Previewing Lord Stanley’s Playoff (Part Two - Western Conference)

The big boys douse you with all kinds of stats and interesting nuggets of knowledge, I am here to just give my opinion. Here is my preview of the greatest playoff tournament in sports, except for of course Women’s College Basketball.

Western Conference

(1) San Jose vs. (8) Colorado

It's easy to make a joke about how the Sharks view the playoffs like Greg Norman views a Sunday afternoon at a Major PGA tournament. Yes the Sharks have choked in the playoffs on multiple occasions, but in those instances they ran into playoff experienced teams with a playoff ready goalie. While Colorado is talented, they are young, and not ready for this stage, San Jose (finally) is, Sharks in 5.

(2) Chicago vs. (7) Nashville

Nashville cabbies beware, the one and only Patrick Kane is in town. Unfortunately for the Preds so are the rest of his talented teammates. On paper this looks like a mismatch with Nashville's lack of offensive depth; however, if the deep Nashville blueline including Shea Weber, Dan Hamhuis, Denis Grebeshkov and Ryan Suter can do their job and Pekka Rinne keeps them in a few games this one could go the distance. Toews, Hossa, Sharp and company say no way, Blackhawks in 6.

(3) Vancouver vs. (6) Los Angeles

Both teams have issues with scoring depth, some defensive liabilities, have been enigmas throughout the season and enter the playoffs playing around .500 hockey in their last ten games. The difference is Vancouver needs to prove their worth in the playoffs after a few lackluster playoff exits, and they have the home ice. You want a reason to watch this series, his name is Drew Doughty, the 20 year-old Kings sweet skating defensemen is worth the price of admission. The Kings are talented and push the Canucks to the brink, but Vancouver pulls it out in 7.

(4) Phoenix vs. (5) Detroit

Congratulations Phoenix you set franchise records for wins (50) and points (107) this season, all amidst weekly speculation of the franchise relocating. Your prize: The most successful franchise over the last 15 years and two time defending Western Conference champion, Detroit Red Wings (just as they are getting healthy). Oh and on top of that Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard is 15-0-2 in his last 17 games. Congrats Coyotes on the great season, Red Wings in 5.

Five Predictions for the Western Conference

1. Despite winning Detroit fans will feel there was some slight against their team.

2. Jonathan Toews scores an overtime game winner against the Predators.

3. Holmstrom and Franzen team up for six goals in a short series with the Coyotes.

4. Dany Heatley has at least one Hat Trick against the Avs.

5. The LOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU chant in Vancouver every time the puck goes near Roberto Luongo will get real old, real fast.

Previewing Lord Stanley’s Playoff (Part One - Eastern Conference)

The big boys douse you with all kinds of stats and interesting nuggets of knowledge, I am here to just give my opinion. Here is my preview of the greatest playoff tournament in sports, except for of course Women’s College Basketball.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington vs. (8) Montreal

Washington fans are (President’s) Cup Crazy, meaning they Googled what that trophy was three months ago; in a month they find out what happens to those who possess it in the postseason. Not yet though, Caps in 5, only drama in this one is how fast Texas Ted strokes his fan base's ego by saying they are louder and more awesome than Habs fans.

(2) New Jersey vs. (7) Philadelphia

Set the alarm clock if you’re watching this one and need to get up for work the next day. Yes this is the NHL equivalent to a Nascar race with Jersey clogging up the neutral zone and trapping like it's Return of the Jedi. The whole rivalry angle could be played up, if Devils fans consisted of more people than the cast of Jersey Shore. Flyers won the season series 5-1 and some of those games weren’t even close, Flyers in Six.

(3) Buffalo vs. (6) Boston

If you like goalie match ups and tight low scoring games Bob Barker wants you to come on down. This will be a fun hockey series to watch for a true hockey aficionado, stellar goaltending with Miller and Rask/Thomas, division rivals, well played systematic defense. Buffalo was 2-2-2 in the season series and four of the games were decided by one goal, with one decided in a shoot out. My gut tells me Boston wins this one in 7.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Ottawa

Playing for the third time in four years, with neither previous series being all that close, this go around has the feeling of a really bad movie that keeps getting made over and over again, think Saw 1 - 112. The Penguins have too much depth and are a seasoned playoff team going against a playoff virgin in Senators goaltender Brian Elliott. Unless Elliott plays lights out and Ottawa gets huge production out of Alfredsson, Fisher and Spezza expect a quick one, Penguins in 5.

Five Predictions For the East

1. Nicklas Backstrom has more points in the postseason than Ovechkin because he is a better all around hockey player.

2. Kovalchuk continues his playoff disappearing act.

3. Capitals win the series, but Theodore looks shaky especially in the games at Montreal and a goalie controversy emerges in our Nation's Capital.

4. Jordan Staal has three goals and five points in the first round.

5. Senators hopefully never do anything like this ever again.