2012 Stanley Cup Playoff predictions – Conference Finals

I don’t know what to say here. Compared to my previous years of being bang-on in my predictions, this year has been a total disaster for me.

After a first round where I went 4-4 in my predictions, the second round was far and away a disaster when up against previous playoffs.

Let’s recap.

New York Rangers 4-3 Washington Capitals (right team, wrong games)

Philadelphia Flyers 1-4 New Jersey Devils (wrong team)

St. Louis Blues 0-4 Los Angeles Kings (wrong team)

Phoenix Coyotes 4-1 Nashville Predators (wrong team)

In short, I went 1-3 in the second round. Now, there are some positives to be noticed. The Flyers lost, which is actually good news, because Philly deserves shitty teams that never win. The Flyers are a disgrace to hockey, and if there was a way to go back in time and prevent them from winning their two Stanley Cups in the 1970s, I would. But, yet again they won’t win it this year, so all is well in the world.

I am also flabbergasted at the Predators being dismantled by the Coyotes. I really had Nashville going at least to the Western Conference Final. Apparently that’s not going to happen this year.

OK. On to my predictions for the conference finals.

Eastern Conference Final

1 New York Rangers v. 6 New Jersey Devils

These two teams could take the subway to their games (unless the NYC subway doesn’t go to Newark). Both these teams are not quite known for their offensive prowess this year, but they have weapons. And they both have goalies who are very good, although Martin Brodeur is getting old. This has the makings of a long, low-scoring affair, with the winner being the Rangers in 7.

Western Conference Final

3 Phoenix Coyotes v. 8 Los Angeles Kings

Who saw both these teams getting this far? I sure didn’t. The Kings are better than I expected them to be in the playoffs, but they’re every bit what they were expected to be before the puck dropped to start the regular season. On the other hand, the Coyotes are getting it done, but no one’s really sure how. They’re a bunch of spare parts working as a team, and it’s a model that’s had great for them. But in the end, I feel the Kings are on fire, so I’m going with Kings in 6.

There we have it. My predictions for the NHL’s conference finals. Here’s hoping I can redeem myself and get closer to a .500 record. So far, 4-4 and 1-3 is only 5-7. I need to nail the final three series to pull it out.

2012 Stanley Cup Playoff predictions – Round 2

Well, I have to say that was one hell of a first round. Upsets aplenty, Game 7s aplenty. It was quite something.

To recap, here are the series results:

New York Rangers 4-3 Ottawa Senators (right team, wrong games)

Boston Bruins 3-4 Washington Capitals (wrong team)

Florida Panthers 3-4 New Jersey Devils (right team, wrong games)

Pittsburgh Penguins 2-4 Philadelphia Flyers (wrong team)

Vancouver Canucks 1-4 Los Angeles Kings (wrong team)

St. Louis Blues 4-1 San Jose Sharks (right team, wrong games)

Phoenix Coyotes 4-2 Chicago Blackhawks (wrong team)

Nashville Predators 4-1 Detroir Red Wings (right team, wrong games)

This sets up the following matchups for the second round, along with my predictions. Hopefully I’ll do better than a .500 (4-4) record this round.

1E New York Rangers v. 7E Washington Capitals

I think the Senators showed that the Rangers are vulnerable. But in a goaltending contest involving Henrik Lundqvist, there are few goalies who stack up. Then again, there is Alex Ovechkin to worry about. Still, I have to give this to the Rangers in 6.

5E Philadelphia Flyers v. 6E New Jersey Devils

After seeing what the Flyers did to the Penguins, I foresee the Flyers advancing. They have more offence, that’s for sure. But their goaltending is shaky (when has it not been so?), while it is Martin Brodeur (even at his advanced age) at the other end. I see a tougher series for the Flyers than against the Penguins, but not an end to their run (unfortunately). Let’s take the Flyers in 6.

2W St. Louis Blues v. 8W Los Angeles Kings

So much for the Canucks, eh? Both these teams were full marks in their defeat of their previous opponents. I can see a long AND a short series here. Long because the Kings are somewhat on fire and on a mission after clawing their way into the playoffs, and will fight the Blues tooth and nail. Short because the Kings knocked off the league’s No. 1 team, and may feel that’s good enough. So, I shall split the difference, while going with the better team overall. I’m taking the Blues in 6.

3W Phoenix Coyotes v. 4W Nashville Predators

One of these teams will be playing for the Western Conference title in at most seven games. Which one? I feel the Coyotes are on a high after finally winning a playoff series, and they were full marks for winning their division. But Nashville has been building for this year, and took out the Red Wings, which is never the easiest thing to do these past few years. I have to go with the Predators in 6.

There we have it. Let’s see what I know.

2012 Stanley Cup Playoff predictions – Round 1

OK.

I used to give long-winded explanations of why I picked each team to win its series. Well, I’m not going to do that anymore because, let’s be honest, since I got a real job I don’t have the time anymore to analyze each series in the same amount of depth as I used to.

But, I still like to try my hand at choosing each round’s winners. And unlike what I’ve seen on the NHL website, I’m not going to go beyond the first round here. I only do round-by-round picks.

So let’s git r done!

Eastern Conference

(1) New York Rangers v. (8) Ottawa Senators

I have to go with the Rangers here. Simply one of the best teams in the conference against the eighth seed. I’ll take Rangers in 5.

(2) Boston Bruins v. (7) Washington Capitals

Oh how the might-ish have fallen. The Capitals have fallen since the Canadiens Halaked them in 2010. And as much as it pains me to say it, the Bruins did advance the farthest possible last year. Let’s go with Bruins in 6.

(3) Florida Panthers v. (6) New Jersey Devils

The NHL needs to fix its rule that the division winners get a top-three seed. The Panthers had only the sixth-best record in the conference this year, while the Devils had eight more points and finished in sixth. I have to take the Devils in 6.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v. (5) Philadelphia Flyers

Another example of the inequity of division winners getting a top-three seed. Both of these teams finished with more points than the Bruins. This is going to be a down and dirty series. These teams hate each other. I’m going with Penguins in 7.

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (8) Los Angeles Kings

The Kings were supposed to be better than this. The Canucks are as good as their record indicates, and are back for another run at the Stanley Cup. It won’t be quick, but it will be the Canucks in 6.

(2) St. Louis Blues v. (7) San Jose Sharks

The Blues really turned it around after hiring Ken Hitchcock. The Sharks, like the Kings, were supposed to be better. I’m going to say the Sharks will be another playoff disappointment for their fans, falling to the Blues in 7.

(3) Phoenix Coyotes v. (6) Chicago Blackhawks

Same points inequality as the Eastern Conference, but not as bad. The Blackhawks are the better team, but the Coyotes are not to be seen as a pushover. In a long series, I’m taking the Blackhawks in 7.

(4) Nashville Predators v. (5) Detroit Red Wings

When was the last time the Red Wings weren’t the home team in the first round? It was 2010. I thought it was longer ago. Whatever. Nashville finally won a playoff series last year. The Red Wings are the Red Wings. It will be long, and maybe include a few overtime games, but will end with the Predators in 7.

And there you have it. My picks for the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first round, anyway. How will I do? We’ll find out in two weeks.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Stanley Cup Final Recap

Well, that never happened.

The newspapers will tell you Boston in 7 is what happened. Which means my prediction of Vancouver in 6 was wrong. Which also means I went an embarrassing 9-6 in my predictions.

But here’s what really happened. No one won the 2011 Stanley Cup.

That’s right. No one.

I refuse to recognize a Stanley Cup champion that employs an attempted murderer. You know who I mean.

As such, the 2011 Stanley Cup remains unawarded in perpetuity.

That is all.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Stanley Cup Final

Alright, here we go. My pick for the 2011 Stanley Cup final.

(1W) Vancouver Canunks v. (3E) Boston Bruins

It’s a matchup between the President’s Trophy-winning Canucks and the Bruins. Yep, there’s nothing special about the Bruins. The Canucks were simply the NHL’s best team the entire season, winning the President’s Trophy by an astounding 10 points over the Washington Capitals (117-107), and outclassing the Bruins by a healthy 14 points (117-103). Of course, the regular season means nothing at this point, which is even more relevant when you acknowledge the Bruins won the only meeting between these teams in the regular season, 3-1 (one empty-net goal). Going from the playoffs up to this point, both teams have identical records: 12-6. Not much to go on there. In the end, I feel the better team over the long haul will win out. So with that in mind, I’m going with Canucks in 6, winning the Cup in Boston and rubbing it in the Bruins’ faces.

I hate the Bruins.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Conference Finals Recap

Well then. I think we had an interesting pair of conference finals. Let’s see how I did.

Eastern Conference

(3) Boston Bruins v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

I picked: Bruins in 6

Actual: Bruins in 7

So, I picked the winner right, so at least I have that going for me. However, I still hate that the Bruins won. My thoughts on the Bruins are well known, so I won’t repeat them here again.

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (2) San Jose Sharks

I picked: Canucks in 7

Actual: Canucks in 5

Well, that was more one-sided than I was expecting. Oh well. The Canucks deserve this shot at the Stanley Cup. The Sharks deserved a shot too, but clearly it’s better to have a Canadian team in the final than it is to have a California team there.

OK, this brings my overall record at 9-5, having gone 2-0 at the conference final level.

Check back shortly for my pick to win the 2011 Stanley Cup. But let’s be honest, there’s no question who I’m picking. But check back anyway, you might be surprised.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Conference Finals

And now it’s time to post my picks for the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. So let’s get to the picking.

Eastern Conference

(3) Boston Bruins v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

Gah! There are no marquee teams in this series. Sure, the Bruins are Original Six, but they’re a goon squad. And Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay? Who was the idiot to put hockey in Florida? Anyway, this might be an interesting series. You have Dwayne Roloson, who lead the Edmonton Oilers to the 2006 final before Andrew Ladd intentionally injured him, costing the Oilers the Stanley Cup. On the other hand is Tim Thomas, who put up spectacular numbers in the regular season. So goaltending should not be an issue here. I hate myself for this pick.

Bruins in 6

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (2) San Jose Sharks

Well then, it’s a matchup of the two best teams in the Western Conference. However, over the course of the regular season, the Canucks were 12 points better, which could tend towards a somewhat one-sided series. However, as a Canadian hockey fan, I hate to say I’m not completely convinced about the Canucks. Twice in two rounds they’ve lost some or all of a 3-0 lead. That being said, the Sharks just finished almost coughing up a 3-0 lead. Both teams, I feel, are fragile at the moment.

Canucks in 7

Well, that’s it for now. Keep watching and checking back and we’ll see how I did.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Round 2 Recap

Alright, this time I will have my recap out before the conference finals begin.

It was an interesting second round after the excitement of the first round. Think about it. Both winning teams in the East won in sweeps, while in the West, both series went at least six games.

Anyway, here’s my recap.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington Capitals v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

I picked: Capitals in 6

In reality: Lightning in 4

I really thought the Capitals would have at least won a game. I thought Alex Ovechkin would have been hungry after the Russian team’s faceplant in the Olympics and the Capitals’ collapse against the Habs last season. Apparently I was wrong.

(2) Philadelphia Flyers v. (3) Boston Bruins

I picked: Flyers in 7

In reality: Bruins in 4

Just like last year, the Bruins took a 3-0 lead against the Flyers in the second round. Unlike last year, the Bruins didn’t collapse. I hate this result. I hate the Bruins, especially after watching them knock out my Habs. Now that they’re closer to the Stanley Cup, my hatred is even more virulent. On the bright side, at least the Flyers have no shot at the Cup again. Small mercies, I say.

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (5) Nashville Predators

I picked: Canucks in 6

In reality: Canucks in 6

Hmm, so I got something right this round. It was a bit harder than I expected, but nothing like the near complete chokejob the Canucks almost pulled against the Blackhawks in round one. The best part of this is that there is a one-in-four chance a Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup this year.

(2) San Jose Sharks v. (3) Detroit Red Wings

I picked: Sharks in 7

In reality: Sharks in 7

Well, the Sharks held on and avoided being the fourth team ever to lose a series after winning the first three games. Give the Red Wings credit, they battled and proved how strong a team they are, but it was again the Sharks’ time.

My second round record stands at 2-2. And for the entire playoffs, I am 7-5.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Round 2

And, again, since I am behind the times, here are my very, very brief predictions for the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Enjoy.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington Capitals v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

Capitals in 6

(2) Philadelphia Flyers v. (3) Boston Bruins

A tough one because I hate both teams. But I hate the Bruins more. Flyers in 7

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (5) Nashville Predators

Canucks in 6

(2) San Jose Sharks v. (3) Detroit Red Wings

Sharks in 7

And that’s that. Easy, right? Check back later for how I did.

2011 NHL Playoffs – Round 1 Recap

Since I’m behind in my previews and recaps, this will be quick.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington Capitals v. (8) New York Rangers

Capitals in 6

I got the winner right, but the games wrong. Actual result: Capitals in 5.

(2) Philadelphia Flyers v. (7) Buffalo Sabres

Flyers in 6

Again, the right winner but wrong games count. Actual: Flyers in 7.

(3) Boston Bruins v. (6) Montreal Canadiens

Bruins in 7

Unfortunately I nailed this one. Actual: Bruins in 7.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins v. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

Penguins in 6

I got this completely wrong. Actual: Lightning in 7.

Western Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks v. (8) Chicago Blackhawks

Canucks in 6

Right winner, wrong games. Actual: Canucks in 7.

(2) San Jose Sharks v. (7) Los Angeles Kings

Sharks in 6

Nailed it. Actual: Sharks in 6.

(3) Detroit Red Wings v. (6) Phoenix Coyotes

Coyotes in 7

Boy, was I wrong. Actual: Red Wings in 4.

(4) Anaheim Ducks v. (5) Nashville Predators

Ducks in 7

Well, will you look at that, Nashville finally won a series and made my prediction wrong. Actual: Predators in 6.

So, my final tally for the first round is 5-3. On to round two.