May 03 2009
Predictions for the NHL Playoffs - Round 2 and beyond
Due to unavoidable circumstances, I’ve been out of the loop for several days, so my predictions post is a bit late. I’ve chopped out the previews, because all of the series are already underway, and just left my predictions the way they were.
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Boston (1) vs. Carolina (6) - Carolina dispatched of New Jersey in dramatic fashion, and carry plenty of momentum into this series. Momentum (and terrific play by goalie Cam Ward) will carry Carolina to game 6, but no further. Boston in 6.
Washington (2) vs. Pittsburgh (4) - The NHL has to be furious that the Devils gacked it up against the Hurricanes, because obviously it would have been even better fot he league to have Crosby/Malkin vs. Ovechkin in the Conference Finals. But they’ll have to settle for an incredible series in the semis. Pittsburgh in 7.
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Vancouver (3) vs. Chicago (4) - Chicago is young and talented. Vancouver is young and talented……and has Luongo. Vancouver in 5.
Anaheim (8) vs. Detroit (2) - Anaheim is the one team in the West that can give Detroit a series. But not enough to win. Detroit in 6.
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Boston will defeat Pittsburgh in 6 games in the Eastern Conference finals because Tim Thomas is far superior to Marc-Andre Fleury. Detroit will eliminate Vancouver in the West in a 6 game series that will only get that far because the aforementioned Luongo will steal a couple of games that his team has no business winning.
And unfortunately, Detroit will defeat Boston in a spirited 6 game Finals series to win the Stanley Cup. Again.
