It’s been a while since my last post but what better way to get back into it than with my first round picks? Under the new bracket style playoff format it will be perhaps even more difficult to win the Stanley Cup! However, the new format will surely provide some great entertainment for fans as evidenced by round one matchups involving Blackhawks/Blues, Sharks/Kings, Rangers/Flyers, etc. So without drawing this out any further, here are my expert (lol) predictions for round one:
Eastern Conference:
Detroit at Boston: Honestly, coming into this season I thought the Bruins were on the decline. I felt the trading of Seguin was a mistake (may still prove to be as time goes on) and the losses of Peverley, Horton and Ference would also hurt. They’ve really proved me wrong this season and I won’t bet against them in round one. Jarome Iginla is motivated, Patrice Bergeron is almost as good as it gets in the postseason, Tuuka Rask is a Vezina candidate (shouldn’t win though) and Big Z is still a monster. The Red Wings have gotten healthier but still not healthy enough in my book. Coach Babcock is good and if he can get strong goaltending he’ll push the Bruins to the limit, but similar to last year against Chicago, it won’t be enough. BRUINS IN 6
Player to watch: Reilly Smith
Montreal at Tampa Bay: Very difficult series to call so I really had to break it down into components. I think the Habs get the edge in goaltending (esp. with Bishop out), special teams, total offense, and defense. I give the Lightening the edge in grit and having the bigger game breaker in Stamkos. Add in that playoff “magic” that Montreal teams tend to find each spring and I think they win this series. With that said, the Lightening have the tools to win especially if Bishop can return early on. It’ll be interesting to see which deadline acquisition plays the bigger part in this series, Callahan or Vanek? That may go a long way in determining who moves on. Also, it’s important to mention that Carey Price has one playoff series win in his career and it was in his rookie season. If he‘s going to be considered an elite goaltender in this league, he needs to win in the spring. I think he does here! HABS IN 6
Player to watch: Max Pacioretty
Columbus at Pittsburgh: The new playoff set up seems to shield teams from the old 2 vs. 7 upset special! How many times over the years has a number 7 seed taken out a number 2 seed? It has happened more often than you’d expect and though the setup is a little different in 2014, the Penguins are technically the number 2 seed in the east and I think they will fall! The Jackets play a team game and have a lot of players built for postseason hockey. If Bobrovsky is on top of his game, the Penguins could be in trouble. You can never be sure on the health of certain players or which Marc-Andre Fleury will be between the pipes! Don’t be surprised if this is Bylsma’s last time behind a Pittsburgh bench. JACKETS IN 7
Player to watch: Brandon Dubinsky
Philadelphia at New York: Another very difficult series to call which needs to be broken down into components. Rangers get the edge in goaltending and defense, Flyers get the edge in offense and having the bigger game breaker in Claude Giroux, while special teams and grit looks to be pretty even. That just shows this series should be a dandy! My money has to go on the team with the better defense and a King in net. I also believe that Marty St.Louis will make a statement in these playoffs and help the Rangers turn some heads as they make a deep run. RANGERS IN 6
Player to watch: Martin St. Louis
Western Conference:
Chicago at St.Louis: The Blues have fallen from a top Cup contender to a huge question mark in just two weeks. With a 6 game losing streaking, too many injuries to list and Kenny Hitchcock seemingly melting down; are the wheels off the Blues bus? The Blackhawks have to be feeling pretty good with their two top guns likely back in the lineup for game one and well rested for the stretch run at that. The couple days between the regular season and game one are crucial for the Blues to put it all behind them and reenergize. They’ll need to get great goaltending from Miller, play the ‘wear em down’ game and get some consistent offence in order to win this series. I don’t think they’ll be able to do it though. HAWKS IN 6
Player to watch: Patrick Sharp
Dallas at Anaheim: In 2001 the Colorado Avalanche eliminated the LA Kings in 7 games to advance to the Conference finals. Near the 2001 trade deadline the Kings shipped Rob Blake to those Avalanche and following the series that spring, many Kings players said they wished they played that series with Blake on their side. Fast forward to 2014, the Dallas Stars will play against Anaheim in round one, the team they traded defenseman Stephane Robidas to in March. When this series is over; like the Kings in ‘01, the Stars will wish they had Robidas on their side. I’m not sold on the Ducks as a team that will go all the way but I do believe they handle Dallas despite a solid effort from Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Secondary scoring will be crucial for the Ducks as they move forward. DUCKS IN 6
Player to watch: Andrew Cogliano
Los Angeles at San Jose: Over the years I’ve always expected the San Jose Sharks to choke! Like a coach named Torts, I’ve always felt Joe Thornton has never won anything in this league and I could say the same for Patty Marleau. In saying that, those guys are not the main focal points in San Jose anymore. Yes, those guys still produce but they also have some great young talent in Couture, Pavelski, Vlasic, Burns, Hertl, etc. On the other side, over the last few years I’ve had high expectations of the LA Kings. They are a team built for the playoffs with grit, timely scoring and world class goaltending. Based on the above, you’d think my pick here is obvious but actually I think the Sharks are going to make a splash (pun not intended). The Sharks’ energy and hunger (pun not intended) will be difficult for the Kings to match this time around and I think the Kings will need a refresh after having 6 guys play in Sochi and two long playoff runs in 2012 and 2013. SHARKS IN 6
Player to watch: Joe Pavelski
Minnesota at Colorado: As the Avs came from behind and stole the Central Division from the St. Louis Blues, I couldn’t help but think back to 2003 when they snuck up on the Vancouver Canucks and took the North West Division in the final week of the season. Winning the division back then resulted in a first round series with the Wild and a ‘mile high upset.’ Will history repeat itself in 2014? You never know! While the Avalanche did finish the season with the second best record in the West, they are still a very young team with little playoff experience and a couple of injuries. Despite an incredible season, I don’t think the Avs have earned much respect yet and most teams feel they can beat them in a 7 game series. The Wild have guys like Parise and Pominville who have taken long runs in the playoffs and stud blueliner Ryan Suter who will log some serious minutes. The big question mark will be Ilya Bryzgalov and whether he will be focused on the game or the universe. With a 7-0-3 record in his last 10 games he helped the Wild finish strong and if he can continue that play, the Wild will have a chance at the upset. Similarly, the Avalanche will need Varlamov to continue to be his Vezina self and get a balanced contribution from their forwards, especially with Duchene out. Fearing the risk of a jinx, no prediction on this one. GO AVS!
Player to watch: Ryan O’Reilly
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O'Leary's Outlook 