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Alex
PickupHockey All-Star
Canada
2816 Posts |
 Posted - 04/13/2008 : 07:48:11
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Bruins: While history and the odds are all against them, an injured Koivu will eventually take its toll. The Habs once dominating PP is now 1-13 if my memory serves me correctly this post-season. Everyone, including the refs, the players, and even Andyhack knows Boston deserved that game.
The series is going back to Boston less than 24 hours after Kovalev redeemed a team that nearly blew it. Since Montreal is faster and more in shape, I am thinking that may actually be to their advantage. However, if Bergeron comes back and clicks with his linemates before Koivu does, coupled with home-ice making the difference in one of the next two games, Montreal may snap its perfect streak against Boston.
Who will win the series? That's a stupid question. Habs will win it without a doubt. But the first round is bound to see one sweep at least, and Montreal might need to save their brooms.
Senators: Alfie is out and that means so are the Sens. We saw in the final last year how asleep they really are without, and sometimes even with their captain. Brian Murray is sending ambiguous messages, and, when push comes to shove, is incompetent. Heatley and Spezza have a new winger every night. The game plan changes every night. One night, we bring in cup vets in Stillman and Commodore and say they will make us a contender. The next night night, it is the goalie's fault. The enxt night, the coach gets the boot. The next night, we blame the Pens for ''throwing'' the last game of the season. The next night, we label Lapointe as the saviour, saying that a more physical game will be what it takes.
The Senators are going home, which could mean good things. But hey, Alfie won't be back in time, the Pens are getting better each and every game and simply outclass the Sens at their own game (offense-first hockey), and barring injuries to Crosby, Malkin, Sykora, Hossa and just about everyone else (someone please tell that idiot of a reporter in the Ottawa Citizen to put a sock in it!) the Pens are the best bet for a clean sweep.
Flyers: OK, Washington is hot. But don't let your heart get in the way where your mind should be, Washington stole last game. The series will be closer than you think. Philly could easily get a split, and when they go back home, it's a whole new series.
My pick is Washington, the trendy pick to win the series. They are more united and more of a team, and I think have more guys they can look to to steal a game than the Flyers do. But they will not sweep, far from it. The Flyers will hang in there much longer than some of the other teams on this list, mark my words.
Devils: With the Devils, every series in the east has the potential of needing only four games. Don't count out Brodeur so fast.
The series heads back to New York, which means...? A couple miles won't stop the NJ die-hards from making the trek across town to catch a game or two.
It's no secret, the Devils have got to score. But what worries me in this series is the goalies. Brodeur is losing his edge to third-year tender Henrik Lundqvist. Letting in four goals in a game may not be Marty's fault, but he knows he needs to play almost perfect if he is to steal a series.
I say that with Brodeur bouncing back, there is hope for the Devils to even take the series. Mind you, the Rangers won 7 of 8 meetings this year, and are reeling off two straights victories.
Brodeur is the X factor to keep this one alive, and maybe even nab the series. Time will tell.
Nashville: Meanwhile, heading on out west: the President's trophy-winners have a strangle-hold on the series. Yet, it is closer than it seems. The Wings won the season series 5-3, not a commanding lead by any means. A couple of reffing controversies and maybe an ill-timed goalie yank could have made the difference in which team is up 2-0.
Nashville really is no Edmonton. They won't pull off the upset. Even before going down 2-0 they were slim picking to advance. Now, nothing short of a miracle will take them past another 5 games tops.
They are going back home to Tenesse. There are simply no die-hards over there! This series may be one of the quietest ones, and home-ice won't play much of a role in comparisson to the other series.
Nashville is showing glimmers of hope, but their roster has too many holes. Dan Ellis is not a playoff goalie. If he can keep playing this way, Nashville can win 1, maybe two games tops. They won't be the first team out, and if they are, they won't be the worst of the first teams out, but they will most definitely be out. No questions asked.
Ducks: Say it ain't so! I have 6 of a possible 20 players in my pool from the team based in California!
Where are Nieds and Co. when you need 'em? In the box, that's where! I'm not writing them off just yet though. The veteran leadership in that room won't quit until the last minute of the last game. They have even more to play for, as defending a cup is a big thing.
If the leaders can play like leaders on the ice, everything will fall in to place. Remember, Dallas is not a playoff team, other than one cup under Eddie the Eagle. Turco is hot but the rest of the team can be beat. Anaheim is just too good on paper.
The series may be going back to Dallas, but that is no big deal. Anaheim has not won in Dallas this season, but then again, they have not had to win like they do now.
If any team down 2-0 can make a comeback, it is the Ducks.
Last Word:
Amazingly, 6 of 8 matchups may still end up in a sweep. Most likely, that won't happen. If one of those teams does get out in 4, it will be the Sens. One year can make so much of a difference.
The Bs and Preds can be out in 4 just as likely.
And of the teams down, Anaheim is the only one with promise of winning the series. New Jersey is up there, but doesn't have quite enough, I don't think.
"You're playing worse every day and right now you're playing like the middle of next week."
-Herb Brooks
EDIT: To use a li'l 50s lingo here (I happen to be doing a project where we need to rewrite Romeo + Juliet 50s style so I'm pretty up to date in a back to the future type of way when it comes to 50s talk) make like ice and chill Ripley.
I'm not going to make a whole post about it since it's not the type of thing I would be proud having in my post count.
I'm not knocking your originality nor your crediblity. I just thought it was appropriate to poke a bit of well-timed satire at you, seeing as another member, PhillyFan12 I think his name is, has been getting a little bit of a reputation for taking feature polls on other sites and bringing them here. It's not a bad thing and I am not saying you are guilty of doing it, I just thought some of us might appreciate the little joke over there.
In fact, I actually am a fan of this poll and feel it is a much more original one than the current feature poll ''Who will win the cup?'' Can you say yawn?
In short, no hard feelings bud. |
Edited by - Alex on 04/13/2008 12:58:19 |
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Who will be the first out? 
)
(Where did I put my medication?)
