(1) Vancouver Canucks vs
(8) Los Angeles Kings
I hate the Vancouver Canucks. I’ve never disliked a hockey
team more in my entire life. But unfortunately, they still have a good enough
team to win the Presidents Trophy this season, and they still have a team who
is a Stanley Cup contender. Their opponents, the Los Angeles Kings, have been
one of the leagues biggest underachievers this season, finishing eighth with a
team that should be atop the conference standings. But, they made it to the playoffs, and as
we’ve seen time and time again, anything can happen in the NHL post season. If
the Kings can get their very talented forwards Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, and Anze
Kopitar to step up and score goals, they have a chance. They also will be
heavily relying on probable Vezina candidate in Jonathan Quick to stand on his
head against the incredibly deep Canucks. And if we’ve learned anything about
the Vancouver Canucks and their fan base, there will certainly be a goalie
controversy by game five in this series. I hope I’m wrong, but the Canucks
depth will prevail, but this has the makings to be a solid series.
Prediction: Canucks
in 7
(2) St Louis Blues vs (7)
San Jose Sharks
The St Louis Blues have been a great story this year. Led by
their coach, Ken Hitchcock and great play from their goalie Brian Elliot, this
young and fast team has managed to take the league by storm, grabbing the two
seed in a solid Western Conference. The Sharks on the other hand, have been
less than impressive, and it seems like they are on the verge of a retooling in
the near future. However, with their very capable forwards Joe Thornton,
Patrick Marleau, and Logan Couture, along with playoff performers such as Joe
Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, and Antti Niemi, it looks like the Sharks still have one
last run in them. They’ve never been able to get it done in the big games, but
I think you will see the Sharks play with more urgency than ever before and
take down the great story that is the St Louis Blues.
Prediction: Sharks in
6
(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs
(6) Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a deceiving team. With players of
the likes of Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan
Keith, and Brent Seabrook, you always want to pick them to win games. But when
you really take a look at their team, that’s all they really have. No matter
which way you swing it, this is not a deep team, and their opponents, the
Phoenix Coyotes, have them beat in the depth department. They also have the
advantage in goaltending with Mike Smith being the key reason why the Coyotes
are where they are today. Goaltending can win or lose a series, and I think
Smith will hold off the dynamic scorers on the Blackhawks in a tight and
entertaining series.
Prediction: Coyotes
in 6
(4) Nashville Predators
vs (5) Detroit Red Wings
In what feels like the hardest series to predict, the
division rivals Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators will be facing off in
what surely will be a fun series to watch. Both teams have been great at home,
especially Detroit who continues to make the Joe Louis Arena one of the most
feared buildings in the league. However, it is the Predators who managed to
take the forth seed and with it will come home ice advantage. The Predators are
the same type of team they have been for the last ten years, with no major
superstars on offence, but instead just players who have bought into a system,
a defensive core worth bragging about, and very impressive goaltending. The Red
Wings on the other hand, are very deep, and with two of the most complete
players in the league in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg being healthy and
playing well, they will be tough to beat. A couple hours ago I was picking
Detroit, but I think without the home ice advantage, there will be room for the
Preds to pull it out. This is the only pick of this first round where I’m using
my heart instead of my head. I regret nothing.
Prediction: Predators
in 7
