NHL Playoff Preview
Western Conference Match-ups
(1) Detroit vs (8) Edmonton
Analysis
For the third time in four years the Detroit Red Wings claimed the Presidents Trophy with 124 points, the 4th highest in NHL history. Detroit’s mix of youth, speed and playoff savvy veterans give them a much more balanced attack than in year’s past. The Wings will be without their leading point getter Pavel Datsyuk for Game 1 as he continues to rest his injured left thigh. The Edmonton Oilers return to the postseason for the first time since the 2002-2003 season. In a match-up like this the Oilers cannot afford to play catch up. The best way to pull off an upset is to put the favorite in a position they’re not used to; playing from behind.
Bottom Line
If the Red Wings get eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers it will be the third time in four years they’ve been ousted in the opening round. Don’t count on it. The Oilers will be seeing stars in the first round just not the Dallas Stars this time.
Pick: Wings in five
(2) Dallas vs (7) Colorado
Analysis
Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars have been waiting two years to exact revenge on the Colorado Avalanche. These two Western Conference rivals open their series in Dallas on Saturday. Even though the Stars were tied for the 3rd highest point total in the NHL this season I am not convinced that they have the tools to make a long playoff run. Marty Turco can set all the team records he wants but until he proves he can win in the playoffs there’s no reason to jump on the Dallas bandwagon. The Avs are entering this year’s postseason with hopes that newly acquired Jose Theodore will be healthy enough to make through the first round. Colorado has never had problems putting the puck in the net but keeping it out has been their achilles heal this season.
Bottom Line
This series has the potential to go to seven games but if Colorado wants to pull off this upset Theodore and their D will have to be at the top of their game. I’m going out on a limb for this one.
Pick: Avs in seven
(3) Calgary vs (6) Anaheim
Analysis
The Calgary Flames and Anaheim Mighty Ducks have something in common; they’re the last 2 runner-ups for the Stanley Cup. This series has potential to be the most exciting of all of the first round tilts. The most interesting battle will be between the net minders of each team. Calgary’s Mikka Kiprusoff is the favorite to take the Vezina Trophy as he’s 2nd in wins (42), 1st in goals against (2.07) and 1st in shutouts (10). Anaheim’s Jean- Sebastien Giguere is looking to take the Ducks on another Cinderella run as he did in 2003. The Flames’ are quite familiar with each other as their roster resembles the one which came up short in the 2004 cup final. Anaheim is a much different team than three years ago and I don’t think they’ll mesh as well as Calgary will.
Bottom Line
It’s a shame only one of these teams can advance because I think both of them can do some serious damage in this postseason. Calgary is too good defensively, too well coached and have the NHL’s best goalie right now in Kiprusoff.
Pick: Flames in six
(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose
Analysis
Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo would trade in their respective scoring titles for a Stanley Cup any day. Acquiring Thornton in that blockbuster trade earlier this season is the main reason why the San Jose Sharks are a threat coming into this postseason. Just ask Cheechoo, who had a career year and led the NHL with 56 goals, 38 of which were assisted by Thornton. The Sharks are inexperienced in goal although you wouldn’t know it considering how well Vesa Toskala has played. Nashville is even less experienced in net with Chris Mason, who has only played in 18 games this season. Mason will now be counted on to fill the void left by the injured Tomas Vokoun. Overall I like the Sharks fire power a bit more and feel more confident in Toskala than Mason. This marks the first meeting between these two clubs in the playoffs.
Bottom Line
At least Nashville has home ice and that means a lot to a team who owned the best regular season home record. I still don’t think that will be enough to overcome the tandem of Thornton and Cheechoo.
Pick: Sharks in 6
Eastern Conference Match-ups
(1) Ottawa vs (8) Tampa Bay
Analysis
The Ottawa Senators have taken the first step in avoiding an early playoff exit; not playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. The next step will be to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. With Dominik Hasek still sidelined due to a groin injury the Sens will pin their playoff hopes on rookie sensation Ray Emery. As well as Emery’s played, Hasek was acquired to fill in that missing link they were lacking in past playoff runs. With Hasek’s return this season in question, Ottawa will need the line of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, and Jason Spezza to play an even bigger role. Tampa Bay is missing one big piece from their championship run; Nikolai Khabibulin. After losing the Bulin wall to free agency the Lightning have not been able to find his replacement. John Grahame and Sean Burke won’t be able to save the Lightning in this series.
Bottom Line
Tampa’s best bet would be for Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Brad Richards to put up ridiculous numbers. That still won’t be enough. Will Ray Emery take the Sens to the cup? No. Will he be good enough to win them this series? Yes.
Pick: Sens in 5
(2) Carolina vs (7) Montreal
Analysis
The Carolina Hurricanes felt they left the Cup behind back in the 2002 season. This time around they’re determined to carry it above their heads. Before getting that far they must first take care of business against the Montreal Canadiens. In that 2002 miracle season, the Habs were one of the teams the Canes beat in the playoffs. The major difference between this year’s team in Carolina and 2002 is that it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see them win it all. The Hurricanes have all the tools on offense but my beef with them is in net. I know Gerber has been very solid but his lack of playoff experience should be a cause for concern in Carolina. Montreal has a bit of a goalie controversy on their hands. Although Cristobal Huet has got them to the postseason, David Aebischer was acquired from Colorado in hopes of being their #1 goalie. For now Huet is their #1 but a couple of bad games could open the door for Aebischer.
Bottom Line
I don’t believe in either of these team’s goaltending but I believe in Carolina more as a team. Montreal’s situation in goal could pose a distraction if Huet doesn’t pan out.
Pick: Canes in 6
(3) New Jersey vs (6) NY Rangers
Analysis
Thanks to an 11 game winning streak to end the season the New Jersey Devils stole the Atlantic division away from the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. The Rangers want nothing more than to steal this series from the Devils. Hart Trophy candidate Jaromir Jagr will be hard pressed to find openings on the ice as the Devils look to key in on him. Jagr brings the Rangers back to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, where New York ironically eliminated New Jersey from the playoffs. As is the story with many teams, goaltending should be the Rangers main concern. Henrik Lundqvist enjoyed a spectacular rookie campaign but as we all know the playoffs are a whole new ball game. Currently, New Jersey is the only team in the Eastern Conference with a proven goalie in the postseason, that being Martin Brodeur. Goaltending and Defense wins games and that’s what separates the Devils from the Rangers.
Bottom Line
I always believe in any sport that the hottest teams going into the playoffs usually ride it all the way through. This series is no different.
Pick: Devils in six
(4) Buffalo vs (5) Philadelphia
Analysis
When will the Philadelphia Flyers realize that the Robert Esche’s of this world don’t take you very far in the postseason? The Flyers enter these playoffs with the same problem as every other year; goaltending. Philly is a completely different team than the one that played in front of Esche in the 2004 playoffs. This one is definitely younger but not necessarily better. Their opponents the Buffalo Sabres are back playing spring hockey for the first time since the 2001 season. No one expected the Sabres to be as successful as they have been. What everyone has realized is that the Sabres play a perfect style of hockey suited to the new NHL. On paper their roster may not impress many but on the ice is a different story. Buffalo much like Philadelphia have their concerns in goal. Ryan Miller and Martin Biron have been unbelievable but neither has playoff experience which could come back to haunt the Sabres.
Bottom Line
Even with no playoff experience I still believe Buffalo can overcome their goalie issue with their speedy and young talent. Philly has some snipers but it won’t be enough as Esche will find a way to lose them the series.
Pick: Sabres in six
Western Conference Match-ups
(1) Detroit vs (8) Edmonton
Analysis
For the third time in four years the Detroit Red Wings claimed the Presidents Trophy with 124 points, the 4th highest in NHL history. Detroit’s mix of youth, speed and playoff savvy veterans give them a much more balanced attack than in year’s past. The Wings will be without their leading point getter Pavel Datsyuk for Game 1 as he continues to rest his injured left thigh. The Edmonton Oilers return to the postseason for the first time since the 2002-2003 season. In a match-up like this the Oilers cannot afford to play catch up. The best way to pull off an upset is to put the favorite in a position they’re not used to; playing from behind.
Bottom Line
If the Red Wings get eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers it will be the third time in four years they’ve been ousted in the opening round. Don’t count on it. The Oilers will be seeing stars in the first round just not the Dallas Stars this time.
Pick: Wings in five
(2) Dallas vs (7) Colorado
Analysis
Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars have been waiting two years to exact revenge on the Colorado Avalanche. These two Western Conference rivals open their series in Dallas on Saturday. Even though the Stars were tied for the 3rd highest point total in the NHL this season I am not convinced that they have the tools to make a long playoff run. Marty Turco can set all the team records he wants but until he proves he can win in the playoffs there’s no reason to jump on the Dallas bandwagon. The Avs are entering this year’s postseason with hopes that newly acquired Jose Theodore will be healthy enough to make through the first round. Colorado has never had problems putting the puck in the net but keeping it out has been their achilles heal this season.
Bottom Line
This series has the potential to go to seven games but if Colorado wants to pull off this upset Theodore and their D will have to be at the top of their game. I’m going out on a limb for this one.
Pick: Avs in seven
(3) Calgary vs (6) Anaheim
Analysis
The Calgary Flames and Anaheim Mighty Ducks have something in common; they’re the last 2 runner-ups for the Stanley Cup. This series has potential to be the most exciting of all of the first round tilts. The most interesting battle will be between the net minders of each team. Calgary’s Mikka Kiprusoff is the favorite to take the Vezina Trophy as he’s 2nd in wins (42), 1st in goals against (2.07) and 1st in shutouts (10). Anaheim’s Jean- Sebastien Giguere is looking to take the Ducks on another Cinderella run as he did in 2003. The Flames’ are quite familiar with each other as their roster resembles the one which came up short in the 2004 cup final. Anaheim is a much different team than three years ago and I don’t think they’ll mesh as well as Calgary will.
Bottom Line
It’s a shame only one of these teams can advance because I think both of them can do some serious damage in this postseason. Calgary is too good defensively, too well coached and have the NHL’s best goalie right now in Kiprusoff.
Pick: Flames in six
(4) Nashville vs (5) San Jose
Analysis
Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo would trade in their respective scoring titles for a Stanley Cup any day. Acquiring Thornton in that blockbuster trade earlier this season is the main reason why the San Jose Sharks are a threat coming into this postseason. Just ask Cheechoo, who had a career year and led the NHL with 56 goals, 38 of which were assisted by Thornton. The Sharks are inexperienced in goal although you wouldn’t know it considering how well Vesa Toskala has played. Nashville is even less experienced in net with Chris Mason, who has only played in 18 games this season. Mason will now be counted on to fill the void left by the injured Tomas Vokoun. Overall I like the Sharks fire power a bit more and feel more confident in Toskala than Mason. This marks the first meeting between these two clubs in the playoffs.
Bottom Line
At least Nashville has home ice and that means a lot to a team who owned the best regular season home record. I still don’t think that will be enough to overcome the tandem of Thornton and Cheechoo.
Pick: Sharks in 6
Eastern Conference Match-ups
(1) Ottawa vs (8) Tampa Bay
Analysis
The Ottawa Senators have taken the first step in avoiding an early playoff exit; not playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. The next step will be to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. With Dominik Hasek still sidelined due to a groin injury the Sens will pin their playoff hopes on rookie sensation Ray Emery. As well as Emery’s played, Hasek was acquired to fill in that missing link they were lacking in past playoff runs. With Hasek’s return this season in question, Ottawa will need the line of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, and Jason Spezza to play an even bigger role. Tampa Bay is missing one big piece from their championship run; Nikolai Khabibulin. After losing the Bulin wall to free agency the Lightning have not been able to find his replacement. John Grahame and Sean Burke won’t be able to save the Lightning in this series.
Bottom Line
Tampa’s best bet would be for Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, and Brad Richards to put up ridiculous numbers. That still won’t be enough. Will Ray Emery take the Sens to the cup? No. Will he be good enough to win them this series? Yes.
Pick: Sens in 5
(2) Carolina vs (7) Montreal
Analysis
The Carolina Hurricanes felt they left the Cup behind back in the 2002 season. This time around they’re determined to carry it above their heads. Before getting that far they must first take care of business against the Montreal Canadiens. In that 2002 miracle season, the Habs were one of the teams the Canes beat in the playoffs. The major difference between this year’s team in Carolina and 2002 is that it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see them win it all. The Hurricanes have all the tools on offense but my beef with them is in net. I know Gerber has been very solid but his lack of playoff experience should be a cause for concern in Carolina. Montreal has a bit of a goalie controversy on their hands. Although Cristobal Huet has got them to the postseason, David Aebischer was acquired from Colorado in hopes of being their #1 goalie. For now Huet is their #1 but a couple of bad games could open the door for Aebischer.
Bottom Line
I don’t believe in either of these team’s goaltending but I believe in Carolina more as a team. Montreal’s situation in goal could pose a distraction if Huet doesn’t pan out.
Pick: Canes in 6
(3) New Jersey vs (6) NY Rangers
Analysis
Thanks to an 11 game winning streak to end the season the New Jersey Devils stole the Atlantic division away from the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. The Rangers want nothing more than to steal this series from the Devils. Hart Trophy candidate Jaromir Jagr will be hard pressed to find openings on the ice as the Devils look to key in on him. Jagr brings the Rangers back to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, where New York ironically eliminated New Jersey from the playoffs. As is the story with many teams, goaltending should be the Rangers main concern. Henrik Lundqvist enjoyed a spectacular rookie campaign but as we all know the playoffs are a whole new ball game. Currently, New Jersey is the only team in the Eastern Conference with a proven goalie in the postseason, that being Martin Brodeur. Goaltending and Defense wins games and that’s what separates the Devils from the Rangers.
Bottom Line
I always believe in any sport that the hottest teams going into the playoffs usually ride it all the way through. This series is no different.
Pick: Devils in six
(4) Buffalo vs (5) Philadelphia
Analysis
When will the Philadelphia Flyers realize that the Robert Esche’s of this world don’t take you very far in the postseason? The Flyers enter these playoffs with the same problem as every other year; goaltending. Philly is a completely different team than the one that played in front of Esche in the 2004 playoffs. This one is definitely younger but not necessarily better. Their opponents the Buffalo Sabres are back playing spring hockey for the first time since the 2001 season. No one expected the Sabres to be as successful as they have been. What everyone has realized is that the Sabres play a perfect style of hockey suited to the new NHL. On paper their roster may not impress many but on the ice is a different story. Buffalo much like Philadelphia have their concerns in goal. Ryan Miller and Martin Biron have been unbelievable but neither has playoff experience which could come back to haunt the Sabres.
Bottom Line
Even with no playoff experience I still believe Buffalo can overcome their goalie issue with their speedy and young talent. Philly has some snipers but it won’t be enough as Esche will find a way to lose them the series.
Pick: Sabres in six
posted by Isaac Cohen at
2:42 PM
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