Sharks/Ducks - Sharks in 7
Wings/B-J's - Wings in 6
Canucks/Blues - Nucks in 6
Flames/Hawks - Hawks in 6
Bruins/Habs - Bruins in 5 (and that's being generous to the Habs)
Caps/Rangers - Caps in 6.
Devils/Canes - Canes in 7
Flyers/Pens - Pens in 6
As the first round winds down, It seems like I've done fairly well as far as my predictions. A few thoughts/comments.
Sharks/Ducks - I still think it's going 7, though I expected the Ducks to be the ones pressing to extend the series. I'm still shocked that there haven't been any major cheap shots by Pronger yet.
To be honest, I'm actually rooting for the Sharks to win it. I think Thornton and Getzlaf might go before all is said and done.
Wings/B-J's - I'm pleasantly surprised by the sweep. Ozzie stepped up in a huge way in the first 3 games, and even though the D hung him out to dry in the 4th game and he seemed to tweak his left adductor muscle, he's been pretty darn good. What's really been a pleasant surprise is the balanced scoring from the Wings. If the B-J's played the whole series with the desperation they had in Game 4 this would have gone 6.
Nucks/Blues - Right call, too many games (just like the Wings). Luongo has been hot, but if the Sharks win their series, this is going to be a pretty nice series for the Wings. I thought the Blues would be riding their momentum to a couple of wins, but silly me forgot about Tkachuk's lack of character (cf. the room trashing incident at the Nagano Olympics). Still, the Blues have a lot to be proud of.
Hawks/Flames - it's been a home ice series, but I think my Hawks in 6 is proved right tonight. Either of these teams I think would give SJ or Van a good fight in the conference semis.
East
Bruins/Habs - I honestly expected the sweep but I NEVER predict sweeps. I thought the Canadiens would steal one, but they just were completely outclassed. It was like a narc getting stomped at a biker rally. They'd have been better off not making the playoffs, as it was a sad, sad, ending to ther 100th season "celebration". Some students from my school were on a field trip to Montreal last week. Sadly one of them turned down my offer of $50 to wear a Bruins hat while he was there. I guess he's learned the art of self-preservation. I feel bad for Price - he deserves MUCH better treatment than the fans gave him.
Rangers/Caps - Game 6 spoke volumes to me - the Rangers weren't finishing checks. Their body language on the bench seemed to me that they were done. Brashear deserves a suspension for his cheap hit on Betts. Varlamov is this years Cam Ward if he carries the Caps deep. Tortorella should not have been suspended - fined heavily, yes, but not suspended. Lundqvist can't carry the Rangers every game. Caps will win this in 7.
Devils/Canes - well, I got the 7 games right, it remains to be seen if the Canes will win it though. This has been a well contested series, and imho most likely the most underappreciated as well. I hope Brind'amour gets a point in game 7 win or lose to keep his scoring streak intact of 26 straight playoff series with a point. He's a class act, though he's a figurehead captain - imho the Canes are clearly Eric Staal's team.
Pens/Flyers - nailed it, though Biron wasn't the Flyers achilles heel I was expecting. He let in a couple of marginal goals in game 6, but if your D gives Malkin multiple shots at rebounds without engaging him, you're going to get burned, even if Brodeur, Roy, and Sawchuk are tag-teaming in the crease. Missed opportunities on multiple occasions for the Flyers sums it up. That, plus Fleury stepping up when he had to. Still, this seasons Pens seem to not be as well poised to go deep. I've got a feeling that if they make the Eastern final that Boston is going to roll them hard. Though if Jersey pulls it out and the Caps win it'll be a second round matchup.
