers supposed experience but they have less cumulative playoff experience than the Thrashers. Go ahead everyone, underestimate the Thrashers but you will be shocked when we wipe the Rangers out in 5 games. Once Big Mouth Avery is drilled a few times by Exelby, he won't be a factor at all.
Jaybird: Who's underestimating the Thrashers? I'm not. I just believe the Rangers will defeat them. What is it with a few Thrashers fans that they're sooooo overly sensitive lately? Look, I know it's your first playoffs for your team and all, and hey, I wish them well and hope they do well, but a few of you (again, A FEW!) are overreacting to the smallest criticisms or flying off the handle over imagined slights.
When I spoke of the Rangers experience, I'm not talking about culmulative. I'm talking about big name guys used to playing in big game situations. Jagr and Shanahan have well-earned reputations for coming through in the playoffs. That's why I think they may have an edge over the Thrashers, who lack guys who have that experience. If they prove me wrong, good for them. Well done! If they don't, well, better luck next year.
I understand what you are saying but look at our top guys, Hossa, Kozlov, Tchachuk, Zhitnik, they all have a good amount of playoff experience. Granted Kovalchuk and Lehtonen are playoff rookies but I don't see it being that big of a factor. Lehtonen is the kind of guy who thrives on big games and will step up big in this series. I did enjoy your article, nothing personal with my comments. We (Thrashers) fans just feel we are being slighted for not being in a traditional hockey town but we do have a very good team. I could definitely see us making it to the conference finals vs. Buffalo and even beyond that.
No problem JayBird. Hey, at least you guys are dispelling the myth about Thrashers fans lacking emotion about their team!
Yes, Hossa, Kozlov, Tkachuk and Zhitnik have considerable playoff experience. However, of that group, only one - Kozlov - has played on a winner. Hossa and Tkachuk only played on one team that went past the second round in their careers.They've also only had two good playoff years too. It's been six years since Zhitnik last played in the post-season and he's also got a somewhat average playoff record.
When it comes to playoff leadership, Jagr and Shanahan have it in ####s, and the Thrashers must neutralize those two in this upcoming series.
The first round in the West should have some great hockey, and frankly if all the "underdogs" took their series it wouldn't be a shock. When all the teams are this close, it comes down to a matter of will and which squad is mentally tough enough.
Detroit and Calgary: They match up remarkably well and both teams have last season's First Round exit as motivation. Both teams have the firepower and the defense. The x-factor for me is how long Hasek stays healthy; if the Wings have to play Osgood, they're in trouble. Although it's chic to pick Hockeytown, I say they're mentally brittle. Calgary in seven.
Anaheim and Minnesota: The Wild play a playoff style all season, so they don't have to shift gears for the post-season. Anaheim has battled injuries all year but look to be healthy at the right time. I see the Ducks sending a tonne of rubber toward the Minnesota net, and pounding the Wild at every opportunity. The Ducks reached the Western Finals last year, and got even better over the summer. Anaheim in six, but they get a good scare with three games going to overtime.
Vancouver and Dallas: A tale of two netminders. Both guys have something to prove. Conventional wisdom says all the pressure is on Turco, but Luongo is in a hockey mad city that expects to win and end 40 years of playoff frustration. That's pressure. If Dallas can play a simple game, they win. Stars in six.
*** continued below ***
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on April 10th at 12:53 PM.
Nashville and San Jose: Although they met last year you really can't call this a rematch as both clubs have significantly retooled. It's a shame one of these teams has to go home after the First Round; this should be some of the best hockey of the playoffs. Nashville's got the scoring punch, but San Jose has playoff-seasoned goaltending. If San Jose doesn't win, they become the Ottawa Senators of the West (great in the regular season, disappointing in the playoffs). That won't happen: Sharks in seven.
Without intent, I've just realized that I've disagreed with Lyle on every one of his picks for the West. No disrespect intended. Be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Sadly, the staff meeting beckons, so I'll have to get to the Eastern Conference later this afternoon. Perhaps Spector and I will will be more in agreement on those match-ups.
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on April 10th at 12:58 PM.
well ... i just posted my predictions in your other column.
The one that surprised me the most from you Spec was the Rangers in 5. If they win (and they might) it will be because of Lundquist who has been unreal down the stretch. I also think it will take longer than just five games. In the end I think Shanahan and Jagr are awesome but other czechs on the roster may be a bit soft.
This Being my first comment, sadly I'm going to have to disagree with Spector on a couple of points here...
Atlanta- Horribly underestimated. In my opinion, Marian Hossa is arguably the best all around player in the NHl, or at the very least one of the three best. (The other two bein Jarome Iginla and Rod Brind'Amour.)
San Jose- One line team? I doubt it. San Jose is a sleeping monster for one reason... Patrick Marleau. With arguably the best goaltending in the NHL and one of the premier 1-2 punches down the middle the Sharks will be the team to beat this year. Nashville, i'm sorry to say, will choke.
elchrisco: No problem with you disagreeing with me. That's what the comments threads are for, to allow the readers to voice their opinions.
Just a couple of points. First, I'm not underestimating the Thrashers. I just believe the Rangers can beat them.
As for the Sharks, I'm fully aware of what the Marleau line can be capable of in the post-season, especially seeing what they did last season to step up when the Thornton line was being keyed on by their opponents. If they can do it again, the Sharks will be dangerous, however, Thornton has to take his game to a higher level than he'd done in the past in the playoffs for the Sharks to go deep.
So much for getting back to this in the afternoon! Here's my Eastern Conference predictions (quickie version):
Buffalo takes the Islanders in five games. (The fishermen get lucky one night).
New Jersey beats Tampa Bay in six games. (Brodeur is the difference.)
The Rangers beat Atlanta in five games. (No disrespect to the Thrashers, but I think the Rangers grind this one out.)
Pittsburgh beats Ottawa in seven games. (Yes, I'm on the Pittsburgh bandwagon. They remind me of the 1981 Oilers that swept the Canadiens and almost knocked off the Islanders. I'm pulling for the Senators to win, but I just don't see it happening.)
And, unlike the Western Conference, I'm perfectly in agreement with Mr. Spector on these four picks, so I don't feel like I'm being rude to our host!
Shanahan has the experience, Spector, but so do plenty of Thrashers! (Holik, Mellanby, Devries) My point about Shanahan is that I don't think he can contribute to the offense like he used to.(3 goals in his last 22 playoff games) Don't assume that the Thrashers are inexperienced becvause this team is in its first playoff run. We have a Stanley Cup-winning coach and plenty of playoff experience.
As well, I know a lot of Thrashers' fans have seemed overly sensitive, but we have been waiting ofr this moment for a long time and sometimes our emotions get the better of us. I, for one, am giddy with excitement at being at the first ever Thrashers' playoff game. I'm thankful I don't have to work the next day and I hope a few Rangers fans are sitting close by.(I apologize, in advance, for any obscene gestures. Once again, my emotions have gotten the better of me.)
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
