NHL Playoffs 2007: Our Second Round Predictions
Okay, after a sub-par first round effort at playing Kresgin (5-3 is ok, but I’m kicking myself for not taking the Rangers - I also made the right call on Gary Roberts - too bad the rest of the Pens didn’t show up after game 2), we’re onto the second round… All of the ‘wankers’ have been dispatched and there are some good matchups here after a fairly lacklustre first round.
Eastern Conference
Buffalo over the NY Rangers 4-3
I hear some ‘experts’ picking the Rangahs to win this one - that is, experts not named ‘Maggie the Monkey’ which shocks me. I just don’t see it. The Rangers are playing some good hockey right now, but seriously, the Buffaloes are going to be too much for them. The Sabres got into playoff-mode nicely by winning a fiesty 5-game series over the Isles, while the Rangers toyed with the Hossa/Tkachuk/Kovalchuk-led Thrashers, barely breaking a sweat. (The aforementioned Atlanta players were listed because, well, let’s face it: they suck!) That said, this series should be entertaining now that Sean Avery has started flapping his gums, and Buffalo, as good as they are, can be suspect on the back end at times. There should be plenty of goals in this series, but ultimately the Sabres’ speed and slight edge in goaltending should be the difference.
New Jersey over Ottawa 4-2
I was surprised and impressed with how quickly Ottawa dispatched the Penguins in round one. Unfortunately for them, the Devils are the anti-Penguins. They’re playing typical Devil hockey, the EGG line can’t be cracked (that was brutal, I know) and Martin Brodeur is playing like Martin Brodeur. Oh, and did I mention Lou Lamoriello is a genius. I didn’t say I’m a big fan of his, but he’s a genius. Once the Sens hit the ice in ‘joisey, it’s going to seem as if they were playing Pittsburgh on an Olympic-sized sheet. Suddenly there won’t be quite so much room out there. Ottawa will make their yearly second round exit in 6 games.
Western Conference
San Jose over Detroit 4-2
I was thinking Red Wings in 7 originally, but the more I hash this one out, I just can’t see it. Detroit played well vs. Calgary, but the Flames were in disarray (not to mention they just can’t freaking score!) which helped them out a bit. San Jose is equally as tough, but better offensively and more focused. Add one more playoff series to the aged Detroit roster and I think the Sharks wrap this one up in the ‘Tank in game 6.
Anaheim over Vancouver 4-1
The good thing about Vancouver knocking out the Stars was that it saved us from a Detroit/Dallas second round matchup, which would have been completely unwatchable. On the other hand, this series will be quite watchable if you like watching certain Swedish forwards become rink board advertising thanks to certain Canadian defencemen. Other than their retro jerseys, the Canucks didn’t show me too much in round one. They struggled to beat Dallas - the Ducks are bigger, badder and, oh yeah, they actually TRY to score goals sometimes. Luongo steals a home game, but seriously, who would you pick: Sedin/Sedin or Niedermayer/Pronger? I thought so.
Okay, there are the MiltonSearch.com 2nd round predictions. Take it to the bank.
Now, what do you think?
April 25th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
In continuing with my original predictions of a SJ, ANA, OTT and BUF semi-final with Anaheim taking the cup over Ottawa here are my round 2 picks:
SJ over DET in 6 games. Have to give Detroit a couple due to the inexperienced defense in SJ, but I think the Sharks (or the Common Criminals as I used to call them when they played St. Louis year after year) forwards will pummel the Detroit defense and they’ll finally show their age. As long as not too many powerplays go Detroit’s way SJ should be fine.
ANA over Van in 5. Did anyone watch that snore-fest of a game 7?? Vancouver has had no offense all year except the twins, who are useless unless they are 5-on-3. Look for Pronger to smother them.
OTT over NJ in 7. Have to give NJ a few games due to the Brodeur factor. Ottawa better buck the trend of most teams in being so slow to recognize talent and watch out for this Parise kid.
BUF over NYR in 5. New York will score a lot on the PP, but Buffalo will roast them 5 on 5
April 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I’m not sure how to enter picks for the 2nd round on the blog either, having never “blogged” myself (this internet this is never going to catch on!) and didn’t see Dave’s picks either. So I’ll just list them in the conventional way.
These are going to be boring, because they’re the same as Andy’s, but I don’t see any upsets this year.
Buf over NYR in 6
Ott over NJ in 6
SJ over Det in 7
Ana over Van in 5
The Ottawa NJ series has the potential to be the most exciting. I am looking forward to SJ and Ana in the semis, except for the time zone difference.
April 25th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Here are my Predictions….
SJ over DET in 6
Ana over Van in 6
OTT over NJ in 7
BUF over NYR 5
April 25th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
The Ottawa/NJ series as most exciting, J.D.? Maybe in terms of close scores, but the overall quality of play will be dull at best in any series the Devils participate in. Not to mention I just can’t stand watching games in that dingy, old barn in the Meadowlands - which, along with the Nassau Coliseum (Islanders) are the worst arenas in pro sports. Ironic - now the Raps and Sens will be playing there, so we’ll unfortunately be seeing a lot of that place (apparently they pump in crowd noise during Nets games because the fans are so dead).
I agree though, that a Sharks/Ducks Western final would be worth staying up for (No way I’ll make it to the third period, but I would try. The more likely scenario for me to witness the end of a west-coast game these days would be waking up at 5:30 am and witnessing a goal in triple OT or something).
Capper, I think the ‘common criminals’ are now the Flames after that series against Detroit. Ugly stuff. When the Blues finally make the playoffs again, they’ll face Calgary in the first round…. I’m callin’ it now!
April 25th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Buffalo will win in 6 - if not for Jagr and Shanahan it would be a much quicker series for the Sabres.
Ottawa in 7 over the Devils - if you like wide-open break aways and high scoring games this is not the series for you - instead this will be more like a boring nil-nil soccer match.
Sharks in 5 over Detroit - the wings are sinking - they definitely have a tougher opponent this round (hard to admit when I was hoping for the Flames to get their act together last round). As a Canadian you have to love any time an American city so ignorant to self proclaim itself as Hockey Town gets handed their lunch! Would have preferred that Calgary had done that job on behalf of our Hockey Nation.
Ducks over Canucks in 6 - quack quack quack!!! The Ducks D will ensure they win this series, with the GM Brian Burke making it very clear to all his players he wants this series more than Screetch from Saved by the Bell wants another acting gig before he dies a poor and unknown virgin. series out
April 25th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Sabres in 6
Devils in 7
Shahks in 6
Ducks in 6
Unlike John David P.Eng, I do not claim that I have never “blogged” myself.