The Wings are the hottest team since the Olympic break. 102 points with over 310 man-games lost to injury. If they stay focused, they're going to be dangerous.
Wsh & Mtl = Wsh in 4 Montreal is lucky to even make the playoffs, and will be going golfing early
edit:
NJ & Phi =NJ in 6. I think Boucher can step up, but after further consideration, Pronger can't cover both Parise and Kovalchuk himself, and Coburn (from what I've seen) wasn't as solid this year. Plus, Brodeur on an average day is > than Boucher on a career day 9 times out of 10.
/edit
Buf & bos= Buf in 5 Boston will have to take solace in Evander Kane exacting the revenge that none of them were able to do against Cooke. In all seriousness, check the highlight. Kane made a HUGE statement with a 2 punch KO. It's on
www.tsn.ca/nhl Ryan Miller will take the sabres deep this year. I don't see the Bruin's offense providing enough to outduel the Sabres. Plus, who does Bos go with in goal? I don't think Thomas has played as well this year, but would they give Rask the chance in the playoffs? TBH, I think Miller/Rask would be an interesting goalie duel, but still give the edge to Miller.
Pit & Ott = Pitt in 6. Kovy's offensive potential is a significant loss, and if Fleury steps it up like he did last season in game 7 of the Final, the Sens won't be able to overcome it.
SJ & Col = Sj in 5 Anderson may steal one, but I think the Sharks match up well with Colorado - and it's the only matchup other than LA where I'd pick SJ. Col is too young, and Anderson is too tired. In 2-3 years, Col is going to be a dangerous opponent. I still think SJ chokes hard in round 2.
-Chi & Nsh = Chi in 7 Don't underrate the Preds, this is a team not to be taken lightly. Other than Detroit, this is the toughest possible first round match up for the Hawks. I've seen enough of them over the years to know that Barry Trotz has them buying into his system. Even without the star power, they gel together well, and Rinne has been darned good in the net. The Preds have a huge advantage in net over the Hawks, and the Weber/Suter pairing on D offsets Keith/Seabrook. I have to give the Hawks the edge up front, with Patrick Sharp as the X-factor. IF the Hawks forwards play hard both ways (which they haven't done consistently) they win the series. Does the pig-nose Toews billboard with the cup curse them? Does Hossa curse them?
-Van & LA = Van in 6 - this is a tough call, since LA is the playoffs x-factor returning for the first time since 2002. I haven't seen enough of the Kings to do an in-depth analysis, but I will say that Drew Doughty is the real deal. Still, I've gotta give the high powered Canucks offense and a motivated Luongo the edge. If the Canucks are going to make a Cup run, this is the year, imho.
-Pho & Det - Wings in 5 (MAYBE 6) - Bryzgalov is the best on-ice hope the Coyotes have to survive this series. The Yotes have had a storybook season on-ice this year, but Glendale arena will be like 2 extra home games for Detroit if past attendance for Wings/Yotes games is any indication. It's not unreasonable to thing the Wings fans will outnumber the Yotes fans.
While I'd love to see Shane Doan get a cup before he hangs it up, the Yotes don't have the firepower to outduel the Wings in a 7 game series, though I do think Bryzgalov is more than capable of stealing a game or two. The Wings are peaking at the right time, and while Tippet should win the Jack Adams award hands down, Babcock is no slouch. For the Wings to break 100 points despite icing a roster that was an AHL roster for all intents and purposes (salary of the skating players was actually below the NHL salary floor for a fairly lengthy stretch), and to be hitting the playoffs on a roll is scary for any opponent. The roster expansion means (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE) the turd-encrusted marshmallow of a player Jason Williams will hopefully be replaced on ice by Justin Abdelkader, which brings an additional physical presence for the Wings that also has good offensive upside.
)
