Monday, April 13, 2009

Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview 2009 Edition

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The most gorgeous piece of silver known to man. It's gonna take 2 months of hell, beards and sacrifice for a moment to lift this 35 pound trophy. But to those injured, beaten and physically drained, nothing is more gratifying. Let's meet the participants...

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1: San Jose Sharks vs. #8: Anaheim Ducks

Clearly from a skill standpoint, San Jose is the much better squad. They have the better goalie, forwards, defense and experience. Saying that a rivalry like this Norcal vs. Socal battle makes things a little more interesting and worth glancing at. Let's also face facts that San Jose cruised through the season and are going to the playoffs backing in; which I feel may be a psychological advantage for this Ducks team. Their goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere is a playoff tested goalie with Stanley Cup experience and can definitely steal this series. I know I may be giving more credit to the Ducks here, but I think San Jose has more sense of urgency to the fact that they don't want to eff up once again and be considered a team who couldn't win the big one.

PREDICTION
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Sorry Coach Bombay... Sharks in 7, in a grueling, punishing seven game series.

#2: Detroit Red Wings vs. #7: Columbus Blue Jackets

Face it, Columbus is just happy to be in the dance for the first time in its franchise history, but they run into not only a well oiled machine that is Detroit, but the defending champs. You think their run last year was amazing, they only got better this year when they acquired former Penguin (and traitor) Marian Hossa. Good for the Blue Jackets though finally making the big show, but damn if they even win a game.

PREDICTION

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Beware Of The Octopus! Red Wings in a sweep 4-0.

#3: Vancouver Canucks vs. #6: St. Louis Blues

This is an interesting matchup, because the Blues shouldn't have any business being in the dance, but they're young, they don't know any better and have practically nothing to lose... Which makes them even more dangerous. The Canucks are a veteran squad that added Mats Sundin during the season to give them more scoring for the playoffs. But damn the guy is just too Jekkyl and Hyde. The key is Roberto Luongo. If he stands on his head and owns everyones soul, Vancouver easily wins this. However if at any point he stumbles, you put the harmonicas away and the Blues will be moving on.

PREDICTION

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Wrote A Song Bout It... Like To Hear It, Here It Goes...

"I Watched The Canucks and Blues... And The Blues Upset Them In Siiiiiiiiix ... Ahhhh Hahhhh! Thank You Very Much!"

#4: Chicago Blackhawks vs. #5: Calgary Flames

Man, I love this Blackhawks team! They are a bunch of youngsters. More talented version of St. Louis but can seriously make a run for it. Iron Mike Keenan bought himself a few renters at the deadline with Olli Jokinen and reaquiring Jordan Leopold, but as long as you slow down MVP caliber Jarome Iginla, you are good. The young Hawks may not have the playoff experience, but neither does Jokinen (never made the playoffs). Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are a poor man's Crosby and Malkin (duo wise). Not saying that they are, but they are the West version of those two. They are beautiful to watch.

PREDICTION

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No more crying Chief... Blackhawks in 5

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1: Boston Bruins vs. #8: Montreal Canadiens

The Big bad Bruins beat the hell out of everyone early this year. Now they couldn't do anything the second half of the year. The Canadiens are a joke! They fired their coach midseason, their star forward is inconsistent, two brothers are involved in a mafia type ring, and now Celine Dion wants part ownership of the Habs. These 2 original six teams have had some classic battles and this one is no different. However I just can't see Montreal doing anything. Their goalie is shaky and their forwards just aren't tough enough to maintain a grueling Stanley Cup run.

PREDICTION

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Bear City rules all. Fuck Celine Dion. Bruins in 5

#2: Washington Capitals vs. #7: New York Rangers

This is a story of one Alexander Ovechkin. Last year he produced so well but could not lift his team past the first round. He gets another chance. Against a Ranger team who keep trying to buy a ring but to no avail. The key? Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist. If he shows that he can be one of the best goalies in the world, the Rags have it. If AO and Co. come out blazing, this series will be over quickly. So for the sake of the matchup I want...

PREDICTION

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Sometimes you have to win ugly... Literally... Capitals in 6

#3: New Jersey Devils vs. #6: Carolina Hurricanes

I have one darkhorse this playoff year... Carolina. This team is so solid and arguably the hottest going into the playoffs. They have a star player in Eric Staal that can score at will plus a group of veterans that can go on a huge Cup run. One thing gets in the way of that. The All-Time Winningest Goalie: Martin Brodeur. He has the ability to steal a game and a series. He is that good. However, I believe a close second in the group of 16 teams is Canes goalie Cam Ward. Don't underestimate the Devils trapping defense. Its boring as hell like the San Antonio Spurs, but it gets the job done.

PREDICTION

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Hurricane, but you can call me slurricane... Carolina in six games.

TOMORROW...

Penguins vs. Flyers Preview since I am a Pens fan.

It's almost here...

It's All Set: The Sweet Sixteen

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here and thanks to the New York Rangers, the Penguins get home ice advantage vs. the Flyers after they beat Philly in the final game of the year. This is where my disease starts. My day will surround the Penguins playing for Lord Stanley's Cup. The superstitions. The pregame rituals. The agony. The exhiliration. The anticipation. The joy. Will this be the year? I'll dive into greater detail with an extensive preview tomorrow, but here are the first round playoff matchups for both the EAST and WEST

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. San Jose Sharks vs. 8 Anaheim Ducks
2. Detroit Red Wings vs. 7. Columbus Blue Jackets
3. Vancouver Canucks vs. 6. St. Louis Blues
4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5. Calgary Flames

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Boston Bruins vs. 8. Montreal Canadiens
2. Washington Capitals vs. 7. New York Rangers
3. New Jersey Devils vs. 6. Carolina Hurricanes
4. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. 5. Philadelphia Flyers

From now until the end of the playoffs, this song will always play...



It's Time!